Compact Charging Case Antenna Merging for Smart Rings
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional charging cases for small wearable devices, such as smart rings, face challenges in integrating multi-frequency band antennas within a compact form-factor, aesthetic design, and ensuring waterproofness, while also providing advanced functionality like temperature and light monitoring.
Innovation Solution
A portable electronic charging case with an embedded battery, environmentally sealed design, and a compact NFC/Bluetooth antenna system that eliminates user-actuated mechanisms on the exterior, utilizing intelligent light and temperature sensors, and enabling pairing through motion detection and image codes for wireless communication link management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple antennas (NFC and Bluetooth) are integrated into a compact charging case, then advanced functionality is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines NFC and Bluetooth antenna functionalities into a single integrated antenna system within the charging case. This merging of multiple communication functions into one unified antenna structure reduces overall device complexity while maintaining advanced functionality across multiple frequency bands.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna system is designed to perform multiple functions - supporting both NFC for charging and Bluetooth for communication - within a single compact structure. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate antennas, thereby reducing device complexity while achieving versatility.
2Ease of operation
If user-actuated mechanisms (buttons, switches) are added to the charging case exterior, then ease of operation is improved, but aesthetic design deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical user-actuated mechanisms (buttons, switches) with a capacitive touch sensor system. This substitution eliminates visible mechanical components that compromise aesthetics while maintaining full user input capability through touch-based interaction on the device surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The capacitive touch sensor system allows the device surface itself to serve as the input mechanism, eliminating the need for separate mechanical controls. The aesthetic design is preserved as the input interface is integrated seamlessly into the device exterior without adding protruding buttons or switches.
3Ease of manufacture
If surface-mounted user-actuated mechanisms are used on the charging case, then ease of manufacture is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to waterproofing issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces surface-mounted mechanical mechanisms with an embedded capacitive touch sensor system. This eliminates the need for mechanical components that create sealing vulnerabilities, thereby improving waterproofing reliability while maintaining ease of operation through touch-based input.
Solution Approach 2:
The capacitive touch sensor system utilizes thin film technology that can be integrated into the device shell without compromising the waterproof seal. This approach maintains manufacturing simplicity while ensuring reliable environmental sealing compared to protruding mechanical components.
4Volume of moving object
If the charging case is designed with a compact form-factor, then portability is improved, but antenna design complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges NFC and Bluetooth antenna functions into a single integrated antenna structure, reducing the space required for antenna components. This consolidation enables compact form-factor design while maintaining multi-frequency band functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated antenna system performs multiple communication functions (NFC and Bluetooth) within a compact footprint. This multi-functional design reduces the overall antenna system size, enabling a smaller charging case while avoiding the complexity of multiple separate antenna structures.
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 efficient charging and communication across multiple frequency bands, enhances aesthetic appeal by removing external buttons, ensures waterproofness, and provides advanced monitoring features like sleep detection and body temperature tracking.
Implementation Method 1
an embedded battery, an environmentally sealed design, and a small NFC/Bluetooth antenna... The antenna can support both Near Field Communication (NFC) for charging the wearable device
Implementation Method 2
an intelligent light sensor for illuminating the charging case... a light sensor in the circuitry, wherein the light sensor is configured to monitor light in a room where the charging case is located
Implementation Method 3
a temperature sensor for monitoring a user, and monitoring techniques working in conjunction with an associated wearable device
Data Source
AI summary
A portable electronic charging case, with a compact form-factor, such as for a smart ring or the like, includes a base; a front cover connected to the base and configured to seal an interior of the charging case; a post on the base and in the interior; an antenna disposed within the post; and circuitry connected to the antenna and to a charging port located on the base. The electronic charging case includes advanced functionality, an aesthetic design, and a compact form-factor. The compact form-factor includes an embedded battery, an environmentally sealed design, and a small NFC/Bluetooth antenna. The aesthetic design includes no user-actuated mechanisms on an exterior of the charging case and an intelligent light sensor for illuminating the charging case. The advanced functionality includes the embedded battery, intelligent light sensor, a temperature sensor for monitoring a user, and monitoring techniques working in conjunction with an associated wearable device.