Touch-Sensing Handheld Mode Switching for Mobile Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Handheld devices, such as mobile phones and PDAs, cannot automatically differentiate between handheld and non-handheld behaviors, limiting their ability to adjust settings accordingly and enhancing user convenience and functionality.
Innovation Solution
A handheld device equipped with a sensing unit, control unit, counting module, and mode control unit that uses periodic pulses to charge and discharge the sensing unit, generating a mode control signal based on user touch detection to switch between handheld and non-handheld modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a sensing unit is added to detect user touch, then the device can automatically differentiate handheld and non-handheld behaviors, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a sensing unit as an intermediary component that detects user touch and generates sensing results. This mediator bridges the gap between user interaction and device response, enabling automatic mode switching without requiring complex processing of raw touch data. The sensing unit converts physical touch into electrical signals that can be processed by the control unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The device performs self-service by automatically detecting whether it is being held and switching modes without user intervention. The control unit autonomously processes sensing results and adjusts device settings based on detected handheld or non-handheld behavior, eliminating the need for manual mode selection by the user.
2Measurement precision
If periodic pulses are used to charge and discharge the sensing unit, then user touch can be detected, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit applies periodic pulses to the sensing unit at regular intervals to charge and discharge it. This periodic action enables continuous touch detection capability while allowing the system to enter low-power states between pulse cycles. The sensing unit only consumes significant energy during the brief pulse intervals rather than continuously.
Solution Approach 2:
The periodic pulsing maintains the sensing unit in a ready state for continuous touch detection without requiring continuous high-power operation. By keeping the sensing unit periodically activated rather than fully powered at all times, the system achieves continuous detection capability with reduced overall energy consumption.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the sensing unit is periodically charged and discharged, then the device can operate in both handheld and non-handheld modes, but the control system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit performs multiple functions: it generates periodic pulses to charge/discharge the sensing unit, processes sensing results to detect touch, determines handheld status, and switches between operational modes. By consolidating these diverse functions into a single control unit, the patent reduces overall system complexity compared to having separate dedicated circuits for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the pulse generation, sensing processing, mode detection, and mode switching functions into an integrated control unit. This consolidation eliminates the need for multiple separate control circuits and simplifies the control system architecture while maintaining full functionality for automatic mode switching based on touch detection.
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 automatic adjustment of device settings based on user interaction, adding functionality like call vibration control and volume management, thereby enhancing user convenience and device functionality.
Implementation Method 1
The control unit is arranged for sending out a periodic pulse to the sensing unit, and for making use of the periodic pulse to periodically charge and discharge the sensing unit
Data Source
AI summary
A handheld device is provided. The handheld device may include a sensing unit, a control unit, an operating unit, a counting module and a mode control unit. The sensing unit is for generating a sensing result based on whether a user touch is received or not. The control unit is for sending out a periodic pulse to the sensing unit, and for periodically charging and discharging the sensing unit. The counting module is for counting a pulse number of the periodic pulse, and for outputting a counting value when the sensing result indicates that the user touch is received. The operating unit is for generating a mode control signal according to the counting value. The mode control unit is for controlling the handheld device to stay in a handheld mode or a non-handheld mode according to the mode control signal.