Input Device Status Detection for Media Idle-Time Actions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Computing devices struggle to determine whether a user is engaging with or about to disengage from the output, leading to inefficient use of resources and inappropriate actions, such as running updates or displaying advertisements when users are absent.

Innovation Solution

Systems and methods that identify a threshold based on the status of an input device, such as a controller or remote, to determine changes in user interaction, allowing for actions like pausing media or displaying advertisements based on these changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If computing devices perform actions based on fixed schedules (e.g., running updates at night, displaying ads during idle time), then resource utilization is simplified and predictable, but efficiency is reduced because the device cannot adapt to actual user presence or absence

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource utilization efficiencyVSAvoiduser engagement detection capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses the input device's own status data (movement, orientation, position) to automatically determine user presence and trigger appropriate actions. The computing device monitors the input device's characteristics and autonomously decides when to perform actions like pausing media or running updates, without requiring external user profiling or complex interaction analysis

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors the input device's status (movement, orientation, position changes) and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust its behavior. When the input device shows signs of being put down or left stationary beyond a threshold, the system receives feedback indicating user disengagement and automatically adjusts resource usage accordingly

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If computing devices monitor user engagement continuously to optimize resource usage, then efficiency improves by performing actions only when appropriate, but device complexity increases due to the need for sophisticated user presence detection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveidle time optimizationVSAvoiduser presence detection system

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The input device serves as an intermediary that indirectly indicates user presence. Instead of directly monitoring the user, the system monitors the input device's physical state (movement, orientation, position), which serves as a proxy for user engagement. This intermediary approach simplifies detection while maintaining accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces complex mechanical or sensor-based user presence detection (cameras, motion sensors, microphones) with monitoring of the input device's electronic status data. By substituting direct user monitoring with input device status monitoring, the system achieves user presence detection with minimal additional hardware or computational complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS20250360416A1Systems and methods for performing an action in response to a change in status of an input device

Publication Date: 2025.11.27 ADEIA GUIDES INC

AI summary

Systems and methods are provided for performing an action in response to a change in status of an input device. A media item is generated for output at a computing device, and a change in status of an input device associated with the computing device is identified. An indication of the change in status of the input device is received, and, in response to receiving the indication, an action is performed based on the media item.