Sensor Electrode Modulation to Restore Mean Signals and Reduce Blur
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensors face challenges in accurately detecting objects due to carrier cancellation, electrical coupling between electrodes leading to blurring in reconstructed digital images, and the need to restore common mode portions of signals for improved image quality.
Innovation Solution
A system and method involving modulation and demodulation patterns are applied to electrode groups to remove the mean value from received signals, with a global restore value added to compensate for the removed mean, and interleaved electrode arrangements to minimize electrical coupling and noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If carrier cancellation is applied to improve dynamic range and detection accuracy, then the ability to detect modulations is improved, but the common mode portion of the signal is lost and requires restoration
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary modulation of received signals before demodulation, using modulation patterns that preserve the common mode portion. This preliminary action allows the system to maintain information that would otherwise be lost during carrier cancellation, enabling both high detection accuracy and common mode signal preservation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback mechanisms to restore the common mode portion of the signal after demodulation. By analyzing the demodulated values and applying appropriate restoration based on the modulation patterns used, the system recovers the common mode signal that was temporarily removed during processing, ensuring complete signal information is retained.
2Measurement precision
If adjacent electrodes are placed close together to increase sensor resolution, then detection precision is improved, but electrical coupling between electrodes causes blurring in reconstructed images
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the electrode array into distinct groups with specific modulation patterns applied to each group. This segmentation allows independent processing of signals from different electrode groups, reducing the impact of electrical coupling between adjacent electrodes. By treating electrode groups separately through modulation and demodulation, the system maintains high spatial resolution while minimizing blurring effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the electrical parameters of electrode groups by applying different modulation patterns to different groups. This parameter change allows the system to distinguish between signals from adjacent electrodes even when electrical coupling occurs, as the modulation patterns create distinct signal characteristics that can be separated during demodulation, thereby reducing blurring while maintaining close electrode spacing.
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems and methods for detecting a user's finger or other elements may be provided. In some embodiments, a system may include a plurality of electrode groups, and each electrode group may include a respective reference electrode for which a true signal value is a predetermined value. In some embodiments, the system may process signals received by the electrode groups by: (a) modulating the signals received from each electrode of the respective electrode group according to a modulation pattern; (b) demodulating the signals, or values derived therefrom, received from each electrode of the respective electrode group according to a demodulation pattern, thereby determining a set of demodulated values for the respective electrode group; and/or (c) using the predetermined value for the reference electrode of the respective electrode group, restoring a mean value to the signals, or values derived therefrom, received from each electrode of the respective electrode group.