Input Sensor Proximity Detection Mode Switching
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing input sensing systems for electronic devices struggle to efficiently detect user proximity while maintaining accurate direct touch detection, especially during calls when the user is not directly interacting with the screen.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves an input sensor with a plurality of first and second sensing electrodes, where the sensor is driven in different modes to detect direct touch and proximity. In a direct sensing mode, the sensor detects direct touch. In a first proximity sensing mode, the sensor applies a driving signal to all first sensing electrodes when no direct touch is detected. In a second proximity sensing mode, the sensor applies the driving signal to only specific subsets of the first sensing electrodes, depending on the presence or absence of direct touch.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the input sensor applies driving signal to all first sensing electrodes in proximity sensing mode, then the proximity detection coverage is improved, but the direct touch detection accuracy deteriorates when user accidentally touches the screen during call
Solution Approach 1:
The first sensing electrodes are divided into multiple subsets (first subset and second subset) that can be independently controlled. During call mode, the system selectively activates only the second subset for proximity sensing while keeping the first subset inactive, thereby segmenting the sensing area to avoid false direct touch detection while maintaining proximity detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of applying driving signals to all first sensing electrodes simultaneously, the system applies driving signals only to a partial subset (second subset) of the electrodes during call mode. This partial action reduces the risk of false direct touch detection while still providing sufficient proximity sensing coverage.
2Measurement precision
If the input sensor switches between different sensing modes based on call state, then the sensing accuracy during calls is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The input sensor implements dynamic mode switching between direct sensing mode and proximity sensing mode based on the call state detection. The controller adjusts the operating mode in real-time according to whether a call is active, optimizing sensing performance for different usage scenarios while managing system complexity through context-aware adaptation.
3Reliability
If separate modules are used for fingerprint sensing, proximity sensing, and illuminance sensing, then the sensing reliability is improved, but the device complexity and space occupation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The input sensing part is designed with multi-functionality to perform direct touch sensing, proximity sensing, and fingerprint sensing operations using the same sensing electrodes and control circuitry. By making the input sensor universal, the system eliminates the need for separate dedicated modules for each sensing function, thereby reducing device complexity and space occupation while maintaining sensing reliability through software-controlled mode switching.
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 allows for effective detection of user proximity and direct touch, even during calls, by optimizing the driving signal application to the sensing electrodes, thereby enhancing the overall sensing performance of the input sensor.
Implementation Method 1
the input sensor includes a plurality of first sensing electrodes and a plurality of second sensing electrodes insulated from the first sensing electrodes
Data Source
AI summary
A method of driving an input sensor to detect a proximity of a user includes driving the input sensor in a direct sensing mode, the input sensor including first sensing electrodes and second sensing electrodes insulated from the first sensing electrodes, and upon determining the user is engaged in a call, driving the input sensor in in a first proximity sensing mode by applying a driving signal to each of the first sensing electrodes. when the user has not performed the direct touch, and driving the input sensor in a second proximity sensing mode by applying no driving signal to a first subset of the first sensing electrodes and applying the driving signal to a second other subset of the first sensing electrodes, when the user has performed the direct touch.