Capacitive Touch Panel Glove Detection via Resistance Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Capacitive-type touch panels on mobile devices struggle to detect user input when gloves are worn, as the electrostatic capacity remains unchanged, leading to difficulty in distinguishing between bare hand and gloved hand operations.
Innovation Solution
An information processing device with a sensor that detects touch and adjacent states, allowing the processing circuit to differentiate between these states and adjust operations accordingly, enabling the same functionality as a bare hand even when gloves are worn by recognizing touch states as effective and adjacent states as hover states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a capacitive-type touch panel is used to detect finger position by electrostatic capacity change, then the touch panel can detect bare hand operations, but it cannot detect operations when gloves are worn because the electrostatic capacity does not change
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the detection parameter from electrostatic capacity (which doesn't change with gloves) to resistance value (which does change with gloves). By measuring the resistance value between the touch sensor and ground, the system can detect glove operations since human body resistance changes when wearing gloves, thereby resolving the contradiction between bare hand detection accuracy and glove operation compatibility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary measurement approach by using resistance value as a mediator between the touch sensor and the user's hand. Instead of directly measuring electrostatic capacity at the touch point, the system measures resistance through the glove material and body connection, enabling indirect detection of glove operations while maintaining detection accuracy
2Adaptability or versatility
If the threshold value is set lower to improve sensitivity for glove operations, then glove detection is enabled, but the system can no longer reliably distinguish between bare hand and gloved hand operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic threshold adjustment based on the detected resistance value. Instead of using a fixed threshold, the system adaptively sets thresholds according to the measured resistance characteristics. This allows the system to maintain high detection sensitivity for glove operations while preserving the ability to distinguish between bare hand and gloved hand states by adjusting the discrimination criteria in real-time based on resistance measurements
3Reliability
If the system repeatedly checks whether the touch sensor is touched with a bare hand, then detection reliability is improved, but the system complexity increases and user operation becomes more complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary detection by first measuring the resistance value before processing the touch signal. This preliminary resistance measurement allows the system to pre-determine whether the user is wearing gloves and to pre-adjust the detection parameters accordingly. By performing this preliminary action, the system simplifies subsequent touch detection processes and reduces overall system complexity while maintaining high reliability
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 users to perform operations on capacitive touch panels while wearing gloves by treating touch states as effective and adjacent states as hover states, enhancing usability and sensitivity.
Implementation Method 1
the position of a finger is detected by detecting a change in the electrostatic capacity by using electrodes arranged at each position. The electrostatic capacity of the electrode increases as an object causing a change in the electrostatic capacity such as a finger approaches.
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing device, method and computer program storage device that cooperate to handle different user interface situations differently. An exemplary device detects an external object as being in a touch state when and external object is in contact with a detection surface, and an adjacent state when the external object is within a predetermined distance from said detection surface but not in contact with said detection surface. A processor, when operating in a first mode, processes the touch state differently than the adjacent state. Also, the processor when operating in a second mode, processes said adjacent state as if it was the touch state.