Directional Input Units for One-Input Mobile Terminal Operations
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile communication devices require multiple user inputs to turn on the display, authenticate, and select an operation, often necessitating precise input magnitudes, leading to cumbersome and non-seamless operation experiences.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a directional input unit that can differentiate user input directions and features, allowing a single input to power on the device, authenticate, and select an operation, with optional notice units to guide the user.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple user inputs are required to turn on the display, authenticate, and select an operation, then the device can perform each function reliably, but the operation becomes cumbersome and non-seamless
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions (display activation, authentication, and operation selection) into a single integrated input action. The sensor unit detects both the presence and direction of a single user input, enabling the device to simultaneously perform power-on, authentication verification, and operation selection without requiring separate input steps for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor unit is designed to universally handle multiple functions through a single input mechanism. By detecting input direction relative to different sides of the device, the same sensor unit can differentiate between authentication requests, display activation, and various operation selections, making the input system multi-functional rather than requiring dedicated inputs for each function.
2Measurement precision
If precise input magnitude is required to select different operations, then the device can accurately identify user intent, but the ease of operation decreases due to the need for precise control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from detecting input magnitude (one-dimensional) to detecting input direction (angular dimension). Instead of requiring the user to control the force or magnitude of their input, the system detects the angle or direction from which the input approaches the sensor unit. This dimensional change allows for accurate operation selection while maintaining input simplicity, as users naturally vary input direction rather than precisely controlling magnitude.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the detection parameter from input magnitude to input direction. The sensor unit is configured to detect the directional aspect of user input, and the processor interprets different directions as different user intents. This parameter transformation allows the device to maintain high measurement precision for operation identification while significantly improving ease of operation, as users can intuitively point or gesture in different directions without needing to modulate input strength.
3Ease of operation
If a single input is used to perform multiple functions, then the operation becomes seamless, but the reliability of each function may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms to ensure reliable function execution despite using a single input. The sensor unit continuously monitors input characteristics, and the processor provides feedback by confirming the detected direction and corresponding operation. This feedback loop allows the system to verify that the single input was correctly interpreted and executed, maintaining reliability while achieving operational seamlessness.
Solution Approach 2:
The device performs preliminary detection and verification of the input direction before executing the selected function. The sensor unit captures the directional information, and the processor pre-validates the detected direction against known operation patterns before triggering the corresponding function. This preliminary action ensures that even though only a single input is required, the system maintains high reliability by verifying the input intent before execution.
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure generally relates to various directional input units of a mobile communication terminal, where such directional input units receive a single user input or multiple concurrent user inputs and then acquires at least one selecting (user) sub-input therefrom while a terminal is in its powered-off state or its off-state. After acquiring the selecting user sub-input, a terminal runs at least one pre-selected operation which is selected from a set of multiple pre-selected operations and which matches the selecting user sub-input when a terminal powers on from its powered-off state or wakes up from its off-state. A directional input unit may acquire the selecting user sub-input from a movement of at least a portion thereof, a contact between at least a portion thereof and a user body part, or the like. As a result, a terminal can provide a user with more seamless operations.