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US 12,355,274 B2Granted
Devices and methods for position detection by a 3D magnetic field sensor
AssigneeInfineon Technologies AG
InventorsLifeng Guan, Wai Keung Frankie Chan
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A device includes a first electronic component and a case, wherein the case includes a first charging compartment configured to accommodate and charge the first electronic component. The device further includes a first magnet included in the first electronic component and a 3D magnetic field sensor included in the case. The device further includes a detection unit configured to detect a position of the first electronic component relative to the first charging compartment based on a magnetic field sensed by the 3D magnetic field sensor.
Claims24
A device, comprising:
- a first electronic component comprising a first magnet configured to produce a first magnetic field;
- a second electronic component comprising a second magnet configured to produce a second magnetic field;
- a case comprising:
- a first charging compartment configured to accommodate and charge the first electronic component,
- a second charging compartment configured to accommodate and charge the second electronic component, and
- a three-dimensional (3D) magnetic field sensor configured to measure at least a first magnetic field component and a second magnetic field component of a magnetic field influenced by the first magnetic field, based on the first electronic component being arranged in proximity to the 3D magnetic field sensor, and influenced by the second magnetic field, based on the second electronic component being arranged in proximity to the 3D magnetic field sensor, wherein the first magnetic field component and second magnetic field component are aligned in perpendicular directions;
- and
- a detection circuit configured to:
- detect a position of the first electronic component relative to the first charging compartment based on the magnetic field sensed by the 3D magnetic field sensor, and
- detect a position of the second electronic component relative to the second charging compartment based on the magnetic field sensed by the 3D magnetic field sensor,
- wherein the detection circuit is configured to calculate an arctangent function of the first magnetic field component and the second magnetic field component, and detect the position of the first electronic component and the position of the second electronic component based on evaluating the arctangent function relative to one or more arctangent thresholds.
8 more elements
A method, comprising:
- sensing, by a three-dimensional (3D) magnetic field sensor arranged in a case, a magnetic field produced by:
- a first magnetic field generated by a first magnet included in a first electronic component, and
- a second magnetic field generated by a second magnet included in a second electronic component,
- wherein sensing the magnetic field includes measuring at least a first magnetic field component and a second magnetic field component of the magnetic field that is influenced by the first magnetic field, based on the first electronic component being arranged in proximity to the 3D magnetic field sensor, and influenced by the second magnetic field, based on the second electronic component being arranged in proximity to the 3D magnetic field sensor, and
- wherein the first magnetic field component and second magnetic field component are aligned in perpendicular directions;
- and
- detecting a position of the first electronic component, relative to a first charging compartment of the case and configured to accommodate the first electronic component, based on the magnetic field;
- detecting a position of the second electronic component, relative to a second charging compartment of the case and configured to accommodate the second electronic component, based on the magnetic field;
- calculating an arctangent function of the first magnetic field component and the second magnetic field component;
- and
- detecting the position of the first electronic component and the position of the second electronic component based on evaluating the arctangent function relative to one or more arctangent thresholds.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.