Mobile Terminal Head Proximity Call Partner Specification

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for making voice calls on cellular phones require users to perform non-typical operations, such as shaking the device, which is not intuitive during a call, necessitating a solution for specifying a voice call partner through typical call-related operations without manual unit operation.

Innovation Solution

A communication terminal device equipped with a specifying unit, outgoing call control unit, measurement unit, and proximity detection unit that measures orientation and displacement to automatically detect the user's head proximity and specify the call partner based on measured data, allowing calls to be made through natural hand operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If automatic call selection is implemented through device shaking detection, then call initiation automation is improved, but operational intuitiveness deteriorates because shaking is not a typical call-making gesture

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecall initiation automationVSAvoidoperational intuitiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses the user's own head movement (a natural action performed during calling) to automatically select the call partner. The proximity sensor detects when the user's head is near the device, and the orientation sensor captures the head's tilting direction, enabling the system to self-determine the intended recipient without manual input.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical operation detection (shaking, button pressing) with sensor-based detection of physiological movements (head proximity and orientation). This substitution enables more natural and intuitive control by leveraging the user's inherent calling gestures rather than requiring learned mechanical operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If multiple sensors and measurement units are added to detect head proximity and orientation, then call partner specification accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecall partner specification accuracyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The orientation sensor and proximity sensor serve multiple functions: they detect both the user's head position and the device's spatial orientation. This multi-functionality allows accurate call partner specification while minimizing the number of dedicated components, thereby reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The device uses its existing sensors (proximity and orientation sensors) for their primary functions while additionally leveraging them for call partner specification. This approach avoids adding dedicated specialized components, achieving high measurement precision without proportionally increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If the system automatically specifies call partners based on head orientation, then operational speed is improved, but risk of incorrect call initiation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational speedVSAvoidcall initiation accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of head proximity and orientation before finalizing the call partner selection. By capturing the head's tilting direction in advance and using it to pre-identify the intended recipient, the system ensures accurate call initiation while maintaining fast operational speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses real-time feedback from proximity and orientation sensors to continuously monitor and adjust call partner specification. This feedback mechanism ensures that the automatic selection accurately reflects the user's intended recipient, preventing incorrect call initiations while maintaining rapid operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 voice call partners to be specified and called through typical user operations during a call, reducing operational burden and preventing incorrect call initiations, as the device automatically identifies and initiates calls based on measured hand and head proximity.

Implementation Method 1

an orientation sensor that senses an orientation of the communication terminal device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOrientation sensing:

Implementation Method 2

a proximity sensor that detects when a head area of the user is near the communication terminal device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectProximity detection:

Implementation Method 3

a movement sensor that measures a displacement of the communication terminal device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDisplacement sensing:

Data Source

PatentEP3247092B1Communication terminal device, outgoing-call control method, and program
Publication Date: 2019.11.27 NTT DOCOMO INC
  • EP3247092B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3247092B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3247092B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A communication terminal device is a mobile communication terminal device that carries out communication for voice calls. The communication terminal device measures an orientation and a displacement of the device itself, and determines whether or not a condition occurring when a user picks up the device in his/her hand is met (S1, S2). In the case where it is determined that the condition occurring when the user picks up the device in his/her hand is met (S2; YES), and in the case where it has been determined that the user's head area has been detected as being near (S4; YES), the communication terminal device specifies a voice call partner on the basis of the orientation measured before the head area was detected as being near or while the head area was detected as being near (S5). Then, when a tap operation performed by the user is detected, the communication terminal device performs a notification processing for making a notification of the specified voice call partner, and then makes an outgoing call to the partner (S6 to S8).