Capacitive Button Module Rejecting Mistaken Touches

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional smart devices with capacitive buttons are prone to mistaken touching, leading to unintended actions such as screen unlocking or volume adjustment, especially when carried in bags or pockets, causing wear and requiring a solution to reject unintended button presses.

Innovation Solution

A capacitive button module with a contacting layer, first and second electrode layers, and an elastic layer that generates distinct capacitance variations for pressing and moving signals, allowing the control unit to differentiate between intended and unintended touches, thereby preventing mistaken actions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of stationary object

If a capacitive button is used, then the button is not broken easily from repeatedly pressing, but mistaken touching occurs more easily

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebutton durabilityVSAvoidmistaken touching prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The capacitive button is divided into two independent capacitive structures: a first capacitive structure for detecting pressing actions and a second capacitive structure for detecting moving actions. This segmentation allows each structure to specialize in detecting specific user intentions, reducing mistaken touching while maintaining durability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the capacitive button have different functions: the first capacitive structure (pressing detection region) detects pressing actions, while the second capacitive structure (moving detection region) detects moving actions. This local differentiation enables the button to distinguish between intentional presses and accidental touches.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If a mechanical button is used, then mistaken touching is reduced, but the button malfunctions from repeatedly pressing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemistaken touching preventionVSAvoidbutton durability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical button system is replaced with a capacitive button system that uses electrical field detection instead of mechanical switch triggering. This substitution eliminates mechanical wear from repeated pressing while using capacitive detection to maintain reliability against mistaken touching.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Device complexity

If only a single capacitive detection is used, then the structure is simple, but the ability to distinguish intended vs unintended touches is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebutton structure complexityVSAvoidtouch intention detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The detection capability is extended from a single dimension (pressing detection) to two dimensions by adding moving action detection. This dimensional expansion allows the system to distinguish between different types of touches (pressing vs. moving) and accurately determine user intention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

Effectively reduces mistaken touching by generating specific signals for intended button presses and movements, ensuring accurate device operation and minimizing wear from repeated presses.

Implementation Method 1

The first electrode and the second electrode form a first inductive capacitor. When the elastic layer receives the pressure and generates the deformation, a pressing signal is generated according to a capacitance variation of the first inductive capacitor.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

The elastic layer is disposed between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer, and is configured for operatively generating a deformation when the elastic layer receives a pressure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

The second electrode and the third electrode form a second inductive capacitor. When a conductor is close to or in contact with the contacting layer, a moving signal is generated according to a capacitance variation of the second inductive capacitor.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentUS9684422B2Smart device having ability for rejecting mistaken touching

Publication Date: 2017.06.20 PIXART IMAGING INC

AI summary

A smart device having ability for rejecting mistaken touching is illustrated, which comprises a capacitive button module which comprises a contacting layer, a first electrode layer, a second electrode layer and an elastic layer. A first electrode of the first electrode layer and a second electrode of the second electrode layer form a first inductive capacitor, and the second electrode and a third electrode of the second electrode layer form a second inductive capacitor. When the elastic layer receives a pressure and generates a deformation, a pressing signal is generated according to a capacitance variation of the first inductive capacitor. When a conductor is close to or in contact with the contacting layer, a moving signal is generated according to a capacitance variation of the second inductive capacitor.