Sensor Hold-Time Tracker
Measure detected contact duration.
Tap, click or press Space to keep count.
Tap anywhere inside or press Space
How the Sensor Hold-Time Tracker Works
The Sensor Hold-Time Tracker measures how long each contact on a hardware sensor lasts, from the activation signal to the release signal, in milliseconds.
- Connect the sensor: The board sends a message on touch and on release.
- Touch and hold: Hold the sensor for any length of time.
- Release: The tool records the hold time when the release message arrives.
- Review hold times: See each hold time and the average, shortest and longest.
Sensor Hold-Time Tracker Formula
The Sensor Hold-Time Tracker hold time equals the release timestamp minus the activation timestamp. Duty cycle equals total hold time divided by session time.
- t_activate
- Time the sensor reported touch
- t_release
- Time the sensor reported release
- Session time
- Total observation time
Example: A sensor reports touch at 4,120 ms and release at 5,370 ms. Hold = 1,250 ms (1.25 s). Holds totaling 90 s in a 10-minute session give a duty cycle of 15%.
Sensor Hold-Time Tracker Reference Table
The Sensor Hold-Time Tracker conversion table maps hold times to common hardware input actions.
| Hold time | Seconds | Typical action |
|---|---|---|
| Under 300 ms | Under 0.3 | Short press: count or select |
| 300 to 800 ms | 0.3 to 0.8 | Normal press |
| 1,000 ms | 1.0 | Long press: menu or mode |
| 3,000 ms | 3.0 | Power on or off |
| 5,000 to 10,000 ms | 5 to 10 | Reset or pairing mode |
About the Sensor Hold-Time Tracker
A Sensor Hold-Time Tracker is a timing tool that measures contact duration on physical touch sensors and buttons.
Many devices assign different actions to short and long presses, such as a 3-second hold to switch off. Measuring real hold times from users shows where to set those limits.
Ways to Use the Sensor Hold-Time Tracker
There are 5 main uses of the Sensor Hold-Time Tracker, including press-length tuning and accessibility testing.
- Press-length tuning: Engineers set short and long press limits.
- Accessibility testing: Teams measure how long users with limited strength hold buttons.
- Usage studies: Researchers measure duty cycle on exhibit sensors.
- Fault finding: Technicians find sensors stuck in the touched state.
- Game design: Makers design charge attacks from hold times.
Tool Details
- Category
- Hardware & Sensors
- Controls
- Taps and keys
- Input Support
- Touch, Pen, Mouse, Keys
- Offline Ready
- On your device