Mobile Device Transmit Power Adjustment via Motion and Proximity Sensors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile devices face challenges in maintaining optimal voice call quality, as existing systems struggle to accurately determine whether the device is on a user's body or a stationary object, leading to inappropriate adjustments in transmission power levels.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a system that uses motion sensors and proximity sensors to differentiate between being on a user's body and a stationary object by analyzing variance in motion signals and proximity data, allowing for dynamic adjustment of transmission power levels during voice calls.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the mobile device transmits at high power levels to improve voice call quality, then the voice call quality is improved, but the device may violate government regulations when worn on or near the user's body

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoice call qualityVSAvoidregulation compliance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts transmission power levels based on real-time detection of device location using motion sensors and proximity sensors. The transmit power is adjusted from high power levels (when device is on stationary object) to low power levels (when device is on user's body), allowing the system to optimize voice call quality while complying with government regulations at different moments

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses motion sensors and proximity sensors to continuously monitor device location and provides feedback to the transmission power control mechanism. This feedback loop enables the system to automatically determine whether the device is on a stationary object or on the user's body and adjust power levels accordingly, resolving the contradiction between maintaining high power for quality and reducing power for compliance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the mobile device reduces transmit power to comply with regulations when on user's body, then regulation compliance is improved, but voice call quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveregulation complianceVSAvoidvoice call quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The transmission power is dynamically adjusted based on detected device location. When the device is detected to be on a stationary object (not on user's body), the system restores high transmit power levels, thereby maintaining voice call quality without compromising regulation compliance when the device is actually on the user's body

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Measurement precision

If the system uses motion sensors and proximity sensors to accurately determine device location, then location determination accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocation determination accuracyVSAvoidsensor system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system combines data from motion sensors and proximity sensors to determine device location. By merging the capabilities of these existing sensors already present in modern smartphones, the system achieves accurate location determination without adding significant complexity, as both sensor types are standard components in contemporary mobile devices

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3525524B1Determination of device body location
Publication Date: 2021.03.10 APPLE INC
  • EP3525524B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3525524B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3525524B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In some implementations, a mobile device can analyze motion sensor data and proximity sensor data during a voice call to determine whether the mobile device is on a stationary object or worn on a user's body (e.g., in the lap or pocket of a user of the mobile device). The mobile device can adjust the transmit power level of the telephony transceiver during the voice call based on the determination.