Capacitance Sensor Pressing Detection with Dynamic Thresholds
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pressing detection methods in reproduction devices, such as those used in disco clubs, face issues with accuracy due to mechanical switches and pressure sensing layers, leading to operational discomfort, age deterioration, and increased manufacturing costs, while capacitance sensors are prone to detection errors from external noise and fluctuations.
Innovation Solution
A reproduction device equipped with a rotatable operation disk, a capacitance sensor for detecting changes in capacitance, a storage part for reference values, and a control unit that calculates relative and absolute threshold values to accurately determine pressing based on sensor data, reducing errors and maintaining high detection accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a mechanical switch or membrane switch is used for detecting pressing on the controller, then the pressing can be detected, but there is a difference of operational touch feeling, uncomfortable operation feeling due to stroke and click feeling, and age deterioration occurs reducing detection accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical switches and membrane switches with a capacitance sensor that detects pressing through capacitance changes. The controller includes a capacitance sensor section with sensor electrodes that detect pressing without mechanical contact, eliminating wear and stroke issues while maintaining detection accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If a pressure sensing layer made of dielectric material is provided to the casing, then pressing on the outer rim can be sensed, but significant deterioration by friction occurs between the pressure sensing layer and controller, reducing detection accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the pressure sensing layer that contacts the controller through friction by using a capacitance sensor system. The sensor electrodes detect pressing through electrical field changes without physical contact, removing the friction-induced deterioration problem.
3Reliability
If a capacitance sensor is applied to the controller for detecting pressing, then age deterioration due to physical contacts hardly occurs and flexibility in designing increases, but detection errors occur due to influence of fluctuation in capacitance when a person approaches and external noise
Solution Approach 1:
The control section continuously monitors capacitance values and dynamically adjusts threshold values based on environmental conditions and baseline measurements. This feedback mechanism allows the system to distinguish between normal capacitance fluctuations and actual pressing events, maintaining high detection accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the detection parameter from fixed threshold to dynamic threshold that adapts to environmental conditions. The control section calculates threshold values based on capacitance changes relative to baseline measurements, allowing the system to operate accurately despite variations in capacitance due to environmental factors.
4Measurement precision
If switches are disposed on a circle below the outer rim of the controller for detecting pressing, then pressing can be detected, but the structure causes an increase in manufacturing cost for example a die
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the pressing detection function into the controller body itself by integrating sensor electrodes directly into the controller structure. This eliminates the need for separate switch components and complex assembly, reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining detection capability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables precise detection of pressing on the controller, enhancing operational accuracy and reducing manufacturing costs by using capacitance sensors effectively, while minimizing interference from external noise and environmental changes.
Implementation Method 1
a capacitance sensor section for outputting a sensor value expressing a change of a capacitance according to depression of the rotatable operation disk part
Data Source
AI summary
A reproduction device, contains a rotatable operation disk part for performing an input related to reading of data stored in a memory and a capacitance sensor section for outputting a sensor value expressing a change of a capacitance according to depression of the rotatable operation disk part. The device also contains a storage part for storing a reference value corresponding to the sensor value obtained while the rotatable operation disk part is not depressed, and a control part for judging presence/absence of pressing on the rotatable operation disk part based on a vector quantity being a relative value obtained from a difference between the sensor value output from the capacitance sensor section and the reference value stored in the storage part.