Capacitive Sensor Face for Toy Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing identification technologies for toys, such as barcodes and RFIDs, face issues like vulnerability to water and abrasion, and high manufacturing costs, limiting design freedom and affordability.
Innovation Solution
An identification apparatus using a sensor face with sensor electrodes and a ground portion on the same plane, where conductive portions on the identification object connect with sensor electrodes and the ground to detect changes in electrostatic capacitance, allowing for inexpensive manufacturing and flexible design without affecting the object's appearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If barcodes are used for identification, then the identification can be implemented, but the barcode is weak to water or abrasion and affects the external appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the optical/mechanical barcode system with an electrostatic capacitance-based sensing system. Instead of using visual barcodes that are vulnerable to environmental factors, the invention uses sensor electrodes that detect electrostatic capacitance changes caused by conductive portions on the identification object, providing a more reliable identification method that is not affected by water or abrasion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary electrostatic field between the sensor electrodes and the conductive portions on the identification object. This electrostatic field serves as a mediator that transfers identification information without requiring direct physical contact or visual line-of-sight, thereby eliminating the vulnerability of barcodes to environmental factors while maintaining identification reliability.
2Reliability
If RFIDs are used for identification, then the vulnerability to water and abrasion is eliminated, but the apparatus becomes expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs inexpensive sensor electrodes and conductive portions that can be easily manufactured and replaced if needed. These components use simple materials and fabrication processes compared to RFID systems, achieving low-cost identification while maintaining reliability through the electrostatic capacitance detection method.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the identification approach from electromagnetic induction (RFID) to electrostatic capacitance detection. This parameter change in the physical principle allows for simpler, cheaper sensor design while maintaining identification reliability, as electrostatic sensors can be implemented with basic electrode structures rather than requiring complex RFID transponders and readers.
3Device complexity
If sensor electrodes and ground portion are provided on separate planes, then the structure is simplified, but the degree of freedom for design is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the sensor electrodes and ground portion onto the same plane, creating a planar sensor array structure. This merging allows for flexible arrangement patterns of electrodes and ground portions within the same plane, increasing design freedom for creating various identification patterns while maintaining structural simplicity and ease of fabrication.
Solution Approach 2:
By providing both sensor electrodes and ground portions on the same plane rather than separating them into different planes or layers, the patent utilizes the two-dimensional plane more efficiently. This allows for greater design flexibility in arranging identification patterns while keeping the sensor structure flat and simple for manufacturing.
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
Enables cost-effective and versatile identification of objects with improved design freedom, allowing for different IDs to be recognized based on orientation and rotation, enhancing the variety of toy operations without compromising the external appearance.
Implementation Method 1
sensor electrodes serving for detecting a change of electrostatic capacitance
Data Source
AI summary
An identification apparatus includes: a sensor face in which a plurality of sensor electrodes and a ground portion are provided on one and the same plane; wherein: a conductive portion or conductive portions formed in an identification object are configured so that when the identification object is placed on the sensor face, the conductive portion or the conductive portions can electrically connect a corresponding one or corresponding ones of the sensor electrodes with the ground portion; and a change of electrostatic capacitance occurring when the corresponding sensor electrode or electrodes are electrically connected with the ground portion is detected so that an ID of the identification object can be identified. Thus, it is possible to provide an identification apparatus which can be manufactured inexpensively without using expensive devices such as RFIDs and which is improved in terms of the degree of freedom for design.