Mobile Display Cloth Detection and Ultrasonic Cleaning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for cleaning mobile device displays often use unsuitable cloths, which can scratch the screen or fail to remove dust and dirt effectively, leading to suboptimal viewing experiences.

Innovation Solution

A system that uses sensors and ultrasonic waves to detect and analyze cloths approaching a mobile device's screen, determining their material type and cleanliness level, and alerts users if they are inappropriate for cleaning, while also monitoring pressure applied during cleaning to ensure thoroughness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a hard cloth is used to clean the display, then cleaning efficiency is improved, but the display surface may be scratched and damaged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning efficiencyVSAvoiddisplay surface scratches

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of the cloth's material properties before the cleaning action occurs. The sensor detects whether the cloth is hard or soft, and the system alerts the user in advance, preventing potential damage before it happens.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides real-time feedback to the user about the cloth material type through alerts. This feedback loop allows the user to adjust their cleaning behavior or choose a different cloth, preventing damage while maintaining cleaning effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If pressure is applied during cleaning, then dirt removal is improved, but the risk of damaging the display increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedirt removal effectivenessVSAvoiddisplay damage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system detects the cloth material type before cleaning begins, allowing it to provide advance warnings about potential damage risks. This preliminary detection enables users to adjust their cleaning approach before applying pressure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors the cleaning process and provides feedback to the user about the cloth type being used. This real-time information allows users to modulate the pressure they apply, balancing effective dirt removal with display protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If ultrasonic waves are emitted to clean the cloth, then dust and dirt removal is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedust and dirt removalVSAvoidultrasonic wave energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system cleans the cloth using ultrasonic waves generated by the device itself, eliminating the need for separate cleaning resources. The mobile device serves its own cleaning needs, making the process self-contained and efficient.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The ultrasonic cleaning is activated periodically or on-demand rather than continuously. The system emits ultrasonic waves when needed to clean the cloth, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining effective dust and dirt removal capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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

Prevents damage from using hard cloths and effectively removes dust and dirt from the screen by using ultrasonic waves to dislodge debris, ensuring a clean and scratch-free display.

Implementation Method 1

Emitting ultrasonic waves towards the cloth to remove dust and dirt located on the cloth

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltrasonic waves: Ultrasound

Implementation Method 2

detecting the approach of a cloth towards a surface of a display on a mobile device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSensor detection:

Implementation Method 3

Determining if the material of the cloth is hard or soft

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMaterial property detection:

Implementation Method 4

Tracking the pressure, the user exerts on the surface of the display

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure detection:

Data Source

PatentUS11351577B1Protecting the display of a device when cleaning with a cloth/material

Publication Date: 2022.06.07 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION

AI summary

A mobile device comprising: a display; a first sensor to detect a cloth approaching a surface of the display; an ultrasonic emitter to emit ultrasonic waves towards the cloth; a second sensor to track a pressure a user exerts on the surface of the display; and a processing unit to: determine if the material of the cloth is hard or soft; in response to the material being hard, alert the user that the cloth is not appropriate to clean the surface of the display; and alert the user that the entire display was not cleaned with the cloth.