Body-Coupled EMI Signal Detection for Device Interaction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic devices face challenges in identifying other devices and detecting interactions due to limitations in decoding, encoding, and receiving signals, as well as interference from noise in communication channels.
Innovation Solution
An electrode coupled to a user's body to receive electromagnetic interference signals from external objects, processed by one or more processors to detect interactions, identify objects, or determine contexts, using techniques such as signal amplification, filtering, and machine learning for classification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional communication channels are used for device identification, then devices can exchange identification information, but the system fails when devices lack decoding/encoding capability or when noise interferes with the communication channel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional electromagnetic communication channels with a mechanical coupling approach. Two devices establish direct physical contact through conductive surfaces, allowing identification information to be transferred via electrical conduction rather than wireless communication. This substitution eliminates the need for decoding/encoding capabilities and immune to noise interference, resolving the contradiction between reliability and adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a physical contact interface as an intermediary between devices. This intermediary provides a dedicated conduction path for identification information, isolating the communication from external electromagnetic interference. The contactless near-field coupling mechanism acts as a mediator that enables reliable identification without requiring traditional communication protocols
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If touch-sensitive technology is integrated into devices, then interaction detection capability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes existing conductive components (device housings, connectors, shields) serve dual purposes: their original function plus touch-sensitive interaction detection. By utilizing the device's inherent conductive structures as both functional elements and sensing elements, the system gains interaction detection capability without adding separate touch-sensitive components, thus avoiding increased complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The device's own conductive structures perform the sensing function. When another device makes physical contact, the existing conductive pathways automatically detect the interaction through changes in electrical characteristics. The system uses its own resources (conductive housing, connectors) to detect interactions, eliminating the need for external touch-sensitive technology
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
Enables device identification and interaction detection even in noisy environments without requiring specific communication protocols, providing touch-sensitive functionality to devices without touch technology and enhancing user authentication and context-aware functionalities.
Implementation Method 1
receive a signal from the body, the signal based on an electromagnetic interference signal generated by an object that is external to the apparatus
Implementation Method 2
A conductive object may couple to the EMI in its environment. For example, coupling may occur by direct coupling (i.e., contact forming a conductive pathway) with an object generating EMI or by capacitive coupling to the object generating EMI
Data Source
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AI summary
In one embodiment, an apparatus includes an electrode that is coupled to a body of a user and is configured to receive a signal from the body. The received signal is based on an electromagnetic interference signal generated by an object that is external to the apparatus. The apparatus further includes one or more processors coupled to the electrode. The processors are configured to detect, based on the signal received by the electrode, one or more of: an interaction between the user and the object, an identity of the object, or a context surrounding the apparatus.