Differential Proximity Sensing with Electrical Isolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Sophisticated electronic devices lack effective personalization and secure ownership links, leading to reduced user confidence and loyalty, particularly in varied usage settings.

Innovation Solution

The integration of capacitive proximity sensors and near-field communication (NFC) technology with electrical isolation methods, utilizing a loop antenna as a capacitive sensor and employing open sensor loops and driven shields to enhance touch detection and reduce interference, allows for differential signal analysis and adaptive sensitivity adjustments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If capacitive proximity sensors and NFC technology are integrated without electrical isolation, then user interaction and secure ownership links are improved, but interference between components increases and sensor performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure ownership linkVSAvoidinterference

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an electrical isolation circuit as an intermediary component between the NFC antenna and capacitive proximity sensors. This isolation circuit acts as a mediator that allows the NFC system to function while preventing electrical interference from affecting the proximity sensors, thus maintaining both secure communication and accurate sensing without direct electrical connection between the two systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the electrical system into isolated sections using electrical isolation technology. By dividing the circuitry into separate galvanically isolated domains, the system allows NFC and proximity sensing to operate independently without mutual interference, while still achieving the desired functional integration through controlled signal transmission across the isolation boundary.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If loop antenna is used as capacitive sensor without electrical isolation, then touch detection capability is enhanced, but false detections and signal interference increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetouch detectionVSAvoidsignal accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The electrical isolation circuit serves as an intermediary that enables the loop antenna to function as a capacitive sensor while filtering out unwanted electrical noise and interference. The isolation circuit preserves the genuine touch detection signals while blocking false detections caused by electromagnetic interference from the NFC communication, thus improving both sensitivity and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple sensors are integrated in close proximity, then device functionality and personalization are improved, but mutual interference between sensors increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice functionalityVSAvoidsensor interference

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs electrical isolation circuits as intermediaries between closely spaced sensors, including the loop antenna used as a capacitive sensor and other proximity sensors. These isolation circuits enable multiple sensors to operate in close proximity by blocking mutual electrical interference while allowing each sensor to maintain its individual functionality for enhanced device adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 configuration improves user device interaction by providing secure ownership links, increased user confidence, and efficient functionality in diverse settings, while minimizing interference and optimizing sensor performance.

Implementation Method 1

a capacitive proximity sensor configured to detect a near-touch event

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

employing open sensor loops and driven shields to enhance touch detection and reduce interference

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical isolation: Electric Field

Data Source

PatentUS9354698B2Differential proximity sensing and side detection for an electronic device

Publication Date: 2016.05.31 GOOGLE TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LLC

AI summary

An electronic device includes a housing enclosing a motion sensor and a first capacitive proximity sensor on a first planar side of the electronic device. A second capacitive proximity sensor on a second planar side of the electronic device within the housing is monitored for determining the differential amount of signal change of the first capacitive proximity sensor relative to the second capacitive proximity sensor.