Capacitive Sensor Control for Touch Proximity Gesture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile devices require multiple sensors for touch, proximity, and gesture detection, which occupy significant space on the device due to their separate hardware components, leading to space inefficiency and potential interference with display signals.
Innovation Solution
A control method for capacitive sensors that configures them as self-capacitance sensors for touch detection, mutual-capacitance sensors for proximity detection, and further groups them to detect three-dimensional gestures, allowing for efficient use of space and integration of sensing functions without additional hardware.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate sensors (touch sensors, optical proximity sensor, optical gesture capturing module) are disposed separately on the front surface of the mobile device to detect different events, then the sensing functions are achieved, but the area occupied on the front surface increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling capacitive sensors to perform multiple sensing functions (touch detection, proximity detection, and gesture detection) that were previously required separate hardware components. The capacitive sensors are configured in different modes (self-capacitance mode for touch events, mutual-capacitance mode for proximity and gesture events) to replace multiple dedicated sensors, thereby reducing the occupied front surface area while maintaining comprehensive sensing capabilities.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate hardware components are used for different sensing functions, then each sensing function can be performed independently, but the device complexity and number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate sensing functions into a single capacitive sensor system. By configuring the same capacitive sensors to operate in different modes (self-capacitance and mutual-capacitance) depending on the sensing event type, the invention combines touch sensing, proximity sensing, and gesture sensing into one integrated component, thereby reducing device complexity and the number of hardware components while preserving independent sensing capabilities for each function.
3Reliability
If separate sensors are used for touch, proximity, and gesture detection, then each sensor can be optimized for its specific function, but the space efficiency and integration density decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by enabling the capacitive sensors to dynamically switch between different operating modes (self-capacitance mode and mutual-capacitance mode) based on the type of sensing event being detected. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the same physical sensors to be optimized for different sensing functions at different times, maintaining sensing accuracy and reliability while reducing the overall sensor area required on the device front surface.
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
Enables efficient detection of touch, proximity, and three-dimensional gestures on a mobile device, reducing space requirements and eliminating the need for separate sensors, while maintaining high resolution and sensitivity across various sensing events.
Implementation Method 1
The interface device has capacitive sensors arranged on a plane... set the capacitive sensors as self-capacitance sensors individually... set the first group of capacitive sensors as a mutual-capacitance transmitter and generate a pulse signal to the mutual-capacitance transmitter, set the second group of capacitive sensors as a mutual-capacitance receiver and collect a sensing input signal from the mutual-capacitance receiver
Data Source
AI summary
A control method, suitable for a controller in an interface device having capacitive sensors, includes following steps. The capacitive sensors are arranged on a plane. During a first period, the controller is configured to set the capacitive sensors as self-capacitance sensors individually. During a second period, the controller is configured to divide the capacitive sensors into at least a first group and a second group, set the first group of capacitive sensors as a mutual-capacitance transmitter and generate a pulse signal to the mutual-capacitance transmitter, set the second group of capacitive sensors as a mutual-capacitance receiver and collect a sensing signal from the mutual-capacitance receiver in response to the pulse signal.