Edge Sensor Hand Orientation Detection for Adaptive Soft Key Mapping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Handheld electronic devices face challenges with power consumption due to touch-screen input mechanisms and limited usability due to fixed control configurations optimized for either left or right-handed use, leading to reduced functionality and potential safety risks.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of edge sensors that detect user hand orientation and adapt soft key mappings automatically, allowing intuitive input without obstructing the display and reducing power consumption by relocating input functions to device edges.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If touch-screen input mechanisms are used, then input functionality is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinput functionalityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The device divides the input functionality into two separate mechanisms: a touch-screen for visual interaction and edge sensors for input. This segmentation allows the touch-screen to remain dimmed or off during input operations, reducing its power consumption while the edge sensors handle input detection without requiring display illumination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Edge sensors serve as an intermediary input mechanism that bridges the user and the device without requiring the touch-screen to be active. The sensors detect finger contacts on the device edges and translate them into input commands, mediating the input process independently of the power-hungry display system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If fixed control configurations optimized for one hand are used, then control precision is improved, but adaptability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol precisionVSAvoidhand orientation adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The control configuration dynamically adapts based on detected hand orientation. The system continuously monitors which edge of the device is contacted by the user's hand and automatically mirrors the control layout accordingly. This dynamic adjustment maintains optimal control precision for the active hand while providing full adaptability for both left-handed and right-handed users.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from edge sensors to detect hand orientation and automatically adjusts the control configuration. The sensors provide real-time information about which edge is being contacted, and the system responds by mirroring the control layout to match the user's hand position, ensuring optimal precision without requiring manual reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Device complexity

If manual intervention is required to change control orientation, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol adaptation mechanismVSAvoidcontrol reconfiguration

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The control adaptation system operates autonomously without requiring manual intervention. Edge sensors automatically detect which edge of the device is contacted by the user's hand and the system self-adjusts by mirroring the control layout accordingly. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for users to manually reconfigure controls when switching between left and right hands.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Adaptability or versatility

If level and orientation sensing mechanisms are used, then adaptability is improved, but reliability deteriorates in vertical or flat holding scenarios

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol adaptationVSAvoiddetection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using level and orientation sensors to determine hand orientation, the system inverts the approach by using edge contact sensors to directly detect which edge is contacted by the hand. This inversion bypasses the reliability issues of orientation sensing in vertical or flat holding scenarios, as edge contact detection remains accurate regardless of device orientation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS8368658B2Automatic soft key adaptation with left-right hand edge sensing

Publication Date: 2013.02.05 AT&T MOBILITY II LLC

AI summary

Systems and methodologies for adapting input/output operation of an electronic device for left-handed and/or right-handed scenarios are provided herein. As described herein, sensors (e.g., capacitive, resistive, touch-sensitive, etc.) are applied to respective outer edges of a device to determine whether a device is in a user's left hand and/or right hand. Based on this determination, respective points along the sensors can be mapped to soft keys to automatically optimize input for left-handed and/or right-handed operation. As further described herein, points of contact with an input device such as a touch-screen can be corrected based on whether a user's left hand and/or right hand is holding an associated electronic device. For example, upon identifying contact between a touch-screen and a thumb of a hand being used to hold an associated device, the point of contact can be shifted to compensate for the angle of the thumb with respect to the touch-screen.