Resistive Loop Touch Point Readout for Garment Adaptability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional human interface devices, such as gloves with fixed touch points, are inflexible and complicated in construction, limiting adaptability to different users and applications, and require many conductors and connections for quasi-continuous data input.
Innovation Solution
A resistive loop touch point readout method using conductive materials integrated into garments, allowing dynamic repositioning and resizing of touch points, with sensing pads connected to signal processing circuitry for continuous and variable user input detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If fixed touch points are used in traditional gloves, then the construction is simpler with predefined locations, but the adaptability to different users and applications is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms fixed, static touch points into dynamic, movable touch points that can be repositioned along resistive loops. This allows the touch points to adapt to different user preferences and applications while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure using continuous conductive loops instead of multiple discrete connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The resistive loop structure serves multiple functions: it provides continuous touch point positioning, enables different touch point configurations for different users, and maintains electrical connectivity throughout. This universal structure replaces the need for multiple fixed touch points and complex wiring arrangements.
2Productivity
If many conductors and connections are used for quasi-continuous data input, then the data input capability is enhanced, but the garment construction becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple discrete conductors into continuous resistive loops that traverse the garment. This consolidation reduces the number of separate connections needed while maintaining the capability to detect quasi-continuous touch point positions along the loops, thereby simplifying garment construction.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using multiple physical conductors for each touch point, the patent uses a single continuous resistive loop that is electrically probed at different locations. This creates a functional copy of multiple conductor paths through a single physical structure, reducing construction complexity.
3Ease of operation
If fixed size and location touch points are used, then the manufacturing is simpler, but the ergonomic considerations for different users are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The touch points are made dynamic and repositionable along the resistive loops, allowing them to be adjusted to ergonomic positions suited to different users' hand sizes and preferences. The manufacturing process remains relatively simple as it involves creating continuous loops rather than precisely placing multiple discrete touch points.
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
Simplifies garment design, reduces conductor requirements, and enables intuitive, adaptable, and continuous user input control, simulating actions like sliders or joysticks with reduced complexity and increased comfort.
Implementation Method 1
A resistive loop touch point readout method using conductive materials integrated into garments
Data Source
AI summary
A means and method for enabling contact or touch point location detection to be implemented on a particular garment. This means and method simplifies the design of the garment by reducing the number of conductors required to interconnect the various touch points and signal processing circuitry; it provides a way to dynamically reposition or resize the effective touch point target regions; and it provides for new control capabilities by optionally allowing continuously variable user input control.