Sensor-Actuated Cradle for Tangible Mobile Interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users, especially young children, elderly people, and those with impairments, face difficulties in independently interacting with mobile devices due to the lack of perceivable and mechanical interfaces, making communication and device operation challenging.
Innovation Solution
A cradle system with a housing that can change positions in response to detecting changes in a mobile device's state, incorporating mechanical and electrical components, sensors, and actuators to facilitate intuitive interaction and communication through tangible interfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional mechanical interfaces are used, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical interfaces with a cradle system that uses sensors to detect mobile device states and automatically adjusts its position accordingly. This substitution eliminates the need for users to manually operate complex mechanical controls, thereby improving ease of operation while the automated system manages the complexity internally.
Solution Approach 2:
The cradle system performs self-adjustment based on detected mobile device states without requiring user intervention. The system automatically changes its position and configuration to suit the detected state, making the interaction intuitive and simple for users while the system handles the complexity of adjustments autonomously.
2Ease of operation
If perceivable mechanical interfaces are added, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of manufacturing complex mechanical interfaces, the patent uses a cradle with sensors that detect mobile device states and automatically adjust positions. This approach replaces difficult-to-manufacture mechanical interfaces with a simpler sensor-based system that achieves the same user benefit through automation rather than physical complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the housing changes position in response to device state, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cradle housing is designed to be dynamic, automatically changing its position in response to detected mobile device states. This dynamic behavior provides adaptability to different device configurations and user needs, while the automation of the position-challenging process manages the complexity internally without requiring user intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sensors to detect the state of the mobile device and provides feedback to the cradle mechanism, which then adjusts its position accordingly. This feedback loop enables the housing to adapt to different device states automatically, improving versatility while the automated feedback-based control manages the system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, a cradle comprising: a housing configured to receive a mobile device; wherein the housing configured to receive a mobile device having at least two positions; a detecting element configured to detect a state of the mobile device and; a mechanism configured to change position of the housing in response to detecting a change in the state of the mobile device.