Capacitive Touch Sensor Electrode Chains for Proximity Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing capacitive touch sensors struggle to accurately detect proximity and direct touch events with high sensitivity and precision, especially in detecting gestures and object location without physical contact.
Innovation Solution
A capacitive touch sensor system comprising horizontally and vertically positioned electrode chains, where each chain operates as both a drive and reception electrode, forming an electric field that detects changes in capacitance to determine object proximity and location, using a driver circuit and microprocessor to process the capacitance changes for precise input detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional capacitive touch sensor designs are used, then the sensor can detect touch events, but the sensitivity and precision for detecting proximity and gestures without contact is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is divided into multiple independent electrode chains arranged in horizontal and vertical orientations. Each electrode chain functions as an independent sensing element that can detect capacitance changes individually, allowing for more precise localization and detection of proximity events while maintaining overall system reliability through redundancy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a second dimension by adding vertically-positioned electrode chains to the traditional horizontally-positioned chains. This creates a two-dimensional array of sensing points that improves both precision in detecting object location and reliability through multiple measurement dimensions, enabling accurate gesture detection without physical contact
2Measurement precision
If electrode chains are positioned both horizontally and vertically to improve detection precision, then proximity and gesture detection accuracy improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each electrode chain in the horizontal and vertical arrays is designed to serve multiple functions: it can act as both a drive electrode and a reception electrode depending on the measurement cycle. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated electrodes for each function, thereby improving detection precision without proportionally increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of horizontal and vertical electrode chains into a unified sensing system where both orientations work together to detect the same physical phenomena (capacitance changes). This combining approach allows the system to achieve high precision in two-dimensional space while sharing common control and readout infrastructure, moderating the increase in device complexity
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 system effectively detects single and multiple inputs, gestures, and object location with high precision, enabling accurate proximity and direct touch sensing without physical contact, enhancing user interaction with electronic devices.
Implementation Method 1
measuring the capacitance of the sensor, and detecting a change in capacitance, which indicates a direct touch or presence of a conductive object
Implementation Method 2
forming an electric field that detects changes in capacitance to determine object proximity and location
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments of the present technology may provide methods and apparatus for a touch sensor. The touch sensor may include a plurality of horizontally-positioned electrode chains and a plurality of vertically-positioned electrode chains overlapping the plurality of horizontally-positioned electrode chains. Each electrode chain from the plurality of horizontally-positioned electrode chains and the plurality of vertically-positioned electrode chains may operate as a drive electrode and a reception electrode.