Mobile Device Orientation Control for False Wake-Up Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic mobile devices face challenges in waking up from low-energy modes without unnecessary activation due to sensitivity to shocks and vibrations, leading to increased complexity and costs, and inadequate responsiveness to user intent, such as picking up the device.
Innovation Solution
An electronic mobile device using a control system that switches between operational modes based on orientation changes measured by an orientation sensor, with a processor periodically calculating and comparing differential angles to determine when to switch modes, reducing sensitivity to shocks and processing power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a mechanical motion sensor is used to wake up the device when picked up, then the device can respond to pickup actions, but the device will also wake up due to random vibrations and shocks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the sensing parameter from acceleration magnitude to orientation angle. The orientation sensor measures the angle between the device's Z-axis and the gravitational vector, which remains stable during vibrations and shocks but changes significantly when the device is intentionally picked up and repositioned. This parameter change allows reliable detection of user intent without false activations.
2Reliability
If the motion sensor is disabled for a while after multiple wake-ups without user interaction, then false wake-ups are reduced, but the device becomes completely unresponsive to motion during that time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism - a buffer counter that tracks the number of wake-up events without corresponding user interactions (such as screen touches or button presses). This buffer allows the system to distinguish between genuine user pickup actions and false activations caused by vibrations or shocks, maintaining device responsiveness while filtering out spurious wake-ups.
3Measurement precision
If an accelerometer is used to wake up the device when acceleration exceeds a threshold, then the device can detect motion, but the device will not always wake up when needed (e.g., when picked up slowly or not held in correct orientation)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from acceleration magnitude to orientation angle relative to gravity. Orientation measurement using an orientation sensor (such as a gravity sensor or accelerometer used in orientation mode) provides consistent detection across all pickup scenarios - whether the device is picked up quickly or slowly, held in different orientations, or placed on various surfaces. The orientation angle naturally adapts to gravitational direction, ensuring reliable wake-up detection under all conditions.
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 reliable and efficient switching between operational modes, allowing the device to wake up when picked up while minimizing false activations, thus improving user experience and reducing complexity and costs.
Implementation Method 1
an orientation sensor configured and arranged to measure a current orientation of the mobile device
Data Source
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Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to an electronic mobile device (10; 20) comprising a device mode control unit (5) arranged to switch the mobile device from a first operational mode into a second operational mode. An orientation sensor (18; 28) is configured to measure a current orientation of the mobile device. A processor (6) periodically receives the current orientation from the orientation sensor, periodically stores the received current orientation as a reference orientation, and periodically calculates a differential angle between the current orientation and the stored reference orientation. The device is switched from the first operational mode to the second operational mode if the differential angle is above a predefined angular threshold value. A frequency of said periodically receiving and periodically storing the current orientation as the reference orientation is lower than a frequency of said periodically receiving the current orientation, periodically calculating and periodically comparing the differential angle.