Smartphone Danger Avoidance via Translucent Obstacle Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions to prevent smartphone use while walking, such as function restrictions, are inadequate as they either compromise user convenience or fail to effectively alert users of potential dangers, especially in crowded areas.
Innovation Solution
A computer program product for a portable information terminal equipped with a distance measurement device that detects directions and distances to objects, displaying them as translucent images on the screen, and alerts users of approaching obstacles while allowing continued use of the device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the functions of a smartphone are restricted when walking is detected, then safety is improved, but user convenience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing different levels of assistance based on the user's walking state. When the user is walking, the system activates danger avoidance support that displays obstacle information on the screen. When the user is not walking, this support is deactivated. This localized application of the feature ensures safety assistance is provided only where needed, maintaining convenience when not walking while improving safety when walking.
2Reliability
If the smartphone display is turned off when walking is detected, then safety is improved, but information accessibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the display state adaptive rather than fixed. Instead of simply turning off the display when walking is detected, the system dynamically adjusts the display to show danger avoidance information (such as obstacle positions and distances) while maintaining other application content. This dynamic display behavior ensures both safety information and application information remain accessible simultaneously.
3Reliability
If obstacle detection and display functions are added, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by making the smartphone's existing camera and display serve multiple functions. The camera is used both for its original purpose (photography, video calls) and for obstacle detection. The display is used both for application content and for showing danger avoidance information. This multi-functionality approach enables safety features without requiring entirely new hardware components, thus limiting the increase in device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A danger avoidance support program is described which make it possible to always grasp the surrounding situation and avoid danger such as collision even when using a smartphone while walking. This danger avoidance support program detects a direction to each of a plurality of measurement objects located ahead of the portable information terminal and measures the distance to the each measurement object to display the plurality of measurement objects in real time on the screen of the portable information terminal by mapping the plurality of measurement objects in the space of the screen of the portable information terminal on the basis of the detected directions and the measured distances. The plurality of measurement objects are displayed on the screen of the portable information terminal as translucent images which are superimposed on an image displayed by another application running on the portable information terminal.