Watch Display Layout to Reduce Capacitive Field Interference

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic watches with capacitive or inductive pointing devices face interference issues due to the proximity of display needles, leading to increased electrical consumption and reduced autonomy.

Innovation Solution

A display system with a movable element, such as a needle, is positioned above the display device and partially overlaps it, creating an area where the user can interact without disturbing the capacitive or inductive field, thereby reducing energy consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the movable element (needle) is positioned close to the display device to enable information pointing, then the user can interact with the display, but the needle interferes with the capacitive or inductive field, causing increased energy consumption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser interaction capabilityVSAvoidelectrical energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent positions the movable element in a third dimension (above the display device) rather than within the planar overlap area, allowing the needle to be physically separated from the capacitive/inductive field while maintaining visual alignment with the display for user interaction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The movable element is extracted from the overlap area between the display and pointing device, removing it from the region that generates capacitive or inductive fields, thereby eliminating the interference and associated energy consumption increase

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Use of energy by moving object

If the movable element is excluded from the overlap zone to reduce interference, then energy consumption decreases, but the display area covered by the movable element is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical energy consumptionVSAvoiddisplay coverage area
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The movable element is positioned above the display device in the vertical dimension, allowing it to be excluded from the horizontal overlap zone while still maintaining visual alignment and functional coverage of the display area

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 arrangement minimizes interference with the pointing device's field, conserving energy and enhancing the watch's autonomy.

Implementation Method 1

a pointing device; said at least one pointing device, preferably capacitive or inductive, being arranged above said at least one display device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapacitive field: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

a pointing device; said at least one pointing device, preferably capacitive or inductive, being arranged above said at least one display device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInductive field: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3859450B1Display system
Publication Date: 2025.10.15 ETA SA MFG HORLOGERE SUISSE
  • EP3859450B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The present invention relates to a display system (100) for a watch (200) and preferably of a watch (200) comprising at least one display device (110) configured to display information, at least one pointing device (120) disposed above said at least one display device (110) so as to define an overlap zone (130) and at least one movable element (140) disposed totally or partially above said at least one display device (110) and at the periphery of said overlap zone (130) so as not to interfere with the capacitive or inductive field of said at least one pointing device (120).