Flexible Mobile Device Housing Spatial Relationship Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional techniques for determining viewing modes in flexible mobile devices rely on dedicated hardware, which increases costs and is limited in identifying various viewing modes enabled by flexible displays and housings.
Innovation Solution
The use of sensors such as accelerometers, infrared sensors, proximity sensors, and magnetometers to determine and verify the spatial relationships between the housings of a mobile device, allowing for precise identification of multiple viewing modes without the need for additional hardware.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If dedicated hardware such as switches or binary sensors is used to determine viewing modes, then the device can identify viewing modes, but the cost of the mobile device increases and the number of identifiable viewing modes is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces dedicated mechanical hardware (switches, binary sensors) with a software-based solution using sensors already present in the device (accelerometers, magnetometers, proximity sensors, infrared sensors). This substitution eliminates the need for additional dedicated hardware while enabling accurate detection of multiple viewing modes through software processing of sensor data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes existing multi-functional sensors (accelerometers, magnetometers, proximity sensors, infrared sensors) serve the additional function of viewing mode detection. These sensors originally designed for other purposes are repurposed to detect spatial relationships between housings, thereby identifying various viewing modes without requiring dedicated hardware.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional hardware is used to determine viewing modes, then the device structure remains simple, but the device cannot address the different viewing modes made available by flexible display devices and housings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic viewing mode determination system that continuously processes sensor data to identify spatial relationships between housings in real-time. The system adapts to various flexible configurations by dynamically interpreting accelerometer angles, magnetometer orientations, proximity sensor distances, and infrared sensor readings to recognize different viewing modes as they occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent detects viewing modes by monitoring changes in physical parameters measured by existing sensors - specifically accelerometer orientation angles, magnetometer directional readings, proximity sensor distance measurements, and infrared sensor intensity values. By tracking these parameter changes, the system identifies transitions between different viewing modes without requiring dedicated hardware.
3Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are used to determine spatial relationships, then viewing mode determination accuracy improves, but the cost and complexity of the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent leverages sensors that are already integrated into the device for other functions (accelerometers for motion detection, magnetometers for compass functionality, proximity sensors for touchscreen interaction, infrared sensors for remote control). By making these existing sensors serve the additional purpose of viewing mode detection, the system achieves high measurement precision without incurring additional hardware costs or increasing overall device complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables accurate and cost-effective determination of multiple viewing modes in flexible mobile devices, enabling dynamic functionality adjustments based on the device's orientation and configuration.
Implementation Method 1
Sensors such as accelerometers, infrared sensors, proximity sensors, and magnetometers are used to determine and verify the spatial relationships between the housings of a mobile device
Implementation Method 2
Sensors such as accelerometers, infrared sensors, proximity sensors, and magnetometers are used to determine and verify the spatial relationships between the housings of a mobile device
Data Source
AI summary
In implementations, a mobile device having a plurality of housings connected, one to another, using a flex structure that is bendable, is configured to determine spatial relationships between the housings. Sensors within the mobile device allow the mobile device to determine the spatial relationships as the mobile device is manipulated via the flex structure.