Playback Surface Controls Using Touch Location and Orientation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing media playback systems require users to access a user interface or locate and press specific buttons on playback devices for control commands, which can be cumbersome, especially for convenient control in out-loud settings.
Innovation Solution
A playback device equipped with an array of proximity sensors on its external surface allows control through physical interactions, such as touches or gestures, eliminating the need for a user interface or button identification, with the processor determining actions based on sensor data and device orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If users access a user interface or locate and press specific buttons on playback devices for control commands, then control functionality is achieved, but operation convenience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the control functionality from the traditional button interface and relocates it to the external surface of the playback device. By using proximity sensors to detect touches or gestures on the external surface, the system eliminates the need for physical buttons while maintaining control capabilities, thereby improving ease of operation without adding device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces proximity sensors as an intermediary between the user and the playback device. These sensors detect touches or gestures on the external surface and translate them into control commands, serving as a mediator that enables intuitive control without requiring users to locate or press specific buttons
2Ease of operation
If proximity sensors are used to detect physical contacts for control, then operation convenience improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the external surface multi-functional by enabling it to serve both as a structural component of the playback device and as a control interface. The external surface detects touches or gestures through proximity sensors while maintaining its original protective and aesthetic functions, thereby improving control intuitiveness without significantly increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the control interface with the external surface of the playback device. Instead of separating the control buttons from the device body, the control functionality is integrated into the external surface itself, allowing users to interact with the device in a natural and intuitive manner while consolidating components
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 intuitive and convenient control of media playback devices by allowing users to perform actions like volume adjustments or playback control through physical contacts on the device's surface, enhancing user experience without the need for interface access.
Implementation Method 1
A playback device may be controlled using a controller device and/or buttons on the playback device. However, if a user wants to conveniently provide a certain control command to the playback device, accessing a user interface provided by a controller application on the controller device, or locating and identifying a button on the playback device, then pressing the button to provide the control command, may be relatively burdensome.
Implementation Method 2
A playback device equipped with an array of proximity sensors on its external surface allows control through physical interactions, such as touches or gestures
Data Source
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AI summary
Examples described herein involve a playback device performing one or more playback device actions based on locations of one or more physical contacts on an external surface of the playback device. A processor of the playback device may receive from an array of proximity sensors underlying an external surface of the playback device, location data indicating a physical contact at a location on the external surface. Based on at least the location, the processor may identify a playback device action from a plurality of playback device actions, and cause at least the playback device to perform the identified playback device action. The playback device may further include at least one orientation sensor from which the processor may also receive orientation data indicating an orientation of the playback device. The processor may identify the playback device action also based on the orientation of the playback device.