Hybrid Signal Input Object Rejection
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing input devices, such as proximity sensor devices, face challenges in accurately filtering out extraneous input objects based on size, leading to incorrect registrations of user inputs, especially when objects like hands or palms are detected alongside intended inputs like fingers or styluses.
Innovation Solution
A processing system that acquires sensing data using sensor electrodes, generates a capacitive image and profile of the sensing region, identifies input objects, and filters them based on size thresholds to differentiate between intended and extraneous objects, ensuring accurate input processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional capacitive sensing is used to detect input objects, then the sensing capability is provided, but extraneous objects like hands or palms cannot be accurately filtered out based on size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two different sensing modalities (capacitive sensing and proximity sensing) into a unified hybrid sensing system. The capacitive sensor array detects objects in the sensing region, while the proximity sensor provides additional depth or distance information. By combining these two sensing approaches, the system can differentiate between valid input objects (fingers, styluses) and extraneous objects (hands, palms) based on their different spatial characteristics, thereby improving input detection accuracy without requiring a completely new complex system
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a hybrid sensing mechanism that acts as an intermediary between traditional capacitive sensing and direct object identification. The proximity sensor serves as an intermediary component that provides additional information about the spatial relationship and depth of detected objects. This intermediary sensing layer enables the system to filter extraneous objects by analyzing their position relative to the sensing surface, adding discrimination capability without fundamentally redesigning the entire sensing architecture
2Measurement precision
If size-based filtering is applied to remove extraneous objects, then input accuracy improves, but the system complexity increases due to additional sensing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the existing sensor array multi-functional by enabling it to perform both traditional capacitive object detection and proximity-based size estimation. The same sensor electrodes that detect capacitive changes are also used to infer object size and shape characteristics through proximity measurements. This universal use of the sensor array allows the system to achieve size-based filtering capability without adding dedicated size measurement hardware, thereby improving measurement precision while minimizing the increase in system complexity
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 effectively filters out extraneous input objects, improving the accuracy of user input detection and preventing incorrect registrations, enhancing the usability and reliability of input devices.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor module coupled to sensor electrodes, and configured to acquire sensing data using the sensor electrodes
Data Source
AI summary
A processing system for hybrid rejection includes a sensor module coupled to sensor electrodes, and configured to acquire sensing data using the sensor electrodes. The system further includes a determination module configured to obtain a capacitive image of a sensing region based on the sensing data, determine a input object set in the sensing region using the capacitive image, obtain a profile of the sensing region based on the sensing data, and determine a contiguous region width of a contiguous region in the profile. The contiguous region corresponds to a input object in the input object set. The determination module is further configured to filter the input object from the input object set based on the contiguous region width satisfying a size threshold to obtain a filtered input object set, and process the filtered input object set.