Versatile Control Panel Using Reflective Optical Sensor

This paper describes electrical device control panels featuring rotatable knobs, buttons, sliders and a touchscreen, implemented using a single Neonode® Touch Sensor Module (TSM) to detect all of the different panel inputs.

A rotary encoder, also called a shaft encoder, is an electro-mechanical device that converts the angular position or motion of a shaft or axle to analog or digital output signals. An incremental rotary encoder converts the angular position or motion of a shaft to digital output. In a control knob, a knob shaft is inserted into a control panel and the rotary encoder is placed underneath the panel. Each knob has a dedicated rotary encoder. In optical rotary encoders a photodiode detects light shining through slits in a metal disk surrounding the knob shaft to determine an angle of rotation. Electromechanical systems need to be protected, particularly from moisture, without hindering the system’s operation.

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Authors: Joseph Shain, Xiatao Wang and Bengt Edlund