The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 22, 2015
Filed:
Dec. 04, 2012
Microchip Technology Incorporated, Chandler, AZ (US);
Keith Edwin Curtis, Gilbert, AZ (US);
Yann LeFaou, Tempe, AZ (US);
Fanie Duvenhage, Phoenix, AZ (US);
MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED, Chandler, AZ (US);
Abstract
A combination of capacitive, mutual capacitive, and inductive proximity and touch sensing is used to detect the presence and nature of nearby objects to a wireless device. When the proximity of metal or a user is sensed the output power of a Wi-Fi module in the device is reduced so as to prevent harm to the user and/or the Wi-Fi transmitter amplifier circuits. Inductive sensors located at the four corners of the wireless device are used to detect metal, and capacitive sensors are used to detect a capacitance change or shift due to the presence of a user's hand, body or metal. In addition, the capacitive sensors may be located at the four corners of the device and can measure changes in the mutual capacitance coupling between these capacitive sensors.