Handheld Device Attitude Sensor Input Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Handheld communication devices face challenges with keyboard navigation due to space constraints and accidental key activation, particularly when the device is held at unfavorable angles, leading to inefficient user input and potential accidental inputs.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an attitude sensor to detect the device's orientation and disable user input devices when the device is held beyond predetermined angles, thereby preventing accidental key presses and improving navigation efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the device size is reduced to fit in pocket or palm, then portability is improved, but keyboard surface area and navigation device space are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidkeyboard surface area

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic enabling/disabling of input devices based on detected device attitude. The keyboard and navigation device are conditionally activated or deactivated depending on whether the device is held in a favorable orientation, allowing the physical layout to remain compact while dynamically adjusting functionality to maintain usability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Area of stationary object

If keys are made smaller and spaced closely together, then keyboard surface area is reduced, but finger overlap and inadvertent key pressing increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvekeyboard surface areaVSAvoidinput accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of device attitude before allowing input operations. By detecting unfavorable orientations in advance, the system prevents inadvertent key presses by disabling the keyboard before accidental input can occur, rather than attempting to correct errors after they happen.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs feedback through attitude sensors that continuously monitor device orientation and provide real-time information to the control system. This feedback loop enables dynamic adjustment of input device availability, disabling the keyboard when unfavorable attitudes are detected and re-enabling when proper orientation is restored.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If keyboard lock is implemented with predetermined time delay, then accidental inputs are reduced, but user convenience deteriorates due to lock period

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccidental input preventionVSAvoiduser convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using a fixed time delay parameter for keyboard locking, the patent changes the control parameter to device attitude. The keyboard is disabled based on the physical orientation of the device rather than a predetermined time period, allowing immediate reactivation when the user corrects their grip without waiting for a timeout period.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Ease of operation

If navigation device is made larger for fine control, then ease of operation is improved, but available space for keyboard keys is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenavigation control precisionVSAvoidkeyboard key space

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamic control to both the navigation device and keyboard, enabling or disabling them based on device attitude. This allows the physical components to remain in their optimized sizes (larger navigation device for precision, smaller keyboard for compactness) while dynamically managing their availability to ensure both can function effectively when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

This solution enhances user interaction by preventing accidental inputs and optimizing keyboard usage by disabling user input devices when the device is held in orientations that hinder effective typing, thus improving the overall user experience and reducing errors.

Implementation Method 1

an attitude sensor to detect the device's orientation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP2012511B1Controlling user input devices based upon detected attitude of a handheld electronic device

Publication Date: 2018.01.17 BLACKBERRY LTD

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AI summary

A wireless handheld electronic device configured to send and receive text messages. A microprocessor for receiving, processing and outputting data is located within the handheld device. A display screen in data-communication with the microprocessor presents information for user observation based upon data output from the microprocessor. A sensor is provided within the handheld device that detects the attitude of the device as held by the user. The sensor communicates data that is indicative of the detected attitude of the device to the microprocessor. The microprocessor is further enable to disable a user input device when the detected attitude of the device matches a predetermined attitude criteria.