Dynamic Touch Sensing Threshold for Inadvertent Input Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Capacitive touch sensing systems are susceptible to inadvertent touches due to their ability to detect proximity without requiring force, leading to unwanted input registration.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a sensing threshold that filters out non-proximate touches, allowing the system to emulate resistive sensing by requiring a certain proximity level, which can be adjusted based on user interface contexts to minimize inadvertent inputs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If capacitive sensing is used to detect proximity without force, then touch sensitivity is improved, but susceptibility to inadvertent touches increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of the sensing threshold based on application context. The system transitions from a static threshold to a dynamic one that adapts to different user interface contexts, allowing the capacitive sensor to maintain high sensitivity when appropriate while filtering out inadvertent touches in contexts where they are problematic.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the sensing threshold parameter based on the application context. By modifying this key parameter dynamically, the system resolves the contradiction between maintaining high touch sensitivity and preventing inadvertent touches, as the threshold is optimized for each specific usage scenario.
2Reliability
If a high sensing threshold is applied to prevent inadvertent touches, then reliability is improved, but touch sensitivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than applying a universally high threshold, the system dynamically adjusts the threshold level based on the current application context. This allows the threshold to be high only when necessary for preventing inadvertent touches, while maintaining lower thresholds when high sensitivity is needed, thus resolving the contradiction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different sensing threshold levels to different application contexts. Instead of a uniform threshold across all applications, each application receives a locally optimized threshold appropriate to its specific requirements, allowing high sensitivity in some contexts and high reliability in others.
3Device complexity
If a fixed sensing threshold is used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different user interface contexts decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a fixed sensing threshold to a dynamic one that automatically adapts to different application contexts. This dynamic approach maintains relatively simple device architecture while achieving high adaptability, as the threshold adjustment is driven by context information rather than complex hardware modifications.
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 approach reduces the occurrence of inadvertent touches by requiring a forceful interaction, enhancing the system's reliability and user experience, especially in contexts prone to jostling like map applications.
Implementation Method 1
many capacitive touch technologies can sense proximity of an object on or near the touch surface
Implementation Method 2
many resistive touch technologies can sense a force of an object pressing on the touch surface
Data Source
AI summary
A sensing threshold of a touch sensing surface may be specified based on a user interface context. For example, inadvertent touches may be more likely in a map application that is often used in a car where a user experiences constant jostling. Accordingly, a high sensing threshold can be associated with the map application, and other applications can be associated with a lower sensing threshold.