Touch Controller Signal Generation for Precise Capacitance Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current data communication systems face challenges in effectively processing and interpreting signals from sensors, particularly in touch screen applications, where distinguishing between self-capacitance and mutual capacitance changes is complex, leading to difficulties in accurately detecting touch inputs.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a signal generator that uses identifying frequencies, self-capacitance frequencies, and mutual capacitance frequencies to differentiate and process touch inputs, coupled with drive-sense circuits that adjust signals to maintain constant voltage or current, allowing for precise detection of touch locations on touch screens.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If drive-sense circuits and signal generators are integrated within computing devices to enable touch sensing, then touch detection capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges drive circuits and sense circuits into integrated drive-sense circuits that can perform both display driving and touch sensing functions. The signal generator is integrated within the same computing device, combining multiple functions into unified circuit blocks that reduce overall system complexity while maintaining touch detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive-sense circuits are designed with multi-functionality, serving both as display drivers and as touch sensors. The same circuit infrastructure supports multiple operations including display rendering and capacitance-based touch detection, eliminating the need for separate dedicated circuits and reducing device complexity.
2Measurement precision
If self-capacitance and mutual capacitance sensing are used to detect touch events, then touch detection precision is improved, but measurement complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing layer that handles the complex capacitance measurements. The drive-sense circuits automatically interpret changes in self-capacitance and mutual capacitance signals, converting complex measurement data into simplified touch event detections, thereby reducing the difficulty of measurement while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback mechanisms where the drive-sense circuits continuously monitor capacitance changes and adjust their operations accordingly. This feedback loop enables precise touch detection by automatically compensating for environmental variations and measurement noise, simplifying the measurement process while maintaining high precision.
3Measurement precision
If signal generator emits identifying frequencies for touch event detection, then touch event discrimination is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The signal generator operates with periodic action, emitting identifying frequencies at specific intervals rather than continuously. This periodic operation enables touch event discrimination through frequency-based identification while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous signal emission.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts signal generation based on operational requirements. The signal generator activates only when touch sensing is needed, modulating frequency emissions to match the current operational state. This dynamic operation optimizes energy consumption while maintaining the ability to discriminate between different touch events through frequency identification.
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 accurate and efficient detection of touch inputs by distinguishing between self-capacitance and mutual capacitance changes, improving the precision and reliability of touch sensing in data communication systems.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor signal from the sensor is provided to the drive-sense circuit. The drive-sense circuit generates a sensed signal based on the sensor signal and a modulation of the sensor signal in response to a touch event.
Implementation Method 2
a sensor circuit is coupled to a sensor to provide the sensor with power and to receive the signal representing the physical phenomenon from the sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A touch controller includes a processing module operably coupled to a plurality of sensing circuits, the processing module is operable to receive a sense signal regarding an electrical characteristic of a sensor of a plurality of sensors. The processing module is further operable to determine the sense signal indicates the electrical characteristic is affected by an identifying signal emitted by a finger. The processing module is further operable to determine a coordinate location of the sensor. The processing module is further operable to generate a proximal touch signal that includes the coordinate location of the sensor.