Magnetometer-Based Mobile Housing Position Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile devices lack an efficient method to determine their housing position, particularly in slider, flip, and swivel types, which affects the accuracy of position-dependent applications and increases device complexity with dedicated position detection components.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a position detector, such as a three-axis magnetometer, within the device housing to measure transitional and directional magnetic fields, allowing the processor to determine the device's position based on these measurements, thereby eliminating the need for dedicated position detection components and enhancing position detection accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If dedicated position detection components are used, then position detection accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetometer is designed to serve multiple functions: it detects magnetic field strength for position determination, provides directional information for compass applications, and enables intermediate position detection during transitions. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated position detection components, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The existing magnetometer component performs position detection tasks without requiring additional dedicated sensors or components. The system leverages the magnetometer's inherent capabilities to determine housing position, effectively making the system self-sufficient and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If dedicated position detection components are added, then position detection accuracy is improved, but device weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
By making the magnetometer multi-functional for both compass and position detection purposes, the system eliminates the need for additional dedicated position detection components. This reduces the total component count and overall device weight while maintaining the required position detection accuracy through sophisticated signal processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetometer serves itself by performing both magnetic field sensing for compass functionality and position detection tasks. This self-service approach avoids adding extra components that would increase device weight, achieving accurate position detection through creative utilization of existing hardware capabilities.
3Device complexity
If traditional position detection methods are used, then device complexity is reduced, but position detection accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces mechanical or simple sensor-based position detection with a magnetic field-based detection approach using the magnetometer. By substituting traditional mechanical position sensing mechanisms with magnetic field measurement and processing, the system achieves higher accuracy while maintaining relatively low device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the detection parameter from mechanical position sensing to magnetic field strength and direction measurement. By measuring magnetic field parameters and processing these values to determine position, the system achieves superior accuracy without requiring complex mechanical sensing systems, thus resolving the contradiction between complexity and accuracy.
4Measurement precision
If position detection components are added, then position detection accuracy is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetometer is designed to perform multiple functions including position detection, compass functionality, and intermediate position sensing. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated position detection components, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while achieving the required position detection accuracy through integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetometer serves dual purposes of providing magnetic field information for compass applications and enabling position detection. This self-service capability avoids the need for additional dedicated components, reducing bill of materials cost and manufacturing complexity while maintaining high position detection accuracy through software-based processing.
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 solution enables accurate detection of device housing positions, reduces device complexity and weight, and provides information for applications like electronic compasses, while allowing faster reactions to position changes, thus improving user experience and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
A position detector in the first portion measures a magnetic field generated by a magnetic component in the second portion
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~3B
Figure 4A~4B
AI summary
Methods and devices to determine a mobile device housing position are described. An example device disclosed herein includes a housing (158) having a first portion (160) movably coupled to a second portion (162), the second portion (162) to have a first position, a second position, and at least one intermediate position relative to the first portion (160), wherein the intermediate position is between the first and second positions; a position detector (154) in the first portion (160), the position detector (154) to measure a transitional magnetic field (516) when the second portion (162) is in the intermediate position and to measure a second magnetic field (514); and a processor (102) to determine that the second portion (162) is in the first position or the second position based on the transitional magnetic field (516) and the second magnetic field (514).