Airborne Signal Touch-and-Hold Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing touch sensitive devices face challenges in reliably discriminating between touch events and touch-and-hold events due to integration and calibration issues with acoustic and capacitive technologies, particularly in devices with varying materials and geometries, and are limited by the need for physical contact, as seen in clamshell laptops.
Innovation Solution
A method using airborne signals, such as ultrasonic waves, to determine touch-and-hold events by analyzing the presence or absence of motion based on time of flight, echo delay, amplitude, and phase distribution, allowing for reliable discrimination without requiring adaptation to specific materials or geometries, and enabling non-contact interaction by positioning emitting and sensing means on separate elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If acoustic technology is combined with capacitive technology to discriminate touch events, then the capability to distinguish touch-and-hold events is improved, but the device complexity and calibration difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The airborne signal sensing system serves multiple functions: it detects touch-and-hold events, determines touch location, and works across different device geometries and materials without requiring separate calibration procedures for each configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the touch detection function from the interaction surface itself by using airborne signals that propagate through the air above the surface, rather than requiring the surface materials or geometry to carry the detection signal
2Measurement precision
If acoustic waves are injected into the interaction surface to detect touch events, then touch location determination is improved, but unwanted reflections occur due to material properties and geometry
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces airborne signals as an intermediary medium that propagates through the air above the interaction surface rather than through the surface materials themselves, eliminating reflections caused by material interfaces and geometric features
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical wave propagation through solid materials with acoustic wave propagation through air, substituting a system sensitive to material properties with one that is independent of them
3Ease of operation
If touch sensitive functionality is implemented in clamshell laptops, then user interaction capability is improved, but the lack of rigid screen support reduces reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the need for mechanical contact with the screen surface by using airborne acoustic signals that can detect user presence and gestures in the air space above the screen, eliminating the requirement for rigid screen support
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 simplifies the discrimination between touch, touch-and-hold, and drag interactions, reduces hardware requirements, and allows for non-contact interaction, enhancing usability and reliability across various devices without the need for additional hardware, especially in foldable or mobile devices.
Implementation Method 1
determining a touch location of the touch event based on vibrations, such as bending waves, propagating through the interaction surface
Implementation Method 2
the airborne signal can be an ultrasonic sound wave
Implementation Method 3
determining whether the touch event comprises a hold touch event based on a sensed airborne signal
Data Source
AI summary
Methods for determining a touch-and-hold touch event on a touch sensitive interaction surface of a touch sensing device are provided and comprise the steps of: a) determining a touch location of the touch event based on vibrations, such as bending waves, propagating through the interaction surface and b) determining whether the touch event comprises a hold touch event based on a sensed airborne signal. A device configured to carry out such methods is also provided.