{"schemaVersion":1,"record":{"key":"mechanic/phone-magnetometer--family-05","type":"mechanic","id":"phone-magnetometer--family-05","lang":"en","title":"Vector and polarity","summary":"Field components can define direction or distinguish magnet positions. Comparing signs requires a consistent phone coordinate frame.","updatedAt":"2026-10-22","status":"active","url":"https://gamemechanics.pro/en/knowledge/mechanic/phone-magnetometer--family-05/","jsonUrl":"https://gamemechanics.pro/api/v1/knowledge/en/mechanic/phone-magnetometer--family-05.json","markdownUrl":"https://gamemechanics.pro/content/knowledge/en/mechanic/phone-magnetometer--family-05.md","aliases":[],"tags":["Phone magnetometer interactions","Mechanics catalog"],"sourceIds":["source-603978442e60360e"],"sources":[{"id":"source-603978442e60360e","title":"Physics Toolbox Magnetometer","url":"https://apps.apple.com/us/app/physics-toolbox-magnetometer/id1003749103?uo=4","verifiedAt":null}],"sections":[{"id":"principle","title":"How it works","body":"The field vector components and polarity changes differentiate the states of the magnet in the prepared geometry."},{"id":"variants","title":"Variants","body":"### Variants and applications\n\n<a id=\"family-05-variants\"></a>\n\n- Two polarities. Action: Turn over a known magnet in one socket; two patterns give two commands. Application: Light and dark, heating and cooling, two sides of the key. Limitations: The axis sign itself does not determine the north pole at any position. Equipment: Magnetic props with a given geometry. Preparation: Needs setup. Type: Input method. <a id=\"variant-m033\"></a>\n- Three states of polarity. Action: Distinguish between the absence of a magnet and its two orientations in the socket. Application: Three-position switch, plus/zero/minus, logic gate. Limitations: Store three templates for a specific magnet and seat. Equipment: Magnetic props with a given geometry. Preparation: Needs setup. Type: Input method. <a id=\"variant-m034\"></a>\n- Selection by leading axis. Action: In limited positions, distinguish which component of the field change predominates. Application: Three types of influence, switching axes, physical classification. Limitations: Does not promise recognition of arbitrary sides of the phone without training. Equipment: Magnetic props with a given geometry. Preparation: Needs setup. Type: Input method. <a id=\"variant-m035\"></a>\n- Vector pattern matching. Action: To achieve the coincidence of the normalized direction and magnitude of the field with the sample. Application: Magnetic lock signature, configuration restoration, laboratory riddle. Limitations: Different configurations can give similar measurements at one point. Equipment: Magnetic props with a given geometry. Preparation: Needs setup. Type: Game rule. <a id=\"variant-m036\"></a>\n- Rotation of a magnet on an axis. Action: Rotate a magnet with a fixed center and axis; templates set the angle. Application: Adjustment knob, turn the key, control wheel. Limitations: A mechanism and a choice of axis that gives a discernible change in the field are needed. Equipment: Magnetic props with a given geometry. Preparation: Needs setup. Type: Input method. <a id=\"variant-m037\"></a>\n- The cursor is on a given plane. Action: Move one magnet along a calibrated surface with a fixed orientation. Application: Cursor, labyrinth, control of a chip next to the screen. Limitations: Accuracy and unambiguity depend on geometry; This is not free 3D tracking. Equipment: Magnetic props with a given geometry. Preparation: Experimental. Type: Input method. <a id=\"variant-m038\"></a>\n- Spatial magnetic zones. Action: Train several positions of the magnet near the phone and recognize the selected zone. Application: Off-screen menu, inventory pockets, element selection by gesture. Limitations: Start with a small number of clearly distinguishable zones and the “not sure” state. Equipment: Magnetic props with a given geometry. Preparation: Experimental. Type: Input method. <a id=\"variant-m039\"></a>\n- Balance of two sources. Action: Move the magnet on the guide relative to the stationary source, achieving the target total field. Application: Balance of forces, adjusting the compensator, physical puzzle. Limitations: The sensor sees the sum of the deposits; separate positions of two magnets are not restored. Equipment: Magnetic props with a given geometry. Preparation: Experimental. Type: Game rule. <a id=\"variant-m040\"></a>"},{"id":"context","title":"Context and limits","body":"Author's working classification for designing games and interactions. Options can overlap and combine; the list is not a generally accepted standard or proven exhaustive list. Application examples are conditional unless a specific verifiable observation is indicated nearby. Sources support individual techniques and technical limitations."}],"relations":[],"placements":[{"catalogId":"phone-magnetometer","id":"family-05","title":"Phone magnetometer interactions","url":"https://gamemechanics.pro/en/mechanics/phone-magnetometer/#family-05","categoryIds":["section-1"]}],"supersededBy":[],"attributes":{"preview":{"updatedAt":"2026-10-22","title":"Vector and polarity","description":"Field components can define direction or distinguish magnet positions. Comparing signs requires a consistent phone coordinate frame.","image":{"src":"images/mechanics/sensor-physics-magnet-0.webp","width":665,"height":1440,"crop":{"x":51,"y":323,"width":563,"height":1034},"game":"Physics Toolbox Magnetometer","sourceUrl":"https://apps.apple.com/us/app/physics-toolbox-magnetometer/id1003749103?uo=4","originalUrl":"https://is1-ssl.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/PurpleSource221/v4/0f/3d/af/0f3daf9c-4f2c-17c7-83d3-c4ae62057601/01-magnetometer.png/720x1560bb.jpg","credit":"Chrystian Vieyra","rights":"© Chrystian Vieyra. Developer-distributed App Store screenshot. All rights reserved; excluded from MIT and CC BY 4.0.","caption":"Physics Toolbox: three field components and total magnitude over time","alt":"Physics Toolbox: three field components and total magnitude over time","markers":[{"x":50,"y":67,"label":"Curves show measurements changing over time"}]},"tips":["Subtract the background field and keep phone orientation fixed."],"examples":[{"title":"Physics Toolbox Magnetometer","url":"https://apps.apple.com/us/app/physics-toolbox-magnetometer/id1003749103?uo=4"}]}},"endsAt":null,"provenance":"Original editorial design catalog consolidated from project discussions on 2026-10-20. Complete discussion item lists and contextual limitations are preserved; linked primary sources support specific techniques, not the entire classification. English translation was prepared with machine assistance and editorial review.","license":"CC-BY-4.0","codeLicense":"MIT","attribution":"gamemechanics.pro contributors","catalogKey":"catalog/phone-magnetometer"}}