Wireless Terminal Display Control via Removable Case Proximity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Portable terminals with multiple display units face challenges in efficiently switching between screens without a separate key input, leading to increased power consumption and user inconvenience due to the need for a removable case that complicates screen shifting.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating detecting units and a controller that allow screen shifts between multiple display units based on proximity to the removable case covers, eliminating the need for a separate key input by activating or deactivating display and key input units accordingly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If a removable case is added to extend battery life, then duration of action is improved, but device complexity increases and screen shifting becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveusable timeVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically detects the removable case's position through detecting units and autonomously switches between display units without requiring user intervention. The controller monitors the case state and automatically activates the appropriate display, making the system self-regulating and eliminating manual screen-shifting operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If manual screen shifting is implemented, then ease of operation is maintained, but loss of time increases due to frequent case opening/closing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescreen shiftingVSAvoidtime for case operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The detecting units continuously monitor the removable case's position in advance, and the controller proactively switches between display units based on detected case state changes. This preliminary detection and automatic response eliminates the need for manual screen-shifting operations and reduces time spent on case interactions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If both display units remain active, then ease of operation is improved, but use of energy increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay availabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system periodically evaluates the removable case's position through detecting units and dynamically activates or deactivates display units based on the current state. When the case covers a display unit, that unit is deactivated to save power; when uncovered, it is activated for use. This periodic state-based activation optimizes energy consumption while maintaining operational availability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS9160831B2Apparatus for controlling operation in wireless terminal with removable case

Publication Date: 2015.10.13 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

An apparatus for controlling the operation of a portable terminal having a removable case is provided. The apparatus includes a plurality of display units, each of the plurality of display units disposed in at least one of a front surface and a rear surface of the portable terminal, a detecting unit for detecting that at least one of the front or rear surfaces of the portable terminal is proximate to a corresponding cover of the removable case and a controller for activating a display unit disposed in one of the front and rear surfaces of the portable terminal when proximity of a corresponding cover of the removable case to said one of the front and rear surface is not detected. Accordingly, a user's ability to shift between screens is more easily performed and may be performed without a separate key input.