Touch Panel Rotary Actuator Ring for Glove-Independent Sensing

The patent introduces a sensor ring with alternating conductive and insulating segments as an intermediary element between the rotary actuator and the touch panel. This sensor ring generates capacitive signals independently of human body capacitance, serving as a mediator that enables reliable touch panel operation regardless of whether the user is wearing gloves or prostheses. The sensor ring's segmented structure creates distinct capacitive patterns that the touch panel can detect and interpret.

The rotary actuator system performs its own signaling function through the sensor ring, which autonomously generates capacitive signals without requiring external human body capacitance. The sensor ring rotates with the rotary actuator and independently creates the necessary electrical signals for the touch panel, making the system self-sufficient and not dependent on external factors like user skin contact or glove material.

The sensor ring is divided into alternating conductive and insulating segments around its circumference. This segmentation allows the creation of a capacitive signaling mechanism that does not require a solid metal body. The segmented structure generates sufficient capacitive variation through rotation while enabling the rotary body to be made from various materials including plastics and woods, and allows for compact design configurations.

The patent changes the approach from using bulk material capacitance (solid metal body) to using dynamic capacitive parameters generated by the rotating segmented sensor ring. By changing from static material-based capacitance to dynamic geometric-based capacitance variation, the system achieves reliable touch panel influence while allowing flexible material selection and compact design for the rotary body.