Touch Detection via Contact Area Imaging Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Capacitive touch sensors in information terminal devices cannot detect pressure applied to the display, despite being able to determine the position of a finger or a capacitive touch pen.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device with a control portion, a display portion, and a memory portion, where the display portion includes a detection portion that can image a detection object touching the screen, allowing the control portion to calculate the difference in the contact area between two images and execute different processes based on the reference contact area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a pressure-sensitive sensor is added to detect touch pressure, then the ability to detect pressure is improved, but the number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging sensor is designed to serve multiple functions: it captures images for visual display, detects touch pressure by analyzing contact area changes, and provides feedback for haptic control. By making the imaging sensor multi-functional, the patent eliminates the need for separate pressure-sensitive sensors, thereby reducing component count while maintaining pressure detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging sensor performs self-service by using its own imaging capability to detect pressure information. Instead of requiring an external pressure sensor, the system uses the imaging sensor to capture images of the touch interface, analyzes contact area changes in the captured images, and derives pressure information from these changes. This self-service approach allows the same component to perform both imaging and pressure detection functions
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sensors are used to detect both touch position and pressure, then the detection capability is improved, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging sensor is designed to serve multiple functions: it captures images for visual display, detects touch pressure by analyzing contact area changes, and provides feedback for haptic control. By making the imaging sensor multi-functional, the patent eliminates the need for separate pressure-sensitive sensors, thereby reducing component count while maintaining pressure detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the imaging function and pressure detection function into a single integrated system. The imaging sensor captures both visual information and pressure information simultaneously by analyzing contact area changes in the captured images. This merging of functions simplifies the device structure while maintaining comprehensive touch detection capability
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device capable of detecting a difference in the way of touch is provided. An electronic device capable of detecting a difference in the way of touch with a small number of components is provided. An electronic device capable of executing various types of processes with simple operation is provided. The electronic device includes a control portion and a display portion. The display portion has a function of displaying an image on a screen and includes a detection portion. The detection portion has a function of detecting a touch operation and a function of imaging, at least twice, a detection object touching the screen. The control portion has a function of calculating a difference between the area of the detection object in first imaging and the area of the detection object in second imaging to execute a different process depending on whether the difference is larger or smaller than a reference.