Mobile Terminal Pocket Touch Control via Proximity and Illumination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile terminals face issues with unintended touch operations when detected as being in a pocket, leading to potential malfunctions or accidental changes in settings due to proximity and illumination conditions.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a proximity sensor and illumination sensor to detect when the device is in a pocket, triggering a specific notification to disable touch operations and prevent malfunctions by displaying a pop-up and performing a vibration notification when the device is touched while in a pocket.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If touch operations are enabled in all conditions, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to unintended operations in pocket

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetouch operation responsivenessVSAvoidoperation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts touch operation enablement based on real-time detection of pocket conditions using proximity and illumination sensors. When the device is detected to be in a pocket (low illumination, close proximity to skin), touch operations are disabled to prevent unintended operations. When removed from pocket, touch operations are re-enabled, allowing the system to adapt between ease of operation and reliability based on current usage context.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If pocket detection features are added, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of unintended operationsVSAvoidsensor system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The proximity sensor and illumination sensor serve multiple functions: they detect pocket conditions for touch operation control, and also provide data for other device functions such as auto-brightness adjustment and proximity-based interaction modes. This multi-functionality reduces the need for dedicated components solely for pocket detection, thereby mitigating the increase in device complexity while maintaining reliability improvements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Effectively prevents unintended touch operations and reduces the risk of device malfunctions by providing a clear notification when the device is in a pocket, ensuring user awareness and maintaining operational integrity.

Implementation Method 1

a proximity sensor configured to detect the proximity of an object

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectProximity detection:

Implementation Method 2

an illumination sensor configured to detect an illumination

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoelectric effect: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS9729703B2Mobile terminal, non-transitory computer readable recording medium, and notification control method

Publication Date: 2017.08.08 KYOCERA CORP

AI summary

A mobile terminal, a non-transitory computer readable recording medium, and a notification method are disclosed. A proximity sensor detects the proximity of an object. An illumination sensor detects an illumination. A processor provides a specific notification upon detection of a touch operation when the proximity sensor detects the proximity of the object and the illumination is smaller than a predetermined value.