Vibration-Based User Input for Mobile Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing user input methods for electronic devices, such as mobile devices, require direct contact with limited surface areas, leading to delays and inefficiencies due to the need to extract the device from containers and exposing it to environmental factors, which can result in undesired control actions and device breakdowns.
Innovation Solution
A vibration-based user input method that uses impact signals generated by a user-controlled physical object to control electronic devices, allowing for predesignated actions to be performed without direct contact with the device's surface, using a vibration sensing module, interpretation module, and central processing module to differentiate and execute commands based on the impact signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a direct contact control method (button, touchpad) is used, then the user can control the electronic device function, but the user must extract the device from container and locate the limited area surface, causing delay and inefficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical direct contact control system (buttons, touchpads requiring visual location and physical contact) with a vibration-based acoustic control system. The vibration sensor detects vibrations transmitted through the container wall, allowing control without extracting the device or visually locating controls, thus eliminating the time delay while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces vibrations as an intermediary medium to transmit control commands. Instead of direct mechanical contact with device controls, the user creates vibrations through the container wall that are detected by the vibration sensor, serving as a mediator that enables control while the device remains in the container.
2Ease of operation
If the device is extracted from container for control, then the user can access the control surface, but the device is exposed to environmental factors (fluid, dirt) that can enter through moving parts and unsealed edges, accelerating breakdown
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical control interface that requires device extraction with a vibration-based acoustic interface. The vibration sensor detects vibrations transmitted through the container wall, allowing control without exposing the device to environmental hazards, thus maintaining reliability while preserving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses vibrations as an intermediary to transmit control commands without requiring physical access to the device. The vibration sensor detects vibrations transmitted through the container wall, enabling control while the device remains sealed in the container, preventing foreign substance entry and maintaining reliability.
3Ease of operation
If a sound-based control method is used, then the user can control the device without contact, but the sound may exceed threshold volume causing disturbance and environmental sounds may trigger undesired control actions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by detecting vibrations at the specific location of the vibration sensor on the device housing, rather than using ambient sound in the environment. This localized vibration detection allows contactless control while avoiding disturbance from high-volume sounds and false triggering from environmental acoustic sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses mechanical vibration detection instead of acoustic sound detection. The vibration sensor detects vibrations transmitted through the device housing, which are mechanically coupled to the sensor, providing contactless control without the volume and false triggering issues associated with acoustic sound-based control.
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 efficient and reliable control of electronic devices without exposing them to environmental hazards, reducing delays and inefficiencies by allowing users to interact with devices through vibrations, while maintaining a sealed exterior and preventing foreign substance entry.
Implementation Method 1
receiving an impact signal (e.g., a vibration generated by a user controlled impact with a surface mechanically coupled to a housing of the electronic device)
Implementation Method 2
a surface mechanically coupled to a housing of the electronic device
Data Source
AI summary
A method, system, and apparatus of a vibration based user input for mobile devices are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of controlling an electronic device includes receiving an impact signal, (e.g., a vibration generated by a user controlled impact with a surface mechanically coupled to a housing of the electronic device). The method further includes identifying a user command to the electronic device based on the impact signal, and performing a predesignated action (e.g., a mute, a power on, a power off, a volume increase, a volume decrease, a music track change, a call redirect, a call directed to voicemail, etc.) based on the user command. The user command may be identified using a number of user controlled impacts and an interval between a prior user controlled impact and a later user controlled impact.