Enclosure Detection via Pressure and Motion Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic devices face challenges in reducing power consumption when enclosed in spaces such as pockets or bags, as existing methods lack efficient sensors to determine the enclosure state accurately.
Innovation Solution
The use of pressure sensors, motion sensors like accelerometers, and ambient light sensors to analyze temporal and spectral data to determine if the device is enclosed, allowing a controller to adjust power consumption by deactivating or reducing components like displays and wireless communications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the device remains fully operational with all components active, then the user can access all device functions, but power consumption increases and battery life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts device operation states based on real-time enclosure detection. When enclosed state is detected through pressure sensor data analysis, the device transitions to a low-power mode where non-essential components are deactivated. This dynamic state adjustment resolves the contradiction by making power consumption adaptable to actual usage conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors pressure sensor measurements and uses this feedback to determine enclosure state. Based on this feedback loop, the controller automatically adjusts device operation, deactivating components when enclosed and activating them when not enclosed. This feedback mechanism ensures the device maintains optimal power consumption while preserving functionality when needed.
2Use of energy by stationary object
If pressure sensors and motion sensors are used to detect enclosure state, then power consumption can be reduced when enclosed, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure sensor serves multiple functions: it detects both static pressure changes and motion patterns. By analyzing temporal and spectral characteristics of pressure data, the same sensor determines both whether the device is moving and whether it is enclosed. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated sensors, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system combines pressure sensor data with motion sensor data to jointly determine enclosure state. Rather than using separate sensor systems for motion detection and enclosure detection, the patent merges the functionality by analyzing characteristics of pressure measurements alongside motion data. This consolidation approach reduces overall system complexity while maintaining accurate enclosure detection.
3Duration of action of moving object
If the device accurately determines enclosure state to reduce power consumption, then battery life extends, but measurement precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary analysis of pressure sensor data by examining temporal patterns and spectral characteristics before making an enclosure determination. This preliminary processing of raw sensor data extracts meaningful features that indicate enclosure state, enabling accurate detection without requiring excessively precise single-point measurements. The preliminary action of data pattern recognition reduces the burden on individual measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses ambient light sensor data in conjunction with pressure and motion data to determine enclosure state. While ambient light sensing alone may not provide sufficient precision for enclosure detection, combining it with other sensor data creates a redundant measurement system. This partial use of multiple sensing modalities increases overall detection accuracy without requiring any single sensor to achieve extremely high precision alone.
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 approach effectively reduces power consumption with high accuracy (at least 98% or 99%) by determining enclosure states and adjusting device components accordingly, conserving battery power when the device is not in use.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure sensor may be used to gather pressure measurements while the device is moving
Implementation Method 2
A motion sensor, such as an accelerometer, may be used to determine that the device is moving
Implementation Method 3
Other sensor information, such as ambient light measurements, may also be used in the enclosure determination
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device may have a battery that powers one or more components, such as a display, sensors, or input-output devices, in the device. It may be desirable to reduce power consumption of the battery in certain situations. For example, it may be desirable to reduce power consumption when the electronic device is enclosed, such as in a pocket, in a bag, or covered by a sleeve. To determine whether the device is enclosed, a pressure sensor and/or an accelerometer may be used to gather pressure measurements and/or motion measurements while the device is in motion. A controller may analyze these measurements in a temporal and/or a spectral space to determine whether the device is enclosed. Other sensor information, such as ambient light measurements, may also be used in the enclosure determination. In response to determining that the device is enclosed, the controller may power consumption.