Portable Terminal Input Device Dome Switch Pressure Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional portable terminals face limitations in configuring various key signals and providing a mechanical click feel, with input devices using dome switches offering limited versatility and those using pressure sensors lacking the tactile feedback.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that combines a dome switch and pressure sensors to generate input signals, allowing for a mechanical click feel and configuring key signals based on pressure magnitudes, with an actuator pressing both components simultaneously to perform specific operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a dome switch is used for input, then a mechanical click feel is provided, but the ability to configure various key signals is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a dome switch and a pressure sensor into a single input device. The dome switch provides mechanical click feedback when pressed, while the pressure sensor simultaneously detects pressure magnitude. This merging allows the device to maintain the tactile advantages of mechanical switches while gaining the signal versatility of pressure sensors, resolving the contradiction between mechanical feel and signal configurability
Solution Approach 2:
The input device is designed to perform multiple functions: it can detect simple key presses via the dome switch, measure pressure magnitude through the pressure sensor, and generate various key signals based on different pressure levels. This multi-functionality allows a single device to replace both traditional dome switches and pressure sensor-based input devices, providing both mechanical feedback and versatile signal configuration
2Adaptability or versatility
If a pressure sensor is used for input, then various key signals can be configured based on pressure change, but mechanical click feel is not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges a pressure sensor with a dome switch in the same input device. The pressure sensor captures pressure magnitude information for versatile signal configuration, while the dome switch simultaneously provides mechanical click feedback. This combination ensures that users receive both the tactile satisfaction of mechanical input and the flexibility of programmable key signals based on pressure levels
3Ease of operation
If only a dome switch is used, then mechanical feedback is provided, but the number of distinguishable input states is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a dome switch that provides mechanical feedback with a pressure sensor that measures pressure magnitude. When the dome switch is pressed, it generates mechanical click feedback while simultaneously activating the pressure sensor to detect different pressure levels. This allows the system to distinguish between light presses, medium presses, and hard presses, significantly increasing the number of distinguishable input states while maintaining mechanical feedback
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
Enables users to experience a mechanical click feel while enabling various key signal configurations, enhancing the functionality and usability of portable terminals by performing distinct operations based on signal duration and pressure changes.
Implementation Method 1
another input device which has a plurality of pressure sensors on a main board to output a signal in response to sensing a pressure change
Implementation Method 2
a dome switch for allowing an electrical contact to be made with the contact pattern is pressed. When the dome switch is pressed, a contact is made with the contact pattern
Data Source
AI summary
A portable terminal includes an input device and processing hardware which operates a predetermined method. The input device includes a keypad unit consisting of a plurality of key buttons, a board consisting of a plurality of pressure sensors and dome switches for generating signals when pressed, and an actuator for simultaneously pressing the corresponding dome switch and the corresponding pressure sensor when a key button is pressed, with the processing hardware for performing and finishing a first operation based on the signal generated by the corresponding dome switch if generation of the signal generated by the dome switch stops before a valid time has expired, and for performing a second operation based on a pressure change sensed by the corresponding pressure sensor simultaneously pressed until the generation of the signal generated by the corresponding dome switch remains after the valid time has expired.