Optical Sensor Landing Surface Extension for Cursor Motion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sensors, such as optical sensors, have a small surface area, requiring multiple motions to achieve significant cursor movement on a display, which can be inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that include a landing surface extending at least 0.5 mm beyond the optical sensor, with a sensor orifice for optical sensing, to enhance motion extension by increasing the surface area and reducing the number of motions needed for cursor movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the sensor surface area is kept small, then the sensor can be compact and integrated easily, but multiple motions are required to achieve significant cursor movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a temporal dimension to the interaction by requiring the object to remain in contact with the sensor surface for an extended duration. This transforms a spatial limitation (small sensor area) into a temporal solution (extended contact time), allowing the sensor to accumulate motion data over time rather than requiring large spatial movement across the sensor surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by detecting and accumulating motion data during the extended contact period before generating the final cursor movement response. The sensor captures motion information continuously throughout the extended contact, preparing the data in advance to produce a more efficient cursor movement outcome.
2Productivity
If the sensor surface area is increased, then fewer motions are needed for cursor movement, but the sensor becomes larger and less integrated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by shifting from a spatial solution (larger sensor area) to a temporal solution (extended contact duration). The extended landing surface enables the system to accumulate productive motion detection over time, achieving high motion efficiency without increasing the physical footprint of the sensor.
Solution Approach 2:
The extended landing surface acts as a copying mechanism, allowing the motion detection function to be distributed across a larger physical area while the actual sensing elements remain concentrated on the small sensor surface. The extended surface copies the sensing capability across its area through the orifice, maintaining compact sensor design while improving motion efficiency.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively extends motion across the sensor, allowing for longer cursor movements with fewer gestures, improving user interaction efficiency by increasing the surface area and reducing the need for repeated motions.
Implementation Method 1
A sensor orifice provides optical sensing by the optical sensor through the landing surface
Data Source
AI summary
A landing surface is in physical communication with a face of an optical sensor. The landing surface extends at least 0.5 millimeters (mm) beyond a side of the optical sensor. A sensor orifice provides optical sensing by the optical sensor through the landing surface.