Pivoting Lid Angle Detection for Intuitive Function Selection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing portable electronic devices, such as mobile phones and personal digital assistants, require users to physically navigate through menus and press buttons to switch between applications, making the process cumbersome and prone to errors.

Innovation Solution

A portable electronic apparatus with a pivotally mounted lid and an angle detector that allows users to select functions by changing the lid's position around a hinge, eliminating the need for button pressing and enabling intuitive and rapid application switching.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If users navigate through menu options using buttons or stylus, then reliable function selection is achieved, but usability becomes cumbersome and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunction selection accuracyVSAvoidapplication switching convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical button-pressing system with a magnetic field-based detection system. The magnetic detector senses the position of a magnetic element attached to the lid, eliminating the need for physical button presses. This substitution maintains reliable function selection while dramatically improving ease of operation, as users can simply open the lid to a certain angle to select functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a magnetic field as an intermediary between the user's lid-opening action and the device's function selection. The magnetic element on the lid and magnetic detector in the body create a magnetic field that mediates the interaction, allowing the system to detect lid position without physical contact. This intermediary enables reliable detection while simplifying user interaction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If physical buttons are used for function selection, then precise input control is achieved, but device complexity increases and navigation becomes slower

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinput detection accuracyVSAvoidcontrol mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces multiple physical buttons and switches with a single magnetic detection system. Instead of requiring separate mechanical components for each function selection, the magnetic detector reads the position of one magnetic element to determine user intent. This reduces device complexity while maintaining precise input detection through angular position measurement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The magnetic detection system serves multiple functions: detecting lid open/closed state, determining lid opening angle, and triggering different applications or modes. This single multi-functional system replaces what would otherwise require multiple separate buttons and switches, reducing device complexity while maintaining precise control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple buttons are provided for application switching, then comprehensive function control is achieved, but accidental pressing of wrong buttons increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication control capabilityVSAvoidaccidental input errors

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the function selection capability from physical buttons and embeds it in the lid's angular position itself. Each angle range corresponds to a specific function or application, eliminating the need for separate buttons. This extraction reduces accidental errors because users cannot inadvertently press adjacent buttons - the magnetic detector only responds to the actual lid position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes the control interface dynamic by linking function selection to the continuous variable of lid opening angle. Instead of static buttons that can be accidentally pressed, the system dynamically determines function based on real-time lid position. This dynamic approach provides comprehensive application control while eliminating accidental inputs, as the function changes smoothly with lid angle.

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

Enhances usability by allowing users to switch between applications and adjust settings through simple angle changes, simplifying navigation and reducing the risk of accidental selections, thereby improving the overall user experience.

Implementation Method 1

an angle detector for detecting the change in the position of the lid around its hinge

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAngle detection:

Data Source

PatentUS7873159B2Portable electronic apparatus

Publication Date: 2011.01.18 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY

AI summary

A portable electronic apparatus, a mobile phone and a method of selecting a function in a portable electronic apparatus are disclosed. The portable electronic apparatus comprises a body and a lid pivotally mounted to the body with a hinge. Changes in the position of the lid around the hinge are detected and one of at least two possible functions available for a user is selected according to the detected change in the position of the lid.