Portable Terminal Sensor and Light Feedback Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable terminals lack effective methods to enhance user interaction and control functions through visible light feedback, particularly in peripheral regions surrounding the display, which limits the intuitive operation of multimedia functions.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a plurality of sensors and light elements around the display of a portable terminal, where specific sensors are activated to control functions associated with visible information, allowing users to input commands through light output and detection, enabling intuitive operation and feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If sensors are added in peripheral regions surrounding the display, then user interaction capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The peripheral region surrounding the display is divided into multiple sensor zones, with different sensors (proximity, light, touch) placed in specific segments to detect different user interactions. This segmentation allows the system to handle diverse interaction types without requiring a single complex sensor system.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor system is designed to perform multiple functions: proximity detection, light detection, and touch detection. By making the sensor system universal, the patent reduces the need for separate dedicated sensors for each function, thereby improving user interaction capability while controlling device complexity.
2Ease of operation
If light elements are added to provide visible light feedback, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Light elements are positioned near sensors to provide immediate visual feedback when a sensor detects user input. This feedback mechanism guides users on where to interact and what operations are available, significantly improving ease of operation. The feedback is integrated into the existing sensor locations, minimizing additional complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The light elements change color or intensity to indicate different operational states, sensor activation, and interaction types. This visual coding system provides intuitive guidance to users without requiring complex text or icon displays, enhancing ease of operation while maintaining relatively simple device architecture.
3Loss of information
If sensors are positioned in peripheral regions, then information output capability is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Different types of sensors are strategically positioned in specific peripheral regions based on their detection functions. For example, light sensors are placed where they can best detect ambient light conditions, while touch sensors are positioned where user contact is most likely. This localized optimization improves information output capability while accommodating standard manufacturing tolerances.
Solution Approach 2:
The peripheral sensor regions are designed to serve multiple detection purposes simultaneously. A single sensor location can detect both proximity and touch inputs, reducing the number of discrete sensor positions required and thereby lowering manufacturing precision requirements while maintaining comprehensive information output capability.
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
This solution enhances user interaction by providing visible light feedback and control mechanisms, improving the usability and functionality of portable terminals by allowing users to recognize and interact with operational sensors through light outputs, thus streamlining multimedia operations.
Implementation Method 1
A plurality of light elements is configured to output visible light. Each of the light elements is associated with one of the sensors to output the visible light proximate to the associated sensor.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A
AI summary
A portable terminal includes a main body, a display, a plurality of sensors and a plurality of light elements. The main body includes a wireless communication unit. The display is coupled to the main body and is configured to output visible information. The plurality of sensors is coupled to the body and located at a peripheral region surrounding the display. A corresponding at least one sensor of the sensors is configured to receive user input for controlling a function associated with the visible information. The plurality of light elements is configured to output visible light. Each of the light elements is associated with one of the sensors to output the visible light proximate to the associated sensor. The corresponding at least one sensor is determined by which of the plurality of sensors is configured to permit controlling of the function associated with the visible information.