Reconfigurable Hover Sensing Arrays for Capacitive Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Capacitive touch panels in consumer electronic devices face limitations in detection range and noise/detection resolution issues when integrating multiple capacitive sensor electrodes.
Innovation Solution
A capacitive sensing device with a microcontroller that configures reconfigurable hover sensing arrays using multiple capacitive sensor electrodes, allowing for dynamic detection of capacitance changes and improved detection resolution by sampling and integrating signals from these arrays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If multiple capacitive sensor electrodes are integrated to enhance detection range, then detection range is improved, but noise increases and detection resolution declines
Solution Approach 1:
The capacitive sensor array is divided into multiple independently controllable sensor electrodes that can be selectively activated. The microcontroller defines different sensing arrays by enabling specific subsets of electrodes, allowing the system to segment the sensing area dynamically based on detection needs, thus maintaining resolution while extending range.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically reconfigures the capacitive sensor array by selectively enabling different combinations of sensor electrodes through the microcontroller. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the sensing array size and shape to adapt to different detection scenarios, optimizing both detection range and resolution as needed.
2Length of stationary object
If multiple capacitive sensor electrodes are integrated to enhance detection range, then detection range is improved, but noise increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and processes individual sensor signals separately through the microcontroller, applying median value sampling to each sensor electrode. This extraction approach allows noise to be identified and eliminated from individual sensor readings before integration, reducing overall noise while maintaining extended detection range.
Solution Approach 2:
The microcontroller implements feedback processing by continuously monitoring sensor signals and applying median value sampling to filter noise. The system uses the feedback from individual sensor readings to adjust and refine the overall detection output, eliminating noise while preserving the extended detection range provided by multiple electrodes.
3Measurement precision
If sensor arrays are reconfigured to improve detection resolution, then detection resolution is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The microcontroller serves multiple functions: it defines sensing arrays, controls electrode activation, processes sensor signals through median value sampling, and determines object presence. This universal control approach consolidates multiple functions into a single device, improving detection resolution without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by selectively enabling different sensor electrodes to create varying array configurations. The microcontroller adjusts the active sensor subset based on detection needs, changing the effective sensing area and resolution parameters without requiring physical reconfiguration, thus managing complexity while improving resolution.
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
Enhances detection range and resolution by reducing noise through median value sampling and reconfiguring sensor arrays, enabling accurate detection of objects at varying distances and improving user input gesture recognition.
Implementation Method 1
The capacitive sensor electrodes detect a capacitance change when a finger or another type of object approaches
Data Source
AI summary
Multiple reconfigurable hover sensing arrays are utilized to detect the location of an object with respect to a “hover” sensing panel. Multiple enable switches control the size and the shape of the multiple reconfigurable hover sensing arrays. A portion of one of the multiple reconfigurable hover sensing arrays may overlap with another reconfigurable sensing array to improve detection resolution. A scanning and sampling mechanism might also be utilized to assist with controlling the enable switches.