Convertible Device Motion Sensor Input Disable Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile devices, particularly ultrabook convertibles, face issues with unintentional user interactions during mode transitions, such as touching the screen or pressing keys accidentally while switching between clamshell and tablet modes, leading to a poor user experience.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a zoned touch sensor system with capacitance and optical sensors, accelerometers, and magnetometers to detect changes in device orientation and temporarily disable input devices during mode transitions, preventing unintended user inputs by determining the operating mode and adjusting the operating environment accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the device allows full input device functionality during mode transitions, then user interaction capability is maintained, but unintentional inputs occur causing system errors
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of mode transition using sensors (accelerometer, magnetometer, touch sensors) before the transition completes, and proactively disables input devices in advance to prevent unintentional inputs. This preliminary action ensures that input devices are non-functional during the critical transition period while maintaining full functionality during stable operating modes.
2Reliability
If sensors remain active during low-power states, then detection capability is maintained, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic sensing where sensors are activated only during specific periods (mode transitions) and deactivated during low-power states. The accelerometer, magnetometer, and touch sensors are enabled temporarily when transition is detected, perform detection, then disabled to conserve power, creating a periodic on-off pattern that balances detection capability with power efficiency.
3Speed
If the system responds to all inputs during transition, then input responsiveness is maintained, but unexpected system reactions occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and isolates the input device functionality during mode transitions by disabling the connection between input devices and the operating system. This separation removes the problematic interaction during transitions while preserving full input responsiveness when the device is in a stable operating mode, effectively taking out the input processing path during the transition period.
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
This solution effectively reduces unintentional user interactions during mode changes, enhancing the user experience by ensuring the system behaves as expected and conserving power by disabling unnecessary sensors during low-power states.
Implementation Method 1
detect changes in device orientation and temporarily disable input devices during mode transitions
Implementation Method 2
determine the operating mode and adjusting the operating environment accordingly
Implementation Method 3
Incorporating a zoned touch sensor system with capacitance and optical sensors
Data Source
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AI summary
According to one embodiment, a device includes control logic, at least a portion of which is implemented in hardware, to process motion data, the motion data collected from a first accelerometer in a base unit and from a second accelerometer in a display panel attached to a base unit of a mobile device, to determine whether the display panel moves relative to the base unit and to temporarily ignore or disable one or more input devices of the mobile device for a predetermined period of time to avoid unintentional user interaction with the mobile device during the movement of the display panel.