Mobile Device Orientation Indicator for User Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile devices often change display orientation in ways that are inconvenient for users, such as when they are lying down or inverted, as they automatically adjust based on gravity, leading to limited methods for determining optimal display orientation.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for a mobile device to determine its orientation and provide an indicator when it approaches a threshold for changing the display orientation, allowing users to control whether the orientation change occurs, using sensors like accelerometers to detect angles and display indicators to notify users of impending changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the mobile device automatically changes display orientation based on gravity detection, then the display orientation adapts to device position, but the display orientation becomes inconvenient for users in certain positions (lying down, inverted)

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay orientation adaptationVSAvoiduser convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides a visual indicator before the display orientation actually changes, allowing users to see the impending orientation change and take action to prevent it if desired. This preliminary notification gives users control over the automatic orientation change process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides visual feedback to the user through an indicator that shows when the device is approaching an orientation change threshold. This feedback mechanism allows users to understand the system's state and respond accordingly to maintain their preferred display orientation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Loss of information

If the mobile device provides detailed orientation information to users, then users can understand orientation changes, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveorientation information transparencyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses visual indicators with different states (such as color changes or graphical representations) to communicate orientation information to users. This provides clear information about orientation changes without requiring complex text-based or data-based communication, keeping the interface simple and intuitive.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

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 maintain a preferred display orientation by providing timely notifications and allowing them to intervene, improving user experience by preventing unwanted orientation changes, especially in situations where the device is not aligned with gravity.

Implementation Method 1

using sensors like accelerometers to detect angles

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS10410605B2System and method for determining a display orientation of a mobile device

Publication Date: 2019.09.10 MALIKIE INNOVATIONS LTD

AI summary

A method and system are provided for determining a display orientation of a mobile device. The mobile device is configured to change the display orientation when an orientation of the mobile device satisfies one or more criteria. The method includes determining the orientation of the mobile device and providing an indicator of a proximity of the orientation of the mobile device to satisfying the one or more criteria.