Capacitive Sensor Electrode Matrix Dynamic Area Adjustment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Proximity sensor devices face limitations in detecting input objects due to the dynamic range constraints of receiver circuitry, leading to signal clipping and distortion when the signal amplitude exceeds the range limit, especially when detecting objects at varying distances.
Innovation Solution
A capacitive sensing device with a processing system that programmatically combines multiple sensor electrodes into a single larger sensor electrode, expanding the effective dynamic range by adjusting the sensor electrode area to enhance signal detection and resolution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the sensor electrode area is increased to detect objects at varying distances, then the signal amplitude increases and detection range expands, but the receiver circuitry dynamic range is exceeded causing signal clipping and distortion
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor electrode array is divided into multiple individually addressable sensor electrodes rather than using a single large electrode. This segmentation allows the system to select and activate specific subsets of electrodes based on the detection needs, enabling dynamic adjustment of the effective sensing area to match the signal amplitude requirements for different object distances.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the effective sensor electrode area by selectively activating different numbers and configurations of sensor electrodes based on the detected object distance. When objects are farther away, more electrodes are activated to increase signal amplitude; when objects are closer, fewer electrodes are used to maintain signal integrity within the receiver circuitry's dynamic range.
2Adaptability or versatility
If more sensor electrodes are activated to increase signal amplitude for distant objects, then detection range expands, but the complexity of electrode control and signal processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor electrode array is segmented into multiple individually controllable elements, allowing the system to activate only the necessary subset for each detection scenario. This reduces the effective complexity by enabling selective activation rather than requiring all electrodes to be controlled simultaneously, while still providing access to the full array's detection capabilities when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system activates only the partial set of sensor electrodes necessary for the current detection task rather than all available electrodes. By activating fewer electrodes than the maximum possible, the system reduces control and processing complexity while maintaining sufficient signal amplitude for the detection requirements, avoiding the excessive complexity of managing the full electrode array.
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 the detection of input objects at a wider range of distances and improves signal detection by increasing the signal amplitude, allowing for accurate positional information determination beyond the limitations of standard sensor electrode configurations.
Implementation Method 1
sensor electrodes that are driven with signals for capacitive sensing
Data Source
AI summary
A display device having a capacitive sensing device, a processing system, and a method are provided for detecting presence of an input object using a capacitive sensing device having a plurality of sensor electrodes arranged in a matrix. The described technique programmatically combines multiple sensor electrodes into a larger sensor electrode for absolute capacitive sensing. The sets of sensor electrodes that are combined may be selectively coupled based a window size and a step size associated with a number of sensor electrodes in common between the sets.