Dual-Side Ring Antenna Switching for Orientation-Aware RF Links

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wearable devices, particularly ring-type devices, face challenges in efficiently determining orientation and optimizing antenna performance due to limitations in antenna design and environmental interference, leading to reduced data transmission speed and increased power consumption.

Innovation Solution

A ring device with dual antenna patterns on its side surfaces, coupled with sensors and processors, allows for adaptive orientation determination and selective antenna use based on the device's orientation, enhancing RF signal transmission and reception efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If a single antenna pattern is used in ring devices, then the device structure remains simple, but radiation efficiency decreases due to environmental interference and orientation limitations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveradiation efficiencyVSAvoidantenna structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The antenna system is divided into multiple independent antenna patterns (first antenna pattern and second antenna pattern) positioned at different locations on the ring device. Each antenna pattern can be independently controlled and activated based on the device's orientation and environmental conditions, allowing the system to segment the radiation function across multiple elements to maintain high radiation efficiency regardless of orientation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The antenna system implements dynamic switching between different antenna patterns based on real-time orientation detection from sensor data. The processor determines which antenna pattern should be activated based on the device's current orientation, creating a dynamic adaptation mechanism that optimizes radiation efficiency as the device moves and changes position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Speed

If antenna patterns are fixed without orientation detection, then device complexity remains low, but data transmission speed decreases due to suboptimal antenna orientation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission speedVSAvoidorientation determination system
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs sensor modules to continuously monitor the device's orientation and provides feedback to the processor. Based on this feedback, the processor dynamically determines which antenna pattern should be activated to optimize transmission performance. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures that the antenna system continuously adapts to maintain optimal data transmission speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple antenna patterns are pre-configured at different orientations on the ring device before operation. When the device is manufactured, various antenna patterns are already positioned to cover different spatial directions, allowing the system to quickly switch to the appropriate pre-configured antenna based on detected orientation, rather than having to calculate or adjust antenna positions in real-time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Loss of energy

If the device does not determine orientation dynamically, then power consumption remains low, but radiation efficiency decreases due to inability to optimize antenna selection

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveradiation efficiencyVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The orientation determination and antenna switching operates periodically rather than continuously. The sensor module samples orientation data at specific intervals, and the processor updates antenna selection based on these periodic measurements. This periodic operation reduces power consumption compared to continuous monitoring while still maintaining adequate radiation efficiency by updating antenna selection at sufficient intervals.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

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

The solution improves radiation efficiency and reduces power consumption by dynamically adjusting antenna patterns to optimize performance based on the device's orientation, thereby enhancing data transmission speed and connectivity.

Implementation Method 1

transmit and/or receive a radio frequency (RF) signal using any one of the first antenna pattern and the second antenna pattern

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP4693730A1Ring device including antenna
Publication Date: 2026.02.11 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP4693730A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4693730A1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP4693730A1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

A ring device according to the present invention includes: a printed circuit board including an upper surface, a lower surface opposite to the upper surface, and a side surface extending from an edge of the upper surface to an edge of the lower surface; a first antenna pattern formed on a first part of the side surface; a second antenna pattern formed on a second part opposite to the first part of the side surface; at least one sensor disposed on the printed circuit board; and at least one processor operatively coupled to the first antenna pattern, the second antenna pattern, and the at least one sensor and including a processing circuit. The at least one processor individually and/or collectively determines the orientation of the ring device using the at least one sensor, and controls the ring device on the basis of the determined orientation to transmit and/or receive radio frequency (RF) signals using one of the first antenna pattern or the second antenna pattern. Various other embodiments are possible.