Resonant Sensor Dynamic Range Maximization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional mobile devices with mechanical buttons face issues such as aging, wear, and tear, which reduce their lifespan and make them difficult to manufacture as waterproof devices, while existing sensors for virtual interfaces lack sufficient sensitivity, power efficiency, and dynamic range for effective user interaction feedback.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a resistive-inductive-capacitive sensor with a measurement circuit that dynamically modifies resonance parameters to maximize dynamic range, enabling accurate detection of user interactions and providing enhanced feedback through a resonant phase sensing system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional mechanical buttons are used in mobile devices, then user interaction is enabled with tactile feedback, but the device lifespan is reduced due to aging and wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical buttons with a resonant sensor system that uses electrical resonance to detect user interactions. The sensor measures changes in resonance frequency caused by finger pressure, eliminating mechanical wear while maintaining tactile feedback through controlled vibrations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts resonance parameters including driving frequency and amplitude based on detected interaction strength. The resonant sensor modifies its operating parameters in real-time to optimize detection accuracy across different interaction intensities while maintaining consistent user feedback.
2Ease of manufacture
If mechanical buttons are used in mobile devices, then tactile feedback is provided, but waterproof manufacturing becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical button structure is replaced with a planar resonant sensor that can be integrated into the device surface without creating waterproofing barriers. The sensor detects interactions through changes in its resonance characteristics when pressed, maintaining waterproof integrity while providing tactile feedback.
3Measurement precision
If existing sensors are used for virtual interfaces, then virtual button interaction is enabled, but sensor sensitivity and dynamic range are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses resonant vibration at specific frequencies to enhance sensor sensitivity. The resonant sensor oscillates at its natural frequency and detects minute changes in vibration amplitude or frequency caused by finger pressure, providing high measurement precision without requiring complex multi-sensor arrays.
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement circuit continuously monitors resonance parameters and provides feedback to adjust the driving signal. This closed-loop control optimizes the sensor's response to interactions, maintaining high sensitivity across the full dynamic range of user inputs.
4Adaptability or versatility
If resonant sensor dynamically modifies resonance parameters, then dynamic range is maximized, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The resonant sensor operates by periodically driving the resonant structure at its natural frequency. This periodic excitation creates a highly efficient energy transfer mechanism that provides large dynamic range while consuming less power than continuous high-amplitude sensing methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the resonance parameters including driving frequency and amplitude based on real-time interaction detection. This adaptive approach optimizes power consumption by reducing drive amplitude during low-interaction periods while maintaining high sensitivity when needed.
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 improves the sensitivity and power efficiency of user interaction detection, extending the lifespan of mobile devices and enabling a more realistic virtual button experience by effectively mimicking mechanical button feedback.
Implementation Method 1
measuring one or more resonance parameters associated with a resistive-inductive-capacitive sensor and indicative of a physical quantity sensed by the resistive-inductive-capacitive sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A system may include a resistive-inductive-capacitive sensor configured to sense a physical quantity, and a measurement circuit communicatively coupled to the resistive-inductive-capacitive sensor and configured to measure one or more resonance parameters associated with the resistive-inductive-capacitive sensor and indicative of the physical quantity and, in order to maximize dynamic range in determining the physical quantity from the one or more resonance parameters, dynamically modify, across the dynamic range, either of reliance on the one or more resonance parameters in determining the physical quantity or one or more resonance properties of the resistive-inductive-capacitive sensor.