Capacitive Input Device Radiation Noise Balance Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing input devices using capacitive elements face a challenge in maintaining radiation noise balance as objects approach, leading to disrupted noise equilibrium.

Innovation Solution

The input device incorporates capacitive elements with a driver, charge detector, capacitive element identifier, electric field generator, and controller to adjust electric fields based on object proximity, ensuring balanced radiation noise through selective drive signal adjustments and electric field manipulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a predetermined signal is applied to reduce radiation noise, then radiation noise is effectively reduced when no object approaches, but the balance of radiation noise is lost when an object approaches

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveradiation noiseVSAvoidbalance of radiation noise
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the electric field generation dynamic rather than static. The controller adjusts the electric field generated by the electric field generator based on real-time detection of object proximity. When an object approaches, the system detects the change in electrostatic capacitance and dynamically modifies the counter-phase signal to maintain radiation noise balance, resolving the contradiction between noise reduction and noise balance stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback by using the charge detector to continuously monitor changes in electrostatic capacitance caused by approaching objects. This detection feedback is fed to the controller, which then adjusts the electric field generator's output signal accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism allows the system to maintain radiation noise balance by compensating for the imbalance caused by object proximity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Stability of the object's composition

If the electric field is adjusted based on object proximity detection, then radiation noise balance is maintained, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebalance of radiation noiseVSAvoidelectric field adjustment mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by making the electric field generator serve multiple functions: it generates counter-phase signals for radiation noise reduction and simultaneously adjusts its output to maintain radiation noise balance when objects approach. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate mechanisms, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining noise balance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the radiation noise reduction function and the radiation noise balance maintenance function into a single integrated system. The electric field generator and controller work together as a unified mechanism that performs both noise reduction and adaptive balance adjustment, simplifying the overall device architecture compared to having separate independent systems for each function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 configuration effectively maintains radiation noise balance even when objects approach, simplifying the electric field generation process and preventing noise imbalance.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of capacitive elements 350, and each of the plurality of capacitive elements 350 has a characteristic that electrostatic capacitance changes in response to approach of an object

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrostatic capacitance: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

an electric field generator 850 that generates an electric field for reducing another electric field generated as an electric charge changes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectric field: Electric Field

Data Source

PatentEP3367219B1Input device, control method for input device, and input device control program
Publication Date: 2020.04.15 ALPS ALPINE CO LTD
  • EP3367219B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3367219B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3367219B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An input device 100 includes a driver 320 that supplies drive signals to a plurality of capacitive elements 350, respectively; a charge detector 330 that detects a change in an electric charge corresponding to the drive signal in each of the plurality of capacitive elements 350; a capacitive element identifier 221 that identifies the capacitive element 350 to which an object approaches based on a detection result by the charge detector 330; an electric field generator that generates an electric field for reducing another electric field generated as an electric charge changes in the capacitive element 350 when the driver 320 supplies the drive signal to the capacitive element 350; and a controller 224 that adjusts the electric field generated by the electric field generator depending on whether the capacitive element 350 to which the driver 320 supplies the drive signal includes the capacitive element 350 identified by the capacitive element identifier 221.