Human Body Communication Apparatus Contact Sensing Standby Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional human body communication systems experience unnecessary power consumption due to the constant or periodic operation of transmitter/receiver circuits and micro-controllers to determine if a communication channel is formed with the human body, even when no contact is made.
Innovation Solution
A communication apparatus with a human body contact sensing function that uses an electrode and a contact sensor to detect contact or approach, instructing a central processing unit to perform initial operations only when contact is made, and employing a data processing unit for time-division or continuous frequency modulation methods to transmit and receive data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If transmitter/receiver circuits and micro-controller operate constantly or periodically to determine whether a communication channel is formed, then communication reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by using a contact sensor to detect human body contact before the transmitter/receiver circuit and micro-controller are activated. The contact sensor performs the initial detection function in advance, allowing the main communication circuit to remain in standby mode until contact is detected, thus avoiding unnecessary power consumption while maintaining reliable channel detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the detection function into two parts: a simple contact sensor that detects physical contact, and the main transmitter/receiver circuit that processes communication signals. This segmentation allows the complex communication circuit to stay inactive during standby, reducing power consumption while the simple sensor continues to monitor for contact conditions
2Reliability
If transmitter circuit operates in normal state to check whether channel is formed, then communication reliability is improved, but unnecessary power consumption occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by having the contact sensor continuously monitor for human body contact while the transmitter circuit remains in standby mode. Only when the sensor detects contact does the transmitter circuit activate to perform communication operations, transforming continuous operation into event-driven periodic operation that eliminates unnecessary energy loss
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 minimizes power consumption of the micro-processing unit and transmitter/receiver circuits in standby mode, extending the standby time of portable devices by ensuring that power is only used when contact with the human body is established.
Implementation Method 1
a contact sensor that is connected to the electrode, and instructs the central processing unit to perform an initial operation if contact with the human body is sensed
Implementation Method 2
a sensor that converts an electric field input through the electrode into an electric signal
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a communication apparatus having a human body contact sensing function and a method thereof. The communication apparatus includes: an electrode that comes in contact with the human body; a contact sensor that is connected to the electrode, and instructs the central processing unit to perform an initial operation if contact with the human body is sensed; and a data processing unit that receives a control signal from the central processing unit so as to select whether to transmit or receive data, and performs a transmitting or receiving operation according to the control signal. Accordingly, in order to reduce power consumption when in a stand-by state before human body contact is made in a communication apparatus using a human body as a communication medium, a human body contact sensor is included so as to minimize power consumption of a micro processing unit and a transmitter/receiver circuit until contact occurs. Therefore, since power consumption is minimized when in a stand-by mode by using a contact sensor having significantly low power consumption, there is an advantage in that a stand-by time of a portable device is extended.