Capacitive Sensor Bare and Gloved Hand Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional capacitive touch sensors face challenges in accurately distinguishing between bare finger and gloved finger inputs due to varying environmental conditions, leading to potential false detections.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a capacitive sensor system that executes both bare-hand and gloved-hand scans sequentially, with adjustable sensitivity parameters, to determine the type of input by comparing detection signals with multiple thresholds and confirming consistency across multiple scans to minimize false detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a predetermined reference value is used to determine whether a capacitive sensor is touched with a bare finger or a gloved finger, then the detection can be performed with certain accuracy, but false detections occur depending on usage places and conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidfalse detection rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the detection process into two separate scanning operations: a bare-hand scan and a gloved-hand scan. Each scan uses different sensitivity settings and reference values optimized for its specific input type. This segmentation allows the system to accurately distinguish between bare finger and gloved finger inputs by comparing results from both scans, thereby reducing false detections while maintaining high detection accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the capacitive sensor is designed to detect both bare finger and gloved finger inputs, then the device becomes more versatile, but the detection accuracy decreases due to varying environmental conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinput compatibilityVSAvoiddetection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic sensitivity adjustment by executing different scanning operations with varying sensitivity parameters. The system dynamically selects and applies appropriate reference values and sensitivity levels based on the detected input type (bare hand or gloved hand). This dynamic adaptation allows the sensor to maintain high detection accuracy across different input types and environmental conditions while preserving versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes detection parameters including sensitivity levels and reference values based on the type of input detected. By adjusting these parameters dynamically during the scanning process, the system optimizes detection accuracy for each specific input type (bare finger or gloved finger) while maintaining the ability to detect both types, thus resolving the contradiction between versatility and precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If a single threshold value is used for capacitive detection, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to distinguish between bare finger and gloved finger inputs deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection system complexityVSAvoidinput type differentiation
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the detection system into two distinct scanning processes with different threshold values: a bare-hand scan with one set of reference values and a gloved-hand scan with another set. This segmentation enables accurate differentiation between input types while keeping each individual scanning process relatively simple. The system manages the complexity by executing these scans in sequence and comparing results, rather than requiring a single complex detection algorithm.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 significantly reduces false detection rates by accurately differentiating between bare and gloved finger inputs, ensuring reliable operation regardless of environmental conditions.

Implementation Method 1

When the user executes the touching operation by touching a position on the capacitive sensor with a finger, a capacitance at the position of the capacitive sensor changes. A controller installed in the device detects the touched position based on the change in the capacitance

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentEP3026532B1Detection method using capacitive sensor, and electronic device
Publication Date: 2019.01.30 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD
  • EP3026532B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3026532B1 patent drawingFigure 1B~2
  • EP3026532B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A basic scan executing a bare-hand scan for determining whether or not an electrode of a capacitive sensor is manipulated with a bare hand and a gloved-hand scan for determining whether or not the electrode is manipulated with a gloved hand is executed, thereby determining which of the bare hand and the gloved hand the electrode is manipulated with. This detection method reduces erroneous detection of the capacitive sensor.