External button sensing device and method

Abstract

The present invention proposes a button sensing device, comprising: at least one sensor disposed at a first position relative to the button and having an inclined angle with the plane on which the button is located; a system module electrically connected to the at least one sensor to receive sensing information from the at least one sensor and send a control signal based on the sensing information; and a controller for receiving the control signal and triggering the button based on the control signal.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to non-contact button sensing technology; more specifically, this invention relates to a non-contact external button sensing device and method. Prior Technology

[0002] In daily life, the operation and contact with public facilities and open spaces can lead to the spread of viruses and bacteria, exposing users to risks. For example, apartment buildings, office buildings, and hospitals and clinics are more likely to become high-risk locations due to their high population turnover and the unpredictable flow of people. Elevator panels, vending machines, and access control systems in these places, due to frequent use and contact with users' fingers, can easily become breeding grounds for germs.

[0003] To avoid direct contact between users and buttons, technologies such as infrared sensing and gesture recognition are already being used in contactless button sensing. Gesture recognition button sensing systems identify specific gestures and control the device accordingly. However, this differs significantly from the button usage methods commonly used by the public (such as touching and pressing), and its accuracy is easily affected by differences in ambient light.

[0004] Existing infrared sensor buttons embed the infrared sensor within the button itself. This limits the sensor's ability to detect the area directly in front of the button. Furthermore, the button's layout is constrained by its size (e.g., the button needs to accommodate numbers, door open / close icons, etc.), often placing the sensor relatively low inside the button. This doesn't align with most users' operating habits (e.g., users tend to apply pressure to the center of the button), impacting accuracy and user experience. Additionally, installing these infrared sensor buttons requires replacing all buttons on the panel, or even the entire panel, increasing installation costs and time. Therefore, a non-contact, externally mounted button sensing technology is needed that balances accuracy and reduced installation costs. Summary of the Invention

[0005] One objective of this invention is to provide an external button sensing device and method that can improve the accuracy of non-contact button sensing.

[0006] One objective of this invention is to provide an external button sensing device and method, which can be easily applied to existing buttons by means of an external sensor to achieve non-contact button sensing.

[0007] One objective of this invention is to provide an external button sensing device and method that can provide non-contact button sensing that conforms to user intuition.

[0008] In one embodiment, the button sensing device includes at least one sensor disposed at a first position relative to the button and having an angle of inclination with the plane on which the button is located; a system module electrically connected to the at least one sensor to receive sensing information from the at least one sensor and send a control signal based on the sensing information; and a controller to receive the control signal and trigger the button based on the control signal.

[0009] In another embodiment, the button sensing method includes sensing a fan-shaped area in front of a button with at least one sensor, wherein the at least one sensor is positioned at a first position relative to the button and has an angle of inclination with the plane where the button is located; receiving sensing information from the at least one sensor with a system module and sending a control signal based on the sensing information; and receiving the control signal with a controller and triggering the button based on the control signal.

[0010] This configuration achieves contactless button sensing without altering user operating habits, while improving sensor accuracy and reducing the incidence of unresponsive or accidental touches. Furthermore, the use of external sensors avoids the need to replace the entire panel or buttons, thereby saving costs and improving replacement efficiency. Simple Explanation of the Diagram

[0011] Figure 1A shows a side view of an external button sensing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] Figure 1B shows a block diagram of an additive button sensing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] Figure 2A shows a side view of an additional button sensing device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] Figure 2B shows a front view of an additional button sensing device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 3 shows a front view of an additional button sensing device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 4 shows a flowchart of an additional button sensing method according to one embodiment of the present invention. Implementation

[0017] The following description, along with specific embodiments and accompanying drawings, illustrates the additive button sensing device and method of the present invention. Those skilled in the art can understand the technical concept and effects of the present invention through this disclosure. However, the following disclosure is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed protection. Without departing from the spirit of the present invention, those skilled in the art can implement the contents of this disclosure with different structures, operating sequences, and other embodiments.

[0018] Referring to Figures 1A and 1B, an external button sensing device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is described. The device 100 includes a sensor 103 disposed above a button 101, and the sensor 103 and the plane containing the button 101 are inclined at an angle. The sensor 103 forms a fan-shaped sensing range in front of the button 101 (as shown by the dotted line in Figure 1A), and this sensing range varies with the tilt angle. The sensor 103 can be an infrared sensor to detect whether an object (e.g., a finger 109) is approaching the button 101. Referring to FIG1B, the sensor 103 can generate sensing information 111 corresponding to the button 101. The system module 105 receives the sensing information 111 and sends a control signal 113 to the controller 107 based on the sensing information 111 indicating that an object is approaching the button 101. The controller 107 is coupled to the button 101 and triggers the button 101 according to the received control signal 113, thereby achieving operations such as moving up and down stairs in an elevator or opening and closing doors.

[0019] It should be noted that in different embodiments, sensor 103 may also be a suitable sensor other than an infrared sensor (e.g., an ultrasonic sensor, a depth sensor, a camera, etc.) to generate sensing information such as distance range, angle, or depth, or the fluctuation of the sensing signal sensed and generated by sensor 103 over time. System module 105 may send control signal 113 according to different triggering conditions (e.g., finger 109 moving close to button 101 at a constant speed). The present invention does not limit this. Furthermore, although sensor 103 is shown as being positioned above button 101 in this embodiment, in different embodiments, sensor 103 may be positioned at other locations relative to button 101 (e.g., left, right, below, upper left, lower right, etc.). The present invention does not limit this.

[0020] Continuing from the above, the system module 105 can send the control signal 113 to the controller 107 by triggering a relay (not shown). The relay controls the dry contact of the circuit connecting the button 101 to the controller 107. When the system module 105 triggers the relay, the relay short-circuits the dry contact in the circuit, thereby simulating the effect of physically pressing the button 101, thus achieving the effect of sending the control signal 113 to the controller 107. Furthermore, in different embodiments, the system module 105 can also be communicatively coupled to the controller 107 (e.g., via RS485 communication) or send the control signal 113 in other suitable ways; this invention does not limit this.

[0021] With this configuration, an external sensor 103 can be used to sense the space in front of the button 101. Compared to a configuration where the sensor is installed inside and below the button, the external sensor 103 can sense a wider range. Furthermore, by determining the position of the sensor 103 relative to the button 101 (e.g., above or below the button) and adjusting the tilt angle… (For example, adjusting to 15 degrees, 30 degrees, or 45 degrees, etc.) The sensing range of sensor 103 can be adjusted according to actual usage, thereby improving the accuracy of non-contact button sensing. For example, the same elevator panel may have multiple buttons, and depending on the layout of the elevator panel, each button may have a different relative position (for example, a button with a door opening / closing symbol may be placed at a relatively low position). In addition, the distance between buttons may also be different under different elevator panel layouts. Therefore, by adjusting the setting position and tilt angle of sensor 103 for each button 101... This method can improve the sensing accuracy of all buttons 101 on the same panel or different panels, thereby improving the accuracy of the button sensing device 100 and the user experience.

[0022] Referring to Figures 2A and 2B, another embodiment of the present invention, an external button sensing device 200, is described. In this embodiment, the device 200 may include a first sensor 203a and a second sensor 203b. The first sensor 203a and the second sensor 203b are respectively disposed at positions relative to the button 201 (e.g., above and below) and each has its own tilt angle. The first sensor 203a and the second sensor 203b may have the same or different tilt angles. This invention does not limit the scope of the invention. Referring to FIG2B, since the first sensor 203a and the second sensor 203b can form different and overlapping sensing ranges (as shown by the dashed lines in FIG1B), the system module (e.g., the system module 105 shown in FIG1B) can send a control signal only when the sensing information of the first sensor 203a and the second sensor 203b simultaneously meet the triggering conditions, thereby reducing the possibility of accidental touch and improving accuracy.

[0023] It should be noted that in different embodiments, the first sensor 203a and the second sensor 203b can be different types of sensors (e.g., infrared sensors and ultrasonic sensors, respectively) to generate different types of sensing information, etc., and the present invention does not limit this. In addition, the first sensor 203a and the second sensor 203b can also have different triggering conditions (e.g., the first triggering condition of the first sensor 203a is sensing an object, and the second triggering condition of the second sensor 203b is sensing an object approaching at a constant speed, etc.), and the system module (e.g., the system module 105 shown in FIG1B) can send a control signal according to one or both of the first and second triggering conditions, and the present invention does not limit this.

[0024] Referring to FIG3, an additional button sensing device 300 according to another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. In this embodiment, the device 300 may have a first sensor 303a, a second sensor 303b, a third sensor 303c, and a fourth sensor 303d. As described in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the first sensor 303a, the second sensor 303b, the third sensor 303c, and the fourth sensor 303d may each have a tilt angle. Furthermore, they form overlapping sensing ranges (as shown by the dotted lines in the figure), and the system module (e.g., system module 105 shown in Figure 1B) can send a control signal when the sensing information sensed by the first sensor 303a, the second sensor 303b, the third sensor 303c, and the fourth sensor 303d all meet the trigger conditions. It should be noted that although in this embodiment the first sensor 303a, the second sensor 303b, the third sensor 303c, and the fourth sensor 303d are shown above, below, left, and right of the button 301, respectively, in different embodiments, the sensors 303a-303d can be configured in other appropriate ways (e.g., set at the upper right, lower right, upper left, and lower left of the button 301), and the present invention does not limit this. Furthermore, although in this embodiment the system module sends a control signal when all the sensing information sensed by sensors 303a-303d meets the trigger condition, in different embodiments the system module may send a control signal based on one, two or three of the trigger conditions meeting the trigger condition. Also, as with the first sensor 203a and the second sensor 203b described in Figures 2A and 2B, sensors 303a-303d may have different trigger conditions, which will not be elaborated further in this disclosure.

[0025] With this configuration, the external button sensing device 300 can form a highly sensitive sensing range, ensuring smooth and accurate triggering of the button 301 regardless of the direction from which the user approaches or the posture in which they operate it, thereby improving the accuracy and reliability of the external button sensing device 300. Furthermore, since the sensor (e.g., sensor 303a-303d) is added externally, the external button sensing device 300 can be easily applied to existing buttons (e.g., button 301), thereby saving money and time.

[0026] Referring to Figure 4, an additional embodiment of the present invention, an additive button sensing method 400, is illustrated. In this embodiment, method 400 includes sensing a fan-shaped area in front of a button with at least one sensor, wherein the at least one sensor is positioned relative to the button at a first position and has an angle (401) with respect to the plane where the button is located; receiving sensing information from the at least one sensor with a system module and sending a control signal based on the sensing information (403); and receiving the control signal with a controller and triggering the button based on the control signal (405). In this embodiment, the sensor can be any of the sensors described in the above embodiments (e.g., sensor 103, first sensor 203a, or first sensor 303a, etc.). As described in the above embodiments, button sensing using a sensor positioned relative to the button and having an angle can improve the accuracy of button sensing, and the user does not need to relearn how to trigger the button, thereby improving user adaptability.

[0027] The above disclosure is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the scope of the patent application of the present invention. Furthermore, the order of steps described herein is only illustrative, and those skilled in the art can modify the order of steps under the equivalent concept of the present invention. In addition, unless there is a clear contradiction with the content of this document, the singular terms "a" and "the" used herein also include plural cases, and terms such as "first" and "second" are intended to facilitate understanding of the concept of the present invention by those skilled in the art, rather than to limit the nature of the elements in the present invention. The shape, position, and size of the various elements, components, and units in the accompanying drawings are intended to concisely and clearly illustrate the technical content of the present invention, rather than to limit the present invention. At the same time, well-known details or structures will be omitted in the drawings.

[0028] 100: Equipment 101: Button 103: Sensor 105: System Module 107: Controller 109: Fingers 111: Sensor Information 113: Control signal 200: Equipment 201: Button 203a: First Sensor 203b: Second sensor 300: Equipment 301: Button 303a: First sensor 303b: Second sensor 303c: Third Sensor 303d: Fourth Sensor 400: Method 401: Steps 403: Steps 405: Steps

Claims

1. A button sensing device, comprising: At least one sensor is disposed at a first position relative to a button, and a sensing surface of the at least one sensor has an angle of inclination with the plane on which the button is located, wherein the at least one sensor is disposed in front of the plane on which the button is located, and the sensing range of the at least one sensor is changed by adjusting the angle of inclination of the at least one sensor; a system module electrically connected to the at least one sensor to receive sensing information from one of the at least one sensor and to send a control signal based on the sensing information; and a controller to receive the control signal and to trigger the button based on the control signal.

2. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensing information includes a distance range, angle, depth, or fluctuations over time in the sensing signal sensed and generated by the at least one sensor.

3. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the system module sends the control signal by sending the control signal based on the sensing information satisfying a trigger condition.

4. The device as described in claim 1, wherein the first position includes one of the above, left, right or below the button.

5. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor further includes a first sensor and a second sensor, the first sensor being disposed at the first position and the second sensor being disposed at a second position relative to the button, and wherein the first sensor and the second sensor may have the same or different tilt angles.

6. The device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the sensing information of the first sensor and the sensing information of the second sensor may respectively include distance range, angle, depth, or time-varying fluctuations in the sensing signals sensed and generated by the sensors.

7. The device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the system module sends the control signal by means of a first trigger condition being met by the sensing information of the first sensor and / or a second trigger condition being met by the sensing information of the second sensor.

8. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor further comprises a first sensor, a second sensor, a third sensor and a fourth sensor, wherein the first sensor is disposed at the first position, and the second sensor, the third sensor and the fourth sensor are respectively disposed at a second position, a third position and a fourth position relative to the button, and wherein the first sensor, the second sensor, the third sensor and the fourth sensor may have the same or different tilt angles.

9. The device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the sensing information of the first sensor, the second sensor, the third sensor and the fourth sensor may respectively include distance range, angle, depth or time-varying fluctuations in the sensing signals sensed and generated by the sensors.

10. The device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the system module sends the control signal by means of sending the control signal based on at least one of the sensing information of the first sensor, the second sensor, the third sensor and the fourth sensor satisfying a trigger condition.

11. A method for triggering a button, comprising: The system uses at least one sensor to sense a fan-shaped area in front of a button, wherein the at least one sensor is positioned relative to a first position of the button, and a sensing surface of the at least one sensor has an angle of inclination with the plane on which the button is located, wherein the at least one sensor is positioned in front of the plane on which the button is located, and the sensing range of the at least one sensor is changed by adjusting the angle of inclination of the at least one sensor; a system module receives sensing information from the at least one sensor and sends a control signal based on the sensing information; and a controller receives the control signal and triggers the button based on the control signal.

12. The method as described in claim 11, wherein the sensing information includes a distance range, angle, depth, or fluctuations over time in the sensing signal sensed and generated by the at least one sensor.

13. The method as described in claim 11, wherein the system module sends the control signal by sending the control signal based on the sensing information satisfying a trigger condition.

14. The method as described in claim 11, wherein the first position includes one of the above, left, right or below the button.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the at least one sensor further includes a first sensor and a second sensor, the first sensor being disposed at the first position and the second sensor being disposed at a second position relative to the button, and wherein the first sensor and the second sensor may have the same or different tilt angles.

16. The method as described in claim 15, wherein the sensing information of the first sensor and the sensing information of the second sensor may respectively include distance range, angle, depth, or time-varying fluctuations in the sensing signals sensed and generated by the sensors.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the system module sends the control signal by means of sending the control signal based on the sensing information of the first sensor satisfying a first trigger condition and / or the sensing information of the second sensor satisfying a second trigger condition.

18. The method of claim 11, wherein the at least one sensor further comprises a first sensor, a second sensor, a third sensor and a fourth sensor, wherein the first sensor is disposed at the first position, and the second sensor, the third sensor and the fourth sensor are respectively disposed at a second position, a third position and a fourth position relative to the button, and wherein the first sensor, the second sensor, the third sensor and the fourth sensor may have the same or different tilt angles.

19. The method as described in claim 18, wherein the sensing information of the first sensor, the second sensor, the third sensor and the fourth sensor may respectively include distance range, angle, depth or time-varying fluctuations in the sensing signals sensed and generated by the sensors.

20. The method as described in claim 18, wherein the system module sends the control signal by sending the control signal based on at least one of the sensing information of the first sensor, the second sensor, the third sensor, and the fourth sensor satisfying a trigger condition.

Images