Mobile Phone Audio Output for Environmental Data Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional mobile phones require users to constantly monitor the display to confirm temperature changes and other environmental data, which can be inconvenient, especially when the user is not actively interacting with the device.

Innovation Solution

A mobile phone configuration that includes a detector for environmental data and a controller to output this information as audio, allowing users to receive notifications and data such as temperature, altitude, and battery level without needing to visually check the screen, even in silent mode.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the mobile phone outputs environmental data as audio notifications, then users can receive information without visual attention, but frequent audio notifications may disrupt user activities

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehands-free operationVSAvoidaudio disruption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The controller outputs audio notifications at predetermined time intervals rather than continuously or on every data change. This periodic action allows users to receive environmental information without being disturbed by excessive notifications, resolving the contradiction between hands-free information access and audio disruption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Loss of information

If the mobile phone provides continuous environmental data monitoring, then users have access to real-time information, but users must constantly monitor the display which is inconvenient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation accessVSAvoiduser convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical/visual display system with an acoustic output system. Instead of requiring users to visually monitor the display screen, the controller converts environmental data into audio signals output through the speaker, allowing hands-free information access and improving user convenience.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Loss of information

If the mobile phone outputs all detected data as audio, then users receive complete information, but excessive audio output becomes disruptive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata completenessVSAvoidnotification frequency

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The controller selectively outputs audio notifications for only certain environmental data or under specific conditions rather than all detected data. This partial action approach provides users with essential information while avoiding the harm of excessive audio notifications, balancing information completeness with user comfort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS10475297B2Mobile phone with audio output of detected data

Publication Date: 2019.11.12 KYOCERA CORP

AI summary

A mobile phone includes a speaker, a detector that detects data related to a detection target, and a controller that causes information based on the data detected by the detector to be output from the speaker as audio.