Capacitive proximity sensor configuration including an antenna ground plane
First Claim
1. A playback device comprising:
- a capacitive proximity sensor positioned along a first surface of the playback device and configured to detect physical movement in a first direction;
a radio frequency (RF) antenna oriented at a relative angle to the capacitive proximity sensor, wherein the RF antenna is coupled to the capacitive proximity sensor such that the capacitive proximity sensor is further configured to detect physical movement in a second direction, wherein the second direction is substantially oriented at the relative angle to the first direction;
one or more processors; and
tangible, non-transitory computer-readable memory having stored thereon instructions, wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the playback device to perform functions comprising;
determining based on a detection of physical movement by the capacitive proximity sensor, a physical approach of an entity towards the playback device from at least one of the first direction or the second direction.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Embodiments of a capacitive sensor configuration for proximity detection by a playback device are provided. The playback device may include a capacitive proximity sensor configured to detect physical movement in a first direction, and a radio frequency (RF) antenna ground plane oriented at a relative angle to the capacitive proximity sensor. The capacitive proximity sensor may include a first metal electrode coupled to the RF antenna ground plane is coupled to the first metal electrode such that the capacitive proximity sensor may be further configured to detect physical movement in a second direction that is substantially the relative angle to the first direction. The playback device may be configured to determine based on a detection of physical movement by the capacitive proximity sensor, a physical approach of an entity towards the playback device from one or more of the first direction and the second direction.
65 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A playback device comprising:
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a capacitive proximity sensor positioned along a first surface of the playback device and configured to detect physical movement in a first direction; a radio frequency (RF) antenna oriented at a relative angle to the capacitive proximity sensor, wherein the RF antenna is coupled to the capacitive proximity sensor such that the capacitive proximity sensor is further configured to detect physical movement in a second direction, wherein the second direction is substantially oriented at the relative angle to the first direction; one or more processors; and tangible, non-transitory computer-readable memory having stored thereon instructions, wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the playback device to perform functions comprising; determining based on a detection of physical movement by the capacitive proximity sensor, a physical approach of an entity towards the playback device from at least one of the first direction or the second direction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method comprising:
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determining an ambient light level based on a detection by a light sensor of ambient light of a control area for a playback device; adjusting, based on the ambient light level, a sensitivity of a capacitive proximity sensor, wherein the capacitive proximity sensor is positioned along a first surface of the playback device and configured to detect a physical movement in a first direction, wherein the capacitive proximity sensor is coupled to a radio frequency (RF) antenna oriented at a relative angle to the capacitive proximity sensor, wherein the RF antenna is coupled to the capacitive proximity sensor such that the capacitive proximity sensor is further configured to detect physical movement in a second direction, wherein the second direction is substantially oriented at the relative angle to the first direction; determining, based on a detection of physical movement by the capacitive proximity sensor, a physical approach of an entity towards the playback device from at least one of the first direction or the second direction; and in response to determining, based on a detection of physical movement by the capacitive proximity sensor, a physical approach of an entity towards the playback device from at least one of the first direction or the second direction, causing the control area of the playback device to be illuminated. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon instructions, wherein the instructions, when executed by one or more processors, cause a playback device to perform a method comprising:
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determining an ambient light level based on a detection by a light sensor of ambient light of a control area for the playback device; adjusting, based on the ambient light level, a sensitivity of a capacitive proximity sensor, wherein the capacitive proximity sensor is positioned along a first surface of the playback device and configured to detect a physical movement in a first direction, wherein the capacitive proximity sensor is coupled to a radio frequency (RF) antenna oriented at a relative angle to the capacitive proximity sensor, wherein the RF antenna is coupled to the capacitive proximity sensor such that the capacitive proximity sensor is further configured to detect physical movement in a second direction, wherein the second direction is substantially oriented at the relative angle to the first direction; determining, based on a detection of physical movement by the capacitive proximity sensor, a physical approach of an entity towards the playback device from at least one of the first direction or the second direction; and after determining, based on a detection of physical movement by the capacitive proximity sensor, a physical approach of an entity towards the playback device from at least one of the first direction or the second direction, causing the control area of the playback device to be illuminated. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification