Capacitive Proximity Sensor for Accurate Mobile Detection
Here’s PatSnap Eureka !
Summary
Problems
Existing proximity sensors in mobile devices face challenges with high power consumption, cost, size constraints, and poor direction discrimination, particularly with capacitive sensors generating false positives due to omnidirectional detection.
Innovation solutions
A capacitive proximity sensor system with multiple electrodes connected by capacitive elements, an electronic processing circuit to measure capacitance changes, and the ability to reject rapid capacitance changes, integrated with a radiofrequency antenna to provide directional proximity detection, reducing false positives and optimizing power usage.
TRIZ Analysis
Specific contradictions:
General conflict description:
Principle concept:
If optical sensors are used for proximity detection, then detection range and directivity are improved, but power consumption increases
Why choose this principle:
The patent replaces the optical detection system with a capacitive sensing system that uses electrical fields instead of light. The capacitive sensor detects changes in capacitance caused by the proximity of conductive objects, eliminating the need for light sources and optical components, thereby significantly reducing power consumption while maintaining detection functionality.
Principle concept:
If optical sensors are used for proximity detection, then detection range and directivity are improved, but power consumption increases
Why choose this principle:
The patent changes the detection parameter from optical properties (light reflection/absorption) to electrical properties (capacitance changes). By measuring capacitance variations caused by nearby conductive objects, the system achieves proximity detection with much lower power consumption compared to optical methods.
Application Domain
Data Source
AI summary:
A capacitive proximity sensor system with multiple electrodes connected by capacitive elements, an electronic processing circuit to measure capacitance changes, and the ability to reject rapid capacitance changes, integrated with a radiofrequency antenna to provide directional proximity detection, reducing false positives and optimizing power usage.
Abstract
A proximity sensor for detecting proximity of a body portion to a mobile device, comprising: a plurality of capacitive sensing electrodes for detecting said body portion, an electronic processing circuit arranged for measuring the capacities of said capacitive sensing electrodes and for generating a proximity signal based on the capacities so measured, wherein the capacitive sensing electrodes are connected together by one or more capacitive elements, and at least one capacitive sensing electrode is connectable to a radio circuit of said mobile device so as to constitute a radiofrequency antenna of said mobile device.