Screen Protection via Multi-Point Pressure Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Smart device screens are prone to cracking under excessive pressure, leading to economic loss and disruption in usage, as existing overpressure sensing mechanisms are inadequate in providing timely warnings.

Innovation Solution

A screen protection method and apparatus that utilize pressure detection points to determine a pressure state by setting predetermined pressure value standards based on the number of force bearing points, distance between points, and pressure values, triggering an alarm to alert users before the screen cracks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a simple pressure threshold alarm is implemented, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of screen protection is insufficient because it cannot distinguish between different pressure scenarios

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescreen protection reliabilityVSAvoidpressure detection system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure detection system is segmented into multiple pressure detection points arranged in arrays across the screen. Each point independently detects pressure, allowing the system to distinguish between localized point pressure (e.g., key pressing) and distributed pressure (e.g., palm resting). This segmentation enables more reliable screen protection by analyzing the spatial distribution of pressure rather than relying on a single threshold.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from one-dimensional pressure threshold detection to two-dimensional spatial pressure distribution analysis. By detecting the positions, numbers, and distances between multiple force bearing points, the system adds spatial dimensionality to pressure monitoring, enabling differentiation between normal usage and potentially damaging pressure scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Measurement precision

If multiple pressure detection points are used to improve protection accuracy, then the measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure state detection precisionVSAvoiddetection system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The multiple pressure detection points serve multiple functions simultaneously: they detect pressure magnitude, determine pressure distribution patterns, calculate distances between force bearing points, and identify the number of contact points. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve high measurement precision without proportionally increasing complexity, as the same detection infrastructure supports various analysis dimensions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple detection functions into a unified pressure detection system. Instead of having separate sensors for different measurement types, the system integrates pressure magnitude detection, position detection, and spatial relationship analysis into a single coordinated system, reducing overall complexity while maintaining precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a predetermined pressure value standard is set for alarm, then the ease of operation is improved, but the adaptability to different pressure scenarios is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure scenario adaptabilityVSAvoidalarm threshold setting simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The alarm system dynamically adjusts protection criteria based on real-time pressure detection data. Instead of using a fixed predetermined threshold, the system evaluates multiple parameters including the number of force bearing points, their spatial distances, and pressure magnitudes. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to respond appropriately to various usage scenarios without requiring manual threshold reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes multiple parameters simultaneously to adapt to different scenarios: it monitors pressure magnitude, number of contact points, and distances between points. By varying the protection criteria based on combinations of these parameters rather than a single fixed threshold, the system achieves high adaptability while maintaining ease of operation through automated multi-parameter evaluation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

The solution enables timely user intervention to reduce pressure, preventing screen damage and associated economic losses by providing a timely alarm based on specific pressure thresholds and locations, thus enhancing screen protection.

Implementation Method 1

The mechanism uses one or more pressure sensors to determine when to trigger an alarm

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure sensing: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP3173898B1Screen protection method and apparatus
Publication Date: 2023.03.15 XIAOMI INC
  • EP3173898B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3173898B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3173898B1 patent drawingFigure 6

AI summary

The present invention relates to a screen protection method and apparatus. The method comprises: acquiring a pressure state being experienced by a screen, the pressure state comprising one or more force bearing points and pressure values at the force bearing points; judging whether the pressure state being experienced by the screen reaches a predetermined state; and performing an alarm operation when the pressure state being experienced by the screen reaches the predetermined state. With the technical solution, an alarm operation may be performed according to the pressure state being experienced by the screen and a predetermined forewarning rule. This enables a user to timely know whether the screen is subjected to a pressure in the predetermined state and makes it easier for the user to timely take measures to reduce the pressure, thereby preventing the screen from cracking due to excessive pressure borne by the screen, preventing economic losses from being caused to the user and preventing the user's use of a smart device from being affected by the cracking of its screen.