Resonant Phase Sensing for Virtual Button Displacement Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile devices face challenges in detecting user interactions with human-machine interfaces effectively due to the need for sensors that balance sensitivity, power consumption, and size, particularly in replacing mechanical buttons with virtual ones that mimic the feel of mechanical clicks.
Innovation Solution
A system incorporating a resistive-inductive-capacitive sensor with a measurement circuit and filter to measure phase information and determine displacement, isolating slower changes indicative of human interaction, which is communicated to a linear resonant actuator for haptic feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional force or pressure sensors are used to detect user interaction, then sensor sensitivity can be maintained, but power consumption increases and device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical force or pressure sensors with a resonant phase sensing system that uses a resistive-inductive-capacitive (RIC) sensor combined with a linear resonant actuator (LRA). The system detects user interactions by measuring phase information of the RIC sensor and determining displacement of a mechanical member, substituting mechanical sensing with electromagnetic resonance-based sensing that consumes less power and occupies less space while maintaining sensitivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent monitors changes in resonant phase parameters of the RIC sensor to detect user interactions. By tracking phase information and displacement over time, the system can identify interactions without requiring continuous high-power sensor operation, thus reducing overall power consumption while maintaining detection sensitivity.
2Measurement precision
If traditional force or pressure sensors are used to detect user interaction, then sensor sensitivity can be maintained, but device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces bulky mechanical force or pressure sensors with a compact resonant phase sensing system using an RIC sensor and LRA. The electromagnetic resonance-based detection mechanism requires significantly less physical space while maintaining the ability to detect user interactions with high sensitivity, thus reducing overall device size.
Solution Approach 2:
The RIC sensor serves multiple functions: it acts as both the sensing element for detecting user interactions and as part of the resonant circuit for generating haptic feedback through the LRA. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby minimizing device size while maintaining sensitivity.
3Reliability
If mechanical buttons are used in mobile devices, then user interaction detection is reliable, but the device is susceptible to aging, wear, and tear reducing useful life
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical buttons with a virtual button interface that uses resonant phase sensing to detect user interactions. By eliminating physical mechanical contacts and moving parts, the system removes the sources of wear and tear while maintaining reliable detection through electromagnetic sensing of displacement and phase changes, thus extending the device's useful life without sacrificing detection reliability.
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
This solution enhances the detection of human-machine interface interactions, improving sensitivity and reducing power consumption while maintaining a compact size, effectively mimicking mechanical button clicks for a better user experience.
Implementation Method 1
resonant phase sensing of a resistive-inductive-capacitive sensor
Implementation Method 2
measure phase information associated with the resistive-inductive-capacitive sensor
Implementation Method 3
the linear resonant actuator may vibrate to provide feedback to the user
Data Source
AI summary
A system may include a resistive-inductive-capacitive sensor, a measurement circuit communicatively coupled to the resistive-inductive-capacitive sensor, and a filter communicatively coupled to the measurement circuit. The measurement circuit may be configured to measure phase information associated with the resistive-inductive-capacitive sensor and based on the phase information, determine a displacement of a mechanical member relative to the resistive-inductive-capacitive sensor. The filter may be configured to isolate changes to the displacement which are significantly slower than an expected change to the displacement in response to a human interaction with the mechanical member.