Edge Gesture Command Recognition for Keyless Mobile Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mobile phones face a trade-off between key placement and screen size, with keys reducing screen real estate and making certain operations inconvenient, such as volume adjustment and shutdown, when using touch screens.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device and command recognition method that divides its edges into operation areas, recognizing holding gestures and contact point changes to determine and execute commands without physical keys, using contact point detecting and changed contact point extraction to identify user inputs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If physical keys are added to the mobile phone, then operation convenience is improved, but device size increases and screen area decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The side edge of the device is segmented into multiple operation areas (first operation area, second operation area, third operation area) along the thickness direction. Each area can be independently activated by contact from different sides, allowing multiple functions to be distributed across different spatial zones without requiring additional physical keys on the front or back surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The operation areas are arranged along the thickness direction (z-axis) of the device rather than on the front or back surfaces. This utilizes the third dimension (depth/thickness) to place functional elements, effectively adding operational capability without consuming screen area on the two-dimensional display surface.
2Area of stationary object
If touch screen is used for operations, then screen area is maximized, but operation convenience deteriorates for certain functions
Solution Approach 1:
The side edge operation areas serve as an intermediary interface between the user and the device functions. Instead of requiring direct interaction with the touch screen for all operations (which can be inconvenient for certain functions), the side edges provide an alternative mediation point for common operations like volume control, camera activation, and power management.
Solution Approach 2:
Traditional mechanical buttons on the side edges are replaced with capacitive touch-sensitive areas that detect contact and pressure. This substitution maintains the ergonomic advantage of side-edge operations while eliminating the need for physical mechanical components, thereby maximizing screen area while preserving operational convenience.
3Area of stationary object
If number of keys is reduced, then screen area increases, but device complexity increases for keyless operations
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that detect contact state changes on the side edges and provide appropriate responses. By monitoring which side edges are contacted and in what sequence, the system can accurately distinguish between different user intentions and execute corresponding functions, thereby simplifying the overall operation recognition process despite the absence of physical keys.
Data Source
AI summary
A command recognition method and electronic device using the method are described. The command recognition method includes obtaining at least two first contact points at side edge of the electronic device; determining a holding gesture with respect to the electronic device according to the at least two first contact points; obtaining at least one second contact point at which contact state is changed on a side edge of the electronic device in a predetermined time period; based on the holding gesture, the at least one second contact point and its corresponding contact state change, recognizing corresponding command. By use of the command recognition method, it can favorably achieve the recognition of the operation command with respect to the electronic device in the case that the number of keys in the electronic device (even no key) is reduced, thereby achieving effective control to the electronic device.