Pressure Sensitive Peripheral Device for Computing Input

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing peripheral devices for computing platforms primarily rely on two-dimensional or three-dimensional motion inputs, lacking effective mechanisms for translating pressure and acceleration into intuitive control inputs for graphical user interfaces and operational controls.

Innovation Solution

A pressure sensitive peripheral device with integrated pressure sensors and optional additional sensors (vibration, accelerometer, heart rate, and blood pressure) that allow users to control computing platforms by applying compressive forces, enabling inputs such as selecting menu items, interacting with fitness or rehabilitation programs, and controlling game actions through varying pressures and forces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional motion-based input mechanisms are used, then device simplicity is maintained, but control precision and interaction intuitiveness deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple sensing modalities (pressure sensing, acceleration sensing, vibration sensing) into a single peripheral device housing, enabling rich control precision through fused data from all sensors while maintaining a unified device structure that does not significantly increase overall complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The peripheral device is designed to perform multiple functions: pressure-sensitive input for selection and control, acceleration-sensitive input for motion-based control, vibration detection for feedback and gesture recognition, and health monitoring through integrated sensors, thereby achieving high control precision across diverse interaction scenarios

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If basic pressure sensing is implemented, then control capability is improved, but functionality versatility deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctionality versatilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device integrates multiple sensor types (pressure, acceleration, vibration, heart rate, blood pressure) within a single housing, enabling diverse functions including graphical interface control, fitness program interaction, rehabilitation program control, game interaction, and health monitoring, thereby achieving high functionality versatility without requiring multiple separate devices

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple sensing systems are merged into one integrated peripheral device, allowing the device to adapt to various applications (GUI control, fitness tracking, rehabilitation, gaming, health monitoring) through software interpretation of combined sensor data, thus improving versatility while consolidating hardware complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If motion-based control is used, then ease of operation is maintained, but interaction intuitiveness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidinteraction intuitiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The device incorporates vibration sensing and acceleration sensing that detect natural human movements and physiological signals, providing intuitive feedback about user actions while maintaining ease of operation through natural gestures rather than requiring learned button presses or complex controls

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 intuitive and versatile control of computing platforms by translating compressive forces into precise input signals, enhancing user interaction with graphical user interfaces, fitness programs, rehabilitation programs, and games, while providing additional health monitoring capabilities.

Implementation Method 1

a pressure sensor configured to provide a pressure signal conveying information associated with a compressive pressure or force applied to a housing body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure sensitivity: Piezoresistive Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3134802B1Pressure sensitive peripheral devices, and associated methods of use
Publication Date: 2022.08.24 ACTIVBODY INC
  • EP3134802B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3134802B1 patent drawingFigure 2~5
  • EP3134802B1 patent drawingFigure 6~8

AI summary

Facilitating a user to provide inputs to a computing platform by squeezing a pressure sensitive peripheral device is disclosed. The pressure sensitive peripheral device may include one or more pressure sensors disposed within a housing body or housing bodies of the pressure sensitive peripheral device. The pressure sensors may provide pressure signals conveying information associated with compressive forces applied to the housing body or bodies of the pressure sensitive peripheral device. Inputs to control one or more aspects of a computing platform coupled to the pressure sensitive peripheral device may be provided based on the pressure signals. The one or more aspects of the computing platform may include one or more aspects of a graphical user interface on a display associated with the computing platform, operational aspects of the computing platform and/or any other aspects of the computing platform.