Shape Changing Device Housing for Power-Efficient Notifications
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing notification methods for electronic devices, such as audible, tactile, and visual alerts, face challenges in power efficiency and effectiveness, as they may consume excessive power or go unnoticed due to user proximity or device orientation.
Innovation Solution
A shape-changing electronic device housing that transitions from a first physical configuration to a second upon receiving notifications, providing both tactile and visual cues through actuable elements, with power-saving mechanisms to minimize energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If audible notifications are used, then the user can be alerted to events, but the notification may not play if the device is in SILENT mode or the sound may repeat periodically increasing power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The housing dynamically changes its physical shape in response to notifications, transitioning between different configurations to provide tactile feedback. This dynamic shape change replaces static notification methods with an adaptive mechanical response that is both reliable and energy-efficient.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces acoustic (audible) and optical (visual) notification systems with a mechanical system that uses shape-changing housing. This mechanical substitution eliminates the need for speakers, LEDs, and their associated power consumption while providing reliable tactile feedback through shape transitions.
2Reliability
If tactile notifications are used, then the user can be alerted through vibration, but the notification may be missed if the device is not in close proximity or contact with the user's body and power consumption increases with periodic repetition
Solution Approach 1:
The housing dynamically changes its physical shape in response to notifications, transitioning between different configurations to provide tactile feedback. This dynamic shape change replaces static notification methods with an adaptive mechanical response that is both reliable and energy-efficient.
3Reliability
If visual notifications are used, then the user can be alerted through blinking LED, but the notification may go unnoticed if the device is face down or in the user's pocket and continuous display consumes excessive power
Solution Approach 1:
The housing dynamically changes its physical shape in response to notifications, transitioning between different configurations to provide tactile feedback. This dynamic shape change replaces static notification methods with an adaptive mechanical response that is both reliable and energy-efficient.
4Reliability
If the housing changes shape frequently to provide notifications, then the user can be alerted to events, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shape-changing housing uses periodic or event-driven transitions rather than continuous operation. The housing remains in a stable base configuration and only transitions to different shapes when notifications occur, eliminating continuous power consumption while maintaining reliable notification delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing discards its stable base configuration temporarily to provide notification through shape change, then recovers back to the base configuration. This cycle of discarding and recovering the stable state allows for periodic notifications while minimizing overall power consumption by spending most time in the low-power base state.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device housing may transition from a first physical configuration to one or more second physical configurations responsive to receiving one or more notifications. Each of the second physical configurations may be logically associated with a respective one of the one or more notifications. A physical configuration controller may receive one or more notifications and select a second physical configuration logically associated with each of the one or more notifications. The physical configuration controller may generate one or more outputs that cause the physical displacement of one or more actuateable devices to transition the electronic device housing from the first physical configuration to the second physical configuration.