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Amazon patents using metal frames to send data between devices

This patent describes a way for a streaming player and an accessory to talk to each other by sending signals through the metal frame of a television. Instead of using wireless radio waves, the devices use small electrodes to push data through the metal structure via a method called electro-quasistatic transmission. The receiving device filters out background noise from the metal to decode the message.

Why it mattersIt offers an alternative to standard wireless connections for linking accessories to smart TVs, potentially reducing interference in crowded electronic environments.

In the filing’s own words

Systems are generally described for enabling electro quasistatic (EQS) communication for devices. An example system includes a first electronic device comprising one or more first processors, a first converter circuitry coupled to at least one first processor, a first electrode, coupled to the first converter circuitry, positioned in proximity to a metal structure of a third device. The example system also includes, a second electronic device comprising a second electrode, coupled to the second converter circuitry, positioned in proximity to the metal structure of the third device and configured to receive EQS communication from the first device. The example system also includes a third device comprising the metal structure. The first device may be configured to encode a first datagram as a modulated signal waveform, and transmit by the first electrode, the modulated signal waveform via electro quasistatic transmission through the metal structure.

What exactly they claim (claim 1)

1. A system comprising: a streaming media player device comprising: one or more first processors, a first converter circuitry wired to at least one first processor, and a first electrode, wired to the first converter circuitry, positioned in proximity to a metal structure of a television device; an accessory device comprising: one or more second processors, a second converter circuitry wired to at least one second processor, and a second electrode, wired to the second converter circuitry, positioned in proximity to the metal structure of a third device; and the third device comprising the metal structure, wherein the streaming media player device further comprises one or more first computer readable media storing first processor executable instructions which, when executed using the one or more first processors, cause the streaming media player device to perform operations comprising: providing a first datagram to the first converter circuitry; encoding the first datagram as a modulated signal waveform; and transmitting, by the first electrode, the modulated signal waveform via electro quasistatic transmission through the metal structure; wherein the accessory device further comprises one or more second computer readable media storing second processor executable instructions which, when executed using the one or more second processors, cause the accessory device to perform operations comprising: receiving, by the second electrode, the modulated signal waveform; determining a noise waveform associated with the metal structure; and decoding, using the noise waveform, the modulated signal waveform to receive the first datagram.

Facts

Company
Amazon (Amazon Technologies, Inc.)
Official title
Electro-quasistatic enabled devices
Patent number
US12726230B1
Application number
18758958
Filed
Jun 28, 2024
Granted
Sep 1, 2026
Inventors
6
Claims
20

Classified under

H04B 5/48 Electricity & electronicsH04B 5/24 Electricity & electronics
Read the full filing (official PDF) ↗ Open in the Patent Tracker

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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.