Self-Powered Capacitive Switch for User Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical and electronic switches lack the ability to identify users and differentiate between their actions, requiring additional efforts for user recognition.
Innovation Solution
A self-powered, wireless electronic switch that operates using an alternating electric field for capacitive sensing, distinguishing between approach, touch, and pressure, and can be integrated into various surfaces for user identification and gesture recognition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional wired electronic switches are used, then reliable electrical connection is achieved, but user identification capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional wired mechanical/electrical switch systems with a wireless capacitive sensing system. The wireless switch uses capacitive coupling to detect user presence and gestures without physical wire connections, enabling user identification through sensing patterns while eliminating the need for traditional wired connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a wireless communication intermediary (such as RF or Bluetooth modules) that mediates between the user interface and the control system. This intermediary enables wireless data transmission while maintaining reliable communication, allowing user identification capabilities to be added without compromising connection reliability.
2Ease of operation
If battery-operated wireless switches are used, then wireless operation is achieved, but continuous power supply is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements energy harvesting circuits that automatically capture and store energy from environmental sources (such as piezoelectric elements that harvest energy from mechanical pressure or motion). This self-service energy harvesting eliminates the need for battery replacement while providing continuous power supply for wireless operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses variable power management strategies that dynamically adjust power consumption based on operational needs. The system transitions between different power states (active, standby, sleep) and adjusts transmission power levels to optimize energy usage while maintaining wireless functionality.
3Ease of manufacture
If simple push-button switches are used, then ease of manufacture is achieved, but gesture recognition capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a capacitive sensing electrode structure that serves multiple functions: it acts as both the user interface contact surface and the sensing element for gesture recognition. By making the electrode surface itself capacitive, the system achieves multi-functionality without adding separate complex sensing components, maintaining ease of manufacture while enabling gesture detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs signal processing techniques that analyze changes in capacitive parameters (such as capacitance value, impedance, or phase) to distinguish different gesture types. By detecting parameter changes in the capacitive coupling between the electrode and user body, the system achieves gesture recognition 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
Enables user identification and gesture recognition, allowing for secure and efficient control of electrical items, with features like multichannel communication, smart sharing, and integration with LEDs and displays, while being self-sustaining and adaptable to different environments.
Implementation Method 1
the invention uses an alternating electric field which propagates over the user to power and operate the features of the switch
Implementation Method 2
the circuit acts as a kind of a capacitive sensing unit which may distinguish between approach, touch and pressure
Implementation Method 3
Possible coatings (not limited) may piezo crystals to be sensitive e.g. to NFC smartphone connections. A piezo coated electrode also offers the feature to act as an audio signal source
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a system for allowing a user to control electrical items. The system includes self-powered contactless one or more switches for controlling the electronic items, and a hub unit capacitively coupled to identify the user operating the one or more switches. The hub unit includes a frequency generator, a first impedance unit, a controller, a first electrode, a modulator, and an interface unit. The switch includes a second electrode, a rectifier, a buffer, a second impedance unit, a logic block, a shift register, and a second modulator. The user interacts with the second electrode to operate the connected electrical items. The interaction results in the change of a variable payload data. The controller identifies the interaction on decoding the change in the variable payload data and further the controller operates the connected electrical items.