Posture-Triggered Optical Prompting for Compact Tablet Power Buttons
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users find it difficult to locate the power button on tablet PCs due to their small size and similar design, especially in dark environments, leading to inconvenience in navigating other buttons like volume and black-screen controls.
Innovation Solution
An information prompt method using sensors to detect posture changes and output prompt information, such as light, vibration, or image cues, to guide the user to the power button's location, enhancing usability by providing visual or tactile feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If the power button is designed small to maintain compact device size, then the device dimensions are improved, but the ease of locating the button deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs light-emitting elements (LEDs) that change color or illuminate to indicate the position of the power button and other controls. The light-emitting unit emits light in different colors to provide directional guidance, making the small button easily locatable through optical signals rather than relying on size alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a light-emitting unit as an intermediary between the user and the power button. This mediator provides visual information about button location through emitted light, bridging the gap between the small physical button and the user's ability to locate it quickly.
2Shape
If the four sides of the tablet are designed with similar shapes for aesthetic uniformity, then the device appearance is improved, but the ease of identifying button positions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The light-emitting unit emits light in different colors to indicate different button positions and functions. This optical signaling system allows users to identify button locations without relying on asymmetric device shapes, maintaining aesthetic uniformity while providing clear positional information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds an optical dimension (light emission) to the otherwise uniform physical structure. By introducing light as an additional information carrier, the system compensates for the lack of shape differentiation, allowing users to locate buttons through the added optical dimension rather than physical asymmetry.
3Shape
If the power button is made small to maintain sleek design, then the device aesthetics are improved, but the time required to locate the button increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light-emitting unit is activated in advance to guide users to the correct button position before they attempt to press it. This preliminary optical guidance eliminates the need for users to physically search for the small button, significantly reducing the time required to locate it while maintaining the sleek design.
Solution Approach 2:
The use of color-changing light provides rapid visual feedback that instantly directs user attention to the power button location. This optical signaling eliminates time-consuming physical searching, allowing users to locate the small button immediately through visual cues.
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
The method effectively informs users of the power button's position, allowing them to quickly find and operate it, thereby simplifying the process and reducing confusion with other controls.
Implementation Method 1
judging whether a predetermined posture of the electronic apparatus changes or not by sensor
Implementation Method 2
a first light prompt information output by a light-emitting unit disposed in a second position
Implementation Method 3
a first vibration prompt information output by a vibration unit disposed in a third position
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic apparatus that includes at least a first element and a sensor and an information prompt method for the electronic apparatus are described. The method includes judging whether a predetermined posture of the electronic apparatus changes or not by a sensor to obtain a first judgment result; generating a first prompt information for prompting a first position where the first element is disposed, when the first judgment result indicates that the predetermined posture of the electronic apparatus has changed; outputting the first prompt information, to enable a user to determine the first position according to the first prompt information, and to operate the first element.