Dynamic Touch and Hover Detection Circuit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing touch detection and hover detection technologies face challenges in achieving desirable sensitivity and accuracy due to differences in detection electrode configurations and required sensitivity levels between touch and hover detection modes.

Innovation Solution

A detection device with a substrate having detection electrodes arrayed in a row-column configuration, a drive circuit to supply drive signals, and a multiplexer that can change the number of wires coupled to analog front ends, allowing for efficient touch and hover detection by adjusting the number of detection electrodes combined for each mode based on the distance between the electrodes and the target object.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If touch detection electrodes and drive configuration are used for hover detection, then the same hardware can be utilized for both functions, but desirable hover detection sensitivity and accuracy cannot be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedual detection capabilityVSAvoidhover detection sensitivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic switching between touch detection mode and hover detection mode by controlling the connection state of switching elements. In hover detection mode, the switching elements connect multiple detection electrodes to multiple analog front ends, enabling the system to adapt its configuration based on the detection mode to achieve both versatility and precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The detection electrode array is divided into multiple independent detection electrodes, each capable of being connected to different analog front ends through switching elements. This segmentation allows flexible configuration where multiple electrodes can be individually controlled to optimize hover detection sensitivity while maintaining touch detection functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If multiple detection electrodes are connected to multiple analog front ends, then hover detection sensitivity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehover detection sensitivityVSAvoidcircuit configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The switching elements serve multiple functions: they connect detection electrodes to analog front ends for hover detection, and can be reconfigured for touch detection mode. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated circuits for each detection mode, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving improved hover detection sensitivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If detection electrodes are optimized for touch detection, then touch detection accuracy is high, but the same configuration cannot achieve desirable hover detection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetouch detection accuracyVSAvoiddetection mode flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically reconfigures the connection between detection electrodes and analog front ends based on the required detection mode. Switching elements enable the same physical electrodes to be optimally configured for either touch detection or hover detection, maintaining high accuracy in both modes while achieving detection mode flexibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 enhances detection sensitivity and accuracy by optimizing the number of detection electrodes used in each mode, improving the ability to detect both touch and hover events effectively.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of analog front ends each configured to receive, from at least one of the detection electrodes, at least one detection signal corresponding to a capacitance change in the at least one of the detection electrodes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentUS11112916B2Display device including detection device

Publication Date: 2021.09.07 MAGNOLIA WHITE CORP

AI summary

A display device is provided and includes display panel including display region; and detection device, wherein detection device includes: detection electrodes arrayed in sensor region of substrate and provided in region overlapping display region; drive circuit wires coupled to detection electrodes, extending in second direction, and disposed side by side in first direction; analog front ends each configured to receive at least one detection signal corresponding to capacitance change in at least one of detection electrodes caused when drive signals are supplied; multiplexer capable of changing number of wires simultaneously coupled to one of analog front ends; and control circuit configured to control multiplexer, and control circuit changes number of detection electrodes simultaneously coupled to one of analog front ends depending on distance between target object and detection electrodes in third direction intersecting first and second directions.