Proximity Sensor Filtering for Accidental Interface Activation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Information handling systems are susceptible to unintended physical interactions with interface devices, such as power buttons, due to accidental activation by objects other than humans, leading to undesirable power cycling and memory erasure.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating sensors like capacitive sensors, accelerometers, temperature sensors, fingerprint readers, and cameras to detect human proximity, allowing the processor to determine whether physical interactions with interface devices are made by humans, thereby enabling or disabling associated functionalities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the information handling system uses a push button interface device for user interaction, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to accidental activation by objects other than humans
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces sensors as intermediary components between the push button interface device and the processing system. These sensors detect physical characteristics of objects interacting with the button and provide this information to the processor, which then determines whether to process the interaction. This intermediary layer filters out accidental activations by non-human objects while maintaining ease of human operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the purely mechanical push button system with an enhanced system that incorporates optical, capacitive, or other types of sensors. Instead of relying solely on mechanical pressure detection, the system uses sensor-based detection of physical characteristics to distinguish between human and non-human interactions, thereby improving reliability while preserving ease of operation.
2Productivity
If the information handling system processes all physical interactions with the interface device, then the productivity is improved, but the loss of information increases due to accidental erasure by non-human objects
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system acts as an intermediary that evaluates each physical interaction before it reaches the processing system. By detecting physical characteristics and providing this information to the processor, the system can selectively process or discard interactions based on their origin, preventing accidental information loss while maintaining productivity for legitimate user actions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by using sensors to continuously monitor interactions with the interface device and providing this information back to the processor. The processor uses this feedback to make real-time decisions about whether to process each interaction, thereby preventing accidental erasure while maintaining efficient processing of valid user inputs.
3Reliability
If the information handling system adds sensor components to detect human proximity, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by using sensors that can serve multiple purposes: detecting human proximity, identifying physical characteristics of interacting objects, and providing data for processing decisions. This universal approach allows the system to improve reliability through a single integrated sensor system rather than requiring multiple separate components, thereby reducing overall complexity.
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
Reduces accidental activation of interface devices, preventing undesirable power cycling and memory erasure by ensuring that only human interactions trigger intended functions, enhancing the reliability of information handling systems.
Implementation Method 1
A capacitive sensor may be integrated into a push button of the user interface such that when the push button is interacted with by a human finger, the capacitive sensor detects a change of capacitance that occurs upon a surface of the information handling system in response to a human finger touching such surface.
Implementation Method 2
A temperature sensor may be integrated into a push button of the user interface such that when the push button is interacted with by a human finger, the temperature sensor detects a change of temperature that occurs upon a surface of the information handling system in response to a human finger touching such surface.
Implementation Method 3
A fingerprint reader may be integrated into a push button of the user interface such that when the push button is interacted with by a human finger, the fingerprint reader captures an image consistent with a human fingerprint.
Implementation Method 4
An accelerometer may be integrated into a push button of the user interface such that when the push button is interacted with by a human finger, the accelerometer senses a movement or re-orientation of the information handling system in response to a human finger touching such surface.
Data Source
AI summary
In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, an information handling system may include a user interface comprising an interface device, one or more sensors, each respective sensor configured to detect a respective parameter indicative of human proximity to the interface device, and a processor communicatively coupled to the user interface and the one or more sensors. The processor may be configured to in response to a physical interaction with the interface device, read information from the one or more sensors, determine whether the information from the one or more sensors satisfies a condition indicative of human proximity to the interface device, and process the physical interaction with the interface device based on whether the condition is satisfied.