Piezoelectric Smartphone Case Wireless Communication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mobile device accessories require a power source or physical electrical connections to communicate with mobile devices, limiting their functionality and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

Integration of piezoelectric materials at contact locations on mobile device accessories that generate electric charges upon mechanical stress, which are then converted into magnetic fields detectable by the device's magnetometer, enabling wireless communication without the need for power or physical connections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If wireless communication protocols (WiFi or BLUETOOTH) are used for communication between mobile device and accessory, then wireless communication is enabled, but the accessory requires a power source and increases device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewireless communication capabilityVSAvoidpower source requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the power consumption requirement from the communication system by using piezoelectric materials that generate electrical energy mechanically through user interaction, eliminating the need for batteries or external power sources in the accessory

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The accessory generates its own electrical energy through piezoelectric materials that convert mechanical stress from user interaction into electrical signals, making the system self-powered without external power sources

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If physical electrical connections are used for communication, then reliable data transmission is achieved, but user interaction is limited and device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoiduser interaction flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical electrical connection system with a magnetic field-based communication system using piezoelectric materials and electromagnetic coils, eliminating physical wire connections while maintaining reliable communication through magnetic coupling

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If expensive electronic components are used in mobile device accessories, then advanced functionality is achieved, but manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccessory functionalityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses inexpensive piezoelectric materials and simple electromagnetic coils instead of expensive electronic components, creating a cost-effective accessory that achieves wireless communication functionality through mechanical energy conversion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameters from electrical power-driven communication to mechanically-generated magnetic field communication, enabling functionality through physical interaction rather than electronic components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 communication between unpowered mobile device accessories and mobile devices, eliminating the need for power sources or physical connections, enhancing user interaction and reducing manufacturing costs by avoiding the use of expensive electronic components.

Implementation Method 1

each of the first plurality of contact locations including piezoelectric material configured to produce an electric current in response to application of mechanical stress

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

each respective electromagnetic coil of the plurality of electromagnetic coils configured to produce a respective magnetic field in response to receiving the respective electric current produced by the respective piezoelectric material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS10001808B1Mobile device accessory equipped to communicate with mobile device

Publication Date: 2018.06.19 GOOGLE LLC

AI summary

A smartphone case can include one or more piezotransductive materials (e.g., piezoelectric, piezomagnetic, piezoluminescent, etc.) positioned at one or more contact locations of the smartphone case. For example, a piezoelectric material can be positioned at multiple different locations of the smartphone case at which users may physically contact the smartphone case when holding the case. The piezoelectric material can generate an electric charge when pressure is applied to the material, and the generated electric charge can pass through an electromagnetic coil as an electric current to produce a magnetic field which one or more sensors (e.g., one or more magnetometers) of a smartphone that is housed within the smartphone case may be able to detect.