JPH02123896A - Remote noncontact switch - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To form a remote non-contact switch by transmitting an infrared signal, reflecting it, and receiving it by an infrared ray receiver. CONSTITUTION: An infrared ray transmitter 12 transmits infrared radiation indicated by a radiation wave 16. When the thumb of an operator is slackened so that a switch key 24 can be stretched out, reflected infrared radiation from a manual switch device 20 of the operator is limited to that normally reflected from the surface, and a reflected infrared radiation signal 26A is indicated as a relatively weak signal with a wide interval between wave lines. Then, when the switch 24 is pushed in with the thumb, the infrared reflection surface is transmitted in the visual field of an infrared ray transceiver 10, and reflected infrared signal intensity is extremely increased like indicated by a strong signal 26B. Thus, a non-contact switch operating in a cursor control area can be formed.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] The present invention relates to the field of remote switch operation.

In particular, the present invention relates to switches that control electronic circuits without touching or making electrical connections to the circuits.

Contactless remote switches are well known in the art.

Common everyday applications for these switches include garage door openers and television remote controls. All of these applications require a powered transmitter and a hand-held control device.

US Patent Application No. 4.3 by Lissau
No. 09.781 discloses a contactless switch with an infrared transceiver that detects the presence or absence of an object within the field of view of the infrared transceiver. The transceiver includes an infrared transmitter that transmits an infrared signal that reflects from an object, such as a human body. The transceiver also includes an infrared receiver that senses infrared reflected signals from the object. The Rissow invention has the advantage of not requiring a remote power source. However, this transceiver only senses when objects enter or exit the infrared field of view. This transceiver cannot be used as a switch mechanism for objects that remain in view.

In applications such as a computer mouse, the mouse device not only controls the position of the cursor, but also allows the operator to press a switch button attached to the mouse device to perform certain additional functions. It has become.

The mouse device is useless as a switch for objects that remain within the field of view.

In many cases of video game applications, users not only place the characters they control in the game on the video screen, but also perform some other activities related to the game, such as firing rockets and punching bad guys. You'll want it done.

Co-pending U.S. Patent Application No. 258.157 (
US Pat. No. 5,300,001 (co-filed herein) discloses a cursor control device that does not require contact between the user and the cursor control device. However, in order to control the auxiliary operations described above for positioning the cursor, the operator must actuate a switch or other control device.

Switches such as those in the Rissow patent mentioned above cannot be used for such controls because the operator must move his hand in and out of the cursor control area to actuate the switch mechanism. By moving the hand in and out, one would necessarily change the position of the cursor on the video display screen to effect such control, which is undesirable.

What is needed here is a contactless switch mechanism that operates within the cursor control area.

The present invention is a remote contactless switch that includes an infrared transmitter for transmitting infrared radiation.

The switch has a remote object with a surface that is reflective to infrared radiation. This switch uses reflected infrared l
includes an apparatus for selectively positioning a surface that is reflective to infrared radiation toward an infrared transmitter to form a /s signal. The switch includes an infrared receiver for receiving the reflected infrared signal.

1A and 1B are diagrams of the operating state of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1A, the switch has not yet been depressed, so only a portion of the infrared radiation is reflected. In Figure 1B, the operator's W
This shows a state in which an extremely large amount of infrared radiation is reflected by pressing the switch button with the t finger.

FIG. 1A shows an infrared transmitter 12. and 8 aircraft 1 with infrared receiver
4 shows an infrared transceiver 10 having an infrared transceiver. Infrared transmitter 12 transmits infrared radiation, represented by radiation waves 16.

The operator's hand 18 is positioned within the infrared viewing field above the infrared transceiver 10 as shown here. The operator's hand 18 is shown in FIG.
It may also be placed within the field of view of the cursor control device disclosed in No. 8.157 (issued w4 with this application).

The operator's hand 18 supports the switch device 20 . This switch device 20 includes a housing 22 and a switch 24.

Other embodiments may include a switch that is operated by one or more fingers of the operator. In embodiments having multiple switch buttons, each button may operate a unique reflector. Each reflector may be used additively to increase the amount of reflected radiation and trigger different events. Alternatively, each reflector may reflect different parts of the infrared spectrum for different signal events. 1st
In Figure A, the operator's thumb is relaxed so that the switch button 24 is fully extended as shown here. Therefore, the operator's main switch device 2
Reflected infrared radiation from 0 is limited to that which is normally reflected from such surfaces. The reflected infrared radiation signal 26A is
It is shown as a relatively weak signal with wide spacing between the dashed lines.

FIG. 1B shows the operator pressing the switch 24 with his or her thumb. As discussed below, this action places an infrared reflective surface within the field of view of the infrared transceiver 10, greatly increasing the reflected infrared signal strength, shown as strong signal 26B in FIG. 1B.

As stated in the inventor's pending U.S. patent application:
The receiver circuitry associated with the present invention can be controlled to sense a particular intensity threshold of reflected radiation. Alternatively, the circuit can be controlled to operate as a switch that senses changes in a specific amount of reflected infrared radiation that occur during a specific duration of time. Such control may also be activated by technology such as a microprocessor or microcontroller integrated circuit device.

FIG. 2A shows a cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

The switch device 40 includes a plunger 42 and a housing 46.
, a spring 48, and a reverse pressure mirror 56.

The plunger consists of a plunger shaft with a cross-shaped tip 44 for the operator's thumb. This cross-shaped tip also prevents the spring 48 from slipping off the plunger shaft. The opposite end of the plunger cross-shaped tip 44 has an off-axis main plunger branch 52 parallel to the main plunger 42 . Another cross-shaped portion 50 prevents the plunger from being removed and falling from the plunger housing 46.

Plunger housing 46 is preferably tubular, and plunger shaft 42 is disposed within plunger housing 46 .

Plunger housing 46 flares out to a larger diameter at the end of the plunger housing remote from switch button 44, as shown. A spring 48 surrounds the central axis of the plunger 42 , and when the switch button 44 is pressed against the housing 46 , the plunger moves into an overhanging portion of the housing 46 with the cross-shaped portion 5 .
Try to force 0. The operator can compress the spring 48 by pressing the switch button 44 with a thumb while supporting the housing 46.

A planar disk 56 is mounted for rotation on a shaft 58 that spans the end of the housing. One side of this disk is covered with reflective material.

This reflective material is preferably a retroreflective material.

Retroreflective materials reflect infrared and other light in the direction in which it enters, unlike the way a regular mirror reflects light. This method eliminates the need for an operator to accurately orient the plunger device in order to operate the plunger as a switch in applications using the present invention.

The U-shaped pin 60 engages the disk 56 and also passes freely through a hole in one end of the off-axis plunger branch 52 of the plunger mechanism.

FIG. 2B shows the top surface of disk 56. FIG. The shaft 58 passes through the disk 1 and projects from both ends of the disk, as shown. A slot 68 is cut in the disc to allow the off-axis plunger branch 52 of the plunger mechanism to pass therethrough. The U-shaped bottle 60 is positioned to straddle the slot 68 as shown, and the connection between the off-axis plunger branch 52 and the circle @56 is out of the plane of the disk 56.

FIG. 2C shows the plunger switch mechanism 40 after the switch button 44 has been pressed. Spring 48 is compressed between housing 46 and switch button 44. The off-axis plunger branch 52 of the plunger is connected at an axis 60 that is offset from the axis of rotation 58 of the disk, so that the disk rotates about the axis 58. The reflective surface 64 of the disc 56 is then completely exposed at one end of the plunger mechanism.

When the operator places his hand on top of the infrared transceiver as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the infrared radiation 18 transmitted toward the operator's hand and reflected back to the transceiver has a specific measurable value. When switch button 44 is pressed, the reflected infrared signal increases significantly. A receiver circuit, such as that disclosed in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 258,157 (filed herewith), can be It can be controlled so that a signal of a particular strength can be predicted. Threshold crossings of the received infrared signals can be used to trigger any desired response in the electronic circuit. Also, to trigger the desired response,
The receiving circuit can also be controlled to sense specific changes in the fat signal.

FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the switch device of the invention. Housing 122 is shown with a recess 128 for comfortably receiving an operator's hand. The housing is generally cylindrical except at the recess 128. Switch button 124 is coupled to shaft 130. A shaft 130 extends from the bottom of the switch button 124 into the switch housing 122. A switch button 124 protrudes from an opening at one end of the housing 122. A flange 132 on the switch button 124 located inside the switch housing 122 prevents the switch button 124 from protruding through the switch housing 122.

The switch housing 122 is the switch housing 12
It has a transverse support muntin 134 located at the center of 2. There is a hole in the center of this muntin, through which the shaft 130 passes.

A flange 136 is coupled to the shaft 130 and connects the muntin and button 1.
It is located between 24. A spring 138 surrounds the shaft 130 and connects the flange 136 and the transverse support muncture 134 so that the enlarged portion of the flange 132 of the switch button 124 butts against the inner end of the opening that extends through the switch housing 122. It is placed between. axis 1
The end of 30 remote from switch button 124 is coarsely threaded.

Rotating muntin 140 is a cylindrical muntin with a disc 142 attached to its bottom end. Half of this disk is coated with an infrared reflective material 144. This reflective material 144 is preferably retroreflective. The other half of disk 142 is significantly less reflective to infrared light.

One half of the end of the housing 122 opposite the switch button 124 is open and the other half is closed by a portion of the body of the switch housing. As the rotary muntin rotates, first the reflective portion of the disc 142 and then the non-reflective portion are exposed to the opening. A cooperative stop 148 of the housing is supported to limit the amount of rotation of the disc;
A stop 146 may be prepared and placed. The bearing stub 150 is fixed in the hole in the center of the disk 142,
Supported by anti-reverse device. Opposite this hole and the disk is a central axis in the rotating muntin 140. This central shaft has threads that receive the coarse threaded end of shaft 130.

Pressing switch button 124 causes the screw end described above to pass through the rotating muntin 1400 screw. This causes the rotating muntin 140 to rotate, causing the disc 142 to pass through the opening in the end of the switch housing 122 to the reflective surface 1 .
Stop 146 is connected to stop 1 so that 44 is exposed.
Approaching 48. By relieving the pressure on switch button 124 , spring 138 pushing flange 136 pushes switch button 124 back toward the outside of the switch housing, causing reflective surface 144 to close at the closed end of switch housing 122 . pull it inside.

FIG. 4A shows a preferred embodiment transmitter. The transmitter includes one of eight multiplexers 100 with three selective subwriting lines, TA, TB, and Te3, as well as an inhibit line TI. Inhibit port 1@TI disables the multiplexer as needed. It is desirable that the circuits for the eight outputs be identical to each other. In this circuit diagram, only three of the eight output circuits are shown to avoid unnecessary complexity. The control line is the fourth
It is desirable to control with a central processing unit (CPU) shown in Figure C.

The emitter of the input NPN transistor Q2 is coupled to the input port 102. The collector of transistor Q2 is coupled to a positive voltage V, and the pace of transistor Q2 is coupled to current limiting biasing resistor R1. This biasing resistor is coupled to any readily available 1 kilohertz square wave signal source.

Each of the outputs of multiplexer 100 is coupled to an appropriate output circuit. Each of the eight output circuits are mutually identical. The first output of the multiplexer is
It is coupled to the base of PN transistor Q1. The emitter of transistor Q1 is grounded and the collector is coupled to the anode of infrared light emitting diode LED1. LED 1 through LED 8 are all coupled to the positive voltage supply V through a second current limiting biasing resistor R2.

Select channels A, B, and C are each independently one of the eight outputs of multiplexer 100 to be operated.
Select pieces. The input transistor Ql and the selected output transistor Q2 are connected to the selected light emitting diode L.
They work together in a Darlington combination to drive EDI.

FIG. 4B shows the receiver circuit of the preferred embodiment; infrared light received by the receiver is transmitted through eight phototransistors Q
This is the appropriate one out of three. Phototransistor Q3 can also be replaced with a photodiode. The circuits for each of the eight inputs are preferably similar to each other. In this circuit diagram, only two of the eight input circuits are shown to avoid unnecessary clutter. 3 1 for multiplexer circuits RA, RB, and RC
The 1I control line selects the appropriate one of the eight input circuits. The control line is connected to the central processing unit (C
It is desirable to control it with PU). An inhibit line RI is provided to shut down the receiver 8 multiplexer if necessary.

The emitter of phototransistor Q3 is coupled to negative voltage power supply -2. The collector of phototransistor Q3 is coupled to a positive voltage power supply Vl through a current limiting bias resistor R3. In addition, the collector of the phototransistor Q3 is connected to a high frequency band formed by a capacitor C1 and a resistor R4 in order to reduce low frequency hum and decouple the DC residual deviation caused by the difference in the gain of the phototransistor. It is coupled through a filter to one of the eight inputs of one of the eight multiplexers 104 . Resistor R4 couples between the multiplexer and ground.

The output of multiplexer 104 is coupled to resistor R5, which sets the reference point for the gain stage. One end of resistor R5 is grounded. The output of the multiplexer is capacitor C2
is also coupled to the first terminal of. The second terminal of capacitor C2 is connected to the positive input of first operational amplifier A1 and to resistor R.
to the first terminal of 6. The second terminal of resistor R6 is grounded. Capacitor C2 and resistor R6 operate as a high-pass filter for the positive input of operational amplifier A1.

The negative input of operational amplifier A1 is grounded through a series connection of resistor R7 and capacitor C3. The negative input of operational amplifier A1 is also coupled to its output through resistor R8. The output of operational amplifier AI is coupled to the positive input of a second operational amplifier A2.

The negative input of the second operational amplifier A2 is coupled to a resistor R9. The other terminal of resistor R9 is connected to variable resistor RIO.
Connect to the sliding terminal. The first fixed terminal of the variable resistor R10 is grounded, and the second fixed terminal is connected to the negative voltage power supply -v.
It is combined with 2. This allows an appropriate potential to be supplied to the negative input of the second operational amplifier A2 through the variable voltage divider network of variable resistors.

The negative input of the second operational amplifier A2 is also connected to the resistor R1
It also connects to its own output through 1. The output of the second operational amplifier is coupled through resistor R12 to an analog-to-digital converter. The terminal of resistor R12 that is not coupled to the second operational amplifier is coupled to the anode of diode D1. The cathode of diode D1 is grounded.

FIG. 4C shows a block diagram of the circuit of the preferred embodiment of the invention. The transmitter and receiver portions are merely symbolically represented and should be understood as the transmitter and receiver shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, respectively. Similar circuits may be designed using different components and still be consistent with the spirit and purpose of the invention.

channel selection line A for the transmitter and receiver;
B, and C1 and the inhibit line are tied together and the CPU
106 is driven. In the preferred embodiment, the CPU is an Apple I! (ApPle I type. CPo 106
can also be used to generate a 1 kHz square wave to drive selected light emitting diodes LEDI. The output of the receiver's operational amplifier A2 is coupled to an analog-to-digital converter 108 (A/D converter). A/
D-converter 108 forms an 8-pit binary number representing the intensity of the infrared radiation received by the receiver circuit. This signal is the bin P
The signal is supplied to the CPU 106 from aO to Pa7. The CPU can control the A/D converter through the conversion control line, as shown in 22.

The CPU operates on the 8 bits mentioned above and provides the appropriate information to the output interface 110 to control the display device (not shown here). As shown here, the CPU 106 connects the initial connection line (handshake 1
ine) can control the A/D converter. The CPU, which may be a commercially available microprocessor or microcontroller integrated circuit device, is programmed to sense a particular intensity of infrared radiation, or a particular amount of change in infrared radiation, by examining an analog-to-digital converter. can.

Contactless remote switches intended for controlling electronic circuits without contact or electrical connections have already been disclosed. Improvements or changes that could only be made clear to a person of ordinary skill in the art by reading the specifications and claims or by referring to the drawings do not reflect the true spirit and purpose of the invention. considered to be within the range.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1A and 1B are illustrations of the operating state of the invention; FIGS. 2A and 2C are cross-sectional views of a preferred embodiment of the invention; and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the invention. Figure, 4A
FIG. 4B is a schematic diagram of the transmitter of the preferred embodiment described above, FIG. 4B is a schematic diagram of the receiver of the preferred embodiment described above, and FIG. 4C is a block diagram of the preferred embodiment described above. 10 Infrared transceiver 12 Infrared transmitter 14 Infrared receiver 20 Switch device 64 144 Reflective surface LED Infrared light emitting diode Q1
Phototransistor=E is clean and old, no change in content) Fl mouth E a- 1 FI roto B F engineering 6-yo + SV Procedure amendment April 14, 1999

Claims (9)

[Claims] (1) A switch device comprising: (a) an infrared transceiver for transmitting an infrared signal; (b) a reflective surface for reflecting the signal; and (c) selectively facing the reflective surface to the infrared signal. and a mechanical device for forming a reflected infrared signal thereby; and (d) an infrared receiver for receiving said reflected infrared signal. (2) The switch device according to claim 1, wherein the reflective surface comprises a sufficiently flat reflective surface. (3) The switch device according to claim 2, wherein the reflective surface is retroreflective. (4) A switch device according to claim 3, wherein the infrared transmitter comprises an infrared light emitting diode. (5) The switching device according to claim 3, wherein the infrared receiver comprises a photodiode. (6) The switching device according to claim 3, wherein the infrared receiver comprises a phototransistor. 7. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the surface rotates about an axis substantially parallel to the surface to selectively confront the infrared signal. (8) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the reflective surface is disposed on a rotating surface coating having a non-reflective portion, and the rotating surface is partially a non-rotating surface. a switch device rotated about an axis substantially perpendicular to the surface to selectively face the reflective portion of the surface to the infrared signal; (9) An electrical switch device, comprising: (a) a remote mechanical device, comprising: [1] a mechanical device for selectively facing a surface having a first reflectance to an infrared signal; and [2] an infrared signal; a surface having a second reflectivity for signals; (b) a main device for transmitting an infrared signal directed toward the mechanical device; and (2) a device for transmitting an infrared signal directed toward the mechanical device. a main device comprising a device for receiving an infrared signal of a first intensity or a second intensity reflected from the mechanical device in response to the device; c. generating a changeover switch signal in response to the received infrared signal; Electrical switching device consisting of a device for