Touch Force Measurement Transformation for Nonlinear User Input
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional force-sensitive user input devices face challenges due to non-linear and non-uniform human force sense across users, requiring a device that can effectively measure and represent force levels with varying resolution and reduce noise, especially in a broad user population.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that transform m-bit force sensor measurements to n-bit values, where n<m, encoding force ranges and measurement values, with the most significant bits identifying ranges and least significant bits containing the measurement, and implementing a look-up table or polynomial transformation to filter noise and adjust resolution based on force levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional force-sensitive user input devices are used, then force measurement is provided, but the measurement precision is reduced due to non-linear and non-uniform human force sense
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the force measurement data from raw m-bit values to transformed n-bit values using non-linear transformation functions. This parameter transformation adjusts the measurement scale to match human non-linear force perception, improving measurement precision while maintaining adaptability across different users by normalizing the force sense variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the resolution allocation based on the magnitude of applied force. When force is low, more bits are allocated to capture subtle variations; when force is high, fewer bits are needed. This dynamic bit allocation optimizes measurement precision across the full force range while accommodating diverse user force application patterns.
2Measurement precision
If high-resolution force measurement is implemented, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to higher processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary precision from high-resolution measurements by transforming m-bit values to n-bit values where n < m. This extraction removes excess data that would increase processing complexity while retaining the essential measurement precision needed for accurate force detection and user feedback.
Solution Approach 2:
By changing the parameter representation from raw m-bit force sensor output to transformed n-bit values with optimized bit allocation, the system reduces processing complexity. The transformation consolidates force range information in most significant bits and measurement precision in least significant bits, enabling more efficient data handling.
3Ease of operation
If uniform resolution is used across all force levels, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates at low force levels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by allocating different bit resolutions to different force ranges. The most significant bits represent force ranges with coarser resolution, while the least significant bits represent measurement values within each range with finer resolution. This local optimization ensures high measurement precision at low force levels while maintaining overall ease of operation through consistent transformed value format.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes a force sensor configured to be activated by a user and a control unit connected to an output of the force sensor. The control unit is configurable to operate in response to receipt of an m-bit value representing a measurement from the force sensor to transform the m-bit value to an n-bit transformed value, where n<m, and where the transformed value encodes an identification of one of a plurality of force ranges and contains a force measurement value within the identified one of the plurality of force ranges.