Acoustic Touch Detection Reference Data Update
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current touch detection systems on surfaces like smartphones and tablets face inefficiencies in updating reference data, leading to slower and less accurate force and touch detection, particularly on non-traditional surfaces like metal, where existing technologies like capacitive and resistive touch detection require costly coatings and suffer from noise interference.
Innovation Solution
A system using transmitters and receivers mounted on a propagating medium to detect touch inputs by analyzing disturbances in signals, allowing for touch and force detection along a one-dimensional axis without physical buttons, and employing advanced criteria for updating reference data based on signal amplitude and phase changes to improve detection speed and accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional capacitive or resistive touch detection is used on metal surfaces, then touch detection is possible, but costly coatings and physical sensors are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical touch detection systems (capacitive coatings, resistive layers, physical buttons) with an acoustic wave-based detection system. Transmitters generate acoustic waves that propagate through the housing medium, and receivers detect disturbances caused by touch inputs, eliminating the need for costly surface coatings or physical sensors while enabling touch detection on metal surfaces
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a propagating medium (the housing itself) as an intermediary between the user's touch and the detection system. The housing medium transmits acoustic waves from transmitters to receivers, allowing touch detection without direct contact between sensors and the touch surface. This intermediary approach enables versatile surface compatibility while maintaining manufacturing simplicity
2Measurement precision
If reference data is updated frequently to improve detection accuracy, then detection precision improves, but processing time and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic reference data update strategies where the update frequency and criteria are adjusted based on operational conditions. Reference data is updated when specific conditions are met (e.g., detected disturbances exceed thresholds, amplitude gains occur) rather than at fixed intervals, optimizing the balance between detection accuracy and processing efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes parameters of reference data (such as amplitude thresholds, phase references) based on detected conditions. When environmental factors like water are detected, the system adjusts reference data parameters to account for these changes, maintaining detection accuracy without requiring continuous full-scale updates of all reference data
3Measurement precision
If reference data is updated to reflect environmental changes like water presence, then detection accuracy improves, but false touch detections may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary analysis of detected disturbances to determine their cause before updating reference data. The system evaluates whether disturbances are caused by touch inputs or environmental factors (like water) using criteria such as amplitude gain detection and phase analysis. Only after this preliminary assessment confirms a touch input does the system update reference data, preventing false updates from environmental changes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the system continuously monitors detected disturbances and adjusts reference data based on confirmed touch patterns. The feedback loop includes validation steps that verify whether detected disturbances represent genuine touch inputs before applying updates, thereby maintaining reliability while improving accuracy through adaptive reference data
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
Enables faster and more accurate touch and force detection on various surfaces, including metal, by updating reference data dynamically and differentiating between touch inputs and environmental factors like water, thus enhancing user interaction without the need for costly coatings or physical sensors.
Implementation Method 1
a transmitter is configured to transmit a signal through a propagating medium to a receiver
Implementation Method 2
a detected disturbance to a signal property of the propagating signal is analyzed with respect to reference data
Data Source
AI summary
At a receiver associated with a transmitter-receiver pair, a propagating signal transmitted by a transmitter associated with the pair is received. A detected disturbance to a signal property of the propagating signal is analyzed with respect to reference data associated with the pair to detect whether a touch input has been provided. If the detected disturbance meets a criteria then the reference data associated with the pair is updated using the received propagating signal.