Integrated Proximity and Hall Sensor Circuit for Noise-Resilient Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portable devices lack an integrated environmental sensor circuit that effectively combines capacitive proximity and Hall-effect sensors to accurately detect user proximity and magnetic field variations, leading to inefficiencies in power management and user interface adjustments.
Innovation Solution
An environmental integrated sensor circuit that includes a capacitive proximity sensor and a Hall-effect probe, with an analogue/digital converter and digital processor to suppress noise and drift, providing digital outputs for host system interaction and power management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If capacitive proximity sensors and Hall sensors are used separately in portable devices, then each sensor can perform its specific function, but the device lacks integrated environmental awareness and requires multiple separate components increasing complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines capacitive proximity sensing and Hall-effect magnetic field sensing into a single integrated sensor circuit. The circuit shares common components including power supply, analogue-to-digital converter, and digital processor, while maintaining separate sensing pathways. This merging reduces the number of discrete components and interconnections needed in portable devices while providing comprehensive environmental awareness through both proximity and magnetic field detection capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated sensor circuit performs multiple functions within a single device: capacitive proximity detection for determining user proximity, Hall-effect detection for magnetic field sensing, and unified digital processing for both signal types. The shared analogue-to-digital converter and digital processor handle both sensor types, enabling the circuit to serve as a multi-functional environmental sensing unit rather than requiring separate dedicated circuits for each sensing modality.
2Reliability
If multiple separate sensors are used for proximity and magnetic field detection, then each sensor type can be optimized independently, but power consumption increases and regulatory compliance becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple sensing functions into a single power domain, allowing shared power supply and processing resources. The integrated circuit uses common power management and processing infrastructure for both capacitive and Hall-effect sensors, reducing redundant power consumption that would occur with separate sensor systems. This consolidation helps portable devices meet power consumption requirements while maintaining reliable sensing performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The unified sensor circuit provides multi-functional environmental sensing with centralized processing, enabling the device to monitor both proximity and magnetic field conditions through a single processing pipeline. This approach improves reliability for regulatory compliance (such as SAR limit adherence) by providing integrated environmental awareness while reducing overall power consumption compared to multiple independent sensor systems.
3Measurement precision
If dedicated ICs are used for each sensor type, then each sensor can be independently calibrated and maintained, but the overall system complexity and component count increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates capacitive proximity sensing and Hall-effect magnetic field sensing into a single circuit architecture, reducing the number of discrete ICs and interconnections. The shared analogue-to-digital converter and digital processor eliminate redundant components while maintaining separate sensing pathways that preserve the measurement precision of each sensor type. This integration reduces component count and assembly complexity while retaining the calibration and measurement capabilities of dedicated sensor circuits.
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
Enhances power management by reducing RF power consumption and allows intelligent user interface adjustments based on proximity and magnetic field conditions, improving device functionality and compliance with regulatory limits.
Implementation Method 1
a capacitive proximity sensor configured for determining whether a user is in proximity with its body to the portable connected wireless device, by sensing variation in the capacitance of an electrode
Implementation Method 2
a Hall-effect probe providing a signal proportional to a magnetic field strength
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention concerns an environmental sensor circuit for a portable connected wireless device, the circuit including a capacitive proximity sensor configured to determine whether a user is in proximity with its body to the portable connected wireless device, by sensing variation in the capacitance of an electrode in electric connection with the environmental integrated circuit, a magnetic field probe, providing a signal proportional to a magnetic field strength, wherein the integrated circuit has an analogue/digital converter configured to produce proximity digital values representative of the capacitance of the electrode and magnetic field digital values representative of the magnetic field strength, the integrated circuit further comprising a digital processor configured for suppressing unwanted noise and drift components from the proximity digital values and from the magnetic field digital values.