Sensor Hub Signal Processing for Wearable Input Differentiation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic devices face difficulties in distinguishing between simple user inputs such as touches and taps, leading to erroneous execution of unintended functional operations, especially when worn on the body outside the user's field of view.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device comprising a housing with a touch area, a touch integrated circuit (IC), a sensor circuit, and a sensor hub that generates and processes signals to differentiate between touch and tap inputs, preventing unintended operations by invalidating signals within specific intervals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the electronic device uses simple touch panel inputs to execute functions, then the device can respond quickly to user commands, but it cannot distinguish between different input types (touch vs tap) leading to erroneous operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensing systems (touch panel sensing and movement sensing) into a unified input processing mechanism. The sensor hub integrates signals from both the touch IC and movement sensor, allowing the system to distinguish between touch and tap operations by analyzing the temporal relationship and signal patterns from both sensors simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor hub acts as an intermediary component between the touch IC and movement sensor, and the processor. It receives and processes signals from both sensing systems, making temporal analysis and signal filtering decisions before transmitting to the processor, thereby enabling precise input type differentiation without adding complexity to the overall system architecture.
2Ease of operation
If the electronic device is worn on the body outside the user's field of view, then the device becomes more portable and convenient, but the user cannot visually confirm inputs leading to unintended operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the sensor hub continuously monitors the temporal relationship between touch panel signals and movement sensor signals. When a touch input is detected, the system waits for a predetermined time interval to see if a corresponding movement signal occurs. This feedback loop allows the system to determine user intention accurately even when the user cannot visually confirm the input, thereby maintaining reliability in wearable applications.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the device processes all sensor signals independently, then each sensor can function optimally, but the system complexity increases and erroneous operations occur due to uncoordinated signal processing
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor hub serves multiple functions: it receives signals from both the touch IC and movement sensor, performs temporal analysis to distinguish input types, filters erroneous signals, and transmits processed information to the processor. This multi-functional design allows the system to maintain optimal sensor functionality while reducing overall system complexity through centralized coordination.
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
Effectively distinguishes between intended and unintended user inputs, preventing erroneous functional operations and enhancing user convenience by accurately executing intended actions.
Implementation Method 1
the electronic device may sense a movement of the electronic device (corresponding to a tap) when a change in the capacitance is sensed from the touch panel (corresponding to a touch)
Data Source
AI summary
One embodiment provide an electronic device including: a housing including a touch area; a touch IC; a sensor circuit configured to generate a first signal in response to detecting a movement of the electronic device; a sensor hub; and a processor. The touch IC is configured to: when a contact on the touch area is detected, transmit a second signal to the sensor hub; and after transmitting the second signal to the sensor hub, transmit a third signal for identifying an event corresponding to the contact to the sensor hub. The sensor hub is configured to: when the first signal is received within a first interval starting from a time point at which the second signal is received, invalidate the first signal; and when the third signal is received from the touch IC, transmit the third signal or a fourth signal based on the third signal to the processor.