Electronic Device Input Lock via Closure Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users often forget to lock their electronic devices before storing them in pockets or purses, leading to unintentional device actions due to the lack of awareness or habituation with existing lock features, and automatic sleep modes may not activate in time to prevent accidental operations.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system that detects conditions such as inactivity, device state, and ambient light changes when the device is closed, to initiate a sleep mode and disable the input interface, thereby preventing unintentional device actions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a manual convenience key lock is provided, then the device can be locked to prevent unintentional operation, but users may forget to activate it or not be aware of the feature
Solution Approach 1:
The device automatically detects when it has been placed in a pocket or purse and self-locks without requiring user intervention. The system monitors device position and orientation changes, automatically initiating the locking sequence when the device is closed and detected to be in a storage location, thereby eliminating the need for users to manually activate the lock feature.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection of device placement conditions (closure state, orientation, position changes) before the actual locking action occurs. By monitoring these conditions in advance and triggering the lock sequence automatically when the device is closed and detected to be in a pocket or purse, the system ensures the device is locked before any unintentional operation can occur.
2Extent of automation
If automatic sleep mode is implemented after inactivity, then the device can be locked automatically, but the lock may not activate in time to prevent accidental operations
Solution Approach 1:
The system monitors device closure and placement conditions continuously and triggers the locking sequence immediately when the device is closed and detected to be in a pocket or purse. This preliminary detection and immediate response occurs before the traditional inactivity timer would expire, ensuring the device is locked in time to prevent accidental operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors device state changes (closure, orientation, position) and uses this feedback to automatically trigger the locking sequence. When the device is closed and the system detects the device is likely in a pocket or purse based on orientation and position data, the feedback mechanism immediately initiates the lock sequence without waiting for inactivity timeout.
3Ease of operation
If the device remains unlocked during storage, then the device is accessible, but unintentional operations can occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of storage conditions (device closure, orientation changes, position detection) and automatically initiates the locking sequence before the device can be accidentally operated. This ensures the device transitions from an accessible state to a locked state proactively, preventing unintentional operations while maintaining ease of access when the device is opened.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for locking an input device of an electronic device are described herein. An example method includes detecting a moving action of a housing of the electronic device from an open position to a closed position. The method includes detecting at least a first condition of the electronic device after detection of the moving action from the open position to the closed position and locking the input device upon detection of the first condition within a first time interval based on the electronic device being moved to the closed position.