Abstract:
A mobile device (e.g., a wearable device) may include a function module and a triggering arrangement. The triggering arrangement generates a signal in response to detecting a triggering condition. The signal activates the function module. The triggering condition includes at least one of (i) a change in proximity of the device relative to an object on which the mobile device performs an operation, (ii) an amount of force applied to the object by a user and (iii) an amount of force applied to at least a portion of the device.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present application generally relates to systems and methods for activating a mobile device. 
       BACKGROUND INFORMATION 
       [0002]    Mobile devices (e.g., bar code scanners, image-based scanners, RFID readers, radio transceivers, video recorders, etc.) are used in a multitude of situations for both personal and business purposes. These devices often utilize a manually operated triggering mechanism such as a pushable button, a sliding switch, a touch-panel, etc. The triggering mechanism requires a user to perform a triggering action in order to effect triggering. For example, if the triggering mechanism is thumb-activated, the triggering action may comprise moving a thumb from a resting position to a triggering position, then manually engaging the triggering mechanism. The triggering action may be time-intensive to perform. A user may be required to abandon or interrupt a task in order to perform the triggering action. If a device is being used extensively, this may result in substantial lost of productivity. In addition, the triggering action may be uncomfortable to perform. A movement associated with the triggering action may be unnatural and some users may not be able to perform the movement at all because of existing injuries or disabilities. 
         [0003]    Accordingly, a need has developed for more user-friendly ways to operate mobile devices. This need is particularly prevalent in applications where a function of the mobile device is intimately related to performing an action. For example, the action may involve manipulating an object and using the device to perform an operation on the object. In such a situation, it would be desirable to enable the user to perform the action concurrently with a triggering action that initiates the operation. However, conventional triggering mechanisms require that the triggering action be performed separately. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The present invention relates to a mobile device (e.g., a wearable device) that may include a function module and a triggering arrangement. The triggering arrangement generates a signal in response to detecting a triggering condition. The signal activates the function module. The triggering condition includes at least one of (i) a change in proximity of the device relative to an object on which the mobile device performs an operation, (ii) an amount of force applied to the object by a user and (iii) an amount of force applied to at least a portion of the device. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]      FIG. 1  shows a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a mobile device according to the present invention. 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  shows an exemplary embodiment of a mobile device prior to triggering. 
           [0007]      FIG. 3  shows the mobile device of  FIG. 2  in an exemplary triggering position. 
           [0008]      FIG. 4  shows an exemplary method for activating the device of  FIG. 3  according to the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0009]    The present invention may be further understood with reference to the following description and the appended drawings, wherein like elements are provided with the same reference numerals. The present invention relates to systems and methods for activating (e.g., triggering a function of) a mobile device. Various embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to a wearable radio-frequency identification (“RFID”) reader. However, those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention may be implemented with any mobile device that is capable of being triggered. 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  shows a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a mobile device  100  according to the present invention. The device  100  may be used to implement any of the systems and methods for triggering that will be described below. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the device  100  may include a function module  110  communicatively coupled to a control module  120 . The function module may include one or more electrical and/or mechanical components for executing a function of the device  100 . For example, if the device  100  is an RFID reader, the function module  110  may include an RF transmitting and receiving arrangement for reading RF tags. The function module  110  may also include software components for controlling operation of the electrical/hardware components. 
         [0011]    The control module  120  regulates the operation of the device  100  by facilitating communications between the various components of the device  100 . The control module  120  may, for example, include a processor such as a microprocessor, an embedded controller, an application-specific integrated circuit, a programmable logic array, etc. The processor may perform data processing, execute instructions and direct a flow of data between devices coupled to the control module  120  (e.g., a memory  130  and a trigger arrangement  140 ). As explained below, the control module  120  may receive an input from the trigger arrangement  140  and in response, may activate the device  100  by instructing the function module  110  to perform a specific function (e.g., transmitting an RF query signal). 
         [0012]    The memory  130  may be any storage medium capable of being read from and/or written to. The memory  130  may include any combination of volatile and/or nonvolatile memory (e.g., RAM, ROM, EPROM, Flash, etc.) The memory  130  may also include one or more storage disks such as a hard drive. In one embodiment, the memory  130  is a temporary memory in which data may be temporarily stored until it is transferred to a permanent storage location (e.g., uploaded to a personal computer). In another embodiment, the memory  130  may be a permanent memory comprising a database. 
         [0013]    The trigger arrangement  140  may include any combination of hardware and/or software for detecting a user input and producing a corresponding output signal that is received by the control module  120 . The trigger arrangement  140  may be directly or indirectly coupled to the control module  120 . Direct coupling may comprise one or more wired connections between the trigger arrangement  140  and the control module  120 . Indirect coupling may be achieved by any number of conventional coupling mechanisms, such as capacitive and inductive coupling, and relay switching. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the trigger arrangement  140  may include a sensor  230  for detecting the user input. The sensor  230  may be an electrical and/or a mechanical sensor and will be described in further detail below. 
         [0014]    In an exemplary embodiment, the trigger arrangement  140  may be a passive triggering arrangement in which the user input may not be an action performed exclusively for the purpose of triggering the device  100 . Thus, the trigger arrangement  140  is passive in that the user may not consciously intend to cause triggering. An example of a passive triggering action is picking up an object. The act of picking up the object may be associated with performing or preparing to perform a desired operation on the object. For example, the operation may be a data acquisition operation in which the device  100  reads an RFID tag located on the object. In contrast, an active triggering mechanism such as a mechanical switch involves a separate action that is independent of the desired operation. 
         [0015]    The trigger arrangement  140  may also respond to active user input. That is, the user may intentionally perform a triggering action that constitutes a separate step in performing or preparing to perform the desired operation. The user may, for example, engage the trigger arrangement  140  by touching or pressing the sensor  230 . Thus, triggering may occur in response to either indirect user interaction via the object or direct user interaction via the trigger arrangement  140 . 
         [0016]    The trigger arrangement  140  produces the output signal in response to the user input. The output signal may be analog or digital and may include a range of voltage and/or current values. In addition, the output signal may be either a continuous signal or an intermittent signal of fixed or variable duration. For example, if the output signal is the continuous signal, the control module  120  may periodically sample the output signal. If the output signal is the intermittent signal, it may announce itself to the control module  120 . 
         [0017]    The power supply  150  provides power to each component coupled thereto and may include a built-in power source (e.g., a battery) that may be rechargeable and/or replaceable. In addition or in alternative to the built-in source, the power supply  150  may include an arrangement for receiving an external power source (e.g., a AC-to-DC converter). As shown in  FIG. 1 , the power supply  150  may be coupled to each of the function module  110 , the control module  120 , the memory  130  and the trigger arrangement  140 . Thus, the power supply  150  may provide power to each of these components. 
         [0018]    Various embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to a strapped RFID reader. Strapped readers may be used in situations where it is desirable to operate a reader without requiring the user to hold it. This allows the user to use his hand for other purposes such as picking up an object, typing on a keyboard, writing, etc. 
         [0019]      FIG. 2  shows an exemplary embodiment of the device  100  prior to triggering. The device  100  may be worn over one or more fingers of a hand  30  and may include a device housing  210  wearably coupled to the one or more fingers via a strap  220 . The strap  220  may be formed of any suitably flexible material such as plastic, rubber or leather. Various attachment techniques may be used to adjust a fit of the strap  220 . For example, a length of the strap  220  may be adjusted if the strap  220  is implemented with Velcro®, as a stretchable band, a belt, etc. Other attachment techniques may also be possible and will be apparent to one skilled in the art. 
         [0020]    The sensor  230  is located on a triggering portion of the device  100 . The triggering portion may be any portion that directly or indirectly engages the object and/or the user&#39;s body. In the exemplary embodiments described below, the triggering portion is the strap  220 . Thus, the user input may comprise touching the sensor  230  to the object, making a fist, touching a finger to the sensor  230 , etc. In other embodiments, the triggering portion may be located elsewhere, such as, for example, along a housing of the device  100 . In the exemplary embodiment, the sensor  230  is located on an outer portion of the strap  220 , facing a palm of the user. The sensor  230  may be embedded in the outer portion or, alternatively, may extend externally from the strap  220  (e.g., inward toward the palm or outward away from the palm). The sensor may be implemented using a pressure-sensitive technology. In one embodiment, the sensor may be a capacitive pressure sensor. In another embodiment, the sensor may be a magnetic or inductive pressure sensor. The sensor  230  may include mechanical or electrical components such as a strain gauge, a piezo-resistive strip, a contact switch, etc. 
         [0021]    In an embodiment where the sensor  230  detects both active and passive user input, the sensor  230  may differentiate between the active and passive inputs. For example, active user input comprising a pressing with one or more fingers may produce a different pressure response compared to pressing the sensor  230  to the object (e.g., a different level of pressure, pressure at a different location, pressure of a different duration, etc.). The sensor  230  may also differentiate between different types of active and/or passive inputs such as, for example, a press of a single finger versus multiple fingers, grabbing the object versus pushing or tapping the object, etc. These differentiations may be used to prevent unintended triggering and/or enable triggering of additional functions. 
         [0022]    Other technologies may be utilized to detect the user input. For example, the sensor  230  may be an optical sensor such as an infrared or laser-based sensor that measures the distance between the sensor  230  and the object. In another embodiment, the sensor  230  may be an electrical current sensor that measures impedance. When the user touches the object, a change in an impedance of the user&#39;s body and/or the strap  230  is detected. In addition, multiple sensors may be utilized to detect the user input. For example, a sensor may be located at each of a plurality of locations (e.g., below each finger) along the strap  220 . The use of multiple sensors and/or multiple types of sensors may facilitate detection of the user input by eliminating false positives. In addition, multiple sensors may facilitate distinguishing between different types of user inputs. 
         [0023]    A sensitivity of the sensor  230  may be customized according to the user. For example, if the sensor  230  is the pressure sensor, the user may select a desired pressure level as a threshold value or a range of threshold values for determining the triggering. Thus triggering may occur using any type of contact ranging from a light touch to a firm press. The light touch may activate a first trigger function, while the firm press may activate a second trigger function. If the sensor  230  is the optical sensor, the user may select a desired distance between the sensor  230  and the object. Further customizations may include combinations of multiple user inputs such as, for example, tapping the object twice (“double-tapping”). If multiple sensors are provided (e.g., dual or three-position triggers), the sensitivity of each of the multiple sensors may be customized. The user selections may be stored in a user profile on the device  100  (e.g., in the memory  130 ). 
         [0024]      FIG. 3  shows an exemplary embodiment of the device  100  in an operational position according to the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the user has extended his hand to perform the user input (e.g., manipulating an object  50 , touching the trigger arrangement  140 , etc.). As a result of this user input, the sensor  230  is brought into proximity with the object  50  until contact is made. Thus, the contact and/or the change in proximity may comprise a triggering condition. One or more of these triggering conditions may cause triggering of the device  100 . In addition, other triggering conditions such as internal events (e.g., a logical state of the device  100 ) may comprise additional triggering conditions used in combination with the triggering condition(s) to determine when triggering should occur. Thus, the device  100  may include a table or matrix of triggering conditions used to determine triggering of one of more functions thereof. That is, when specific combinations of one or more triggering conditions are detected in sequence or simultaneously, triggering may occur. 
         [0025]      FIG. 4  shows an exemplary method  400  for activating the device  100  according to the present invention. The method  400  may be partially or entirely implemented in a control module of the device  100 . In step  410 , the device  100  determines whether one or more sensors (e.g., the sensor  230 ) are engaged (i.e., whether the triggering condition(s) is/are met). This may occur over a single time period (e.g., detecting a single triggering condition) or over multiple time periods (e.g., detecting multiple triggering conditions). In the exemplary embodiment, the sensor  230  is engaged when contact is made with the object  50 . 
         [0026]    In step  420 , the sensor  230  is engaged and the device  100  activates a trigger function of the trigger arrangement  140 . The trigger function produces the output signal in the manner previously described. In response, a function module (e.g., an RF reading arrangement) of the device  100  is activated. After the function module is activated, the device  100  may enter a wait period (step  430 ) in which the sensor  230  is placed in an idle mode or temporarily deactivated. The wait period prevents accidental retriggering of the function module resulting from continued contact with the object  50 . This allows the user to complete the desired operation without causing retriggering. In some embodiments, the wait period may be user-programmable. After the wait period has elapsed, the sensor  230  is reactivated and may resume detection of the fingers  30 . In other embodiments, the wait period may be defined as a predetermined time period that elapses after the sensor  230  is disengaged. Thus, as long as the triggering condition(s) continues to be met, the trigger function will not be reactivated. 
         [0027]    As illustrated in the previously described embodiments, the present invention provides substantial benefits to the user. The triggering methods of the present invention enable the user to activate a mobile device without actively engaging a triggering mechanism. Because the triggering action is integrated with the desired operation, the user does not need to perform additional triggering actions. This results in significant time saving. Furthermore, any person capable of performing the triggering action can complete the desired operation. Because the triggering action is simple and natural to perform, these persons may include users who, because of repetitive stress injuries, arthritis, muscle cramping and other debilitating conditions, find conventional triggering arrangements difficult or uncomfortable to use. 
         [0028]    Yet another advantage of the present invention is the ability to be customized to the user. For example, as previously discussed, a required pressure level may be adjusted to suit the user. Thus, users can customize the triggering conditions to match their own natural triggering habits. The device  100  may therefore be shared amongst any number of users while providing accurate triggering for each of the users. 
         [0029]    The present invention has been described with reference to the above exemplary embodiments. One skilled in the art would understand that the present invention may also be successfully implemented if modified. Accordingly, various modifications and changes may be made to the embodiments without departing from the broadest spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims that follow. The specification and drawings, accordingly, should be regarded in an illustrative rather than restrictive sense.