Rotary Wheel Control for Compact Watch Terminals

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Solution Overview

Problem

Watch-type terminals have limited size, restricting the types of controls that can be implemented, particularly for navigating and interacting with visual information displayed on their small screens.

Innovation Solution

A watch-type terminal that uses a wheel surrounding the outer side of its body, allowing users to control visual information by turning the wheel, enabling navigation and execution of control commands through rotational inputs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a touch button or push button is used to control visual information on a watch type terminal, then the control functionality is provided, but the device size increases and the limited space constraint is violated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol functionalityVSAvoiddevice size
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The wheel component serves multiple functions: it can be rotated to navigate menus, pressed to select items, and combines scrolling with selection capabilities. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate buttons, providing full control functionality while maintaining a compact device size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the navigation function (scrolling) and selection function (button press) into a single wheel component. By combining these previously separate functions into one element, the device maintains comprehensive control capabilities without requiring additional space for multiple discrete buttons.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Area of stationary object

If the watch type terminal is kept compact with limited size, then the device portability is improved, but the control options are restricted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidcontrol options
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The wheel provides dynamic control capabilities through rotational movement for scrolling and pressing for selection. This dynamic interaction allows the compact device to offer versatile control options that adapt to different user needs, such as navigating through lists, selecting items, and accessing menus, all within a limited space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The single wheel component performs multiple control functions including scrolling, selecting, and navigating, making the compact watch terminal versatile despite its limited size. This multi-functional design ensures that no critical control option is sacrificed due to space constraints.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple buttons are added to provide comprehensive control, then the control versatility is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol versatilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The wheel is designed as a universal control element that handles multiple operations: rotation for scrolling through options, pressing for selection, and potentially combination movements for different functions. This single multi-functional component reduces device complexity compared to implementing separate buttons for each control function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges navigation and selection controls into one wheel mechanism, reducing the total number of components needed. This consolidation simplifies the device structure while maintaining comprehensive control versatility, avoiding the complexity that would arise from adding multiple discrete buttons.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3289440B1Watch type terminal and method of controlling the same
Publication Date: 2020.01.08 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3289440B1 patent drawingFigure 1a
  • EP3289440B1 patent drawingFigure 1b~1c
  • EP3289440B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

A watch type terminal including a body; a display unit disposed on a front surface of the body; a wheel surrounding an outer side of the body, and configured to be turned along the outer side of the body; and a controller configured to display information on the display unit corresponding to an angle and a direction in which the wheel is turned.