JPH03214518A - Electronic contact button - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To improve durability of a device by installing a transmission medium and electronic means for detecting sounds between a sound source and a push- button surface portion and providing a button housing which connects all of parts of the button to one package. CONSTITUTION: An external casing 1 surrounds and holds a main body and the periphery of surroundings of a spherical button 2 and an exposed side works as a contact surface 3. A transducer 6 regularly sends a sound wave (supersonic wave) to a glass ball 2 and works as a transportation medium of a sound wave and receives an echo of a launched sound by a sonar method. When a skin or other materials come in contact with the contact surface 3, some sound is absorbed in the skin or the materials and the echo sound is consequently decreased. The decrease in the echo sound is detected with an integrated circuit 5 which measures and determines the number of echo sounds. Thus, use of a button improves durability of the device.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention typically operates or deactivates or deactivates when a human operator touches or presses a button with a finger. It relates to a contact button used to perform some electrical or electronic operation. Furthermore, the invention relates in particular to electronic contact buttons activated by sound absorption and applicable in many different fields, including for example push buttons for elevator car control and the like.

[Conventional technology and issues to be solved]

Almost all electronic touch buttons rely on the capacitance of the human body for their operation. However, such a detection method has at least the following defects.

(1) The buttons are heat sensitive, resulting in malfunctions.

(2) The button exhibits relatively high sensitivity to electromagnetic interference (EMI), resulting in many malfunctions.

(3) The buttons are relatively sensitive to electrostatic discharge (ESD), resulting in errors.

(4) There is no feedback from contact (reactions or sensations indicating contact).

(5) There is a possibility of risk of IJ shock.

In contrast, the present invention attempts to eliminate these problems by using sound absorption technology for button operation.

Gale's U.S. Patent Specification No. 3 entitled "Vehicle Control";
5 1 9, 1 0 5 (issued July 7, 1970)
In particular, the oscillator is associated with an elevator control system and is a primary generator for controlling the stopping and starting of an elevator at various floors selected by the operation of a pushbutton by a passenger. It was used as a means of encoding rather than actuation, resulting in a very complex design structure.

In the Gale patent, the oscillator must be stopped from oscillating for operation to occur. That is, when the button is touched, no oscillations occur and no sound absorption occurs.

Additionally, in the Gale patent, the oscillating element is exposed to the public, making the design extremely vulnerable.
Seems impractical.

The inventor's inventions related to sound include U.S. Pat.
No. 4) and US Pat.

[Means and Operations for Solving the Problems] The present invention differs from those described above in that it uses sound absorption to generate a corresponding electrical or electronic action as a result of someone activating or pressing a button. Activate.

Essentially, the invention uses ultrasound to detect human touch. The material of the human body and most gloves is a good sound absorbing material. This sound absorption property is a key element in the present invention.

Sound absorption can be measured by a variety of techniques, including:

(1) Shifts in Frequency, (2) Shifts in Transport, and (3) Various Sonar Methods In the present invention, in contrast to the Gale patent, the oscillating element that generates the ultrasonic waves is influenced to produce actuation. There is no need to be affected. In the present invention, since the means for causing or activating the actuation is sound (ultrasound), the sound oscillation continues when the button is touched.

In order to make this state effective, the present invention includes a medium for propagating sound in a certain shape between the contact surface and the oscillating member (transducer) that generates the sound wave (or ultrasonic wave). . If this medium consists of, for example, a sheet of steel or another metal or a suitable plastic, the invention allows the production of highly textured buttons.

In the exemplary embodiment described below, a sonar type device is used. In such an approach, both the number and size of the echoes produced by the transducer provide any sound absorption strategy.

Sound absorption is a good method for detection for the following reasons.

(1) In order for an adequate amount of absorption to occur, a minimum volume and force at the surface must be provided, and this fact excludes incorrect activation by dust, dirt, flies, etc. .

(2) People often use a variety of different objects, such as keys,
You may use cans, shoes, etc. to press buttons.

These objects also absorb sound if pressed against them with the right amount of force.

Advantages of the invention also include the following regarding buttons.

(1) Durable; (2) EMI resistant; (3) ESD resistant; and allows for both optical and tactile and/or acoustic feedback.

The present invention includes, but is not limited to, elevators and
In a wide range of different applications, including one control button,
The teachings of the invention, detailed below, can be implemented using known techniques.

Other features and advantages will become apparent from the description and claims and the accompanying drawings, which illustrate two exemplary embodiments of the invention.

〔Example〕

As can be seen in FIG. 1, a first exemplary embodiment of an electronic control, or contact button, operating by sound absorption according to the principles of the invention is made of, for example, metal to increase its strength, and It comprises a cylindrical outer casing 1 which will typically have the same outer diameter as that of other buttons used for the same application. The casing surrounds and retains the body and peripheral sides of the spherically shaped button 2, the exposed side of which serves as the contact surface 3 of the button.

On the back side of the spherical button 2, which may be made of glass or the like, there is an integrated circuit (IC) 5, an ultrasonic transducer 6, etc.
, and a printed circuit board 4 carrying at least one (or a series of) light emitting diodes (LEDs).

In operation, the transducer 6 constantly emits sound waves (
That is, the ultrasonic wave is sent to the glass pole 2, which acts as a carrier medium for the sound wave, and then the echo sound of the emitted sound is received by the sonar type.

It should be understood here that the term "sound" is used in a broad sense and is not limited to audio frequencies, but includes, for example, ultrasound.

An example of a transducer used in this example is a Philips transducer.
) piezoelectric ceramic transducer made of disk-shaped rPXE5j [l98
Catalog number 4322-020-02270 for “Components and Materials” (Book C19) for the 6th year, telephone 914/
246-281 13. An example of an electronic circuit for a button is also shown in detail in FIG. 3, with the functional blocks of the circuit labeled and the transducers 6 and LEDs 7 numbered.

If the skin or other material comes close to the contact surface 3 and makes contact, some of the sound waves will be absorbed by the skin or the material and the echo sound will be reduced as a result. This reduction in the number of echoes is detected by the integrated circuit 5 which measures and measures the number of echoes (details in Figure 3). , 4A and 4B show examples of waveforms of signals generated in this system. The upper trace in FIG. 4A is of the signal at transducer 6, while the lower trace is the output signal between ground and bin 7. The upper trace in FIG. 4B is the typical shape of the echo signal when no one is touching the button surface 3.

The bottom trace, for comparison, is a typical reverberant signal when someone is touching that button, which, as you can see in the analogy, essentially covers most of the reverberant waveform. will be absorbed. However, these traces are not actual traces derived from the echo signal.

Both sets of oscillographs were tested at room temperature for rAJ
axis at 20mV/div. Binding, "Bj axis 2V/div"
, and in FIG. 4A, the time axis is 2. 5 rasec
．． In Figure 4B, the time axis is set to 0. It is taken as 1 msec.

When the echo is attenuated by someone contacting the button surface 3, the IC 5 causes an electrical or electronic action controlled by the contact button to be activated (or, depending on its design, deactivated, change, other, controlled). Its electrical operation is then typically influenced by some kind of control element connected to the output of the button system.

1C5 then also activates LED7 (or
depending on the design, it will give feedback in the form of light to whoever presses the button.

Additionally, if desired, the frequency of the sound emitted by the transducer is shifted to an audible frequency for tactile and/or audible feedback.

For example, the speed of sound inside glass, like other materials, is a function of temperature. "By measuring the time of flight, i.e. the time between emitting and receiving the same sound signal, the button also acts as a heat sensor and as a fire alarm. In fact, the button If the body or its contact surfaces are heated, the device turns off by itself, preventing the use of the button, for example in a fire situation, which is particularly advantageous for elevator applications. .

The surface 3 of the button does not move when touched or "pressed", although it can be made to work if required.

Due to the low voltage and low current characteristics of the components on the printed circuit board 4 and the insulating nature of the glass button, the device does not pose an electrical shock hazard.

Also, the device is not affected by ESD.

Additionally, transducers of the type used in this device are relatively inexpensive and have a long life.

The material and shape of the contact surfaces are not particularly important. However, it is also generally necessary, at least for a button, to separate its contact surface from the frame or casing. In the embodiment shown here, the spherical shape of the button minimizes surface contact with the frame and casing, with only round ring-like contact being preferred. however,
Rather than a perfectly spherical or ball-like shape, it has a circular cross-section at its mounting surface to the casing (+) and with respect to the rest of the element, e.g.
It is also possible to have a composite shape with other shapes such as a circular recess as in 3) or a flat back surface to facilitate mounting of electronic components (5-7).

However, many practical shapes are still possible;
Still other embodiments are shown in FIGS. 2 and 2A.

The button system 10 of FIGS. 2 and 2A has no moving parts and includes a solid metal substrate 11 with two circular recesses, dimpled portions 13A and 13B, which serve as the contact surfaces of the "button". Four mounting holes 15 are provided at the four corners of the board 1l.

The two buttons 13 and 13B can also be used in the elevator signaling system, one button can be used as the ``up'' button and the other button as the ``down'' button, for example, to call the elevator car. You can also do that. In application to such elevators,
The board 11 is mounted on a wall adjacent to the elevator and waits for a passerby to selectively touch any one of the button surfaces while displaying the elevator.

Two concentric circular channels 14A and 14B surround the contact button surfaces 13A and 13B and connect them to the substrate 11.
Separate from other parts of. As can be seen from Figure 2A,
Channel I4 is connected from the back side of the substrate 11 to the recess 13 of the button.
It extends all the way to the opposite side.

If the substrate 11 is made of a conductive material, it is grounded as shown. This allows the device to perform ESC and EM
It is clear that it will not be affected by I.

An example of the dimensions of the plate-like button system 10 is outlined below.

Thickness of substrate 1l 3/8 inch Diameter of button surface l3 7/7 inch Radius of depth of surface ■3 1/4 inch Width of separation channel 14
Center of 1/4 inch button surface 13 0.
In addition to being used as an "on"/"off" or button activation button, the button of the present invention can also be used for other purposes, such as proportional control. I can do it.

Although the invention has been shown and described with reference to details of illustrative embodiments thereof, various changes in form, detail, methodology and/or approach may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a simplified side cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of an electronic control or touch button applying the principles of the present invention. The contact button of FIG. 1 is generally cylindrical and is essentially symmetrical about its centerline, except for the details of the printed circuit board 4 and its components 5-7. FIG. 2 is a plan view of a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention using a solid metal plate with a button-shaped recess of <2al serving as a "button," while FIG. Second
2A is a detailed side cross-sectional view of the embodiment taken along section plane 2A-2A of the figure; FIG. FIG. 3 is an exemplary circuit diagram for the "button" of the present invention. Figures 4A and 4B are comparative oscillographs showing the signals appearing in the circuit of Figure 3, the former compared to the signal produced by the transducer (upper trace), and the latter compared to the signal produced by the transducer (upper trace); The echoed signal in the case of no contact (upper trace) and the signal in the case of someone touching the button are compared in a similar manner. Iku Mi σguchi” Engraving of drawings (no changes in content) Procedural amendment (method) January 23, 2003 2. 3. 4. Name of the invention in Patent Application No. 157386 of 1990. Relationship with the case of the person who amended the electronic contact button. Patent applicant

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) An electronic contact button for performing an electrically controlled operation, comprising: an electronically generated sound wave source; a push button surface; the sound source and the push button; a sound transmission medium associated with the sound source, disposed between the button surface and transmitting sound waves from the sound source to the push button surface; When a sufficient amount of sound is detected and absorbed, a signal is generated to indicate the presence of a foreign substance, such as human skin, on the button surface in order to trigger an electrically controlled action. a button housing that surrounds and holds the sound transmission medium, contains the sound source and the electronic detection means therein, and has all the parts of the button joined into one package; An electronic contact button characterized by comprising: (2) The electronic contact button according to claim 1, wherein the sound transmission medium has a circular cross-sectional shape, and the housing includes a circular cross-section inside thereof, and a circular cross-section around the circular cross-section. Electronic contact button characterized in that it has at least a general cylindrical shape, in contact with the sound transmission medium along a ring. (3) The electronic contact button according to claim 2, wherein the sound voltage medium has a ball shape. (4) The electronic contact button according to claim 1, wherein the electronic detection means includes a printed circuit board having a transducer mounted thereon acting as a sound wave source, and detecting echo sound waves of the sound waves emitted by the transducer. An electronic contact button comprising: a sensor for counting the number of contacts; (5) The electronic contact button according to claim 1, wherein the transducer generates ultrasonic waves. (6) In the electronic contact button 1 according to claim 1,
An electronic contact button, wherein the button housing is a metal substrate, and the push button surface is a recess in the substrate. (7) The electronic contact button according to claim 6, further comprising at least one channel portion surrounding the recess, the channel portion extending at least to a side of the substrate opposite to the recess. Features an electronic contact button. (8) The electronic contact button according to claim 6, further characterized in that the substrate has two recesses, each of which serves as a push button surface. (9) The electronic contact button of claim 8, wherein the substrate is located on a wall adjacent to an elevator, the two pushbutton surfaces serving as "up" and "down" buttons indicating the elevator. An electronic contact button characterized by: (10) The electronic contact button according to claim 1,
Furthermore, the electronic sensing means comprises a temperature measuring means for measuring the temperature of the transmission medium as a function of the speed at which the sound waves are transmitted through the transmission medium and serving as a fire alarm. button. (11) A method for detecting that a push button surface is pressed, the method comprising: sending a sound wave through a sound transmission medium that is brought into contact with the push button surface so that sound is transmitted; and detecting that a foreign object, such as human skin, is in contact with the pushbutton surface when the sound transmitted by the pushbutton surface has been significantly absorbed. (12) The method according to claim 11, further comprising the step of sending a signal to an electrical operation control device to cause the control device to perform an electrical control operation when absorption of a large amount of sound is detected. A detection method comprising: (13) Claim 12 further provides that, generally, a sound wave at an ultrasonic frequency is transmitted, and when absorption of a large amount of sound is detected, the transmitted sound wave is shifted to a sound wave at an audible frequency, so that the audible sound is transmitted. A method of detection comprising the step of providing tactile feedback to a person contacting a pushbutton in the form of a button.