Dynamic Priority Touch Input Sensing for Multi-Touch Accuracy

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for processing touch input coordinates from touch sensors and pressure sensors in electronic devices suffer from inaccuracy and synchronization delays, particularly in multi-touch inputs, due to the lower accuracy of pressure sensors and simultaneous synchronization without prioritization.

Innovation Solution

A method that dynamically changes the priority between touch input units based on the operational state of the electronic device to improve the processing of touch input information, enhancing the recognition of touch input coordinates and reducing synchronization time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If touch input coordinates from touch sensor and pressure sensor are synchronized simultaneously without prioritization, then both sensors can provide input data, but coordinate accuracy deteriorates and synchronization delay increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetouch input coordinate accuracyVSAvoidcoordinate synchronization time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the priority between touch sensor and pressure sensor based on operational states. The controller determines which sensor has higher priority at each moment, allowing the synchronization mechanism to adapt its behavior according to current device conditions, thereby resolving the contradiction between accuracy and synchronization speed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the operational parameters of the sensing system by adjusting sensor priorities based on operational states. By modifying which sensor operates at high priority versus low priority depending on the device state, the system optimizes both coordinate accuracy and synchronization efficiency for different scenarios

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If pressure sensor is used for touch input sensing, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision of touch input coordinates deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensing system complexityVSAvoidtouch input coordinate accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the functionality of touch sensor and pressure sensor into a unified sensing system. By combining both sensors and using priority-based synchronization, the system achieves touch input coordinate accuracy comparable to dedicated touch sensors while maintaining the simplicity and cost advantages of pressure sensors

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If both touch sensor and pressure sensor operate at equal priority, then all input data can be processed, but multi-touch input recognition fails and coordinate synchronization becomes inaccurate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetouch input processing capabilityVSAvoidmulti-touch input recognition accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements dynamic priority assignment where the controller adjusts which sensor operates at high priority based on operational states and input patterns. This dynamic adjustment enables reliable multi-touch recognition by ensuring that touch sensor data, which is more accurate for coordinate detection, takes precedence when multiple touches are detected

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The controller continuously monitors input data from both sensors and adjusts priority assignments based on feedback about current operational conditions. This feedback mechanism ensures that the system maintains reliable multi-touch recognition by adapting to different input scenarios and operational states

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3470970B1Electronic device and touch input sensing method of electronic device
Publication Date: 2023.11.01 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3470970B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3470970B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3470970B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A touch input sensing method of an electronic device can comprise the steps of: determining whether a first input device sensed a touch input before a second input device sensed the same; performing a command such that the second input device collects pressure information in a raw data mode, if the first input device sensed the touch input before the second input device sensed the same; allow the second input device to collect the pressure information according to the command; generating a pressure table by using the collected pressure information; and mapping the pressure table and coordinate information sensed by the first input device, so as to transmit the coordinate information and the pressure information to an AP.