Two-Handed Operation Enforcement for Mobile Device Safety

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solutions for inhibiting portable electronic devices in moving vehicles do not differentiate between drivers and passengers, leading to impractical lock-outs for passengers and failure to prevent distracted driving by allowing one-handed operation for drivers.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a system that requires two-handed operation for portable electronic devices when in motion by using GPS, cell tower triangulation, or touchscreen detection to confirm simultaneous input from both hands, while allowing passengers to use the device freely.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If device operability is disabled or restricted when moving at fast rates, then distracted driving is reduced, but passenger usability is impaired

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedistracted drivingVSAvoidpassenger usability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies different operational restrictions to different users based on their role (driver vs. passenger). Drivers have restricted access to certain functions when the vehicle is in motion, while passengers maintain full access. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by targeting restrictions only where needed to prevent distracted driving, while preserving usability for passengers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces an intermediary mechanism (hand detection system with sensors) that mediates between the device and the user. By detecting which hand is operating the device, the system can infer whether the user is a driver or passenger and apply appropriate restrictions accordingly, enabling selective control without affecting all users uniformly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If one-handed operation is allowed for drivers, then ease of operation is improved, but safety is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice operationVSAvoiddistracted driving

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors hand operation patterns and provides feedback to determine whether the device is being operated with one hand or two hands. When one-handed operation is detected during vehicle motion, the system can restrict certain functions or alert the user, creating a feedback loop that promotes safer operation while maintaining ease of use when appropriate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The operational restrictions are dynamic rather than static. The system adjusts device availability and functionality in real-time based on detected hand operation patterns and vehicle motion state. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain ease of operation when safe (two-handed use) while preventing distracted driving when risky (one-handed use during motion).

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Object-affected harmful factors

If all devices are locked out in moving vehicles, then distracted driving is prevented, but device functionality is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedistracted drivingVSAvoiddevice functionality

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of applying a blanket lock-out to all devices, the system applies localized restrictions based on user role and operational context. Drivers have limited access to certain functions during motion, while passengers maintain full functionality. This selective approach preserves overall device versatility while preventing distracted driving among drivers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system segments device functionality into different accessible and restricted portions based on user identification and operational mode. By dividing functions into segments that can be selectively enabled or disabled, the system maintains adaptability and versatility for passengers while preventing harmful distracted driving behavior among drivers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS9143602B2Methods and systems to ensure that the user of a touch or keypad operated device within a moving vehicle must use two hands for device operation

Publication Date: 2015.09.22 EXTREME NETWORKS INC

AI summary

Systems and methods are directed to configuring a portable electronic device such that a user of the portable electronic device is required to use two hands to operate the portable electronic device. In some configurations, the portable electronic device determines whether the portable electronic device is moving at a rate of speed that is greater than a predetermined threshold before requiring the user to use two hands. Alternatively, or in addition, a function, feature, and/or application of the portable electronic device may be inhibited such that two hands are required. Once the portable electronic device determines that the user is using two hands, an operation, feature, function, and/or application may then be enabled although still be inhibited.