Magnetometer Input Control Using External Magnetic Actuators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mobile devices lack an efficient method for wireless data input that does not require hardware alterations or proprietary communication protocols, and existing solutions are either power-consuming or difficult to calibrate.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic controller system that utilizes a magnetometer to interpret changes in the magnetic field caused by external magnetic devices or actuators, determining user inputs based on a modeled threshold change, allowing for passive or active control without altering the device's hardware or conforming to specific communication protocols.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a magnetic controller system is implemented using existing magnetometer hardware, then wireless control capability is added without hardware alterations, but the system requires sophisticated signal processing and threshold modeling to distinguish valid inputs from environmental noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical or electronic input devices with a magnetic field-based control system. The magnetometer, originally designed for compass functionality, is repurposed to detect magnetic field changes from external magnetic controllers, substituting physical button presses or touchscreen interactions with magnetic field modulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces magnetic field changes as an intermediary between the user and the device control system. External magnetic controllers generate magnetic field modulations that serve as the medium for transmitting user inputs wirelessly to the device, eliminating the need for direct physical contact or proprietary wireless protocols.
2Measurement precision
If the magnetometer continuously monitors magnetic field changes, then user input detection capability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic sampling of magnetic field changes rather than continuous monitoring. The system checks for magnetic field modulations at intervals, allowing the magnetometer to enter low-power states between measurements while still detecting user inputs when they occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by only fully activating the magnetometer when there is a detected magnetic field change above a certain threshold. The system performs preliminary detection at lower power levels and only engages full measurement precision when necessary, avoiding excessive power consumption during normal operation.
3Reliability
If the system uses a high threshold for magnetic field change detection, then false positives from environmental noise are reduced, but legitimate user inputs may be missed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the system learns from detected magnetic field patterns over time. By analyzing the characteristics of magnetic field changes (frequency, amplitude, duration), the system adjusts its detection threshold dynamically, providing feedback to both reduce false positives from environmental noise and capture legitimate user inputs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the detection parameters based on contextual information. The threshold for magnetic field change detection is not fixed but adapts based on environmental conditions, device state, and learned user behavior patterns, allowing the system to maintain high reliability while capturing legitimate inputs across varying conditions.
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
Enables wireless control of mobile devices with passive or active magnetic controllers, optimizing calibration and power efficiency, and allowing for seamless integration with existing magnetometer-equipped devices without hardware modifications.
Implementation Method 1
determining, by a magnetometer of a device, a reference magnetic field measurement, the reference magnetic field measurement specifying a strength and a direction of a surrounding magnetic field that surrounds the magnetometer; determining, by the magnetometer of a device, a series of subsequent magnetic field measurements
Implementation Method 2
a magnetic device for altering a surrounding magnetic field of a device; one or more input actuators, each operatively coupled to the magnetic device and that when actuated cause the magnetic device to alter the surrounding magnetic field
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods and apparatus for using a magnetic controller to control a device. In one aspect, a system includes a magnetic controller external to a device, the magnetic controller including: a magnetic device for altering a surrounding magnetic field of a device; one or more input actuators, each operatively coupled to the magnetic device and that when actuated cause the magnetic device to alter the surrounding magnetic field according to a predefined change associated with the input actuator; and a model executable by the device and that models as device inputs the differences in the surrounding magnetic field of the device caused by the actuation of the one or more input actuators.