WO2014147565A1

WO2014147565A1 - Control device comprising a deformable body

Info

Publication number: WO2014147565A1
Application number: PCT/IB2014/059957
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hicham SABIR
Original assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
Priority date: 2013-03-22
Filing date: 2014-03-19
Publication date: 2014-09-25

Abstract

According to an aspect, a control device (1) is provided. The control device comprises a deformable body (2) and at least one sensor (4) arranged to sense deformation of at least a portion of the deformable body. The control device is configured to set a control parameter based on the deformation sensed by the at least one sensor. Further, the deformable body is at least partially plastically deformable. With the present aspect, a user may operate the control device based on the haptic sense, thereby reducing the need of visual interaction with the control device.

Description

Control device comprising a deformable body

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to the field of control devices comprising a deformable body. In particular, the present invention relates to such control devices being configured to set a control parameter based on deformation of the deformable body.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Control devices involving user interaction, such as remote control devices for lighting or other electronic equipment, normally allow setting a control parameter by pushing, sliding and/or pressing actuators such as buttons, levers or touch sensitive means. Such control devices typically require visual reading of the control device (e.g. of signs and scales displayed on the control device). An important objective when designing control devices is to make the control device more user-friendly and easier to operate. WO

2010/070550 shows a user interface device comprising a non- flexible part, a flexible part coupled to the non-flexible part and a sensor for detecting bending of the flexible part with respect to the non-flexible part and for producing a command in response to sensing the bending of the flexible part.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It would be desirable to provide a control device, the operation of which is more user-intuitive or easier to use for a user.

To better address this concern, a control device having the features defined in the independent claim is provided. Preferable embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

Hence, according to a first aspect, a control device is provided. The control device comprises a deformable body and at least one sensor arranged to sense deformation of at least a portion of the deformable body. The control device is configured to set a control parameter based on the deformation sensed by the at least one sensor. Further, the deformable body is at least partially plastically deformable. According to a second aspect, a method of setting a control parameter by means of a control device comprising a deformable body being at least partially plastically deformable is provided. The method comprises sensing deformation of at least a portion of the deformable body and setting a control parameter based on the sensed deformation

The present aspects enable setting a control parameter by plastically deforming the deformable body. In this context, plastically means for example an ability to retain a shape attained by deformation. Hence, the deformable body may be arranged so as to be capable of (at least momentarily) retaining a shape attained by deformation. When a user deforms the deformable body, it retains the deformed shape and a control parameter is set based on the deformation (or attained shape). Further, it may be possible to again deform the deformable body, e.g. such that it obtains its original shape (or a shape close to its original shape) or any other shape. With the present aspect, a user may operate the control device based on haptic sense, thereby reducing the need of visual interaction with the control device. Reading signs or other visual means of a control device may require a certain degree of interpretation and may be culture dependent (i.e. a particular sign may be interpreted differently in different parts of the world). Haptic sense is a basic human sense and less culture dependent than visual reading. Therefore, the present aspect provides a control device being more intuitive for a wider user range. Further, as operation of the control device may be based on haptic sense, the present aspect facilitates operating the control device in the dark, which in particular may be advantageous when controlling illumination by means of the control device. As at least a portion of the deformable body is plastically deformable, a user may, by merely sensing the shape of the deformable body get information (or a hint) of the control parameter currently set by the control device, thereby making the control device more intuitive compared to known control devices.

According to an embodiment, at least a portion of the deformable body may have a claylike consistency. For example, the deformable body may comprise clay such as synthetic (or natural) clay. The clay may e.g. be made of polymer or silicone. The claylike consistency enables plastic deformation of the deformable body. For example, the

deformable body may be squeezed and/or stretched in order to set the control parameter, thereby improving the haptic user/device interaction.

According to an embodiment, the at least one sensor may be at least partially enclosed within the deformable body, whereby direct user contact with the sensor may be reduced. Preferably, the sensor may be entirely enclosed within the deformable body, whereby direct user contact with the sensor may be avoided. According to an embodiment, the control device may be configured to identify deformation of said portion of the deformable body sensed by the at least one sensor corresponding to a predetermined deformation pattern and set the control parameter further based on the predetermined deformation pattern. Deformation patterns may e.g. include stretching, compressing or squeezing (or pressing) the deformable body. As an example, squeezing the deformable body in a particular direction relative to the sensor may cause the control device to set a particular control parameter, such as dimming a lighting device or reducing the sound level of audio equipment. Hence, different deformation patterns may be associated with different control parameters.

According to an embodiment, the at least one sensor may comprise a potentiometer, whereby deformation of the deformable body may actuate the potentiometer. In an embodiment, the potentiometer may comprise a movable part or portion, the movement of which is sensed by the potentiometer, and the potentiometer may be arranged such that deformation of at least a portion of the deformable body causes the movable part to move. The movable part or portion may be movable with respect to another part or portion of the potentiometer (such as the remaining parts or portions of the potentiometer). For example, the potentiometer may be a linear potentiometer. The potentiometer may be arranged with respect to the deformable body such that movement of the deformable body is transferred to the movable part of the potentiometer.

Alternatively, or as a complement, the at least one sensor may comprise a strain gauge, whereby deformation of the deformable body may actuate the strain gauge. In an embodiment, the strain gauge may be arranged such that deformation of at least a portion of the deformable body causes deformation of the strain gauge. A strain gauge may for example comprise a flexible substrate supporting a metallic foil pattern for conducting a current. Deformation of the strain gauge changes the electrical resistance of the metallic foil of the strain gauge, whereby the deformation is detected. In an embodiment, the strain gauge may be adhered to the deformable body so as to transfer deformation from the deformable body to the strain gauge. The strain gauge may e.g. be adhered to the inside the deformable body.

According to an embodiment, the control device may further comprise a protective layer at least partly enclosing the deformable body. The protective layer may e.g. be a foil or membrane enclosing the deformable body. The protective layer may reduce the risk of damage of the deformable body. For example, if the deformable body comprises clay, the protective layer may reduce the risk of mechanical damage to the deformable body, e.g. the risk of the user tearing off pieces of clay from the deformable body during operation of the control device. Further, the protective layer may protect the user from chemicals from the clay, which chemicals may give an oily consistency to the clay.

According to an embodiment, the control device may further comprise a control unit configured to receive a signal generated by the at least one sensor, wherein the signal represents the deformation sensed by the sensor. The control unit may be further configured to generate the control parameter based on the signal received from the at least one sensor. Preferably, the control unit may be (at least partially) enclosed by the deformable body. In an embodiment, the control unit may comprise a flexible circuit board. The flexibility of the circuit board may allow a certain degree of deformation of the circuit board when the deformable body is deformed, thereby reducing the risk of the user feeling the circuit board with his or her hands when operating the control device, which may improve the user friendliness.

According to an embodiment, the control device may further comprise a communication unit for transmitting the control parameter to a device to be controlled. The communication unit may be configured to transmit the control signal wirelessly or by wire to the device to be controlled. The communication unit may e.g. be an antenna (e.g. a radio frequency, Bluetooth or Wi-Fi antenna), wherein the control device may be used as a remote control. Further, the communication unit may preferably be at least partially enclosed in the deformable body, whereby direct user contact with the communication unit may be reduced.

According to an embodiment, the control device may be configured to control light emission parameters of a lighting device based on the deformation sensed by the at least one sensor. Hence, the control device may be configured to set a light emission parameter in response to deformation (or an attained shape) of the deformable body. The control device may be operated based on haptic sense, thereby facilitating turning on the lighting device in a dark space. Examples of light emission parameters are intensity and color of light emitted by the lighting device.

It is noted that the invention relates to all possible combinations of features recited in the claims. Further, it will be appreciated that the various embodiments described for the control device are all combinable with the method as defined in accordance with the second aspect. Further objectives of, features of, and advantages with, the present aspects will become apparent when studying the following detailed disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. Those skilled in the art realize that different features of the present invention can be combined to create embodiments other than those described in the following.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This and other aspects will now be described in more detail, with reference to the appended drawings showing embodiments of the invention.

Fig. 1 shows a control device according to an embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a cross-section of the control device shown in Figure 1. Fig. 3 is a cross-section of a control device being subjected to stretching according to another embodiment.

Fig. 4 shows the control device shown in Figure 3 being subjected to compression.

All the Figures are schematic, not necessarily to scale, and generally only show parts which are necessary in order to elucidate the invention, wherein other parts may be omitted or merely suggested.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A control device according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 shows a control device 1 and Figure 2 is a cross-section of the control device 1.

The control device 1 may for example be a remote control for controlling any kind of electronically controllable equipment, such as a lighting device. The control device 1 comprises an at least partially plastically deformable body 2. The deformable body 2 may have a claylike consistency and may e.g. comprise clay (or claylike material). The clay may preferably be artificial (synthetic) clay, such as clay made of polymer or silicone. The material of the deformable body 2 may preferably be non-toxic, relatively soft and malleable, and/or such that it does not easily dry on exposure to air. The deformable body 2 may be enclosed in a protective layer 3, such as a (synthetic or organic) rubber membrane, protecting the deformable body 2 from damage and exposure to air. The protective layer 3 may preferably be flexible.

The control device 1 further comprises a sensor 4 configured to sense deformation of the deformable body 2. The sensor 4 may preferably be arranged within (such as enclosed in) the deformable body 2. Further, a control unit 5 is coupled to the sensor 4 by one or more wires 7. The control unit 5 may comprise a flexible circuit board (such as a flexible printed circuit board, PCB). The flexible circuit board comprises a flexible insulating substrate on which the control electronics is arranged. In the present embodiment, the sensor 4 is a potentiometer (e.g. a linear potentiometer) having at least two parts being movable relative to each other. The potentiometer may act as a variable resistor, the resistance of which varies in response to the relative movement of the two parts. The potentiometer may be at least partially adhered to the inside of the deformable body 2 such that deformation of the deformable body 2 can be translated to the potentiometer.

The control device 1 further comprises a communication unit 6, such as an antenna 6, coupled to the control unit 5. The antenna 6 may be configured to wirelessly transmit (e.g. via radio frequency, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth based communication) a control parameter set by the control device 1 to the device to be controlled. Alternatively or in addition, the communication unit 6 may comprise an infrared (IR) diode configured to transmit the control parameter via IR light based communication (not shown). The IR diode may be merely partially (or not at all) enclosed in the deformable body for enabling emission of IR light from the control device.

Any components of the control device 1, such as the sensor 4, the antenna 6 and/or the control unit 5 may be at least partially, but preferably (at least almost) entirely, enclosed in the deformable body 2. Thus, the control device 1 may have the appearance of a piece of clay.

To operate the control device 1, the deformable body 2 is deformed, such as by the user pressing or stretching the deformable body 2 with his or her hands e.g. in directions indicated by arrows 8 in Figure 2. The deformation of the deformable body is 2 translated to the sensor 4, as the deformation of the deformable body 2 causes the two parts of the potentiometer to move relative to each other. For example, the two parts of the potentiometer may be telescopically movable with respect to each other, such that pressing the deformable body 2 causes the potentiometer to collapse (or contract) and stretching the deformable body 2 in the opposite direction, or pressing the deformable body 2 in a direction perpendicular to the previous pressing direction, may cause the potentiometer to expand (or become lengthened). The control unit 5 then sets a control parameter based on the deformation sensed by the sensor 4 and the antenna 6 transmits the control signal to the device to be controlled.

A control device according to another embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 3 and 4. Figure 3 shows a control device 10 being subjected to stretching and Figure 4 shows the control device 10 being subjected to compression. In the present disclosure, compression of the deformable body 12 may not necessarily mean that the density of the deformable body 12 in a portion thereof is increased, but rather that the deformable body 12 is transformed e.g. from a stretched out sheet-like shape to a more ball-like shape. The control device 10 according to the present embodiment may be similarly configured as the control device described with reference to Figures 1 and 2, except for that the sensor comprises at least one strain gauge 14. The strain gauge 14 may comprise a flexible substrate with a thin metal foil arranged in a pattern on the substrate. Further, the strain gauge 14 may be adhered to the inside of the deformable body 12. The adhesive (or glue) used for adhering the strain gauge 14 to the inside of the deformable body 12 may preferably be sufficiently rigid to prevent a relative displacement of the deformable body 12 relative to the strain gauge 14 (which may be referred to as relaxation or creep), wherein the adhesive may deform and the deformation of the deformable body 12 may not be properly translated into a deformation of the strain gauge. Further, the adhesive may preferably still be flexible (or soft) enough to permit relatively large deformations of the strain gauge 14 and deformable body 12 with reduced risk of cracking of the adhesive.

Optionally, the control device 10 may comprise two or more strain gauges 14, which preferably may be arranged to be oriented differently within the deformable body 12 so as to be able to sense deformation of the deformable body 12 in different directions.

To operate the control device 10, the deformable body 12 is deformed, such as stretched, as illustrated by arrows 18 in Figure 3, whereby the deformation is transferred to the strain gauge 14. Hence, the deformation of the deformable body 12 causes deformation of the strain gauge 14. As the strain gauge 14 is stretched (and/or possibly bent), the resistance in the metallic foil of the strain gauge 14 changes, which is detected as an indication of deformation. The control unit 15 then sets a control parameter based on the deformation sensed by the strain gauge 14 and the antenna 16 transmits the control signal to the device to be controlled. In order to set another control parameter, the deformable body 12 may be deformed in another manner, such as by compression, as illustrated by arrows 19 in Figure 4, whereby the deformation is transferred to the strain gauge 14. As the strain gauge 14 is compressed (and/or possibly bent), the resistance in the metallic foil of the strain gauge 14 changes, which is detected as an indication of deformation. The control unit 15 then sets a control parameter based on the deformation sensed by the strain gauge 14 and the antenna 16 transmits the control signal to the device to be controlled.

According to an embodiment, pressing, stretching and/or compressing the deformable body in particular directions, as sensed by the sensor, may be recognized (identified) by the control unit as corresponding to different predetermined deformation patterns. The control unit may associate particular deformation patterns with particular control parameters. Hence, if the control unit detects deformation of the deformable body corresponding to a particular deformation pattern, it may set a particular control parameter based on that particular deformation pattern. As an illustrative example, stretching the deformable body may be recognized as a first deformation pattern by the control unit, which may set a first control parameter, such as dimming a lighting device, based on the first deformation pattern. Further, pressing the deformable body in a particular direction may be recognized as a second deformation pattern by the control unit, which may set a second control parameter, such as color adjustment of the lighting device, based on the second deformation pattern. Since the plastically deformable body allows a wide range of possible deformations (such as pressing, stretching and torsion), the control device may be used to set several different control parameters, not just an increase or decrease of a single output of the device to be controlled, but several different outputs (such as brightness, color temperature and hue of light emitted by a lighting device).

While embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive; the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. For example, the control device may be configured to transmit a control signal via any kind of transmitting means, such as wirelessly or via a wire such as a cord, to the device to be controlled. Further, the control device may be used not just for controlling lighting, but any device, such as music equipment, television equipment or any kind of electronically controllable equipment. Moreover, the deformable body may comprise not just clay, but any plastically deformable material. It will be appreciated that embodiments described with reference to Figures 3 and 4 are combinable with the embodiments described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. For example, the control device may comprise both a potentiometer and a strain gauge.

Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measured cannot be used to advantage. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A control device (1) comprising:

a deformable body (2), and

at least one sensor (4) arranged to sense deformation of at least a portion of the deformable body,

wherein the control device is configured to set a control parameter based on the deformation sensed by the at least one sensor, and

wherein the deformable body is at least partially plastically deformable.

2. The control device as defined in claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the deformable body has a claylike consistency.

3. The control device as defined in claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one sensor is at least partially enclosed within the deformable body.

4. The control device as defined in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control device is configured to identify deformation of said portion of the deformable body sensed by the at least one sensor corresponding to a predetermined deformation pattern and set the control parameter further based on the predetermined deformation pattern.

5. The control device as defined in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one sensor comprises a potentiometer.

6. The control device as defined in claim 5,

wherein the potentiometer comprises a movable part, the movement of which is sensed by the potentiometer, and

wherein the potentiometer is arranged such that deformation of at least a portion of the deformable body causes the movable part to move.

7. The control device as defined in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one sensor comprises a strain gauge (14).

8. The control device as defined in claim 7, wherein the strain gauge is arranged such that deformation of at least a portion of the deformable body causes deformation of the strain gauge.

9. The control device as defined in claim 7 or 8, wherein the strain gauge is adhered to the deformable body.

10. The control device as defined in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a protective layer (3) at least partly enclosing the deformable body.

11. The control device as defined in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a control unit (5) configured to receive a signal generated by the at least one sensor, the signal representing the deformation sensed by the sensor, and generate the control parameter based on the signal received from the at least one sensor.

12. The control device as defined in claim 11, wherein the control unit comprises a flexible circuit board.

13. The control device as defined in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a communication unit (6) for transmitting the control parameter to a device to be controlled.

14. The control device as defined in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control device is configured to control one or more light emission parameters of a lighting device based on the deformation sensed by the at least one sensor, wherein the one or more light emission parameters preferably include intensity and/or color of light emitted by the lighting device.

15. A method of setting a control parameter by means of a control device (1) comprising a deformable body (2) being at least partially plastically deformable, the method comprising: sensing deformation of at least a portion of the deformable body, and setting a control parameter based on the sensed deformation.