RLC Sensor Phase Measurement for Virtual Button Resonance Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional mobile devices with mechanical buttons face issues such as aging, wear, and difficulty in making them waterproof, leading to a need for sensitive, power-efficient, and compact sensors for detecting user interactions with virtual interfaces.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a resistive-inductive-capacitive sensor driven by multiple frequency signals to measure physical quantities and determine changes in resonant properties and quality factors, enabling effective detection of user interactions for virtual button feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical buttons are used in mobile devices, then user interaction is reliable and feedback is tactile, but the device becomes susceptible to aging, wear, and cannot be made waterproof
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical buttons with a virtual button interface implemented through a capacitive sensor and linear resonant actuator. The sensor detects finger presses through electrical field changes rather than mechanical contact, and the actuator provides tactile feedback through controlled vibration. This substitution eliminates mechanical wear and enables waterproof design while maintaining reliable detection and tactile feedback.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the mechanical button experience through software interface elements that respond to touch input. The virtual button mimics the appearance and interaction characteristics of a physical button through display graphics and haptic feedback, providing users with a familiar interaction model without the physical component.
2Measurement precision
If traditional force or pressure sensors are used to detect user interaction, then user input can be detected, but sensor sensitivity, power consumption, and size requirements are not optimally met
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a linear resonant actuator that operates at its resonant frequency to provide tactile feedback. By driving the actuator at resonance, the system achieves maximum vibration output for minimum power input, significantly improving power efficiency compared to traditional motors or pressure sensors that operate continuously or near resonance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters of the sensor system by using capacitive sensing rather than force or pressure detection. The capacitive sensor measures changes in electrical field capacitance caused by finger proximity or contact, which requires minimal power compared to continuous mechanical sensing. The system also dynamically adjusts the actuator drive frequency and amplitude based on detected interaction states to optimize power consumption.
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 provides enhanced sensitivity, power efficiency, and compact size for detecting user interactions, improving the user experience by mimicking mechanical button feedback in mobile devices.
Implementation Method 1
measure a first value of a physical quantity associated with the resistive-inductive-capacitive sensor in response to a first driving signal of the plurality of driving signals, wherein the first driving signal has a first driving frequency; measure a second value of the physical quantity associated with the resistive-inductive-capacitive sensor in response to a second driving signal of the plurality of driving signals, wherein the second driving signal has a second driving frequency
Data Source
AI summary
A system may include a resistive-inductive-capacitive sensor, a driver configured to drive the resistive-inductive-capacitive sensor with a plurality of driving signals, each driving signal of the plurality of driving signals having a respective driving frequency, and a measurement circuit communicatively coupled to the resistive-inductive-capacitive sensor and configured to measure a first value of a physical quantity associated with the resistive-inductive-capacitive sensor in response to a first driving signal of the plurality of driving signals, wherein the first driving signal has a first driving frequency; measure a second value of the physical quantity associated with the resistive-inductive-capacitive sensor in response to a second driving signal of the plurality of driving signals, wherein the second driving signal has a second driving frequency; measure a third value of the physical quantity associated with the resistive-inductive-capacitive sensor in response to the first driving signal; measure a fourth value of the physical quantity associated with the resistive-inductive-capacitive sensor in response to the second driving signal; determine a first difference between the third value and the first value; determine a second difference between the fourth value and the second value; and based on the first difference and the second difference, determine if a change in a resonant property of the resistive-inductive-capacitive sensor has occurred, and determine if a change in a quality factor of the resistive-inductive-capacitive sensor has occurred.