Grip Pattern Control via Touch and Pressure Sensors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current electronic devices lack intuitive and efficient methods for controlling functions based on user grip patterns, leading to unintended screen orientations and cumbersome operation.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a touch sensor and pressure sensor in electronic devices to detect grip patterns, allowing for control of screen orientation, function execution, and other operations using a low-power MPU and controller, which processes touch and pressure information to determine grip states and patterns.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional input units (keyboard, keypad, mouse) are used, then device functionality is comprehensive, but user interface intuitiveness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser interface intuitivenessVSAvoidinput unit complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical input units (keyboard, keypad, mouse) with a touch-sensitive display that detects touch operations. This substitution enables more intuitive user interaction by allowing direct manipulation of the display interface, eliminating the need for separate mechanical input devices while improving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If screen rotation is automatically enabled, then adaptability to different orientations is improved, but unintended screen orientation changes occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescreen orientation adaptabilityVSAvoidscreen orientation control accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the system detects grip patterns through touch sensors and uses this information to determine whether screen rotation should be enabled. The feedback loop analyzes touch characteristics (duration, pressure, position) to distinguish between intentional grip actions and accidental contact, thereby controlling screen rotation only when appropriate and preventing unintended orientation changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary detection of grip patterns before executing screen rotation. By analyzing touch characteristics in advance and determining grip intent, the system prepares to enable or disable rotation accordingly, preventing unintended orientation changes before they occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If touch-sensitive display is used for intuitive control, then ease of operation is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetouch control intuitivenessVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements partial action by activating the touch-sensitive display and processing grip pattern detection only when and where needed. Rather than continuously monitoring the entire display, the system focuses on detecting specific touch characteristics in relevant areas, thereby reducing overall power consumption while maintaining intuitive control functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP2816442B1Electronic device and method of controlling electronic device using grip sensing

Publication Date: 2019.07.31 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

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AI summary

An electronic device is provided. The device includes a touch sensor configured to sense at least one touch; a pressure sensor configured to sense at least one pressure; and a controller configured to sense a grip pattern on the electronic device using the touch sensor and the pressure sensor, and to control a predetermined function according to the grip pattern.