Proximity sensors
US8629771B2 · kind B2 · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 25, 2010 |
| Grant date | Jan 14, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 25, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01S19/21
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A proximity sensor can be used with a device that relies on GPS signals or other radio-frequency (RF) signals. The proximity sensor can be used to determine if the signals are being deliberately blocked by an object such as metal foil placed near it. The sensor includes an oscillator 2, a directional coupler 4 and an antenna 8. A third port 6c of the directional coupler acts as a coupled port when RF power that has been transmitted by the antenna 8 is reflected back to the antenna by a blocking object. The reflected RF power passes along a main line of the directional coupler 4 and a proportion is coupled to the third port 6c. A detector provides an alert if the magnitude of the power of the transmit signal that is reflected back to the antenna 8 in the form of a receive signal exceeds a threshold.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.