Carrying Case Detection Using Orientation and NFC Tags
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing cost and environmental concerns associated with using rare earth magnets in carrying cases for detecting mobile electronic devices pose a challenge, as they are becoming prohibitively expensive and harmful to extract.
Innovation Solution
A device equipped with an orientation sensor, NFC reader, and short-range RF reader, which uses these components to determine when it is within a specific angular range and detects NFC or short-range RF tags to enter a carrying case mode, eliminating the need for magnets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If magnets are used in carrying cases for device detection, then detection functionality is achieved, but cost increases and environmental harm occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the magnetic field-based detection system with a NFC-based electromagnetic field system. Instead of using physical magnets in the carrying case, the system uses NFC tags and readers that communicate through electromagnetic fields, eliminating the need for expensive rare earth magnets while maintaining detection functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces NFC tags as intermediary elements between the carrying case and the device. These tags act as mediators that enable detection without requiring direct magnetic contact, allowing the system to function without magnets by using electromagnetic field coupling instead.
2Reliability
If magnets are used in carrying cases for device detection, then detection functionality is achieved, but environmental harm increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the magnetic field-based detection system with a NFC-based electromagnetic field system. This substitution eliminates the need for rare earth magnets, whose extraction and manufacturing cause significant environmental harm, while maintaining the detection functionality through alternative electromagnetic coupling mechanisms.
3Reliability
If NFC reader is activated continuously for carrying case detection, then detection reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic activation of the NFC reader instead of continuous operation. The NFC reader is activated at specific intervals or trigger events (such as when the device is placed in the carrying case), allowing the system to maintain detection reliability while significantly reducing power consumption through intermittent rather than continuous operation.
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 allows for effective detection of a carrying case without magnets, reducing costs and environmental impact while maintaining functionality, enabling the device to enter specific modes based on orientation and tag detection.
Implementation Method 1
one or more of a near field communication (NFC) reader and a short range RF (radio-frequency) reader
Implementation Method 2
one or more of a near field communication (NFC) reader and a short range RF (radio-frequency) reader
Implementation Method 3
an orientation sensor; and, a processor configured to place the device in a carrying case mode when: an orientation of the device is within a given angular range as determined using the orientation sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A device for detecting a carrying case, and methods there for, are provided. The device includes: an orientation sensor; a near field communication (NFC) reader; and, a processor configured to place the device in a carrying case mode when an orientation of the device is within a given angular range as determined using the orientation sensor, and the NFC reader detects an NFC tag.