Touch Operation Detection Apparatus Multi-User Sensitivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing touch operation detection apparatuses face challenges in accurately determining touch operations, especially when multiple individuals use the touch panel, as electrostatic capacitance values vary among people, leading to inaccurate sensitivity adjustments and reduced precision in determining touch operations.
Innovation Solution
A touch operation detection apparatus with electrostatic-capacitance-type sensors that includes a number-of-touched-point determination part to differentiate between single-finger and multi-finger or palm touches, allowing for sensitivity adjustments based on stable electrostatic capacitance values, thereby improving precision in touch detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If sensitivity adjustment is performed based on electrostatic capacitance values from multiple users, then adaptability to different users is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to individual variations in electrostatic capacitance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sensitivity adjustment process into two distinct phases: a learning phase where electrostatic capacitance values are collected from multiple users without making determination judgments, and a determination phase where the stored baseline values are used for accurate touch detection. This segmentation allows the system to adapt to individual users while maintaining measurement precision by separating data collection from decision-making processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-storing electrostatic capacitance values during a learning period before actual touch operations begin. The control unit accumulates baseline capacitance values from multiple users during initialization or calibration phases, then uses these pre-established references for subsequent touch detection. This preliminary data collection enables user-specific adaptation without compromising the precision of actual touch measurements.
2Reliability
If offset adjustment replaces output value with zero when touch detection time exceeds threshold, then erroneous determination is avoided, but loss of information occurs about actual touch characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and stores the electrostatic capacitance values during the learning phase before the offset adjustment process begins. By separating the baseline capacitance data from the subsequent offset adjustment operation, the system preserves the original touch characteristic information while still benefiting from error reduction through threshold-based filtering. The stored baseline values maintain the information needed for accurate determination without being corrupted by the offset adjustment process.
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
The apparatus enhances the precision of sensitivity adjustments and accurate touch operation detection by recalculating determination thresholds based on stable electrostatic capacitance values, reducing erroneous determinations and improving user-specific sensitivity settings.
Implementation Method 1
a touch pad (18) having an operation surface (18a) touchable by an operator's body, and having a plurality of electrostatic sensors (22) incorporated therein which detect electrostatic capacitance
Data Source
AI summary
A touch operation detection apparatus includes a touch pad that has an operation surface touchable by an operator's body, and has a plurality of electrostatic sensors incorporated therein each of which detects electrostatic capacitance that is variable according to a touch on the operation surface; a number-of-touched-point determination part that determines whether the number of touched points at which touches are made on the operation surface of the touch pad is greater than or equal to 2 based on signals from the electrostatic sensors; and a sensitivity adjustment execution part that executes a sensitivity adjustment concerning the touch against the operation surface of the touch pad when the number-of-touched-point determination part determines that the number of touched points is greater than or equal to 2.