KR20080004161U - Smart cup with a built-in heat sensor and capacitive sensor and a device that controls the output by reflecting the material characteristics of the cup and the contents of the cup at the same time - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention detects when a cup is filled with water or a water-soluble liquid through a sensor and sends a signal to drive the play device embedded in the bottom part of the cup, depending on the type and function of the sensor or the material of the cup. It is about improving the structure of the sensor operation method and the play module case attaching method to overcome the limitation and maximize the function as the boy cup.

Accordingly, the configuration of the present invention consists of a cup or cup holder made of a space for mounting the play module on the lower end; A play module case mounted in a lower space of the main body to house a sensor and a play module; A temperature sensor and a capacitive sensor embedded in the case; A storage and reproducing apparatus of a sound source embedded in the case; A microcontroller for overall control of a sensor and a sound source storage and reproducing apparatus embedded in the case, and a button for selecting a sensor and a sensor operation method most suitable according to a material of a cup; When the play module is mounted on the cup when the power is connected and disconnected when the switch device is designed to include, but when fixing the play module case to the cup, such as ceramics inevitably caused an error in product specifications Edo is characterized in that it comprises a silicon fixing device designed to be mounted in the correct position so that the error does not occur in the operation of the sensor.

Temperature sensor, cup, voice cup, fixture, temperature change per unit time, capacitive proximity sensor, silicon fixture, smart cup

Description

Smart cup with a built-in thermistor and a capacitive sensor, and a built-in, which incorporates a thermal sensor and a capacitive sensor and controls the output by simultaneously reflecting the material properties of the cup and the contents of the cup. in Apparatus Controlling Output by Reflecting the Properties of the Cup and the Contents Simultaneously}

The present invention is designed to expand the functions and uses of the cups by providing a voice cup and a microcontroller with a built-in sound reproducing device operated by a sensor. It is about a smart cup developed with a cup.

Voice cups or smart cups typically include sensors, sound and video output devices, network devices, and power supplies in the cups, with the addition of design ideas and techniques to effectively mount the play module into the cup. Therefore, the present invention also relates to a method of operating a temperature sensor and a capacitive sensor, a sound output method, and a detachable method of a play module.

The present invention is an improvement of the design patent application (Application No .: 10-2007-0028259) filed by the applicant in 2007, the previous application of the present application is a double melody Magic Cup (registration number: 10-0412252-0000) filed in 2003 Using bimetal as a sensor, the microcontroller converts the information input from the temperature sensor at a certain time interval into the temperature change rate per unit time and outputs a voice when the target temperature change rate is set in advance. By reacting not only with hot water but also with cold water, the target temperature change rate is set differently according to the material of the cup so that the cup can be successfully reacted according to the temperature change even in a cup made of a material such as plastic having a slow temperature transfer rate.

In addition, the patented "Wireless Smart Cup and Wireless Smart Cup Network Configuration Method" dated June 19, 2007 allows the battery module to be exchanged by freely detaching the sound module case containing the sensor and play device from the cup. The built-in sound source can be replaced with a new one.

Capacitive proximity sensor technology is a sensor that detects liquid in a container made of non-conductive material. This sensor is widely used in liquid level detection, milk presence / absence detection in cartons, and touch keyboards.

1. The smart cup, which operates according to the temperature change rate per unit time, which has been filed by the applicant, requires a rapid change in temperature in spite of the advantage that it can operate in both cold and hot water and can be used for various cups. There was a limitation in that it does not work in water at room temperature.

2. There is also a limitation that it does not work when pouring hot water when the body of the cup is hot or when pouring cold drink when the body of the cup is cold.

3. Using a capacitive proximity sensor to perform a specific function when a drink is poured into a cup is a problem that was not seen with conventional capacitive proximity sensors when trying to use the same play module for various cups. Occurs. That is, the role of the proximity sensor does not necessarily determine whether there is one object within the detection distance, but for the cups with different relative dielectric constants, there is no sound when approaching the empty cup, and only when water is contained in the cup. Considering that the relative dielectric constant is proportional to the detection distance, it is necessary to develop a specialized circuit configuration in order to achieve the same effect in each cup with one sensor while using play module cases of the same standard.

4. If the cup is made of conductor, it cannot be used for stainless cup and tin cup because capacitive sensor cannot be used.

5. The present invention is designed to remove the play module case freely from the cup main body. In the case of ceramic products, it is not possible to manufacture the ceramic surface precisely. You can't make it anywhere. To overcome this limitation, there is a method of attaching a plastic ring with a hook protruding inside the bottom of the cup with an adhesive and then hanging the play module case there.However, the firmness of the adhesive cannot be guaranteed and labor costs in the process of attaching the adhesive. There was a problem of excessive input.

6. Capacitive sensor is the key idea to capture the change in capacitance when the liquid is in the cup and not in the cup. To facilitate this, the detection distance is precisely set and the distance between the detection surface and the bottom of the cup is It must remain constant regardless of the material. Therefore, even in the case of inevitability in the manufacturing process, such as porcelain cups, it was necessary to find a way to maintain a constant distance between the detection surface of the sensor and the bottom of the cup body.

The present invention is proposed to solve the above problems, the sensor works in the cup of all kinds of materials on the market;

As a play module, the cup made of non-conductive material may be operated by pouring only the beverage regardless of the temperature of the drink, and the cup made of conductive material may be operated by sensing the rate of change of temperature;

It provides a way to easily attach and detach the play module even if there is an error in the standard, such as ceramics;

It will provide ideas and techniques to keep the distance between the sensor in the play module and the bottom of the cup constant.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention can be understood in detail by the following description, and will be more clearly understood by the embodiments of the present invention. It will also be readily apparent that the objects and advantages of the present invention can be realized by the means and combinations thereof indicated in the claims.

Smart cup of the present invention for achieving the above object, the cup and the cup holder 110 to make a space for mounting the play module on the lower end; A play module case 120 made to be detachable from the cup; A silicon ring 150 coupling the cup and the play module case to each other; Is installed inside the play module case includes a play module for detecting the temperature change or when a water-soluble liquid is contained in the cup to play the built-in sound,

The play module includes a cup material selection button 141 for determining the type and operation of the sensor according to the material of the cup; A power switch 140 for connecting power by contact with the floor when the play module is mounted on the cup; A temperature sensor 126 for measuring the temperature of the cup at a predetermined time interval after the power is connected; A capacitive proximity sensor 130 for measuring a change in capacitance according to the material of the cup and the contents contained in the cup; A capacitive analysis integrated circuit (131) for detecting and amplifying the sensitivity, detection distance, and changed capacitance of the capacitive proximity sensor; It includes a microcontroller for determining whether to play the sound based on the data of the temperature sensor and the capacitive proximity sensor,

Silicon ring 150 for easily attaching the play module case to the cup even if an error occurs in the size of the cup; A silicon support ring 154 for applying a predetermined magnitude of pressure between the silicon ring and the inner wall surface of the cup; The silicon ring is positioned between the cup-side silicon contacting part 151 and the case-side silicon fixing part 152 and is composed of three parts of the bridge 153 allowing the play module case to move elastically.

Figure 2 shows the relationship and configuration of the play module including a cup material selection button, capacitive proximity sensor, temperature sensor. The cup material selection button is divided into two types of non-metallic materials and metallic materials. The non-metallic material groups 211 to 214 are connected to a circuit by the capacitive sensor 250, and the metallic material groups 215 to 216 are used for temperature. The circuit is connected to the sensor 252. The microcontroller 220 determines whether sound is output based on the data collected by each sensor. The sound being output can be paused, adjusted in volume, and listened to with the sound control button 261.

3 is an enlarged view of the capacitive proximity sensor 130.

As shown in the figure, the detection distance 317 should not reach the bottom of the cup 315 based on the detection surface 313 when the play module is mounted on the cup, and the detection distance is when the water is poured into the cup. The thickness of the bottom and the case thickness should be greater than the distance 318. The detection distance in the capacitive proximity sensor is proportional to the relative dielectric constant of the object to be detected and the magnitude of the capacitance.If the cup is changed, the capacitance can be canceled even if the relative dielectric constant is changed. You can see that you have to give. In other words, a capacitor of suitable capacity should be selected and connected to the pole plate.

4 shows a circuit configuration idea that a sensor can be used in a cup of various materials by maintaining the same detection distance even if the dielectric constant varies according to the material of the cup.

For example, pressing the porcelain cup button 411 to connect the capacitor 1 421 to the circuit determines the detection distance from the capacitive sensor. The detection distance 317 is determined when the paper cup button 412 is pressed. It is equal to the detection distance 317 determined by the capacitor 2 (422). Therefore, even though ceramic and paper have different relative dielectric constants, the same detection distance is set, and even if the play module case is mounted on the cup, no sound is output in the empty cup state. When the water is poured here, the relative dielectric constant of the water is very large, and thus the detection distance is greatly extended to exceed the distance 318 between the pole plate and the inner bottom of the cup. To work.

When the material selection button is pressed on stainless steel (415) or tin (416), the circuit is connected to the temperature sensor, and the temperature change rate per unit time is compared with a predetermined target temperature change rate considering the thermal conductivity of stainless and tin. If the rate of change of temperature is greater than the target rate of change of temperature, the sound play part is activated.

It is very important to keep the distance between the bottom of the cup and the sensor for both the capacitive sensor and the temperature sensor. In the case of porcelain cups, due to limitations in the manufacturing process of porcelain products, even the same product may have an error of about 1 mm. This is an important factor of smart cup malfunction.

The present invention proposes a method for solving the above problems by dividing the structure of the silicon ring into three parts, giving a separate function to each part, and adding a separate plastic ring to achieve the desired purpose.

Errors in porcelain cup specifications can occur due to the size, height of the bottom space and the degree of distortion of the cup bottom circle. Wrap the silicone support ring (154) made of plastic or similar elastic material with elastic silicone and insert it at the bottom of the cup to overcome the error of cup diameter or distortion of the circle. It can be fixed firmly to the lower end.

In addition, when a bridge 153 formed of a thin film formed between the case-side silicon fixing part 152 and the cup-side silicon fixing part 151 has a somewhat relaxed size, as shown in FIG. Problems can also be solved.

Figure 6-1 shows the silicone shape when the case is mounted on a cup of normal size. At this time, the height of the cup bottom 650 is appropriate, the silicone ring maintains its original shape, and the bottom 630 of the case-side silicon contact portion is in contact with the bottom. You can see that the top of the case and the bottom of the cup 640 are in close contact.

6-2 shows a case where the height of the cup lower portion 651 is shortened. At this time, due to the elasticity of the bridge 153, the entire cup is pushed up, and the distance between the bottom 621 and the bottom of the cup side silicon fixing part is slightly longer, but the case top and the cup bottom part 641 are also in perfect contact with each other. Can be.

Figure 6-3 shows the case where the height of the bottom of the cup is long. At this time, the cup-side silicon fixing part 151 keeps coming down on the limit by the weight of the cup at the moment of contacting the floor 622, while the case top and the cup bottom part 642 are kept in close contact. .

The present invention by the above-described design,

By using the temperature sensor together with the capacitive proximity sensor, the company successfully implemented a smart cup that works regardless of the temperature of the beverage;

Solving the problem of having to make a play module for each material of the cup, by improving the economics of manufacturing and distribution by presenting a method that can work in most cups on the market as a single play module;

Even if errors inevitably occur in the cup specifications, such as ceramics, the play module case can be easily fixed in a stable and accurate position.

The above objects, features, and effects will become more apparent through the following embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, and thus, those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains may easily implement the idea of the present invention. will be. In addition, in describing the present invention, when it is determined that the detailed description of the known technology related to the present invention may unnecessarily obscure the subject matter of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted. Prior to the description, ceramic cups, plastic cups, etc., used in the following description and claims, refer to all types of cups and cup holders that can be used to hold cups. Melodies, voices, music, voices, etc., refer to all kinds of sound sources, and silicone is a rubber with elasticity, density, etc. that can have the same effect in realizing the function of silicon ring. It is also clear that other synthetic resins may be included and that the position of the play module or sensor may be located on the cup handle or other cup retainer as well as the bottom of the cup. Also, it will be apparent that like reference numerals in the following detailed description refer to like elements performing the same function.

1 is a cross-sectional view of a smart cup according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the smart cup according to the present invention combines the silicon support ring 154 and the silicon ring 150, and combines it with the play module 120 case, and then combines the combination with the porcelain cup. (110) It is produced by combining the detachable state inside the lower end.

The top of the play module 120 is covered with a cover 121 that can be opened and closed, the temperature sensor 126 and the power switch 140 protrudes upward through the hole made in the cover; The capacitive proximity sensor 130 has a detection surface at an upper end installed at the same height as the upper surface of the cover; The cup material selection button 141 and the sound control button 142 are exposed at the bottom of the case; The battery 125, the microcontroller 124, and the capacitive analysis integrated circuit 131 are positioned on a PCB plate installed at a middle height of the case, and the speaker 123 is fixed to the bottom of the case.

2 is an internal circuit relationship diagram according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The cup material selection button 210 is divided into two types of non-metallic materials and metallic materials, and the circuit is connected to use the capacitive proximity sensor 250 for the non-metallic material and the temperature sensor 252 for the metallic material. do. When the capacitive proximity sensor 250 is combined with the capacitive analysis integrated circuit 251, the capacitive proximity sensor 250 is completed as a sensor. The data obtained through the two types of sensors are finally analyzed by the microcontroller 220. The sound output is determined. When the microcontroller determines the output, it calls the sound data from the memory included in the sound play unit 260 and outputs it through the speaker 270. When the sound control button 142 is used, the volume is reduced and increased during the sound playback. You can hear it again soon after the sound has finished playing.

3 is an enlarged view of the structure of the capacitive proximity sensor 310 according to the embodiment of the present invention. Put a thin silver foil 311 connected to the + power supply on the PCB 320, the pole plate 312 is erected on the silver foil and then placed a film serving as a detection surface 313 on it. The columnar pole plate 312 can be easily manufactured by wrapping a hexagonal column-shaped cushion pad with a highly conductive metallic wire, and easily connects the power supply with a cushion effect even if an error occurs in the height during the opening and closing of the cover.

The relative dielectric constants of the cups and water exemplified in the schematic are as follows.

Pottery: 10 Paper: 2.3

Plastic: 3.2 Glass: 5

Water: 80

The capacitance detection distance is proportional to the relative dielectric constant and capacitance of the object to be detected, and the capacitance is proportional to the amount of accumulated charge. Since the play module specification, the size of the pole plate area, and the voltage of the present invention are intrinsic, The equation for calculating the capacitance when the detection distance Sn is constant after converting it to (K) was derived as follows.

Here, the capacitance required to limit the detection distance Sn to within 0.5 mm is calculated by the material of the cup as follows.

Ceramics: 0.056㎌ Paper: 0.245㎌

Plastic: 0.176㎌ Glass: 0.113㎌

Calculate the detection distance when water is poured into the cup with the capacitance set as above.

Porcelain: 4mm Paper: 17mm

Plastic: 17mm Glass: 8mm

Referring to <FIG. 1>, <FIG. 3>, and <FIG. 4>, the operation principle of the sensor when the plastic cup is used is as follows.

If the plastic cup 413 is pressed at the cup material selection button 141 before the play module is mounted on the cup, all the remaining connection lines are cut off, and the pole plates of the capacitor 3 423 and the capacitive sensor 431 having a capacitance of 0.2 이 are removed. In connection, a condition is created in which the detection distance from the detection surface can be set to about 0.6 mm (317). In this state, when the play module case is mounted on the cup 110, the distance from the detection surface 313 to the bottom of the cup 315 becomes 1 mm or more, so that it is not captured by the sensor. Subsequently, when water is poured into the cup, the detection distance is extended to 14 mm to detect water.

5 is a flowchart of the entire process of outputting sound by a sensor when a beverage is poured into a smart cup of the present invention. The following description will be given with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4 with reference to the flowchart.

As shown in FIG. 5, a user presses a button corresponding to a cup to be used among the cup material selection buttons 141 before mounting the play module to the cup (510).

When the play module case 120 is mounted on the cup 110, the power switch 140 is pressed to supply power to the entire play module. (511, 512)

If the material of the selected cup belongs to the non-metallic group, the power supply circuit is connected to the capacitive sensor 431, and if it belongs to the metal, the power supply is connected to the thermal sensor 432. (513)

Among the non-metallic materials, independent buttons are provided for each material to supply the capacitance for each material to the circuit. (520, 521)

 For example, when the ceramic 411 is selected, a capacitance of 0.06 mA is supplied through the capacitor 1 421 and the detection distance is about 0.6 mm. In this state, the cup is not detected by the sensor because the distance between the bottom of the cup and the detection surface is 1 mm.

If water or other water-soluble liquids are poured into the cup, the detection distance is increased to 4.8 mm and detected by the sensor. (523, 524, 525)

As a signal, the sound play module 260 is operated by the microcontroller.

When the sound starts to be output, the sound control switch mode is switched, which means that the sound being controlled can be controlled using the sound control button 142. This button is controlled by the microcontroller, allowing you to perform pause, playback, volume control, and listening from the beginning. That is, if the button is pressed during playback, the volume is set to zero to perform the temporary stop function. If you press it again and again, it will play at 1/4 size of original size, and if you press it again, it will play at 1/2 size and press again to play at original size. Within five minutes after the playback of the sound source was completed, the player could play it again from the beginning. In this case, the sensor does not work even if the water is poured again. (527)

5 minutes after the end of the sound play, it is initialized and the detection of the sensor is activated again. When water is detected in the cup, the sound is reproduced from the beginning.

If the metallic material group is selected in the cup material selection step 510, a circuit is connected to the temperature sensor to call the target temperature change rate in the microcontroller according to the material of the cup (530).

Then, the temperature is recorded at 1 second intervals (or at 2 second intervals) and then converted into a rate of change of temperature per unit time (531, 532).

If the temperature change rate per unit time is larger than the target temperature change rate, it means that the cup's temperature has changed drastically as the drink is put into the cup, so go to the sound module play module, and if the target temperature rate is bigger, return to measuring temperature again. (533)

When the sound play module starts to operate, it again switches to the sound control switch mode, and performs the temporary stop and volume control functions with only the buttons as described above (534, 535).

After 5 minutes after the end of the sound play, the process returns to the step of recording the temperature at the interval of 1 second and repeats the above-described process. (537)

Removing the play module case from the cup cuts off power and stops all functions (514, 515).

7 is another example utilizing the silicon ring structure of the present invention.

The silicone ring of the present invention is divided into two parts, a flexible silicone ring 712 part and a rigid silicon support ring 713 that can be precisely processed like plastic. The silicone ring 712 solves the problem of the size of the porcelain cup 711 when it needs to be installed at the correct position of the ceramic cup, and the silicone support ring 713 can reliably install the precision standard product 714 in the correct position. give.

In the embodiment of FIG. 7, when the silicone support ring 713 and the precision standard product 714 are screwed together, the detachable and free height can be easily adjusted. The button 715 is exposed to a specific position of the upper part of the standard product, and the lower part Exposing the LED 716 to the LED may cause the LED 716 to flash when the standard product approaches the proper distance 717 of the bottom of the cup.

At this time, the shape of the silicon and the cup and the shape of the bottom space of the cup can be designed in various ways, and it can be seen that the fastening method of the silicon support ring and the precision standard product can be manufactured in various ways considering the characteristics and functions of the product.

The present invention described above is capable of various substitutions, modifications, and changes without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention for those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs, the above-described embodiments and attached It is not limited by the drawing.

1 is a cross-sectional view of a smart cup according to an embodiment of the present invention

      2 is an internal circuit diagram according to an embodiment of the present invention

3 is a structural diagram of a capacitive proximity sensor unit according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 4 is a circuit diagram related to the cup material selection button according to an embodiment of the present invention

5 is a flowchart of a process of outputting sound by a sensor when a beverage is poured according to an embodiment of the present invention;

6 is a functional explanatory diagram of a silicon ring in accordance with a silicon ring structure and a cup specification

7 is an example of silicon ring utilization

    ※ Explanation of codes for main parts of drawing

      <Figure 1>

110: cup body 120: play module case

121: play module case cover 122: sound output integrated circuit

123: speaker 124: microcontroller

125: battery 126: temperature sensor

130: proximity capacitive sensor 131: capacitive analysis integrated circuit

140: power switch 141: cup material selection button

142: sound control button 150: silicon ring

151: cup side silicon contact portion 152: case side silicon fixing portion

153: bridge 154: silicon support ring

160: floor

 Figure 3

310: capacitive proximity sensor 311: silver foil on the PCB side

312: pole plate pillar 313: detection surface

314: play module case cover 315: cup bottom

316: beverage in cup 317: detection distance A

318: Detection distance B 320: PCB board

321: capacitive analysis integrated circuit

Figure 6

   Figure 6-1 Silicon ring shape when the inner height of the bottom of the cup is correct

Fig. 6-2 Deformed Silicon Shape at Low Inner Height of Cup Bottom

Fig. 6-3 Deformed Silicon Shape When the Inner Height of the Bottom of the Cup is High

600: Bridge normal position

610 ~ 612: Deformation of silicone ring due to cup size error

620 ~ 622: height of silicone ring and floor

630 ~ 632: Adhesive state of play module case and bottom of cup

640: the inner height of the lower end of the normal cup

641: inner side of cup lower portion shallower than normal

642: inner height of cup bottom deeper than normal

Claims (5)

A cup or handle body having a space for mounting the play module; Including a play module detachably coupled to the inside of the main body, The play module, A temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the cup; A capacitive proximity sensor for sensing the cup and the access of material within the cup; A sound output integrated circuit for outputting sound embedded by a command of the microcontroller; And Control the sound output integrated circuit, and read the value of the temperature sensor at unit time intervals and convert it to a temperature change rate per unit time, and compare it with a predetermined target temperature change rate, and output a sound when the temperature change rate per unit time is greater than or equal to the target temperature change rate. Command microcontroller Smart cup containing. The method of claim 1, The play module, A cup material selection button functioning as a basis for determining a target temperature change rate differently according to the material of the cup and determining the time of the temperature measurement unit; Circuit composition designed to classify the cup materials into non-metals and metals when selecting the cup material, and to use the capacitive sensor for non-metal materials and the temperature sensor for metal materials; A switch device provided at a contact portion between the outside of the play module and the cup to serve as a function of starting the temperature change rate measurement of the cup after mounting the play module to the cup and to stop sound reproduction if necessary; And Multiple buttons, capacitors, and microcontrollers can be controlled by reflecting the relative dielectric constant according to the material of the cup in determining the detection range of the capacitive proximity sensor through the cup material selection button. Smart cup containing more. In the stable installation of precision standard products at specific positions inside the ceramics where it is difficult to produce precise standard products repeatedly, Fastening method characterized in that the joining of the flexible silicone structure to the outside of the precision standard products The method of claim 3, wherein An intermediate medium of solid material with a structure and a device for bonding elastic silicone to the outside and fixing a standard product inside; Fastening method comprising more The method of claim 4, wherein The silicone is divided into three parts, the cup adhesive part, the standard adhesive part, and the intermediate bridge part, and the intermediate medium is applied to the cup adhesive part of the silicone outward to fix the silicone to the cup, and the elasticity of the intermediate bridge allows the vertical freedom of movement of the standard product. Ensures that the top of the standard is always in contact with the bottom of the cup, even if there is an error in the height of the bottom of the cup. Fastening method comprising more

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