MEMS Breath and Touch Interface for Mobile Device Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional mobile devices are limited in user interaction methods, leading to high costs for service contracts and restricted application choices, as they primarily rely on traditional interfaces like browsers and hardware buttons, which can be cumbersome and restrictive.

Innovation Solution

A system and method enabling control of devices via respiratory and tactual input using a MEMS sensing module to detect breath and touch movements, allowing for a customizable graphical user interface that integrates multimedia content and applications, facilitating single-handed operation and reducing inadvertent actions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional user interfaces with hardware buttons and browsers are used, then device control is achieved, but user interaction becomes cumbersome and restrictive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser interactionVSAvoidinteraction methods

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical hardware buttons with a MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) sensing module that detects respiratory movements and tactual inputs. This substitution eliminates the need for physical buttons while maintaining device control functionality, thereby improving ease of operation and expanding interaction methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a graphical user interface (GUI) as an intermediary between the user and the device control system. The GUI translates respiratory and tactual inputs into meaningful control commands, enabling versatile and intuitive interaction without requiring direct mechanical input devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional service contracts are required for device access, then network connectivity is provided, but user costs increase and freedom decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser freedomVSAvoidservice contract costs

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables users to directly control device functionality through intuitive respiratory and tactual inputs via the GUI, without requiring intermediary service contracts or telecommunications providers. This self-service approach allows users to access and control device features independently, increasing user freedom and eliminating contract-related costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If hardware buttons are used for device control, then basic navigation is enabled, but inadvertent actions occur and single-handed operation becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesingle-handed operationVSAvoidinadvertent actions

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical buttons with a MEMS sensing module that detects subtle respiratory movements and deliberate tactual inputs. This substitution allows for more controlled and intentional interaction, reducing inadvertent actions while enabling easy single-handed operation through breath control and deliberate touches on the graphical interface.

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

Enhances user interaction by providing a versatile and intuitive interface that reduces costs and increases user freedom, allowing for customizable and efficient control of devices through breath and touch inputs, improving usability and accessibility.

Implementation Method 1

A mobile device may be controlled via a graphical user interface that may be controlled via human breath and/or touch. A micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) sensing module may be utilized to detect respiratory and/or tactual movements.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems): Microelectromechanical Systems

Data Source

PatentUS8701015B2Method and system for providing a user interface that enables control of a device via respiratory and/or tactual input

Publication Date: 2014.04.15 BONNAT PIERRE

AI summary

A method and system are provided for a user interface that enables control of a device via respiratory and/or tactual input. A mobile device comprising a graphical user interface may receive data from a second device and/or locally from within the mobile device. The data may be associated with and/or mapped to multimedia content that may be retrievable from a content source. The content source may be external to the mobile device and the second device. The associating and/or mapping may occur at either the mobile device or the second device and the associated or mapped data may be operable to function as at least a portion of the graphical user interface of the mobile device. The graphical user interface may be customized utilizing the data that is associated and/or mapped to the media content. The second device may map the received data to the media content.