Proximity Input Surface Mapping With Fewer Iterations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing input devices, such as touch pads and touch panels, face challenges in efficiently generating element data for multiple sections on an operation surface with a high number of electrodes, leading to increased computational load and reduced accuracy due to the need for repeated data generation processes.
Innovation Solution
An input device that uses a sensor to detect proximity in detection regions and generates element data by distributing subelement data across detection data according to predetermined percentages, repeating a data generation process at least twice to converge on accurate values, simplifying calculations and reducing the number of iterations required.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the number of electrodes is increased to achieve high resolution and sensitivity in image sensing, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The operation surface is divided into multiple sections, and each section is further divided into multiple sub-sections. This segmentation allows the system to process detection data in smaller units, reducing the complexity of handling data from a large number of electrodes while maintaining high detection precision across the entire surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the problem from a one-to-one mapping between electrodes and detection data to a many-to-many relationship through spatial distribution. By distributing subelement data across multiple detection regions and using spatial relationships between sections and sub-sections, the system reduces computational complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
2Measurement precision
If the repeat count of the data generation process is increased to improve accuracy of element data, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary distribution of subelement data to detection data before the main data generation process. By pre-distributing the data according to spatial relationships and creating initial estimates, the system reduces the number of iterations needed in subsequent processing steps, improving computational efficiency while maintaining accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent distributes subelement data to multiple detection regions beyond the immediate corresponding region, performing a form of over-distribution that provides redundant information. This allows the data generation process to converge faster with fewer iterations, as the distributed information provides multiple pathways to the same solution.
3Productivity
If the data generation process is simplified to reduce computational load, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the operation surface into sections and sub-sections, the patent creates a hierarchical structure that simplifies processing. Each level of segmentation handles a portion of the computational load, allowing the system to maintain high precision through distributed processing while reducing the complexity of any single processing step.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces subelement data as an intermediary between the raw detection data from electrodes and the final element data for sections. This intermediary layer distributes and redistributes information in a structured manner, enabling simplified processing steps to achieve the same precision as more complex direct methods.
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 the generation of element data indicating proximity across multiple sections with reduced computational complexity and improved accuracy, while maintaining high sensitivity and resolution.
Implementation Method 1
an image sensing method that can simultaneously detect multiple contact positions is typically used. Methods for detecting changes in capacitance include a mutual-capacitance method where changes in capacitance between two electrodes are detected and a self-capacitance method where capacitance between an electrode and a ground is detected.
Data Source
AI summary
An input device includes a sensor that detects a degree of proximity of an object in each of one or more detection regions on an operation surface, generates one or more sets of detection data corresponding to the detection result for each of the detection regions, and thereby generates N sets of the detection data in total; and an element data generator that generates, based on the N sets of the detection data, M (M is a natural number greater than N) sets of element data indicating degrees of proximity of the object in M sections that virtually divide the operation surface. The element data generator is configured to repeat a data generation process at least two times.