Rotary Input False Turn Rejection via Optical and Capacitive Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rotary inputs on electronic devices, particularly wearable devices, often experience false turns due to unintended contact with clothing or body parts, leading to unintended device activation and battery drain.
Innovation Solution
The electronic device is equipped with a processor and a module that analyzes the rotary input turn data to differentiate between valid and false turns. This is achieved through various methods, including threshold-based analysis of rotation amount and rate, capacitive sensors to detect finger contact, and optical detectors to assess contact with the body.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the rotary input is made accessible and externally positioned for easy operation, then ease of operation is improved, but false turns from unintended contact increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an optical detector as an intermediary between the rotary input and the processor. This detector monitors the position of the rotary input and detects unintended movements caused by body contact, serving as a mediator that distinguishes between intentional user input and accidental false turns without requiring changes to the physical position of the rotary input itself.
2Speed
If the rotary input responds to all movements including small rotations, then responsiveness is improved, but false activation from unintended contact increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of rotation detection by introducing an optical detector that can precisely measure the position and movement of the rotary input. This allows the system to differentiate between intentional rotations and accidental contact-based movements by analyzing the specific parameters of each movement, such as the angle, speed, and pattern of rotation, rather than simply responding to any movement threshold.
3Productivity
If the device activates on any rotary movement to maximize functionality, then productivity is improved, but energy consumption increases due to unnecessary activations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the optical detector continuously monitors the rotary input and provides information to the processor about the nature of each movement. This feedback loop allows the system to make intelligent decisions about whether to activate functions based on the detected movement pattern, enabling the device to maintain high productivity when genuine user input is detected while avoiding unnecessary activations that would waste battery energy.
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 effectively reduces the occurrence of false turns, preventing unintended device activation and conserving battery life by accurately distinguishing between intended and unintended rotary input movements.
Implementation Method 1
capacitive sensors to detect finger contact
Implementation Method 2
optical detectors to assess contact with the body
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments for detecting and rejecting false, unintended rotations of rotary inputs of electronic devices are disclosed herein. In one example, an electronic device is provided with an optical detector that measures the distance between the electronic device and the wearer's forearm or hand, and when the distance is smaller than a threshold distance, the turns of the rotary input are false, unintended turns. In another example, a crown of a rotary input includes a plurality of capacitive sensors that detects the presence of a wearer's finger, which when absent, the turns of the rotary input are false turns. In another example, deflections or positions of a shaft of the rotary input are measured and if the deflections/positions indicate an upward force on the rotary input (which are likely caused by the wearer's forearm or hand), the turns of the rotary input are false turns. Other embodiments are described herein.