Edge Gesture Recognition Using Movement Length for Device Actions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic devices lack efficient mechanisms for performing actions based on gestures performed on their edges, particularly for edge display screens, which are not adequately utilized for accessing applications or performing functions like flashlight or stopwatch.

Innovation Solution

The mechanism involves detecting gestures on multiple edges of an electronic device, computing the length and speed of the movement, and performing actions corresponding to the gesture, such as capturing screenshots, resizing application windows, or switching applications, using a rail swipe, asymmetric swipe, squeeze, or lift and drop gestures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If edge display screens are added to electronic devices, then device functionality and information display capability are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice functionalityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The edge display screen is integrated into the existing device frame, allowing the same physical structure to serve both as a structural component and as an additional display area. This enables the device to perform multiple functions (main display and edge information display) without adding separate components, thereby improving versatility while controlling complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If gesture recognition mechanisms are implemented on edge displays, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The gesture detection functionality is merged with the existing touch screen controller. The same hardware infrastructure that handles touch input on the main display is extended to detect gestures on the edge display, allowing natural interaction without requiring separate sensors or processing systems, thus improving ease of operation while minimizing complexity increase.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple gesture types are supported on edge displays, then adaptability is improved, but measurement precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegesture recognition capabilityVSAvoidgesture detection precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts gesture recognition parameters based on the detected gesture type. Different gestures (swipe, tap, hold) have different detection thresholds and validation criteria that are adapted in real-time, allowing multiple gesture types to be supported with appropriate precision levels for each, thereby improving adaptability while managing precision requirements efficiently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3989050B1Method of performing one or more operations based on a gesture
Publication Date: 2025.07.09 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3989050B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP3989050B1 patent drawingFigure 1c~1d
  • EP3989050B1 patent drawingFigure 1e~1f

AI summary

A method for performing an action in an electronic device is provided. The method includes detecting a gesture performed on a first edge and a second edge of the electronic device. Further, the method includes computing a length of a movement of the gesture, and performing an action corresponding to an item in the electronic device based on the length of the movement.