Hand-Portable Device Collision Avoidance via Wireless Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hand-portable electronic devices, such as smartphones, reduce user awareness of their surroundings, increasing the risk of collisions with objects or other pedestrians, especially in environments with automobile traffic, due to user distraction from the device's content.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a detection-and-ranging element that transmits electromagnetic wireless signals to detect objects and provide spatial information, allowing for alerts through visual, acoustic, or haptic means if a collision is predicted based on object trajectory and distance, and optionally transmitting a wireless beacon signal for remote device collision avoidance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a hand-portable electronic device is used for entertainment and communication, then user engagement and productivity are improved, but user awareness of surroundings deteriorates, increasing collision risk
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors the user's environment using sensors (camera, LIDAR, ultrasonic sensors) and provides real-time feedback through alerts when objects are detected in the collision zone. This feedback mechanism allows users to maintain engagement with their device while being warned of potential hazards, resolving the contradiction between productivity and safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary safety system that acts as a mediator between the user's immersive device usage and their environmental awareness. The detection system and alert mechanisms serve as this intermediary, enabling users to enjoy their electronic devices without completely disconnecting from their surroundings, thus reducing collision risk while maintaining productivity.
2Reliability
If detection signals are transmitted continuously to provide real-time spatial information, then collision avoidance capability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous transmission, the system uses periodic action by activating detection signals only when needed. The processor monitors conditions and transmits detection signals periodically based on detected movements or changes in the environment, maintaining collision avoidance capability while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts its detection signal transmission based on real-time conditions. When the user is stationary or the environment is stable, detection signals are transmitted less frequently. When movement or potential hazards are detected, the system increases detection frequency. This dynamic adaptation maintains reliability while optimizing energy consumption.
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
Enhances user awareness of their environment by providing timely alerts for potential collisions, reducing the risk of accidents by correlating spatial information with remote beacon signals for improved collision avoidance systems.
Implementation Method 1
a detection-and-ranging element configured to transmit one or more electromagnetic, wireless detection signals and configured to detect one or more reflections of said one or more electromagnetic, wireless detection signals from the one or more physical objects
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus comprising a hand-portable electronic device including a detection-and-ranging element configured to provide spatial information of one or more physical objects in a space around the hand-held portable electronic device for collision avoidance, the detection-and-ranging element configured to transmit one or more electromagnetic, wireless detection signals and configured to detect one or more reflections of said one or more electromagnetic, wireless detection signals from the one or more objects.