Self-Actuating Notebook Hinge for Gaze-Based Display Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic devices lack the ability to automatically adjust the position of their display portions relative to the user's gaze direction or physical disposition, leading to suboptimal viewing experiences and inefficient camera framing during video conferences or image capture.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an optical sensing system and shape-memory alloy actuation system that determines the user's gaze direction or physical disposition and adjusts the display position via a hinge mechanism to maintain optimal viewing angles and camera framing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual adjustment of display position is used, then device structure remains simple, but viewing experience becomes suboptimal and requires user intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects user gaze direction via optical sensors and actuates the hinge mechanism without manual intervention, allowing the display to self-adjust to optimal viewing positions based on real-time user positioning
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment with an automated system combining optical sensing, processing, and shape-memory alloy actuation to achieve display position control
2Adaptability or versatility
If automatic display adjustment system is implemented, then viewing experience is optimized, but device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically changes the display's spatial parameters (position and orientation) based on detected user gaze direction, enabling adaptation to different viewing scenarios through automated parameter adjustment
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated system serves multiple functions: optical sensing for user detection, processing for gaze direction determination, and actuation for display positioning, consolidating these capabilities into a unified automated adjustment mechanism
3Manufacturing precision
If shape-memory alloy members are used for actuation, then precise display positioning is achieved, but energy consumption increases due to electrical current requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The shape-memory alloy members are actuated through periodic electrical current application, utilizing the material's phase transition properties to achieve precise positioning while managing energy consumption through controlled, intermittent activation rather than continuous power supply
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 ensures improved display performance by maintaining optimal viewing angles and efficient camera framing without manual intervention, enhancing user experience and device functionality.
Implementation Method 1
an actuation system comprising a shape-memory alloy member coupled to the base portion and the display portion and configured to move the display portion relative to the base portion
Data Source
AI summary
A notebook computer may include a display portion, a base portion, a hinge mechanism movably coupling the display portion to the base portion, an optical sensing system configured to capture an image of an object, an actuation system comprising a shape-memory alloy member coupled to the base portion and the display portion and configured to move the display portion relative to the base portion, and a processing system. The processing system may be configured to determine a target position for the display portion based at least in part on a location of the object in the image and cause the actuation system to actuate the hinge mechanism to move the display portion, relative to the base portion, from an initial position to the target position.