Proximity sensor operation input snap OFF

Abstract

Traditionally, electronic devices such as smartphones have known technologies that use proximity sensors to turn off the screen during calls to prevent accidental touches. However, these technologies have not supported flexible operation that temporarily controls only the user input while maintaining the screen display in applications other than calls. [Solution] An input control method is used in which a proximity sensor detects the approach of an object, and if the object is below a predetermined threshold and this continues for a certain period of time, the system temporarily disables operation inputs such as touch input and gesture input while maintaining the screen display (video display), and then re-enables the operation input when the release conditions are met. Hysteresis processing prevents false detections and effectively suppresses operations that the user did not intend.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a technology for preventing misoperations in electronic devices. In particular, based on the detection results of proximity sensors installed in smartphones, smart glasses, VR goggles, etc., it relates to an input control technology for temporarily invalidating and restoring operations such as touch input and gesture input while maintaining the screen display. Note that in this specification, the screen display includes video display.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in electronic devices such as smartphones, there is a known technology for turning off the screen with a proximity sensor during a call to prevent accidental touches. However, in applications other than calls, a technology for flexibly and temporarily controlling only operation inputs while maintaining the screen display has not been fully established. For this reason, for example, there has been a problem of accidental input during the operation of a map application. Also, not only in smartphones, but also in electronic devices such as smart glasses and VR goggles, a technology for flexibly and temporarily controlling only operation inputs while maintaining the screen display has not been fully established. Description of the Invention

[0003] The present invention utilizes proximity sensors installed in electronic devices such as smartphones, smart glasses, and VR goggles, and not only during calls, but also temporarily invalidates touch input so as not to accidentally touch even when pointing at the screen during, for example, map display, or controls operation inputs so that gesture recognition does not accidentally work while thinking or touching one's head with one's hand in smart glasses or VR goggles, etc. It is a technology for preventing unintended operations by users in various usage scenarios. Components: The electronic devices assumed in the present invention may be provided with the following components. · Proximity sensor: Detects the approach of an object (such as a user's finger or hand) by, for example, an infrared method · Display unit: Touch panel, visual presentation display, etc. The screen display is always maintained • Input methods: Operational input appropriate for the device (touch input, gestures, etc.) • Control Unit: Monitors sensor output and controls input disabling and recovery. • Memory Unit: Stores setting information such as thresholds, control delay time, and disabling range. • Control program: The control logic executed by the control unit is a program that controls the enabled / disabled state of the operation input based on the detection result of the proximity sensor. This control program can be provided by an application, middleware, or operating system running on the electronic device in question. Input control: The control of the operation input is performed dynamically based on the output value from the proximity sensor. Possible control criteria include the following: • Disable condition: If the sensor output falls below a set threshold and this condition persists for a predetermined time (e.g., 500ms), the operation input will be temporarily disabled. • Release condition: Operation input will be restored if the sensor output exceeds the threshold and continues for a certain period of time. In these determinations, hysteresis processing can be applied to prevent misjudgments caused by short-term fluctuations in sensor output. Specifically, the deactivation threshold and the recovery threshold are set to different values ​​to ensure the stability of the determination. Processing procedure: An example of the processing procedure for control of operation input in the present invention is as follows: 1. Monitoring with proximity sensors Sensor outputs are acquired at regular intervals or in response to events to evaluate the proximity of objects. 2. Determination and execution of disabling conditions If the sensor output remains below the deactivation threshold for a predetermined period of time, the operation input is disabled while maintaining the screen display. In this case, as a hysteresis process, the deactivation threshold and the recovery threshold are set to different values, and the difference between them is taken into consideration to ensure the stability of the judgment. 3. Determining and restoring input recovery conditions If the threshold for recovery is exceeded and the conditions for deactivation are met for a predetermined period of time, the operation input will be re-enabled while maintaining the screen display. The above processing steps can be implemented by a software application running on the electronic device or by a function built into the operating system. Examples of embodiments of the present invention

[0004] This control is one example of a control implemented by a control program executed on the aforementioned electronic device. The control program includes logic that acquires detection results from proximity sensors at regular intervals or triggered by events, and switches the operation input on or off based on set thresholds and time conditions. The switching mechanism employs hysteresis processing, which sets the deactivation threshold and the recovery threshold to different values, preventing misjudgments due to short-term fluctuations in sensor output. Examples of embodiments of the present invention are shown below, but the invention is not limited thereto. 1. An example of an embodiment in a smartphone In one smartphone, an infrared proximity sensor is placed around the screen to detect the approach of an object. If the detection distance falls below a set threshold and this condition persists for 500ms or more, the screen display will be maintained, but user input will be temporarily disabled. The deactivation process re-enables the control input when the proximity sensor's detected value exceeds a threshold and this continues for a certain period of time. 2. Examples of embodiments in smart glasses, VR goggles, etc. In a certain pair of smart glasses, for example, an infrared proximity sensor is placed in the frame to detect the approach of an object. If the detection distance falls below a set threshold and this condition persists for 500ms or more, the screen display will remain active, but user input will be temporarily disabled. The deactivation process restores control input when the proximity sensor's detected value exceeds a threshold and this continues for a certain period of time. Effects of the present invention

[0005] According to the present invention, based on the detection of approaching objects by a proximity sensor, operation input can be dynamically disabled while maintaining the screen display. This effectively prevents user errors and malfunctions.

Claims

1. In an electronic device having a screen display unit and / or a video display unit, and equipped with a proximity sensor, If the distance to the object detected by the proximity sensor remains below a set invalidation threshold for a predetermined period of time, the operation input is disabled while maintaining the display on the screen display unit and / or the video display unit. An input control method characterized by reactivating the operation input if the distance to the object detected by the proximity sensor exceeds a recovery threshold for a predetermined period of time.

2. In the method according to claim 1, An input control method characterized in that the electronic device is a smartphone, tablet terminal, smart glasses, or VR goggles having an operation input means such as touch input or gesture input.

3. In the method according to claim 1 or 2, The deactivation threshold and the recovery threshold are set to different values, and the operation input is deactivated when it falls below the deactivation threshold. An input control method characterized by preventing misjudgment due to short-term fluctuations in sensor output by activating the operation input when the return-side threshold is exceeded.

4. In an electronic device equipped with a proximity sensor, A program that controls the enabled / disabled state of an operation input based on the detection result of a proximity sensor, A control program characterized in that, when the program is executed on an electronic device, it is capable of executing the input control method described in claim 1.