Audio-Synced Vibration Control During Wireless Charging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic devices with vibration units struggle to control vibrations effectively based on the device's state, particularly when generating vibrations from audio signals, which can interfere with wireless charging efficiency and user experience.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus with a control unit that manages the vibration unit based on various conditions, including screen state, content type, and device position, to restrict or adjust vibrations for improved charging efficiency and user interaction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the vibration device generates vibration based on audio signal, then user experience is improved through synchronized haptic feedback, but wireless charging efficiency deteriorates due to interference between vibration and charging operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser experienceVSAvoidwireless charging efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts vibration operation based on charging state. When wireless charging is detected, the control unit restricts or modifies vibration generation to prevent interference with charging efficiency. This dynamic adaptation allows the device to optimize both user experience and charging performance under different operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit changes vibration parameters (amplitude, frequency, or duration) based on the charging state. By modifying vibration parameters when wireless charging is active, the system reduces negative interference while maintaining acceptable haptic feedback for user interactions, thus balancing user experience with charging efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of energy

If vibration is restricted during wireless charging, then charging efficiency is improved, but user experience deteriorates due to loss of haptic feedback for notifications

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewireless charging efficiencyVSAvoiduser experience
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies different vibration strategies to different notification types during wireless charging. Critical notifications may receive restricted vibration feedback while less important ones are suppressed entirely. This localized differentiation maintains essential user experience while minimizing interference with charging operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit acts as an intermediary between the vibration device and the charging system. It mediates by selectively enabling or modifying vibration based on notification priority and charging state, providing a compromise solution that partially maintains haptic feedback while protecting charging efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3757722B1Information processing device, information processing method, and computer program
Publication Date: 2023.12.13 SONY GROUP CORP
  • EP3757722B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3757722B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3757722B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

To provide an information processing apparatus capable of controlling vibration in accordance with a situation in a case where the vibration is generated on the basis of an audio signal. Provided is an information processing apparatus including: a vibration unit; and a control unit configured to detect a state of the own apparatus and control a state of the vibration unit on the basis of a detection result, in which the control unit vibrates the vibration unit in accordance with reproduction of content while the content is being reproduced in the own apparatus, and, in a case where a predetermined condition is satisfied, restricts vibration of the vibration unit even while the content is being reproduced in the own apparatus.