Acoustic Airflow Control for Mobile Terminal Screen Sliding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Large screen sizes on mobile terminals make one-handed screen sliding operations clumsy and inefficient, and existing noise reduction methods using dual microphones do not effectively simplify operation modes for improved man-machine interaction.

Innovation Solution

A method utilizing at least two microphones on a mobile terminal to detect airflow characteristics, determining operation types based on sound signal parameters, and generating instructions for corresponding actions, such as screen sliding, to simplify operation and enhance interaction efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the screen size of mobile terminal is increased, then the display area is improved, but the ease of operation for one-handed screen sliding becomes worse

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescreen display areaVSAvoidone-handed screen sliding operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical finger touch sliding operation with an acoustic field-based operation. The user blows air to create airflow sound signals that are detected by microphones, and the system translates these acoustic signals into screen sliding operations, substituting the mechanical touch interface with an acoustic control interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes pneumatic principles by using airflow (breath) as the input medium for operation control. The user's breath creates sound waves that are captured by the microphones, converting pneumatic energy into acoustic signals that drive the interface operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Reliability

If dual microphones are added for noise reduction, then the noise reduction capability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenoise reduction capabilityVSAvoidmicrophone configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the dual microphones serve multiple functions: they continue to perform noise reduction for voice conversations while simultaneously enabling the new airflow-based operation mode. By analyzing the sound signals from both microphones, the system can distinguish between speech patterns and airflow patterns, allowing one interface (the microphones) to support multiple input methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If finger touch operation is used on large screen, then the operation precision is maintained, but the productivity for one-handed operation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation precisionVSAvoidman-machine interaction efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the input parameter from mechanical touch position to acoustic signal characteristics (sound intensity, frequency, direction). By detecting the acoustic parameters from the user's breath, the system determines the intended operation direction and executes corresponding screen sliding actions, transforming the interaction paradigm while maintaining operational precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Enables efficient one-handed operation of mobile terminals by accurately interpreting airflow signals to perform screen sliding and other actions, improving interaction efficiency and simplifying existing operation modes.

Implementation Method 1

separately obtain characteristic parameters of sound signals received by the at least two microphones

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSound signal detection and conversion:

Data Source

PatentEP3282680B1Blowing action-based method for operating mobile terminal and mobile terminal
Publication Date: 2022.09.28 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3282680B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3282680B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3282680B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

Embodiments of the present invention provide a method for operating a mobile terminal based on a blowing action and a mobile terminal. The mobile terminal is provided with at least two microphones. When a user bows air to the at least two microphones, characteristic parameters of sound signals received by the at least two microphones are separately obtained, an operation type is determined according to the obtained characteristic parameters of the sound signals received by the at least two microphones, an operation instruction is generated according to the operation type, and an operation that corresponds to the operation instruction is performed, so that a mobile terminal can be operated by using microphones on the mobile terminal, thereby simplifying an existing operation mode and improving man-machine interaction efficiency.