Capacitive Touch Panel Resolution via Multi-Layer Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional two-dimensional capacitive-sensing touch panels require an increase in the number and reduction in size of sensing pads to enhance resolution, leading to increased hardware costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that utilize M signal transmitting lines and N signal receiving lines to form M*N capacitors, generating characteristic values by alternating charge/discharge signals and processing voltage signals to estimate the position of control points, allowing for increased resolution without adding more signal lines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the amount of sensing pads is increased and areas of the sensing pads are reduced to increase sensing resolution, then sensing resolution is improved, but hardware costs and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from conventional two-dimensional capacitive sensing to three-dimensional capacitive sensing by introducing a vertical dimension with multiple sensing layers. This allows the system to achieve higher sensing resolution without increasing the number of sensing pads in the planar direction, thereby avoiding increased hardware costs and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the sensing structure into multiple independent sensing layers stacked vertically, with each layer containing sensing pads that can be independently controlled and read. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high resolution through the combination of multiple layers rather than requiring an excessive number of pads in a single layer.
2Measurement precision
If the amount of sensing pads is increased and areas of the sensing pads are reduced to increase sensing resolution, then sensing resolution is improved, but hardware costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
By adding the vertical dimension with multiple sensing layers, the patent enables high sensing resolution to be achieved without proportionally increasing the quantity of sensing pads required in the planar direction, thereby reducing hardware costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The multiple sensing layers can be used for different functions such as proximity sensing, touch sensing, and force sensing, allowing a single hardware structure to serve multiple purposes and reduce overall system cost.
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 doubles the two-dimensional resolution, resulting in a four-fold increase in overall resolution at the same wiring density, thereby reducing hardware costs and improving sensing efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
When a user touches or approaches the surface of the capacitive-type touch panel with his finger or a conductive object, the capacitance of the capacitive-type touch panel changes accordingly. A touch position can be located by sensing and calculating the capacitance change.
Implementation Method 2
the capacitive-type panel including M signal transmitting lines, N signal receiving lines and M*N capacitors formed at neighboring regions of the signal transmitting lines and signal receiving lines
Data Source
AI summary
For sensing a control point on a capacitive-type panel, first and second voltage signals are respectively received through two sets of receiving lines selected from N receiving lines in response to first and second charge/discharge signals transmitted through two sets of transmitting lines selected from M transmitting lines, respectively, during a first time period. Third and fourth voltage signals are received through two sets of receiving lines selected from the N receiving lines in response to third and fourth charge/discharge signals respectively transmitted through the two sets of transmitting lines, respectively, during a second time period. A characteristic value is generated according to the first, second, third and fourth voltage signals. Repeat the steps to generate characteristic values for neighboring regions defined by different combinations of transmitting lines and receiving lines. Position information of control point(s) on the capacitive-type panel is estimated accordingly.