Radar Touch Interface With Proximity Wake for Low-Power Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current radar technologies in smart home environments face challenges in efficiently managing radar usage and communications, particularly in detecting and differentiating objects with varying velocities and movements, while being unaffected by light levels and temperature changes.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a radar-based touch interface system in computing devices with a radar transceiver, processors, and memory, which detects objects, determines contact, and adjusts operations based on object location and movement, using one-dimensional or multi-dimensional radar systems to achieve precise proximity detection and motion classification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If radar systems continuously transmit signals to detect objects and movements, then detection precision and reliability are improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The radar system transmits signals periodically rather than continuously, using pulsed transmission at controlled intervals. This allows the system to maintain detection capability while significantly reducing power consumption compared to continuous transmission modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The radar system dynamically adjusts its transmission duty cycle and signal parameters based on detection needs and environmental conditions. This dynamic adaptation enables the system to optimize the balance between detection precision and power consumption in real-time operating conditions.
2Measurement precision
If radar systems use multiple transmitters and receivers to improve detection accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The radar system divides the detection task across multiple transmitters and receivers, with each component handling specific detection zones or signal frequencies. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high detection accuracy through distributed sensing while managing complexity through modular architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The radar system employs multi-functional transceivers that can operate in different modes (transmission, reception, processing) and handle multiple detection tasks simultaneously. This multi-functionality reduces the need for dedicated specialized components, thereby managing system complexity while maintaining high detection precision.
3Measurement precision
If radar systems operate at high power to detect minute movements, then measurement precision is improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The radar system uses periodic pulsed transmission with high peak power during brief intervals to detect minute movements, followed by lower power or idle states. This periodic high-power operation achieves the necessary detection precision while averaging lower power consumption compared to sustained high-power operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The radar system dynamically changes transmission parameters including power level, pulse duration, and frequency based on detection requirements. By adjusting these parameters, the system can achieve high precision movement detection only when necessary, reducing overall power consumption while maintaining detection capability.
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 detection and classification of objects, including finger gestures, with reduced power consumption and improved precision in smart home environments, unaffected by environmental changes like light and temperature.
Implementation Method 1
a radar transceiver configured to detect one or more objects in the vicinity of the computing device
Implementation Method 2
Radar systems detect the presence, location, direction, distance, and/or speed of objects
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device is located in a room. The device has a casing, a first processor coupled to a radar transceiver, a second processor coupled to a motion sensor, and memory. Using the second processor, the device determines using signals from the motion sensor whether an object is in proximity. In accordance with a determination that the object is in proximity, the device wakes up the first processor. Using the first processor, the device enables operation of the radar transceiver. It determines using signals from the radar transceiver whether the object is in contact with the casing. In accordance with a determination that the object is in contact with the casing, the device identifies an input command based on at least one of: a location of the object, and a movement of the object, and adjusts operation based on the input command.