Touch Detection Using Distinguishable Acoustic Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing touch detection technologies, such as capacitive and resistive technologies, require coating the glass screen, which reduces clarity and increases manufacturing and component costs, while acoustic pulse recognition and surface acoustic wave technologies face accuracy issues due to external noise and complexity in detecting multi-touch inputs.
Innovation Solution
A system using transmitters coupled to a propagating medium that emit distinguishable signals, such as acoustic or ultrasonic signals, to detect touch inputs by processing disturbances in the signals, allowing for accurate location determination without coating the glass screen and enabling detection of various types of inputs, including multi-touch, on larger surfaces with reduced costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If capacitive or resistive touch detection technology is used, then touch input detection is enabled, but the glass screen clarity is reduced and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the touch detection function from the glass screen coating itself and relocates it to the bezel area. By placing transducers in the bezel rather than coating the entire glass surface, the system enables touch detection without compromising glass clarity or incurring coating material costs across the entire screen area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary system using transducers mounted on the bezel that detect touches through vibrations transmitted through the glass. This intermediary approach allows touch detection without direct contact sensors on the glass surface, preserving optical properties while enabling functionality.
2Reliability
If acoustic pulse recognition technology is used, then touch detection is enabled, but accuracy is reduced due to external noise and vibrations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by having transducers both send and receive acoustic signals. The system transmits acoustic waves through the glass and analyzes the reflected or transmitted signals to detect touches. This active feedback mechanism distinguishes genuine touch signals from external noise through signal processing and comparison.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of the acoustic signals by using specific frequencies and modulation patterns that are less susceptible to external noise. By carefully selecting and controlling signal parameters such as frequency, amplitude, and timing, the system improves signal-to-noise ratio and detection accuracy.
3Reliability
If surface acoustic wave technology with guided patterns is used, then touch detection is enabled, but manufacturing costs increase and implementation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the touch detection system into separate transducer units distributed around the bezel area. Rather than implementing a complex guided wave pattern across the entire glass surface, the system uses discrete transducers at specific locations, simplifying manufacturing and assembly while maintaining touch detection functionality.
4Reliability
If traditional touch detection technologies are used, then touch input is detected, but detection of multi-touch inputs is difficult or impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal detection system using multiple transducers that can detect various types of inputs including single-touch, multi-touch, gestures, and pressure variations. The array of transducers and signal processing algorithms enable the same system to handle diverse input types, making the touch interface versatile and adaptable to different interaction patterns.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach allows for precise detection of touch inputs on larger surfaces without affecting optical transparency and reduces costs, improving accuracy by distinguishing between different signals and filtering out external noise, enabling effective detection of touch inputs and gestures.
Implementation Method 1
transmitters coupled to a propagating medium that emit distinguishable signals, such as acoustic or ultrasonic signals
Implementation Method 2
transmitters coupled to a propagating medium that emit distinguishable signals, such as acoustic or ultrasonic signals
Implementation Method 3
detect touch inputs by processing disturbances in the signals
Data Source
AI summary
Detecting a location of a touch input is disclosed. Each of a plurality of transmitters coupled to a propagating medium emits a signal that is distinguishable from other signals emitted from other transmitters. The signals from the transmitters are received from at least one receiver coupled to the propagating medium to detect the location of the touch input on a surface of the propagating medium as indicated by an effect of the touch input on each of the distinguishable signals.