In-Pocket Detection Using Motion and Temperature Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic devices lack an efficient method to detect when they are placed in a pocket, leading to challenges in adapting their performance to optimize power consumption and user experience in different environments.
Innovation Solution
The use of a combination of motion sensors, touch sensors, and proximity sensors, including infrared receivers, to detect the absence of finger touch and approximately common temperatures at different locations on the device, allowing processors to determine if the device is in a pocket and perform control operations accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the device continuously monitors user input and environmental conditions to adapt performance, then user experience and adaptability are improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic sensing and monitoring instead of continuous operation. Sensors are activated at intervals to detect pocket placement, allowing the device to adapt performance periodically rather than continuously, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The device automatically detects pocket placement through sensor data and autonomously adjusts its performance without requiring continuous user input or manual intervention. This self-service capability enables adaptability while minimizing the energy required for continuous monitoring.
2Measurement precision
If the device uses multiple sensors and processing operations to detect pocket placement accurately, then detection precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines data from multiple existing sensors (accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity sensor, touch sensor) that are already present in the device. By merging their functions and processing their combined output, the system achieves high detection precision without adding significant hardware complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Existing multi-functional sensors in the device are utilized for multiple purposes. For example, the proximity sensor and motion sensors are repurposed to detect pocket placement in addition to their original functions, thereby improving detection precision without increasing device complexity.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the device enters low-power mode to conserve energy, then power consumption is reduced, but responsiveness and user interaction capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The device performs preliminary detection of pocket placement using motion sensors and proximity sensors before entering low-power mode. By detecting the pocket state in advance through sensor data analysis, the device can transition to low-power mode confidently, ensuring both energy conservation and maintained responsiveness when needed.
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 method enables accurate and repeatable detection of the device being in a pocket, reducing power consumption, extending runtime, and improving user experience by allowing intuitive control without voice commands or touch input.
Implementation Method 1
one or more proximity sensors, including at least one infrared receiver
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device includes one or more processors, a motion detector, a temperature sensor, and/or one or more proximity sensor components. The one or more processors can detect the electronic device is disposed within a pocket. This can be done as a function of at least motion of the electronic device, an absence of finger touch along a housing of the electronic device, and an approximately common temperature occurring at both a first end of the electronic device and a second end of the electronic device. When the electronic device is detected in-pocket, the one or more processors can perform a control operation.