Apparatus and method for detecting changes in an operating environment of an electronic device

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for detecting a change in an operating environment of an electronic device. The present invention provides a detection apparatus including a pressure sensor that provides a pressure signal that indicates an ambient pressure in an operating environment. An electrostatic charge change sensor that provides a charge change signal that indicates a change in an electrostatic charge associated with the operating environment, and a processing circuit device that is coupled to the pressure sensor and the electrostatic charge change sensor to receive the pressure signal and the charge change signal, and jointly process the pressure signal and the charge change signal to detect a change between a first operating environment and a second operating environment of the detection apparatus. The second operating environment is different from the first operating environment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for detecting changes in the operating environment of an electronic device (particularly a wearable device). Background Art

[0002] As is known, there are several electronic devices, in particular wearable ones, in which changes in the operating environment need to be detected in order to modify operating parameters and / or activate / deactivate functions of the same device.

[0003] For example, known wearable electronic devices for audio applications (so-called "hearables") implement automatic detection of insertion into the ear canal (i.e., a change in the operating environment from the external environment (air) to the internal environment of the ear) in order to automatically activate some specific functions, such as listening to music or answering a voice call in the case of headphones associated with a mobile communication device (e.g., a smartphone or tablet).

[0004] As an additional example, wearable electronic devices are known, such as smart bracelets or smart watches, which may also be used for underwater applications or in water in general.

[0005] In these arrangements, a pressure sensor device may be used that has a dual full scale: a first full scale for detecting ambient pressure (or atmospheric pressure, e.g. for altitude or elevation monitoring), and a second (higher) full scale for detecting higher pressures occurring in water (e.g. for depth monitoring).

[0006] In these pressure sensor devices, automatic detection of water entry (i.e., the change of the operating environment from the external environment (air) to the water or underwater environment) can be implemented to automatically activate / deactivate some specific functions, in particular, automatically change the full scale value used for pressure detection.

[0007] In this regard, changes in full scale may be implemented by appropriately adjusting the gain factor of the readout electronics associated with pressure sensing.

[0008] Automatic detection of changes in the operating environment is generally only implemented in the above-mentioned electronic devices and apparatuses, or is mainly implemented based on detected pressure values.

[0009] For example, in the case of a wearable electronic device for audio applications, the recognition of the in-ear state occurs when the pressure detected by a pressure sensor integrated in the same device exceeds a certain threshold. Advantageously, in order to reduce energy consumption, such a pressure sensor can usually be kept in an inactive state or standby state and activated by a motion sensor (accelerometer) and / or a proximity sensor, the pressure sensor being designed to provide an indication that the device is close to the ear and inserted therein.

[0010] In this regard, US 10,491,981 B1 discloses a method for determining a current operating state of an earphone, the earphone comprising a loudspeaker and a pressure sensor. The method envisages processing a pressure signal indicating the air pressure in the vicinity of the earphone, in particular for detecting a change in the same signal in response to the earphone being inserted into an ear of a user. When it is determined that the operating state of the earphone is in the ear, an audio signal is provided, for example, via the loudspeaker, and a wireless connection is established with a media player device for wireless data exchange between the earphone and the same media player device.

[0011] In particular, in the solution described in the above document, a motion sensor is used to detect motion above a certain threshold to activate a proximity sensor; this proximity sensor is then used to detect the proximity of the device to the user's ear (below a certain threshold) and then activate a pressure sensor for subsequently detecting insertion into the ear canal based on the value of the detected pressure signal.

[0012] As an additional example, in the case of an apparatus for underwater applications or generally for water applications, an automatic change of the full scale of the pressure sensor is implemented when the detected pressure value exceeds a certain threshold value above the air pressure or atmospheric pressure (in which case the upper full scale is activated) or is less than a certain threshold value below the atmospheric pressure (in which case the lower full scale is activated) within a pre-set time interval.

[0013] However, the present inventors have found that the current solutions have some limitations and defects.

[0014] In general, there is a possibility of errors (so-called "false alarms") in detecting changes in the operating environment, since different events may in principle lead to changes in pressure which may be wrongly interpreted as changes in the operating environment.

[0015] For example, in the case of a wearable electronic device, a false positive in detecting water ingress may result in a full-scale change in the pressure sensor (unwanted in this case) and / or erroneous disabling of certain functions of the device when the electronic device is actually still operating in air.

[0016] In the example of a wearable device for audio applications, a false detection of the introduction of the device into the ear may lead to a false activation of certain functions of the same device, such as unwanted audio reproduction.

[0017] Furthermore, a particular disadvantage associated with the solution described in the above-mentioned US Pat. No. 10,491,981 B1 results from the use of a large number of sensors (motion sensors, proximity sensors and pressure sensors), which results in a consequent non-negligible energy consumption. Summary of the invention

[0018] The present disclosure provides various embodiments that at least partially overcome the disadvantages of known systems by providing a solution for detecting changes in the operating environment having improved properties.

[0019] According to the present disclosure, an apparatus and method for detecting a change in an operating environment are provided.

[0020] In at least one embodiment, a detection device is provided, including a pressure sensor configured to provide a pressure signal indicating an ambient pressure in an operating environment. An electrostatic charge change sensor is configured to provide a charge change signal indicating a change in electrostatic charge associated with the operating environment. A processing circuit device is coupled to the pressure sensor and the electrostatic charge change sensor and is configured to receive the pressure signal and the charge change signal, and jointly process the pressure signal and the charge change signal, and detect a change between a first operating environment and a second operating environment of the detection device. The second operating environment is different from the first operating environment.

[0021] In at least one embodiment, an electronic device is provided, comprising a detection device and a main controller, the main controller being coupled to a processing circuit device of the detection device and configured to receive a change signal indicating a change in an operating environment, for executing or activating a given action in response to detecting a change in the operating environment.

[0022] In at least one embodiment, a method for detecting a change between a first operating environment and a second operating environment different from the first operating environment is provided, comprising: receiving a pressure signal from a pressure sensor, the pressure signal indicating the ambient pressure in the operating environment; receiving a charge change signal from an electrostatic charge change sensor, the charge change signal indicating a change in electrostatic charge associated with the operating environment; and jointly processing the pressure signal and the charge change signal, and detecting a change between the first operating environment and the second operating environment different from the first operating environment. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] In order to better understand the present disclosure, embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0024] Figure 1 is a general block diagram of a detection device according to an embodiment of the present solution;

[0025] Figure 2 The embodiment according to the present solution is shown Figure 1 A general flow chart of the method implemented by the detection equipment;

[0026] FIG. 3A to FIG. 3B yes Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view of a possible embodiment of a detection device;

[0027] Figure 4 Picture shows Figure 2 Possible circuit implementations of a sensor for detecting electrostatic charge changes in a device;

[0028] Figure 5 and Figure 6 A corresponding flow chart of the method is shown, which consists of Figure 1 A detection device is implemented to detect that an electronic device for audio applications is inserted into an ear of a user;

[0029] Figure 7 a graph showing an electrostatic charge change signal associated with detection of a change in an operating environment;

[0030] Figure 8 A flow chart of a method is shown, which consists of Figure 1 Implementation of a detection device for detecting water intrusion into an electronic device;

[0031] Fig. 9 a graph showing electrostatic charge change signals and pressure signals associated with detection of changes in operating environment; and

[0032] Fig.10 It can be used Figure 1 A general block diagram of the detection equipment electronics. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] As will be described in detail below, one aspect of the present solution (in order to detect changes in the operating environment) provides a detection device based on the joint use and combined use of a pressure sensor and an electrostatic charge change sensor.

[0034] As we all know, electric charge is a fundamental part of nature. The charge of an electrostatically charged body can be easily transferred to another object in case of direct contact between the components or at a distance. Static charge is generated when the charge is transferred between two electrically insulating objects, whereby the object with an excess of electrons is negatively charged and the object with a deficiency of electrons is positively charged. The displacement of charge has different properties depending on whether the object is a conductive object or a dielectric. In conductors, the electrons are distributed throughout the material and are free to move due to an external electric field. In dielectrics, no electrons are free to move except for electric dipoles, which have random orientations in space (thus generating a net charge of zero), which, however, can be oriented or deformed by an external electric field, generating an ordered distribution of charge and therefore a bias. Depending on the properties of the material and other environmental factors, the charge can be mobile in any case.

[0035] In this solution, the electrostatic charge change sensor of the detection device is configured to detect changes in the electric field (and electrostatic potential) through capacitive detection, which occur in time due to charge redistribution caused by changes in the operating environment in which the electronic device operates.

[0036] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a detection device 1 according to an embodiment of the present solution, the detection device 1 comprising:

[0037] A pressure sensor 2 (of a known type not described in detail herein), in particular a MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical System) semiconductor sensor, is configured to provide a pressure signal S P , which is associated with the pressure in the operating environment of the detection device 1 and the corresponding electronic device (in which the detection device 1 is used);

[0038] The electrostatic charge change sensor 4 (described in detail below) is configured to provide a charge change signal S Q , the charge change signal S Q Indicates changes in electrostatic charge in the above operating environment; and

[0039] The processing circuit device (herein may be referred to as a processing unit) 6 is coupled to the pressure sensor 2 and the electrostatic charge change sensor 4 to receive the pressure signal S P and the charge change signal S Q , and is configured to jointly process the pressure signal S P and the charge change signal S Q , to detect changes in the operating environment. The processing circuit device may include any circuit device configured to perform the various functionalities described herein with respect to the processing circuit device, and in some embodiments, the processing circuit device may be or include a microcontroller or the like.

[0040] Generally speaking, refer to Figure 2 , the processing unit 6 is configured to (as shown in step 7) perform the charge change signal S Q processing, in particular for comparing at least one corresponding parameter (eg an absolute value or a variance) with a preset threshold value associated with the same parameter.

[0041] If the comparison has a positive result (for example, if the charge change signal S Q The absolute value or variance of the pressure signal S satisfies a given relationship with a preset threshold, for example, is higher than the same threshold), the processing unit 6 is configured to execute P processing (step 8), in particular for comparing at least one corresponding parameter (eg, absolute value or gradient or time difference or slope) with a corresponding preset threshold value associated with the same parameter.

[0042] If the other comparison also has a positive result, then the charge change signal S Q Within a preset control time window after the above-mentioned positive result of the comparison, the processing unit 6 is configured to determine the occurrence of a change in the operating environment from a first operating environment (e.g., air) to a second (different) operating environment (e.g., inside the ear canal or an underwater environment) (step 9).

[0043] After this determination, the processing unit 6 may generate and provide at its output a change signal V, for example a pulse-type signal, which is indicative of the above-mentioned change of the operating environment (step 10).

[0044] In a manner not described herein, the change signal V can be received by a management and control unit of the electronic device in which the detection device 1 is located in order to execute and activate a given action in response to detecting a change in the operating environment (for example, in the case of a wearable device for audio applications, activating the reproduction of multimedia audio, or in the case of a device for underwater use, activating a modification of the full scale of the pressure sensor).

[0045] On the contrary, if there is no positive result in any of the above checks, the algorithm executed by the processing unit 6 returns to the initial step to process the charge change signal S Q Preliminary processing is performed and a new control time window may begin.

[0046] Advantageously, the charge change signal S Q and pressure signal S P The combined processing can eliminate or at least reduce false detections of changes in the operating environment, for example due to pressure changes that are independent of changes in the operating environment and due to additional and different factors.

[0047] Furthermore, as will be explained below in another aspect, the resulting energy consumption of the detection device 1 is low, since only the charge change signal S Q Within a control time window after a positive result of the processing, the charge change sensor 4 requires low energy consumption and may activate the pressure sensor 2 .

[0048] In more detail, for example, the processing unit 6 includes a microcontroller or an MLC (machine learning core) processor, which resides in an ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit) that is coupled to the pressure sensor 2 and the electrostatic charge change sensor 4 for processing the corresponding pressure signal S P and the charge change signal S Q The pressure sensor 2, the electrostatic charge change sensor 4 and the processing unit 6 may be arranged in the same package, which has appropriate components for electrical connection with the external environment, for example, for connection with a host electronic device.

[0049] In other words, in a possible implementation, the charge change sensor 4 may be integrated with the pressure change sensor 2 .

[0050] In this regard, Figure 3A As schematically illustrated in FIG. 1 , the pressure sensor 2 may include a package 12 having a cover or external protective element made of metal, designed to operate as a detection electrode 14 of the charge change sensor 4. In addition, the pressure sensor 2 is electrically coupled to a printed circuit board (PCB) 16. In a manner not illustrated, the reading and processing electronics associated with the pressure sensor 2 and the charge change sensor 4 may be integrated within the package 12, or provided externally and coupled to the PCB 16.

[0051] Alternatively, Figure 3B As schematically indicated in FIG. 1 , both the pressure sensor 2 and the above-mentioned detection electrode 14 of the charge change sensor 4 can be coupled to a PCB 16, which is arranged in a package 12', in which case the package 12' is provided with a protective film 17 as an interface with the external environment. In a manner not shown, also in this case, the reading and processing electronics associated with the pressure sensor 2 and the charge change sensor 4 can be integrated in the package 12' or arranged outside and coupled to the PCB 16.

[0052] Figure 4 An embodiment is illustrated by way of a non-limiting example of an electrostatic charge change sensor 4, which includes at least one input electrode, in particular the above-mentioned detection electrode 14, which is designed to be arranged toward or close to the operating environment to detect changes in environmental charge (and the resulting field and potential changes).

[0053] The detection electrode 14 is part of a differential input 19 of an instrumentation amplifier 22 and is coupled to a corresponding first input terminal 19a.

[0054] Between the first input terminal 19a and the second input terminal 19b of the differential input 19, an input capacitor C I and input resistor R I connected in parallel with each other.

[0055] During operation, the input capacitor C I The input voltage V on both sides d The transient state (whose duration is determined by the capacitor C I and resistor R I The constant R defined by the parallel connection between I ·C I Given), the input voltage V dreturns to its steady-state value.

[0056] The instrumentation amplifier 22 is basically composed of two operational amplifiers OP1 and OP2, which have: a non-inverting input terminal, which is connected to the first input terminal 19a and the second input terminal 19b respectively; and an inverting terminal, which is connected by a gain resistor R G2 Connected together.

[0057] The bias stage (buffer) OP3 biases the instrumentation amplifier 22 to a common mode voltage V via a resistor R1 coupled to the second input terminal 19b. CM .

[0058] The output terminals of operational amplifiers OP1 and OP2 are connected through corresponding gain resistors R G1 to be connected to the corresponding inverting input terminal; the output voltage V d ’ Exists between the same output terminals.

[0059] As will be clear from an examination of the circuit, the gain Ad of the instrumentation amplifier 22 is (1+2·R1 / R2); therefore, the output voltage V d ’ Yes V d ·(1+2·R1 / R2).

[0060] The components of the instrumentation amplifier 22 are selected so that the same instrumentation amplifier 22 has reduced noise and high impedance (e.g., about 10 Hz) in its passband (e.g., included between 0 Hz and 500 Hz). 9 Ω).

[0061] The above output voltage V d ’ The ADC 24 is arranged at the input of the analog-to-digital converter (ADC) 24, which provides the above-mentioned charge change signal S at its output to the processing unit 6. Q For example, the charge change signal S Q This can be a high resolution (16-bit or 24-bit) digital stream.

[0062] According to various embodiments, if an analog-to-digital converter with suitable characteristics (e.g., differential input, high input impedance, high resolution, dynamic range optimized for the quantity to be measured, low noise) is available, the instrumentation amplifier 22 may be omitted, in which case the input voltage V d is supplied directly at the input of the analog-to-digital converter 24 .

[0063] In a manner not shown, the charge change signal S Qis supplied to a first input of a multiplexer block which can, in addition, receive the above-mentioned pressure signal S at at least one further input P (and possibly receiving another sense signal at another input). In this case, the output of the multiplexer block is coupled to the input of the processing unit 6 and supplies the above-mentioned charge variation signal and the pressure signal S in turn in time. Q , S P (and possibly supplying another sensing signal) for implementing the processing performed by the processing unit 6.

[0064] In a possible embodiment of the present solution, Figure 5 The charge change and pressure signal S are shown in more detail by a flow chart Q , S P The operation of the joint processing is performed by the processing unit 6. In particular, such an embodiment relates to the use of the detection apparatus 1 in a wearable device for audio applications (such as headphones) in order to detect the device entering / exiting the ear canal of the user.

[0065] In detail, in this embodiment, the processing unit 6 is initially configured to initialize (block 30) a state variable, which, as will be discussed below, can have three values: 'in hand' (indicating the fact that the wearable device is in the user's hand); 'near head' (indicating the fact that the wearable device is located near the user's head); 'inserted' (indicating the fact that the wearable device has been inserted into the ear canal). In particular, the initialization of the state variable corresponds to the position of the device being placed on a table or any stationary surface.

[0066] Then, the charge change signal S is acquired (block 31). Q , in particular acquiring its corresponding sample (eg, which is stored in an acquisition buffer which is progressively supplied and updated by the same sample), and the charge change signal S Q Subject to normalization (e.g. by removing the corresponding cardinality).

[0067] Next, in a manner known per se, the charge change signal S is calculated (block 32 ) Q The variance Var of the same charge change signal S Q The processed parameters of .

[0068] The charge change signal S QThe variance of the charge change signal S is compared with a first threshold value Th_hand of a preset value (block 33), which first threshold value Th_hand indicates the fact that the device is in the hand of the user (it should be noted that the value of the first threshold value Th_hand can be determined (for example, in an initial calibration phase)). In some embodiments, the first threshold value Th_hand can be stored in, for example, a computer readable memory, such as within the processing unit 6, and can be compared with the charge change signal S by any suitable circuit device (such as a digital comparator that can be included in the processing unit 6). Q Make a comparison.

[0069] If the variance is above the first threshold Th_hand, the state variable is updated to the value 'in hand' (block 34).

[0070] The algorithm then proceeds to calculate (block 35) the charge change signal S Q The variance of (based on the new samples received in the meantime, filling up the buffer).

[0071] The charge change signal S Q The above variance is compared with a second threshold Th_head having a corresponding preset value (which may be equal to the first threshold Th_hand) (block 36), which second threshold Th_head indicates the fact that the device is close to the user's head (it should also be noted that the value of the above second threshold Th_head can be determined (for example) during an initial calibration phase). In some embodiments, the second threshold Th_head can be stored in, for example, a computer readable memory, such as within the processing unit 6, and can be compared with the charge change signal S by any suitable circuit device (such as a digital comparator that can be included in the processing unit 6). Q Make a comparison.

[0072] If the variance is above the second threshold Th_head, the state variable is updated to the value 'near head' (block 37).

[0073] If, on the other hand, the variance is not above the second threshold Th_head for the duration of the given time interval, the state variable is restored to the initial value (block 30 ).

[0074] Next, the processing unit 6 activates the pressure sensor 2 (which has been disabled so far for energy saving purposes) and acquires a pressure signal S P (Block 38); in particular, its corresponding sample is acquired (eg stored in an acquisition buffer which is progressively supplied and updated by the same sample).

[0075] The pressure signal S PThe absolute value or gradient Δ (i.e., the difference between temporally consecutive samples) of the sample is compared with a third threshold Th_P of a preset value (block 39) (it should be noted that the value of the third threshold Th_P can also be determined (for example) in an initial calibration phase). In some embodiments, the third threshold Th_P can be stored in, for example, a computer-readable memory, such as within the processing unit 6, and can be compared with the gradient Δ by any suitable circuit device (such as a digital comparator that can be included in the processing unit 6).

[0076] If the pressure signal S P If the value of the above parameter is higher than the third threshold Th_P, the state variable is updated to the value 'insert' (block 40).

[0077] On the contrary, if the pressure signal S P If the value of the above parameter is not higher than the third threshold value Th_p, the state variable is restored to the value 'hand' (block 34).

[0078] In response to determining that the wearable device is inserted into the user's ear, as illustrated in the same box 40, the processing unit 6 is also configured to generate a pulse-type change signal V, which indicates the above-mentioned change of the operating environment (in other words, the change signal V switches value; for example, it goes from a low value to a high value).

[0079] The above-mentioned change signal V can be received by a management unit for managing a wearable device including the detection device 1 so as to execute and activate a given action (such as activating the reproduction of a multimedia audio file or data transmission between the detection device 1 and the same wearable device) in response to detecting a change in the operating environment.

[0080] Next, the processing unit 6 is configured to monitor the withdrawal of the wearable device from the user's ear; in this embodiment, the monitoring is based on the pressure signal S P Processing of the above parameters (absolute value or gradient) (box 41).

[0081] In particular, if the pressure signal S P If the parameter (e.g., gradient Δ) of the input signal is higher than the third threshold value Th_p again, the processing unit 6 determines that the device is withdrawn from the user's ear, so that the algorithm returns to box 34, and the state variable is updated to the value 'in hand' (box 42). In addition, the change signal V switches value (e.g., from a high value to a low value) to turn off the action previously activated in response to detecting a change in the operating environment (e.g., interrupting the reproduction of a multimedia audio file or detecting data transmission between the device 1 and the wearable device).

[0082] In additional embodiments, Figure 6As shown in FIG. 1 , the algorithm executed by the processing unit envisages the same steps as those described previously up to step 40 (thus, these steps are designated by the same reference numerals and are not described again), wherein, after detecting a change in the operating environment, the change signal V switches value (it has been verified that the pressure signal S P The value of the above parameter is higher than the third threshold Th_p).

[0083] In this case, the processing unit 6 is configured to calculate based on the charge change signal S Q The process is used to monitor the wearable device exiting from the user's ear.

[0084] In particular, the charge change signal S is calculated again Q The variance of (box 45).

[0085] Then, if the charge change signal S Q If the variance of is higher than a fourth threshold value Th_head2 (also having a value that can be determined, for example, in an initial calibration phase), the processing unit 6 determines that the wearable device is withdrawn from the user's ear, so that the algorithm returns to box 34, while updating the state variable to the value "hand" (box 46). In addition, the change signal V switches the value, the consequences of which are discussed above.

[0086] Figure 7 shows (with respect to what has just been discussed) a charge variation signal S during experimental tests carried out by the applicant. Q and the corresponding variance (Var) over time. Highlighting the recognition events of the wearable device in the user's hand and near the user's ear (clearly and obviously identifiable by analyzing the above signal graphs, especially the peaks) (it should be noted that in this test, the user repeatedly held the above wearable device and inserted it into his ear).

[0087] In particular, the circle with a solid line represents the hand event. When the user holds the wearable device, the charge change signal S Q A small positive peak is shown, followed by a marked negative peak, distinguished by the above circle with a solid line. When the wearable device is held in the user's hand, the charge change signal S Q Then it shifts to zero. On the contrary, when the wearable device is brought to the head, the charge change signal S Q A positive peak is shown, then returns back toward zero again. The dotted circle represents the event when the device is close to the user's head.

[0088] The above events are reflected in the charge change signal S Q This is particularly evident in the graph of , where peaks are easily identifiable (in the lower and upper value examples), associated with the ‘in hand’ event and the ‘near head’ event, respectively.

[0089] In an additional embodiment of the present solution, Figure 8 The charge change signal S is illustrated by a flow chart Q and pressure signal S P The operation of the combined processing is performed by the processing unit 6. In particular, this embodiment relates to the use of the detection device 1 in a wearable device for underwater applications or generally for water applications (for example, in a smart bracelet or smart watch) to detect the device entering and / or exiting the water.

[0090] In detail, in this embodiment, the processing unit 6 is initially configured to detect a value of air pressure or atmospheric pressure via the pressure sensor 2, which is initialized and stored in the ambient pressure variable Pamb (block 50). In addition, the value of the time variable T0 is initialized to zero (as will be discussed below, this time variable will enable the definition of a control time window during which the information provided by the pressure sensor 2 is checked after a potential event of detecting a change in the operating environment via the charge change sensor 4).

[0091] Initially, furthermore, as shown in block 51 , the state variable is set to the value 'out of water', and furthermore, once entry of the wearable device into water is detected, the value 'in water' may be assumed (as described below).

[0092] Then, the charge change signal S is acquired (block 52). Q In particular, its corresponding sample is acquired (eg stored in an acquisition buffer which is progressively supplied and updated with the same sample), and furthermore, the sample is subjected to a normalization operation (eg by removing the corresponding base value).

[0093] Then, the charge change signal S Q The absolute value of is compared with a first threshold Th_Q of a preset value (block 53), the first threshold Th_Q indicating a possible change in the operating environment (it should be noted that the value of the first threshold Th_Q may be determined, for example, in an initial calibration phase).

[0094] If the above absolute value is not higher than the first threshold Th_Q, the algorithm proceeds to box 54 , in which the value of the ambient pressure variable Pamb is updated, after which the algorithm returns to box 51 .

[0095] Otherwise, if the absolute value is higher than the first threshold Th_Q, the algorithm continues to process the pressure signal S Q In particular, the processing unit 6 obtains the pressure signal S P (Block 55); that is, acquire its corresponding sample (eg, store in an acquisition buffer that is progressively supplied and updated by the same sample).

[0096] The above-mentioned pressure signal S is then calculated in a manner known per se, in particular over the time interval comprised between T0 (the current value of the time variable) and T0+ΔT (a suitably increased value of the same time variable). P The time slope of (in this case the slope corresponding to the processed parameter).

[0097] The absolute value of the above slope is compared with a second threshold value Th_slope of a preset value (block 57 ) (it should be noted that the value of the second threshold value Th_slope may also be determined (for example) in an initial calibration phase).

[0098] If within a given time interval, the pressure signal S P If the value of the above parameter is higher than the second threshold value Th_slope, the state variable is updated to the value 'in water' (block 58).

[0099] On the contrary, if within a given time interval, the pressure signal S P If the value of the above parameter is not higher than the second threshold value Th_slope, the algorithm moves to box 59, where the value of the time variable T0 is reinitialized to zero, and then returns to the above box 51.

[0100] In addition, in response to determining that the wearable device enters water, the processing unit 6 is configured to generate a pulse-type change signal V indicating the above-mentioned change in the operating environment (block 60). In other words, the change signal V switches value, for example, from a low value to a high value.

[0101] The change signal V can be received by a management and control unit of a wearable device, which includes a detection device 1, to execute and activate a given action in response to detecting a change in the operating environment (for example, disabling some functions of the wearable device for energy saving purposes, as shown in box 61).

[0102] Furthermore, the processing unit 6 controls a change in the full scale value of the pressure sensor 2 from a first (low) value to a second (high) value (eg twice higher) in order to enable detection of high values ​​of pressure that may occur in an underwater environment (block 62).

[0103] Next, the processing unit 6 is configured to monitor the wearable device exiting the water. In this embodiment, such monitoring is based only on the pressure signal S P processing.

[0104] In particular, the pressure signal S is obtained P A new sample of (block 64) is generated.

[0105] If it is found (block 65) that the absolute value S of the pressure signal is greater than or equal to 0 over the entire duration of the corresponding time interval, PIf the value Pamb of the ambient pressure is lower than the value Pamb of the ambient pressure (which value Pamb is appropriately increased by the incremental value P_inc), the processing unit 6 determines to exit from the water, so that the algorithm returns to the box 51, where the state variable is updated to the value 'out of water'. In addition, the change signal V switches value, for example from a high value to a low value (box 66), so as to cause, for example, the reactivation of a resource that was previously disabled in response to the detection of a change in the operating environment, as shown in box 68.

[0106] In the above-mentioned block 65, the processing unit 6 may also be configured to verify the pressure signal S P An additional condition is provided, such as that the corresponding change remains below a corresponding change threshold over the entire duration of the corresponding time interval, so that an exit from the water is determined only if both conditions are verified simultaneously.

[0107] Fig. 9 shows (with regard to what has just been discussed) the charge change signal S in the case of experimental tests carried out by the applicant Q and pressure signal S P Highlight the identified events of changes in the operating environment (which can be clearly and obviously identified through analysis of the above signal graph) (it should be noted that in this test, the above wearable device repeatedly entered and then exited the water). Fig. 9 In the figure, the pressure signal S is also indicated. P and the slope of the second threshold Th_slope.

[0108] In particular, the solid circle represents the event of entering the water, and the dashed circle represents the event of exiting the water (by converting the pressure signal S P Return to the initial pressure value is a clearly identifiable exit event).

[0109] It should be noted that when the wearable device enters water, the charge change signal S Q has a clear positive peak; in addition, during the entire duration of the time interval T (starting from the initial instant T0), the pressure signal S P The slope of remains above the second threshold Th_slope.

[0110] Fig.10 It is a schematic diagram of an electronic device 70, in particular a wearable device (such as the above-mentioned earphone or the above-mentioned smart bracelet or smart watch), and the electronic device 70 includes the detection device 1 described above.

[0111] The electronic device 70 comprises a main controller 72 (microcontroller, microprocessor or similar digital processing unit) coupled to the processing unit 6 of the detection device 1 in order to receive information about changes in the operating environment.

[0112] In the above described embodiment, the main controller 72 receives the change signal V, for example from the processing unit 6 of the detection device 1, to activate or deactivate a given function, as described in detail above.

[0113] The advantages provided by the present solution can be clearly seen from the above description.

[0114] In any case, it is emphasized once again that, in the detection device 1 , the monitoring of the charge variations allows the information associated with the detection of the slope of the pressure to be supplemented, which makes it possible to eliminate or in any case significantly reduce the number of false detections (false alarms).

[0115] Furthermore, the detection device 1 has an optimized energy consumption (the consumption associated with the charge change sensor 4 and the corresponding electronic components is very low, and furthermore (at least in certain embodiments) the pressure sensor 2 can only be activated when effectively needed) and a reduced space occupation (in particular, it is possible to integrate both the technology for detecting pressure and the charge change in a single package).

[0116] Finally, modifications and variations may be made to the solution without thereby departing from the scope identified in the accompanying claims.

[0117] For example, in a non-illustrated manner, it is conceivable to P and the charge change signal S Q An appropriate filtering operation (for example, using a low-pass filter or a high-pass filter) is performed, which is a preliminary step of the processing operation.

[0118] In a manner not shown, the detection device 1 can integrate more sensors and envisage more dedicated processing channels for other detection operations.

[0119] Again, the detection device 1 can be arranged in a single chip, which includes the charge change sensor 4 (and the corresponding electronic circuit device), the pressure sensor 2 and the processing unit 6; alternatively, the charge change signal S Q and pressure signal S P can be processed in the main controller 72 of the electronic device 70, which includes the detection device 1 (see above Fig.10 ).

[0120] In addition, it is pointed out that the input electrode (or detection electrode 14) of the electrostatic charge change sensor 4 can even be a simple conductive probe, a metal plane in a PCB, a flexible PCB with a metal path, or any conductive element that can act as a detection electrode and is designed to be arranged facing the operating environment so as to detect changes in environmental charge.

[0121] The detection device (1) can be summarized as comprising: a pressure sensor (2) configured to provide a pressure signal (SP), the pressure signal (SP) indicating the ambient pressure in an operating environment; an electrostatic charge change sensor (4) configured to provide a charge change signal (SQ), the charge change signal (SQ) indicating a change in electrostatic charge associated with the operating environment; and a processing unit (6) coupled to the pressure sensor (2) and the electrostatic charge change sensor (4) so ​​as to receive the pressure signal (SP) and the charge change signal (SQ), and configured to jointly process the pressure signal (SP) and the charge change signal (SQ) for detecting a change between a first operating environment and a second operating environment of the detection device (1), the second operating environment being different from the first operating environment.

[0122] The processing unit (6) can be configured to perform processing of the charge change signal (SQ) to perform a first comparison of at least one corresponding parameter with a preset threshold associated with the parameter; if the first comparison has a positive result, perform processing of the pressure signal (SP) to perform a second comparison of at least one corresponding parameter with a corresponding preset threshold associated with the corresponding parameter; if the second comparison has a positive result within a preset control time window after the positive result of the first comparison, determine the occurrence of a change in the operating environment.

[0123] After detecting the change in the operating environment, the processing unit (6) may be configured to generate a change signal (V) indicating the change in the operating environment, so as to execute and / or activate a given action in response to detecting the change in the operating environment.

[0124] The detection device (1) can be designed for a wearable electronic device (70) for audio applications; wherein the first operating environment is the environment outside the user's ear canal, and the second operating environment can be the environment inside the ear canal; the change in the operating environment indicates that the electronic device (70) is introduced into the ear canal or removed from the ear canal.

[0125] The processing unit (6) can be configured to perform a first comparison between the parameter of the charge change signal (SQ) and a first threshold value (Th_hand), and based on a result of the comparison, update the value of the state variable indicating the position of the detection device (1) to a first value indicating that the detection device (1) is positioned in the user's hand; perform a second comparison between the parameter of the charge change signal (SQ) and a second threshold value (Th_head), and based on a result of the second comparison within a given time interval starting from the first comparison, update the value of the state variable to a second value indicating that the detection device (1) is positioned close to the user's head; and perform a third comparison between the parameter of the pressure signal (SP) and a third threshold value (Th_p), and based on a result of the comparison within a corresponding time interval starting from the second comparison, update the value of the state variable to a third value indicating that the detection device (1) is inserted into the ear canal.

[0126] The processing unit (6) can also be configured to monitor the withdrawal of the detection device (1) from the ear canal and, optionally, restore the state variable to the first value based on: based on processing the charge change signal (SQ) according to a result of another comparison between the charge change signal (SQ) and another threshold value (Th_head2); or based on processing the pressure signal (SP) according to a result of another corresponding comparison between a parameter of the pressure signal (SP) and the third threshold value (Th_p).

[0127] The processing unit (6) may be configured to activate the pressure sensor (2) only after the second comparison and updating the value of the state variable to the second value, the pressure sensor (2) being normally kept disabled for energy saving purposes.

[0128] The parameter of the charge variation signal (SQ) may be the variance of said charge variation signal (SQ); and the corresponding parameter of the pressure signal (SP) may be the absolute value or the gradient of the pressure signal (SP).

[0129] After detecting insertion into the ear canal, the processing unit (6) can be configured to generate a change signal (V) designed to be received by a control unit of the electronic device (70) in order to activate the reproduction of a multimedia audio file and / or data transmission between the detection device (1) and the electronic device (70).

[0130] The detection device (1) can be designed for a wearable electronic device (70) for underwater applications; wherein the first operating environment can be air, and the second operating environment can be an environment in or under water, and the change in the operating environment indicates that the electronic device (70) enters or exits water.

[0131] The processing unit (6) can be configured to perform a first comparison between the parameter of the charge change signal (SQ) and a first threshold value (Th_Q); after a positive result of the first comparison, perform a second comparison between the parameter of the pressure signal (SP) and a second threshold value (Th_slope); and after a positive result of the second comparison within a given time interval (T), determine that the detection device (1) has entered water.

[0132] After detecting entry into water, the processing unit (6) can be configured to generate a change signal (V) designed to be received by a control unit of the electronic device (70) in order to disable a given energy consuming function.

[0133] After detecting entry into water, the processing unit (6) can be configured to cause a change in the full scale value of the pressure sensor (2), switching from a first low value to a second high value, which is higher than the first low value, so as to enable detection of high values ​​of pressure that may occur in an underwater environment.

[0134] The parameter of the charge variation signal (SQ) may be the absolute value of said charge variation signal (SQ); and the corresponding parameter of the pressure signal (SP) is the slope of said pressure signal (SP).

[0135] The processing unit (6) may be configured to monitor the withdrawal of the electronic device (70) from the water based on processing of the pressure signal (SP) and comparison of a corresponding further parameter with a further threshold value.

[0136] The processing unit (6), the pressure sensor (2) and the electrostatic charge variation sensor (4) can be integrated in the same package (12, 12'), which is provided with appropriate elements for electrical connection with the external environment.

[0137] The electrostatic charge change sensor (4) may include: at least one detection electrode (14) designed to be arranged facing the operating environment; a high impedance instrumentation amplifier (22) having an input coupled to the detection electrode (14); and an analog-to-digital converter (24) coupled at the output of the instrumentation amplifier (22) to provide the charge change signal (SQ).

[0138] The electronic device (70) can be summarized as including a detection device (1) and a main controller (72), which is coupled to the processing unit (6) of the detection device (1) so as to receive a change signal (V) indicating a change in the operating environment so as to execute and / or activate a given action in response to detecting the change in the operating environment.

[0139] Wearable devices may include any of the following: wearable devices for audio applications; and wearable devices for water or underwater applications.

[0140] A method for detecting a change between a first operating environment and a second operating environment (different from the first operating environment) can be summarized as comprising: receiving a pressure signal (SP) from a pressure sensor (2), the pressure signal (SP) indicating the ambient pressure in the operating environment; receiving a charge change signal (SQ) from an electrostatic charge change sensor (4), the charge change signal (SQ) indicating a change in electrostatic charge associated with the operating environment; and jointly processing the pressure signal (SP) and the charge change signal (SQ) to detect the change between the first operating environment and the second operating environment (different from the first operating environment).

[0141] The method may also include: performing processing of a charge change signal (SQ) to perform a first comparison of at least one corresponding parameter with a preset threshold associated with the parameter; if the first comparison has a positive result, performing processing of a pressure signal (SP) to perform a second comparison of at least one corresponding parameter with a corresponding preset threshold associated with the corresponding parameter; and determining the occurrence of a change in the operating environment if the second comparison has a positive result within a preset control time window after the above-mentioned positive result of the first comparison.

[0142] The method may include, after detecting said change in the operating environment, generating a change signal (V) indicating said change in the operating environment for executing and / or activating a given action in response to detecting the change in the operating environment.

[0143] The various embodiments described above can be combined to provide additional embodiments. These and other changes can be made to the embodiments in light of the above description. In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be interpreted as limiting the claims to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and claims, but should be interpreted to include all possible embodiments and the full range of equivalents to which these claims are entitled. Therefore, the claims are not limited to the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A detection device, comprising: a pressure sensor configured to provide a pressure signal indicative of an ambient pressure in an operating environment; an electrostatic charge change sensor configured to provide a charge change signal indicative of a change in electrostatic charge associated with the operating environment; as well as A processing circuit device is coupled to the pressure sensor and the electrostatic charge change sensor, and is configured to receive the pressure signal and the charge change signal, and jointly process the pressure signal and the charge change signal to detect a change between a first operating environment and a second operating environment of the detection device, wherein the second operating environment is different from the first operating environment.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the processing circuitry is configured to: performing processing of the charge change signal to perform a first comparison of at least one corresponding parameter with a preset threshold value associated with the parameter; If the first comparison has a positive result, performing processing of the pressure signal to perform a second comparison of at least one corresponding parameter with a corresponding preset threshold value associated with the corresponding parameter; and If the second comparison has a positive result within a preset control time window after the positive result of the first comparison, the occurrence of the change in the operating environment is determined.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein after detecting the change in the operating environment, the processing circuit device is configured to generate a change signal, the change signal indicating the change in the operating environment, for executing or activating a given action in response to detecting the change in the operating environment.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detection apparatus is designed for a wearable electronic device for audio applications; wherein the first operating environment is an environment outside the ear canal of a user, and the second operating environment is an environment inside the ear canal; the change in the operating environment indicates that the electronic device is introduced into or removed from the ear canal.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the processing circuitry is configured to: performing a first comparison between a parameter of the charge variation signal and a first threshold value and, based on a result of the comparison, updating a value of a state variable indicating a position of the detection device to a first value indicating a positioning of the detection device in a hand of a user; performing a second comparison between the parameter of the charge variation signal and a second threshold value and, based on a result of the second comparison within a given time interval from the first comparison, updating the value of the state variable to a second value indicating positioning of the detection device close to the user's head; as well as A third comparison between the parameter of the pressure signal and a third threshold is performed, and based on the result of the comparison within a corresponding time interval starting from the second comparison, the value of the state variable is updated to a third value, the third value indicating that the detection device is inserted into the ear canal.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to monitor exit of the detection device from the ear canal.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to restore the state variable to the first value based on: based on processing of the charge variation signal according to a result of another comparison between the parameter of the charge variation signal and a further threshold value; or Based on the result of the respective further comparison between the parameter of the pressure signal and the third threshold value, the processing of the pressure signal is performed.

8. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the processing circuitry is configured to activate the pressure sensor only after the second comparison and updating the value of the state variable to the second value, the pressure sensor being normally kept disabled for energy saving purposes.

9. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the parameter of the charge variation signal is the variance of the charge variation signal; and the corresponding parameter of the pressure signal is the absolute value or gradient of the pressure signal.

10. The device according to claim 5, wherein after detecting insertion into the ear canal, the processing circuit device is configured to generate a change signal, which is designed to be received by a control unit of the electronic device in order to activate reproduction of a multimedia audio file or data transmission between the detection device and the electronic device.

11. A device according to claim 1, wherein the detection device is designed for a wearable electronic device for underwater applications; wherein the first operating environment is air, and the second operating environment is an environment in or under water, and the change in the operating environment indicates that the electronic device enters or exits the water.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the processing circuitry is configured to: performing a first comparison between a parameter of the charge change signal and a first threshold; After a positive outcome of the first comparison, performing a second comparison between the parameter of the pressure signal and a second threshold value; and After a positive result of the second comparison within a given time interval, it is determined that the detection device has entered water.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein upon detection of entry into water, the processing circuitry is configured to generate a change signal designed to be received by a control unit of the electronic device in order to disable a given energy consuming function.

14. An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein after detecting entry into water, the processing circuit device is configured to cause a change in the full-scale value of the pressure sensor, switching from a first low value to a second high value, the second high value being higher than the first low value, so as to enable detection of high values ​​of pressure that may occur in the underwater environment.

15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the parameter of the charge variation signal is an absolute value of the charge variation signal; and the corresponding parameter of the pressure signal is a slope of the pressure signal.

16. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the processing circuitry is configured to monitor withdrawal of the electronic device from the water based on processing of the pressure signal and comparison of a corresponding further parameter to another threshold.

17. The device of claim 1, wherein the processing circuit device, the pressure sensor, and the electrostatic charge change sensor are integrated into a same package, the package having electrical connection elements configured to electrically connect to one or more external devices.

18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electrostatic charge change sensor comprises: at least one detection electrode, designed to be arranged facing the operating environment; a high impedance instrumentation amplifier having an input coupled to the detection electrode; and an analog-to-digital converter coupled at the output of the instrumentation amplifier to provide the charge change signal.

19. An electronic device comprising: Testing equipment, including: a pressure sensor configured to provide a pressure signal indicative of an ambient pressure in an operating environment; an electrostatic charge change sensor configured to provide a charge change signal indicative of a change in electrostatic charge associated with the operating environment; and a processing circuit device coupled to the pressure sensor and the electrostatic charge change sensor and configured to receive the pressure signal and the charge change signal and jointly process the pressure signal and the charge change signal to detect a change between a first operating environment and a second operating environment of the detection device, the second operating environment being different from the first operating environment; and A main controller is coupled to the processing circuit device of the detection device and is configured to receive a change signal indicating the change in the operating environment for executing or activating a given action in response to detecting the change in the operating environment.

20. The device according to claim 19, being wearable, further comprising at least one of the following: a wearable device for audio applications or a wearable device for water or underwater applications.

21. A method for detecting a change between a first operating environment and a second operating environment different from the first operating environment, comprising: receiving a pressure signal from a pressure sensor, the pressure signal indicating an ambient pressure in an operating environment; receiving a charge change signal from an electrostatic charge change sensor, the charge change signal indicating a change in electrostatic charge associated with the operating environment; and The pressure signal and the charge change signal are jointly processed to detect the change between the first operating environment and a second operating environment different from the first operating environment.

22. The method according to claim 21, further comprising: performing processing of the charge change signal to perform a first comparison of at least one corresponding parameter with a preset threshold value associated with the parameter; If the first comparison has a positive result, performing processing of the pressure signal to perform a second comparison of at least one corresponding parameter with a corresponding preset threshold value associated with the corresponding parameter; as well as If the second comparison has a positive result within a preset control time window after the positive result of the first comparison, the occurrence of a change in the operating environment is determined.

23. The method according to claim 21, comprising: After detecting the change in the operating environment, a change signal is generated, the change signal indicating the change in the operating environment, so as to perform and / or activate a given action in response to detecting the change in the operating environment.

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