Dynamic Switch Debounce Control via Age Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mechanical switches experience contact bounce due to their momentum and elasticity, leading to repeated and unintended actuations, which existing technologies have not adequately addressed.
Innovation Solution
A device and method that include a memory to store debounce time information, a switch closed determination circuit to assess switch depression based on debounce time, and an age compensation circuit to update debounce time based on the device's age, thereby mitigating contact bounce by adjusting debounce times according to hardware degradation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed debounce time is used to filter contact bounce, then false actuations are reduced, but legitimate rapid key presses may be rejected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of the debounce time parameter based on device age. The system transitions from a static debounce time to a dynamic one that adapts as the mechanical switch degrades over time, allowing the filter to remain effective while accommodating changing switch characteristics without rejecting legitimate rapid presses
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the debounce time parameter from a fixed value to a variable that evolves with device age. By monitoring device age and adjusting the debounce time accordingly, the system maintains optimal filtering performance while adapting to the mechanical switch's degradation, resolving the contradiction between reliability and adaptability
2Reliability
If debounce time is increased to filter contact bounce, then false actuations are reduced, but device responsiveness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the debounce time based on device age rather than using a consistently high value. This allows the debounce time to be optimized for each stage of the device lifecycle, maintaining reliability while minimizing time loss during the device's operational life
Solution Approach 2:
The debounce time parameter is changed from a static high value to a dynamic parameter that varies with device age. This enables the system to maintain low debounce times (fast response) when the switch is new and reliable, while increasing the debounce time only when necessary to compensate for age-related degradation
3Device complexity
If mechanical switch is used for input, then device complexity is reduced, but contact bounce causes unintended actuations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces feedback by monitoring device age and using this information to adjust the debounce time. This feedback loop allows the simple mechanical switch to maintain high reliability by adapting its debouncing behavior based on accumulated usage, compensating for wear without adding complex hardware
Data Source
AI summary
A device having a memory configured to store information indicating debounce times for the device's switches and having circuits configured to determine whether the switches are depressed and closed based on the debounce times. The debounce times are updated based on the age of the device and/or switch usage. The method for debouncing may be performed by a computer having computer-readable media directed to adjusting the debounce times based on the age of the device containing the switches.