Foldable Grip Sensor Power Control for Lower SAR Exposure
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need to improve the specific absorption rate (SAR) of electromagnetic waves in electronic devices to reduce exposure to harmful radiation, particularly when in contact with the human body, as existing technologies do not effectively adjust power output based on physical contact.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device equipped with grip sensors in its foldable housing that determines its state (folded or unfolded) and adjusts the radiated power accordingly, using both first and second grip sensors to sense proximity and contact, thereby controlling SAR.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the radiated power of the electronic device is increased to improve communication performance, then the communication quality is improved, but the specific absorption rate (SAR) increases causing harmful electromagnetic exposure to the human body
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power adjustment by continuously monitoring grip sensor data to detect user holding patterns and automatically adapting the radiated power levels. When the sensor detects a closed-grip pattern indicating the device is held close to the body, the system dynamically reduces transmit power to lower SAR while maintaining adequate communication quality. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making power output flexible rather than fixed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback control by using grip sensors to continuously monitor the user's holding pattern and feeding this information back to the power control algorithm. The feedback loop detects when the device is held in a high-SAR configuration (closed grip near the body) and triggers power reduction. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables real-time optimization of the trade-off between communication performance and SAR exposure.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the radiated power is reduced to lower SAR, then electromagnetic exposure safety is improved, but communication performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts power levels based on real-time grip detection rather than using a fixed low-power mode. When the grip sensor detects that the user is holding the device away from the body (open-grip pattern), the system automatically increases radiated power to maintain communication performance. This dynamic adjustment ensures safety when needed while preserving performance when safe to do so.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the power output parameter dynamically based on detected grip patterns. The system maintains multiple power levels and selects appropriate levels based on the physical state detected by grip sensors. This parameter adaptation allows the system to optimize both safety and performance by matching power output to the actual usage context rather than using a conservative fixed setting.
3Adaptability or versatility
If grip sensors are added to detect user holding patterns, then SAR control capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-functionality by using grip sensors that serve dual purposes: detecting user holding patterns for SAR control and providing input for other device functions such as gesture recognition or user interface control. This universal approach maximizes the utility of the added sensors while justifying their inclusion through multiple benefits beyond just SAR management.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the device's existing sensor suite and processing capabilities to handle SAR control, minimizing the need for additional dedicated hardware. The grip sensors leverage the device's existing analog-to-digital converters, processors, and power management infrastructure, allowing the system to serve itself rather than requiring separate dedicated subsystems for each function.
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 solution effectively reduces SAR by dynamically adjusting power output based on user interaction, ensuring safer electromagnetic exposure levels.
Implementation Method 1
sensing proximity and/or contact of a human body using the second grip sensor
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device including a first housing and a second housing facing each other and combined with each other to be folded or unfolded is disclosed, the electronic device includes: a first grip sensor included in the first housing; a second grip sensor included in the second housing; and a processor, wherein the processor is configured to: determine a folded state or an unfolded state of the electronic device, sense proximity and/or contact of a human body using the second grip sensor and adjust a radiated power of the electronic device and/or a power of the electronic device based on the sensed proximity and/or contact of the human body based on the electronic device being determined to be in the unfolded state, and sense the proximity and/or contact of the human body using the first grip sensor and adjust the radiated power of the electronic device and/or the power of the electronic device based on the sensed proximity and/or contact of the human body based on the electronic device being determined to be in the folded state.