Headset H-Field E-Field Canceller Near-Field Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies face challenges in effectively canceling magnetic and electric fields emitted by electronic devices near a user's ear, particularly due to significant field distortion in the near field environment, making compliance with hearing-aid compatibility requirements difficult and costly.
Innovation Solution
A device and method utilizing a housing with a sense coil to detect the magnitude, polarization, and polarity of inbound magnetic and electric fields, and an induction coil to generate an opposing outbound field, effectively canceling these emissions in the near field, allowing for accurate measurements and reduction of both H-fields and E-fields in three orthogonal axes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If field cancellation is made in the far field using a planar field model, then the measurement and cancellation process is simplified, but significant field distortion occurs in the near field environment where transmitters and probes are close to the user's ear (within less than 1/4 wavelength)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameters of the field model from planar (far-field) to spherical (near-field) geometry. This allows accurate representation of field distribution in the near-field region where distance is less than 1/4 wavelength, enabling precise measurement and cancellation without the distortions that plague planar models in this regime.
2Ease of operation
If electronic devices are placed near a user's ear to provide hands-free communication, then convenience is improved, but electromagnetic interference with hearing aid devices increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary electromagnetic shielding structure positioned between the electronic device and the user's ear. This intermediary component attenuates and redirects electromagnetic fields, reducing interference with hearing aid devices while allowing the electronic device to remain in the convenient near-ear position for hands-free operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts harmful electromagnetic radiation into beneficial redirected field patterns using reflective and absorptive materials. The electromagnetic energy that would otherwise interfere with hearing aids is instead channeled away from the ear canal, transforming a harmful effect into a neutral or beneficial outcome while maintaining device functionality.
3Reliability
If shielding materials are added to reduce electromagnetic emissions, then hearing aid compatibility is improved, but device size and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the shielding function into multiple discrete components positioned at strategic locations around the electronic device. Rather than using a single bulky shield, segmented shielding elements are placed where they provide maximum attenuation with minimum material, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining hearing aid compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies shielding materials with varying properties at different locations based on local field distribution and interference patterns. High-permeability materials are placed where magnetic field interference is greatest, while conductive materials are positioned for electric field attenuation, optimizing protection without uniform over-shielding and reducing overall complexity.
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 enables electronic devices to comply with hearing-aid compatibility requirements by significantly reducing or eliminating magnetic and electric field emissions, improving sound quality for hearing aid devices while minimizing interference, and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.
Implementation Method 1
a sense coil located within the inner wall of the housing in proximity to a user's ear, the sense coil sensing a magnitude, polarization and a polarity of an inbound magnetic field within the housing
Implementation Method 2
an induction coil located between the outer wall and the inner wall of the housing, the induction coil generating an outbound magnetic field having the same polarization and an opposing polarity to the polarity of the inbound magnetic field
Data Source
AI summary
Described are a device and a method for canceling a magnetic field and/or an electric field emitted from a device. The device includes a housing including an inner wall and an outer wall, a sense coil located within the inner wall of the housing in proximity to a user's ear, the sense coil sensing a magnitude, polarization and a polarity of an inbound magnetic field within the housing, and an induction coil located between the outer wall and the inner wall of the housing, the induction coil generating an outbound magnetic field having the same polarization and an opposing polarity to the polarity of the inbound magnetic field. The method includes sensing, by a sensing coil, a magnitude and a polarity of an inbound magnetic field, the sensing coil located within a housing of a device, and applying a current to an induction coil to generate an outbound magnetic field having an opposing polarity to the polarity of the inbound magnetic field, the induction coil located within the housing of the device.