Sensor Obstruction Detection via Visual User Guidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Computing devices with sensors such as cameras and microphones often experience degraded data quality due to blockages or obstructions, which can lead to sub-optimal captured content, reducing user satisfaction.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method that determines the physical location of obstructed sensors by comparing captured data to a quality threshold and displays visual indicators to guide users in alleviating the obstruction, using proximity sensors and historical data to predict and address potential blockages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If sensors are placed on the device to capture content, then content capture capability is improved, but sensors may be inadvertently covered or blocked by obstacles resulting in degraded data quality
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors data quality from sensors and provides real-time feedback to users through visual indicators when degradation is detected. This feedback loop enables users to adjust their interaction with the device to maintain optimal sensor performance, resolving the contradiction between capture capability and data quality reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The device autonomously detects sensor blockages by analyzing data quality metrics and automatically communicates the issue to users through on-device visual indicators. This self-service approach eliminates the need for external monitoring tools while maintaining high data quality standards through continuous self-assessment.
2Ease of operation
If visual indicators are displayed to guide users to sensor locations, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The visual indicator system leverages the device's existing display infrastructure to serve multiple functions: showing sensor locations, indicating blockage status, and providing user guidance. By reusing existing display capabilities rather than adding dedicated indicator hardware, the system improves ease of operation without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method comprises obtaining a physical location of a sensor on a device; determining that quality of data captured by the sensor physically located on the device is degraded based on a comparison of the captured data to a quality threshold; and, in response to determining that the quality of the data captured by the sensor is degraded, displaying a visual indicator on a display of the device. The visual indicator includes at least one non-textual component that directs a user to the physical location of the sensor on the device.