Proximity Sensor Gesture Control Without Touch Panel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic devices with displays require a separate touch panel for user input, limiting the functionality of proximity sensors to only detect hand proximity and not accept user operations.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device equipped with a proximity sensor that outputs signals based on object proximity and position, allowing it to switch between modes for detecting hand proximity and accepting user operations, such as selecting or swiping, without the need for a separate touch panel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a touch panel is provided to accept user operations, then user input capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The proximity sensor is designed to perform multiple functions: it detects hand proximity to activate the display and also detects hand position and gestures for user input operations. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for a separate touch panel, reducing device complexity while maintaining ease of operation through alternative input methods
Solution Approach 2:
The functionality of proximity detection and user input acceptance is merged into a single proximity sensor system. The sensor integrates both detection capabilities, allowing the same component to serve dual purposes: triggering display activation and capturing user gestures for operation input
2Adaptability or versatility
If a proximity sensor is used only for proximity detection, then its function is simple and reliable, but additional features cannot be provided
Solution Approach 1:
The proximity sensor is enhanced to provide multiple detection capabilities including hand proximity detection, hand position detection, and gesture recognition. This allows the single sensor to deliver additional features like contactless operation control and contextual interactions while maintaining reliability through established sensor technology
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device includes a display and a proximity sensor arranged near a display surface of the display and configured to provide an output signal corresponding to a degree of proximity of an object to the display surface, and provides a position of the approaching object in a direction horizontal to the display surface. A user interface control unit has a first operational mode and a second operational mode, where in the first operation mode, the proximity of a user's hand from the display surface is monitored based on the output signal of the proximity sensor. In the second operational mode, a position of the user's hand in a direction horizontal to the display surface is detected within a detection target range and a user's operation is accepted according to the detected position of the user's hand.