US-12625554-B2 - Multi-channel soft-sensor-based interface device, and operating method

US12625554B2US 12625554 B2US12625554 B2US 12625554B2US-12625554-B2

Abstract

Proposed is a multi-channel soft-sensor-based interface device and an operating method therefor. The glove-type multi-channel soft-sensor-based interface device can recognize the degree of flexibility of finger joints. The device may include a sensing module which includes a plurality of strain sensors and which collects strain sensing signals of the plurality of strain sensors. The device may also include a switching unit configured to select any one of the strain sensing signals of the plurality of strain sensors. The device may further include an amplification module configured to amplify the strain sensing signal selected by the switching unit. The device may further include an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter configured to convert the amplified sensing signal into a digital signal.

Inventors

Yun Jae WON

Assignees

KOREA ELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE

Dates

Publication Date: 20260512
Application Date: 20241105
Priority Date: 20220331

Claims (9)

1 . A multi-channel soft-sensor-based interface device in a glove type configured to recognize a degree of elasticity of finger joints, the device comprising: a sensing module comprising a plurality of strain sensors and configured to collect strain sensing signals of the plurality of strain sensors; a switching unit configured to select any one of the strain sensing signals of the plurality of strain sensors; an amplification module configured to amplify the strain sensing signal selected by the switching unit; an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter configured to convert the amplified sensing signal into a digital signal; and a preprocessing module configured to adjust a gain of a differential amplifier included in the amplification module using a second variable resistor, wherein the preprocessing module is configured to adjust the gain on the basis of an input voltage range of the A/D converter.
2 . The multi-channel soft-sensor-based interface device of claim 1 , wherein the strain sensors are mounted on finger joint portions.
3 . The multi-channel soft-sensor-based interface device of claim 1 , further comprising: a first processor configured to convert the digital signal into a motion signal; and a communication module configured to wirelessly transmit the motion signal to an external device.
4 . The multi-channel soft-sensor-based interface device of claim 1 , wherein the preprocessing module is further configured to convert the strain sensing signal selected by the switching unit using a first variable resistor, and wherein the amplification module is configured to amplify the strain sensing signal that is converted by the preprocessing module.
5 . The multi-channel soft-sensor-based interface device of claim 1 , further comprising a battery management module configured to control a state of a power source connected to a battery of the interface device so that a charge level of the battery is within a predetermined charge level range.
6 . The multi-channel soft-sensor-based interface device of claim 5 , wherein the charge level range ranges from 20% to 80%.
7 . An operating method of a multi-channel soft-sensor-based interface device, comprising: collecting strain sensing signals of a plurality of strain sensors and selecting any one of the strain sensing signals of the plurality of strain sensors; converting the selected strain sensing signal using a first variable resistor; amplifying the selected strain sensing signal; converting the amplified sensing signal into a digital signal; setting a resistance value of the first variable resistor for each strain sensor on the basis of a resistance change range of the plurality of strain sensors; and setting a gain of a differential amplifier used in amplifying the selected strain sensing signal on the basis of an input voltage range of an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter.
8 . The operating method of claim 7 , wherein the resistance value of the first variable resistor is set based on a maximum measurement value of each strain sensor.
9 . The operating method of claim 7 , further comprising storing the resistance value and the gain of the differential amplifier in a built-in memory.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This is a continuation application of International Patent Application No. PCT/KR2023/003284 filed on Mar. 10, 2023, which claims priority to Korean patent application No. 10-2022-0040549 filed on Mar. 31, 2022 and Korean patent application No. 10-2022-0050187 filed on Apr. 22, 2022, contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. BACKGROUND Technical Field The present disclosure generally relates to an interface device and an operating method thereof, and more particularly, to a multi-channel soft-sensor-based interface device and an operating method thereof. Description of Related Technology In this specification, a “soft sensor” is a sensor with flexibility and elasticity. As a material of a soft sensor, silicon or liquid metal may be used to ensure flexibility and elasticity. Soft sensors are widely used to measure strain, pressure, or the like. For example, a soft sensor may be used to measure the movement of a finger. SUMMARY The present disclosure is directed to providing a multi-channel soft-sensor-based interface device into which multi-switching and time-division scheduling are introduced to process multi-sensor data. The present disclosure is also directed to providing a multi-channel soft-sensor-based interface device to which intelligent sensor measurement preprocessing technology according to sensor characteristics is applied based on a digital variable resistor. The present disclosure is also directed to providing a method of applying various technologies, such as low-noise amplifying circuit design technology, multi-sensor switching design technology, intelligent sensor measurement preprocessing technology, acceleration sensor measurement and transmission technology, battery management technology, red-green-blue light-emitting diode (RGB LED) control technology, software power control technology, transmission quality assurance technology, module miniaturization design technology, etc., to the interface device in order to increase the mass production of the interface device and reduce power consumption. Objects of the present disclosure are not limited to the above-described objects and other objects that are not described may be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following descriptions. A multi-channel soft-sensor-based interface device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure to achieve the above purpose is a multi-channel soft-sensor-based interface device in a glove type that recognizes the degree of elasticity of finger joints and includes a sensing module which includes a plurality of strain sensors and collects strain sensing signals of the plurality of strain sensors, a switching unit configured to select any one of the strain sensing signals of the plurality of strain sensors, an amplification module configured to amplify the strain sensing signal selected by the switching unit, and an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter configured to convert the amplified sensing signal into a digital signal. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the strain sensors may be mounted on finger joint portions. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the interface device may further include a first processor configured to convert the digital signal into a motion signal, and a communication module configured to wirelessly transmit the motion signal to an external device. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the interface device may further include a preprocessing module configured to convert the strain sensing signal selected by the switching unit using a first variable resistor, wherein the amplification module may amplify the strain sensing signal that is converted by the preprocessing module. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the interface device may further include a preprocessing module configured to adjust a gain of a differential amplifier included in the amplification module using a second variable resistor, wherein the preprocessing module may adjust the gain on the basis of an input voltage range of the A/D converter. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the interface device may further include a battery management module configured to control a state of a power source connected to a battery of the interface device so that a charge level of the battery is within a predetermined charge level range. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the charge level range may range from 20% to 80%. Further, an operating method of a multi-channel soft-sensor-based interface device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a sensing signal collection and switching operation of collecting strain sensing signals of a plurality of strain sensors and selecting any one of the strain sensing signals of the plurality of strain sensors, a signal amplification operation of amplifying the selected strain sensing signal, and an analog-to-digital conver