Earbud Antenna Impedance Sensing for Low-Latency Gesture Input
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic devices with wireless capabilities face challenges in providing a small form factor while accommodating both wireless circuitry and user input devices, as user input devices like capacitive sensors occupy excessive space and exhibit high latency.
Innovation Solution
Utilize dual band antennas integrated within the device's stalk to detect user input gestures by measuring impedance changes in high and low bands, eliminating the need for bulky capacitive sensors and reducing detection latency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If user input devices like capacitive sensors are added to enable gesture detection, then gesture input capability is improved, but device size and weight increase due to excessive space occupation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the antenna structure with gesture detection functionality by utilizing impedance changes in the antenna caused by proximity of conductive objects (fingers). The antenna serves dual purposes: wireless communication and gesture sensing, eliminating the need for separate capacitive sensor arrays and reducing device volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: transmitting/receiving radio-frequency signals for wireless communication and detecting impedance changes for gesture recognition. This multi-functionality reduces the number of components needed and minimizes device size.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional capacitive sensor arrays are used for gesture detection, then gesture detection functionality is achieved, but detection latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna continuously transmits radio-frequency signals and the system continuously monitors impedance changes, enabling real-time gesture detection without the sampling delays inherent in traditional capacitive sensor arrays. This continuous monitoring eliminates detection latency.
3Speed
If dual band antennas are integrated into the stalk to detect gestures through impedance measurements, then device form factor is reduced and detection speed is improved, but device complexity in integrating multiple functions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the antenna structure with gesture detection functionality by utilizing impedance changes in the antenna caused by proximity of conductive objects (fingers). The antenna serves dual purposes: wireless communication and gesture sensing, eliminating the need for separate capacitive sensor arrays and reducing device volume.
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 compact device design with reduced weight and faster gesture detection by leveraging impedance measurements of dual band antennas, minimizing space consumption and latency in user input recognition.
Implementation Method 1
One or more processors may measure the impedance of the antenna(s) in at least the high and low bands using the signal coupler(s) and the transmitted radio-frequency signal
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless earbud may have a head and a stalk. A speaker may be disposed in the head. An antenna may be disposed in the stalk. One or more radios may transmit a radio-frequency signal in high and low bands over high and low band arms of the antenna. A signal coupler may be coupled to the antenna. The signal may include scheduled transmission blocks and optionally unscheduled transmission blocks. A processor may measure impedance of the antenna in the high and low bands using the signal coupler and the transmitted signal. The processor may detect a gesture based on an order of changes in the impedance in the high and low bands. The processor may take suitable action based on the detected gesture. The gesture may include, for example, a volume up or down gesture in implementations where the high and low band arms extend parallel to the stalk.