Sensing control method and apparatus

Abstract

The invention provides a sensing control method and apparatus, and a vibration massage apparatus. The method includes: arranging a sensor which senses a trajectory of an external object, and controlling the change of output based on the direction of the trajectory. With the invention, a desirable control effect can be obtained based on the sensed direction of the trajectory of the external object without accurate positioning of the sensor. Not only the convenience of the sensing operation can be improved significantly, but also the control accuracy can be improved; meanwhile, the invention can be well applied to any device for control using several input control signals or variable input control signals for control, thus having a wide range of application and significantly optimizing user experience.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A sensing control apparatus, comprising:
 (a) a sensor having at least two sensing units for generating corresponding electrical signal variations, ones of the at least two sensing units being aligned with an expected trajectory path, adjacent ones of the at least two sensing units in the sensor being separated by a gap, the gap between the adjacent sensing units comprising first and second portions oriented in two different directions, at least one of the first and second portions being oblique to the expected trajectory; and   (b) a control unit connected to the sensor and having a control output, the control unit being configured for (i) acquiring a trajectory direction of a spaced external object sensed by the sensor according to a relative distribution of the sensor unit output variations, the external object being sufficiently close to and not necessarily touching the sensor when it is sensed and (ii) for changing the control output based on the acquired trajectory direction.   
     
     
         2 . An adjustable combination comprising:
 (a) an electrical device; and   (b) the sensing control apparatus according to  claim 1 , coupled to the electrical device.   
     
     
         3 . The combination according to  claim 2 , wherein the electrical device comprises a vehicle window motor. 
     
     
         4 . The sensing control apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the control output is increased or decreased within a range by the control unit based on the acquired trajectory direction. 
     
     
         5 . The sensing control apparatus according to  claim 1 , comprising at least three sensing units, and the sensing units are distributed adjacently and separated by respective gaps. 
     
     
         6 . The sensing control apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the sensing units are arranged in an arc shape or in a straight line. 
     
     
         7 . A sensing control apparatus comprising:
 (a) a sensor; and   (b) a control unit connected to the sensor and having a control output, the control unit being configured for (i) acquiring a trajectory direction of a spaced external object sensed by the sensor, the external object being sufficiently close to and not necessarily touching the sensor when it is sensed and (ii) for variably changing the control output based on the acquired trajectory direction, wherein the trajectory direction is acquired during a preset time interval.   
     
     
         8 . A sensing control apparatus, comprising:
 (a) a sensor; and   (b) a control unit connected to the sensor and having a control output, the control unit being configured for (i) acquiring a trajectory direction of a spaced external object sensed by the sensor, the external object being sufficiently close to and not necessarily touching the sensor when it is sensed and (ii) for changing the control output based on the acquired trajectory direction, wherein if the trajectory direction is acquired continuously, the control output is correspondingly continuously and incrementally increased or decreased within a range of values.   
     
     
         9 . The sensing control apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein if a continuously sensed trajectory direction reverses to an opposite direction, the control unit changes the control output in an opposite direction to a previous change of output. 
     
     
         10 . A sensing control apparatus comprising:
 (a) a housing;   (b) a sensor arranged close to the housing;   (c) a control unit connected to the sensor and having a control output, wherein the control unit is configured for (i) acquiring a trajectory direction of a spaced external object sensed by the sensor, the external object being sufficiently close to and not necessarily touching the sensor when it is sensed and (ii) for changing the control output based on the acquired trajectory direction;   (d) a control key located on the housing, the control key being connected to the control unit; and   (e) at least one output control mode stored in the control unit, wherein the control unit is configured for selectively:
 (i) activating or turning off a device; and 
 (ii) setting an output control mode to drive the device in response to an operation of the control key. 
   
     
     
         11 . The sensing control apparatus according to  claim 10 , further comprising a storage unit, the storage unit being connected to the control unit, and configured for storing the output control mode and the control output by which the control unit currently drives the device when the control unit responds to a further operation of the control key for turning off the device. 
     
     
         12 . An adjustable combination comprising:
 (a) an electrical device; and   (b) a sensing control apparatus coupled to the electrical device, the sensing control apparatus comprising a sensor, and a control unit coupled to the sensor and having a control output coupled to the electrical device, wherein the control unit is configured (1) for acquiring a trajectory direction of a spaced external object sensed by the sensor, the external object being sufficiently close to and not necessarily touching the sensor when it is sensed and (2) for adjustably changing the control output within a range of values based on the acquired trajectory.   
     
     
         13 . The adjustable combination of  claim 12 , wherein the electrical device is an air movement device. 
     
     
         14 . The adjustable combination of  claim 12 , wherein the air movement device is a heater. 
     
     
         15 . The adjustable combination of  claim 12 , wherein the air movement device is a fan. 
     
     
         16 . The adjustable combination of  claim 12 , wherein the air movement device is a hair dryer. 
     
     
         17 . The adjustable combination of  claim 12 , wherein the electrical device is a light. 
     
     
         18 . The adjustable combination of  claim 12 , wherein the electrical device is a kitchen appliance. 
     
     
         19 . The adjustable device of  claim 12 , wherein the electrical device is an audio equipment device. 
     
     
         20 . The adjustable device of  claim 12 , wherein the electrical device comprises a vibrator. 
     
     
         21 . A sensing control method, comprising:
 (a) providing a sensor for sensing an external object; and   (b) providing a control output responsive to sensor signals, the control output changing in response to a trajectory direction of the external object, the external object being sufficiently close to and not necessarily contacting the sensor, characterized in that the control output changes are for increasing or decreasing a control intensity within a range of values.   
     
     
         22 . The sensing control method according to  claim 21 , wherein the trajectory direction is sensed during a preset time interval. 
     
     
         23 . The sensing control method according to  claim 21 , at least two adjacent sensing units being aligned with an expected trajectory path, adjacent ones of the at least two sensing units in the sensor being separated by a gap, the gap between the adjacent sensing units comprising first and second portions oriented in two different directions, at least one of the portions being oblique to the expected trajectory. 
     
     
         24 . The sensing control method according to  claim 21 , wherein if the trajectory direction is sensed continuously, the control output is correspondingly continuously increased or decreased. 
     
     
         25 . The sensing control method according to  claim 24 , wherein if a continuously sensed trajectory direction reverses to an opposite direction, the control output is changed in an opposite direction to a previous change of output. 
     
     
         26 . The sensing control method according to  claim 21 , wherein the method further comprises:
 (a) presetting at least one output control mode; and   (b) activating the output control mode in response to a user operation.   
     
     
         27 . The sensing control method according to  claim 26 , wherein the method further comprises storing a current output level and a current output control mode in response to a turn-off operation of the user.