Contactless Button Using Time-of-Flight Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices that switch control signals between states, such as switches and circuit breakers, require physical contact, leading to hygiene issues due to successive user interactions.
Innovation Solution
A button activated by proximity using a time-of-flight distance sensor and control circuit that switches a control signal based on object detection within specific distance thresholds, allowing for contactless operation and notification through light and sound emission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a physical pressing mechanism is used to switch control signals, then the device structure is simple and reliable, but hygiene problems occur due to successive user contact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical pressing system with an optical sensing system. A time-of-flight distance sensor detects the presence and distance of a user's finger without physical contact, triggering the control signal switching electronically. This eliminates the mechanical button surface that accumulates contaminants while maintaining the signal switching function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an optical field as an intermediary between the user and the control system. The time-of-flight sensor uses light propagation to detect finger proximity and transmit activation signals without direct physical contact, serving as a hygienic mediator that prevents contamination transfer.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If contactless activation is implemented using distance sensing, then hygiene is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional sensors and control circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The time-of-flight distance sensor serves multiple functions: it detects finger proximity for activation, determines distance for threshold comparison, and can potentially measure gesture patterns. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, mitigating the complexity increase despite adding contactless capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses parameter changes in the optical domain (light travel time) to control electrical signals. By measuring the time-of-flight of light and comparing it against threshold values, the system translates physical distance into control signal states, enabling contactless operation through parameter transformation rather than direct mechanical contact.
3Reliability
If distance thresholds and time periods are used for activation control, then false activations are reduced, but the response time and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection by continuously monitoring distance parameters before triggering activation. The time-of-flight sensor constantly measures finger proximity, and the control circuit pre-evaluates whether detected distances meet activation thresholds, ready to switch states immediately when conditions are satisfied, reducing actual response delay.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback through continuous distance measurement and comparison. The time-of-flight sensor provides real-time distance feedback to the control circuit, which adjusts its state based on whether the measured distance falls within the activation threshold range, ensuring accurate and reliable activation control.
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
Enhances hygiene and reduces contact-related issues while maintaining functionality, providing a reliable and user-friendly contactless switching mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
a time-of-flight distance sensor
Data Source
AI summary
The present description concerns a button capable of being activated by the proximity of a user's finger, including: a time-of-flight distance sensor; and a control circuit, coupled to the distance sensor and configured to transmit a control signal, where the control circuit is configured to perform a switching of the signal, between a first state and a second state, conditioned at least by the detection by the sensor, for a first time period, of an object at a distance shorter than a first threshold.