Optical Card Switch Using Dual Photodetectors Against False Presses
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable electronic devices, particularly electronic cards, face manufacturing complexity, surface irregularity issues, and accidental activation due to pressure-sensitive push buttons, leading to unintended power consumption or application disruption.
Innovation Solution
A switch formed by two independent photo-detectors oriented to receive incident light on a common surface, with a logic circuit that provides a signal only when one detector is covered, allowing for deliberate activation without pressure, thus preventing accidental actuation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a push-button with an elastically deformable area is used to activate the switch, then the user can activate the switch by pressing, but the card becomes more complex to manufacture and may have surface irregularities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical push-button system with an optical detection system. Instead of using an elastically deformable area that requires mechanical pressing, the invention uses photo-detectors to sense light patterns. This substitution eliminates the need for mechanical deformation components, simplifying card manufacturing while maintaining user activation capability through a optical code recognition mechanism.
2Ease of operation
If a push-button with an elastically deformable area is used, then the user can activate the switch, but repeated activation leaves a slight depression and the surface is no longer flat
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates mechanical pressing components by using an optical detection system. Photo-detectors read optical codes on the card surface without requiring physical contact or deformation. This substitution preserves the card's flat surface integrity while enabling repeated activation, as the optical reading process does not create depressions or alter the surface geometry.
3Ease of operation
If a push-button is used on a portable electronic device carried on the person, then the user can activate the switch, but pressure may be inadvertently exerted causing accidental activation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the pressure-sensitive push-button with an optical recognition system. Instead of detecting mechanical pressure, the system uses photo-detectors to read specific optical codes that must be deliberately presented to the card. This substitution eliminates accidental activation caused by inadvertent pressure, as the optical code must be intentionally aligned and read to trigger activation, significantly improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an optical code as an intermediary between the user and the switch activation. The optical code serves as a deliberate trigger mechanism that must be intentionally presented to the photo-detectors. This intermediary prevents accidental activation by requiring a specific, deliberate action (presenting the optical code) rather than simply applying pressure, thereby enhancing system reliability.
4Ease of operation
If a push-button is used, then the user can activate the switch, but the arrangement makes the card more complex to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes mechanical push-button components with an optical detection and recognition system. The optical codes can be printed or embedded using standard card manufacturing techniques, eliminating the need for complex mechanical assemblies, elastically deformable areas, and precision-machined buttons. This substitution significantly simplifies the manufacturing process while maintaining user activation functionality.
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
The optical switch ensures deliberate user activation, preventing accidental power consumption and maintaining application integrity by using two photo-detectors spaced far enough to be covered individually, ensuring the switch remains inactive unless intentionally actuated.
Implementation Method 1
the switch is formed by two independent photo-detectors, which are oriented to receive incident light
Data Source
AI summary
A portable electronic device, for example an electronic card, includes at least one electronic unit associated to an optical switch which can be actuated by a user and which includes two photo-detectors arranged sufficiently far from each other in the electronic device to enable the user to cover only one of the two photo-detectors with one finger. The switch includes a logical circuit to which are provided a first and a second light reception signal respectively coming from the two photo-detectors. The logical circuit is arranged to supply a signal which only indicates actuation of the optical switch when the first and second light reception signals correspond to two different logical states for the logic circuit.