Wireless Notification Device for Obscured Mobile Indicators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile electronic devices in quiet mode, especially when facedown or in a holster, often obscure quiet notification indicators like LEDs, leading to missed notifications, particularly for time-sensitive events like phone calls and calendar reminders.
Innovation Solution
A wireless notification device that mates with a mobile electronic device, featuring an induction device and a circuit to receive signals from the device and control indicators like LEDs or displays, ensuring notifications are visible even when the device is obscured, using NFC or RFID antennas for communication and energy harvesting to power the indicators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the mobile electronic device is placed in quiet mode with display face down or in a holster, then the device can be carried conveniently and noise is reduced, but the notification indicators become obscured and notifications are missed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a separate notification device that operates in a different spatial dimension from the mobile device's display. Instead of relying on the display-facing-up orientation, the notification device uses a separate indicator (such as an LED or display) positioned on a notification device that can be oriented independently, allowing notifications to be visible even when the mobile device is facedown or in a holster.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary notification device that mediates between the mobile electronic device and the user. This notification device receives signals from the mobile device via induction coupling and translates them into visible notifications through its own indicator, serving as an intermediary that ensures notifications are not missed even when the original display is obscured.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If quiet notifications are provided via LED or display on the mobile device, then audible notifications are suppressed, but the quiet notifications are obscured when the device is facedown or in a holster
Solution Approach 1:
The notification device creates a separate notification dimension independent of the mobile device's display orientation. The indicator on the notification device can be positioned and oriented separately, providing visual feedback in a different spatial context that isn't affected by how the mobile device is held or stored.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the notification function from the mobile device itself into a separate notification device. This segmentation allows the notification indicator to be independently positioned and oriented, separating the notification delivery mechanism from the mobile device's display constraints.
3Productivity
If the indicator is located on the mobile electronic device, then notifications can be provided directly, but the indicator becomes hidden when the device is placed in certain positions
Solution Approach 1:
The notification device serves as an intermediary that receives notification signals from the mobile device and re-transmits them through a separate indicator. This intermediary approach ensures that notification reliability is maintained even when the original display indicator is hidden, as the intermediary can present the notification independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The notification device creates a copy of the notification information from the mobile device and presents it through its own indicator. This copying mechanism ensures that the notification content is preserved and delivered reliably, even though it's presented through a separate device with different positioning and visibility characteristics.
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
Ensures that notifications are reliably received and visible, even when the mobile device is in a position that would otherwise obscure its indicators, maintaining awareness of important events without the need for a wired connection.
Implementation Method 1
an induction device for wirelessly receiving signals from the mobile electronic device to control the indicator
Implementation Method 2
using NFC or RFID antennas for communication and energy harvesting to power the indicators
Implementation Method 3
using NFC or RFID antennas for communication and energy harvesting to power the indicators
Data Source
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AI summary
A wireless device for providing notifications associated with a mobile electronic device is provided. The device comprises: an indicator; a body enabled to mate with a mobile electronic device, the body comprising the indicator such that when the body is mated to the mobile electronic device, the indicator is not obscured by the body; an induction device for wirelessly receiving signals from the mobile electronic device to control the indicator; and, a circuit connecting the induction device to the indicator, the circuit enabled to receive the signals and control the indicator in response thereto.