Capacitive Touch Sensor Distance Sensing Without Screen Holes
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in modern mobile devices with full-screen designs is the need to accommodate a distance sensor, which typically requires a hole on the screen, reducing the usable screen area.
Innovation Solution
Implementing capacitive touch sensors that adjust electric field strength and threshold settings to determine distance between an object and the terminal, allowing for distance sensing without the need for a dedicated sensor hole, by increasing sensitivity during non-hands-free calls and adjusting settings based on signal strength and area coverage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a distance sensor is added to the terminal, then distance sensing capability is improved, but the screen area is reduced due to the need for a sensor hole
Solution Approach 1:
The capacitive touch sensor is made multi-functional by enabling it to perform both its original touch detection function and a new distance sensing function. The sensor uses its existing electric field to detect both touch events and proximity of objects, eliminating the need for a separate distance sensor and its associated screen hole.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the distance sensing function with the existing touch sensor system. By combining these two functions into a single sensor component, the design avoids adding separate hardware that would require additional screen openings, thus preserving the full-screen display area.
2Measurement precision
If the electric field strength of touch sensors is increased to improve distance sensing sensitivity, then distance detection accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electric field strength of the touch sensor is made dynamic rather than static. The system adjusts the electric field strength based on operational needs: increasing it during non-hands-free call states when distance sensing is critical, and reducing it during hands-free states when distance sensing is less important, thereby optimizing the balance between detection accuracy and power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters of the touch sensor, specifically adjusting the electric field strength and threshold values dynamically. By modifying these parameters based on call state and distance sensing requirements, the system achieves accurate distance detection when needed while minimizing power consumption during normal operation.
3Measurement precision
If the preset threshold is decreased to improve sensitivity for distance sensing, then detection sensitivity is improved, but false detection increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring the sensed signals from multiple touch sensors and comparing them against dynamically adjusted thresholds. The processor analyzes patterns across multiple sensors and over time to distinguish genuine proximity events from noise, reducing false detections while maintaining high sensitivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs multiple touch sensors working together rather than relying on a single sensor with extremely low threshold. By using several sensors to collectively detect proximity, the system achieves high sensitivity through redundant detection rather than through overly sensitive individual sensors, thereby reducing false positives.
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 distance sensing without reducing the screen area, optimizing resource usage and power consumption by leveraging capacitive touch sensors for both touch operations and distance detection.
Implementation Method 1
capacitive touch sensors
Implementation Method 2
increasing an electric field strength of the touch sensors
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a method of sensing a distance applicable to a terminal including capacitive touch sensors. The method includes, when the terminal enters a non-hands-free call state, increasing an electric field strength of the touch sensors and/or decreasing a preset threshold, wherein the touch sensors generate raw data based on sensed signals when the sensed signals are greater than the preset threshold; and determining a distance between an object and the terminal based on the raw data generated by the touch sensors.