Mobile Device Dock with Motion Sensing and Haptic Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Using mobile devices in automotive environments can be challenging due to the need for visual interaction with touch-screen displays, which diverts attention from other tasks, and they often lack effective haptic feedback, limiting tactile control.

Innovation Solution

A mobile device dock with a cradle that moves relative to a base, equipped with a sensor unit and an elastic bias member, allowing users to control the device through movement and providing haptic feedback, enabling interaction without visual attention and enhancing tactile experience.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If users interact with mobile device touch-screen displays in automotive environments, then control functionality is achieved, but visual attention is diverted from driving tasks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice control functionalityVSAvoidvisual distraction

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces visual touch-screen interaction with mechanical motion-based control. The mobile device dock detects physical movements of the mobile device through sensors (accelerometers, gyroscopes) and translates these mechanical motions into control commands, eliminating the need for visual interaction with the touch-screen while maintaining full control functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces motion sensors and processing logic as an intermediary between the user's physical actions and the mobile device's control functions. The sensors detect mechanical movements and the processing logic interprets these movements as specific control commands, serving as a mediator that translates physical motion into digital control without requiring visual feedback.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If conventional mobile devices are used in automotive environments, then portability is maintained, but haptic feedback is insufficient for tactile control

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetactile controlVSAvoidhaptic feedback effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the mobile device dock detects movements through sensors and provides corresponding control responses. The system monitors physical movements continuously and translates them into appropriate control commands, creating a closed-loop feedback system that enhances tactile control reliability without compromising mobile device portability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If mobile device dock includes motion sensors and processing logic, then motion-based control is enabled, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemotion control capabilityVSAvoidsensor unit and processing logic

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the mobile device dock multi-functional by integrating motion sensing, processing logic, and control command generation into a single unified system. The same sensor unit and processing logic that detect motion also serve to interpret gestures and generate control commands, eliminating the need for separate dedicated components and reducing overall system complexity despite the added adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple functions (motion detection, gesture recognition, control command generation) into a single integrated system within the mobile device dock. By merging these previously separate functions into one unified architecture, the patent reduces the number of discrete components needed while achieving comprehensive motion-based control capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Enables users to control mobile devices in automotive environments with minimal visual interaction and provides effective haptic feedback, mimicking conventional automotive system inputs, thus improving usability and safety.

Implementation Method 1

The mobile device includes an elastic bias member coupled to the base and to the cradle. The elastic bias member creates a haptic feedback force that opposes movement of the cradle relative to the base.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the mobile device dock includes a sensor unit configured to detect movement of the cradle relative to the base from a home position to a plurality of input positions and to generate signals in response to movement of the cradle to the input positions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMotion detection: Accelerometer

Data Source

PatentUS8996777B2Mobile device dock

Publication Date: 2015.03.31 VOLKSWAGEN AG

AI summary

A transportation system includes a passenger vehicle, a mobile device, and a mobile device dock that couples the mobile device to the passenger vehicle. The mobile device dock includes a base coupled to the passenger vehicle and a cradle configured to receive the mobile device. The cradle is coupled to the base to move relative to the base.