KR20200044858A - Mobile devices with sensors - Google Patents

Abstract

A mobile device (1, 7, 9) housed in a housing (2), implemented with a strain and / or bending sensor (3) and having a sensor that forms acceleration with a sesmic mass. , 11) at least part of the mass of the mass forming a sesmic mass, and having a sensor for detecting a structure-borne sound wave and / or acceleration 1, 7, 9, 11 ).

Description

Mobile devices with sensors

The present invention relates to a mobile device having a sensor housed in a housing.

Today, mobile devices such as smartphones, tablet computers, and notebooks (mobile communication devices) include sensor units such as microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) required for different applications.

An example of this is detecting the location of the mobile device and detecting the movements the user is performing. Already, it has been proposed to use as a sensor already available in mobile devices, especially as an acceleration sensor, for sesmic monitoring.

For example, WO 2017/083556 A1 proposes an early warning system for seismic detection, where a mobile phone is used as the system. To this end, acceleration data is detected by an acceleration sensor integrated in the mobile phone. These acceleration data are compared to empirical values to determine if the detected acceleration is an earthquake event. If it is determined that there is such an earthquake event, a communication link with the server is established. The server can communicate with a number of these mobile phones and perform a feasibility check to estimate if an earthquake is actually occurring. If an earthquake occurs, an earthquake warning is displayed on the mobile phone so the receiver can find safety.

A similar early warning system for detecting earthquake events is described in US 2015/0195693 A1.

These known systems and methods are based on detecting earthquake events with conventional sensors available in mobile phones. In order to ensure sufficient warning time before an earthquake occurs, it is necessary to detect as soon as possible the imminent earthquake caused by ground tremors and sesmic waves. However, the existing sensors installed in the mobile device are not provided for the above-mentioned objects. In particular, weak sesmic activity cannot be sufficiently detected early. However, early detection is necessary for a suitable warning period. Therefore, it should be possible to detect weak sesmic activity in a timely manner to allow better protection and proper warning time.

WO 2017/083556 A1 US 2015/0195693 A1 DE 10 2012 222 239 A1

The basic object of the present invention is to provide a mobile phone capable of detecting weak sesmic activity.

To achieve this goal, in the mobile device of the type described above, the sensor is implemented as a strain and / or bending sensor, and a structure-borne sound wave with a sesmic mass. ) And / or an acceleration sensor for detecting acceleration, and at least a portion of the mobile device is provided according to the invention, characterized in that it forms a sesmic mass.

The present invention is based on the recognition that the acceleration, in particular the sensitivity to sesmic tremors, can be significantly increased by using a special arrangement of strain and / or bending sensors in the housing of the mobile device. This effect is achieved by strain and / or bending sensors in cooperation with a sesmic mass. Such vibrations can be sensed by strain and / or bending sensors. The acceleration acting on the sesmic mass can be substantially amplified by strain and / or bending sensors, so even the smallest acceleration occurring in the early stages of an impending earthquake can be detected. Thus, since sesmic vibrations and structure-borne sound waves can be detected early by the mobile device of the present invention, significantly longer warnings before earthquake events occur compared to conventional systems. Periods may be provided. People living in earthquake-prone areas may have increased time to ensure safety as the warning period is extended.

The strain and / or bending sensor is preferably characterized in that it is elastically attached to a borne section of a sesmic mass. Some of the mobile devices in which strain and / or bending sensors are arranged can be elastically delivered, like a flexible spring, and most of the mass of the mobile device acts as a sesmic mass. .

In the mobile device of the present invention, it is preferred that the strain and / or bending sensors are piezoelectric sensors. Such sensors can be distinguished by high precision, compact mass, and cost-effective manufacturing. Accordingly, such piezoelectric sensors are relatively simple to integrate into mobile devices. For example, strain and / or bending sensors proposed in DE 10 2012 222 239 A1 from the applicant can be used. The entire contents of DE 10 2012 222 239 A1 are incorporated herein by reference.

It is preferred that the strain and / or bending sensor in the mobile device of the invention is implemented at least indirectly to measure a minimum acceleration of less than 1 mg, preferably less than 100 μg. Strain and / or bending sensors provide strain and / or bending measurements that can derive and calculate acceleration. In contrast, acceleration sensors in conventional mobile devices are typically implemented to detect large accelerations of 10 mg to 100 mg. Therefore, the sensitivity of the strain and / or bending sensor used in the mobile device of the present invention is tens of times higher than that of the conventional acceleration sensor integrated in the mobile device.

It is particularly advantageous when the acceleration sensor is provided on or above a component of a mobile device implemented as a plate or bar, provided in the mobile device of the present invention. Due to this arrangement, the components implemented as plates or bars act as a sesmic mass that can cause vibration by acceleration. The plate can be at a plurality of points (bearing points) or straight lines. The bar can be on one or both sides.

According to one embodiment of the mobile device of the present invention, the housing may have two, three, four or four or more bearing points 5 for placement on a substrate. When the mobile device of the present invention is placed on a base, it is possible to record the smallest vibration, in particular the shape and acceleration of a structure-borne sound wave, especially the smallest sesmic movement. A sesmic wave (seismic wave) in a separate foundation or a separate base can be detected isolated from vibrations from other sources.

With respect to the bearing point, one bearing point can be arranged in the coater area of the housing or the edge area of the housing. The plurality of bearing points can preferably be arranged to be distributed over the surface area of the housing, especially the underside.

The bearing point of the mobile device of the present invention can be implemented in the form of points, lines or curves or can be implemented in a plane. The bearing point preferably projects from the underside of the housing. By providing a plurality of bearing points, a limited contact between the mobile device of the present invention and the substrate is established, so that a structure-borne sound wave can be accurately detected.

It is particularly preferred in the mobile device of the present invention that the strain and / or bending sensor is arranged at least in the central part of the mobile device. This arrangement substantially means that the entire mass of the mobile device acts as a sesmic mass.

The mobile device of the present invention may have a control device implemented to evaluate vibration detected by a strain and / or bending sensor, and when an event is determined, transmit a signal to an external device. The control device is implemented in particular to determine if there is an earthquake event by evaluating the vibration.

The mobile device of the present invention may be, in particular, a smartphone, tablet computer, or notebook computer.

According to one variant of the invention, the mobile device can be implemented as an early warning system for detecting earthquakes or as a component of such an early warning system. Such an early warning system may include a plurality of such mobile devices capable of establishing a communication link with a central server.

An alternative embodiment of the mobile device of the present invention provides that the mobile device is implemented with a pulseimeter. When the user places or fixes the mobile device to the arm or neck, a pulse, ie a heartbeat, may be detected.

Another alternative embodiment of the mobile device of the present invention provides that the mobile device is implemented as a monitoring device capable of detecting a person's fall in space. The fall by a structure-borne sound can be detected by the mobile device. In this way, the mobile device can be used, for example, to monitor space or to monitor seniors. If the mobile device determines that the person has fallen, an alarm can be automatically generated or help can be called.

Surprisingly, the mobile device of the present invention can be used as a directional microphone for airborne sound. The direction of the sound source from which the sound signal is received may be determined by the mobile device. Accordingly, the quality of a phone call in a noisy environment can be improved.

In the mobile device according to an embodiment of the present invention, the sensor is implemented as a strain and / or bending sensor, and a structure-borne sound wave and / or a sesmic mass An acceleration sensor for detecting acceleration is formed, and at least a part of the mobile device is characterized by forming a sesmic mass.

In addition, acceleration acting on a sesmic mass can be substantially amplified by a strain and / or bending sensor, so even the smallest acceleration occurring in the early stages of an impending earthquake can be detected. .

1 is a perspective view of a mobile device of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a side view of the mobile device of FIG. 1;
3 is a side view of another embodiment of a mobile device of the present invention.
4 is a side view of another embodiment of a mobile device of the present invention.
5 is a side view of another embodiment of a mobile device of the present invention.

The invention will be described using exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings.

The drawing is as the following schematic.

1 is a perspective view of a mobile device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the mobile device of FIG. 1;

3 is a side view of another embodiment of a mobile device of the present invention.

4 is a side view of another embodiment of a mobile device of the present invention.

5 is a side view of another embodiment of a mobile device of the present invention.

1 is a perspective view and shows a mobile device 1 having a housing 2 in which strain and / or bending sensors 3 are accommodated. The strain and / or bending sensor 3 accommodated inside the housing 2 is shown in FIG. 1 by broken lines. 1 shows the mobile device 1 in an upside-down position, ie with the underside 4 on top. A total of four bearing points 5 embodied in a cylindrical shape are arranged at the corners and protrude from the underside 4 of the housing 2.

The strain and / or bending sensor 3 is implemented as a piezoelectric sensor and can detect elongation and / or acceleration. Proceeding from the measured values, a calculated acceleration of less than 100 μg can be derived and determined. The mobile device 1 according to this exemplary embodiment is implemented as a component of an early warning system for detecting a smartphone and an earthquake.

If the mobile device 1 is disposed on the base together with its bearing point 5, the strain and / or bending sensor 3 can be stimulated to vibrate by a sesmic wave. have. The mass of the mobile device 1 acts as a sesmic mass, so external acceleration, in particular a sesmic wave, is amplified and very accurately by means of strain and / or bending sensors 3 Can be detected. The mobile device 1 further comprises a control device 6 schematically shown in FIG. 1, which is connected to a strain and / or bending sensor 3, which can be used for strain and / or The acceleration data detected by the bending sensor 3 is evaluated. The assessment can be used to determine if the sensed vibration and / or acceleration was caused by an earthquake event or other source. Earthquake events can be distinguished by typical low-frequency acceleration, so evaluation and classification can be used to determine whether the acceleration source is an earthquake.

When the control device 6 determines the earthquake event, it sends an alarm signal to another device, for example a central server. The notification signal is transmitted over the existing mobile communication link. The central server evaluates a plurality of such messages, and the validity check of the alarm signal can be performed simultaneously. Feasibility checks can prevent false alarms. In addition, if an individual mobile device informs the server of its location, additional information about the earthquake event, such as the epicenter where the earthquake event is in progress, the propagation direction, and the propagation speed, may be determined.

FIG. 2 is a side view of FIG. 1. In FIG. 2, it can be seen that the strain and / or bending sensor 3 is arranged inside the mobile device 1. In this exemplary embodiment, the strain and / or bending sensor 3 is arranged spaced from the top surface 12 facing the bottom surface 4.

3 shows a second exemplary embodiment of the mobile device 7. The mobile device 7 is shown in cross section. A plate 8 having electronic components (not shown) is disposed inside the housing 2. Strain and / or bending sensors 3 are arranged on the plate 8. The plate 8 can deform at least slightly elastically under the influence of acceleration. In FIG. 3, it can be seen that the plate 8 is supported on the left and right sides of the mobile device 7 and can move at least vertically. The strain and / or bending sensor 3 is carried in a bendable or extensible manner, and generally records the minimal tremor that occurs during a sesmic event.

4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 and shows another exemplary embodiment of the mobile device 9. The strain and / or bending sensor 3 is arranged in the housing 2 of the base embodied by a cantilevered bar 10. A cantilevered bar 10 supporting strain and / or bending sensor 3 is attached to the right side of FIG. 4. The left end of the cantilevered bar 10 can be vibrated by vibration, acceleration, or sesmic waves, and vibration is detected by strain and / or bending sensors 3 . The mass of the mobile device 9 acts as a sesmic mass and amplifies the acceleration acting on the mobile device 9.

5 shows another exemplary embodiment of a mobile device 11 in a sectional view. In this exemplary embodiment, the strain and / or bending sensor 3 is arranged inside the housing 2, on the upper surface 12 of the housing 2. If acceleration occurs, the plate-shaped upper surface 12 vibrates, and the strain and / or bending sensor 3 can detect the vibration. The mass of the additional components 13 not shown in detail inside the mobile device 11 acts as a sesmic mass, acting on the strain and / or bending sensor 3 Movement is amplified.

Mobile devices 1, 7, 9, 11 can be used in particular as pulsimeters. To this end, the user suspends or fixes the mobile device to a body part where the pulse is easily detected. For example, an arm or neck is suitable. The pulse generated by the heartbeat caused by the structure-borne sound can be detected and measured by the strain and / or bending sensor 3 of the mobile device. The measured value can appear on the display surface of the mobile device and can be stored using a corresponding software application.

The described mobile devices 1, 7, 9, 11 are also suitable for monitoring space. Mobile devices can be used to monitor space, and can trigger an alarm if someone in the room falls. The falling person generates a structure-borne sound that is transmitted through floors and other objects to a mobile device placed in space. The structure-borne sound waves caused by the fall are characteristic, and the control device 6 can distinguish it from other sources, for example, sesmic acceleration. If a person's fall is detected, the mobile device can initiate an alarm.

As a further alternative, the mobile devices 1, 7, 9, 11 can also be used as directional microphones with an airborne sound. When a mobile device passes through a sound source, it has strong direction-dependent characteristics. Surprisingly, the strain and / or bending sensor 3 can not only detect direct acceleration and / or structure-borne sound, but also indirect airborne sound. Can be detected. In this way, the quality of a telephone conversation can be improved, for example, in a noisy environment.

1: Mobile device
2: housing
3: Strain and / or bending sensor
4: lower side
5: bearing point
6: Control device
7: Mobile device
8: Plate
9: Mobile device
10: cantilevered bar
11: Mobile device
12: upper surface
13: Components

Claims (15)

It includes a mobile device (1, 7. 9, 11) having a sensor accommodated in the housing (2),
The sensor is embodied as a strain and / or bending sensor 3, and an acceleration sensor for detecting a structure-borne sound wave and / or acceleration with a sesmic mass. It characterized in that it forms, and at least a portion of the mass of the mobile device (1, 7, 9, 11) is a mobile device forming a sesmic mass (seismic mass).
According to claim 1,
The strain (strain) and / or bending (bending) sensor (3), the mobile device characterized in that it is resiliently attached to the borne (borne) section of the cysmic mass.
The method according to claim 1 or 2,
The strain (strain) and / or bending (bending) sensor (3) is a mobile device characterized in that the piezoelectric sensor.
The method of any one of the preceding claims,
The strain (strain) and / or bending (bending) sensor (3) is a mobile device characterized in that it is implemented to measure the acceleration of less than 1mg, preferably less than 100 μg.
The method of any one of the preceding claims,
The strain and / or bending sensor 3 is placed on or above the components of the mobile device 1, 7, 9, 11 implemented as a plate 8 or bar 10. It characterized in that the mobile device.
The method of any one of the preceding claims,
The housing (2) is characterized in that it has two, three, four or four or more bearing points (5) for placement on a substrate.
The method of claim 6,
The bearing point (5) is a mobile device, characterized in that arranged in the corner (corner) area of the housing (2) or the edge (edge) area of the housing (2).
The method of claim 6 or 7,
The bearing point 5 may be embodied in the form of a point, line, or curve, or may be embodied in a planar form, preferably characterized in that it is embodied in a form protruding from the bottom surface of the housing 2. Mobile devices.
The method of any one of the preceding claims,
The strain (strain) and / or bending (bending) sensor (3) is at least located in the vicinity of the center of the mobile device (1, 7, 9, 11) mobile device.
The method of any one of the preceding claims,
A control device implemented to evaluate the vibration detected by the strain and / or bending sensor 3 and to transmit a signal to an external device when the event is determined, especially when an earthquake event is determined ( 6) characterized in that it has a mobile device.
The method of any one of the preceding claims,
A mobile device characterized by being implemented as a smartphone, tablet computer, or laptop computer.
The method of any one of the preceding claims,
A mobile device characterized by being implemented as an early warning system for earthquake detection.
The method of any one of the preceding claims,
A mobile device characterized by being implemented as a pulseimeter.
The method of any one of the preceding claims,
A mobile device characterized by being implemented as a monitoring device capable of detecting a person's fall in space.
The method of any one of the preceding claims,
A mobile device characterized by being implemented as a directional microphone for airborne sound.

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