Capacitive Product Selection Keyboard With False-Input Rejection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing product dispensing machine keyboards are prone to wear and tear and can harbor bacteria, posing health risks due to physical contact, and lack effective non-contact selection systems commonly used in other fields.
Innovation Solution
A capacitive sensor-based keyboard that allows product selection without physical contact by detecting proximity to labels on a printed circuit board, using a matrix of capacitive sensors and a protective layer, with electronic control for reliable selection and dispensing, and includes steps to prevent errors and recalibrate for simultaneous selections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a physical keyboard is used for product selection, then the operation is simple and familiar to users, but the keyboard becomes dirty and harbors bacteria due to frequent physical contact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical button-pressing system with a capacitive sensing system that detects changes in electromagnetic field when a user approaches or touches the selection area. This substitution eliminates the need for physical contact with buttons while maintaining the familiar interaction pattern, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and hygiene.
2Ease of operation
If a physical keyboard with buttons is used, then the selection process is direct, but the buttons are subject to wear and tear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical buttons with capacitive sensors embedded in a protective layer. These sensors have no moving parts and detect user input through changes in capacitance when approached or touched, eliminating wear and tear while preserving direct selection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a protective layer (such as glass or transparent plastic) as a thin film that protects the capacitive sensors underneath. This protective layer has no moving parts and is highly durable, replacing the mechanical buttons while maintaining the direct selection interface.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If non-contact selection systems based on movement recognition are used, then the hygiene risk is reduced, but the operation becomes complex with multiple phases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex multi-phase movement recognition systems with a simplified capacitive sensing system that naturally detects user intent through proximity or light touch. The system provides immediate feedback through visual indicators, eliminating the need for complex movement sequences while maintaining non-contact operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates visual feedback mechanisms that immediately indicate when a selection is detected or confirmed, simplifying the user interaction. This feedback system allows users to understand the system's state without complex instructions, reducing operational complexity while maintaining hygiene through non-contact operation.
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 provides a hygienic, durable, and error-reduced product selection method that eliminates the need for physical contact, enhancing user safety and reducing wear and tear, while maintaining a user-friendly interface.
Implementation Method 1
product selection is performed by detecting the proximity of an object to one of a plurality of capacitive sensors, which detect variations in the electromagnetic field
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The method for product selection comprises the steps of selecting a product among a plurality of options of different products, said selection being carried out by remotely signaling a label that represents the selected product; checking that no other selection has been detected; checking that the detected selection lasts longer than a predetermined period of time or more than a predetermined electromagnetic field strength; and dispensing the selected product if it has been verified that no other selection has been detected and if it has been verified that the selection lasts longer than said predetermined period of time and less than the predetermined electromagnetic field strength, or canceling the selection of the product if another selection has been detected or the detected selection lasts less than said predetermined period of time or is greater than the predetermined electromagnetic field strength.