Smartwatch Bezel Electrode Switching for Screen-Free Input
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Solution Overview
Problem
Smartwatch touch display screens are often obstructed by a user's finger due to their small size, leading to unlocking errors, complex operations, and potential privacy exposure, especially when the screen lock is not set.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device with a housing featuring a recess containing electrodes and a bezel that can be positioned to conductively connect or disconnect these electrodes, allowing the device to detect the connection state and adjust its functions accordingly, and a bezel that can be rotated to adjust electrical signals between conductors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a touch display screen is integrated on a smartwatch to improve human-computer interaction experience, then the ease of operation is improved, but the display region is easily blocked by the user's finger due to the small size of the touch display screen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the interaction interface into two separate components: a touch display screen for visual information and a bezel with electrodes for tactile input. This segmentation allows the display to remain unobstructed while providing alternative input methods through the bezel, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and visible display area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the bezel as an intermediary element between the user and the device functions. Instead of directly touching the display screen, users interact with the bezel which then communicates with the device through electrical connections, allowing operation without blocking the display view.
2Ease of operation
If the user operates the touch display screen directly with a finger, then the ease of operation is improved, but unlocking errors occur and privacy may be exposed if the screen lock is not set
Solution Approach 1:
The bezel acts as an intermediary input device that provides tactile feedback and electrical connection capabilities without requiring direct finger contact with the display screen. This intermediary mechanism reduces unlocking errors and enhances privacy protection while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct mechanical touch on the screen with an electrical connection system through the bezel electrodes. This substitution allows for more reliable input detection and reduces errors associated with direct screen contact, while also enabling privacy-protective features.
3Reliability
If multiple inputs are required due to unlocking errors, then privacy protection is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bezel is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides structural support, enables tactile input, establishes electrical connections, and offers feedback mechanisms. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate components, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliable privacy protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the input interface and feedback interface into a single integrated bezel structure. By combining these functions in one component, the system achieves reliable operation and privacy protection without increasing device complexity, as the same structure serves multiple purposes.
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
This solution enables intuitive operation of the smartwatch by avoiding display obstruction issues, simplifying interactions, and enhancing user privacy by adapting device functions based on bezel positioning and electrical signal changes.
Implementation Method 1
when the bezel is located at a first position of the recess, the first electrode and the second electrode are conductively connected
Data Source
AI summary
A control method and an electronic device are provided. The electronic device includes: a housing having an accommodating space, where the housing is provided with a recess around the accommodating space, and a first electrode and a second electrode are disposed on a bottom surface of the recess; and a bezel, where at least one part of the bezel is disposed in the recess. When the bezel is located at a first position of the recess, the first electrode and the second electrode are conductively connected; and when the bezel is located at a second position of the recess, the first electrode and the second electrode are conductively disconnected.