Regional Active Input Sensing for Faster Touch Detection

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing input devices face inefficiencies in detecting active input objects due to the need to scan the entire sensing region, which is costly in terms of hardware and time, and can be improved by dividing the sensing region into partially overlapping regions to focus active input sensing.

Innovation Solution

The method involves dividing the sensing region into partially overlapping regions, allowing for the detection of active input devices by selecting the relevant region based on the location of the sensor electrode and determining the location of the active input device using sensor electrodes within that region, thereby reducing hardware requirements and active input sensing time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the entire sensing region is scanned to detect active input objects, then detection coverage is complete, but hardware cost and sensing time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection coverageVSAvoidsensing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The sensing region is divided into multiple sub-regions, each monitored by dedicated sensor electrodes. This segmentation allows the system to focus detection resources on specific areas rather than scanning the entire sensing region, reducing sensing time while maintaining detection coverage through the distributed electrode arrangement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the sensing region are monitored with varying levels of detail based on their importance. The patent applies local quality by concentrating sensor electrodes in areas where active input objects are most likely to appear or where precise detection is most critical, thereby optimizing detection efficiency without compromising overall coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Measurement precision

If the entire sensing region is scanned to detect active input objects, then detection coverage is complete, but hardware cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection coverageVSAvoidhardware cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sensing region is divided into multiple sub-regions, each monitored by dedicated sensor electrodes. This segmentation allows the system to focus detection resources on specific areas rather than scanning the entire sensing region, reducing sensing time while maintaining detection coverage through the distributed electrode arrangement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements partial action by monitoring only certain sub-regions of the sensing region with high detail using sensor electrodes, rather than applying full detection resources across the entire area. This approach achieves sufficient detection coverage by concentrating resources where most needed, reducing overall hardware requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Productivity

If focused active input sensing is performed in selected regions, then hardware requirements and sensing time are reduced, but detection coverage may be limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensing efficiencyVSAvoiddetection coverage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The sensing region is divided into multiple sub-regions, each monitored by dedicated sensor electrodes. This segmentation allows the system to focus detection resources on specific areas rather than scanning the entire sensing region, reducing sensing time while maintaining detection coverage through the distributed electrode arrangement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple sub-region monitoring results to achieve complete detection coverage. By merging the detection data from various focused sub-regions, the system reconstructs comprehensive sensing information, ensuring that detection coverage is maintained even though each individual sub-region is monitored with limited resources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS11003288B2Active input sensing using regional scanning

Publication Date: 2021.05.11 SYNAPTICS INC

AI summary

Aspects described herein include a method and associated input device and processing system. The method comprises dividing a sensing region into a plurality of regions. The sensing region is defined by a plurality of sensor electrodes. Each region of the plurality of regions is partially overlapped by one or more other regions. The method further comprises detecting, during at least a first active input sensing sub-period, a presence of an active input device by a first sensor electrode. The method further comprises selecting, based on a location of the first sensor electrode, a first region of the plurality of regions that includes the first sensor electrode. The method further comprises determining, during at least a second active input sensing sub-period, a location of the active input device using sensor electrodes that are included in the first region.