Rotating Body Input Mechanism for Versatile Electronic Device Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electronic devices with physical input devices, such as buttons and wheel-type buttons, are limited in their functionality as they cannot perform functions based on the rotated position of a wheel key, restricting their use in replacing UI functions.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device with a rotating body that is rotatably enclosed within a main body, equipped with a rotation-detecting member and a processor to perform various functions based on detected rotation parameters, allowing for different UI functions to be implemented.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a wheel-type button is used for input, then the device can perform basic rotation-based functions, but it cannot perform different functions based on the rotated position of the wheel key

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctionality based on rotated positionVSAvoidinput device structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rotating body is designed to perform multiple functions: it can be rotated to select different UI functions, pressed to activate selected functions, and its rotation position is detected to determine which function should be activated. This single component replaces what would traditionally require multiple separate buttons or controls.

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

2Ease of operation

If multiple physical buttons are provided for different UI functions, then each function can be accessed directly, but the device size and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess to UI functionsVSAvoidnumber of physical input devices
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A single rotating body serves as a universal input device that can access multiple UI functions. The user rotates the body to cycle through different functions and presses it to activate the selected function, eliminating the need for multiple dedicated buttons.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The rotating body transitions between different rotational positions, each corresponding to a different UI function. The dynamic rotation allows the same physical component to represent multiple functional states, replacing static multiple-button designs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If conventional buttons are used, then the device structure remains simple, but the device cannot perform multiple functions with a single input device

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemultiple functions per input deviceVSAvoidinput device functionality
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The rotating body is designed as a multi-functional input device that combines rotation-based selection with press-based activation. It can access multiple UI functions through rotation and execute selected functions through pressing, providing both versatility and ease of operation.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The rotation-detecting member detects the rotational position of the rotating body and provides feedback to the processor, which then determines which UI function should be activated. This feedback mechanism enables the system to respond appropriately to the user's rotational input.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3242186B1Electronic device comprising rotating body
Publication Date: 2020.06.24 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3242186B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3242186B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3242186B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

According to various embodiments, provided are an electronic device and a control method therefor, the electronic device comprising: a main body comprising at least one electronic component; a rotating body rotatably provided in a manner such that the rotating body encompasses at least a part of a region of the main body; a rotation detection means for detecting a rotation parameter of the rotating body; and at least one processor for performing a corresponding function of the electronic device on the basis of the detected rotation parameter.