Multi-Point Displacement Sensing for Valid Touch Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Integrating touch-sensitive inputs into complex vehicle systems, such as car dashboards, is challenging due to non-standard shapes and curved surfaces, making it difficult to reliably detect user inputs while maximizing space, especially when distinguishing between valid and invalid displacements on non-sensing surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A sensing apparatus with a frame element and a displaceable element, equipped with multiple displacement sensor elements at different spatial locations, uses processing circuitry to determine valid displacements by comparing ratios of sensor output signals to pre-defined expected ratios, distinguishing between sensing and non-sensing surface inputs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple displacement sensor elements are used to improve detection reliability, then the ability to distinguish valid from invalid displacements is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing surface is divided into multiple sensing regions, each with its own displacement sensor element. This segmentation allows independent detection of displacements at different locations, enabling the system to distinguish between valid displacements (within sensing regions) and invalid displacements (outside sensing regions) by analyzing the spatial distribution of sensor outputs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces spatial dimensionality by arranging sensor elements at different spatial locations and analyzing the ratios of their output signals. This dimensional approach transforms a simple displacement detection problem into a spatial pattern recognition problem, where the relative magnitudes of signals from multiple sensors provide information about the location and validity of the displacement.
2Area of stationary object
If the displaceable element is made larger to maximize space utilization, then space utilization is improved, but the difficulty of detecting valid displacements increases due to non-sensing surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the displaceable element are assigned different functions: some regions are sensing regions where displacements are valid inputs, while other regions are non-sensing regions where displacements are invalid. The sensor elements are strategically positioned to detect displacements specifically within the sensing regions, allowing the overall element area to be maximized while maintaining detection accuracy through localized sensing.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed a sensing apparatus having a frame element and a displaceable element mounted relative to the frame element. The sensing apparatus comprises a plurality of displacement sensor elements each configured to provide a displacement sensor output signal indicative of a displacement between the frame element and the displaceable element, wherein the plurality of displacement sensor elements are arranged at different spatial locations relative to the displaceable element and configured to provide a displacement sensor output signal indicative of a displacement between the frame element and the displaceable element at the respective spatial location. The sensing apparatus further comprises processing circuitry configured to obtain the displacement sensor output signals from the plurality of displacement sensor elements and determine whether displacement of the displaceable element is a valid displacement by comparing at least the ratio between the displacement sensor output signals to one or more expected ratios.