Wearable Touchscreen Malfunction Detection with Motion and Tilt
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wearable devices often misinterpret unintended touch inputs due to user movements, particularly when worn on the arm, leading to incorrect operations.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a proximity sensor and motion sensor to detect when the device is worn on an arm, identifying designated movements and angles to prevent misinterpretation of touch inputs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a touch screen is used to detect user inputs, then the device can respond to user interactions, but false touch inputs occur due to unintended contact during movement
Solution Approach 1:
A proximity sensor is introduced as an intermediary component to detect whether an external object (such as another body part) is approaching the display before touch input is registered. This mediator filters out false touches by preventing touch input detection when the proximity sensor detects an object within a predetermined distance, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining touch responsiveness and eliminating false inputs.
2Reliability
If the device monitors movement to detect touch malfunctions, then false touches can be identified, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The proximity sensor serves multiple functions: it detects whether the device is worn on an arm by identifying characteristic movement patterns, monitors for approaching external objects to prevent false touches, and helps determine device orientation. By making this single component multi-functional, the patent reduces the need for additional specialized sensors, thereby mitigating the increase in device complexity while maintaining reliable touch malfunction detection.
3Reliability
If the proximity sensor prevents all touches during movement, then false inputs are reduced, but legitimate touches are also blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different touch input policies based on the local context of the situation. When the proximity sensor detects an external object and the motion sensor identifies characteristic arm-crossing movement patterns, touch input is blocked in that specific context. However, when no such conditions are met, normal touch input functionality remains fully operational. This localized application of touch restriction ensures that only touches in problematic contexts are prevented, maintaining ease of operation for legitimate uses.
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
Effectively reduces false touch inputs by recognizing intended and unintended user interactions, enhancing operational accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
a proximity sensor configured to detect an approaching external object
Implementation Method 2
a motion sensor configured to detect a movement of the electronic device
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a display including a touch screen, a proximity sensor configured to detect an approaching external object, a motion sensor configured to detect movement of the electronic device, memory storing one or more computer programs, and a processor communicatively coupled to the display, the proximity sensor, the motion sensor, and the memory, wherein the one or more computer programs include computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the processor cause the electronic device to use the proximity sensor to identify whether the electronic device is worn on the arm of a user, in case that the electronic device is worn on the arm of the user, use the motion sensor to identify a movement of the electronic device, identify whether the identified movement of the electronic device belongs to a designated movement, in case that the identified movement belongs to the designated movement, identify whether the angle at which the electronic device is tilted belongs to a designated angle range, determine, at least based on whether the angle at which the electronic device is tilted is within the designated range, that the electronic device is in a touch misrecognition state, and in case that the electronic device is in the touch misrecognition state, refrain from executing an operation corresponding to a touch input detected on the display.