Force-Proximity Sensor Fusion for Reliable Virtual Button Activation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Virtual buttons on touch-sensitive devices experience frequent accidental activations due to the low force required for activation, leading to unintended and potentially damaging actions, as they lack the mechanical force detection of traditional buttons.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a combined force and proximity sensing system using hybrid resistive-capacitive sensors that detect both the force applied and proximity of an object, allowing the device to accurately determine intended contact and prevent accidental activations by requiring concurrent detection of both force and proximity before performing an action.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a virtual button is used on a touch-sensitive device, then the device can be operated with minimal force, but accidental activations occur frequently
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines force sensing and proximity sensing into a hybrid sensor system. The force sensor detects applied pressure while the proximity sensor detects the presence of an object near the button. By merging these two sensing modalities, the system can distinguish between intentional presses (both force and proximity detected) and accidental contacts (only proximity or minimal force detected), thereby reducing false activations while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from both force and proximity sensors to determine whether to activate the button function. The control circuit continuously monitors both sensing inputs and uses this feedback to make intelligent decisions about activation. This dual-feedback mechanism allows the system to filter out accidental touches while responding to intentional user input, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and reliability.
2Ease of operation
If only proximity sensing is used for button activation, then the button can be activated with little or no force, but the accuracy of detecting intended contact decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges proximity sensing with force sensing to create a hybrid detection system. While proximity sensing alone provides ease of operation, adding force sensing improves measurement precision by confirming that actual pressure was applied. The combination of both sensing types allows the system to accurately distinguish between intentional contact and accidental proximity, thereby improving detection accuracy while maintaining the ease of virtual button operation.
3Reliability
If only force sensing is used for button activation, then accidental activations are reduced, but the ease of operation increases the force requirement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines force sensing with proximity sensing to resolve this contradiction. The proximity sensor detects when an object is near the button, allowing for easy approach and interaction. The force sensor then confirms when actual pressure is applied. This merging of sensing modalities maintains ease of operation (through proximity detection) while ensuring reliability (through force confirmation), preventing both accidental activations and overly forceful requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The proximity sensor performs preliminary detection of object presence before force application is required. This preliminary action allows the system to prepare for potential activation while maintaining ease of operation. When the object is detected in proximity, the system is ready to recognize a genuine press when force is applied, thereby reducing the effective force threshold for intentional activation while maintaining high reliability against accidental activation.
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 solution significantly reduces accidental activations by ensuring that both force and proximity are detected simultaneously, enhancing the accuracy of input interpretation and preventing unintended device actions.
Implementation Method 1
a first sensor configured to detect a proximity of an object to the device
Implementation Method 2
a second sensor configured to detect a force applied by the object to the device
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 2C~2E
AI summary
Combined force and proximity sensing is disclosed. One or more sensors can concurrently sense a force applied by an object on a device surface and a proximity of the object to the surface. In an example, a single sensor can sense both force and proximity via a resistance change and a capacitance change, respectively, at the sensor. In another example, multiple sensors can be used, where one sensor can sense force via either a resistance change or a capacitance change and another sensor can sense proximity via a capacitance change.