Electronic device comprising a magnetometer

Abstract

An electronic device (10, 800) configured to obtain a user interaction from a user-carried device (100) comprising at least one magnetic object (110), where the electronic device (10, 800) comprises: a housing (12) comprising a plurality of surfaces (14, 16, 18, 20), where the housing (12) defines a mounting area for a plurality of components; and a first plurality of magnetometers (MA1) relative to a reference frame of the housing (12), wherein the first plurality of magnetometers (MA1) is surrounded by the housing (12). The first plurality of magnetometers (MA1) is located within a first portion (14a) of the housing (12), wherein the first portion (14a) is located within a first outer boundary plane co-edged with a first surface (14) of the housing (12) and a first inner boundary plane (14b) parallel to the first outer boundary plane.

Description

[0001] This patent application claims the benefit of European Patent Application EP 22 307 014.5, filed on December 22, 2022, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] The present disclosure relates to an electronic device configured to obtain user interaction from a user-carrying device, wherein the user-carrying device includes at least one magnetic object. The present disclosure also relates to an associated system, method, computer program element, and computer-readable medium. Background Art

[0003] In the technical field of determining and / or tracking the position of a device held or worn by a user (i.e., a user-carrying device), providing multiple magnetometers allows measuring a magnetic field associated with a magnetic object arranged in or coupled to the user-carrying device. The user-carrying device using this technology can be electronically passive and / or electrically passive. More specifically, electrically passive means that the user-carrying device does not include a power source (e.g., a battery) for powering the electronic features of the user-carrying device and / or means for receiving electrical power (e.g., wireless power transfer via an induction coil). Electronically passive means that no computing or processing occurs (or takes place) on the user-carrying device. The magnetometer measurement results enable determining and / or tracking the position of the magnetic object within a sensing volume created by the multiple magnetometers. In some applications, the magnetic object can be arranged within a writing device (e.g., a stylus), which can be operated by the user on a writing support during user operation. Based on the magnetic field measurement results associated with the magnetic object, the position of the writing device on the writing support can be determined.

[0004] User operations of the user-carrying device within the sensing volume created by the multiple magnetometers can be presented to the user on an output device (e.g., a screen). More specifically, the movement of the user-carrying device within the sensing volume can be reproduced as the movement of a virtual object on the output device. In current applications, the visual reproduction of the position of the user-carrying device within the sensing volume on the output device may be inaccurate and unreliable relative to certain arrangements of the multiple magnetometers and the output device. Therefore, electronic devices including magnetometers can be further improved. Summary of the Invention

[0005] According to a first aspect, there is provided an electronic device configured to obtain user interaction from a user-carrying device including at least one magnetic object.

[0006] The electronic device includes a housing, which includes a plurality of surfaces. The housing defines an installation area for a plurality of components. The spatial extent of the housing is characterized by an orthogonal dimension set including length, width, and height.

[0007] The electronic device includes a first plurality of magnetometers with respect to a reference coordinate system of the housing. The first plurality of magnetometers are surrounded by the housing. The first plurality of magnetometers are located within a first portion of the housing. The position of the first portion is within a first outer boundary plane that shares an edge with a first surface of the housing and a first inner boundary plane parallel to the first outer boundary plane.

[0008] According to a second aspect, there is provided a system that includes an electronic device according to the first aspect or an implementation thereof, and at least one user-carrying device that includes at least one magnetic object and / or a magnetic field generator. The electronic device is configured to: obtain magnetic field measurement results associated with the user-carrying device to determine the position of the user-carrying device with respect to the reference coordinate system, and transmit the position of the user-carrying device.

[0009] According to a third aspect, there is provided a computer-implemented method that includes:

[0010] - obtaining, at an electronic device according to the first aspect or an implementation thereof, magnetic field measurement results associated with at least one magnetic object and measured by a plurality of magnetometers included in the electronic device;

[0011] - determining, based on the magnetic field measurement results, the position of the user-carrying device with respect to the electronic device with respect to the reference coordinate system; and

[0012] - transmitting the position of the user-carrying device to a device driver instantiated in the user environment of the electronic device.

[0013] According to a fourth aspect, there is provided a computer program element that includes machine-readable instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the method steps according to the third aspect or an implementation thereof.

[0014] According to a fifth aspect, there is provided a computer-readable medium that includes the fourth aspect.

[0015] The effect is that a specific magnetometer arrangement in the electronic device is provided, enabling improved tracking of one or more magnets in the user-carrying device.

[0016] Typical electronic devices (such as laptop computers) have a large number of ferromagnetic, ferrimagnetic elements, magnets, or coils that affect the performance of the magnetometer array when detecting the position of a magnet in a user-carrying device. In addition, electronic devices such as laptop computers have strict positioning constraints that limit the positions where the magnetometer array can be placed.

[0017] This specification discusses a solution where a sensing volume is created to cover the sensing area of an electronic device, extending the housing or sensing surface of a device of a magnetic-based position sensing system. In a specific arrangement, the sensing volume is created to cover the sides, front, and / or rear of an area where a laptop keyboard is disposed. Magnetic sensors disposed at the sides of the keyboard enable the sensing volume and / or sensing surface to extend along the sides of the laptop.

[0018] This specification also discusses arrangements that enable a printed circuit board or other mounting arrangement to be tilted relative to the housing of an electronic device. The printed circuit board or other mounting arrangement including multiple magnetometers enhances the resolution of sensing while enabling integration constraints within the housing to be met.

[0019] Additionally, a flexible printed circuit board including an array of magnetometers can be provided. The flexible printed circuit board follows the curvature of the housing, enabling the magnetometer array to be integrated into a limited mounting volume.

[0020] The application of such techniques improves the accuracy of detection performed in a sensing volume or sensing surface at the side of an electronic device such as a laptop, which is an area where accessories such as computer mice and styli are typically used. Generally, due to the improved signal-to-noise ratio of the magnetometer sensing system, the possible sensing volume or sensing area is larger. For example, when sensing is performed in a sensing volume above the user's palm rest or keyboard area of a laptop, sensors located along the edges of an electronic device such as a laptop improve the signal-to-noise ratio. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Other features will be apparent from the drawings that form a part of this disclosure. The drawings are intended to further explain the disclosure and enable a person skilled in the art to practice the disclosure. However, the drawings are intended as non-limiting examples. Common reference numerals in different figures indicate similar or like features.

[0022] Figure 1 An electronic device with a user-carrying device disposed thereon is schematically illustrated.

[0023] Figure 2 A system for controlling a representation of a user-carrying device is schematically illustrated.

[0024] Figure 3 The resolution of the positioning of a magnetic object relative to a magnetometer plane is schematically illustrated.

[0025] Figure 4A and Figure 4B Variations in the positioning of magnetometers when mounted in an electronic device are schematically illustrated.

[0026] Figure 5 A plan view of a user interaction surface of an electronic device is schematically shown.

[0027] Figure 6 A side cross-sectional view of an electronic device is schematically shown.

[0028] Figure 7 A plan view of a user interaction surface of an electronic device is schematically shown.

[0029] Figure 8 A side cross-sectional view of an electronic device is schematically shown.

[0030] Figure 9 A plan view of a user interaction surface of an electronic device is schematically shown.

[0031] Figure 10 A side cross-sectional view of an electronic device is schematically shown.

[0032] Figure 11 A variant of a magnetometer array is schematically shown.

[0033] Figure 12 An interaction volume and surface around an electronic device are schematically shown

[0034] Figure 13 Three specific examples of multiple magnetometers are schematically shown.

[0035] Figure 14 Schematically shows due to Figure 13 The experimental results produced by the layout shown in

[0036] Figure 15 Schematically shows due to Figure 13 The experimental results produced by the layout shown in

[0037] Figure 16 Schematically shows due to Figure 13 The experimental results produced by the layout shown in

[0038] Figure 17 A configuration of an electronic device is schematically shown.

[0039] Figure 18 A computer-implemented method is schematically shown. Detailed Description

[0040] Figure 1 An electronic device arranged with a user-carrying device according to a first aspect is schematically shown.

[0041] Figure 1The electronic device 10 shown is a laptop computer, which is included in a system 1 that includes a user-carrying device 100. The user-carrying device can be, for example, a computer mouse, a dial, a ring, a toy, a keyboard, a joystick, or a stylus. The user-carrying device 100 includes at least one magnetic object 110. The user-carrying device 100 is capable of, for example, laterally translating and / or rotating on an interaction surface 210 provided by an interaction support 200.

[0042] The translation of the user-carrying device 100 (and thus the magnetic moment of at least one magnet included within the user-carrying device 100) is detected by one or more of a plurality of magnetometers MA1-MA6 included within a housing 12 of the electronic device 10.

[0043] One or more of the plurality of magnetometers MA1-MA6 output signals that are subjected to signal processing such that the electronic device 10 can resolve the position of the user-carrying device 100 relative to one or more of the plurality of magnetometers MA1-MA6. Generally, the signal processing is performed by an embedded controller communicatively coupled to one or more of the plurality of magnetometers MA1-MA6. The output of the signal processing includes, for example, the 2D position of the user-carrying device 100 in the XY plane of the interaction surface 210, or the 3D position within a sensing volume defined around the electronic device 10. The output of the signal processing is provided to a device driver executing within the software environment of the electronic device 10. The device driver of the electronic device 10 can be accessed by one or more applications hosted by the software environment of the electronic device 10. In this way, applications hosted by the software environment of the electronic device 10 obtain a proxy for the position of the user-carrying device 100 in 2D or 3D coordinates. Thus, applications hosted by the software environment of the electronic device 10 can use the position of the user-carrying device for a wide range of user input tasks. In Figure 1 the example, the position of the user-carrying device 100 is represented by a screen cursor 7 on a display 11 of the electronic device 10.

[0044] The electronic device 10 generally includes a portion enclosed by a flat-shaped cube enclosure resting on the interaction surface 210. Figure 1 The illustrated electronic device 10 is a laptop computer, which also includes a display 11 that can pivot about a hinge axis R using a hinge 9. Thus, the housing 12 includes a first surface 14 that generally faces the user in use. The housing also includes a second surface 16 on the left side of the user. The housing 12 also includes a third surface 18 on the right side of the user (not visible in the Figure 1 projection). The housing 12 also includes a fourth surface 20 on the rear surface of the housing 12 that faces away from the user in use. The first through fourth surfaces are covered by a surface including, for example, a touchpad 30. In use, the surface including the touchpad 30 is used to support, for example, the user's wrist.

[0045] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the foregoing description of the laptop computer housing is an example, and the electronic device 10 may also be embodied in a tablet computer, a smart phone, a keyboard, a television, and / or an electronic device 10 having any shape (such as circular, square, triangular, pentagonal, or hexagonal or any other shape).

[0046] In an example, the hinged display 11 portion of the electronic device 10 includes a display surface magnet 112. In use, the position of the display surface magnet relative to the housing 12 can be resolved by one or more of a plurality of magnetometers M1 - M5 included in the housing 12.

[0047] In an example, the hinged display 11 portion of the electronic device 10 includes at least one of a plurality of magnetometers MA6 to provide higher fidelity for the detection of the position of the user carrying the device 100.

[0048] In an embodiment, the electronic device 10 includes a second plurality of magnetometers MA2 on the left side of the housing 12. In an embodiment, the electronic device 10 includes a third plurality of magnetometers MA3 on the right side of the housing 12. The additional pluralities of magnetometers MA2 and MA3 extend along the housing 12 in the Y dimension, thereby providing improved fidelity for the detection of the movement of the user carrying the device 100 towards the right side and / or the left side of the housing 12 on the interaction surface 210 or in the sensing volume adjacent to the right side or the left side of the housing 12. In an embodiment, a fourth plurality of magnetometers MA4 disposed along the rear of the housing 12 improves the fidelity of the positioning detection of the user carrying the device 100 adjacent to the rear of the housing 12. For example, an electronic device 10 or a convertible tablet PC having a "2 in 1" format may benefit from the fourth plurality of magnetometers MA4 that enables user interaction at the rear of the electronic device 10. A fifth plurality of magnetometers MA5 spatially associated with the touchpad 30 may improve the resolution of the sensing volume closely above or around the touchpad 30. A sixth plurality of magnetometers MA6 mounted in the hinged portion of the housing 12 including the display 11 may further improve the fidelity of the detection in the sensing volume in front of the display 11.

[0049] According to an embodiment, the electronic device 10, 800 is one of the following: a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a tablet computer, a smart phone, a keyboard, a smart watch, a television, an interactive whiteboard, a virtual reality headset, a wireless access point, and / or a display projector.

[0050] In an example, as a laptop computer, the housing 12 of the electronic device 10 includes one or more other electronic modules. For clarity, Figure 1 none of the following components are shown. For example,Figure 1 The housing 12 shown in can include a base cover configured to contact the interaction support 200 and a battery configured to power other electronic circuit components of the electronic device. The housing can include a solid state drive or a disk-based hard drive, a system board, one or more speaker housings, a display assembly, a wireless modem and associated antennas, a USB interface board, a heat sink and a system fan, a palm rest assembly, an I / O daughter board, and a heat sink cover. Additionally, the housing includes mechanical mounting elements, such as posts capable of holding the listed internal components of the electronic device 10 in place. Generally, the electronic device 10 has limited space for adding additional components.

[0051] According to an embodiment, the first surface of the housing 12 is closest to and faces the user of the electronic devices 10, 800 during operation.

[0052] Figure 2 A system for controlling a representation of a user-carried device is schematically shown.

[0053] Reference Figure 2 , the user-carried device coordinate system includes a first device axis xd, a second device axis yd orthogonal to the first device axis xd, and a vertical device axis zd orthogonal to the first device axis xd and the second device axis yd. In the example shown, the user-carried device 100 can include a contact surface that contacts the interaction surface 210. In other examples, the user-carried device can include a contact point (e.g., a stylus or other writing device including a writing tip that contacts the interaction surface 210 during a writing operation). The user-carried device 100 can operate within the sensing volume M but not on the interaction surface 210. In this case, the user-carried device 100 can be used as, for example, a pointer that can operate without directly being on the interaction surface 210 (i.e., without contacting and / or being away from the interaction surface 210). In some embodiments, the device coordinate system can be defined within the geometric center of the user-carried device 100.

[0054] Reference Figure 2 , an arrangement of a plurality of magnetometers relative to the interaction surface 210 defined on the interaction support 200 is shown. In Figure 2 the embodiment shown, the plurality of magnetometers 300 can be arranged in an array of rows and columns. However, it is also possible that the plurality of magnetometers can be arranged in a disordered or randomized manner within the plurality of magnetometers. A calibration process can be used to determine the exact position, sensitivity, and offset of the measurement axis of each magnetometer within the magnetometer body relative to the reference coordinate system XYZ. When the plurality of magnetometers 300 are rigidly mounted in the housing 12 of the electronic device 10, the reference coordinate system of the plurality of magnetometers 300 is related to the reference coordinate system of the electronic device 10 by a rigid transformation. The plurality of magnetometers 300 in Figure 2is shown as being disposed in the magnetometer plane 310 (i.e., in the same plane relative to the vertical reference axis Z). However, as outlined above, one or more of the magnetometers in the magnetometer can be away from the magnetometer plane 310, more specifically, away in the direction of the vertical reference axis Z.

[0055] The plurality of magnetometers 300 can be electrically (e.g., via a wire or a data bus) or wirelessly connected to the processing unit 400, an external processing unit, and / or an electronic device. In an embodiment, the plurality of magnetometers 300 can be integrated in a wall, furniture, a notebook, an electronic device, a screen, a keyboard, and / or a mouse pad. In the case where the plurality of magnetometers 300 are disposed in a wall, the interaction surface 210 can be a screen or a display placed in front of the plurality of magnetometers 300. In an embodiment, the interaction surface 210 can be defined on one or more output devices 500.

[0056] In an embodiment, the electronic device 10 can include a processing unit 400 or be capable of connecting to an external processing unit. The processing unit 400 can be configured to execute a computer-implemented method capable of resolving the position (positioning and orientation) of the user-carrying device 10 relative to the reference coordinate system XYZ. In an embodiment, the processing unit 400 can be integrated in the electronic device. In an embodiment, the output device 500 can be integrated in the electronic device. In an embodiment, the electronic device 10 can be a tablet computer, a mobile phone, a laptop computer, a computer, a virtual reality (VR) kit, or a television.

[0057] One of the plurality of the plurality of magnetometers MA1-MA6 of the electronic device 10 can be configured to enable the resolution of the 2D or 3D position (positioning and / or orientation) of the user-carrying device 100 using signal processing. The spatial region within which the resolution can be performed with an acceptable signal-to-noise ratio is referred to as the sensing volume M1-M3 around the electronic device (e.g., as indicated in Figure 12 ). In an example, the sensing volume is defined by contour lines that give a common signal-to-noise ratio for position (integrating both positioning and orientation) detection. The plurality of magnetometers MA1-MA6 can be associated with the magnetometer plane 310. More specifically, the magnetometer plane 310 can be defined by a plane that can extend through most of the plurality of magnetometers 300. In some embodiments, the user-carrying device 100 can be operated on the interaction surface 210, more specifically where the interaction surface 210 can be defined on or as a boundary or be defined within the sensing volume M.

[0058] When there are more than one plurality of magnetometers, a magnetometer plane can be defined for each of the more than one plurality of magnetometers.

[0059] The term "at least one magnetic object" may refer to an object that may include components made of a magnetic material (i.e., a material having magnetic properties measurable by a plurality of magnetometers 300). The user-carried device 100 and / or at least one magnetic object 210 may be mobile, i.e., capable of freely moving within a reference coordinate system XYZ. In other words, during user operation (i.e., an operation in which the user-carried device 100 and / or at least one magnetic object 110 is operated by the user), the position of the user-carried device 100 within the sensing volume M and / or relative to the interaction surface 210 may be manipulated by the user within the sensing volume M.

[0060] The at least one magnetic object 110 may be a permanent magnet. In an embodiment, the at least one magnetic object 110 may be configured to generate a non-zero magnetic field. It may include a paramagnetic or diamagnetic material. In an embodiment, the at least one magnetic object 110 may include a ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic material.

[0061] Figure 3 The resolution of the position of a magnetic object (e.g., as included in the user-carried device 100) relative to the magnetometer plane is schematically shown.

[0062] Determining the user-carried device position may include determining the magnetic object position of at least one magnetic object 110 that indicates the user-carried device position. Specifically, determining the user-carried device position may include determining a positioning vector indicating the magnetic object positioning and / or determining a magnetic moment vector 120 indicating the magnetic object orientation of at least one magnetic object 110. Since the magnetic object 110 is coupled to the user-carried device 100, the position of the magnetic object 110 may indicate the position of the user-carried device 100.

[0063] The user-carried device position may indicate the absolute user-carried device position relative to the magnetometer plane 310 (specifically the reference coordinate system XYZ), and / or the relative user-carried device position relative to the interaction surface 210. Determining the user-carried device position indicating the absolute user-carried device position may include determining the absolute magnetic object position. The absolute magnetic object position may indicate the absolute magnetic object positioning and / or absolute magnetic object orientation of at least one magnetic object 110 relative to the reference coordinate system XYZ. Specifically, the absolute magnetic object position may be determined based on magnetic field measurement results obtained from a plurality of magnetometers MA1 - MA6. Thereby, the absolute positioning and / or absolute orientation of at least one magnetic object 110 in the reference coordinate system XYZ may be determined.

[0064] In an embodiment, determining the absolute magnetic object position may include generating magnetic field measurement result data based on the obtained magnetic field measurement results. The magnetic field measurement result data may indicate the magnetic field positioning, magnetic field orientation, and / or magnetic field intensity of the magnetic object 110 relative to the reference coordinate system XYZ. Determining the absolute magnetic object position may also include processing the magnetic field measurement result data to correlate the magnetic field measurement result data with the absolute magnetic object position. For example, filters and / or estimation algorithms may be used to evaluate the absolute magnetic object position associated with the magnetic field measurement result data.

[0065] The absolute magnetic object position may include a magnetic moment vector 120 and / or an absolute positioning vector associated with at least one magnetic object 110. The magnetic moment vector 120 may indicate the magnetic object orientation and the magnetic strength of the magnetic object. The absolute positioning vector may indicate the positioning of the magnetic object relative to the reference coordinate system XYZ. In an embodiment, the absolute magnetic object orientation may be defined by a first set of magnetic object tilt angles δ1, δ2, δ3 measured between the magnetometer plane 310 and the magnetic moment vector 120. The first set of magnetic object orientation angles δ1, δ2, δ3 may be measured relative to the reference coordinate axes X, Y, Z, more specifically between the magnetic moment vector 120 and the respective axes X, Y, Z of the reference coordinate system XYZ.

[0066] For example, the first magnetic object orientation angle δ1 may be defined between the first reference axis X and the magnetic moment vector 120, more specifically in the XZ plane. In an embodiment, two angles relative to the magnetometer plane 310 may be sufficient to define the absolute magnetic object orientation of the magnetic object 110. Specifically, when using the magnetic dipole model, two angles relative to the magnetometer plane 310 may be sufficient to define the absolute magnetic object orientation of the magnetic object 110. More specifically, when the magnetic object 110 is symmetric along the magnetization axis (i.e., rotationally symmetric magnetization), two angles relative to the magnetometer plane 310 may be sufficient to define the absolute magnetic object orientation of the magnetic object 110. In some embodiments, the absolute positioning vector may be defined by a first set of Cartesian coordinates defined within the reference coordinate system XYZ.

[0067] The magnetic moment vector 120 and / or the absolute positioning vector may be determined based on the specific implementation of the measurement model and an estimation filter such as a Kalman filter, an extended Kalman filter, or an unscented Kalman filter. The measurement model correlates each measurement of the magnetometers in the plurality of magnetometers 300 with the position of at least one magnetic object 110 in the reference coordinate system XYZ. The model may typically be constructed from the physical equations of electromagnetics, more specifically from the equations of magnetostatics. To establish the model, at least one magnetic object 110 may be approximated by a magnetic dipole. Each magnetometer in the plurality of magnetometers 300 may be a vector magnetometer and may be configured to measure the magnetic field in one, two, or three dimensions.

[0068] Reference Figure 3 , determining a user-carried device position indicative of a relative user-carried device position may include determining a relative magnetic object position. The relative magnetic object position may indicate a relative magnetic object positioning and / or a relative magnetic object orientation. The relative magnetic object positioning may be a positioning of at least one magnetic object 110 relative to the interaction surface 210, more specifically relative to the interaction surface coordinate system xs, ys, zs.

[0069] The relative magnetic object orientation may be an orientation of at least one magnetic object 110 relative to the interaction surface 210, more specifically relative to the interaction surface coordinate system xs, ys, zs. The relative magnetic object position may include a magnetic moment vector 120 associated with at least one magnetic object 110 and / or a relative positioning vector Δxs, Δys, Δzs. The magnetic moment vector 120 may indicate the relative magnetic object orientation, and / or wherein the relative positioning vector Δxs, Δys, Δzs indicates the relative magnetic object positioning relative to the interaction surface coordinate system xs, ys, zs. In an embodiment, the relative positioning vector may be understood as a vector from the origin of the surface coordinate system xs, ys, zs to the centroid or dipole center of the magnetic object 110.

[0070] In an embodiment, the relative magnetic object orientation may be defined by a second set of magnetic object tilt angles γ1, γ2, γ3 determined between the interaction surface 210 and the magnetic moment vector 120. In other words, the relative magnetic object orientation may be defined by a set of magnetic object tilt angles γ1, γ2, γ3 relative to the interaction surface coordinate axes xs, ys, zs.

[0071] Specifically, a first magnetic object tilt angle γ1 may be determined between the first interaction surface axis xs and the magnetic moment vector 120 ( Figure 3 not shown in). A second magnetic object tilt angle γ2 may be determined between the second interaction surface axis ys and the magnetic moment vector 120 ( Figure 3 not shown in). A vertical magnetic object tilt angle γ3 may be determined between the vertical interaction surface axis zs and the magnetic moment vector 120. For example, the vertical magnetic object tilt angle γ3 may be defined between the vertical interaction surface axis zs and the magnetic moment vector 120. Specifically, the vertical magnetic object tilt angle γ3 may be defined between the magnetic moment vector 120 and the vertical interaction surface axis zs (or an axis parallel thereto), such that the vertical magnetic object tilt angle γ3 may only be in the range between 0° and 90°. In an embodiment, two angles relative to the magnetometer plane 310 may be sufficient to define the relative magnetic object orientation of the magnetic object 110.

[0072] Thus, as two examples, the arrangement of one or more of the plurality of magnetometers in the electronic device 10 is associated with a range of magnetic object tilt angles and the distance from the electronic device at which such angles can be reliably determined. In other words, the arrangement of one or more of the plurality of magnetometers MA1 - MA6 in the electronic device 10 defines a sensing volume M within which the user can reliably carry the device. Accordingly, a beneficial arrangement of one or more of the plurality of magnetometers MA1 - MA6 in the electronic device 10 will now be discussed.

[0073] According to a first aspect, there is provided an electronic device 10, 800 configured to obtain user interaction from a user - carried device 100 including at least one magnetic object 110, wherein the electronic device 10, 800 includes:

[0074] - a housing 12 including a plurality of surfaces 14, 16, 18, 20, wherein the housing 12 defines a mounting area for a plurality of components, and wherein the spatial extent of the housing 12 is characterized by an orthogonal set of dimensions including a length L, a width W, and a height H; and

[0075] - a first plurality of magnetometers MA1 with respect to a reference coordinate system of the housing 12, wherein the first plurality of magnetometers MA1 are surrounded by the housing 12;

[0076] wherein the first plurality of magnetometers MA1 are located within a first portion 14a of the housing 12, and wherein the position of the first portion 14a is within a first outer - boundary plane co - bordering the first surface 14 of the housing 12 and a first inner - boundary plane 14b parallel to the first outer - boundary plane.

[0077] According to an example, the housing 12 is made of a material that enables the magnetometers to be included within the housing 12 to detect changes in the magnetic field outside the housing 12. For example, the housing 12 may include plastic, wood, or aluminum. In an example, the surface of the housing 12 does not include magnetic materials such as ferromagnetic and / or ferrimagnetic materials.

[0078] Figure 1 An electronic device 10 according to the first aspect is schematically shown.

[0079] Figure 4A and Figure 4B A variant of the positioning of the magnetometers when mounted in an electronic device is schematically shown. Figure 4A and Figure 4B The representation of Figure 1 is a plan view of the area arrangement including a plurality of magnetometers inside the housing 12 as shown in

[0080] According to arrangement embodiment A, a plurality of magnetometers MA1 are arranged adjacent to the front wall of the housing 12.

[0081] According to arrangement implementation B, a plurality of magnetometers MA1 are arranged adjacent to the left front corner of the housing 12.

[0082] According to arrangement implementation C, a plurality of magnetometers MA1 are arranged adjacent to the right front corner of the housing 12.

[0083] According to arrangement implementation D, a plurality of magnetometers MA1 are arranged substantially adjacent to the front wall facing the user of the housing 12. In this case, a plurality of magnetometers MA1 are divided into sub-regions MA1a and MA1b.

[0084] According to arrangement implementation E, the housing includes a first plurality of magnetometers MA1 arranged adjacent to the front wall of the housing 12 and a second plurality of magnetometers MA2 arranged adjacent to the left side wall of the housing 12.

[0085] According to arrangement implementation F, the housing includes a first plurality of magnetometers MA1 arranged adjacent to the front wall of the housing 12, a second plurality of magnetometers MA2 arranged adjacent to the left side wall of the housing 12, and a third plurality of magnetometers arranged adjacent to the right side wall of the housing 12.

[0086] Arrangement implementation G is similar to option A. Although it emphasizes that the first plurality of magnetometers MA1 are arranged adjacent to the front wall of the housing 12, the ends of the region including the plurality of magnetometers MA1 extend up to adjacent to the left side wall and the right side wall of the housing 12.

[0087] Arrangement implementation H provides a combination of a first plurality of magnetometers MA1 adjacent to the front wall of the housing 12 and a second plurality of magnetometers MA2 adjacent to the right side wall of the housing 12.

[0088] Arrangement implementation I shows that the first plurality of magnetometers MA1 can be considered as a continuous U-shaped feature in the XY plane of the housing 12. In other words, parts of the first plurality of magnetometers MA1 are adjacent to the left side wall, the front wall, and the right side wall of the housing 12.

[0089] Arrangement implementation J shows the first plurality of magnetometers MA1 and the second plurality of magnetometers MA2. The first plurality of magnetometers MA1 are adjacent to the left side wall and the front wall of the housing 12. The second plurality of magnetometers MA2 are adjacent to the right side wall and the front wall of the housing 12.

[0090] In an example of implementation J, one or more of the first plurality of magnetometers MA1 and the second plurality of magnetometers MA2 can be mounted on the front corner speaker housing of an electronic device 10 (such as an internal laptop audio system).

[0091] Arrangement embodiments K and L show that multiple magnetometers can be disposed isolatedly at the left or right corner of the housing 12. Arrangement embodiment M is similar to embodiment I in that three multiple magnetometers MA1, MA2, and MA3 together form a U-shaped unit adjacent to the left, front, and right sides of the housing 12. Arrangement embodiment N shows a first multiple magnetometers MA1 disposed on a substantially curved mounting substrate, which can be, for example, a flexible printed circuit board. In this example, the flexible printed circuit board can be conformally positioned relative to the surface wall of the housing 12.

[0092] Arrangement embodiment O shows an embodiment to be discussed later, in which the first, second, and third multiple magnetometers MA1 - MA3 define a region 4a of the housing 12 that does not include or substantially does not include magnetic material. In the example, the region 4b of the housing 12 can include magnetic material. An aspect of such an arrangement is that when the user holds the device 100 adjacent to the multiple magnetometers MA1 - 3, omitting the magnetic material from the region 4a improves the fidelity of magnetic surface or volume positioning.

[0093] Arrangement embodiment P shows a variant of option F, in which the first multiple magnetometers MA1 include a notch (in other words, the longitudinal section of the first multiple magnetometers MA1 is restricted in the XY plane) to accommodate the antenna portion of the electronic device 10.

[0094] Arrangement embodiment Q shows a variant of option F, which further includes multiple magnetometers MA5 located adjacent to the touchpad 30, which will be positioned in the housing 12 of the electronic device.

[0095] Arrangement embodiment R shows an electronic device 10 including a housing 12 with multiple magnetometers MA4 at the rear.

[0096] All the arrangement embodiments discussed above can be combined with other embodiments disclosed throughout this specification.

[0097] According to an embodiment, the first multiple magnetometers MA1 are adjacent to the first surface 14 of the housing 12.

[0098] For example, a printed circuit board or other carrier including the magnetometers belonging to the first multiple magnetometers MA1 is in physical contact with the first surface 14 of the housing 12. For example, a printed circuit board or other carrier including the magnetometers belonging to the first multiple magnetometers MA1 is bonded to the first surface 14 of the housing 12 or integrally formed therewith.

[0099] For example, a printed circuit board or other carrier including the magnetometers belonging to the first multiple magnetometers MA1 abuts but is not bonded to the first surface 14 of the housing 12.

[0100] For example, a printed circuit board or other carrier including magnetometers belonging to the first plurality of magnetometers MA1 is separated from the first surface 14 of the housing 12 in the Y direction by a distance greater than 0.1 mm, 0.2 mm, 0.3 mm, 0.4 mm, 0.5 mm, 0.6 mm, 0.7 mm, 0.8 mm, 0.9 mm, 1.0 mm, 1.1 mm, 1.2 mm, 1.3 mm, 1.4 mm, 1.5 mm, 1.6 mm, 1.7 mm, 1.8 mm, 1.9 mm, 2.0 mm, 3.0 mm, 4.0 mm, or 5.0 mm. In cases where the present specification relates to additional pluralities of magnetometers MA2 - MA6, the term "adjacent" refers to a similar separation distance between the additional pluralities of magnetometers MA2 - MA6 and other surfaces of the housing 12.

[0101] According to an embodiment, the length L of the housing 12 (preferably defined as the major dimension of the first surface or the fourth surface) is in the range of 50 mm to 400 mm.

[0102] According to an embodiment, the width W of the housing 12 (preferably defined as the major dimension of the second surface or the third surface) is in the range of 50 mm to 400 mm.

[0103] According to an embodiment, the height H of the housing 12 is in the range of 5 mm to 50 mm.

[0104] Figure 5 A plan view schematically showing a user interaction surface of the electronic device is shown.

[0105] According to an embodiment, the magnetometers physically located in the first portion 14a solely include magnetometers operably coupled to the first plurality of magnetometers MA1. Magnetometers not associated with the first plurality of magnetometers MA1 are not physically located within the first portion 14a.

[0106] According to an embodiment, the magnetometers physically located in the second portion 16a solely include magnetometers operably coupled to the second plurality of magnetometers MA2. Magnetometers not associated with the second plurality of magnetometers MA2 are not physically located within the second portion 16a.

[0107] According to an embodiment, the magnetometers physically located in the third portion 18a solely include magnetometers operably coupled to the third plurality of magnetometers MA3. Magnetometers not associated with the third plurality of magnetometers MA3 are not physically located within the third portion 18a.

[0108] According to an embodiment, the magnetometers physically located in the fourth portion 20a solely include magnetometers operably coupled to the fourth plurality of magnetometers MA4. Magnetometers not associated with the fourth plurality of magnetometers MA4 are not physically located within the fourth portion 20a.

[0109] According to an embodiment, the magnetometer physically located in the fifth part 22a uniquely includes a magnetometer operatively coupled to the fifth plurality of magnetometers MA5. A magnetometer not associated with the fifth plurality of magnetometers MA5 is not physically located within the fifth part 22a.

[0110] Figure 5 Depiction of all other elements of the electronic device 10, such as the printed circuit board and the battery, is omitted so that the boundaries of the installation areas of the plurality of magnetometers can be seen more clearly.

[0111] Figure 6 Schematically shows Figure 5 a side cross-sectional view of the electronic device depicted in

[0112] Figure 7 Schematically shows a plan view of the user interaction surface of the electronic device.

[0113] Figure 8 Schematically shows a side cross-sectional view of the electronic device.

[0114] In contrast to Figure 5 and Figure 6 different, Figure 7 and Figure 8 depicts an internal installation arrangement in the housing 12 of a printed circuit board including a first plurality of magnetometers to a fifth plurality of magnetometers MA1 - MA5.

[0115] The printed circuit board (or electronic component) including the first plurality of magnetometers MA1 has a length L(MA1) and a width W(MA1). The depicted distance epsilon (ε) is used to show the fact that the printed circuit board including the first plurality of magnetometers MA1 is mounted adjacent to the first wall 14 of the housing 12.

[0116] The printed circuit board (or electronic component) including the second plurality of magnetometers MA1 has a length L(MA2) and a width W(MA2).

[0117] The printed circuit board (or electronic component) including the third plurality of magnetometers MA3 has a length L(MA3) and a width W(MA3).

[0118] The printed circuit board (or electronic component) including the fourth plurality of magnetometers MA4 has a length L(MA4) and a width W(MA4).

[0119] The printed circuit board (or electronic component) including the fifth plurality of magnetometers MA5 has a length L(MA5) and a width W(MA5).

[0120] Each of the second plurality of magnetometers and the third plurality of magnetometers may be significantly different in dimension and need not be the same asFigure 7 Same as shown in

[0121] According to an embodiment, a line orthogonal to and separating the first surface 14 and the first inner boundary plane 14b of the housing 12 defines a first partial separation distance 14d, and the ratio between the first partial separation distance 14d and the width W of the housing 12 is less than one of the following: 0.25, 0.2, 0.15, 0.1, or 0.05.

[0122] According to an embodiment, the first partial separation distance 14d is less than one of the following: 1 mm, 2 mm, 3 mm, 4 mm, 5 mm, 10 mm, 15 mm, or 20 mm.

[0123] According to an embodiment, the first portion 14a of the housing 12 including the first plurality of magnetometers MA1 has a cubic shape defined by a first portion length, a first portion width, and a first portion height.

[0124] According to an embodiment, the first surface of the housing 12 is closest to and faces the user of the electronic device 10 during operation.

[0125] According to an embodiment, the length of the first portion 14a of the housing 12 is greater than one of 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 82.5%, 85%, 87.5%, or 90%, 92.5%, 95%, or 97.5% of the total length L of the housing 12.

[0126] According to an embodiment, the first portion 14a is centered on the symmetry line of the housing 12, or the first portion 14a is adjacent to a second surface 16 or a third surface 18 perpendicular to the first surface 14 of the housing 12, respectively.

[0127] According to an embodiment, the first portion 14a extends along substantially the entire length L of the housing 12.

[0128] According to an embodiment, the first plurality of magnetometers MA1 includes a network of N magnetometers arranged in a matrix form.

[0129] According to an embodiment, the magnetometers in the first plurality of magnetometers MA1 are mounted in a first magnetometer plane. The angle A(MA1) enclosed by the first magnetometer plane and the first surface 14 of the housing 12 is at least 5 degrees, 7.5 degrees, 10 degrees, 12.5 degrees, 15 degrees, 17.5 degrees, 20 degrees, 22.5 degrees, 25 degrees, 27.5 degrees, 30 degrees, 32.5 degrees, 35 degrees, 37.5 degrees, 40 degrees, 42.5 degrees, 45 degrees, 47.5 degrees, 50 degrees, 52.5 degrees, 55 degrees, 57.5 degrees, 60 degrees, 62.5 degrees, 65 degrees, 67.5 degrees, 70 degrees, 72.5 degrees, 75 degrees, 77.5 degrees, 80 degrees, 82.5 degrees, 85 degrees, 87.5 degrees, or 90 degrees.

[0130] According to an embodiment, the electronic device 10, 800 further comprises:

[0131] - a second plurality of magnetometers MA2 with respect to the reference coordinate system of the housing 12, wherein the second plurality of magnetometers MA2 are surrounded by the housing 12. The second plurality of magnetometers MA2 are located within a second part 16a of the housing 12. The position of the second part 16a is within a second outer boundary plane 16c that shares an edge with the second surface of the housing 12 and a second inner boundary plane 16b that is parallel to the second outer boundary plane 16c.

[0132] According to an embodiment, a line that is orthogonal to the second surface and the second inner boundary plane 16b of the housing 12 and separates the second surface and the second inner boundary plane defines a second part separation distance 16d, and the ratio between the second part separation distance 16d and the length L of the housing 12 is less than one of the following: 0.25, 0.2, 0.15, 0.1, or 0.05.

[0133] According to an embodiment, the second part separation distance 16d is less than one of the following: 1 mm, 2 mm, 3 mm, 4 mm, 5 mm, 10 mm, 15 mm, or 20 mm.

[0134] According to an embodiment, the second plurality of magnetometers MA2 are adjacent to the second surface 16 of the housing 12.

[0135] According to an embodiment, the magnetometers in the second plurality of magnetometers MA2 are mounted in a second magnetometer plane, wherein the angle A(MA2) enclosed by the second magnetometer plane and the second surface 16 of the housing 12 is at least 5 degrees, 7.5 degrees, 10 degrees, 12.5 degrees, 15 degrees, 17.5 degrees, 20 degrees, 22.5 degrees, 25 degrees, 27.5 degrees, 30 degrees, 32.5 degrees, 35 degrees, 37.5 degrees, 40 degrees, 42.5 degrees, 45 degrees, 47.5 degrees, 50 degrees, 52.5 degrees, 55 degrees, 57.5 degrees, 60 degrees, 62.5 degrees, 65 degrees, 67.5 degrees, 70 degrees, 72.5 degrees, 75 degrees, 77.5 degrees, 80 degrees, 82.5 degrees, 85 degrees, 87.5 degrees, or 90 degrees.

[0136] According to an embodiment, the second plurality of magnetometers MA2 includes a network of N magnetometers arranged in a matrix form, and more specifically, where N is greater than 5, 16, 32, 64, 128, or 256.

[0137] According to an embodiment, the electronic device 10, 800 further includes a third plurality of magnetometers MA3 with respect to the reference coordinate system of the housing 12, wherein the third plurality of magnetometers MA3 is surrounded by the housing 12. The third plurality of magnetometers MA3 is located within the third part 18a of the housing 12, and the position of the third part 18a is within a third outer boundary plane 18c that shares an edge with the third surface 18 of the housing 12 and a third inner boundary plane 18b parallel to the third outer boundary plane 18c.

[0138] According to an embodiment, the third part separation distance 18d is defined in and in a direction orthogonal to the third surface 18 and the third inner boundary plane 18b of the housing 12, and the ratio between the third part separation distance 18d and the length L of the housing 12 is less than one of the following: 0.25, 0.2, 0.15, 0.1, or 0.05.

[0139] According to an embodiment, the third part separation distance 18d is less than one of the following: 1 mm, 2 mm, 3 mm, 4 mm, 5 mm, 10 mm, 15 mm, or 20 mm.

[0140] According to an embodiment, the third plurality of magnetometers MA3 is adjacent to the third surface 18 of the housing 12.

[0141] According to an embodiment, the magnetometers in the third plurality of magnetometers MA3 are mounted in a third magnetometer plane, wherein the angle A(MA3) enclosed by the third magnetometer plane MA3 and the third surface 18 of the housing 12 is at least 5 degrees, 7.5 degrees, 10 degrees, 12.5 degrees, 15 degrees, 17.5 degrees, 20 degrees, 22.5 degrees, 25 degrees, 27.5 degrees, 30 degrees, 32.5 degrees, 35 degrees, 37.5 degrees, 40 degrees, 42.5 degrees, 45 degrees, 47.5 degrees, 50 degrees, 52.5 degrees, 55 degrees, 57.5 degrees, 60 degrees, 62.5 degrees, 65 degrees, 67.5 degrees, 70 degrees, 72.5 degrees, 75 degrees, 77.5 degrees, 80 degrees, 82.5 degrees, 85 degrees, 87.5 degrees, or 90 degrees.

[0142] According to an embodiment, the first plurality of magnetometers MA1 and the second plurality of magnetometers MA2 are mounted on a single member or a single printed circuit board adjacent to the corner of the second surface 16 and the first surface 14 of the housing 12.

[0143] According to an embodiment, the first plurality of magnetometers MA1 and the third plurality of magnetometers MA3 are mounted on a single member or a single printed circuit board adjacent to the corner of the third surface 18 and the first surface 14 of the housing 12.

[0144] According to an embodiment, the electronic device 10, 800 further includes a fourth plurality of magnetometers MA4 with respect to the reference coordinate system of the housing 12. The fourth plurality of magnetometers MA4 is surrounded by the housing 12. The fourth plurality of magnetometers MA4 is located within the fourth portion 20a of the housing 12. The position of the fourth portion 20a is within the fourth outer boundary plane 20c sharing an edge with the fourth surface 20 of the housing 12 and within the fourth inner boundary plane 20b parallel to the fourth outer boundary plane.

[0145] According to an embodiment, the fourth surface 20 of the housing 12 is the farthest from and faces away from the user of the electronic device 10, 800 during operation.

[0146] Figure 9 A plan view of the user interaction surface 8 of the electronic device is schematically shown.

[0147] Figure 10 A side cross-sectional view of the electronic device is schematically shown.

[0148] According to an embodiment, the housing 12 includes at least a user interaction portion (8) in a user interaction plane at a reference height above a base portion of the housing 12. The electronic device 10, 800 further includes a fifth plurality of magnetometers MA5 enclosed by the housing 12. The fifth plurality of magnetometers MA5 are arranged in a fifth portion 22a of the housing 12, wherein an upper boundary of the fifth portion 22a is provided by the user interaction portion 8, and lateral boundaries of the fifth portion 22a are separated from one or more surfaces of the housing 12 by corresponding plural distances SD1 - SD4.

[0149] According to an embodiment, the electronic device 10, 800 further includes a touchpad 30. A portion of the touchpad 31 is arranged to be parallel or substantially coplanar with the user interaction portion 8.

[0150] According to an embodiment, the lateral boundaries of the fifth portion 22a are parallel or substantially aligned with the lateral extent of the touchpad 30.

[0151] According to an embodiment, a lower boundary 22b of the fifth portion 22a is a base portion of the housing 12, or a lateral plane that is at a predetermined distance below the user interaction portion in the height H direction.

[0152] According to an embodiment, the fifth portion 22a has the form of a cube.

[0153] According to an embodiment, the fifth portion 22a is positioned such that the centroid of the fifth portion 22a lies on a line that bisects the user interaction portion perpendicularly in the width direction and / or length direction of the housing 12.

[0154] According to an embodiment, a first distance SD1 measured along a line in the plane of the user interaction portion 8 between a first surface 14 of the housing 12 and a lateral boundary of the fifth portion 22a and perpendicular to the first surface and the lateral boundary is greater than a distance characterized by multiplying the width W of the housing 12 by a factor that is one of 0.33, 0.25, 0.20, 0.15, 0.10, or 0.05.

[0155] According to an embodiment, a second distance SD2 measured along a line in the plane of the user interaction portion 8 between a second surface 16 of the housing 12 and a lateral boundary of the fifth portion 22a and perpendicular to the second surface and the lateral boundary is greater than a distance characterized by multiplying the width W of the housing 12 by a factor that is one of 0.33, 0.25, 0.20, 0.15, 0.10, or 0.05.

[0156] According to an embodiment, a third distance SD3, measured along a line on the plane of the user interaction portion 8 and perpendicular to a third surface 18 of the housing 12 and a lateral boundary of the fifth portion 22a, is greater than a distance characterized by multiplying the width of the housing 12 by a factor that is one of 0.33, 0.25, 0.20, 0.15, 0.10, or 0.05.

[0157] According to an embodiment, a fourth distance SD4, measured along a line on the plane of the user interaction portion 8 and perpendicular to a fourth surface 20 of the housing 12 and a lateral boundary of the fifth portion 22a, is greater than a distance characterized by multiplying the length of the housing 12 by a factor that is one of 0.75, 0.70, 0.65, 0.60, 0.55, 0.50, 0.45, 0.40, 0.35, 0.30, 0.25, 0.20, 0.15, 0.10, or 0.05.

[0158] According to an embodiment, a fifth plurality of magnetometers MA5 are mounted along a line defined by at least a portion of a lateral boundary 24 of the fifth portion 22a.

[0159] According to an embodiment, one or more of the first plurality of magnetometers to the fifth plurality of magnetometers are mounted within their respective magnetometer mounting regions on a corresponding 2D planar member.

[0160] According to an embodiment, a first subset of the fifth plurality of magnetometers MA5 is mounted at a different height H of the housing 12 relative to a second subset of the fifth plurality of magnetometers MA5.

[0161] According to an embodiment, the magnetometers included in the first plurality of magnetometers to the fifth plurality of magnetometers are not mounted within or around a laptop computer display 11.

[0162] According to an embodiment, N is greater than or equal to 5, 16, 32, 64, 128, or 256.

[0163] According to an embodiment, the magnetometers in the first plurality of magnetometers MA1 are mounted on a first printed circuit board.

[0164] According to an embodiment, the magnetometers included in a matrix of the first plurality of magnetometers MA1 are arranged in at least two rows separated by a separation distance D extending along a length direction L(MA1) of the first plurality of magnetometers MA1.

[0165] According to an embodiment, the first printed circuit board has a maximum dimension of 310 mm in the length direction L(MA1) and a maximum dimension of 220 mm in the width direction W(MA1).

[0166] According to an embodiment, the electronic device 10, 800 further comprises:

[0167] - a processor 804 communicatively coupled to at least a first plurality of magnetometers; and

[0168] - a communication interface 806 communicatively coupled to the processor 804.

[0169] The processor 804 is configured to obtain, via the communication interface, a plurality of measurement results measured by at least the first plurality of magnetometers MA1 associated with at least one magnetic object.

[0170] The processor 804 is configured to perform signal processing on the plurality of signals to thereby generate coordinates characterizing the position and / or orientation of at least one user accessory including at least one magnet relative to at least a first magnetometer plane.

[0171] The processor 804 is configured to send, via the communication interface 806, a position characterizing the positioning and / or orientation of at least one user-carrying device.

[0172] According to an embodiment, the first plurality of magnetometers MA1, the second plurality of magnetometers MA2, and the third plurality of magnetometers MA3 are mounted on a single member or a single printed circuit board.

[0173] According to an embodiment, the first plurality of magnetometers MA1 and / or the second plurality of magnetometers MA2 and / or the third plurality of magnetometers MA3 and / or the fourth plurality of magnetometers MA4 and / or the fifth plurality of magnetometers MA5 are mounted on a flexible printed circuit board.

[0174] According to an embodiment, the interior of the housing 12 is divided into a first volume 9a including at least the first plurality of magnetometers MA1 and a second volume 9b not including any magnetometers. According to an embodiment, the first volume 9a does not include a large amount of magnetic material.

[0175] Figure 11 Variations of the plurality of magnetometers are schematically shown. In an example, these may be named a magnetometer group or a magnetometer array.

[0176] Figure 11 a) shows a linear plurality of magnetometers MA1 having an aspect ratio suitable for use adjacent to or in contact with the front surface 14 of an electronic device 10 such as a laptop computer. According to an example, the aspect ratio (width: length) of the printed circuit board supporting the plurality of magnetometers is 1:30, 1:25, 1:20, 1:15, or 1:10. Figure 11The example of a) shows a linear plurality of magnetometers MA1, which includes two rows of magnetometers separated by a pitch distance D. The magnetometers 32 in each row are separated by a distance S1. In the example, the magnetometers in the first row are offset from the magnetometers in the second row by an offset distance S0. According to an embodiment, the passive components 34 required for the operation of each magnetometer 32 are disposed in the gap defined by the offset distance S0.

[0177] According to a specific example, the front printed circuit board intended to be mounted adjacent to the first surface 14 may have a width dimension of 10 mm and a length dimension of 280 mm. The front printed circuit board may include 27 magnetometers. The front printed circuit board (and its associated magnetometer plane) is disposed at an angle of 25 degrees with respect to the vector perpendicular to the surface on which the electronic device 10 is located.

[0178] Figure 11 b) shows Figure 11 a variant of a), in which a linear plurality of magnetometers MA1#2 are arranged in a single row.

[0179] Figure 11 c) shows a plurality of magnetometers arranged in a set of two offset rows on a printed circuit board, which is suitable for use adjacent to the second surface 16 or the third surface 18 of the housing 12 of the electronic device 10. In particular, the printed circuit board MA2 may have an aspect ratio (width: length) of 1:10, 1:7, 1:5 or 1:3.

[0180] According to a specific example, the second-party magnetometers and / or third-party magnetometers are disposed on a printed circuit board having a length dimension of 10 mm and a width dimension of 75 mm. The printed circuit board includes 11 magnetometers and is mounted at an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the vector perpendicular to the surface on which the electronic device 10 is located.

[0181] Figure 11 d) shows a plurality of magnetometers arranged in a single line on a printed circuit board.

[0182] Figure 11 e) shows a two-dimensional matrix of magnetometers of the fifth plurality of magnetometers as previously discussed in this specification, which is suitable for use, for example, under the touchpad 30. The printed circuit board includes a width dimension WMA5 and a length dimension LMA5. In the length dimension, the spacing of the magnetometers 34 is defined by the distance S2. The offset in the length direction between the magnetometers 34 on adjacent rows of the matrix is defined by the dimension S5. In the width dimension, the spacing between rows is defined by the dimension S4.

[0183] Figure 11 f) shows a view of the magnetometer array, showing more details of the arrangement of the magnetometers 32 relative to the offset passive components 34.

[0184] In a specific example, the touchpad 30 may include a magnetometer array having a size of 70 mm × 60 mm and including eight magnetometer sensors.

[0185] Figure 12 Schematically shows the interaction volume and surface surrounding the electronic device. For example, the electronic device 10 is shown as being supported by the interaction surface 200. When the signals received from the multiple magnetometers MA1 - MA5 are received by a device driver included in the user environment of the operating system executed by the electronic device 10, an application hosted by the operating system of the electronic device 10 can access two - dimensional or three - dimensional coordinates (e.g., defined on the support surface 200) representing the position where the user is carrying the device. A first sensing volume SV1 is disposed in front of the first surface 14 of the electronic device 10 and is mainly monitored by the first plurality of magnetometers MA1. A second sensing volume SV2 is disposed to the left of the second surface 16 and is mainly monitored by the second plurality of magnetometers MA2. A third sensing volume SV3 is disposed to the right of the third surface 18 and is mainly monitored by the third plurality of magnetometers MA3. A fourth sensing volume SV4 is disposed at the rear of the electronic device 10 and is mainly monitored by the fourth plurality of magnetometers MA4. A fifth sensing volume SV5 is disposed above the touchpad 30 of the electronic device 10 and is mainly monitored by the fifth plurality of magnetometers MA5.

[0186] Figure 13 Schematically shows a specific example of three multiple magnetometers for performing experimental verification. In particular, the left printed circuit board (corresponding to the multiple magnetometers MA2) has a length of 10 mm and a width of 75 mm. The left printed circuit board includes 11 magnetometers. Six sensors of the first line are arranged closest to the edge of the electronic device 10, and five sensors of the second line are arranged offset towards the centroid of the electronic device 10. The left printed circuit board is mounted at an angle of 45° in the vertical direction. In Figure 13 the experimental example, the right printed circuit board (corresponding to the multiple magnetometers MA3) is the same as the left printed circuit board.

[0187] The front printed circuit board includes a length dimension of 280 mm and a width dimension of 10 mm. It includes a total of 27 magnetometers. The first magnetometers of the first line adjacent to the edge of the electronic device 10 include 14 magnetometers. The magnetometers of the second line closer to the centroid of the electronic device 10 include 13 magnetometers compared to the magnetometers of the first line.

[0188] According to the example, the center of each magnetometer is separated from the center of any other magnetometer by a distance that exceeds 10 mm, 9 mm, 8 mm, 7 mm, 5 mm, 4 mm, 3 mm, 2 mm, or 1 mm.

[0189] According to the example, if a surface mount capacitor is required as a passive component for driving each magnetometer, the capacitor is spaced from any other magnetometer by preferably more than 6 mm, and otherwise more than 8 mm.

[0190] According to the example, if a surface mount resistor is required as a passive component for driving each magnetometer, the resistor is placed at a position preferably more than 6 mm from any other magnetometer, and otherwise more than 4 mm.

[0191] Figure 14 Schematically shows the experimental results due to Figure 13 the layout shown in. The lower side of the figure shows Figure 13 the signal-to-noise ratio contour lines (SNR lines) of the magnetometer arrangement shown in. A proprietary Python code developed by Advanced Magnetic Interactions (AMI) is used to model the magnetic field. For simulation purposes, the magnet used is a cylinder with a remanent magnetic field equal to 1.44, a diameter of 10 mm, and a length of 10 mm. The SNR is calculated at the position in the XY plane, and the Z positioning is fixed at 4 cm.

[0192] To measure the SNR, the magnet is moved along a grid. At each point, the magnetic field on the magnetometer is calculated and the average value is calculated, and then the SNR is calculated.

[0193] It can be seen from the results that in the simulation, the presence of the magnetometer arrays on the left and right sides of the electronic device extends the area of high signal-to-noise ratio at the left and right sides of the laptop. This means that, for example, compared with the case where there is no magnetometer array at the left and / or right sides of the laptop, a mouse using a magnet with a sensor array will experience better spatial resolution and / or lower latency. In addition, setting a wide magnetometer array at the front of the laptop extends the useful distance within which a mouse including a magnet can be used at the front of the laptop.

[0194] Figure 15 Schematically shows the experimental results due to Figure 13 the layout shown in. For example, Figure 15 shows the SNR along Figure 14 the lines L1, L2, and L3 shown in.

[0195] Figure 16 Schematically shows the experimental results due to Figure 13 the layout shown in. For example, Figure 16 shows the SNR along Figure 14 the lines L4, L5, and L6 shown in.

[0196] Figure 17 Schematically shows the configuration of the electronic device.

[0197] According to an example, each of a plurality of magnetometers MA1 includes a processor for performing magnetic measurements. The magnetic measurement results are sent to the processor to calculate position information based on the magnetic measurement results.

[0198] According to a second aspect, there is provided a system 1, which includes an electronic device 10, 800 according to the first aspect or an implementation thereof. The system further includes at least one user-carrying device 100, and the at least one user-carrying device includes at least one magnetic object 110 and / or a magnetic field generator. The electronic device 10 is configured to: obtain magnetic field measurement results associated with the user-carrying device 100 to determine the position of the user-carrying device relative to a reference coordinate system, and transmit the position of the user-carrying device 100.

[0199] According to an implementation, the user-carrying device 100 is any one of the following: a stylus, a ring, a dial, a keyboard, a joystick, a computer mouse (including a scroll wheel in the example), or a toy including a magnetic object.

[0200] According to a third aspect, there is provided a computer-implemented method, which includes:

[0201] - Obtaining 602 at an electronic device 10 according to the first aspect or an implementation thereof, magnetic field measurement results associated with at least one magnetic object and measured by a plurality of magnetometers included in the electronic device 10;

[0202] - Determining 604 the position of the user-carrying device relative to the electronic device 10 relative to a reference coordinate system based on the magnetic field measurement results; and

[0203] - Transmitting 606 the position of the user-carrying device 100 to a device driver instantiated in the user environment of the electronic device 10.

[0204] Figure 18 The computer-implemented method is schematically shown in.

[0205] According to an implementation, the method further provides moving a displayed cursor within a display 11 displayed by the electronic device 10 based on the position of the user-carrying device transmitted to the device driver.

[0206] According to an implementation, the method further provides generating an input event based on the position of the user-carrying device. In an implementation, the input event is a keyboard action, a dial movement, or a toy event.

[0207] According to an implementation, the method further provides:

[0208] - Generating calibration coefficients corresponding to the magnetometers among the plurality of magnetometers by:

[0209] - Position at least one known magnet in at least a known position and orientation relative to a plurality of magnetometers, obtain at least one set of corresponding magnetic field measurement results using the magnetometers, and compare the magnetic field measurement results with a set of expected magnetic field measurement result sets; and

[0210] - Apply calibration coefficients to subsequently obtained magnetic field measurement results associated with at least one magnetic object and measured using the plurality of magnetometers.

[0211] According to an embodiment, the calibration coefficients include the position, orientation, sensitivity, and offset of the sensors.

[0212] According to a fourth aspect, there is provided a computer program element comprising machine-readable instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the method steps according to the third aspect.

[0213] According to a fifth aspect, there is provided a computer-readable medium comprising the computer program element according to the fourth aspect.

[0214] Embodiment

[0215] Although the present disclosure has been described above and defined in the appended claims, it should be understood that the present disclosure may be defined according to the following embodiments:

[0216] 1. An electronic device (10, 800) configured to obtain user interaction from a user-carrying device (100) including at least one magnetic object (110), wherein the electronic device (10, 800) comprises:

[0217] - A housing (12) including a plurality of surfaces (14, 16, 18, 20), wherein the housing (12) defines an installation area for a plurality of components, and wherein the spatial extent of the housing (12) is characterized by an orthogonal dimension set including a length (L), a width (W), and a height (H); and

[0218] - A first plurality of magnetometers (MA1) relative to a reference coordinate system of the housing (12), wherein the first plurality of magnetometers (MA1) are surrounded by the housing (12);

[0219] wherein the first plurality of magnetometers (MA1) are located within a first portion (14a) of the housing (12), and wherein the position of the first portion (14a) is within a first outer boundary plane sharing an edge with a first surface (14) of the housing (12) and a first inner boundary plane (14b) parallel to the first outer boundary plane.

[0220] 2. The electronic device (10, 800) according to embodiment 1,

[0221] A line that is orthogonal to the first surface (14) and the first inner boundary plane (14b) of the housing (12) and separates the first surface and the first inner boundary plane defines a first partial separation distance (14d), and the ratio between the first partial separation distance (14d) and the width (W) of the housing (12) is less than one of the following: 0.25, 0.2, 0.15, 0.1, or 0.05.

[0222] 3. The electronic device (10, 800) according to embodiment 2,

[0223] wherein the first partial separation distance (14d) is less than one of the following: 1 mm, 2 mm, 3 mm, 4 mm, 5 mm, 10 mm, 15 mm, or 20 mm.

[0224] 4. The electronic device (10, 800) according to one of the foregoing embodiments, wherein the first plurality of magnetometers (MA1) is close to the first surface of the housing (12).

[0225] 5. The electronic device (10, 800) according to one of the foregoing embodiments,

[0226] wherein the interior of the housing (12) is divided into a first volume (9a) including at least the first plurality of magnetometers (MA1) and a second volume (9b) not including any magnetometers.

[0227] 6. The electronic device (10, 800) according to embodiment 5,

[0228] wherein the first volume (9a) does not include a large amount of magnetic material.

[0229] 7. The electronic device (10, 800) according to one of the foregoing embodiments,

[0230] wherein a first portion (14a) of the housing (12) including the first plurality of magnetometers (MA1) has a cubic shape defined by a first portion length, a first portion width, and a first portion height.

[0231] 8. The electronic device (10, 800) according to one of the foregoing embodiments,

[0232] wherein the first surface of the housing (12) is closest to and faces the user of the electronic device (10) during operation.

[0233] 9. The electronic device (10, 800) according to one of the foregoing embodiments,

[0234] Wherein a first part (14a) of the housing (12) has a length greater than one of 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 82.5%, 85%, 87.5% or 90%, 92.5%, 95% or 97.5% of the total length (L) of the housing (12).

[0235] 10. The electronic device (10, 800) according to embodiment 9,

[0236] Wherein the first part (14a) is centered on the symmetry line of the housing (12), or wherein the first part (14a) is adjacent to a second surface (16) or a third surface (18) that is perpendicular to the first surface (14) of the housing (12) respectively.

[0237] 11. The electronic device (10, 800) according to one of the foregoing embodiments,

[0238] Wherein the first part (14a) extends along substantially the entire length (L) of the housing (12) minus the thickness of the walls of the housing (12) that provide the second and third surfaces.

[0239] 12. The electronic device (10, 800) according to one of the foregoing embodiments,

[0240] Wherein the first plurality of magnetometers (MA1) includes a network of N magnetometers arranged in a matrix form.

[0241] 13. The electronic device (10, 800) according to embodiment 12,

[0242] Wherein N is greater than or equal to 5, 16, 32, 64, 128 or 256.

[0243] 14. The electronic device (10, 800) according to one of embodiments 12 or 13,

[0244] Wherein the magnetometers in the first plurality of magnetometers (MA1) are mounted on a first printed circuit board.

[0245] 15. The electronic device (10, 800) according to one of embodiments 12 to 14,

[0246] Wherein the magnetometers included in the matrix of the first plurality of magnetometers (MA1) are arranged in at least two rows separated by a separation distance (D) extending along the length direction (L(MA1)) of the first plurality of magnetometers (MA1), or the magnetometers included in the first plurality of magnetometers (MA1) are arranged in a single row extending along the length direction (L(MA1)) of the first plurality of magnetometers (MA1).

[0247] 16. The electronic device (10, 800) according to one of embodiments 12 to 15,

[0248] wherein magnetometers in the first plurality of magnetometers MA1 are mounted in a magnetometer plane, and an angle A(MA1) formed by the first magnetometer plane and the first surface 14 of the housing 12 is at least 5 degrees, 7.5 degrees, 10 degrees, 12.5 degrees, 15 degrees, 17.5 degrees, 20 degrees, 22.5 degrees, 25 degrees, 27.5 degrees, 30 degrees, 32.5 degrees, 35 degrees, 37.5 degrees, 40 degrees, 42.5 degrees, 45 degrees, 47.5 degrees, 50 degrees, 52.5 degrees, 55 degrees, 57.5 degrees, 60 degrees, 62.5 degrees, 65 degrees, 67.5 degrees, 70 degrees, 72.5 degrees, 75 degrees, 77.5 degrees, 80 degrees, 82.5 degrees, 85 degrees, 87.5 degrees or 90 degrees.

[0249] 17. The electronic device (10, 800) according to one of the foregoing embodiments,

[0250] wherein the first printed circuit board has a maximum dimension of 310 mm in the length direction (L(MA1)) and a maximum dimension of 220 mm in the width direction (W(MA1)).

[0251] 18. The electronic device (10, 800) according to one of the foregoing embodiments, the electronic device further comprising:

[0252] - a second plurality of magnetometers (MA2) relative to a reference coordinate system of the housing (12), wherein the second plurality of magnetometers (MA2) are surrounded by the housing (12); and

[0253] wherein the second plurality of magnetometers (MA2) are located within a second portion (16a) of the housing (12), and the position of the second portion (16a) is within a second outer boundary plane (16c) sharing an edge with a second surface of the housing (12) and a second inner boundary plane (16b) parallel to the second outer boundary plane (16c).

[0254] 19. The electronic device (10, 800) according to embodiment 18,

[0255] wherein a line orthogonal to the second surface of the housing (12) and the second inner boundary plane (16b) and separating the second surface and the second inner boundary plane defines a second portion separation distance (16d), and a ratio between the second portion separation distance (16d) and the length (L) of the housing (12) is less than one of the following: 0.25, 0.2, 0.15, 0.1 or 0.05.

[0256] 20. The electronic device (10, 800) according to embodiment 19,

[0257] wherein a second separation distance (16d) is less than one of: 1 mm, 2 mm, 3 mm, 4 mm, 5 mm, 10 mm, 15 mm, or 20 mm.

[0258] 21. The electronic device (10, 800) according to one of embodiments 18 to 20, wherein the second plurality of magnetometers (MA2) is adjacent to a second surface (16) of the housing (12).

[0259] 22. The electronic device (10, 800) according to one of embodiments 18 to 21,

[0260] wherein magnetometers of the second plurality of magnetometers (MA2) are mounted in a second magnetometer plane, and an angle (A(MA2)) enclosed by the second magnetometer plane and the second surface (16) of the housing (12) is at least 5 degrees, 7.5 degrees, 10 degrees, 12.5 degrees, 15 degrees, 17.5 degrees, 20 degrees, 22.5 degrees, 25 degrees, 27.5 degrees, 30 degrees, 32.5 degrees, 35 degrees, 37.5 degrees, 40 degrees, 42.5 degrees, 45 degrees, 47.5 degrees, 50 degrees, 52.5 degrees, 55 degrees, 57.5 degrees, 60 degrees, 62.5 degrees, 65 degrees, 67.5 degrees, 70 degrees, 72.5 degrees, 75 degrees, 77.5 degrees, 80 degrees, 82.5 degrees, 85 degrees, 87.5 degrees, or 90 degrees.

[0261] 23. The electronic device (10, 800) according to one of embodiments 18 to 22,

[0262] wherein the second plurality of magnetometers (MA2) includes a network of N magnetometers arranged in a matrix form, and more specifically, wherein N is greater than 5, 16, 32, 64, 128, or 256.

[0263] 24. The electronic device (10, 800) according to one of embodiments 18 to 23, the electronic device further comprising:

[0264] - a third plurality of magnetometers (MA3) relative to a reference coordinate system of the housing (12), wherein the third plurality of magnetometers (MA3) is surrounded by the housing (12); and

[0265] wherein the third plurality of magnetometers (MA3) is located within a third part (18a) of the housing (12), and wherein a position of the third part (18a) is within a third outer boundary plane (18c) sharing an edge with a third surface (18) of the housing (12) and a third inner boundary plane (18b) parallel to the third outer boundary plane (18c).

[0266] 25. The electronic device (10, 800) according to embodiment 24,

[0267] Wherein the third part separation distance (18d) is defined in a direction orthogonal to and between the third surface (18) and the third inner boundary plane (18b) of the housing (12), and the ratio between the third part separation distance (18d) and the length (L) of the housing (12) is less than one of the following: 0.25, 0.2, 0.15, 0.1 or 0.05.

[0268] 26. The electronic device (10, 800) according to embodiment 25,

[0269] Wherein the third part separation distance (18d) is less than one of the following: 1 mm, 2 mm, 3 mm, 4 mm, 5 mm, 10 mm, 15 mm or 20 mm.

[0270] 27. The electronic device (10, 800) according to one of embodiments 24 to 25, wherein the third plurality of magnetometers (MA3) are adjacent to the third surface (18) of the housing (12).

[0271] 28. The electronic device (10, 800) according to one of embodiments 24 to 27,

[0272] Wherein the magnetometers in the third plurality of magnetometers (MA3) are mounted in a third magnetometer plane, and the angle (A(MA3)) enclosed by the third magnetometer plane (MA3) and the third surface (18) of the housing (12) is at least 5 degrees, 7.5 degrees, 10 degrees, 12.5 degrees, 15 degrees, 17.5 degrees, 20 degrees, 22.5 degrees, 25 degrees, 27.5 degrees, 30 degrees, 32.5 degrees, 35 degrees, 37.5 degrees, 40 degrees, 42.5 degrees, 45 degrees, 47.5 degrees, 50 degrees, 52.5 degrees, 55 degrees, 57.5 degrees, 60 degrees, 62.5 degrees, 65 degrees, 67.5 degrees, 70 degrees, 72.5 degrees, 75 degrees, 77.5 degrees, 80 degrees, 82.5 degrees, 85 degrees, 87.5 degrees or 90 degrees.

[0273] 29. The electronic device (10, 800) according to one of embodiments 18 to 28,

[0274] Wherein the first plurality of magnetometers (MA1) and the second plurality of magnetometers (MA2) are mounted on a single member or a single printed circuit board adjacent to the corners of the second surface (16) and the first surface (14) of the housing (12).

[0275] 30. The electronic device (10, 800) according to one of embodiments 18 to 29,

[0276] wherein the first plurality of magnetometers (MA1) and the third plurality of magnetometers (MA3) are mounted on a single member or a single printed circuit board adjacent to a corner of the third surface (18) and the first surface (14) of the housing (12).

[0277] 31. The electronic device (10, 800) according to one of embodiments 24 to 30, the elec

[0278] tronic device further comprising:

[0279] - a fourth plurality of magnetometers (MA4) relative to a reference coordinate system of the housing (12), wherein the fourth plurality of magnetometers (MA4) are surrounded by the housing (12); and

[0280] wherein the fourth plurality of magnetometers (MA4) are located within a fourth portion (20a) of the housing (12), and the position of the fourth portion (20a) is within a fourth outer boundary plane (20c) sharing an edge with a fourth surface (20) of the housing (12) and a fourth inner boundary plane (20b) parallel to the fourth outer boundary plane.

[0281] 32. The electronic device (10, 800) according to embodiment 31,

[0282] wherein the fourth surface (20) of the housing (12) is the farthest from and faces away from a user of the electronic device (10, 800) during operation.

[0283] 33. The electronic device (10, 800) according to one of the foregoing embodiments,

[0284] wherein the housing (12) includes at least a user interaction portion (8) in a user interaction plane at a reference height above a base portion of the housing (12); and further comprising:

[0285] - a fifth plurality of magnetometers (MA5), which are surrounded by the housing (12);

[0286] wherein the fifth plurality of magnetometers (MA5) are arranged in a fifth portion (22a) of the housing (12), an upper boundary of the fifth portion (22a) is provided by the user interaction portion (8), and lateral boundaries of the fifth portion (22a) are separated from one or more surfaces of the housing (12) by corresponding distances (SD1 - SD4).

[0287] 34. The electronic device (10, 800) according to embodiment 33,

[0288] wherein the electronic device (10, 800) further comprises:

[0289] - a touchpad (30);

[0290] A part of the touchpad (31) is arranged to be parallel or substantially coplanar with the user interaction part (8).

[0291] 35. The electronic device (10, 800) according to one of embodiments 33 or 34,

[0292] wherein the lateral boundary of the fifth part (22a) is parallel or substantially aligned with the lateral extent of the touchpad (30).

[0293] 36. The electronic device (10, 800) according to one of embodiments 33 to 35,

[0294] wherein the lower boundary (22b) of the fifth part (22a) is the base part of the housing (12) or a lateral plane that is at a predetermined distance below the user interaction part in the height (H) direction.

[0295] 37. The electronic device (10, 800) according to one of embodiments 33 to 36,

[0296] wherein the fifth part (22a) has the form of a cube.

[0297] 38. The electronic device (10, 800) according to one of embodiments 33 to 37,

[0298] wherein the fifth part (22a) is positioned such that the centroid of the fifth part (22a) lies on a line that bisects the user interaction part perpendicularly in the width direction and / or length direction of the housing (12).

[0299] 39. The electronic device (10, 800) according to one of embodiments 33 to 38,

[0300] wherein a first distance (SD1) measured along a line on the plane of the user interaction part (8) between the first surface (14) of the housing (12) and the lateral boundary of the fifth part and perpendicular to the first surface and the lateral boundary is greater than a distance characterized by multiplying the width (W) of the housing (12) by a factor that is one of 0.8, 0.7, 0.6, 0.5, 0.33, 0.25, 0.20, 0.15, 0.10 or 0.05.

[0301] 40. The electronic device (10, 800) according to embodiment 39,

[0302] The second distance (SD2), which is measured along a line on the plane of the user interaction portion (8) between the second surface (16) of the housing (12) and the lateral boundary of the fifth portion (22a) and is perpendicular to the first surface and the lateral boundary, is greater than the distance characterized by multiplying the width (W) of the housing (12) by a factor, where the factor is one of 0.8, 0.7, 0.6, 0.5, 0.33, 0.25, 0.20, 0.15, 0.10, or 0.05.

[0303] 41. The electronic device (10, 800) according to one of embodiments 33 to 40,

[0304] wherein the third distance (SD3), which is measured along a line on the plane of the user interaction portion (8) between the third surface (18) of the housing (12) and the lateral boundary of the fifth portion (22a) and is perpendicular to the first surface and the lateral boundary, is greater than the distance characterized by multiplying the width of the housing (12) by a factor, where the factor is one of 0.8, 0.7, 0.6, 0.5, 0.33, 0.25, 0.20, 0.15, 0.10, or 0.05.

[0305] 42. The electronic device (10, 800) according to one of embodiments 33 to 41,

[0306] wherein the fourth distance (SD4), which is measured along a line on the plane of the user interaction portion (8) between the fourth surface (20) of the housing (12) and the lateral boundary of the fifth portion (22a) and is perpendicular to the first surface and the lateral boundary, is greater than the distance characterized by multiplying the length of the housing (12) by a factor, where the factor is one of 0.75, 0.70, 0.65, 0.60, 0.55, 0.50, 0.45, 0.40, 0.35, 0.30, 0.25, 0.20, 0.15, 0.10, or 0.05.

[0307] 43. The electronic device (10, 800) according to one of embodiments 33 to 42,

[0308] wherein the fifth plurality of magnetometers (MA5) are mounted along a line defined by at least a portion of the lateral boundary of the fifth portion (22a).

[0309] 44. The electronic device (10, 800) according to one of the foregoing embodiments,

[0310] wherein one or more of the first plurality of magnetometers to the fifth plurality of magnetometers are mounted within their respective magnetometer mounting regions on the corresponding 2D planar members.

[0311] 45. The electronic device (10, 800) according to one of embodiments 33 to 44,

[0312] Wherein a first subset of the fifth plurality of magnetometers (MA5) is mounted at a different height (H) of the housing (12) relative to a second subset of the fifth plurality of magnetometers (MA5) in the fifth part (22a).

[0313] 46. The electronic device (10, 800) according to one of the foregoing embodiments,

[0314] wherein the electronic device (10, 800) is one of the following: a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a tablet computer, a smart phone, a keyboard, a smart watch, a television, an interactive whiteboard, a virtual reality headset, a wireless access point, and / or a display projector.

[0315] 47. The electronic device (10, 800) according to embodiment 46, wherein the magnetometers included in the first through fifth pluralities of magnetometers are not mounted in or around the laptop computer display (11).

[0316] 48. The electronic device (10, 800) according to one of the foregoing embodiments,

[0317] wherein a first surface of the housing (12) is closest to and faces the user of the electronic device (10, 800) during operation.

[0318] 49. The electronic device (10, 800) according to one of the foregoing embodiments,

[0319] wherein the length (L) of the housing (12) (preferably defined as the major dimension of the first surface or the fourth surface) is in the range of 50 mm to 400 mm; and / or;

[0320] wherein the width (W) of the housing (12) (preferably defined as the major dimension of the second surface or the third surface) is in the range of 50 mm to 400 mm; and / or

[0321] wherein the height (H) of the housing (12) is in the range of 5 mm to 50 mm.

[0322] 50. The electronic device (10, 800) according to one of the foregoing embodiments, the electronic

[0323] device further comprising:

[0324] - A processor (804) communicatively coupled to at least the first plurality of magnetometers; and

[0325] - A communication interface (806) communicatively coupled to the processor (804);

[0326] wherein the processor (804) is configured to obtain, via a communication interface, a plurality of measurement results measured by at least a first plurality of magnetometers (MA1) associated with at least one magnetic object

[0327] wherein the processor (804) is configured to perform signal processing on the plurality of signals to thereby generate a position characterizing the position and / or orientation of at least one user-carrying device including at least one magnet relative to a reference coordinate system, and more particularly relative to at least a first magnetometer plane

[0328] and

[0329] wherein the processor (804) is configured to send, via the communication interface (806), the position characterizing the positioning and / or orientation of at least one user-carrying device

[0330] 51. The electronic device (10) according to one of the foregoing embodiments

[0331] wherein the first plurality of magnetometers (MA1), the second plurality of magnetometers (MA2), and the third plurality of magnetometers (MA3) are mounted on a single member or a single printed circuit board, or wherein the single printed circuit board includes at least two pluralities of magnetometers

[0332] 52. The electronic device (10) according to one of embodiments 1 to 51

[0333] wherein the first plurality of magnetometers (MA1) and / or the second plurality of magnetometers (MA2) and / or the third plurality of magnetometers (MA3) and / or the fourth plurality of magnetometers (MA4) and / or the fifth plurality of magnetometers (MA5) are mounted on a flexible printed circuit board

[0334] 53. A system (1), the system comprising:

[0335] - an electronic device (10, 800) according to one of embodiments 1 to 52

[0336] - at least one user-carrying device (100), the at least one user-carrying device including at least one magnetic object (110) and / or a magnetic field generator; and

[0337] wherein the electronic device (10) is configured to: obtain magnetic field measurement results associated with the user-carrying device (100) to determine the position of the user-carrying device relative to a reference coordinate system, and transmit the position of the user-carrying device (100)

[0338] 54. The system according to embodiment 53

[0339] wherein the user-carrying device (100) is one of the following: a stylus, a ring, a computer mouse, a dial, or a toy that includes at least one magnetic object (110), specifically including a roller, a dial, or a toy.

[0340] 55. A computer-implemented method (600), the computer-implemented method comprising:

[0341] - obtaining (602) at an electronic device (10) according to one of embodiments 1 to 52 a magnetic field measurement result associated with at least one magnetic object and measured by a plurality of magnetometers included within the electronic device (10);

[0342] - determining (604) based on the magnetic field measurement result the position of the user-carrying device relative to the electronic device (10) with respect to a reference coordinate system; and

[0343] - transmitting (606) the position of the user-carrying device (100) to a device driver instantiated in the user environment of the electronic device (10).

[0344] 56. The computer-implemented method according to embodiment 56, the computer-implemented method

[0345] further comprising:

[0346] - moving a displayed cursor within a display (11) displayed by the electronic device (10) based on the position of the user-carrying device transmitted to the device driver.

[0347] 57. The computer-implemented method (600) according to one of embodiments 55 to 56, the

[0348] computer-implemented method further comprising:

[0349] - generating calibration coefficients corresponding to the magnetometers among the plurality of magnetometers by:

[0350] - positioning at least one known magnet at a known distance from the plurality of magnetometers, obtaining at least one set of corresponding magnetic field measurement results using the magnetometers, and comparing the magnetic field measurement results with a set of expected magnetic field measurement result sets; and

[0351] - applying the calibration coefficients to subsequently obtained magnetic field measurement results associated with at least one magnetic object and measured by the plurality of magnetometers.

[0352] 58. A computer program element comprising machine-readable instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the method steps according to embodiments 55 to 57.

[0353] 59. A computer-readable medium comprising the computer program element according to embodiment 58.

[0354] Reference Numerals

[0355] X first (length) reference axis Z vertical (height) reference axis

[0356] Y second (width) reference axis x d First device axis

[0357] y d Second device axis 18b Third inner boundary plane

[0358] z d Vertical device axis 18c Third outer boundary plane

[0359] L Length of the housing 18d Third part separation distance

[0360] W Width of the housing 20 Fourth surface of the housing

[0361] H Height of the housing 20a Fourth part

[0362] 1 System 20b Fourth inner boundary plane

[0363] 8 User interaction surface 20c Fourth outer boundary plane

[0364] 9 Hinge 20d Fourth part separation distance

[0365] 9a First volume 22a Fifth part

[0366] 9b Second volume 22b Lower boundary of the fifth part

[0367] 10 Electronic device 24 Lateral boundary of the fifth part

[0368] 11 Display 30 Touchpad

[0369] 12 Housing 32 Single magnetometer

[0370] 14 First surface of the housing 34 Passive component

[0371] 14a First part S0 - S5 Magnetometer mounting pitch

[0372] 14b First inner boundary plane 100 User-carrying device

[0373] 14c First outer boundary plane 110 At least one magnetic object

[0374] 14d First part separation distance 120 Magnetic moment vector

[0375] MA1 - MA5: First to fifth of a plurality of magnetometers 130 Contact surface or contact point A plurality of magnetometers 140 At least one interaction feature

[0376] MP2 Magnetic force of the second plurality of magnetometers 150 Housing Magnetometer plane 160 Translation of the magnetic object

[0377] MP3 Magnetic force of the third plurality of magnetometers 170 First rotation Magnetometer plane 180 Second rotation

[0378] 16 Second surface of the housing 200 Interaction support

[0379] 16a Second part 210 Interaction surface

[0380] 16b Second inner boundary plane 230 Interaction support surface

[0381] 16c Second outer boundary plane 300 A plurality of magnetometers

[0382] 16d Second part separation distance 310 Magnetometer plane

[0383] 18 Third surface of the housing 320 Magnetometer body

[0384] 18a Third part 400 Processing unit

[0385] 500 One or more output devices 810 Processor

[0386] 510 First output device 812 Memory

[0387] 520 Second output device 814 I / O interface

[0388] 530 Third output device 816 Display circuit

[0389] 600 Method

[0390] 602 Obtain magnetic field measurement results U User

[0391] 604 Determine position α1 First rotation angle

[0392] 606 Transmit position α2 Second rotation angle

[0393] 800 Electronic device S k,l Magnetometer

[0394] 802 Printed Circuit Board δ1, δ2, δ3 First Set of Tilt Angles

[0395] 804 Controller γ1, γ2, γ3 Second Set of Tilt Angles

[0396] 806 Communication Interface β1, β2, β3 Third Set of Interaction Surface Tilt Angles

[0397] 808 Power Supply

Claims

1. An electronic device (10, 800), configured to obtain user interaction from a user-carrying device (100), wherein the user-carrying device (100) includes at least one magnetic object (110), and wherein the electronic device (10, 800) includes: - A housing (12), the housing including a plurality of surfaces (14, 16, 18, 20), wherein the housing (12) defines an installation area for a plurality of components, and wherein the spatial extent of the housing (12) is characterized by an orthogonal dimension set including a length (L), a width (W), and a height (H); and - A first plurality of magnetometers (MA1) relative to a reference coordinate system of the housing (12), wherein the first plurality of magnetometers (MA1) are surrounded by the housing (12); wherein the first plurality of magnetometers (MA1) are located within a first portion (14a) of the housing (12), and wherein the position of the first portion (14a) is within a first outer boundary plane sharing an edge with a first surface (14) of the housing (12) and a first inner boundary plane (14b) parallel to the first outer boundary plane.

2. The electronic device (10, 800) according to claim 1, wherein a line orthogonal to and separating the first surface (14) and the first inner boundary plane (14b) of the housing (12) defines a first portion separation distance (14d), and a ratio between the first portion separation (14d) distance and the width (W) of the housing (12) is less than one of: 0.25, 0.2, 0.15, 0.1, or 0.

05.

3. The electronic device (10, 800) according to claim 2, wherein the first portion separation distance (14d) is less than one of: 1 mm, 2 mm, 3 mm, 4 mm, 5 mm, 10 mm, 15 mm, or 20 mm.

4. The electronic device (10, 800) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the interior of the housing (12) is divided into a first volume (9a) including at least the first plurality of magnetometers (MA1) and a second volume (9b) not including any magnetometers.

5. The electronic device (10, 800) according to claim 4, wherein the first volume (9a) does not include a large amount of magnetic material.

6. The electronic device (10, 800) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first portion (14a) of the housing (12) has a length greater than one of 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 82.5%, 85%, 87.5%, or 90%, 92.5%, 95%, or 97.5% of the total length (L) of the housing (12).

7. The electronic device (10, 800) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first plurality of magnetometers (MA1) includes a network of N magnetometers arranged in a matrix form, preferably where N is greater than or equal to 5, 16, 32, 64, 128 or 256.

8. The electronic device (10, 800) according to one of the preceding claims, the electronic device further comprising: - a second plurality of magnetometers (MA2) relative to the reference coordinate system of the housing (12), wherein the second plurality of magnetometers (MA2) is surrounded by the housing (12); and wherein the second plurality of magnetometers (MA2) is located within a second part (16a) of the housing (12), wherein the position of the second part is within a second outer boundary plane (16c) co - bordering a second surface of the housing (12) and a second inner boundary plane (16b) parallel to the second outer boundary plane (16c).

9. The electronic device (10, 800) according to one of claims 1 to 8, the electronic device further comprising: - a third plurality of magnetometers (MA3) relative to the reference coordinate system of the housing (12), wherein the third plurality of magnetometers (MA3) is surrounded by the housing (12); and wherein the third plurality of magnetometers (MA3) is located within a third part of the housing (12), wherein the position of the third part is within a third outer boundary plane (18c) co - bordering a third surface (18) of the housing (12) and a third inner boundary plane (18b) parallel to the third outer boundary plane (18c).

10. The electronic device (10, 800) according to one of claims 1 to 9, the electronic device further comprising: - a fourth plurality of magnetometers (MA4) relative to the reference coordinate system of the housing (12), wherein the fourth plurality of magnetometers (MA4) is surrounded by the housing (12); and wherein the fourth plurality of magnetometers (MA4) is located within a fourth part of the housing (12), wherein the position of the fourth part is within a fourth outer boundary plane (20c) co - bordering a fourth surface (20) of the housing (12) and a fourth inner boundary plane (20b) parallel to the fourth outer boundary plane.

11. The electronic device (10, 800) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the electronic device (10, 800) is one of the following: a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a tablet computer, a smart phone, a keyboard, a smart watch, a television, an interactive whiteboard, a virtual reality headset, a wireless access point, and / or a display projector.

12. The electronic device (10, 800) according to one of the preceding claims, the electronic device further comprising: - a processor (804), the processor communicatively coupled to at least the first plurality of magnetometers; and - a communication interface (806), the communication interface communicatively coupled to the processor (804); wherein the processor (804) is configured to obtain, via the communication interface, a plurality of measurement results measured by at least the first plurality of magnetometers (MA1) associated with at least one magnetic object, wherein the processor (804) is configured to perform signal processing on the plurality of signals to thereby generate coordinates representative of the position and / or orientation of at least one user attachment including at least one magnet relative to at least a first magnetometer plane; and wherein the processor (804) is configured to transmit, via the communication interface (806), the coordinates representative of the position and / or orientation of at least one user attachment.

13. A system (1), the system comprising: - an electronic device (10, 800) according to one of claims 1 to 12, - at least one user-carrying device (100), the at least one user-carrying device including at least one magnetic object (110) and / or a magnetic field generator; and wherein the electronic device (10) is configured to: obtain magnetic field measurement results associated with the user-carrying device (100) to determine the position of the user-carrying device relative to the reference coordinate system, and transmit the position of the user-carrying device (100).

14. A computer-implemented method (600) for determining the position of a user-carrying device, the computer-implemented method comprising: - obtaining (602) at an electronic device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 13 magnetic field measurement results associated with at least one magnetic object of the user-carrying device and measured by a plurality of magnetometers included in the electronic device (10); - determining (604) the position of the user-carrying device relative to the electronic device (10) relative to the reference coordinate system based on the magnetic field measurement results; and - transmitting (606) the position of the user-carrying device (100) to a device driver instantiated in the user environment of the electronic device (10).

15. The computer-implemented method (600) according to claim 14, the computer-implemented method further comprising: - moving a displayed cursor within a display (11) displayed by the electronic device (10) based on the position of the user-carrying device transmitted to the device driver.

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