JP3525367B2 - Touchless switch - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a switch for detecting an object in a non-contact manner. Touchless switch.

[000Z]

2. Description of the Related Art As an operation switch for housing equipment, it may be operated with wet hands, and a non-contact type switch is desirable from the viewpoint of hygiene. This is especially true in public facilities operated by an unspecified number of people. Conventionally,
In a public toilet or the like, a switch for detecting a human or a human hand in a non-contact manner is known to apply a pyroelectric sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a photoelectric switch, or the like as a detection element.

Among these conventional non-contact switch detection elements, the pyroelectric sensor has drawbacks such as a long response time and malfunction due to a heat source, and the ultrasonic sensor has a complicated driving circuit and consumes a large amount of electricity. Due to its drawbacks such as high power consumption, photoelectric switches are predominantly used for human body detection in public toilets and the like.

The photoelectric switch is classified into a reflection type and a transmission type, but the reflection type is generally used for the purpose of detecting a human being or a human hand in a public toilet or the like. A reflection type photoelectric switch (hereinafter, a reflection type photoelectric switch is referred to as a photoelectric switch) is a device in which light from a light emitting element is reflected on an object, in this case, a human body (including clothes), and the reflected light is reflected. It is a switch that detects the presence or absence of an object by receiving light with a light receiving element.

The detection range of the photoelectric switch in the optical axis direction is set in advance by adjusting the sensitivity.
Since it depends on the reflectance of the object, etc., the object may be erroneously detected even if it is outside the detection range. For example, in the case of an object with a high reflectance such as a mirror, it may be determined that the object exists within the detection range even if the mirror is outside the detection range of the photoelectric switch.

In the case of using a plurality of photoelectric switches adjacent to each other, for example, when an operation switch of a vanity or a shower toilet is to be realized in a non-contact manner, the photoelectric switches are adjacent to each other. There was a problem of mutual interference and it was not suitable for such applications.

Further, since the photoelectric switch inputs the switch without touching the key, there is a problem that the function of the switch to be operated cannot be intuitively understood.

As a non-contact switch other than the photoelectric switch, there is a touchless panel switch (hereinafter referred to as a touchless panel). The touchless panel is a non-contact input / output unit previously proposed by one of the inventors of the present invention, and displays a screen of a display as an image plane in the air with a gradient index lens element, and uses an object detecting means. An object (such as a finger) entering the image plane is detected (see Japanese Patent Application No. 6-333727).

The touchless panel displays switch pictures (keys) floating in the air and allows those keys to be selected directly with a finger. Therefore, among the problems of the photoelectric switch described above, the function of the switch can be intuitively understood. The drawback of not being able to understand can be eliminated.

However, when the touchless panel selects a certain key displayed in the air, it may be determined that a key around the key has been selected. In other words, there is a risk of mutual interference between keys. The problem of mutual interference between the keys can be solved by, for example, driving the detection elements constituting the object detection means by time division scanning.
There was a problem that the cost would be high. Further, in the touchless panel, it is necessary to devise to limit the object detection range within a specific range in the direction perpendicular to the image plane displayed in the air. For example, a detection element (object detection unit) may be used. There was a problem in terms of cost, such as the need to increase the number of sensors.

Further, when the touchless panel is considered as a means for solving the drawbacks of the photoelectric switch, in addition to the above-mentioned two factors that cause the cost increase, the touchless panel is constituted by a display. There was also the problem that the price was even higher because there was a problem that was essential.

[0012]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems of the prior art, and its purpose is to intuitively understand the function of a switch and to It is an object of the present invention to provide a switch in which the detection range can be limited to a predetermined range, a key can be selected without contact between the switches without causing mutual interference, and the key can be selected with a finger. Another object of the present invention is to provide a touchless switch that is simpler and less expensive than a conventional touchless panel.

[0013]

The touchless switch according to the present invention achieves the above-mentioned object and is as follows. A touchless switch comprising a plate on which characters or pictures are drawn, at least one or more light emitting means for illuminating the plate, and a gradient index lens element for mapping an object plane onto an image plane, wherein the refractive index distribution is Type lens element, the letters and pictures of the plate are located in the object plane,
It is provided parallel to the plate at a predetermined position where characters and pictures on the plate are transmitted to the image plane in the air.

At least one light-emitting element is provided at a position where a predetermined area of the image surface in the air can be irradiated, and an object enters the predetermined area of the image surface, and light from the light-emitting element is emitted. At least one light-receiving element is provided in a range in which the gradient index lens element can transmit the reflected light as an image when reflected by the object.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the touchless switch according to the first aspect, the light emitting element and the light receiving element are
One or both of them are characterized by being an optical fiber type light emitting element or an optical fiber type light receiving element. That is, the structure of claim 2 is the same as that of claim 1.
Both the light emitting element and the light receiving element are of an optical fiber type, only the light emitting element is of an optical fiber type, or only the light receiving element is of an optical fiber type.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the touchless switch according to the first or second aspect, the light emitting element is installed around the gradient index lens element.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, in the touchless switch according to the first or second aspect, the light emitting element is installed adjacent to the light receiving element.
Therefore, in claim 4, the light emitting element and the light receiving element are installed in the plate or in a predetermined range in the vertical direction of the plate.

According to the invention of claim 5, claim 1, claim 2,
The touchless switch according to claim 3 or 4, wherein a half mirror is provided at a predetermined position between the plate and the gradient index lens element.

[0019]

When the light emitting means provided to illuminate the plate is turned on, the plate is illuminated. In other words, it can be considered that light is emitted from the plate. The gradient index lens element is a plate-like optical element in which a large number of graded index type optical fiber strands (rod lenses) are spread so that both end surfaces thereof are in the same plane. This gradient index lens element has a function of transmitting an object at a predetermined position to a predetermined position as an erecting equal-magnification real image.

Conversely speaking, the gradient index lens element is
Only an object within a predetermined range is transmitted as an image to the predetermined range. The inventors of the present invention have experimentally confirmed this effect of the gradient index lens element by using a light emitting element and a light receiving element. It utilizes the characteristics of.

When the gradient index lens element is placed in parallel with the plate at a position separated from the plate by a predetermined distance, that is, when the plate is the object plane, the object plane can transmit the image as an image. The plate illuminated on the object surface becomes the object surface, and the light emitted from the object surface enters from the end surface facing the plate of the gradient index lens element, exits from the other end surface, and forms an image at a predetermined position. To do. That is, the letters and pictures drawn on the plate appear as a real image (mapped) on the image surface in the air.

The light emitting element is installed at a position capable of irradiating a predetermined area of the image plane in the air, for example, around the gradient index lens element, and when the light emitting element is turned on, the light (infrared rays or the like) is emitted. Light other than visible light is also emitted toward the image plane according to the directivity of the light emitting element. In the present invention, the light emitting element is installed so that a predetermined area of a character or a picture (image surface) of the plate imaged in the air is illuminated by the light emitting element.

As described in claim 4, the light emitting element may be provided at the same portion as the light receiving element. In this case, the light emitting device is installed in or near the plate. Even in this case, the light from the light emitting element can illuminate a predetermined area of a character or a picture (image surface) of the plate imaged in the air through the gradient index lens element.

It is a matter of design choice by those skilled in the art which region of the image plane of the plate transmitted in the air is illuminated by the light emitting element, or which region of the image plane of the plate is illuminated. is there.

When the finger of the switch operator approaches a character or a picture (image surface) floating in the air to some extent, the light emitted from the light emitting element hits the finger and is reflected. But,
Since the reflected light is not transmitted as an image to the predetermined position by the gradient index lens element unless the finger enters the predetermined area before and after the image plane, the light receiving element does not detect the reflected light.

4 to 6 are side views for explaining the operation of the gradient index lens element. In FIG. 4, the gradient index lens element 5 has a refractive index of the object plane 1 at a predetermined position by a distance (Lb) equal to the distance (La) from the object plane 1 to the end surface of the gradient index lens element 5. The light is transmitted to a position away from the other end surface of the distributed lens element 5.

Further, the gradient index lens element 5 detects an object existing within a predetermined range in the vertical direction of the object plane 1 from the image plane 10.
Can be transmitted within a predetermined range in the vertical direction. Figure 4
In FIG. 6, a range in which the object can be transmitted as an image and a range in which the transmitted light beam can be formed as an image are shown by a broken line.

For example, in FIG. 4, the object at the point a is mapped to the point b. The object at point C is mapped to point D, and the object at point E is mapped to point F. If there is an object at the point G on the image plane 10, the object at the point G is mapped as an image to the point C on the object plane 1. In this way, the object and the image have a one-to-one correspondence with the center of symmetry 9 as the center of symmetry.

In FIG. 5, the light emitting element 6 is installed around the gradient index lens element 5, and a predetermined area of the image plane 10 including the point G is illuminated, and a finger (not shown) reaches near the point G. Then, the light reflected at point G is transmitted to point C. At the point G, the light from the light emitting element 6 is reflected here and there, but of the light reflected here and there, only the position of the point C forms an image as an image.

In FIG. 6, when there is a finger at the L and N points, the light from the light emitting element 6 is reflected at the L and N points, but the L and N points are the refractive index distribution type lens element 5. Indicates that the object is out of the range in which the object can be transmitted as an image, so that the reflected light at the points L and N does not reach the point C.

When there is a finger at the Le point, the Le point is within the range in which the gradient index lens element 5 can transmit an object as an image, so that the light from the light emitting element 6 is transmitted to the point. It

As will be apparent from the above description with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6, if a light receiving element (not shown in FIGS. 4 to 6) is installed at the C point, the G point and the G point are separated. Only when the finger reaches a very limited range of the surroundings, the light receiving element installed at the point C can detect the finger that has entered the predetermined position of the image plane 10.

Further, even when the light emitting element is provided adjacent to the light receiving element at the C point, the light from the light emitting element is transmitted to the G point, the light is reflected by the finger and returned to the C point as an image. Therefore, it is obvious that the light-receiving element installed at the C point can detect a finger that has entered a predetermined position on the image plane 10.

[0034]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view showing an embodiment of a touchless switch according to the present invention.

A light emitting means 2 such as an LED is provided close to the plate 3. The plate 3 may be made of any material that transmits the light that can become the object plane 1 when illuminated by the light emitting means 2. Further, the light emitting means 2 may be provided not on the lower side of the plate 3 but on the upper side thereof, as shown in FIG. In this case, since the reflected light from the plate 3 is used for display, the plate 3 does not necessarily have to be a material that transmits light.

If the light emitting means 2 is a member that emits light,
The light amount, the brightness, the color tone, the power consumption, the heat generation amount, etc. of the light emitting means are taken into consideration and selected according to the desire of those skilled in the art. An optical fiber light guide may be used as the light emitting means 2. Further, as the light emitting means 2, a material that allows the plate 3 itself to emit light may be used for the plate.

Characters and pictures 4 desired by those skilled in the art are drawn on the plate 3. This character or picture 4 may be provided on either the upper surface or the lower surface of the plate 3. Or 1
Characters or pictures may be drawn on one plate, and another plate may be placed on the plate on which the characters or pictures are drawn to provide the characters or pictures in the plate.

The letters and pictures 4 on the plate 3 illuminated by the light emitting means 2 become the object plane 1 and the gradient index lens element 5 is formed.
Transmits the object plane 1 (text or picture 4) to the image plane 10 in the air. In the air, the characters on the plate 3 and the picture 4 can be seen floating as a real image of an upright size.

The gradient index lens element 5 includes the plate 3
Is installed in a predetermined position in parallel with the plate 3 (object plane 1). The distance from the end surface of the gradient index lens element 5 facing the plate 3 to the object plane 1 (this is called the working distance as described above) is the optical characteristic of the gradient index lens element 5 used. Determined by That is, the gradient index lens element 3 is installed at a predetermined position where the object can be transmitted as an image, that is, at a position distant from the object by the working distance from the end surface of the gradient index lens element.

The light emitting element 6 is an image plane 10 set by those skilled in the art.
In order to irradiate a predetermined area of, for example, at least one or more is provided around the gradient index lens element 5. The optical axis and directivity of the light emitting element 6 are adjusted so that the light emitted by the light emitting element 6 can illuminate a predetermined region of the image plane 10. The predetermined area is an area where the finger is detected when the finger enters the image plane 10. Normally, the center of the displayed key (character or picture) is emitted from the light emitting element 6. Be sure to illuminate with light.

When the finger 8 penetrates into the predetermined area of the image plane 10 while the light from the light emitting element 6 is illuminating the predetermined area, and reaches the image plane 10 or the vicinity of the image plane 10, the light emitting element 6 The light from is reflected by the finger 8. The light reflected by the finger 8
It spreads in all directions and decays. Part of the light reflected by the finger 8 is transmitted as an image to a predetermined position via the gradient index lens element 5. When the light reflected by the finger 8 reaching the image plane 10 or the vicinity of the image plane 10 is an object point, the light receiving element 7 is provided at a position where the object point is imaged. You can

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the touchless switch according to the present invention. Characters and pictures 4 desired by those skilled in the art are drawn on the plate 3, but in FIG. 2, characters called illumination are drawn. When the light emitting means 2 is turned on, the gradient index lens element 5 transmits the character "illumination" as an object to the image plane 10 at a predetermined position in the air as an erecting equal-magnification image.

Therefore, a person who wants to operate the touchless switch according to the present invention can open and close the switch by looking at the letters "lighting" floating in the air and touching the key on which the letters are drawn. it can.

As the light emitting element 6 and the light receiving element 7, an optical fiber type light emitting element and an optical fiber type light receiving element may be used. Although FIG. 2 illustrates that the light emitting element 6 and the light receiving element 7 both use the optical fiber type light emitting element 6 and the optical fiber type light receiving element 7, the light emitting element 6 or the light receiving element 7 is used. Of course, either one of them may be an optical fiber type element.

The touchless switch according to the present invention can also be implemented by placing the light emitting element 6 in contact with or in the vicinity of the light receiving element 7. FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of the touchless switch according to the present invention, in which the light emitting element 6 is paired with the light receiving element 7, and the light emitted from the light emitting element 6 is a gradient index lens element 5. Through the image plane 1
The figure shows that it is provided near the position where it is reflected by hitting the finger 8 at 0 and the reflected light is transmitted as an image.

The present invention can be implemented even if the half mirror 11 is provided between the plate 3 and the gradient index lens element 5 as described in claim 5. 7 and 8 are vertical sectional views showing an embodiment of the touchless switch according to the present invention when a half mirror is provided.

In FIG. 7, the light emitting element 6 is provided around the gradient index lens element 5, and the light receiving element 7 reflects light from the light emitting element at the finger 8 through the gradient index lens element 5. The light receiving element 7 is provided in the vicinity of the position where the light is reflected by the half mirror 11 to form an image.

In FIG. 8, the light emitting element 6 and the light receiving element 7 are provided.
Are provided adjacent to each other. The light from the light emitting element 6 is reflected by the half mirror 11, is reflected by the finger 8 through the gradient index lens element 5, and is reflected by the half mirror 11 again through the gradient index lens element 5, It returns to the light emitting element 6. Since the light receiving element 7 is provided adjacent to the light emitting element 6, the light receiving element 7 can detect the finger 8.
Although FIG. 8 shows that the light emitting element 6 and the light receiving element 7 are of the optical fiber type, they need not be of the optical fiber type.

[0049]

Since the present invention is constructed as described above, it has the following effects. Since the switch keys (characters and pictures 4) are displayed floating in the air, the function of the switch can be intuitively understood. Since the gradient index lens element 5 transmits only an object in the range in front of and behind the plane of the working distance position as an image, the detection range of the object can be limited to a predetermined range in front of and behind the plane of the working distance position. .

Further, even if the light from the light emitting element 6 is reflected by the finger selecting the key, the gradient index lens element 5 is used.
Transmits only object points within a predetermined position and a limited range around it to the image point. Further, since the light receiving element 7 is provided at or near the image point, it is possible to provide a switch in which a key can be selected in a non-contact manner without causing mutual interference between switches and a key can be selected with a finger. You can

Further, since a display is not required and at least one light emitting element 6 and one light receiving element 7 are sufficient for the object detecting means for one key, the touch is simpler and less expensive than the conventional touchless panel. It is possible to provide a wireless switch.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view showing an embodiment of a touchless switch according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a touchless switch according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view showing an embodiment of a touchless switch according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side view illustrating the operation of the gradient index lens element.

FIG. 5 is a side view illustrating the operation of the gradient index lens element.

FIG. 6 is a side view for explaining the operation of the gradient index lens element.

FIG. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of a touchless switch according to the present invention when a half mirror is provided.

FIG. 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of a touchless switch according to the present invention when a half mirror is provided.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Object plane 2 light emitting means 3 plates 4 letters and pictures 5 Gradient index type lens element 6 light emitting element 7 Light receiving element 8 fingers 9 symmetric centerline 10 image plane 11 half mirror I, ha, ho B, D, F Point Image point for the chito point Li, Nu, Le Image point with respect to wall point La Object side working distance Lb Image side working distance

Continuation of the front page (56) Reference JP-A-63-175146 (JP, A) JP-A-63-45625 (JP, A) JP-A-6-89125 (JP, A) JP-A-2-66825 (JP , A) JP-A-6-348404 (JP, A) JP-A-6-348817 (JP, A) JP-A-3-46724 (JP, A) Actual Kaihei 4-35950 (JP, U) JP-B 4-15884 (JP, B2) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H01H 35/00 G06F 3/033

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. A plate on which letters or pictures are drawn, at least one or more light emitting means for illuminating the plate, and a gradient index lens element for mapping an object plane onto an image plane, the refractive index distribution The mold lens element is provided in parallel with the plate at a predetermined position where the letters and pictures of the plate are located in the object plane and the letters and pictures of the plate are transmitted to the image plane in the air. The light-emitting element is provided at a position capable of irradiating a predetermined area of the image surface in the air, and when an object enters the predetermined area of the image surface and the light from the light-emitting element is reflected by the object, A touchless switch in which at least one light receiving element is provided in a range in which the gradient index lens element can transmit the reflected light as an image. 2. The touchless switch according to claim 1, wherein one or both of the light emitting element and the light receiving element are an optical fiber type light emitting element or an optical fiber type light receiving element. 3. The touchless switch according to claim 1, wherein the light emitting element is installed around the gradient index lens element. 4. The light emitting element is adjacent to the light receiving element.
The touchless switch according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the touchless switch is installed as a switch. 5. A half mirror is provided at a predetermined position between the plate and the gradient index lens element, wherein the half mirror is provided.
Touchless switch.