Proximity-Sensing Cradle for Automatic Display Shutoff
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Solution Overview
Problem
Children often position mobile communications devices, such as tablets, too close to their faces, potentially harming their vision, as existing technologies lack a mechanism to automatically power off the visual displays when in close proximity to the user's face and power them back on when moved away.
Innovation Solution
A cradle apparatus equipped with distance sensors that communicate with the device to selectively power off or on the visual display based on proximity to the user's face, using a cradle assembly and sensor support circuitry to detect spatial distances and adjust the device's display accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the visual display is always kept on for easy access and usage, then the ease of operation is improved, but the harmful effect to the user's vision increases when the device is positioned too close to the face
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses distance sensors to continuously monitor the position of the device relative to the user's face and provides feedback to the control circuit, which automatically adjusts the display power state based on the detected distance, creating a closed-loop control system that prevents harmful close positioning
Solution Approach 2:
The device automatically monitors its own positioning through integrated distance sensors and self-regulates the display power state without requiring manual user intervention, enabling the system to protect the user's vision autonomously
2Object-affected harmful factors
If distance sensors and control circuitry are added to automatically power off the display when close to the face, then the harmful effect to vision is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The distance sensor system serves multiple functions: it detects device positioning, triggers display power state changes, and can potentially be used for other proximity-based features, allowing a single component addition to provide multiple benefits while limiting overall complexity increase
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical control of the display power state with an automated electronic control system using sensors and circuitry, eliminating the need for manual user action and providing more precise and reliable automatic protection
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the display is automatically powered off when within critical distance, then the harmful effect to vision is prevented, but the productivity decreases due to automatic interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic distance monitoring through the sensor to detect when the device is within the critical zone, triggering intermittent power off events only when necessary, rather than continuous operation, thereby maintaining productivity when proper usage distance is maintained
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
Prevents eye strain and vision damage by automatically powering off the display when within a certain distance from the user's face and powering it back on when moved outside this range, enhancing safe usage of mobile devices.
Implementation Method 1
at least one distance sensor positioned in cooperative association with the cradle assembly for detecting the relative distance of select or target objects positioned in adjacency to the visual display
Data Source
AI summary
A cradle apparatus detects spatial distances from target objects positioned in adjacency to the cradle apparatus, and communicates with a mobile communications device for selectively powering off/on the visual display of the mobile communications device based on its distance from a target object. The cradle apparatus includes a cradle assembly, at least one distance sensor, and sensor support circuitry. The cradle assembly is configured for cradling the communications device and displaying a visual display of the communications device as cradled by the cradle assembly, optionally at an oblique angle relative to a support surface. Each distance sensor is positioned by the cradle assembly for detecting the relative distance of select objects positioned in adjacency to the visual display. The sensor support circuitry communicates each distance sensor to a switch or circuit board for powering off or powering on the visual display depending on its distance from the target object.