Optical Inputter Fault Detection Under External Noise
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing input devices in electronic appliances are prone to malfunctions due to external noise, leading to reduced input precision and accuracy.
Innovation Solution
An inputter system that includes a manipulation detector, a light source, and a light detector, which acquires reference data by irradiating light and comparing detection results to identify potential malfunctions, ensuring accurate user input by ignoring signals from malfunctioning detectors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a manipulation detector is used to detect user input, then input capability is provided, but external noise causes malfunctions and reduces input precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a light source and light detector as intermediary components between the manipulation detector and the control system. The light detector monitors the optical path for external noise interference, and when interference is detected, the system ignores the manipulation detector's output signals, thereby preventing malfunctions caused by external noise while maintaining normal input detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the light detector continuously monitors the optical environment and provides feedback signals to the controller. When external noise is detected through changes in light reflection patterns, the controller adjusts its processing of manipulation detector signals accordingly, either by ignoring them or by triggering recalibration, thus maintaining input precision under varying environmental conditions
2Reliability
If reference data acquisition and comparison operations are added, then malfunction identification capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the existing light detector serve multiple functions: it detects both the manipulation detector's operational status through reference data comparison and external noise interference. By acquiring reference data during normal operation and comparing subsequent detection results against this baseline, the system achieves malfunction identification without adding dedicated hardware components, thus improving reliability while minimizing increases in device complexity
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 system effectively prevents malfunctions caused by external noise and enhances input precision by distinguishing between normal and faulty detector signals, ensuring reliable user interactions with electronic devices.
Implementation Method 1
a light source of the inputter irradiates a first light, and a light detector detects a first reflected light that is incident to the light detector among the irradiated first light
Data Source
AI summary
A control method of an inputter comprises an operation in which at least one of the inputter and an electronic apparatus connected to the inputter acquires reference data, an operation in which a manipulation detector of the inputter outputs a manipulation detection signal, an operation in which a light source of the inputter irradiates a first light, an operation in which a light detector detects a first reflected light that is incident to the light detector among the irradiated first light, and an operation in which at least one of the inputter and the electronic apparatus compares a detection result of the first reflected light and the reference data, and identifies whether the manipulation detector outputting the manipulation signal malfunctions, based on a comparison result.