Proximity Sensor Compensation Without a Separate Reference Channel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Proximity sensors face accuracy issues and increased power consumption due to temperature variations, particularly when used in electronic devices near the user's face, and existing compensation methods are inefficient and require separate reference channels.
Innovation Solution
A multistage environmental compensation method using multiple sensors to preprocess and compensate touch sensing values, including internal and external sensors to account for various environmental factors, reducing the need for separate reference channels and optimizing power usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a separate reference channel is used for compensation, then sensing value compensation is improved, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the reference channel functionality with the main sensing channel by using the same capacitor structure for both touch sensing and temperature compensation. The capacitor serves dual purposes: detecting touch proximity and providing temperature reference data, thereby eliminating the need for a separate reference channel structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The capacitor in the main channel is made universal by enabling it to perform both touch sensing and temperature compensation functions. The sensing unit processes the capacitor's electrical characteristics to extract both proximity information and temperature data, allowing one component to serve multiple functions.
2Measurement precision
If a separate reference channel is maintained, then compensation capability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the power consumption burden of touch sensing and temperature compensation into a single processing operation. The sensing unit processes the capacitor's electrical characteristics simultaneously for both functions, eliminating the need for separate power-intensive reference channel operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The capacitor in the main channel serves itself by providing both touch sensing data and temperature compensation data from the same electrical characteristics. The sensing unit extracts multiple pieces of information from the single capacitor measurement, making the system self-sufficient without additional power-consuming components.
3Temperature
If temperature increases during prolonged use, then capacitance increases, but sensing accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring the capacitor's electrical characteristics to detect temperature-induced changes. The sensing unit uses this feedback information to dynamically adjust and compensate for temperature effects, maintaining accurate proximity sensing despite temperature variations during prolonged operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent compensates for temperature effects by detecting changes in the capacitor's electrical parameters (such as capacitance and reactance) and adjusting the sensing algorithm accordingly. The sensing unit calculates compensated proximity values by considering the measured parameter changes caused by temperature variations.
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 enhances the accuracy of proximity sensing and reduces power consumption by performing multistage compensation based on stored compensation values and sensor feature adjustments, effectively addressing temperature and other environmental variations.
Implementation Method 1
capacitance of a plurality of capacitors disposed inside the proximity sensor to constitute a touch sensor adapted to sense proximity (or gripping) of or touch of a user also increases. Since capacitance reactance is decreased with increasing capacitance
Data Source
AI summary
A proximity sensor having improved environmental compensation performance and an environmental compensation method in the proximity sensor are disclosed. The environmental compensation method and the proximity sensor advantageously reduce processing time, algorithm operation time, and power consumption by previously setting sensing values before sensing of sensors unlike a typical method in which compensation is carried out by multiplying factors obtained through software. Further, the environmental compensation method and the proximity sensor have an advantage of accurate compensation not only for linearly varying environmental factors but also non-linearly varying environmental factors.