Multi-frequency Capacitive Furniture Sensing for False Trigger Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Accurate presence detection in furniture is challenging due to environmental interruptions and 'noise' in capacitance detection, leading to false triggering events in capacitive sensing mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A multi-frequency sensing system that incorporates capacitive sensors and a landscape analysis component to average capacitance changes across multiple frequencies, filtering out noise and providing a more accurate determination of presence by comparing the averaged capacitance to a threshold level.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a capacitive sensing mechanism is used for presence detection in furniture, then the detection range and sensitivity are improved, but environmental noise and false triggering events increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the presence detection process into multiple frequency components. Instead of using a single capacitive sensing frequency, the system divides the detection into multiple frequency samplers (e.g., first frequency sampler, second frequency sampler, third frequency sampler) that operate at different frequencies. This segmentation allows the system to analyze capacitance changes across multiple frequency bands, making it possible to distinguish between genuine presence events and environmental noise that may affect only specific frequency ranges.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic sampling at multiple frequencies to detect presence. The system periodically samples capacitance values at different frequencies over time, creating a multi-frequency landscape of capacitance data. This periodic multi-frequency sampling allows the system to identify consistent presence patterns that persist across multiple frequency cycles while filtering out transient environmental interference that does not consistently affect all frequency bands.
2Adaptability or versatility
If environmental changes are monitored by capacitive sensors, then presence detection capability is enhanced, but detection accuracy deteriorates due to capacitance masking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds a frequency dimension to the traditional single-point capacitive sensing approach. Instead of measuring capacitance at a single frequency and time point, the system measures capacitance across multiple frequency dimensions simultaneously. This creates a multi-dimensional capacitance landscape that allows the system to distinguish between environmental changes (which may affect only certain frequency ranges) and actual presence events (which manifest consistently across multiple frequency dimensions).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the sensing parameter from single-frequency capacitance measurement to multi-frequency capacitance measurement. By varying the frequency parameter across multiple samplers and analyzing the collective response, the system can identify patterns that indicate true presence while filtering out environmental variations. The system compares capacitance changes across different frequency parameters to determine whether observed changes represent genuine presence or environmental interference.
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
This approach enhances the accuracy of presence detection by reducing false triggers, ensuring that only actual changes in capacitance are recognized, thereby improving the reliability of automated furniture features.
Implementation Method 1
a capacitive sensing mechanism coupled to a conductive frame of a furniture item
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-frequency sensing system for capacitive, presence-sensing technology incorporated into furniture is provided. Embodiments of the sensing system include at least one capacitive sensor coupled to a furniture item for monitoring an amount of change in capacitance with respect to at least one sensing element coupled to the furniture item. The system further includes a landscape analysis component having a plurality of frequency samplers, which generates an average capacitance change associated with the furniture item. Further, the average capacitance change may be used to determine whether the indication of average capacitance change satisfies a capacitance threshold of the furniture item.