Non- contact button system

• US 20080060918A1
• Filed: 09/11/2006
• Published: 03/13/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/11/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: National Yang-Ming University
• Original Assignee: National Yang-Ming University
• Inventors: Chiang, Huihua Kenny
• Application Number:
  US11/518,121
• Publication Number:
  US 20080060918A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 200/61.02
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/941 using an optical detector H03K17/968 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2217/94104 using a light barrier

Abstract

A non-contact button system for controlling an electronic device comprising a substantially rigid front plate having a front surface and an inner housing located inner or outward from the front surface having an open spacing suitable for a finger or finger-sized object to insert into without physical contact with said inner housing. Within said inner housing, there are a light emitting element and a light receiving element. Said light receives element receiving light from said light emitting element as first status. Operator inserts a finger or finger-sized object into said open spacing to define second status and different statuses generating different electronic signals to control the electronic device.

Claims

1. A non-contact button system for controlling an electronic device comprising:

a substantially rigid front plate having a front surface;

an inner housing located in the front surface having an open spacing suitable for a finger or finger-sized object to insert into without physical contact with said inner housing;

a light emitting element and a light receiving element located within said inner housing, thereby said light receiving element receiving light from said light emitting element as first status;

whereby, by inserting a finger or finger-sized object into said open spacing defining second status;

whereby, different statuses generating different electronic signals to control the electronic device.

2. The non-contact button system according to claim 1, wherein said light emitting element emit one of these light sourcing:

visible light, near-infrared light, or infrared light and said light receiving element detects the power of corresponding light sourcing.

3. The non-contact button system according to claim 2, wherein said light receiving element generates electronic signals responding to a level of the light power.

4. The non-contact button system according to claim 3, wherein said electronic device is in activation status while electronic signals is greater than a predetermined value.

5. The non-contact button system according to claim 3, wherein said electronic device is in activation status while electronic signals is less than a predetermined value.

6. The non-contact button system according to claim 1, wherein said light emitting element and said light receiving element located on the opposing side of said inner housing, whereby light transmitted through said opening space from said light emitting element to said light receiving element.

7. The non-contact button system according to claim 6, wherein said light is blocked in transmission in second status, thereby light receiving element receiving less light than first status.

8. The non-contact button system according to claim 1, wherein said light emitting element and said light receiving element located on the same side of said inner housing, whereby light receiving element could not directly receive light transmitted from said light emitting element.

9. The non-contact button system according to claim 8, wherein said light is reflected by inserted finger or object in second status, thereby light receiving element receiving more light than first status.

10. The non-contact button system according to claim 1, wherein said front plate is attached to an elevator car wall or a landing wall by fixing elements.

11. The non-contact button system according to claim 1, wherein said non-contact button system further include a push button.