Cover Sensor Adjusts Proximity Threshold for Wireless Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Proximity sensors in wireless computing devices cannot distinguish between human tissue and device covers, leading to unnecessary transmission power back-off and reduced coverage area, as they trigger power reduction when the device cover is closed, even if a user is not present.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a cover sensor that detects the presence and position of the device cover, allowing the controller to adjust the proximity sensor's threshold and prevent unnecessary transmission power back-off when the cover is closed, thereby maintaining optimal transmission power based on the presence of the user.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a proximity sensor is used to detect objects near the wireless device, then transmission power can be adjusted to comply with SAR specifications, but the device cover is mistakenly detected as human tissue causing unnecessary power back-off
Solution Approach 1:
The detection function is segmented into two separate sensors: a proximity sensor for detecting human tissue and a cover sensor for detecting the device cover. This segmentation allows the system to distinguish between actual human presence and the device cover, preventing false triggering of power back-off while maintaining SAR compliance when users are present.
Solution Approach 2:
A cover sensor acts as an intermediary component that detects the device cover's presence and position. This intermediary provides additional information to the controller, enabling it to differentiate between the cover and human tissue, thereby preventing unnecessary transmission power reduction while maintaining safety compliance.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the proximity sensor triggers power back-off when the cover is closed, then SAR specifications are met, but the coverage area and transmission power are unnecessarily reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from both the proximity sensor and the cover sensor to make informed decisions about transmission power. The cover sensor provides feedback about the cover's position, which the controller uses to adjust the proximity sensor's threshold or override its detection, ensuring power back-off only occurs when both sensors indicate human presence rather than just the cover being closed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the operational parameters of the proximity sensor based on the cover sensor's detection. When the cover sensor detects that the cover is closed, the system adjusts the proximity sensor's detection threshold or disables it, allowing transmission power to be maintained at optimal levels while still ensuring SAR compliance when the cover is open and human tissue is detected.
3Device complexity
If the proximity sensor cannot distinguish between the device cover and human tissue, then the detection mechanism remains simple, but false detection occurs leading to unnecessary power reduction
Solution Approach 1:
The detection function is segmented into two separate sensors: a proximity sensor for detecting human tissue and a cover sensor for detecting the device cover. This segmentation allows the system to distinguish between actual human presence and the device cover, preventing false triggering of power back-off while maintaining SAR compliance when users are present.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for addressing an inadvertent decrease in transmission energy/power due to triggering a proximity sensor by a cover disposed on a computing device. In an embodiment, a cover sensor may be incorporated into the device. The cover sensor may be used to detect the presence of a cover on the device, as well as whether the cover is in an open or closed position. The output of the cover sensor may then be used to adjust a trigger/proximity threshold of the proximity sensor to account for the presence and position of the cover on the device. In this manner the device may avoid unnecessary power backoff caused by proximity of the cover, rather than proximity of the user. This improves the over the air (OTA) performance of the device, as well as the user experience.