---
key: mechanic/phone-magnetometer--family-04
type: mechanic
id: phone-magnetometer--family-04
lang: en
title: Field strength as analog input
summary: >-
Measured field strength can continuously control a parameter. Distance to a
particular magnet requires calibration of that magnet’s field.
updatedAt: '2026-10-22'
status: active
url: 'https://gamemechanics.pro/en/knowledge/mechanic/phone-magnetometer--family-04/'
jsonUrl: >-
https://gamemechanics.pro/api/v1/knowledge/en/mechanic/phone-magnetometer--family-04.json
markdownUrl: >-
https://gamemechanics.pro/content/knowledge/en/mechanic/phone-magnetometer--family-04.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
relations: []
placements:
- catalogId: phone-magnetometer
id: family-04
title: Phone magnetometer interactions
url: 'https://gamemechanics.pro/en/mechanics/phone-magnetometer/#family-04'
categoryIds:
- section-1
supersededBy: []
attributes:
preview:
updatedAt: '2026-10-22'
title: Field strength as analog input
description: >-
Measured field strength can continuously control a parameter. Distance to
a particular magnet requires calibration of that magnet’s field.
image:
src: images/mechanics/sensor-physics-magnet-1.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/PurpleSource211/v4/8f/f5/50/8ff550e6-5be0-28e2-4866-fa592a510357/02-measure-3-axes.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: total field strength and three-axis readings'
alt: 'Physics Toolbox: total field strength and three-axis readings'
markers:
- x: 50
'y': 57
label: '50.54 μT: a measurement that can be mapped to a parameter'
tips:
- Do not treat field strength as a universal distance to any object.
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
---
# Field strength as analog input
id: phone-magnetometer--family-04
type: mechanic
key: mechanic/phone-magnetometer--family-04
lang: en
status: active
url: https://gamemechanics.pro/en/knowledge/mechanic/phone-magnetometer--family-04/
Measured field strength can continuously control a parameter. Distance to a particular magnet requires calibration of that magnet’s field.
## At a glance
[Physics Toolbox Magnetometer](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/physics-toolbox-magnetometer/id1003749103?uo=4) · © Chrystian Vieyra. Developer-distributed App Store screenshot. All rights reserved; excluded from MIT and CC BY 4.0.
1. 50.54 μT: a measurement that can be mapped to a parameter
- Do not treat field strength as a universal distance to any object.
- [Physics Toolbox Magnetometer](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/physics-toolbox-magnetometer/id1003749103?uo=4)
## How it works
The relative change in magnetic field sets a continuous parameter after setting the range and neutral state.
## Variants
### Variants and applications
- Analog proximity. Action: Smoothly change the distance to the magnet; the normalized change in the field sets the parameter. Application: Gas, volume, note pitch, spell intensity. Limitations: Approximation does not always increase the module of the total field; calibrate the working trajectory. Equipment: Phone and external magnet. Preparation: Needs setup. Type: Input method.
- Window setting. Action: Find and hold the value between the lower and upper threshold. Application: Set up the radio station, stabilize the reactor, open the lock. Limitations: The window must be wider than the noise and accessible in a comfortable position. Equipment: Telephone and external magnet. Preparation: Easy start. Type: Game rule.
- Risk of overload. Action: Increase the value, stopping to a dangerous threshold. Application: Risky charge, overheating, resource extraction on the edge. Limitations: Overload is a game rule; do not require physical saturation of the sensor. Equipment: Phone and external magnet. Preparation: Easy start. Type: Game rule.
- Accumulation of impact. Action: Accumulate game resource based on time and magnitude of field change. Application: Energy transfer, charging, melting, slow hacking. Limitations: The game scale is integrated; readings do not measure physical energy transferred. Equipment: Telephone and external magnet. Preparation: Easy start. Type: Game rule.
- Repeating the curve. Action: Repeat the target signal strength graph by moving the magnet. Application: Musical phrase, precision manufacturing, training simulator. Limitations: Compare smoothed normalized curves with time tolerance. Equipment: Phone and external magnet. Preparation: Needs setup. Type: Game rule.
- Reaction to growth and decline. Action: Separately interpret the increase and decrease of the signal. Application: Inhale and exhale the creature, tighten and loosen, pump the pump. Limitations: A derivative dead zone and speed restrictions are needed. Equipment: Phone and external magnet. Preparation: Needs setup. Type: Input method.
- Search for extremum. Action: Move the source or telephone, comparing local maxima and minima. Application: Find the tuning point, minimize interference, conduct research. Limitations: Local extremum does not guarantee the closest point to the magnet. Equipment: Telephone and external magnet. Preparation: Needs setup. Type: Game rule.
- Signal stability. Action: Maintain the selected value with minimal fluctuations. Application: Neutralization, concentration, adjustment of musical tone. Limitations: Phone and surroundings must be fairly still. Equipment: Phone and external magnet. Preparation: Easy start. Type: Game rule.
## Context and limits
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.
## Connected materials
## Sources and 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.
- [Physics Toolbox Magnetometer](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/physics-toolbox-magnetometer/id1003749103?uo=4) (id: source-603978442e60360e)
CC-BY-4.0 · gamemechanics.pro contributors