Mobile Case Actuator for Emergency Button Activation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Activating emergency features on mobile electronic devices can be cumbersome, especially for users with physical limitations, as it requires pressing or touching multiple buttons in a specific sequence or for a certain duration, which can be difficult to execute in emergency situations.
Innovation Solution
A mobile device case with an actuator and engagement members that allows for the activation of physical buttons through a single point of user input, converting it into a multipoint input corresponding to the emergency feature activation sequence, using a mechanical or mechanical-electrical assembly that includes levers, slides, and gearing systems to activate buttons simultaneously or repeatedly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If users activate emergency features by pressing multiple buttons in a specific sequence or for a threshold amount of time, then the emergency feature can be activated, but the operation becomes cumbersome and difficult to execute in emergency situations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mechanical intermediary device (the case with actuator and engagement members) that mediates between the user's simple action and the device's multiple button requirements. The engagement members physically press the buttons on the mobile device when the actuator is activated, serving as a mechanical mediator that converts a single user input into multiple button activations.
Solution Approach 2:
The case is designed to automatically perform the button-pressing function once activated. The actuator mechanism self-activates the engagement members to press the buttons without requiring the user to manually press each button. The mechanical system serves itself by converting the user's single activation into the required multi-button sequence automatically.
2Reliability
If users with physical limitations need to activate emergency features, then the feature can be activated, but users with limited dexterity cannot perform multiple button presses or hold buttons for required durations
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical case acts as an intermediary that handles the complex button-pressing tasks for users with physical limitations. Users with limited dexterity only need to perform a simple activation action on the case, and the mechanical intermediary performs the required multiple button presses or sustained presses on their behalf, making the system accessible to users who cannot perform the original complex activation sequence.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator mechanism performs the button-pressing service automatically once triggered, eliminating the need for users to manually press buttons or hold them for specific durations. The mechanical system provides the service that users with physical limitations cannot perform themselves, enabling emergency feature activation for a broader range of users.
3Ease of operation
If a single point of user input is converted into multipoint input through mechanical assemblies, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional mechanical components
Solution Approach 1:
The case is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a protective cover for the mobile device and as an emergency activation mechanism. The same case structure that protects the device also houses the actuator and engagement members, eliminating the need for a separate emergency activation device and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the emergency activation mechanism with the device case itself. The actuator, engagement members, and case structure are combined into a single integrated assembly, rather than being separate components. This merging reduces the number of separate parts and simplifies the overall system while maintaining the ability to convert single-point input into multipoint button activation.
Data Source
AI summary
A case includes a case body configured to equip a mobile electronic device. The case includes an actuator, and the mobile electronic device includes a physical button. The case further includes an actuator switch coupled to the case body and movable between at least a first unengaged position and a second engaged position, where the switch is connected to an engagement member. The engagement member activates a corresponding physical button of the mobile electronic device when the mobile electronic device is equipped with the case and the actuator switch is moved to the second position. The engagement member is configured to not activate the mobile electronic device button when the actuator is moved to the first position.