Touch Panel Electrode Segmentation for Event Discrimination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional touch sensitive processing apparatuses cannot distinguish between approximating and touching events when an external conductive object interacts with a capacitance sensing touch screen, leading to a need for determining whether an object is approaching or making contact.
Innovation Solution
A touch sensitive processing method and apparatus that utilize a layer of third electrodes, an elastic dielectric layer, and touch electrodes to perform self-capacitance sensing for one-dimensional arrays and mutual-capacitance sensing for two-dimensional arrays, allowing for the differentiation between approximating and touching events by analyzing the distance and capacitance changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional touch sensitive processing apparatus is used, then the structure is simple, but it cannot distinguish between approximating and touching events
Solution Approach 1:
The touch panel is segmented into multiple electrode layers: a first touch electrode layer, a second touch electrode layer, and a third touch electrode layer. Each layer serves specific sensing functions, with the third layer dedicated to approximating event detection and the first two layers for touching event detection, enabling event differentiation through structural segmentation
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds a temporal dimension to event detection by implementing sequential sensing: first performing self-capacitance sensing to detect approximating events, then performing mutual-capacitance sensing to detect touching events. This time-sequenced multi-dimensional approach enables distinction between approximating and touching events
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensing methods are implemented sequentially, then event detection accuracy is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
Self-capacitance sensing is performed first as a preliminary screening step to detect approximating events. Only when an approximating event is detected does the system proceed to mutual-capacitance sensing for touching event detection. This preliminary action approach reduces average processing time by avoiding unnecessary second-stage sensing when no touch occurs
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control where the result of self-capacitance sensing determines whether mutual-capacitance sensing is executed. The sensing controller adjusts the sensing process based on feedback from the first sensing stage, optimizing processing time by conditionally proceeding to the second sensing stage only when needed
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
Enables the touch system to accurately distinguish between approximating and touching events, enhancing user interaction by allowing the host to respond differently to various inputs, thereby enriching user experience and increasing system functionalities.
Implementation Method 1
performing self-capacitance sensing via the third electrodes in order to get an one-dimensional array composing sensing information corresponding to each of the third electrodes
Implementation Method 2
performing mutual-capacitance sensing via the first electrodes and the second electrodes in order to get a two-dimensional array
Implementation Method 3
a touch panel which sequentially includes a layer of third electrodes, an elastic dielectric layer and at least one layer of touch electrodes
Data Source
AI summary
A touch sensitive processing method applicable to a touch panel is provided. The touch panel includes sequentially a third electrode layer, a flexible dielectric layer, and at least one touch electrode layer. The third electrode layer includes multiple parallel third electrodes. The at least one touch electrode layer includes first electrodes in parallel to a first axis and second electrodes in parallel to a second axis. Each of the first electrodes intersects with the second electrodes to form multiple intersections. The touch sensitive processing method comprises: performing self-capacitance detection via the third electrodes to retrieve an approximating event, performing mutual-capacitance detection via the first electrodes and the second electrodes to retrieve a touching event, and reporting the approximating event to a host if the touching event is detected, or reporting the touching event if it is detected.