Electric Fields
Nearly every object encountered in daily life contains charged atoms that can move in an electric field (e-field). The charge can be sensed and three-dimensionally imaged showing how one object relates to another object or to its environment. E-field sensing builds on the strengths of many alternative technologies, such as optical and acoustic sensing, while avoiding several of their weaknesses, such as not being able to detect objects that are not in the line of sight.
Information gleaned from e-field sensing and imaging can be used to trigger functions such as turning switches on or off, disabling features, or setting off alarms to indicate dangerous situations. The applications of low-level e-field imaging are vast, but, until recently, have been restricted by the difficulty in implementing practical systems.
Uses for Electric Field Imaging
Motorola's e-field imaging chip, the MC33794, together with electrodes and a microcontroller can help embedded systems designers readily implement three dimensional (3D) sensing and imaging applications. The ability of this combination to detect touch can be used in a wide range of applications from automobiles to consumer electronics.
For example, an automatic on/off feature can easily be implemented in home appliances. A few electrodes embedded in the body a hair dryer would allow the device to turn on when picked up and turn off when set down. A few more electrodes would allow the user to control the temperature or speed by merely touching a defined location on the barrel of the dryer.
Other applications that could be simple to implement include liquid level detection, spill detection or moisture sensing. For example, stoves with flat tops could be programmed such that when liquids boil over, the heat would be automatically reduced or tuned off.
A more sophisticated application is a touch panel input in which an array of electrodes embedded in glass or behind a non-metallic surface could be sensed in a matrix fashion similar to contact switch inputs. This method eliminates membrane switches or expensive multi-layer resistive touch pads. Because the input is sensed without requiring a contact mechanism, problems of wear, dirt, and corrosion are eliminated. This is especially beneficial in harsh environments.
Using e-field imaging, a virtual computer touch pad can act as a computer mouse. With electrodes built in or under a desk, the touch pad could sense hand or finger positions on or above a desktop.
With advanced software techniques, the position of an object in 3D space can be determined. An example of this is an automobile occupant detection system, such as the one offered by Elesys North America (formerly NEC Technologies Automotive Electronics Division), a leading provider of automotive electronic safety systems.
Electric Field Imaging: Helping to Save Lives Today
Elesys uses Motorola's MC33794 e-field imaging chip in its SeatSentry™ occupant protection system. This system uses low-level e-fields to detect a passenger's head and proximity to the side airbag, and then stops airbag deployment if the passenger's head is determined to be too close to the airbag. Currently, the SeatSentry system is installed in all Honda and Acura vehicles with side airbags.
“While simple capacitance measurement is one of the most mature kinds of sensing, working with Motorola and Elesys we found that tiny arrays of charging currents can be used to determine real three-dimensional geometries,” said Professor Neil Gershenfeld, director of the MIT Media Lab's Center for Bits and Atoms. “Motorola and Elesys have brought this exciting capability to the market in a form that could help save lives today, and that promises to enable many new kinds of unobtrusive and responsive computer interfaces tomorrow.”
Video content: Footage includes a laboratory demonstration of electric-field detection, exotic fish, entertainer Penn Gillette of Penn & Teller, M.I.T. campus, Motorola campus, circuit boards, semiconductor chips and a child in a car seat. Soundbites from: Phil Rittmueller, vice president of Elesys North America, Inc.; Dr. Neil Gershenfeld, director of the M.I.T Media Lab's Center for Bits and Atoms; Joshua Smith, PhD., Escher Group; and, Dan Leih, analog products marketing manager in Motorola's Semiconductor Products Sector.
2006-12-14 20:18:36
·
answer #1
·
answered by richy 2
·
0⤊
0⤋
Above ??? No idea!
But the latest news in the car market is to replace the driving wheel with a joystick on the center console, making them like aircrafts.
Mercedes is working on the project, and the first cars should be on the market around 2007.
All controls, of course, are not mechanic, but computerised.
2006-12-15 04:50:21
·
answer #2
·
answered by just "JR" 7
·
0⤊
0⤋