Watertight Capacitive Camera Key for Motion-Free Multi-Input Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing camera control mechanisms require physical motion and force, leading to potential negative effects on picture quality, are not easily miniaturized, and struggle with glove use and durability, especially when trying to combine multiple inputs on a single button surface.
Innovation Solution
A watertight, all-metal camera control key assembly with no moving parts, utilizing a metal housing, insert-molded plastic sensor window, and capacitive touch sensors with force concentrators to register multiple user inputs such as pressure, duration, taps, and swipes on a single surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mechanical shutter key or electromechanical button is used, then the camera shutter can be actuated, but the device moves during picture capture which degrades picture quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical buttons and electromechanical switches with a capacitive touch sensor system. The control key assembly uses a capacitive sensor to detect finger contact and control camera functions without any mechanical movement, eliminating the device motion that degrades picture quality while maintaining ease of operation through touch input.
2Ease of operation
If capacitive touch sensors are used, then no mechanical motion is required, but the sensors cannot be consistently actuated when the user is wearing gloves
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates multiple capacitive touch sensors at different locations within the control key assembly, including force-sensitive sensors that can detect pressure variations. This distributed sensor array provides multiple interaction modes (light touch, firm press, prolonged press) that can be differentiated by the control system, enabling glove compatibility through enhanced tactile feedback mechanisms.
3Adaptability or versatility
If membrane or flexible elastic surfaces are used for capacitive touch buttons, then glove compatibility is improved, but the flexible surface wears out over time compromising mechanical durability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the capacitive touch sensors directly into a rigid control key assembly with a metal housing and solid mounting structure. The sensors are embedded within the assembly rather than using separate flexible membranes, combining the electrical sensing function with a durable mechanical structure that resists wear and damage while maintaining touch sensitivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The control key assembly uses a composite construction with a metal housing, rigid mounting structure, and integrated capacitive sensors. This composite design eliminates the need for separate flexible membranes by incorporating the sensing elements directly into the rigid assembly, providing both durability and tactile functionality.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple individual buttons are ganged together to provide multiple inputs, then various camera functions can be controlled, but the device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a single control key assembly that performs multiple functions through a unified capacitive touch sensor system. The sensor can detect various input types (tap, press, prolonged press, swipe) and the control system interprets these differently to control multiple camera functions, eliminating the need for multiple separate buttons while providing versatile control options.
Solution Approach 2:
The control key assembly uses dynamic sensor response to differentiate between various user inputs. The capacitive sensor monitors changes in capacitance over time and can distinguish between brief taps, sustained presses, and swipe gestures, allowing a single physical location to provide multiple control functions based on the temporal and spatial characteristics of the touch input.
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
The solution provides a durable, miniaturizable, and water-resistant camera control key that can handle various user inputs without mechanical motion, improving picture quality and usability, including functionality with gloves, while maintaining design and affordability.
Implementation Method 1
The capacitive touch sensor excites an electromagnetic field between two electrodes and monitors the capacitance between the two electrodes. When a user places a finger against the opposite side of the dielectric plate it disrupts the generated electromagnetic field by causing a measurable change in the capacitance being monitored.
Implementation Method 2
The capacitive touch sensor excites an electromagnetic field between two electrodes and monitors the capacitance between the two electrodes.
Implementation Method 3
The control key includes a force concentrator that contacts the sensor window. The force concentrator may be comprised of a semi-spherical shape so that only the apex of the surface contacts the sensor window.
Data Source
AI summary
A camera control key assembly including a metal housing with a pocket containing a sensor window, a metal strip abutting a side of the sensor window, a spacer positioned to abut the metal strip, at least one capacitive touch sensor abutting the spacer, and a control key set into the pocket of the housing and contacting a first side of the sensor window. Preferably, the plastic sensor window is insert molded into the metal housing making the assembly inherently watertight. The assembly comprises at least one force concentrator on the control key to act upon the sensor window which in turn allows the capacitive touch sensor to register a multitude of different user inputs, including pressure, varied pressure, duration, taps, slides and swipes.