3D Sensing Peripheral Removal Intent Detection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing computer interfaces require users to manually perform preparatory actions before removing peripherals, such as safely ejecting USB drives or detaching from docking stations, which can be cumbersome.

Innovation Solution

A 3D sensing system that detects hand movements to automatically initiate actions preparatory to disengaging peripheral devices, such as releasing mechanical latches or completing data write operations, allowing for seamless removal without user intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual preparatory actions are required before removing peripherals, then data integrity and device safety are ensured, but user convenience and operation speed deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata integrityVSAvoiduser convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preparatory actions automatically before peripheral removal by detecting hand movement toward the device. When the user's hand is detected moving toward a connected peripheral, the system proactively completes data transfers, updates file systems, and prepares the device for disconnection, eliminating the need for manual preparatory steps while ensuring data integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors user hand movements using 3D sensing and provides real-time feedback by automatically initiating preparatory actions when removal intent is detected. This feedback loop allows the system to respond dynamically to user actions, maintaining reliability while improving ease of operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If manual preparatory actions are required before removing peripherals, then proper data transfer completion is ensured, but time consumption and operational efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transfer completionVSAvoidtime consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system completes data transfers and file system updates automatically before peripheral removal by detecting hand movement toward the device. This preliminary action ensures proper data transfer completion while eliminating the time users would otherwise spend waiting for or manually initiating these processes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Extent of automation

If 3D sensing is used to detect hand movements, then automatic preparatory actions are enabled, but device complexity and system requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic detectionVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses an intermediary 3D sensing component to detect hand movements and trigger automatic preparatory actions. This intermediary device bridges the gap between user intent and system response, enabling automatic detection while isolating the complexity to a dedicated sensing module rather than requiring complex processing throughout the entire system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9152234B2Detecting user intent to remove a pluggable peripheral device

Publication Date: 2015.10.06 APPLE INC

AI summary

A method includes receiving, from a three-dimensional (3D) sensing device coupled to a computer, a sequence of 3D maps including at least part of a hand of a user positioned in proximity to the computer. In embodiments of the present invention, the computer is coupled to one or more peripheral devices, and upon identifying, in the sequence of 3D maps, a movement of the hand toward a given peripheral device, an action preparatory to disengaging the given peripheral device is initiated.