Capacitive Keyboard Input Control for False Key Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing touch panel keyboards face issues with erroneous key inputs due to unintended contact, leading to low usability, and existing solutions either fail to prevent errors or increase the device's size and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A capacitive keyboard with a capacitance variation detection unit and an input state determination unit that uses differential capacitance values to validate key inputs, allowing for accurate detection of intended key presses without the need for additional load sensors, thus maintaining a simple structure and high usability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a load sensor is added to detect key presses, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the capacitance detection function with the existing touch panel structure. The capacitive elements are integrated into the touch panel layers, merging the sensing function with the display structure, thereby eliminating the need for separate load sensors while maintaining detection precision
Solution Approach 2:
The touch panel structure is designed to serve multiple functions: display, touch detection, and key press detection. The same capacitive elements used for touch panel operation also detect key presses through capacitance variation, making the system multi-functional without additional sensors
2Reliability
If additional sensors are added to prevent erroneous detection, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses differential capacitance values to provide feedback on the state of key presses. By comparing capacitance changes over time and against threshold values, the system reliably distinguishes between intentional key presses and unintended contacts, preventing erroneous inputs without complex additional sensors
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the detection parameter from simple touch contact to capacitance variation. By monitoring changes in capacitance values and their differentials, the system achieves reliable error prevention through parameter analysis rather than through additional sensor hardware
3Length of moving object
If the keyboard structure is made thinner, then device size is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible touch panel structure with thin film capacitive elements. This allows the keyboard to be made thinner while maintaining the necessary detection capabilities, as the flexible nature of the thin films accommodates the reduced thickness without compromising manufacturing precision
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
The solution effectively prevents erroneous key inputs by accurately determining the end of a key press based on differential capacitance changes, enhancing usability and allowing for a thinner, more compact keyboard design.
Implementation Method 1
detect an operation input to each of a plurality of key regions as a capacitance variation amount of a capacitive element, the capacitance variation amount being dependent on a change in a distance between the key region and the capacitive element
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided an information processing device including a capacitance variation detection unit configured to detect an operation input to each of a plurality of key regions as a capacitance variation amount of a capacitive element, the key region being provided on a sheet-like operation member, the capacitive element being provided in association with each of the key regions, the capacitance variation amount being dependent on a change in a distance between the key region and the capacitive element, and an input state determination unit configured to determine whether an input state of the key region is an ON state based on the detected capacitance variation amount, the ON state being a state in which the operation input to the key region is decided to be valid. The input state determination unit determines an end of the ON state based on a differential value of the capacitance variation amount.