METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING VIBRATION INTENSITY ACCORDING TO SITUATION AWARENESS IN ELECTRONIC DEVICE

• US 20140049883A1
• Filed: 06/03/2013
• Published: 02/20/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: KIM, Min-Young
• Granted Patent: US 9,948,231 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/679.01
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 31/00 Arrangements for regulating or controlling electric motors not provided for in groups H02P1/00 - H02P5/00, H02P7/00 or H02P21/00 - H02P29/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72454 according to context-related or environment-related conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 19/047 Vibrating means for incoming calls
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/12 including a sensor for measuring a physical value, e.g. temperature or motion telephones including GPS signal receivers H04M2250/10

Abstract

A method of controlling vibration is provided. The method includes determining whether the electronic device is located on a flat surface if a vibration event of an electronic device occurs, measuring a first noise signal level before driving a vibration motor by using a microphone of the electronic device if the electronic device is located on the flat surface, measuring a second noise signal level after driving the vibration motor at a minimum vibration intensity, and controlling a driving intensity of the vibration motor by comparing the first noise signal level and the second noise signal level. Accordingly, an excessive noise may be avoided if a portable terminal vibrates on a hard surface such as a desk.

Claims

1. A method of controlling vibration in an electronic device, the method comprising:

determining whether the electronic device is located on a flat surface if a vibration event of an electronic device occurs;

measuring a first noise signal level before driving a vibration motor by using a microphone of the electronic device if the electronic device is located on the flat surface;

measuring a second noise signal level after driving the vibration motor at a minimum vibration intensity; and

controlling a driving intensity of the vibration motor by comparing the first noise signal level and the second noise signal level.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the controlling of the driving intensity of the vibration motor by comparing the first noise signal level and the second noise signal level comprises:

increasing the driving intensity of the vibration motor by one level if a difference of the first noise signal level and the second noise signal level is less than a threshold; and

maintaining the current driving intensity of the vibration motor if the difference of the first noise signal level and the second noise signal level is greater than the threshold.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the measuring of the second noise signal level after driving the vibration motor at the minimum vibration intensity comprises:

determining an oscillation frequency of the vibration motor;

filtering a noise generated due to the driving of the vibration motor from the second noise signal according to the oscillation frequency of the vibration motor; and

measuring the filtered second noise signal level.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining of whether the electronic device is located on the flat surface comprises analyzing at least one detection signal by using at least one of an acceleration sensor, a gyroscopic sensor, and a proximity sensor.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising driving the vibration motor at a pre-set vibration intensity if the electronic device is not located on the flat surface.

6. A method of controlling vibration, the method comprising:

determining whether the electronic device is located on a flat surface if a vibration event of an electronic device occurs;

measuring a first noise signal level after driving a vibration motor at a minimum vibration intensity by using a microphone of the electronic device if the electronic device is located on the flat surface;

measuring a second noise signal level after removing a noise generated due to the driving of the vibration motor by filtering the first noise signal; and

controlling a driving intensity of the vibration motor by comparing the first noise signal level and the second noise signal level.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the controlling of the driving intensity of the vibration motor by comparing the first noise signal level and the second noise signal level comprises:

increasing the driving intensity of the vibration motor by one level if a difference of the first noise signal level and the second noise signal level is less than a threshold; and

maintaining the current driving intensity of the vibration motor if the difference of the first noise signal level and the second noise signal level is greater than the threshold.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the measuring of the first noise signal level after driving the vibration motor at the minimum vibration intensity comprises:

determining an oscillation frequency of the vibration motor;

filtering a noise generated due to the driving of the vibration motor from the first noise signal according to the oscillation frequency of the vibration motor; and

measuring the filtered first noise signal level.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein the determining of whether the electronic device is located on the flat surface comprises analyzing at least one detection signal by using at least one of an acceleration sensor, a gyroscopic sensor, and a proximity sensor.

10. The method of claim 6, further comprising driving the vibration motor at a pre-set vibration intensity if the electronic device is not located on the flat surface.

11. A method of controlling vibration, the method comprising:

determining whether the electronic device is located on a flat surface if a vibration event of an electronic device occurs;

measuring a noise signal level after driving a vibration motor at a minimum vibration intensity by using a microphone of the electronic device if the electronic device is located on the flat surface; and

increasing a driving intensity of the vibration motor by one level if the measured noise signal level is less than a threshold.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising maintaining the current driving intensity of the vibration motor if the noise signal level is greater than the threshold.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the determining of whether the electronic device is located on the flat surface comprises analyzing at least one detection signal by using at least one of an acceleration sensor, a gyroscopic sensor, and a proximity sensor.

14. The method of claim 11, further comprising driving the vibration motor at a pre-set vibration intensity if the electronic device is not located on the flat surface.

15. A method of controlling vibration, the method comprising:

determining whether the electronic device is located on a flat surface if a vibration event of an electronic device occurs;

measuring a noise signal level after driving a vibration motor at a minimum vibration intensity by using a microphone of the electronic device if the electronic device is located on the flat surface;

extracting a noise generated due to the driving of the vibration motor by filtering the noise signal; and

increasing a driving intensity of the vibration motor by one level if the noise generated due to the driving of the vibration motor is less than a threshold.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising maintaining the current driving intensity of the vibration motor if the noise generated due to the driving of the vibration motor is greater than the threshold.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the extracting of the noise generated due to the driving of the vibration motor by filtering the noise signal comprises:

determining an oscillation frequency of the vibration motor;

filtering a noise generated due to the driving of the vibration motor from the noise signal on the basis of the oscillation frequency of the vibration motor; and

measuring the filtered noise signal level.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the determining of whether the electronic device is located on the flat surface comprises analyzing at least one detection signal by using at least one of an acceleration sensor, a gyroscopic sensor, and a proximity sensor.

19. The method of claim 15, further comprising driving the vibration motor at a pre-set vibration intensity if the electronic device is not located on the flat surface.

20. A method of controlling vibration, the method comprising:

determining whether the electronic device is located on a flat surface if a vibration event of an electronic device occurs;

measuring a first noise signal level after driving a vibration motor at a minimum vibration intensity by using a microphone of the electronic device if the electronic device is located on the flat surface;

deactivating the vibration motor;

measuring a second noise signal level after the deactivating of the vibration motor and before again driving the vibration motor by using the microphone of the electronic device; and

controlling a driving intensity of the vibration motor by comparing the first noise signal level and the second noise signal level.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the controlling of the driving intensity of the vibration motor by comparing the first noise signal level and the second noise signal level comprises:

increasing the driving intensity of the vibration motor by one level if a difference of the first noise signal level and the second noise signal level is less than a threshold; and

maintaining the current driving intensity of the vibration motor if the difference of the first noise signal level and the second noise signal level is greater than the threshold.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein the determining of whether the electronic device is located on the flat surface comprises analyzing at least one detection signal by using at least one of an acceleration sensor, a gyroscopic sensor, and a proximity sensor.

23. The method of claim 20, further comprising driving the vibration motor at a pre-set vibration intensity if the electronic device is not located on the flat surface.

24. An electronic device comprising:

a vibration motor;

at least one processor;

a memory; and

at least one instruction set stored in the memory and configured to be executed by the at least one processor,

wherein the at least one instruction set comprises;

an instruction for determining whether the electronic device is located on a flat surface if a vibration event of an electronic device occurs;

an instruction for measuring a first noise signal level before driving a vibration motor by using a microphone of the electronic device if the electronic device is located on the flat surface;

an instruction for measuring a second noise signal level after driving the vibration motor at a minimum vibration intensity; and

an instruction for controlling a driving intensity of the vibration motor by comparing the first noise signal level and the second noise signal level.

25. The electronic device of claim 24, wherein the instruction for controlling the driving intensity of the vibration motor by comparing the first noise signal level and the second noise signal level comprises:

an instruction for increasing the driving intensity of the vibration motor by one level if a difference of the first noise signal level and the second noise signal level is less than a threshold; and

an instruction for maintaining the current driving intensity of the vibration motor if the difference of the first noise signal level and the second noise signal level is greater than the threshold.

26. The electronic device of claim 24, wherein the instruction for measuring the second noise signal level after driving the vibration motor at the minimum vibration intensity comprises:

an instruction for determining an oscillation frequency of the vibration motor;

an instruction for filtering a noise generated due to the driving of the vibration motor from the second noise signal according to the oscillation frequency of the vibration motor; and

an instruction for measuring the filtered second noise signal level.

27. The electronic device of claim 24, wherein the instruction for determining whether the electronic device is located on the flat surface comprises an instruction for analyzing at least one detection signal by using at least one of an acceleration sensor, a gyroscopic sensor, and a proximity sensor.

28. The electronic device of claim 24, wherein the program further comprises an instruction for driving the vibration motor at a pre-set vibration intensity if the electronic device is not located on the flat surface.

29. An electronic device comprising:

a vibration motor;

at least one or more processor;

a memory; and

at least one instruction set stored in the memory and configured to be executed by the at least one processor,

wherein the at least one instruction set comprises;

an instruction for determining whether the electronic device is located on a flat surface if a vibration event of an electronic device occurs;

an instruction for measuring a first noise signal level after driving a vibration motor at a minimum vibration intensity by using a microphone of the electronic device if the electronic device is located on the flat surface;

an instruction for measuring a second noise signal level after removing noise generated due to the driving of the vibration motor by filtering the first noise signal; and

an instruction for controlling a driving intensity of the vibration motor by comparing the first noise signal level and the second noise signal level.

30. The electronic device of claim 29, wherein the instruction for controlling the driving intensity of the vibration motor by comparing the first noise signal level and the second noise signal level comprises:

an instruction for increasing the driving intensity of the vibration motor by one level if a difference of the first noise signal level and the second noise signal level is less than a threshold; and

an instruction for maintaining the current driving intensity of the vibration motor if the difference of the first noise signal level and the second noise signal level is greater than the threshold.

31. The electronic device of claim 29, wherein the instruction for measuring the first noise signal level after driving the vibration motor at the minimum vibration intensity comprises:

an instruction for determining an oscillation frequency of the vibration motor;

an instruction for filtering a noise generated due to the driving of the vibration motor from the first noise signal according to the oscillation frequency of the vibration motor; and

an instruction for measuring the filtered first noise signal level.

32. The electronic device of claim 29, wherein the instruction for determining whether the electronic device is located on the flat surface comprises an instruction for analyzing at least one detection signal by using at least one of an acceleration sensor, a gyroscopic sensor, and a proximity sensor.

33. The electronic device of claim 29, wherein the program further comprises an instruction for driving the vibration motor at a pre-set vibration intensity if the electronic device is not located on the flat surface.

34. An electronic device comprising:

a vibration motor;

at least one processor;

a memory; and

at least one instruction set stored in the memory and configured to be executed by the at least one processor,

wherein the at least one instruction set comprises;

an instruction for determining whether the electronic device is located on a flat surface if a vibration event of an electronic device occurs;

an instruction for measuring a noise signal level after driving a vibration motor at a minimum vibration intensity by using a microphone of the electronic device if the electronic device is located on the flat surface; and

an instruction for increasing a driving intensity of the vibration motor by one level if the measured noise signal level is less than a threshold.

35. The electronic device of claim 34, wherein the program further comprises an instruction for maintaining the current driving intensity of the vibration motor if the noise signal level is greater than the threshold.

36. The electronic device of claim 34, wherein the instruction for determining whether the electronic device is located on the flat surface comprises an instruction for analyzing at least one detection signal by using at least one of an acceleration sensor, a gyroscopic sensor, and a proximity sensor.

37. The electronic device of claim 34, wherein the program further comprises an instruction for driving the vibration motor at a pre-set vibration intensity if the electronic device is not located on the flat surface.

38. An electronic device comprising:

a vibration motor;

at least one processor;

a memory; and

at least one instruction set stored in the memory and configured to be executed by the at least one processor,

wherein the at least one instruction set comprises;

an instruction for determining whether the electronic device is located on a flat surface if a vibration event of an electronic device occurs;

an instruction for measuring a noise signal level after driving a vibration motor at a minimum vibration intensity by using a microphone of the electronic device if the electronic device is located on the flat surface;

an instruction for extracting a noise generated due to the driving of the vibration motor by filtering the noise signal; and

an instruction for increasing a driving intensity of the vibration motor by one level if the noise generated due to the driving of the vibration motor is less than a threshold.

39. The electronic device of claim 38, wherein the instruction set further comprises an instruction for maintaining the current driving intensity of the vibration motor if the noise generated due to the driving of the vibration motor is greater than the threshold.

40. The electronic device of claim 38, wherein the instruction for extracting the noise generated due to the driving of the vibration motor by filtering the noise signal comprises:

an instruction for determining an oscillation frequency of the vibration motor;

an instruction for filtering a noise generated due to the driving of the vibration motor from the noise signal on the basis of the oscillation frequency of the vibration motor; and

an instruction for measuring the filtered noise signal level.

41. The electronic device of claim 38, wherein the instruction for determining whether the electronic device is located on the flat surface comprises an instruction for analyzing at least one detection signal by using at least one of an acceleration sensor, a gyroscopic sensor, and a proximity sensor.

42. The electronic device of claim 38, wherein the program further comprises an instruction for driving the vibration motor at a pre-set vibration intensity if the electronic device is not located on the flat surface.

43. An electronic device comprising:

a vibration motor;

at least one processor;

a memory; and

at least one instruction set stored in the memory and configured to be executed by the at least one processor,

wherein the at least one instruction set comprises;

an instruction for determining whether the electronic device is located on a flat surface if a vibration event of an electronic device occurs;

an instruction for measuring a first noise signal level after driving a vibration motor at a minimum vibration intensity, by using a microphone of the electronic device if the electronic device is located on the flat surface;

an instruction for deactivating the vibration motor;

an instruction for measuring a second noise signal level after the deactivating of the vibration motor and before again driving the vibration motor by using the microphone of the electronic device; and

an instruction for controlling a driving intensity of the vibration motor by comparing the first noise signal level and the second noise signal level.

44. The electronic device of claim 43, wherein the instruction for controlling the driving intensity of the vibration motor by comparing the first noise signal level and the second noise signal level comprises:

an instruction for increasing the driving intensity of the vibration motor by one level if a difference of the first noise signal level and the second noise signal level is less than a threshold; and

an instruction for maintaining the current driving intensity of the vibration motor if the difference of the first noise signal level and the second noise signal level is greater than the threshold.

45. The electronic device of claim 43, wherein the instruction for determining whether the electronic device is located on the flat surface comprises an instruction for analyzing at least one detection signal by using at least one of an acceleration sensor, a gyroscopic sensor, and a proximity sensor.

46. The electronic device of claim 43, wherein the program further comprises an instruction for driving the vibration motor at a pre-set vibration intensity if the electronic device is not located on the flat surface.