Mobile Device Handoff Based on Step Count and Acceleration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mobile electronic devices lack efficient mechanisms to dynamically switch between communication modes based on user activity, leading to potential misclassification of user states and inefficient use of communication resources.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an acceleration sensor and controller to detect steps and transition between communication states, using a combination of access point and base station communication modules, as well as narrow-range and wide-range wireless communication modules, to maintain or switch communication functions based on step counts and altitude changes, thereby accurately reflecting user activity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the communication function is continuously kept ON, then communication availability is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication availabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The communication function dynamically changes its operational state based on detected user activity. The system transitions between ON and OFF states according to step count thresholds, making the communication availability adaptive rather than static, thus resolving the contradiction between continuous availability and energy conservation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses acceleration sensor data to provide feedback about user activity state, which then feeds back to control the communication function's operational state. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures communication is activated only when user activity indicates it is needed, optimizing both availability and energy usage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Use of energy by moving object

If the communication function is turned OFF to save energy, then energy consumption is reduced, but communication availability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidcommunication availability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts communication availability based on real-time detection of user activity patterns. By using step count thresholds to determine when to activate or deactivate communication, the system ensures availability is maintained during active periods while conserving energy during inactive periods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary detection of user activity state before activating or deactivating the communication function. By monitoring acceleration data and determining activity state in advance, the system proactively prepares the communication function to be available when needed while avoiding unnecessary activation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If step count threshold is set low, then communication activation is improved, but false activation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication activation accuracyVSAvoidfalse activation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses different step count threshold parameters for different activation conditions. By establishing distinct thresholds (first threshold for activation, second threshold for deactivation) with hysteresis between them, the system accurately distinguishes between genuine activity requiring communication and minor movements that do not, reducing false activation while maintaining reliable activation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter 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

This solution ensures accurate detection of user activity states, optimizing communication resource usage by maintaining or switching communication modes accordingly, reducing the likelihood of misclassification and improving communication efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

an acceleration sensor configured to detect an acceleration

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcceleration detection: Accelerometer

Data Source

PatentUS9942716B2Handoff between access points for a mobile electronic device based on mobility state

Publication Date: 2018.04.10 KYOCERA CORP

AI summary

A mobile phone (mobile electronic device) includes an acceleration sensor that detects an acceleration, a communication module that performs communication, and a controller. When the number of steps based on the acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor has reached a first step count during an ON-state of the communication function of the communication module, the mobile phone shifts from a stop state to a walking state. The controller maintains the ON-state of the communication function of the communication module when the mobile phone shifts from the stop state to the walking state. The controller turns OFF the communication function of the communication module when the number of steps based on the acceleration has reached a second step count larger than the first step count.