Wearable Case Flexible Buttons Cover
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Wearable electronic devices are vulnerable to damage from external forces and require improved protection, while also needing accessible touch-sensitive displays to conserve battery life due to high power consumption from continuous use of high contrast, color LED displays.
Innovation Solution
A protective encasement with a shell and cover that includes flexible buttons to activate touch-sensitive display functions without direct access, and a low-power display integrated with the shell to reduce power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the wearable electronic device is protected by a closed cover, then protection from damage is improved, but direct access to the touch-sensitive display for battery-saving operations is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces flexible buttons as an intermediary mechanism between the user and the touch-sensitive display. These buttons transmit tactile input through the closed cover to the display, enabling operation without direct contact. This mediator allows the cover to remain closed for protection while still permitting user interaction, resolving the contradiction between protection and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical approach of opening the cover to access the display with a tactile transmission system. The flexible buttons mechanically transmit force through the cover structure to activate touch-sensitive areas, substituting the need for physical cover opening with a force-transmission mechanism that works through the closed cover.
2Ease of operation
If the main display is activated for user interaction, then ease of operation is improved, but power consumption increases reducing battery life
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements partial action by allowing only the minimal necessary display activation for tactile input recognition, rather than full display activation. The flexible buttons trigger specific touch-sensitive areas without requiring the entire display to be active, enabling operation with reduced power consumption while maintaining ease of interaction for essential functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic display activation where the display is activated only when tactile input is detected through the flexible buttons, rather than remaining continuously active. This periodic activation pattern reduces overall power consumption while maintaining operational capability when needed, balancing ease of operation with energy conservation.
Data Source
AI summary
A protective case for a wearable electronic device, the wearable electronic device having a touch-sensitive display. The protective case having a shell that encases a portion of the wearable electronic device and a hinged cover attached to the shell. The cover has an open position and a closed position for covering and allowing direct access to the touch-sensitive display. The cover includes one or more flexible buttons configured to be pressed by a user and configured to activate a corresponding area of the encased touch-sensitive display of the encased wearable electronic device when the cover is in a closed position and the wearable electronic device is encased in the shell.