Side-Housing Haptic Notification Control for Incoming Calls
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic devices lack efficient methods for controlling event notifications based on user inputs, particularly through tactile feedback, which can enhance user interaction and experience.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating actuators and sensors in the device housing to provide customizable vibration feedback in response to user touch inputs, allowing for precise control over notification responses, such as adjusting media playback or ceasing calls, through designated touch inputs on side buttons.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If vibration feedback is provided through actuators for event notifications, then user interaction is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into the side buttons: they serve as both input devices (sensors detecting press inputs) and output devices (actuators providing vibration feedback). This merging eliminates the need for separate notification mechanisms and reduces overall device complexity while enhancing user interaction through tactile feedback.
Solution Approach 2:
The side buttons are designed to perform multiple functions: detecting user presses, generating vibration patterns for different events (calls, messages, media control), and providing customizable feedback. This multi-functionality allows a single component to replace what would traditionally require multiple separate components, resolving the contradiction between enhanced interaction and device complexity.
2Measurement precision
If multiple actuators are used for different vibration feedback, then notification control precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple notification mechanisms into single side buttons that can generate different vibration patterns. Instead of using separate actuators for different events, the same actuator produces distinct vibration patterns (e.g., different frequencies, durations, or sequences) to indicate various events, thereby maintaining control precision while reducing component count.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent achieves differentiated vibration feedback by changing parameters of the vibration output (frequency, amplitude, duration, pattern sequences) from the same actuator rather than using multiple actuators. This allows precise control over notification characteristics while avoiding the complexity of multiple separate components.
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
Enhances user interaction by providing intuitive and customizable tactile feedback, improving user experience by allowing for precise control over event notifications and media interactions.
Implementation Method 1
a first actuator configured to provide vibration feedback in response to receiving an incoming call event through the communication circuitry
Data Source
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AI summary
An electronic device according to an example may comprise: a housing; a display; a communication circuit; a first actuator configured to provide vibration feedback in response to receiving an incoming call event via the communication circuit; a sensor configured to receive a user touch input on a side of the housing; a second actuator configured to provide vibration feedback in response to having received the user touch input; and a processor. The processor may be configured to: in response to the incoming call event, control the first actuator to provide first vibration feedback; during the provision of the first vibration feedback, receive a specified user touch input on the side of the housing; and in response to receiving the specified user touch input, control the first actuator to stop the provision of the first vibration feedback and control the second actuator to provide second vibration feedback.