Handling-Noise Gesture Control via Back Cover Acoustic Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional touchscreen-based gesture control for electronic devices obstructs the user's view of the screen, as gestures require physical interaction on the screen, limiting simultaneous viewing and input capabilities.

Innovation Solution

Implementing handling-noise based gesture control using multiple noise detection elements, such as microphones, to detect and interpret command gestures made on the device's back cover, allowing for off-screen gesture recognition without blocking the screen view, by analyzing timing and noise signatures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If touchscreen-based gesture control is used, then user interaction capability is improved, but screen view obstruction occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser interaction capabilityVSAvoidvisible screen area

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The gesture recognition function is extracted from the touchscreen and relocated to the device back cover. The back cover is equipped with separate noise detection elements (microphones) that independently detect handling noises, allowing gesture control to operate without occupying touchscreen space and thus eliminating view obstruction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Handling noise serves as an intermediary between user gesture and device command. Instead of direct touchscreen contact, user gestures generate acoustic noise that is detected by microphones and translated into control commands, enabling indirect but effective interaction without blocking the display.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple noise detection elements are added to detect gestures on back cover, then off-screen gesture recognition is enabled, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegesture control flexibilityVSAvoidnoise detection system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Existing microphones in the device are made multi-functional by programming them to detect both voice commands and handling noises for gesture recognition. This universal approach allows the same hardware components to serve multiple purposes, adding gesture control capability without requiring entirely separate dedicated noise detection systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The touchscreen gesture recognition capability is copied to the back cover through noise detection. Instead of implementing a completely new sensing system, the patent replicates the gesture control function using acoustic sensing, which mimics the mechanical contact gestures but through sound wave detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

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 users to perform command gestures on electronic devices without obstructing the screen view, enhancing user interaction by allowing gestures to be made on the device's back cover, thereby improving usability and convenience.

Implementation Method 1

detecting handling-noise with a plurality of noise detectors, the handling-noise being related to a command gesture

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic wave propagation: Sound

Data Source

PatentUS10452099B2Handling-noise based gesture control for electronic devices

Publication Date: 2019.10.22 INTEL CORP

AI summary

Embodiments are generally directed to handling-noise based gesture control for electronic devices. An embodiment of an apparatus includes a cover; multiple noise detection elements, the noise detection elements to detect handling-noise including noise generated by a command gesture performed on a surface of the cover of the apparatus, the plurality of noise detection elements including at least a first noise detection element in a first location and a second noise detection element in a second location; and a processor, the processor to process noise data generated by the plurality of noise detection elements to detect and identify the command gesture.