Mobile Terminal Touch Screen Environment Adaptation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

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

VSEngineering 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

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewaterproof functionVSAvoidtouch input capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

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.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetouch sensitivityVSAvoidenvironmental adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

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.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If the touch sensing method is changed based on environment, then underwater touch is enabled, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveunderwater touch capabilityVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

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.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

a second method of sensing a touch using a pressure change applied to the touch screen

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentUS10620766B2Mobile terminal and method for controlling the same
Publication Date: 2020.04.14 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • US10620766B2 patent drawing
  • US10620766B2 patent drawing
  • US10620766B2 patent drawing

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.