Unintended Dialing Detection via Sensor Pattern Matching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile phones often inadvertently initiate calls when placed in a user's pocket or handbag, leading to unintended dialing, which can be inconvenient and intrusive for the recipient, and existing solutions like phone locks or call confirmations may be inconvenient or forgettable for users.
Innovation Solution
An unintended-dialing detection and prevention system that uses sensors to gather data on ambient light, motion, and proximity to determine if a dialing event is intended or not, automatically preventing calls by matching patterns against predefined criteria without requiring user intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a phone lock feature is implemented to prevent pocket dialing, then unintended dialing is prevented, but user convenience deteriorates because the user must manually unlock the phone before dialing
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of the phone's physical state (orientation, acceleration, light levels) before dialing occurs. By analyzing sensor data in advance, the system can predict whether a dialing event is intended or accidental and prevent it proactively, eliminating the need for manual unlocking while maintaining security
2Reliability
If a call confirmation feature is implemented to prevent unintended dialing, then unintended dialing is prevented, but user convenience deteriorates due to unnecessary delay and annoyance
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the phone's existing sensors (accelerometer, light sensor, orientation data) to automatically detect and determine the context of dialing events. This self-service approach eliminates the need for user intervention in the detection process while maintaining accurate distinction between intended and accidental dialing, thus preventing time loss
3Reliability
If manual locking is required to prevent pocket dialing, then unintended dialing is prevented, but device complexity increases due to additional user actions needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/manual locking system with an automated sensor-based detection system. By using the phone's existing sensors to automatically detect physical state and dialing context, the system eliminates the need for manual user actions while maintaining prevention reliability, thus reducing operational complexity
Data Source
AI summary
An exemplary method includes an unintended-dialing detection and prevention system 1) determining, based on an unintended-dialing detection heuristic, a phone dialing pattern associated with a phone dialing event of a phone device, 2) determining, based on the unintended-dialing detection heuristic, that the phone dialing pattern associated with the phone dialing event matches a predefined phone dialing pattern indicative of unintended dialing, and 3) automatically performing, in response to the determining that the phone dialing pattern associated with the phone dialing event matches the predefined phone dialing pattern indicative of the unintended dialing, an operation configured to prevent a placement of a phone call by the phone device in response to the phone dialing event. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.