Peripheral Sensor Data for Automatic Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic devices with peripherals, such as wireless headsets and cellular telephones, lack the ability to automatically adjust configurations based on user context and activity, relying solely on host system sensors for context determination.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating sensors on both peripherals and host systems to gather data, which is processed by integrated processors to automatically adjust configurations, such as enabling or disabling audio systems, based on user intent and device context.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If sensors are added to both peripherals and host systems for automatic configuration, then adaptability and automation capability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides sensor placement between multiple independent components (peripheral devices and host system), allowing each component to have limited sensing capabilities while the integrated system achieves comprehensive automatic configuration. The peripheral includes local sensors for its own state monitoring, while the host system sensors provide contextual information, and their data is processed together to enable automated configuration decisions.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are deployed across peripheral and host system, then measurement precision for user context detection is improved, but the number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines sensor data from multiple sources (peripheral sensors and host system sensors) into a unified context determination process. The processor integrates information from both locations to accurately detect user context, such as determining whether the user is holding the device or wearing the peripheral, thereby achieving high measurement precision through synergistic combination of distributed sensors.
3Ease of operation
If automatic configuration based on sensor data is implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but processing requirements and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements automatic configuration selectively based on sensor data thresholds and contextual conditions rather than continuously processing all sensor information. The processor determines when automatic configuration is needed based on specific sensor combinations (e.g., proximity sensor indicating device is near ear), thereby reducing unnecessary processing and energy consumption while maintaining ease of operation during relevant contexts.
Data Source
AI summary
Peripherals and data processing systems are disclosed which can be configured to interact based upon sensor data. In one embodiment, a peripheral, which is configured to be used with a data processing system, includes an interface to couple the peripheral to the data processing system, and at least one sensor, such as a proximity sensor, to sense a user of the peripheral, and a processor coupled to the interface and to the at least one sensor, wherein the processor configures the peripheral in response to data from the at least one sensor. The peripheral may communicate sensor data from its sensors to the data processing system, which may be a wireless PDA, and the data processing system analyzes the sensor data from its sensors and from the peripheral's sensors to decide how to configure the peripheral and/or the data processing system based on the sensor.