To finish up the week I am finishing up the excerpt from yesterday regarding human interface devices.  And I continue to quote:

”

One possible solution is to have a range of sensing elements closely tied to a flexible, software-configurable platform. An example of this type of human interface subsystem appears in Fig. 2.

Fig. 2. A human interface subsystem.

An example system design

To analyze how a human interface subsystem could be used to create an effective platform, let’s examine a proximity sensor. A single proximity sensor could be used to detect the presence (or absence) of an object, such as a hand or the user’s body.

Proximity sensors yield the distance of an object through an infrared reflectivity system. A computer monitor can use an embedded proximity detector to detect the presence of the user.

If the user is not present, it can shut off the screen to save power and turn it back on when the user has returns. Capable of detecting proximity at 50 cm unaided, the latest proximity sensors, when coupled with high-performance MCUs, can provide the ability to detect motion and interpret gestures, background light levels, and background light types.

This capability refers to the ability of a system to look specifically for the motion of an object to perform a specific action. For example, a handset application may allow a user to page through a document simply by waving a hand over the handset.

By adding a second proximity sensor to the design, this type of one-dimensional motion capability can be enabled. Through customized firmware, these two proximity sensors can be designed to interact very closely with the MCU to provide both the presence of motion and the direction.

Similarly, for more complex two-dimensional motions across both the x and y axes, a third proximity sensor can be added. The MCU can then be used to interpret the information to determine the exact movement occurring across the face of the system. Users may not only want to turn pages of a document (x-axis hand wave motion), they may also want to pan down the page of the document (y-axis hand wave motion).

Other proximity applications

The low-power nature of the latest infrared sensors enables interesting new functions. For instance, tamper and intrusion detection with invisible infrared light provides a difficult to detect feature in products such as security boxes, smoke detector chambers, or casino gaming machines.

A security box typically might contain a mechanical switch on the interior for intrusion detection. The switch comes at a significant cost when wired and mounted to the door assembly. A simple infrared LED and proximity detector mounted on the interior can detect a change in reflectivity as the interior of the door moves away from the sensor. No extra wiring is required, and the feature is virtually undetectable.

As another example, a VoIP phone can be programmed to dim the LCD backlight when the user is away for a period of time. These are only two examples, and given the creativity and inventiveness of consumer electronics and industrial system engineers, there will be many, many more.

One of the hardest challenges that system designers face is envisioning what a compelling human interface solution will look like. By using a scalable architectural framework and the latest in infrared sensor technology, it is possible for system designers to add advanced human interface features to their products without the design tradeoffs they have faced in the past. ■ “

Borrowed 2/26/10 from http://www2.electronicproducts.com/The_continuing_evolution_of_the_human_interface-article-FAJH_SiLabs_Feb2010-html.aspx

Thanks for checking in, and see you next week!!

-JD

and I quote:

“

The phrase “human interface” has long been part of the technology industry lexicon. With advances in touch sensors, proximity sensors, ambient light sensors, and accelerometers, the ability and sophistication of devices used for inputs have dramatically changed. Figure 1 shows how a simplified human interface process flow can be envisioned.

Fig. 1. Simplified human interface process flow.

Each of the input events is tied to a specific threshold level that must be met to trigger one or more output events. Similarly, each output event is tied to one or more subsystems that will be affected.

For example, a handset device may be kept in a sleep-mode for power-saving reasons. However, upon the detection of a touch that exceeds a certain pressure threshold, the handset will turn on the screen, provide an auditory confirmation over a speaker and turn off the screen locking feature. A single input event has been tied to three different output events affecting two different subsystems.

The good news for designers is that innovation has dramatically improved the ability of a device to offer a wide variety of creative input and output choices that can add a significant amount of appeal to an end product. However, this rapidly improving capability comes at a price: design complexity. From an implementation perspective, what is really needed is the ability to create an interconnected framework that enables a tight coupling of these input/output interactions while still leaving flexibility to adjust for ever-changing market requirements…”

Borrowed 2/26/10 from http://www2.electronicproducts.com/The_continuing_evolution_of_the_human_interface-article-FAJH_SiLabs_Feb2010-html.aspx

Keep tuned in for tomorrows excerpt!!

-JD

Another week is steadily passing us, and we are still keeping busy as usual.  It seems that you guys out there are keeping busy as well, which is always a great! Let us help you out.  Just send over anything you’re working on and we will quickly and effectively find you what is needed, regardless of how rare, old, or allocated it may be.  Once again, TI and On Semi have been having trouble keeping up with demand, so if any of that is needed at all, just let us know, we’d love to help.

Thanks again, and keep tuning in!

-JD

We’ve mentioned once or twice our excellent procurement services. 7Springs Electronics ability to source hard to find, obsolete, and long lead time items.  Though this is our bread and butter, as we expand we are beginning to offer a few more services.  Now we will be able to begin offering reeling and cross referencing services.  So if you’ve found what you need (or we have) and it’s not quite what is needed, just let us know, and we will get it done to your specifications.

Just give us try, and give us a call.

Thanks for tuning in,

-JD

Happy to see you all back.  We just wanted to thank all of you for a great month so far.  For various reasons there were slow moments, but together we managed to pull through.  As a thanks for all your past and future business, we have a new spring promotion (for orders received).

This upcoming month for our “Spring Cleaning” we are giving away Home Depot and Lowes gift cards for orders received…

So if you’re looking for any electronic components just let us know, and you could get a little back for your troubles!

So thanks for checking in, and keep an eye out for further updates…

-JD

Thanks for tuning in as usual.  As I’ve mentioned, a significant part of our business is in dealings with Telecom companies.  These companies tend to use a wide array of ICs, semiconductors, transistors, and the such…but something we have been coming across recently, and have been quite successful at acquiring are connectors.  A lot of these, such as Tyco, Amp, Bell and so on, are becoming quite difficult to find.  However, in our many connections with Telecom OEMs, we are often times able to find parts that have not been in production for ages.  We have managed to procure parts over 30 years old…how is that for hard to find??

Once again though, we would love to help you out, and are always more than ready, willing, and able.

So don’t take my word for it, try us out…you might be pleasantly surprised!

Enjoy the weekend everyone, and catch you next time!!

-JD

Don’t take my word for it though, give us a shot, and see how much we can help you save.

Til next time, keep it real.

-The 7Springs Squad.

Now, I know I have mentioned from time to time how amazing we are are tracking down hard to find, obsolete, and long allocation time items…but have I mentioned we can help you save on your over all production?  If you ever just want to find out if we can provide you better pricing than you are currently getting, just feel free to run it by us, we would be happy to help.  We don’t mind doing the price checking for you, because I’m sure you’ll keep us in mind.  So for savings on electronic components always think 7Springs.

Thanks again for tuning in, and we’ll be in touch!!

-The 7Springs Squad.

As I have mentioned from time to time (or often…), a lot of the more popular, higher demand component manufacturers occasionally have a hard time keeping up.  A lot of the parts that were readily available no longer are, and occasionally spike in price.  As we’ve discussed, the biggest of these seems to be TI.  Recently however, we have seen similar trends popping up with On Semi, and even more recently to Pulse parts.  So if you find yourself lacking just give us a call, any time, we’d be happy to solve your headaches, and maybe even save you a bit along the way.

Just a heads up for all you fine folks out there!!

So til next time, enjoy the day, and keep us in mind!

-JD

So feel free to email frank@7springselectronics.com for help, any time.

Well keep an eye out for any member of the 7Springs crew, and lets see how we can help you save.

Til next time,

-JD