Accelerometer-Based Hall Effect Sensor Filtering for Computing Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current computing devices face challenges in accurately determining their closed state using magnetic sensors and accelerometers, leading to potential false triggering and inefficient power management due to external interference and inaccurate angle detection.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a computing device with a magnetic sensor and two accelerometers, where the magnetic sensor is used in conjunction with the lid and base accelerometers to determine the device's orientation and movement, allowing for precise detection of the closed state and preventing false triggers by verifying the angle and movement data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a magnetic sensor is used to detect the closed state of the computing device, then the device can enter low power state, but external magnetic interference causes false triggering and inaccurate detection

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of closed state detectionVSAvoidexternal magnetic interference
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces accelerometers as intermediary sensors that detect mechanical movement and orientation of the lid. The system uses accelerometer data to verify whether the lid is actually being closed before acting on magnetic sensor triggers, thereby filtering out false positives caused by external magnetic interference while maintaining reliable closed state detection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring accelerometer data and using it to validate magnetic sensor readings. When the magnetic sensor detects a potential closed state, the system checks accelerometer information to confirm actual lid movement, creating a feedback loop that eliminates false triggering and improves detection reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Device complexity

If only magnetic sensor is used for detecting closed state, then the device structure is simple, but false triggering occurs due to external interference

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor configurationVSAvoiddetection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges magnetic sensor detection with accelerometer verification into a unified closed state detection system. By combining data from both sensor types, the system achieves high reliability without excessive complexity, as the accelerometers serve to validate rather than independently determine the closed state

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If accelerometer data is used to verify magnetic sensor triggers, then false triggers are prevented, but additional processing complexity is introduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefalse trigger preventionVSAvoiddata processing requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies partial verification by using accelerometer data selectively - only when the magnetic sensor triggers a potential closed state detection. The accelerometer doesn't continuously operate at full capacity but provides verification data on-demand, reducing processing complexity while maintaining false trigger prevention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP3320412B1Accelerometer based hall effect sensor filtering for computing devices
Publication Date: 2021.08.04 GOOGLE LLC
  • EP3320412B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3320412B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3320412B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In one general aspect, a method can include receiving, from a magnetic sensor included in a housing of a computing device, an indication of a change of state of the magnetic sensor, obtaining, subsequent to receiving the indication of the change of state of the magnetic sensor, first data from a first accelerometer included in a lid portion of the computing device, obtaining, subsequent to receiving the indication of the change of state of the magnetic sensor, second data from a second accelerometer included in a base portion of the computing device. The base portion and the lid portion can be connected by a hinge about which the lid portion is configured to rotate relative to the base portion between an open state and a closed state. The method can include determining whether the computing device is being closed based on analyzing the first data and the second data.