Acoustic Touch Detection Using Signal Signatures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing touch detection technologies, such as capacitive and resistive technologies, face issues with false positives when detecting non-touch inputs like water drops, and they require costly coatings and complex ultrasonic wave propagation, limiting their accuracy and applicability.
Innovation Solution
A system using transmitters and receivers mounted on a propagating medium to emit and detect acoustic or ultrasonic signals, allowing touch input detection without physical buttons, and employing signal processing to differentiate between touch inputs and foreign substances like water by analyzing phase and amplitude changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If acoustic or ultrasonic signals are used to detect touch inputs, then touch detection capability is improved, but false positives occur when identifying non-touch inputs like water drops
Solution Approach 1:
The patent analyzes multiple signal parameters including amplitude, phase, frequency spectrum, and time-domain characteristics to differentiate between touch inputs and non-touch inputs. By examining changes in these parameters and comparing them against predefined thresholds or machine learning models, the system can distinguish genuine touches from false positives caused by water drops or other contaminants on the touch surface.
2Adaptability or versatility
If costly coatings are used to enable touch detection on various surfaces, then touch detection versatility is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the device's existing housing or case as the propagating medium for acoustic signals, eliminating the need for separate touch-sensitive coatings or layers. The housing itself serves the dual purpose of structural support and signal propagation, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining versatility across different surface materials such as metal, glass, or plastic.
3Measurement precision
If complex ultrasonic wave propagation is used for touch detection, then detection capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs the device housing as an intermediary medium to propagate acoustic signals between transmitters and receivers. This approach simplifies the system architecture by eliminating the need for complex ultrasonic wave propagation mechanisms while still enabling accurate touch detection through the housing material itself, which naturally conducts the acoustic waves.
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 effectively reduces false positives by identifying specific signal signatures, enabling accurate touch input detection on various surfaces, including metal, without the need for costly coatings or complex ultrasonic wave propagation, and allows for multi-touch inputs on non-traditional surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
A plurality of transmitters are coupled to a propagating housing medium and each transmitter is configured to emit a propagating signal through the propagating housing medium
Implementation Method 2
A detected disturbance to a signal property of the propagating signal is analyzed to detect whether a touch input has been provided
Implementation Method 3
employing signal processing to differentiate between touch inputs and foreign substances like water by analyzing phase and amplitude changes
Data Source
AI summary
A propagating signal transmitted through a propagating medium is received where a detected disturbance to a signal property of the propagating signal is analyzed to detect whether a touch input has been provided. It is determined whether the detected disturbance matches a signature and in the event it is determined that the detected disturbance matches the signature, it is determined that the detected disturbance does not correspond to the touch input.