Inertial Sensor Motion Detection for Mobile User Input

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional mobile devices are limited in determining user inputs due to reliance on mechanical buttons and touch screens, which are prone to wear, require complex electronics, and are not repositionable, while voice activation is hindered by environmental noise and requires additional hardware.

Innovation Solution

A mobile device system that detects and combines both linear and angular movements using sensors like accelerometers and gyroscopes to determine a wide range of user inputs, allowing for intuitive control without physical buttons or obstructive displays.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If mechanical buttons are used for user input, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases due to mechanical assemblies and wiring

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser inputVSAvoidmechanical assemblies and wiring

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical buttons and their associated mechanical assemblies with an inertial sensor system that detects user inputs through motion patterns. The inertial sensors (accelerometers and gyroscopes) capture linear and angular movements, which are then processed to determine user commands, eliminating the need for physical buttons, mechanical assemblies, and extensive wiring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If touch screens are used for user input, then ease of operation is improved, but display quality deteriorates due to obstructions and smudges

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser inputVSAvoiddisplay quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes touch screen interaction with inertial sensor-based motion detection. Users provide input through characteristic movements of the device (such as shaking, rotating, or specific motion patterns) that are detected by the inertial sensors. This eliminates the need for users to touch the display surface, preventing smudges, fingerprints, and obstructions while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Device complexity

If voice activation is used for user input, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to environmental noise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehardware requirementsVSAvoiduser input detection

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces voice activation with inertial sensor-based motion detection. The system detects specific motion patterns (linear acceleration and angular velocity) that correspond to intentional user inputs. Unlike voice activation, this method is not affected by environmental noise, background sounds, or acoustic interference, providing reliable input detection in any environment while maintaining simple device architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Ease of operation

If conventional buttons are used for user input, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to wear and degradation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser inputVSAvoidbutton functionality

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces physical buttons with an inertial sensor system that has no moving mechanical parts to wear out. The sensors detect user inputs through motion patterns in the device itself, eliminating contact wear, degradation, and mechanical failure modes associated with physical buttons. This solid-state approach significantly improves long-term reliability while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 a robust and efficient method for determining user inputs, enhancing user interaction with mobile devices and reducing power consumption and cost, while providing flexible and noise-independent control options.

Implementation Method 1

Linear movement of the mobile device along at least one axis of the linear plane is detected

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAccelerometer: Accelerometer

Implementation Method 2

Angular movement of the mobile device about at least one axis of a linear plane is detected

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGyroscope: Gyroscope

Data Source

PatentUS8351910B2Method and apparatus for determining a user input from inertial sensors

Publication Date: 2013.01.08 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

A system and method for determining a user input based on movements of a mobile device. In a particular implementation, angular movement of the mobile device about at least one axis of a linear plane is detected. Linear movement of the mobile device along at least one axis of the linear plane is also detected. Finally, a user input is determined based on the detection of the angular movement and the detection of the linear movement.