Rear Capacitive Touch Sensing for Put-Away Mobile Device Interaction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile computing devices face challenges in user interaction when they are in a bag, pocket, or case, as touchscreen interactions require focused attention and can be difficult or impossible, especially when the device is not accessible.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a rear area capacitive input sensor that monitors sensor measurements to determine if the device is in a put-away state, increasing sensitivity and switching to a put-away mode to enable interactions such as answering calls or controlling other devices through gestures on the rear surface, even when the front screen is inaccessible.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If touchscreen interactions are used for mobile computing devices, then user interaction capability is improved, but accessibility when device is in put-away state deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a rear-area capacitive sensor on the back surface of the device as an additional interaction dimension. This allows users to interact with the device through the rear surface when it is in a put-away state (in pocket, bag, or case), complementing the traditional front touchscreen and enabling operation without requiring the front screen to be accessible.
Solution Approach 2:
The rear-area capacitive sensor acts as an intermediary input mechanism that mediates between the user and the device when the primary front touchscreen is inaccessible. It detects touch gestures through the rear surface and translates them into device operations, serving as a bridge for interaction in put-away scenarios.
2Reliability
If standard capacitive sensor sensitivity is used, then false touch detection is reduced, but touch detection capability in put-away state deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the sensitivity threshold of the rear-area capacitive sensor based on the detected operational state. When the device is determined to be in a put-away state (through accelerometer, gyroscope, or other sensor data), the sensitivity threshold is lowered to enhance touch detection capability. When in normal operational state, the threshold returns to standard levels to minimize false detections.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the sensitivity parameter of the capacitive sensor based on contextual conditions. By monitoring device state through multiple sensors and determining whether the device is in put-away or normal operation, the system adjusts the capacitive sensor's sensitivity threshold to optimize performance for the current scenario.
3Measurement precision
If multiple sensor types are integrated for context detection, then operational state detection accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent leverages existing multi-functional sensors already present in modern mobile devices (accelerometers, gyroscopes, barometers, proximity sensors) to determine operational state. These sensors serve multiple purposes - navigation, gaming, fitness tracking, and now contextual input mode detection - reducing the need for dedicated additional hardware while improving state detection accuracy.
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 contextual operation of mobile computing devices in put-away states by allowing users to interact with the device through gestures on the rear surface, enhancing usability and accessibility in situations where the front screen is not accessible.
Implementation Method 1
a capacitive sensor, such as a rear-area capacitive sensor
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, devices, non-transitory processor-readable media of various embodiments may enable contextual operation of a mobile computing device including a capacitive input sensor, which may be a rear area capacitive input sensor. In various embodiments, a processor of a mobile computing device including a rear area capacitive input sensor may monitor sensor measurements and generate an interaction profile based on the sensor measurements. The processor of the mobile computing device may determine whether the interaction profile is inconsistent with in-hand operation and may increase sensitivity of the capacitive input sensor in response to determining that the interaction profile is inconsistent with in-hand operation.