Wireless Antenna Proximity Sensing for Low-Power Playback Controls
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies for accessing and listening to digital audio in an out-loud setting are limited, and there is a need for improved consumer technology to enhance the way people access and consume digital media.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of proximity sensors, specifically capacitive and infrared sensors, to intelligently illuminate control panel icons on playback devices based on user presence, with adjustable sensitivities to account for ambient light levels, enhancing detection accuracy and reducing false triggers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If control panel icons are continuously illuminated, then user interaction is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of user presence using proximity sensors before illuminating the control panel icons. This allows the system to prepare the display state in advance based on detected user approach, ensuring icons are illuminated only when needed rather than continuously, thus reducing power consumption while maintaining ease of operation when users interact with the device
2Use of energy by moving object
If proximity sensors are used to detect user presence, then energy efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repurposes existing wireless communication antennas to function as proximity sensors by detecting changes in their electrical characteristics (capacitance, impedance, or resonant frequency) when objects approach. This multi-functional use of existing components eliminates the need for separate dedicated proximity sensor hardware, thereby improving energy efficiency without significantly increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless antenna performs its primary wireless communication function while simultaneously serving as a proximity detection sensor. The antenna self-monitors its own electrical characteristics to detect user presence, eliminating the need for external dedicated sensing components and reducing overall system complexity while achieving energy-efficient operation
3Measurement precision
If infrared sensors are used for proximity detection, then detection accuracy is improved, but false triggers increase in high ambient light conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses modulated infrared light as an intermediary signal carrier, where the infrared LED emits light at a specific modulation frequency and the sensor detects this modulated signal. This intermediary approach allows the system to distinguish the emitted infrared signal from ambient infrared radiation, maintaining high detection accuracy while significantly reducing false triggers in high ambient light conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The infrared LED emits light in periodic pulses rather than continuous illumination, and the sensor is configured to detect signals at these specific pulse intervals. This periodic action creates a temporal signature that distinguishes the active sensing signal from continuous ambient infrared radiation, improving reliability by reducing false triggers while maintaining detection accuracy
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach allows for energy-efficient and user-friendly control of playback devices by illuminating icons only when needed, improving user interaction and reducing power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
a capacitive sensor configured to detect a change in capacitance within a range of the capacitive grounding plane
Implementation Method 2
an infrared sensor configured to detect physical movement within a range of the playback device
Data Source
AI summary
An example embodiment includes a playback device comprising a wireless communications interface including a wireless (e.g., a radio frequency (RF) antenna), a capacitive sensor comprising an electrode that is coupled to the RF antenna, one or more processors, and a data storage having stored therein instructions executable by the one or more processors to cause the playback device to perform operations. The operations include operating the playback device in a first power state, detecting that an object is in proximity to the capacitive sensor, and in response to detecting the object, adjusting operation of the playback device from the first power state to a second power state.