Contactless Call Button System Using Proximity Sensors

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing call button systems in retail IoT platforms require physical contact, posing risks of disease transmission and wear due to repeated use, and do not facilitate social distancing.

Innovation Solution

A contactless call button system using proximity sensors, such as ambient light, capacitance, pyroelectric, reflected light, or ultrasonic sensing, that triggers an alert message without direct user contact, allowing activation by being within a predefined distance from the button.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If physical contact buttons are used, then the system is simple and reliable, but disease transmission risk increases and social distancing cannot be facilitated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisease transmission riskVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical contact buttons with proximity-based sensing systems including capacitive sensors, pyroelectric sensors, reflected light sensors, and ultrasonic sensors. These sensors detect the customer's approach within a predefined distance (e.g., 1-12 inches) and trigger the call function without requiring physical contact, thereby eliminating disease transmission risk while maintaining system functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary sensing mechanism between the customer and the call button system. The proximity sensors act as intermediaries that detect the customer's presence and initiate the call function, eliminating the need for direct contact while preserving the communication function between customer and employee.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Duration of action of stationary object

If physical contact buttons are used, then the activation mechanism is simple, but wear and tear increases due to repeated use

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebutton lifespanVSAvoidactivation simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical contact buttons with proximity-based sensing systems including capacitive sensors, pyroelectric sensors, reflected light sensors, and ultrasonic sensors. These sensors detect the customer's approach within a predefined distance (e.g., 1-12 inches) and trigger the call function without requiring physical contact, thereby eliminating disease transmission risk while maintaining system functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If proximity sensing is implemented, then contactless operation is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontactless operationVSAvoidsensor system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical contact buttons with proximity-based sensing systems including capacitive sensors, pyroelectric sensors, reflected light sensors, and ultrasonic sensors. These sensors detect the customer's approach within a predefined distance (e.g., 1-12 inches) and trigger the call function without requiring physical contact, thereby eliminating disease transmission risk while maintaining system functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 customer safety by eliminating the need for physical contact, improving interaction through touch-free communication, and reducing wear and tear on the system while enabling timely assistance from employees.

Implementation Method 1

A contactless call button system using proximity sensors, such as ambient light, capacitance, pyroelectric, reflected light, or ultrasonic sensing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance sensing: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

A contactless call button system using proximity sensors, such as ambient light, capacitance, pyroelectric, reflected light, or ultrasonic sensing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPyroelectric sensing: Pyroelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS11380185B2Retail internet of things (IoT) platform with in-store contactless call button

Publication Date: 2022.07.05 FLORLINK INC

AI summary

The present invention describes a contactless signaling system for retail and other commercial environments whereby customers or workers can submit requests for assistance without the need to physically touch any button or other input device. A contactless call button unit comprises a proximity sensor operatively communicating with transmission means for sending a signal to at least one of a hub appliance and an employee communication receiver. The proximity sensor is triggered without requiring the user to physically contact the call button unit. Instead, when a portion of the user's body, such as the user's hand or finger, is within a predefined distance from the call button unit for a predefined period of time, a signal will be transmitted with a call request message.