Vibration Sensing for Portable Device Context
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing touch-sensitive devices face challenges in efficiently determining the context of use, such as whether a device is held tightly or loosely, which can affect user interface operations and user experience.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating actuators and sensors within portable devices to generate and detect mechanical vibrations, allowing the device to analyze holding states and modify operations accordingly, such as adjusting user interface responses or handling incoming calls based on grip strength and context.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If vibration sensors and actuators are added to detect holding state, then device context awareness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration sensor and actuator serve multiple functions: generating haptic feedback for user interaction and detecting holding state through vibration analysis. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby improving context awareness while limiting complexity increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The device uses its own vibration actuator to generate test vibrations and its vibration sensor to detect the resulting vibrations modified by the holding state. This self-service approach eliminates the need for external testing equipment or additional specialized sensors, improving context awareness without proportionally increasing complexity.
2Productivity
If vibration analysis is used to determine holding state, then user interface efficiency is improved, but measurement precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary vibration generation through the actuator before analyzing the vibration signal to determine holding state. This preliminary action ensures that the vibration signal is already present and conditioned, making the subsequent measurement less demanding in terms of precision requirements while maintaining UI efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system generates vibrations, detects the modified vibrations through the sensor, analyzes the signal to determine holding state, and uses this information to modify device operation. This closed-loop feedback mechanism allows the system to adapt to different holding states dynamically, improving UI efficiency while the feedback nature of the measurement reduces stringent precision 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 enhances user interface efficiency and reduces cognitive burden by adapting device operations to the user's context, improving user satisfaction and device interaction.
Implementation Method 1
one or more actuators in or on the enclosure for generating mechanical vibrations; one or more sensors in or on the enclosure for detecting mechanical vibrations
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are methods for operating a computing device including determining an amount of pressure exerted on a touch-sensitive surface of the computing device. According to the various embodiments, a touch input is received by the touch-sensitive surface. The amount of pressure exerted by the touch input on the touch-sensitive surface is then determined. The computing device operates in a first manner when a first amount of pressure is received and operates in a second manner when a second amount of pressure is received.