Cadence controlled actuator

• US 20070095636A1
• Filed: 11/03/2005
• Published: 05/03/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LinkedIn Corporation (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Berstis, Viktors
• Granted Patent: US 7,760,192 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 200/61.59
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/94 characterised by the way in which the control signals are generated
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/9505 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2217/94052 with evaluation of actuation pattern or sequence, e.g. tapping

Abstract

Signals in a proper cadence are recognized as meeting criteria. Such signals are received from a touch plate coupled to a touch circuit. A controller discriminates against spurious signals if such signals are outside an initial tolerance, that is, are faster or slower than a device operator would enter such signals. Providing the criteria for an initial tolerance and a match tolerance are met, the controller actuates a device, such as a light emitting diode.

Claims

1. A method for actuating a mobile device having a touch plate comprising:

receiving a first edge of a signal, wherein the first edge is a transition beyond a threshold;

receiving a second edge of the signal within an initial tolerance of the first edge, wherein the second edge is a transition beyond the threshold;

receiving a third edge within a match tolerance, wherein the third edge is a transition beyond the threshold; and

actuating a controlled device, responsive to receiving the second edge within the initial tolerance and responsive to receiving the third edge within the match tolerance.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

establishing a time scale for additional signals, responsive to receiving a second trigger within an initial tolerance of the first trigger, wherein the match tolerance is based on the time scale.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the match tolerance comprises at least one limit, and establishing the time scale comprises:

multiplying a base limit by the time scale to form the at least one limit.

4. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

receiving a fourth edge, wherein the fourth edge is a transition beyond the threshold; and

determining whether the forth edge meets a second match tolerance.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein actuating comprises:

switching the controlled device.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the controlled device is an access controlled device.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein actuating comprises:

transmitting an actuate signal.

8. A circuit for actuating a mobile device having a touch plate comprising:

a controller unit for receiving a first edge, the controller unit receiving a second edge within an initial tolerance of the first edge and receiving a third edge within a match tolerance; and

an actuator for actuating a controlled device, responsive to receiving the second edge within the initial tolerance and responsive to receiving the third edge within the match tolerance.

9. The circuit of claim 8 further comprising:

establishing a time scale for additional signals, responsive to receiving a second trigger within an initial tolerance of the first trigger, wherein the match tolerance is based on the time scale.

10. The circuit of claim 9, wherein the match tolerance comprises at least one limit and establishing the time scale comprises:

a multiplier circuit for multiplying a base limit by the time scale to form the at least one limit.

11. The circuit of claim 9, wherein actuating comprises:

a transmitter for switching the controlled device.

12. The circuit of claim 11, wherein the controlled device is an access controlled device.

13. The circuit of claim 9 further comprising:

a touch circuit for producing edges near synchronously with human inputs, wherein touch circuit is operatively coupled with the controller unit.

14. A circuit for actuating comprising:

a touch plate;

a touch circuit for detecting a presence of a conductor extremely proximal to the touch plate and transmitting edges; and

a controller unit, wherein the controller unit receives edges of a signal and transmits an actuate signal based on receiving at least three edges having a first interval and a second interval in which the first interval and the second interval vary substantially.

15. The circuit for actuating of claim 14 further comprising:

an emitter.

16. The circuit for actuating of claim 15, wherein the emitter is a transmitter.

17. The circuit for actuating of claim 16, wherein the second interval is within a tolerance based on the first interval.

18. The circuit for actuating of claim 15, wherein the second interval comprises a third interval.

19. The circuit for actuating of claim 15, wherein the touch circuit further comprises a debounce circuit.

20. The circuit for actuating of claim 14 wherein the touch plate comprises:

a metal sheet electrically connected to the touch circuit.