Abstract:
Described herein is a sensor device (2) for an electronic apparatus (1), provided with: a sensing structure (5) generating a first detection signal (A x ); and a dedicated integrated circuit (6), connected to the sensing structure (5), detecting, as a function of the first detection signal (A x ), a first event associated to the electronic apparatus (1) and generating a first interrupt signal (INT1x) upon detection of the first event. The dedicated integrated circuit (6) detects the first event as a function of a temporal evolution of the first detection signal (A x ), and in particular as a function of values assumed by the first detection signal (A x ) within one or more successive time windows (T s1 -T s3 ), and of a relation between these values.
Abstract:
In an integrated free-fall detection device (16) for a portable apparatus (10), an acceleration sensor (20) generates acceleration signals (A x , A y , A z ) correlated to the components of the acceleration of the portable apparatus along three detection axes (x, y, z). A dedicated purely hardware circuit (24), connected to the acceleration sensor (20), generates in a continuous way and in real-time a free-fall detection signal (F). The free-fall detection signal (F) has a first logic value in the event that the acceleration signals (A x , A y , A z ) are simultaneously lower than a respective acceleration threshold (A th ), and is sent to a processor unit (18) of the portable apparatus (10) as an interrupt signal to activate appropriate actions of protection for the portable apparatus (10). The acceleration sensor (20) and the dedicated purely hardware circuit (24) are integrated in a single chip, and the acceleration sensor (20) is made as a MEMS.