Flashlight Management on Curved Glass Displays

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile electronic devices with curved display surfaces face challenges in content and behavior handling at edge portions, leading to visibility and handling issues, as well as accidental activation, due to the difficulty in determining appropriate display and flashlight usage based on user orientation and handedness.

Innovation Solution

A mobile communications device manages notifications and flashlight functions by determining the device's orientation and user's hand position, selectively displaying notifications and using edge or back plane flashlights based on user location and device posture, and personalizing the layout of actionable UI components on edge screen areas.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If a curved display surface is used to create interesting device construction, then the device aesthetic and user interest are improved, but visibility and handling at edge portions deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecurved display surfaceVSAvoidhandling at edge portions

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic flashlight management that adapts to device orientation and user hand position. The system continuously monitors device posture and selectively activates edge or back plane flashlights based on real-time conditions, making the flashlight function dynamic rather than static. This resolves the contradiction by allowing the curved shape to be maintained while the flashlight behavior adapts dynamically to prevent accidental activation and ensure proper functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters (flashlight activation state) based on device orientation parameters. By monitoring orientation angles and hand position, the system adjusts whether the edge flashlight or back plane flashlight is active, creating a parameter-based control system that adapts to different usage scenarios and prevents accidental activation on curved surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Area of stationary object

If edge screen areas are utilized for additional display content, then display area is increased, but accidental activation and visibility issues worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay areaVSAvoidaccidental activation

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary control system that acts as a mediator between the edge screen areas and the flashlight function. This intermediary layer analyzes device orientation and hand position data to determine whether to activate the flashlight, preventing direct and potentially accidental activation while still allowing intentional use. The intermediary control resolves the contradiction by filtering out accidental inputs while preserving legitimate usage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor device orientation and hand position, then adjust flashlight activation accordingly. This closed-loop feedback system allows the edge screen areas to be utilized for display while providing real-time adjustment to prevent accidental activation, resolving the contradiction between increased display area and reduced harmful factors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Illumination intensity

If flashlight function is activated on curved surfaces, then illumination capability is provided, but determining appropriate usage becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflashlight illuminationVSAvoiduser orientation and handedness

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual determination of appropriate flashlight usage with an automated sensor-based system. Instead of relying on user judgment about device orientation and hand position, the system uses sensors to automatically detect these parameters and control flashlight activation. This substitution resolves the contradiction by providing illumination capability while eliminating the difficulty of determining appropriate usage through automated detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a universal flashlight control mechanism that handles multiple scenarios (different orientations, handedness, edge vs. back plane activation) through a single integrated control system. This multi-functional approach resolves the contradiction by providing a unified solution that automatically adapts to various usage conditions, making the system as simple to use as it is capable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10813193B1Flashlight management on curved glass

Publication Date: 2020.10.20 MOTOROLA MOBILITY LLC

AI summary

Systems and methods are provided for managing a flashlight function on a mobile electronic communications device having a curved display surface that includes a front screen area, one or more edge screen areas and a back flashlight. By way of example, the disclosed technique entails detecting that the user has turned on the flashlight function, determining whether the back flashlight is facing toward the user, and enabling the back flashlight when it is determined that the back flashlight is not facing toward the user. When it is determined that the back flashlight is facing toward the user, a flashlight on a screen edge facing away from the user is enabled.