Spatially Encoded Sensor Electrodes for Touch and Hover Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current proximity sensor devices face challenges in accurately detecting input objects in both touch and hover modes due to limitations in capacitive coupling and spatial resolution, leading to inefficiencies in positional information determination.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of spatially encoded sensor electrodes with apertures arranged according to specific codes, combined with a processing system that drives transmitter signals and receives resulting signals to determine positional information, enhances capacitive coupling and improves detection accuracy in both touch and hover sensing regions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional sensor electrodes are used, then device structure is simple, but measurement precision and spatial resolution are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor electrode is divided into multiple segments with different aperture patterns, where each segment corresponds to a specific spatial region. This segmentation allows the system to achieve higher measurement precision by analyzing signals from different segments, while the modular structure manages complexity through systematic design.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the sensor electrode are assigned different aperture configurations (first aperture pattern, second aperture pattern, third aperture pattern) optimized for specific sensing regions. This local quality approach improves measurement precision in different zones while maintaining overall system functionality through region-specific optimization.
2Reliability
If sensor electrodes without apertures are used, then manufacturing is simpler, but capacitive coupling efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor electrode incorporates apertures (porous structure) that enhance capacitive coupling efficiency by allowing electric field penetration. The aperture patterns are designed to optimize detection accuracy while the fabrication process integrates aperture creation into existing manufacturing workflows, managing complexity through established techniques.
3Measurement precision
If uniform sensor electrode patterns are used, then manufacturing is easier, but spatial resolution is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode pattern is segmented into distinct aperture configurations (first, second, and third patterns) assigned to different sensing regions. This segmentation enables high spatial resolution by allowing the system to distinguish signals from different regions, while the systematic pattern design manages complexity through repeatability and modularity.
Solution Approach 2:
Each sensing region is equipped with aperture patterns specifically optimized for its spatial characteristics. This local quality approach improves spatial resolution by matching electrode properties to regional requirements, while the overall system manages complexity through consistent design rules across different regions.
4Reliability
If simple sensor electrode arrangements are used, then device complexity is low, but detection accuracy in both touch and hover modes is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor electrode system is designed to perform multiple functions: detecting both touch mode (direct contact) and hover mode (proximity) inputs using the same electrode structure. The different aperture patterns enable the system to adapt to different detection modes, achieving high reliability across multiple functions while avoiding the need for separate electrode systems for each mode.
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 enables precise detection of input objects in both touch and hover modes by optimizing capacitive coupling and spatial resolution, thereby improving the accuracy and efficiency of positional information determination.
Implementation Method 1
Current proximity sensor devices face challenges in accurately detecting input objects in both touch and hover modes due to limitations in capacitive coupling
Data Source
AI summary
A capacitive sensing device has a first plurality of sensor electrodes, and a second plurality of sensor electrodes overlapping the first plurality of sensor electrodes. A first sensor electrode of the second plurality of electrodes overlaps a first subset of the first plurality of electrodes and comprises apertures disposed according to first codes. The first codes comprise first and second coefficients and along one of the first plurality of sensor electrodes. Each aperture may correspond to one of the first coefficients. The capacitive sensing device further comprises a processing system coupled to the first and second plurality of sensor electrodes. The processing system may be configured to receive resulting signals with the second plurality of sensor electrodes to determine positional information for an input object within a sensing region of the capacitive sensing device.