Conductive Housing Antenna and Biometric Electrode Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge is to design an electronic device that can efficiently measure biosignals while minimizing its size and production costs, without compromising communication functions.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves utilizing a conductive portion of the device's housing as both an antenna for communication and a biometric electrode for biosignal measurement, with the aid of blocking circuits to prevent signal interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate electrode or sensor structure is included in an electronic device, then the biosignal measurement function can be provided, but the size (volume) of the electronic device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive portion of the housing is designed to serve dual purposes: as an antenna for wireless communication and as a biometric electrode for biosignal measurement. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate electrode structures, thereby reducing device size while maintaining both communication and biosignal measurement capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the antenna and biometric electrode functions into a single conductive component (the housing). By merging these two previously separate functional elements into one structure, the overall device volume is reduced while both functions continue to operate effectively
2Reliability
If a separate electrode or sensor structure is included in an electronic device, then the biosignal measurement function can be provided, but the internal design of the electronic device becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive housing portion is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously (antenna and electrode), which simplifies the internal design by reducing the number of separate components and their associated connections, mounting structures, and circuitry required for separate electrode implementation
Solution Approach 2:
By merging the antenna and electrode into a single conductive housing structure, the patent reduces internal design complexity by eliminating the need for separate electrode mounting, wiring, and integration with the sensor circuit, thereby simplifying the overall internal architecture
3Reliability
If a separate electrode or sensor structure is included in an electronic device, then the biosignal measurement function can be provided, but the production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive housing portion is designed to serve dual purposes as both antenna and electrode, which reduces production cost by eliminating the need to manufacture, source, and assemble separate electrode components, thereby reducing bill of materials cost and assembly operations
Solution Approach 2:
By combining the antenna and electrode functions into the existing housing structure, the patent reduces production cost by eliminating additional manufacturing steps for separate electrode production and assembly, reducing labor costs and production time
4Volume of moving object
If the same conductive portion is used for both antenna and biometric electrode, then the device size is reduced, but signal interference may occur between communication and biosignal measurement
Solution Approach 1:
Blocking circuits are introduced as intermediary components between the conductive housing portion and the respective signal processing circuits. These blocking circuits selectively filter out interfering frequencies, allowing the same conductive portion to serve as both antenna and electrode without compromising signal quality in either function
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs frequency-selective blocking circuits that change the electrical parameters (impedance, signal transmission) based on frequency. By blocking specific frequency ranges, the system allows simultaneous operation of communication and biosignal measurement functions using the same conductive structure without mutual interference
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 allows for the simultaneous operation of communication and biosignal measurement functions using the same conductive portion, thereby reducing the device's size and production costs while maintaining performance.
Implementation Method 1
a communication circuit electrically connected to the conductive portion
Implementation Method 2
the conductive portion is configured to operate as an antenna of the communication circuit and a biometric electrode of the sensor
Implementation Method 3
a first blocking circuit connected between the conductive portion and the communication circuit and configured to block a signal in a first frequency range, a second blocking circuit connected between the conductive portion and the sensor to block a signal in a second frequency range
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a housing including a portion of a conductive portion, a display visually exposed to an outside through a portion of the housing, a communication circuit electrically connected to the conductive portion, a sensor electrically connected to the conductive portion, a first blocking circuit connected between the conductive portion and the communication circuit and configured to block a signal in a first frequency range, a second blocking circuit connected between the conductive portion and the sensor to block a signal in a second frequency range, and a processor operatively connected to the display, the communication circuit and the sensor, wherein the conductive portion is configured to operate as an antenna of the communication circuit and a biometric electrode of the sensor.