Capacitive Touch Sensor Gap and Adaptive Signal Processing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In electronic devices with capacitive touch sensors, deformation caused by external loads can lead to a decrease in detection accuracy of indicators such as pens or fingers, as the shape of the signal distribution changes.
Innovation Solution
A device configuration is implemented where a capacitive type touch sensor and a display panel are spaced apart with a gap, and an integrated circuit acquires and processes signal distributions to detect indicators while varying signal processing based on overload detection results.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If a gap is provided between the touch sensor and display panel to enable separate replacement, then repairability is improved, but detection accuracy deteriorates when large load is applied causing touch sensor deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated circuit dynamically adjusts signal processing parameters based on detected overload conditions. When deformation is detected, the system changes its operation mode to compensate for the deformation, making the detection system adaptive rather than static.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes signal processing parameters (such as threshold values, filtering coefficients, or calibration data) based on the detected overload condition. This parameter adjustment compensates for the deformation-induced signal distribution changes, maintaining detection accuracy despite the physical deformation.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the touch sensor is positioned closer to the display panel, then structural stability is improved, but the ability to suppress deformation effects on detection accuracy is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical rigid constraints with electronic/software-based compensation. Instead of using a rigid structure to prevent deformation, the system uses electronic signal processing to compensate for deformation effects, substituting mechanical stability with electronic adaptability.
3Device complexity
If signal processing is kept fixed for simplicity, then device complexity is reduced, but detection accuracy under varying load conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated circuit uses feedback from overload detection to adjust signal processing in real-time. The system continuously monitors for deformation conditions and adjusts its signal processing accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains accuracy across varying conditions.
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
This configuration effectively suppresses the decrease in detection accuracy due to touch sensor deformation, ensuring reliable detection of indicators even under load conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a capacitive type touch sensor 18...acquires a signal distribution correlated with a capacitance formed between an indicator approaching the touch sensor 18 and sensor electrodes 18x and 18y
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an electronic device including a display panel that, in operation, displays an image or video, a touch sensor of a capacitive type and having a plurality of sensor electrodes, the touch sensor being arranged above the display panel separately with a gap between the touch sensor and the display panel, and an integrated circuit that, in operation, acquires a signal distribution correlated with a capacitance formed between an indicator approaching the touch sensor and the sensor electrodes, and performs signal processing on the signal distribution to detect the indicator, in which the integrated circuit, in operation, varies the signal processing according to a detection result of an overload on the touch sensor.