Location-Based Visual Feedback in Electronic Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electronic devices in indoor spaces often fail to react to user presence, leading to uncertainty about their operation, as they do not accurately measure user position and provide corresponding feedback.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device equipped with a sensor module, such as UWB technology, measures the user's position and adjusts visual effects like light output based on location, using a network of output devices to provide precise interaction experiences and improve input reception.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the electronic device operates in a fixed position away from the user, then the device structure is simple, but the user cannot perceive the device operation and interaction quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice structureVSAvoiduser interaction
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses light emission color changes to indicate device operation status and respond to user presence. Different colors or light patterns are emitted based on the detected position of the user, providing visual feedback about device activity and enhancing user perception without requiring complex structural changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical proximity detection with optical sensing (light sensors) to detect user presence. This substitution allows the device to perceive user location and provide appropriate visual responses through light emission, improving interaction quality while maintaining simple device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Device complexity

If the electronic device does not measure user position, then the device operation is simple, but the user cannot know whether the device is operating

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice operationVSAvoiduser awareness of device status
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the device emits light based on detected user position, and this light emission serves as visual feedback to confirm device operation. The system continuously monitors user presence and provides real-time visual confirmation, ensuring users are aware of device status without requiring complex operational changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If the electronic device provides visual effect based on user location, then the user interaction quality is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser interaction qualityVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the light emission function into multiple independent light-emitting elements arranged in specific patterns. Each element can be controlled independently based on user position, allowing complex visual effects to be created through simple individual components. This segmentation enables enhanced user interaction without requiring overall system complexity to increase significantly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

The device enhances user interaction by providing accurate visual feedback and precise input reception through location-based visual effects, ensuring the user is aware of the device's status and enabling more effective communication.

Implementation Method 1

obtain a plurality of first distance values between a plurality of output devices included in an electronic device and an object through a first signal output using at least one sensor positioned in the housing and disposed at a position adjacent to positions at which the plurality of output devices are disposed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUltra wide band (UWB) technology:

Implementation Method 2

output light through at least one first output device selected from among the plurality of output devices, based on at least one first distance value belonging to distance values in a first specified range among the plurality of first distance values

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emission: Light Emitting Diode

Data Source

PatentEP3795898B1Electronic device for providing visual effect by using light-emitting device on basis of user location, and method therefor
Publication Date: 2023.05.03 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3795898B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3795898B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3795898B1 patent drawingFigure 1C

AI summary

Disclosed is an electronic device including a housing, a plurality of output devices which are visually exposed through a part of the housing and are disposed at different positions, at least one sensor which is positioned in the housing and disposed at a position adjacent to the positions at which the plurality of output devices are disposed, and a processor. The electronic device may obtain a plurality of first distance values between the plurality of output devices and an object using the at least one sensor, output light through at least one first output device selected from among the plurality of output devices, based on at least one first distance value belonging to values in a first specified range among the plurality of first distance values, obtain a plurality of second distance values between the plurality of output devices and the object using the at least one sensor, and output light through at least one second output device selected from among the plurality of output devices, based on at least one second distance value belonging to values in a second specified range among the plurality of second distance values. In addition, various embodiments understood from the specification are possible.