Mobile Terminal Touch Screen Environment Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mobile terminals with electrostatic touch methods are restricted in underwater use due to the inability to accurately detect touch inputs in water environments.
Innovation Solution
A mobile terminal with a touch screen that integrates a touch sensor and display panel, using a controller to determine the surrounding environment and switch between capacitance and pressure-based touch sensing methods, with reference conditions set for temperature variations in atmospheric and underwater environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an electrostatic touch method is used in a waterproof mobile terminal, then the terminal can be made waterproof, but touch input becomes impossible in underwater environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the touch sensing method adjustable and switchable based on the operating environment. The controller dynamically selects between capacitance-based touch sensing (for atmospheric environments) and pressure-based touch sensing (for underwater environments), allowing the system to adapt its sensing mechanism to the current conditions while maintaining both waterproof functionality and touch input capability.
2Measurement precision
If a capacitance-based touch sensing method is used, then touch sensitivity is high in atmospheric environments, but touch detection fails in underwater environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by switching between two different touch sensing methods based on environmental parameters. In atmospheric environments, the capacitance-based method is used which measures changes in electrical capacitance for high touch sensitivity. In underwater environments, the pressure-based method is used which measures mechanical pressure changes, as water conductivity interferes with capacitance sensing. This parameter-based adaptation allows the system to maintain touch detection accuracy across different environments.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the touch sensing method is changed based on environment, then underwater touch is enabled, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by implementing an environment detection mechanism that continuously monitors operating conditions and provides feedback to the controller. The controller uses this feedback to automatically select the appropriate touch sensing method (capacitance or pressure-based) without requiring user intervention. This feedback-based automatic switching simplifies the user interface while enabling underwater touch capability, as the system self-adjusts based on environmental conditions.
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
Enables accurate underwater touch input recognition and improved user interface functionality in aquatic environments without structural changes to the touch screen panel.
Implementation Method 1
a first method of sensing a touch using a change in capacitance of the touch screen
Implementation Method 2
a second method of sensing a touch using a pressure change applied to the touch screen
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile terminal including a touch screen including a display panel; and a controller configured to determine surrounding environment information of the mobile terminal by comparing a variation value of touch data sensed on the touch screen with a reference condition set based on a change in the touch data according to a temperature in an atmospheric environment and an underwater environment, set a touch sensing method for sensing a touch input applied to the touch screen to sensing the touch input using a change in capacitance of the touch screen when the surrounding environment information indicates the mobile terminal is operating in the atmospheric environment, and set the touch sensing method for sensing the touch input applied to the touch screen to sensing the touch input using a pressure change applied to the touch screen when the surrounding environment information indicates the mobile terminal is operating in the underwater environment. Further, the display panel includes a color filter glass, a liquid crystal layer, a touch sensor, and a rear glass sequentially layered on the touch screen.


