Finger Ring Input Structure With Tactile Rib Button Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ring-type devices for operating information processing devices face challenges in maintaining operability, wearability, and preventing erroneous operations due to small operating portions and the need to identify them by touch without visual reference.
Innovation Solution
The ring-type device features an annular body with rotatably attached first and second arms, variable opposing distances, and a rib between operating portions, allowing for stable wear and easy identification of operating surfaces through tactile feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the ring-type device is made small with narrow width for wearability, then wearability is improved, but the size of operating portions must be small making identification by touch difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing ribs at specific locations between operating portions on the outer surface of the ring device. These ribs create localized tactile features that help users distinguish between different operating portions through touch alone, without requiring the entire device to be larger. This resolves the contradiction by enhancing local tactile feedback rather than increasing overall device size.
Solution Approach 2:
The ribs serve as intermediary tactile elements between the operating portions and the user's finger. They mediate the interaction by providing distinguishable tactile feedback that helps users identify and differentiate operating portions without direct contact, thus improving ease of operation while maintaining a compact device size.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple operating portions are provided for various operations, then functionality is improved, but the risk of erroneous operations increases when distinguishing between portions by touch
Solution Approach 1:
The patent places ribs at specific locations between operating portions to create distinct tactile boundaries. This local differentiation helps users accurately identify which operating portion they are touching, reducing the risk of erroneous operations while maintaining multiple functional buttons for versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The ribs provide tactile feedback to the user's finger, creating audible or perceptible cues that confirm the position and boundaries of each operating portion. This feedback mechanism enhances reliability by preventing accidental presses of wrong buttons while preserving the ability to perform multiple different operations.
3Volume of moving object
If the operating portions are made small to maintain compact device size, then wearability is improved, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring operating portions by touch increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ribs act as intermediary tactile markers that amplify the detectability of operating portions. Even when the operating portions themselves are small, the ribs provide larger, more easily detectable tactile features that guide the user's finger to the correct location, thus reducing the difficulty of detection without increasing device volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a vertical dimension through the ribs that protrude from the outer surface. This adds height variation to the otherwise two-dimensional surface, creating tactile cues that make small operating portions more detectable by touch through the added vertical profile rather than increasing horizontal size.
Data Source
AI summary
A ring-type device to be worn on a user's finger includes an annular body having an inner surface surrounding a wearing space and an outer surface opposite the inner surface, a first operating portion provided on the outer surface, second operating portions provided on the outer surface at a position different from the first operating portion, and a rib provided between the first operating portion and the second operating portions on the outer surface.