Body Presence Sensor Calibration for Mobile Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile computing devices face inaccuracies in sensor data and threshold settings due to multiple physical configuration modes, leading to improper adjustments of RF energy output levels, potentially resulting in suboptimal performance or non-compliance with FCC regulations regarding RF energy emissions.

Innovation Solution

A method is implemented in mobile computing devices to calibrate body presence sensors based on the current physical configuration mode, using sensors like capacitive sensors and angle sensors to accurately detect user proximity and adjust communication circuitry power modes accordingly, ensuring compliance with RF emission limits.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If sensor data is used to determine body proximity for RF energy adjustment, then RF emission compliance can be achieved, but sensor accuracy deteriorates due to multiple physical configuration modes

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveRF emission complianceVSAvoidsensor accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the sensor threshold adjustable based on the detected physical configuration mode. The system dynamically adapts the proximity threshold according to whether the device is in phone mode, tablet mode, or another configuration, ensuring accurate body proximity detection for each mode while maintaining RF emission compliance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the sensor threshold parameter based on the physical configuration mode. By modifying the proximity threshold parameter according to the detected mode (e.g., lower threshold for phone mode, higher for tablet mode), the system maintains accurate body proximity detection across different configurations while ensuring RF compliance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If RF energy output level is increased to improve performance, then upload/download performance improves, but health safety deteriorates due to potential excessive RF absorption by the body

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveupload/download performanceVSAvoidRF absorption by body
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring sensor data regarding body proximity and using this information to adjust RF energy output levels. When the sensor detects body proximity exceeding the threshold, the system reduces RF power to prevent excessive absorption, and when body is absent, it increases power to maximize performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 enhances the accuracy of RF energy output adjustments, preventing unnecessary performance degradation and ensuring compliance with regulatory limits by accurately calibrating sensors based on device configuration, thereby optimizing performance and safety.

Implementation Method 1

In some embodiments, the body presence sensor is a capacitive sensor configured to monitor capacitive values

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

the angle sensor generates angle data indicative of a present lid-to-base angle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAngular measurement:

Data Source

PatentEP3198378B1Body presence sensor calibration
Publication Date: 2021.03.10 INTEL CORP
  • EP3198378B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3198378B1 patent drawingFigure 2~5
  • EP3198378B1 patent drawingFigure 6

AI summary

Technologies for the calibration of a body presence sensor include a mobile computing device configured to calibrate the body presence sensor based on a present physical configuration mode of the mobile computing device. The mobile computing device may be adjustable into multiple physical configuration modes based on the intended use of the mobile computing device. The mobile computing device controls a transmit power level of an associated communication circuit based on whether the body presence sensor detects a body presence within proximity to the mobile computing device.