Sonography control unit, featuring a trackball surrounded by encoders


Semiconductor products such as microcontrollers and displays appear to really reflect the speed of progress achieved in the world of electronics. In contrast, control elements give the impression of being more traditional, less innovative and somewhat insignificant. Nevertheless, there are few applications that can do without a so-called human Machine Interface (hMI). As an alternative to more traditional input devices such as switches, potentiometers and encoders, the use of voice commands to control devices is becoming increasingly popular – for example there are now very few modern smartphones on the market without voice control. And even mid-range cars often have built-in multimedia systems and navigation devices that can be operated using voice commands. however, all such systems still have difficulties adapting to different speakers if voice commands are given without previously training the device to recognise a specific voice. Such issues may be annoying but tolerable


for navigation devices and smartphones, but they are completely unacceptable in medical technology, as errors can directly endanger the health of patients. In the medium term, therefore, there is no alternative other than manual operation. It should be highlighted in this context


that of all the components used in electronics, electro-mechanical controls are perceived by the greatest number of senses. Their design and


by thomas Kupfer, eleCtromeChaniCs


marKeting manager at avnet abaCus - germany


feel make a significant contribution to people’s recognition of a range of devices or a brand, and sound tuning increases this effect even more. Using an ultrasound device as an example,


a number of problems facing users and manufacturers can be highlighted, arising from user concepts consisting of a trackball combined with buttons and potentiometers. In addition to the fact that each component requires space on the control panel, the effort and cost involved in procurement and integration also need to be taken into account. The extent to which a device offering such controls can be operated easily and intuitively by users is ignored initially in such an approach. Due to its exposed outer surface, which accumulates debris and transports this into the device, the trackball also requires regular cleaning, and disinfecting it is also not a straightforward operation. A solution to this is provided in the form


of a completely new operating concept, which combines a touch panel with an optical encoder. This so called multi-touch ring encoder (MTRE) allows, for the first time, the implementation of intuitive operating


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procedures in medical devices similar to those carried out by smart phone owners every day without a second thought. This user concept is likely to be popular in particular with students and prospective doctors who have grown up with modern communications devices. In addition to the touch functions, the encoder also provides a rotary function. This allows, for example, the z-axis to be controlled in 3D applications such as spatial imaging techniques. The ring encoder also provides a push-button function with tactile feedback, for confirming selected menu items, for example. Another interesting feature is an additional built-in capacitive sensor, which is sensitive enough to detect contactless movements and gestures. This enables devices that are in standby mode to be turned on, for example.


Multi-touch ring encoder


continues p 8 > focus magazine - issue 14


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