Underwater Controller Grip with Wireless Cursor Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing smartphone devices are limited in their ability to function underwater for extended periods due to reliance on flexible membranes and oil-filled dielectric layers, which restrict user interface capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A wireless mouse interface integrated into an underwater controller grip that allows for cursor control and selection on a sealed smartphone/tablet, using a non-volatile memory and processor with a radio module for short-range wireless connection, enabling remote operation of native applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If flexible membranes and oil-filled dielectric layers are used for waterproofing, then water resistance is improved, but user interface capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a waterproof membrane as an intermediary layer between the touchscreen and the user's finger. This membrane allows capacitive touch signals to pass through while maintaining waterproofing, resolving the contradiction by enabling both water resistance and touchscreen functionality without requiring the touchscreen to be directly exposed to water
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical button interfaces with a capacitive touchscreen interface that can function through the waterproof membrane. This substitution eliminates the need for mechanical components that would compromise waterproofing while maintaining user interface capability
2Reliability
If flexible membranes and oil-filled dielectric layers are used for waterproofing, then water resistance is improved, but depth limitation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs multiple waterproof membranes with different thicknesses and material properties to accommodate various depth requirements. By changing the parameters of the waterproof membrane (thickness, material composition), the system can be adapted for different depth capabilities while maintaining effective waterproofing
3Reliability
If a sealed case is used to protect the device underwater, then water resistance is improved, but user interface access deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses flexible waterproof membranes as thin film barriers that allow capacitive touch interaction while maintaining the sealed case structure. These flexible films enable the case to remain watertight while allowing the user to interact with the touchscreen through the membrane
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 extended underwater use of smartphones/tablets by allowing cursor movement and selection on the device's interface, overcoming depth and user-interface limitations of existing solutions.
Implementation Method 1
a radio module configured to provide a short-range wireless connection between the controller and the user computing device
Data Source
AI summary
An underwater controller grip for a device includes a controller comprising a radio module configured to provide a short-range wireless connection between the controller and the device and a mounting tray to contain the radio module, the mounting tray configured to maintain the short-range wireless connection while underwater. The underwater controller grip also includes an integrated pressure sensor configured to continuously measure water depth and transmit, via the radio module, measured water depth to the device. The device issues a signal based on the measured water depth and a time variable. The signal includes an alert of a user's no decompression stop time, a bottom time, an ascent rate, a surface interval time, a no-fly time, a dive log, or a combination thereof.