HK1141340A - A system and a method for processing a signal from an electric device - Google Patents

Description

System and method for processing signals of an electrical device

Description of the invention

The invention relates to a system for processing signals from an electrical device according to claim 1. Further, the invention relates to a method for processing signals from an electrical device according to claim 10.

The signal from the electrical device represents or describes a certain state or any analog value. The information contained in the signal is used, for example, to control a device or process. The signal may be a direct current (DC voltage) voltage signal. Generally, the voltage value characterizes the state or magnitude of the device.

The electrical device may be a manual or automatic switch. If the state of a switch changes, the signal delivered by the switch also changes. In addition, the electrical device may be a sensor element for detecting physical quantities like temperature, pressure and humidity. The signal from the electrical device represents the detected magnitude.

In some of the above electrical devices, a change in state or detected amount may cause a relatively small change in signal. The change in the signal may also be caused by interference of the system or electrical devices.

Therefore, the system must be able to distinguish whether the signal is disturbed or whether the change in the signal is caused by an actual change in the state or detection value.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a system and a method for processing signals from an electrical device, which enable the identification of disturbances.

This object is achieved by a system as claimed in claim 1.

According to the invention, a system for processing signals from an electrical device comprises:

-a reference value of the signal, wherein the reference value is continuously updated after a first measurement,

an arithmetic unit for determining a difference between the signal and the reference value such that the difference corresponds to a change of the signal,

-a spectrum of possible difference values, wherein the spectrum is subdivided into a plurality of ranges corresponding to possible causes of the signal change in the system, an

-a comparison unit for associating said difference values with respective ranges of said spectrum and for identifying whether said difference values are caused by a disturbance or by a relevant change in said electrical device.

The main idea of the invention is that, on the one hand, the reference value is continuously adjusted and, on the other hand, the complete spectrum of all possible difference values is subdivided into a plurality of ranges. The range corresponds to the cause of the possible type of interference. The constant adjustment allows the reference value to always be achieved.

The continuous adjustment avoids that two or more disturbances within a short time are identified as a change of value or state in the electrical device. When a change in the signal occurs, the system can identify whether the change is caused by interference or a related change in value or state. In addition, the range allows identification by the system of what type of interference has occurred.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the spectrum comprises all possible positive and negative difference values for the electrical device. This allows to identify positive and negative changes of the signal.

In particular, the reference value is continuously adjusted in dependence on the actual value of the signal. This fast adjustment avoids identifying two or more disturbances as changes in the signal. For example, this characteristic may be used to detect slow approach of a finger.

For example, the signal is an analog signal. Preferably, the signal is a direct current voltage (DC voltage) signal. The signal may be characterized by its voltage. Alternatively, the frequency and other characteristic quantities of the alternating current can also be used as the signal.

Preferably, at least one of said ranges corresponds to a temperature fluctuation. Temperature fluctuations disturb the electrical device. The corresponding range allows this temperature fluctuation to be recognized.

Additionally, at least one of the ranges corresponds to noise, detection failures, and/or hysteresis effects, respectively.

In particular, at least one of said ranges corresponds to at least one of the relevant changes in said electrical device. Thus, the system can distinguish between a change caused by a disturbance and such a change caused by a relevant change in the electrical device.

For example, the electrical device is a switch. In particular, the electrical device is a touch sensitive key (touch sensitive key). The touch-sensitive keys provide relatively small changes in the signal and the system can identify the relevant signal.

In addition, the electrical device may be a variable electrical or electronic component, such as a potentiometer or a direct current change.

According to another application, the electrical device may be a sensor for detecting at least one physical quantity. In this case, too, small changes in the signal occur.

The system may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software.

Furthermore, the present invention relates to a computer program product stored in a computer usable medium, comprising computer readable program means for causing a computer to implement the system as described above.

The object of the invention is also achieved by a method as claimed in claim 10.

According to the invention, a method for processing signals from an electrical device comprises the following steps:

setting a reference value, in particular taking into account previous signals,

-receiving the signal from the electrical device,

-determining a difference between the signal and the reference value,

-providing a spectrum of possible difference values, wherein the spectrum is subdivided into a plurality of ranges corresponding to possible causes of the change of the signal in the electrical device,

-comparing the difference value with the spectrum,

-associating said difference values with respective ranges of said spectrum,

-identifying whether the difference is caused by a disturbance or a relevant change in the electrical device, and

-updating the reference value.

The method of the invention continues to achieve the reference value on the one hand and uses the complete spectrum of all possible difference values. The spectrum is subdivided into a plurality of ranges corresponding to possible types of causes for the interference. The constant adjustment allows the reference value to always be achieved.

The continuous adjustment avoids that two or more disturbances within a short time are identified as a change of value or state in the electrical device. When a change in the signal occurs, it can be identified whether the change is caused by interference or by a relevant change in value or state. In addition, the range allows the inventive method to identify what type of interference has occurred.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the spectrum used comprises all positive and negative difference values for the electrical device.

In particular, the reference value is continuously adjusted in dependence on the actual value of the signal. This fast adjustment avoids identifying two or more disturbances as changes in the signal.

Preferably, the received signal is an analog signal and/or a direct voltage (DC voltage) signal. The signal may be characterized by its voltage. Alternatively, the frequency and other characteristic quantities of the alternating current can also be used as the signal.

Such as from a switch. In particular, the signal is received from the touch sensitive key. The touch sensitive keys provide relatively small changes in the signal. With the method of the invention, it is possible to distinguish between the relevant signals and interferences.

The signal is received from a variable electrical or electronic component and/or from a sensor for detecting at least one physical quantity.

The method according to the present invention can be realized in hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software.

Finally, a computer program product is provided. The computer program product is stored in a computer usable medium comprising computer readable program means for causing a computer to perform the method described above.

The novel and inventive features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims.

The present invention will be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which

FIG. 1: there is shown a schematic block diagram of a system for processing signals, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an

FIG. 2: a schematic diagram of a spectrum of possible differences in a system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic block diagram of a system for processing signals according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The system comprises an electrical device 10, a detection circuit 12 and a processing unit 14. The electrical device 10 provides a signal U. Generally, the signal may be a voltage, a circuit, a capacitance, a resistance, or the like. The detection circuit 12 receives the voltage U from the electrical device 10. The detection circuit 12 modifies, corrects and/or amplifies the signal U. Processing unit 14 processes signal U to identify a state, request, and/or value corresponding to signal U.

The electrical device 10 may include electronic and/or mechanical elements. For example, the electrical device 10 comprises one or more sensors for detecting physical quantities like temperature, pressure, brightness, weight, etc. Additionally, the electrical device 10 may be a manual switch. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the electrical device 10 is a touch-sensitive key. In general, the electrical device 10 may be any device that provides a signal U that describes a state and/or a value. In particular, the signal U is formed as an analog voltage signal.

The detection circuit 12 is preferably an electrical circuit. The detection circuit 12 receives a signal U from the electrical device 10. For example, the detection circuit 12 modifies, corrects, amplifies and/or filters the signal U.

The processing unit 14 receives the signal U from the detection circuit 12. The processing unit 14 compares the received signal U with a reference value U_ref. In particular, the received signal U and the reference value U_refAnd (6) continuously comparing. The processing unit 14 then determines the signal U and the reference value U_refThe difference between Δ U.

The processing unit 14 comprises a spectrum of possible difference values au. The spectrum includes a positive difference value Δ U and a negative difference value Δ U. The spectrum is adjusted according to the electrical device 10. The spectrum may also be adjusted according to the detection circuit 12. The spectrum is subdivided into a plurality of ranges. Each range corresponds to a certain cause of change of the received signal U. Comparing the change in the signal U with the spectrum, the processing unit 14 can identify the cause of the change. In particular, the processing unit 14 can identify whether the change of the signal U is caused by a disturbance or by an actual change of the state or of the detected quantity in the electrical device 10.

Reference value U_refThe update is continued so that the actual difference value deltau is effectively a change in the signal U. Reference value U_refThe continuous updating of (a) avoids that two or more disturbances within a short time are misidentified as actual changes of value or status in the electrical device 10.

Fig. 2 shows a spectral diagram of possible differences Δ U in a system according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. The spectrum is subdivided into several ranges. In this example, the spectrum includes 10 ranges bounded by respective limit values.

The zero point 20 corresponds to the difference Δ U being 0. A first positive range 21 extends between the zero point 20 and a first positive limit value 22. A first negative range 31 extends between the zero point 20 and a first negative limit 32. A second positive range 23 extends between the first positive limit value 22 and a second positive limit value 24. A second negative range 33 extends between first negative limit value 32 and a second negative limit value 34.

A third positive range 25 extends between the second positive limit value 24 and a third positive limit value 26. A third negative range 35 extends between the second negative limit value 34 and a third negative limit value 36. A fourth positive range 27 extends between the third positive limit value 26 and a fourth positive limit value 28. A fourth negative range 37 extends between the third negative limit value 36 and a fourth negative limit value 38.

A fifth positive range 29 extends upward from the fourth positive limit value 28 to any high positive value. A fifth negative range 39 extends from the fourth negative limit value 38 down to any low negative value.

The different ranges correspond to different causes of the change in the signal U.

In this example, the difference Δ U in the first positive range 21 and the first negative range 31 is caused by thermal fluctuation. The thermal fluctuations disturb the electrical device 10 and/or the detection circuit 12 and cause a change in the signal U.

In addition, in this example, the difference Δ U in the second positive range 23 and the second negative range 33 is caused by noise. Noise occurs in the circuit, in particular, in the detection circuit 12 and also in the electrical device 10. Noise also causes a change in the signal U.

The difference au, in the fourth positive range 27 and the fourth negative range 37, is a result of hysteresis to avoid the rebound effect.

The fourth range will be referred to as the fifth range if the previous signal was detected in the fifth range. The fourth range will be referred to as the third range if the previous signal was detected in the third range.

The difference Δ U in the fifth positive range 29 and the fifth negative range 39 is caused by actual changes in the electrical device 10. The actual change may be an operation of a switch or a change in a detected physical quantity.

In particular, the electrical device 10 is a touch-sensitive key. If a touch-sensitive key is touched by a user, a relatively small change in the signal U from the touch-sensitive key occurs. However, the change in the signal U after the touch is larger than the change caused by the disturbance. Due to the reference value U_refAre continuously updated, two or more disturbances for a short time are not recognized as a touch of a key.

The system and method of the present invention may employ a variety of electrical devices 10 and/or detection circuits 12. The systems and methods of the present invention may be applied to voltages that correspond to different states of the electrical device 10 and/or the detection circuit 12.

The present invention can also be embedded in a computer program product, which comprises all the features enabling the implementation of the methods described herein. Additionally, the computer program product, when loaded into a computer system, is able to carry out these methods.

Although illustrative embodiments of the present invention have been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various other changes and modifications may be affected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. All such changes and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

List of reference numerals

10: sensor device

12: detection circuit

14: processing unit

20: zero point

21: first positive range

22: first positive limit value

23: second positive range

24: second positive limit value

25: third positive range

26: third positive limit value

27: fourth positive range

28: fourth positive limit value

29: last positive range

31: first negative range

32: first negative limit value

33: second negative range

34: second negative limit value

35: third negative range

36: third negative limit value

37: fourth negative range

38: fourth negative limit value

39: last negative range

U: signal

U_ref: reference value

Δ U: difference value

Claims (15)

1. A system for processing a signal (U) from an electrical device (10), wherein the system comprises:

-a reference value (U) of the signal (U)_ref) Wherein the reference value (U)_ref) Is continuously updated, and the data is continuously updated,

-an arithmetic unit for determining the signal (U) and the reference value (U)_ref) A difference (Δ U) between them such that said difference (Δ U) corresponds to a change of said signal (U),

-a spectrum of possible difference values (AU), wherein the spectrum is subdivided into ranges (21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39) corresponding to possible causes of changes in the signal (U) in the system, and,

-a comparison unit for associating said difference value (Δ U) with a respective range (21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39) of said spectrum and for identifying whether said difference value (Δ U) is caused by a disturbance or by a relevant change in said electrical device (10).

2. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that the spectrum comprises all possible positive and negative difference values (Δ U) for the electrical device (10).

3. System according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said reference value (U)_ref) Is continuously adjusted according to the actual value of the signal (U).

4. A system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said signal (U) is an analog signal.

5. The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the signal (U) is a direct voltage signal or the signal (U) is characterized by its voltage.

6. The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of said ranges (21, 31) corresponds to temperature fluctuations, and/or at least one of said ranges (23, 33) corresponds to noise, and/or at least one of said ranges (27, 37) corresponds to hysteresis, and/or at least one of said ranges (29, 39) corresponds to at least one of said relevant changes in said electrical device (10).

7. System according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said electrical means (10) is a switch, or a touch-sensitive key, or a variable electrical, electronic or mechanical element, or a sensor for detecting at least one physical quantity.

8. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the system is implemented in hardware, software or a combination of hardware and software.

9. A computer program product stored on a computer usable medium, comprising computer readable program means for causing a computer to implement the system of any one of the preceding claims 1 to 8.

10. A method for processing a signal from an electrical device (10), wherein the method comprises the steps of:

-setting a reference value (U)_ref)，

-receiving said signal (U) from said electrical device (10) and selectively modifying said signal (U) by means of a detection circuit (12),

-determining the signal (U) and the reference value (U)_ref) The difference (deltau) between them,

-providing a spectrum of possible difference values (Δ U), wherein the spectrum is subdivided into ranges (21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39) corresponding to possible causes of changes of the signal (U) in the electrical device (10),

-comparing the difference value (AU) with the spectrum,

-associating said difference values (AU) with respective ranges (21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39) of said spectrum,

-identifying whether the difference (au) is caused by a disturbance or a relevant change in the electrical device (10), and

-updating said reference value (U)_ref)。

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that the provided spectrum comprises all possible positive and negative difference values (Δ U) for the electrical device (10).

12. Method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the reference value (U) is continuously adjusted depending on the actual value of the signal (U)_ref)。

13. Method according to any of claims 10-12, characterized in that the received signal (U) is an analog signal and/or in that the received signal (U) is a direct voltage signal and/or in that the received signal (U) is characterized by its voltage.

14. Method according to any of claims 10-13, characterized in that the signal (U) is received from a switch and/or in that the signal (U) is received from a touch-sensitive key and/or in that the signal (U) is received from a variable electrical or electronic component and/or in that the signal (U) is received from a sensor for detecting at least one physical quantity.

15. A computer program product stored on a computer usable medium, comprising computer readable program means for causing a computer to implement the method of any of the preceding claims 10-14.