Communication Device Automatic Mode Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Smart devices, such as smartphones, often disrupt users in inappropriate settings, like while driving or during meetings, as they lack automatic functionality to adjust their operation based on location and mode, requiring user intervention to switch between operational modes.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for a communication device to automatically determine its mode and location using detected parameters, enabling or disabling functions based on predefined settings stored in a database, allowing for automatic modification of its operation when in a registered location and mode.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the device provides multiple operational modes with different functions, then the device versatility is improved, but the device complexity and user burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device automatically detects its current context (location, activity, time) and selects the appropriate operational mode without user intervention. The system self-adjusts settings based on detected parameters, eliminating the need for users to manually switch modes while maintaining multiple operational modes for different scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The device pre-configures multiple operational modes with specific settings for different contexts (e.g., driving mode, meeting mode, relaxation mode). When a context is detected, the corresponding pre-configured mode is automatically activated, avoiding the need for real-time decision-making by the user.
2Ease of operation
If the device requires user intervention to switch modes, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The device autonomously monitors detected parameters (location, activity, time) and automatically transitions between operational modes based on pre-configured rules, eliminating manual user intervention entirely. The system serves itself by making intelligent decisions about which mode to activate.
Solution Approach 2:
The device continuously monitors detected parameters and uses this feedback to automatically adjust its operational mode. The system creates a closed-loop control where detected parameters inform mode selection, which in turn adjusts device behavior, and continues monitoring to detect changes in context.
3Extent of automation
If the device automatically detects location and parameters, then the extent of automation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses a multi-functional architecture where a single control system performs multiple functions: detecting location, identifying activity, determining time, and selecting operational modes. This universal system handles all automation tasks through integrated components rather than separate dedicated systems for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The device pre-configures detection thresholds, action signatures, and mode settings before actual use. This preliminary configuration reduces the complexity of real-time automated decision-making by having pre-established rules and parameters that simplify the automated detection and response process.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the device modifies operation based on detected actions, then the adaptability is improved, but the measurement precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device detects a set of parameters that may be more than strictly necessary for mode selection. By using multiple parameters (location, activity, time, device orientation) rather than relying on a single precise measurement, the system achieves robust context detection through partial information from multiple sources, reducing the precision burden on any single sensor.
Solution Approach 2:
The device pre-configures action signatures and detection thresholds for different activities and locations. This preliminary setup allows the system to match detected parameters against known patterns, improving action detection accuracy without requiring high-precision real-time measurements by comparing against pre-established reference data.
Data Source
AI summary
A device is provided for use with a database having stored therein, a plurality of signatures corresponding to a plurality of actions, respectively. The device includes: a mode determining component that determines whether the device is in a predetermined mode; a device location determining component that determines whether the device is located in a predetermined location; a parameter detecting component operable to detect a predetermined parameter and to generate an action signature based on the detected predetermined parameter; an accessing component operable to access one of the plurality of signatures from the database; and a mode controlling component operable to modify operation of the device based on the comparison signal when said mode determining component determines that the device is operating in the predetermined mode and when the location determining component determines that the device is located in the predetermined location.