Human Body Communication Device Using Electro-Quasistatic Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication methods, such as radio wave communication, face challenges in achieving secure and selective communication during touch events due to signal leakage and lack of selectivity, making it difficult to ensure that information is transmitted only during intended interactions.
Innovation Solution
Human Body Communication (HBC) technology uses the human body as a communication channel by coupling signals through electrodes, employing electro-quasistatic and resonant electro-quasistatic communication methods to minimize signal leakage and ensure secure, selective data transfer during touch events, utilizing low-frequency operations and capacitive termination to confine signals within the body.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If radio wave communication is used for wireless communication between devices, then communication range and speed are improved, but security and selectivity deteriorate due to signal leakage through air medium
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the human body as an intermediary communication medium between transmitter and receiver devices. Instead of using air as the communication medium (radio waves), the signal is coupled onto the human body through a transmitter electrode, transmitted through bodily tissues and fluids, and received by a receiver electrode in contact with the skin. This intermediary approach provides secure, selective communication during touch events while maintaining communication effectiveness.
2Area of stationary object
If radio wave communication is used, then communication coverage is improved, but signal selectivity deteriorates as signals are available to any device within range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by confining the communication signal to the specific human body in contact with the transmitter. The electro-quasistatic signal is coupled onto the body through the transmitter electrode and is transmitted through the body's conductive tissues and fluids. The receiver must be in direct contact with the same body to receive the signal, providing localized, selective communication that is not available to other devices in the vicinity.
3Reliability
If electro-quasistatic communication is used to achieve secure communication, then communication security is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional circuit components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a microcontroller unit that performs multiple functions: generating the electro-quasistatic carrier signal, modulating the digital data signal onto the carrier, controlling the transmitter electrode coupling, and handling receiver signal processing. This multi-functional approach consolidates what would otherwise require separate dedicated circuits for each function, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining secure electro-quasistatic communication capabilities.
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
HBC provides secure and selective communication by confining signals within the body, reducing signal leakage and interference, allowing for secure authentication and data exchange applications, such as pairing devices or transferring sensitive information, while preventing unauthorized access.
Implementation Method 1
HBC uses the human body as the communication channel for interactions between devise on and around the body. The transmitter couples the signal into the body through a metal electrode. The signal goes through the skin layer and gets transmitted through the conductive tissues and fluids in the body
Implementation Method 2
The signal goes through the skin layer and gets transmitted through the conductive tissues and fluids in the body and is picked up at the receiver end when it is in touch with the skin
Implementation Method 3
The receiver removes interferences from the signal and converts the signal into a digitized received signal
Implementation Method 4
The receiver removes interferences from the signal and converts the signal into a digitized received signal
Data Source
AI summary
A method of using a HBC device includes enabling electro-quasistatic communication on a transmitter, wherein the enabling electro-quasistatic communication includes receiving an activation signal through an input. The enabling the electro-quasistatic communication additionally includes transmitting a digital data signal to a transmitter logic circuit. The enabling the electro-quasistatic communication further includes modulating an electro-quasistatic carrier signal by the digital data signal using a modulator, thereby producing a modulated electro-quasistatic signal. Additionally, the enabling the electro-quasistatic communication includes transmitting the electro-quasistatic signal from the transmitter logic circuit to a general purpose input output circuit. Furthermore, the enabling the electro-quasistatic communication includes coupling the electro-quasistatic signal on a human body through an electrode, thereby enabling electro-quasistatic communication. The transmitter includes the electrode. Next, the method includes transmitting the electro-quasistatic signal through the human body. Additionally, the method includes coupling the electro-quasistatic signal onto a receiver electrode. The receiver includes the receiver electrode.