Electronic Device Carry-State Detection for Indoor Location

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing location determination technologies struggle with accuracy when a user does not carry their terminal device, particularly indoors, due to limitations in network-based systems.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device equipped with sensors and processors to detect user carry status, employing movement and biological signals to determine appropriate location detection methods, either using internal sensors or external devices based on signal features.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If network-based location determination technology is used, then location determination is possible, but accuracy deteriorates when user does not carry the terminal device

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocation determination capabilityVSAvoiduser position estimation accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent dynamically switches between two location determination modes: device-carry mode (using accelerometer and gyroscope data) and device-free mode (using external device coordinates). The system adapts the determination method based on whether the user is carrying the terminal, thereby maintaining high accuracy in both scenarios

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary determination module that analyzes movement data to infer user location even when the device is not carried. By using the last known position and movement patterns, the system bridges the gap between device location and user location

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If device-carry based location determination is used, then user location accuracy is improved, but the method becomes inapplicable when user places the device

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser location accuracyVSAvoidapplicability across different usage scenarios
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal location determination system that functions in multiple usage scenarios. By integrating both device-carry mode (using motion sensors) and device-free mode (using external device coordinates and movement inference), the system becomes applicable whether the user carries the device or places it down

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

3Measurement precision

If multiple detection methods are maintained for different scenarios, then detection accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocation detection accuracyVSAvoiddetection system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses dynamic mode switching to manage complexity. A determination module analyzes accelerometer and gyroscope data to identify whether the device is being carried, then automatically selects the appropriate detection algorithm. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain high accuracy without requiring complex parallel processing of multiple methods simultaneously

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4104040B1Electronic device and method for controlling the electronic device
Publication Date: 2025.08.27 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP4104040B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4104040B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4104040B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

An electronic device and a method for controlling the same are provided. The electronic device includes a communicator including circuitry, a first sensor configured to detect movement information of the electronic device, a memory including a first determination module configured to determine whether a user carries the electronic device and a second determination module configured to determine a detecting method for detecting a user location, and a processor configured to identify whether a user of the electronic device carries the electronic device based on the movement information of the electronic device obtained by the first sensor by using the first determination module, and determine a detecting method for detecting location information of the user according to whether the user carries the electronic device by using the second determination module.