Skin-Conforming Wearable Input Device for Gesture Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional user interfaces in portable devices face challenges due to size limitations and fragility, requiring numerous dedicated switches for flexible interaction, which is impractical for miniaturization, especially in near-eye displays where space and durability are concerns.
Innovation Solution
A wearable input device with a sleeve that conforms to the user's skin, using a network of elastic conductors and sensors to detect deformations, allowing for intuitive control through gestures and movements, transmitting signals wirelessly for interaction with external devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional electromechanical switches are used in portable devices, then user interaction flexibility is improved, but device size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional electromechanical switches with a capacitive sensing system that detects skin deformation and electrical property changes. This substitution eliminates the need for physical switches while maintaining user interaction flexibility, directly resolving the contradiction between interaction versatility and device size reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The capacitive sensor array serves multiple functions: detecting finger position, gesture recognition, and skin deformation monitoring. This multi-functionality allows the system to replace multiple dedicated switches with a single sensor array, reducing device volume while maintaining interaction flexibility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If dedicated switches are provided for flexible user interaction, then interaction capability is improved, but device fragility increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces fragile electromechanical switches with a robust capacitive sensing system that has no moving parts. This eliminates the mechanical failure modes inherent in conventional switches, improving device reliability while maintaining interaction capability through electrical field detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor array is integrated into a flexible substrate that conforms to the user's skin or device surface. This flexible implementation eliminates rigid mechanical components that are prone to failure, improving reliability while maintaining interaction capability through the flexible sensor network.
3Ease of operation
If a separate input device is worn by the user, then natural interaction is improved, but system complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the input device functionality directly into the wearable system, eliminating the need for separate external input devices. The capacitive sensor array is integrated into the wearable structure, combining form factor and input functionality into a single unified system, thereby reducing overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The wearable system uses the user's own body (skin deformation, electrical properties) as the sensing medium. This self-service approach eliminates the need for complex external sensors and processing systems, reducing system complexity while maintaining natural interaction through direct body-based sensing.
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
Enables natural and intuitive user interaction without the need for additional input devices, improving usability and portability of devices like laptops and near-eye displays, while providing active feedback and customizable gesture recognition.
Implementation Method 1
Each detection module comprises a sensing element of a sensing material in which an electrical property, such as charge generation, resistance or capacitance, changes in response to stretching and/or flexing
Implementation Method 2
The conductors may be elongated, reversibly, by up to 50% in two dimensions simultaneously, while remaining electrically conductive
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
An input device (1, 25) for a user interface comprises means to monitor movement of a user by mapping and recording deformations of their skin. The input device (1, 25) comprises conformable/reversibly stretchable material for placement onto the skin of a user. A plurality of sensors (30) are mounted on, or embedded in, the stretchable material and arranged to undergo, and track in-plane and out-of-plane deformations corresponding to stretching and flexure of the underlying skin. A signal for controlling another device (26) is then generated, based on the detected movement, gesture or positioning of the user based on the detected deformations. In wearable electronics applications, the other device may be mounted on the same stretchable material. The sensors (30) may be arranged to provide active feedback, by selectively applying vibrations or pressure to the user's skin.