Directional Proximity Sensing by Device Orientation and Self-Calibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portable electronic devices with proximity sensors face challenges in dynamically adjusting power consumption and detecting environmental conditions effectively, as they often require manual calibration and lack adaptability to varying usage scenarios, leading to inefficient power management and limited environmental monitoring.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of self-calibrating proximity sensors that dynamically derive detection thresholds based on background conditions, allowing for adaptive power management and ultra-sensitivity to detect both nearby and distant environmental changes, enabling context-driven operation modes and optimized functionality while minimizing power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If proximity sensors continuously monitor environmental conditions to enhance detection capabilities, then measurement precision is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts sensor operation modes based on device state. When the device is detected to be in a pocket or bag through accelerometer data analysis, the proximity sensor enters a low-power mode with reduced monitoring frequency. When the device is in active use, the sensor operates at full precision. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making detection capability variable rather than constant.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes operational parameters of the proximity sensor based on contextual information from other sensors. The system modifies detection thresholds, sampling rates, and activation states of the proximity sensor according to device orientation, motion patterns, and usage context. This parameter adjustment allows the system to maintain adequate detection precision while significantly reducing power consumption during periods of low activity.
2Measurement precision
If proximity sensors operate at ultra-sensitive levels to detect distant environmental changes, then measurement precision is improved, but susceptibility to noise and false detections increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where proximity sensor data is continuously cross-validated with accelerometer and gyroscope readings. When ultra-sensitive detection modes are activated, the system monitors for consistency between multiple sensor inputs. If proximity detections occur without corresponding motion or orientation changes that would logically produce them, the system flags these as potential false positives and adjusts detection thresholds accordingly. This feedback loop maintains high sensitivity while filtering noise through multi-sensor correlation.
Solution Approach 2:
Before activating ultra-sensitive detection modes, the system performs preliminary calibration by analyzing background noise levels and environmental baseline conditions. The accelerometer and gyroscope data are used to establish expected motion patterns and device states. This preliminary action allows the system to configure optimal detection thresholds that maximize sensitivity while accounting for current environmental noise characteristics, thereby reducing false detections before they occur.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the device activates multiple sensors simultaneously to monitor all directions, then environmental monitoring capability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by activating specific proximity sensors based on device orientation and detected usage context. Rather than uniformly enabling all sensors, the system selectively activates only those sensors facing directions where objects are likely to be present based on accelerometer-derived device state. For example, when the device is detected to be held in one hand, only sensors on that side remain active. This selective activation maintains comprehensive monitoring capability while reducing overall power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The environmental monitoring function is segmented into multiple independent sensor units that can be activated independently. The system divides the monitoring task across spatial segments (different sensor locations) and temporal segments (different activation periods). By segmenting the monitoring function, the device can activate only the necessary subset of sensors for each specific context, thereby maintaining versatile monitoring capability while minimizing the number of simultaneously active sensors to reduce power consumption.
4Measurement precision
If the device requires manual calibration of proximity sensors to ensure accurate detection, then measurement precision is maintained, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-calibration by automatically using accelerometer and gyroscope data to determine device state and adjust proximity sensor thresholds without user intervention. The calibration process is embedded within the normal operation of the device, where the system continuously learns from motion patterns and environmental context to optimize sensor performance. This self-service approach maintains measurement precision while completely eliminating the need for manual calibration operations, thereby dramatically improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary calibration actions during device initialization and periodically during normal operation using data from motion sensors. By pre-configuring sensor thresholds based on accelerometer-derived device states and usage patterns, the system prepares the proximity detection system in advance for accurate operation. This preliminary calibration action ensures measurement precision is maintained without requiring users to perform manual calibration procedures, thus improving ease of operation.
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
The self-calibrating proximity sensors effectively manage power consumption and enhance environmental monitoring capabilities, allowing the device to adjust its operation based on usage scenarios, such as user presence, orientation, and environmental changes, thereby optimizing performance and reducing energy usage.
Implementation Method 1
a proximity sensor emits an electromagnetic or electrostatic field, and observes changes in the field
Implementation Method 2
a proximity sensor emits an electromagnetic or electrostatic field, and observes changes in the field
Implementation Method 3
The reflector may shift between the first and second positions in the compartment based on a gravitational force subjected to the reflector
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4A
AI summary
A portable electronic device having one or more proximity sensors. The portable electronic device comprises a housing, one or more signal emitters to direct source signal(s) based on the orientation of the housing, and one or more signal receivers to receive return signals corresponding to the source signal(s). For one embodiment, the device may include multiple signal emitters and a sensor to identify an orientation of the housing. The appropriate signal emitter may be selected based on the orientation of the housing as identified by the sensor. For another embodiment, the device may include a mechanism to redirect a source signal from a signal emitter in an appropriate direction based on the orientation of the housing.