Thermal Sensor Call Answering Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile phone users face difficulties in answering calls, especially in cold weather or when engaged in activities that restrict hand availability, as traditional touch screen interfaces require manual interaction, which can lead to dropped devices and inconvenience.
Innovation Solution
A mobile device equipped with a thermal sensor and orientation sensor that detects proximity to the user by tracking temperature changes, allowing automatic call answering or ignoring based on the user's actions, such as removing the device from a stowed position and placing it near their ear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a touch screen interface is used for answering calls, then the device can provide a modern user interface, but it becomes difficult to operate when the user is wearing gloves or has hands occupied
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical touch interaction system with a thermal detection system. The thermal sensor detects the user's body heat when they bring the device to their ear, automatically answering the call without requiring physical contact with the touchscreen. This substitution allows the device to be operated effectively when wearing gloves or with hands occupied.
Solution Approach 2:
The device automatically detects the user's intent to answer through thermal detection and executes the answer action autonomously. The system serves itself by interpreting thermal patterns as user intent, eliminating the need for manual touchscreen interaction and enabling operation in conditions where manual interaction is difficult.
2Ease of operation
If manual finger gestures are required to answer calls, then the interface remains simple, but the user's grip on the phone is compromised and the device may be dropped
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual finger gestures with thermal detection. The thermal sensor detects body heat when the device is brought to the user's ear, triggering automatic call answering. This eliminates the need for finger gestures that compromise grip, maintaining device stability while enabling reliable call answering.
3Ease of operation
If the device requires physical interaction to answer calls, then the interface remains straightforward, but it becomes inconvenient when both hands are occupied with other activities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes mechanical touch interaction with thermal field detection. The thermal sensor detects the user's body heat pattern when they bring the device to their ear, automatically answering the call without requiring any hand interaction. This enables effective operation when both hands are occupied with other activities.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal sensor acts as an intermediary that detects user intent through body heat rather than requiring direct physical contact. This intermediary detection method allows the device to respond to user intent even when hands are occupied with other activities, bridging the gap between user intent and device response.
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
Enables users to answer calls without physical interaction with the device, reducing the likelihood of dropping it and improving usability in challenging conditions, by selectively answering or ignoring calls based on thermal and orientation data.
Implementation Method 1
A mobile device equipped with a thermal sensor and orientation sensor that detects proximity to the user by tracking temperature changes
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes generating a call alert notification on a device responsive to receiving an incoming call. A removal of the device from a stowed position is detected after generating the call alert notification. The incoming call is answered responsive to thermally detecting a proximity between the device and the user within a predetermined time period after detecting the removal of the device from the stowed position.