Ultrasonic Touchless Interaction Power Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ultrasonic touchless interaction in hand-held devices is hindered by strong reflections from objects like the user's head, leading to signal distortion or spurious inputs, particularly when the device is held near the ear or in a pocket, causing battery drain and interference.
Innovation Solution
A portable electronic device that adjusts the transmission power of ultrasonic signals based on detected reflections, reducing power when a larger object is present, such as the user's head, by using criteria like signal difference metrics, amplitude thresholds, or overload conditions to differentiate between intended input objects and other objects, and allows user-controlled activation and deactivation of touchless interaction modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the device transmits ultrasonic signals at high power for touchless interaction, then the touchless interaction functionality is improved, but signal distortion and spurious inputs occur when the user's head is near the device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of ultrasonic transmission power based on real-time detection of reflected signals. The system continuously monitors signal characteristics and automatically reduces power when the user's head is detected near the device, thereby maintaining reliable operation across different usage scenarios and preventing signal distortion.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback mechanisms by analyzing reflected ultrasonic signals to detect the presence of the user's head. Based on this feedback, the transmission power is automatically adjusted - reduced when head presence is detected and maintained at higher levels when no head is present, ensuring both reliability and functionality.
2Productivity
If the device continuously transmits ultrasonic signals at high power, then touchless interaction responsiveness is improved, but battery life is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic transmission of ultrasonic signals rather than continuous transmission. The system transmits signals at intervals and uses the reflected signals to detect user intent, thereby reducing overall power consumption while maintaining responsive touchless interaction capability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The transmission power and duty cycle are dynamically adjusted based on operational context. When the device detects that touchless interaction is not currently needed (e.g., when the user's head is near or the device is in a pocket), transmission is reduced or suspended, conserving battery life while maintaining responsiveness when interaction is required.
3Reliability
If the device reduces transmission power when the user's head is detected, then signal interference is reduced, but touchless interaction capability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors reflected signal characteristics to detect the user's head presence. When head presence is detected, transmission power is reduced to prevent signal distortion. When no head is present, full power transmission is restored, ensuring touchless interaction capability is maintained. This feedback-driven approach dynamically balances signal quality and functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The transmission power is dynamically adjusted based on real-time detection conditions. The system transitions between high-power mode (when no head is present, maintaining interaction capability) and low-power mode (when head is present, ensuring signal quality), thereby resolving the contradiction between these two requirements.
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 approach reduces signal interference, conserves battery life, and prevents unintended inputs by dynamically adjusting transmission power and enabling user control over touchless interaction modes, ensuring efficient and reliable operation.
Implementation Method 1
using reflections of ultrasonic signals from a user's finger or hand to give an input to a hand-held mobile device
Data Source
AI summary
A portable electronic device comprises means 4 for transmitting ultrasonic signals 8, means 6 for receiving ultrasonic signals 12 reflected from an input object 10, and means for processing received ultrasonic signals to determine an input to the device. The device is configured to reduce the transmission power of the ultrasonic signals transmitted by the transmitting means in the event that: the device determines that a reflection 16 from an object 14 other than the input object meets a predetermined criterion; or if an event is detected which indicates that the user is or will be using a function of the device which does not support touchless interaction.Also disclosed is an electronic device comprising transmission means 4 for transmitting ultrasonic signals 8, means 6 for receiving ultrasonic signals 12 reflected from an input object 10 and means for processing received ultrasonic signals to determine an input to the device, the device further comprising user operable control means for allowing a user to turn a touchless interaction mode on and off, the device being configured to execute an additional operation when the touchless interaction mode is turned off.