Magnetometer Near Field Detection via Manipulated Magnetic Fields
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Solution Overview
Problem
Bluetooth, despite being a short-range wireless technology, has an unreliable range for near field detection, making it inaccurate for determining the closest mobile device, while NFC is well-suited but not universally available due to hardware restrictions.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing a magnetometer on mobile devices to detect manipulated magnetic fields that encode specific messages, allowing for near field detection without requiring access to the NFC chip, and incorporating a near field transmitter that generates controlled magnetic field fluctuations to encode data, enabling accurate identification of nearby devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If Bluetooth is used for near field detection, then wireless communication capability is provided, but detection accuracy deteriorates due to unreliable range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a magnetometer as an intermediary detection mechanism between the Bluetooth transmitter and the mobile device. The magnetometer detects manipulated magnetic fields generated by the Bluetooth transmitter, providing accurate proximity detection without relying on Bluetooth's inherent range limitations. This intermediary approach allows the system to achieve both wireless communication capability and precise near-field detection.
2Measurement precision
If NFC is used for near field detection, then detection accuracy is improved, but device compatibility deteriorates due to hardware restrictions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the magnetometer serve multiple functions: it is used for both compass functionality and near-field detection. By utilizing an existing sensor for dual purposes, the system achieves NFC-level detection accuracy without requiring dedicated NFC hardware, thereby improving device compatibility while maintaining high measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the mobile device's own magnetometer sensor to perform near-field detection, eliminating the need for external NFC chips or third-party hardware. The magnetometer serves itself by detecting manipulated magnetic fields from the Bluetooth transmitter, providing a self-contained solution that works across all devices with magnetometers.
3Adaptability or versatility
If magnetometer-based detection is implemented, then device compatibility is improved, but detection mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex NFC communication protocols and hardware with a simpler magnetic field detection mechanism. Instead of using sophisticated wireless communication protocols for proximity detection, the system uses the magnetometer to detect manipulated magnetic fields, which is a more straightforward physical measurement that can be implemented across all devices with magnetometers.
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 accurate near field detection of mobile devices using existing hardware, improving detection accuracy and reliability beyond NFC limitations, and allowing for secure access control and automation systems without human intervention.
Implementation Method 1
The magnetometer may be used to detect fluctuations in Earth's magnetic field, and to provide a digital compass for navigational purposes
Implementation Method 2
incorporating a near field transmitter that generates controlled magnetic field fluctuations to encode data
Data Source
AI summary
Near field detection using a magnetometer is disclosed. A transmitter may distort magnetometer measurements of Earth's magnetic field by producing rapid but controlled fluctuations to encode a specific message in a manipulated magnetic field. When a mobile device is brought in range of the transmitter, a magnetometer of the mobile device detects that manipulated magnetic field. An application running on the mobile device forms messages based on the magnetometer output. In response to detecting the specific message, the application may execute an action on the mobile device or a remote device. NFC read-based near field detection similarly involves the application accessing an NFC chip of the mobile device, and scanning for one or more particular NFC tags that are read by the NFC chip. In response to detecting a particular NFC tag, the application executes an action on the mobile device or a remote device.