Display Touch Sensor Water Detection Splash Mode
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic personal display devices, such as e-reading devices, face issues with water and other extraneous objects on their surfaces, which can lead to malfunctioning and prevent proper user interaction, as these objects are falsely interpreted as touch inputs by the device's sensors.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a computing device with touch sensors that detect the presence of water and other extraneous objects on the display surface by analyzing multiple concurrent interactions and contact durations, allowing the device to adjust settings and operate in a 'splash mode' to maintain functionality and viewability, such as powering off or reconfiguring input responses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the device uses touch sensors to detect user interactions, then user interaction capability is improved, but false detection of water or debris as touch inputs causes malfunctioning
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts its detection behavior based on environmental conditions. When water or debris is detected on the display surface, the system switches to a different operational mode that accounts for the presence of these contaminants, allowing it to maintain reliable operation despite the compromised sensing environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes detection parameters when water or debris is present. By monitoring multiple parameters simultaneously (touch location, duration, pressure patterns) and comparing them against expected user interaction patterns, the system can distinguish between genuine user input and false signals caused by water droplets or debris particles.
2Device complexity
If the device operates normally without detection mechanisms, then device complexity is reduced, but water or debris on the surface causes malfunctioning
Solution Approach 1:
The existing touch sensor system serves multiple functions: it detects both normal user interactions and the presence of water or debris on the display surface. By analyzing the patterns of sensor activation, the system can identify when contaminants are present and adjust its operation accordingly, eliminating the need for separate dedicated sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own touch sensor infrastructure to detect the presence of water or debris, rather than requiring external detection mechanisms. The sensors monitor their own operational environment and automatically adjust system behavior based on detected conditions, enabling the device to self-diagnose and adapt to contaminated surfaces.
3Reliability
If the device ignores touch inputs to avoid false detection, then reliability is improved, but user interaction responsiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than completely ignoring touch inputs when water or debris is detected, the system selectively processes only those inputs that match expected user interaction patterns. By applying partial filtering based on pattern recognition, the system maintains responsiveness to valid user commands while rejecting false signals from contaminants.
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 the device to continue operating safely and optimally even with water or debris on the surface, preventing malfunctions and ensuring user interaction is not disrupted by false input detection.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of touch sensors provided with a display assembly of the computing device
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A
AI summary
A computing device includes a housing and a display assembly having a screen. The housing at least partially circumvents the screen so that the screen is viewable and a set of touch sensors are provided with the display assembly. A processor is provided within the housing to detect a presence of one or more extraneous objects on a surface of the screen of the display assembly. The processor further adjusts one or more setting of the computing device in response to detecting the presence of the one or more extraneous objects.