Passive Magnetic Human Interface Device for Reliable Input
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing user input devices for computing systems often require power, leading to mechanical and electrical failures, and place significant loads on users due to their weight and complexity, reducing portability and usability.
Innovation Solution
A passive human interface device using a magnet and mechanical linkage that does not require power, allowing for user input to be translated into magnetic fields detectable by a sensing system, reducing component failures and user load, and improving portability and usability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If active human interface devices are used to obtain user input, then input functionality is achieved, but the devices require power leading to mechanical and electrical failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces active electronic sensing mechanisms with a passive magnetic field sensing system. A magnet attached to the input device interacts with magnetic sensors in the computing device, eliminating the need for power-consuming components in the input device while maintaining input functionality and improving reliability.
2Ease of operation
If active human interface devices are used to obtain user input, then input functionality is achieved, but the devices place significant loads on users due to weight and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sensing functionality from the human interface device and relocates it to the computing device. The input device becomes a simple passive magnet while the computing device contains the magnetic sensors and processing logic, dramatically reducing the weight and complexity of the user-held device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a magnetic field as an intermediary between the user input device and the computing device. The magnet on the input device creates magnetic field changes that are detected by sensors in the computing device, enabling communication without direct electrical or mechanical connections.
3Device complexity
If passive human interface device with magnet is used, then device complexity and user load are reduced, but magnetic field sensing precision must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the computing device's processor perform multiple functions: it processes application logic and simultaneously tracks magnetic field changes from the input device. This multi-functionality allows precise magnetic sensing without adding dedicated hardware complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical or electronic sensing mechanisms in the input device with a simple magnet, and substitutes the sensing function itself to the computing device's magnetic sensors, maintaining precision while reducing complexity.
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 enables efficient and reliable user input without the need for power, reducing device complexity and user fatigue, while enhancing portability and usability by using a passive human interface device that translates user actions into magnetic fields for sensing.
Implementation Method 1
a magnet positioned with the body, the magnet emanating a magnetic field distribution that extends into an ambient environment proximate to the human interface device
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for providing computer implemented services using user input are disclosed. To obtain the user input, a passive human interface device may be used. The human interface device may include a magnet that may produce a magnetic field used to discern the user input. The magnet may be mechanically coupled to actuatable portions of the human interface device thereby facilitating both translation and rotation of the magnet responsive to actuations by a user. The translation and rotation of the magnet may be sensed and used to identify user input provided by the user.