Mobile Device Wake-Up Area Human Touch Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Accidental activation of mobile devices, such as phones, is a problem due to unintentional key presses while the device is in a pocket or handbag, leading to battery drain and the need for multiple keystrokes to exit low-power mode and unlock the device.
Innovation Solution
A mobile device design that allows for simultaneous wake-up and unlock with a single event, such as a single keystroke, using a touch-sensitive area that can differentiate between human touch and object contact through voltage comparison, and optionally integrating fingerprint recognition and proximity sensors to ensure intentional activation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple keystrokes are required to exit low-power mode and unlock the device, then security and intentional activation are improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the device surface into a dedicated wake-up area separate from the main touch screen. This wake-up area can be a physical button or a distinct touch-sensitive zone that specifically triggers device activation without activating the main interface, reducing accidental activations while simplifying the wake-up process to a single action.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary detection mechanism (capacitive sensor or proximity sensor) between the user input and device activation. This intermediary layer detects whether the touch originates from a human finger or an object, allowing the device to distinguish intentional activation from accidental contact while maintaining a simple single-touch interface.
2Ease of operation
If a separate wake-up button is added, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the wake-up functionality with the existing touch screen by designating a specific area of the touch screen as the wake-up area. This eliminates the need for a separate physical button while maintaining the ability to distinguish wake-up gestures from other interactions, thus simplifying the device structure while preserving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the touch screen serve multiple functions: it acts as both the main interaction interface and the wake-up trigger. By configuring specific areas or gesture patterns on the existing touch screen to initiate wake-up, the device eliminates dedicated hardware components while maintaining versatile functionality.
3Reliability
If voltage comparison is used to detect human touch, then reliability of activation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the inherent capacitive properties of the touch screen and the natural electrical characteristics of human skin to perform touch detection. The system leverages the voltage difference between human touch and object contact without requiring external power sources or complex detection circuits, allowing the device to self-detect human interaction using existing components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical or multi-sensor detection systems with a simplified electrical field-based detection method. By using capacitive sensing to detect the electrical properties of human touch versus object contact, the system achieves reliable human detection with minimal additional hardware complexity.
4Use of energy by moving object
If the device remains in low-power mode, then energy consumption is reduced, but ease of operation deteriorates due to multiple activation steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent prepares the device for quick activation by maintaining the wake-up area in a continuously monitored state even when the device is in low-power mode. The capacitive sensor or proximity sensor remains active to detect human touch, allowing the device to transition from low-power mode to active state in a single gesture without requiring multiple keystrokes, thus balancing energy savings with operational simplicity.
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 easier device activation and unlocking while maintaining low-power mode benefits by ensuring that only human touch activates the device, reducing accidental activations and battery drain.
Implementation Method 1
a check can be made to ensure that the touch is from a human by using a voltage comparison
Data Source
AI summary
The present application allows wake-up and unlock operations to occur using a single event, such as a single keystroke. Additionally, a check is made to ensure that activation was caused by human touch, not an object. In one embodiment, an area of a mobile device is designated as a wake-up area, which is separate from the touch screen. A user can touch the wake-up area to both activate the mobile device from a sleep mode and unlock the mobile device. In another embodiment, the wake-up area can be integrated into the touch screen, so that there is not an appearance of a separate button. Fingerprint checking and/or proximity sensors can also be integrated into the mobile device.