Foldable Housing Closure Detection Using Magnetic and Light Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic devices with rotatable housings face challenges in accurately determining a closed state while minimizing erroneous determinations, particularly due to external magnetic interference and varying light conditions.
Innovation Solution
The device incorporates a magnetism generation source, a magnetic sensor, and an illuminance sensor to detect the closed state, using a combination of instantaneous magnetism detection and detection period analysis, along with a control circuit to determine the state accurately.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If magnetism detection is used to determine closed state, then detection speed is improved, but erroneous detection occurs due to external magnetic interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an illuminance sensor as an intermediary detection means to verify the closed state determination. When the magnetic sensor detects magnetism indicating a closed state, the illuminance sensor measures ambient light to confirm whether the state is truly closed or if external magnetic interference is causing erroneous detection. This intermediary verification mechanism resolves the contradiction by maintaining fast magnetic detection while adding reliability through light-based validation.
2Device complexity
If only magnetic sensor is used for closed state detection, then device complexity is reduced, but detection accuracy deteriorates under varying light conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two different detection principles (magnetic field detection and illuminance measurement) into a unified closed state detection system. The magnetic sensor provides primary detection for fast response, while the illuminance sensor provides environmental context to distinguish true closed state from external interference. This combination maintains relatively simple device architecture while significantly improving measurement precision under varying light conditions.
3Reliability
If dual detection means are used to suppress erroneous detection, then detection reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the illuminance sensor continuously monitors ambient light conditions and provides feedback to the control circuit. When the magnetic sensor indicates closed state, the control circuit uses illuminance feedback to verify the determination. If illuminance levels suggest open state (higher light), the system overrides the magnetic detection and maintains open state determination, thereby suppressing erroneous detection while managing system complexity through intelligent control logic.
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 enhances the accuracy of determining the closed state by minimizing erroneous determinations, ensuring timely execution of operations associated with the closed state, such as power saving modes, while maintaining convenience for the user.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic sensor provided in the other housing different from the one of the two housings, and disposed to be able to detect magnetism from the magnetism generation source in a closed state
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic apparatus in which two housings are rotatably connected and an opened and closed state corresponding to rotation is switchable, includes: a magnetism generation source provided in one of the housings; a magnetic sensor provided in the other housing, and disposed to be able to detect magnetism from the magnetism generation source in a closed state in which each of the housings approaches each other by rotation; a control circuit that determines whether the two housings are in the closed state based on at least a detection result of magnetism by the magnetic sensor; and a detector that is provided in one of the two housings, and detects, separately from the magnetic sensor, a state that changes according to whether the two housings are in the closed state.