Force Sensor Temperature Compensation via Capacitive Mapping
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing input devices, such as proximity sensor devices, face challenges in accurately measuring force and temperature variations, which affect the reliability of input detection, especially when an input object is present, due to temperature-induced changes in capacitive measurements.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a processing system that includes sensor circuitry to drive force sensor electrodes for capacitive measurements, aggregates these measurements, and applies a capacitive measurement to temperature mapping to determine the current temperature of the electrodes, allowing for temperature compensation of force measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If capacitive measurements are taken from force sensor electrodes, then force detection capability is provided, but temperature variations cause measurement errors that reduce reliability
Solution Approach 1:
A separate temperature sensor is introduced as an intermediary device to measure temperature independently. The temperature sensor's readings are then used to compensate for temperature-induced errors in the force sensor electrodes' capacitive measurements, thereby improving force measurement reliability without directly modifying the force sensing mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors temperature through the temperature sensor and uses this feedback information to adjust or compensate for temperature effects in the force measurements. The processing system applies temperature compensation algorithms that use real-time temperature data to correct capacitive measurements, maintaining measurement accuracy despite temperature variations
2Measurement precision
If temperature compensation is implemented using separate temperature sensors, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature sensor serves multiple functions: it measures temperature for compensation purposes, and can potentially be used for other device monitoring functions. By making the temperature sensor multi-functional, the system reduces the need for additional dedicated components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while maintaining improved measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of modifying the force sensor electrodes to directly measure temperature, the system uses a separate temperature sensor to create a copy of the temperature information. This copied temperature data is then used to compensate for temperature effects in the force measurements, avoiding the need for complex integrated sensors while maintaining precision
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 enables more accurate detection of force applied to input devices by accounting for temperature variations, improving the reliability and precision of input detection, even when an input object is present.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor circuitry is configured to be coupled to force sensor electrodes, and is configured to drive the force sensor electrodes to obtain capacitive measurements
Data Source
AI summary
A processing system includes sensor circuitry and processing circuitry. The sensor circuitry is configured to be coupled to force sensor electrodes, and is configured to drive the force sensor electrodes to obtain capacitive measurements. The processing circuitry is operatively connected to the sensor circuitry and configured to aggregate the capacitive measurements into an aggregated measurement, and apply, to the aggregated measurement, a capacitive measurement to temperature mapping to obtain a current temperature of the force sensor electrodes.