Optical Sensor Gesture Control for Portable Device Cover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional notebook computers lack intuitive and efficient methods for operating the screen without covering it with hands, especially when in tent mode, limiting user interaction and convenience.
Innovation Solution
A portable electronic apparatus with a pivoting cover and base, equipped with an angle sensor, gravity sensor, and optical sensor, enables virtual operating functions such as air gestures and touch operations based on the cover's angle and posture, allowing users to control content without physically touching the screen.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If users operate the display screen directly with hands, then control precision is improved, but the screen gets covered blocking other users' view
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an optical sensor as an intermediary device to detect hand gestures in the air above the screen. This mediator translates physical hand movements into digital control signals without requiring direct contact with the screen, thereby maintaining control precision while preventing screen coverage that would block other users' views.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical contact-based operation (direct hand touch on screen) with an optical detection system. The optical sensor captures light reflections from hand gestures in the air space above the screen, converting mechanical hand movements into optical signals for processing, thus eliminating the need for physical screen contact.
2Ease of operation
If optical sensor is always enabled, then air gesture function is always available, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of the optical sensor's operational state. The sensor is enabled only when specific conditions are met (such as detecting certain cover angles or postures), and disabled otherwise. This dynamic switching optimizes power consumption by keeping the sensor inactive during periods when air gesture functionality is not needed, while ensuring it is active when users require contactless operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the optical sensor based on device state. By monitoring parameters such as cover angle and device posture, the system adjusts the sensor's enabled/disabled state accordingly, creating a conditional operation mode that balances functionality availability with power efficiency.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sensing functions are integrated, then operation versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple sensing capabilities (optical sensor for air gestures, angle sensor for cover position, gravity sensor for posture detection) into a unified control system. These diverse sensors work together to provide versatile operation modes including air gesture control, virtual touch, and automatic mode switching, allowing a single device to adapt to multiple usage scenarios without requiring separate control mechanisms for each function.
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 users to interact with the device in a simple and intuitive manner by switching between air gesture and virtual touch functions based on the device's orientation, preventing screen coverage and enhancing usability in both tent and upright modes.
Implementation Method 1
The gravity sensor is arranged on the cover and configured to sense a posture of the cover
Implementation Method 2
enabling a virtual operating function of an optical sensor based on the angle and the posture
Data Source
AI summary
A portable electronic apparatus and an operation method of the portable electronic apparatus are provided. The operation method includes: sensing an angle of a cover relative to a base. The operation method often includes sensing a posture of the cover. In the operation method, a virtual operating function of an optical sensor is enabled based on the angle and the posture.