Touch Panel Liquid Detection via Electrode Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing touch panel systems struggle to accurately detect when a touch panel is mostly covered by a conductive liquid or object, leading to potential misjudgments that could result in dangerous situations, such as accidentally turning on a power source, due to the inability to differentiate between touch events and liquid coverage.
Innovation Solution
A touch sensitive processing apparatus that includes a driving circuit, a sensing circuit, and a processor to determine if a touch panel is covered by a conductive liquid or object by analyzing the differences in sensing values between electrodes, calculating a maximum difference, and determining if the area is covered based on a threshold, allowing for one-finger operations even under such conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the touch panel uses standard capacitive sensing to detect touch events, then normal touch operation is enabled, but the system cannot distinguish between actual touch events and large-area conductive liquid coverage, leading to misjudgments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the touch panel into multiple sensing zones with different electrode configurations. By dividing the panel into regions with varying electrode densities and patterns, the system can analyze spatial distribution of sensing values to distinguish between localized touch events and widespread liquid coverage, thereby improving both measurement precision and operational safety
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary analysis layer that processes raw sensing values through multiple calculation stages. Instead of directly interpreting sensing values as touch events, the system computes differential values, spatial gradients, and temporal changes as intermediate representations, enabling reliable discrimination between actual touches and liquid interference
2Reliability
If the system disables touch reporting when liquid coverage is detected, then operational safety is improved, but normal touch functionality is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing zone-specific response strategies. Different regions of the touch panel can have different operational states - areas with confirmed liquid coverage can disable reporting while areas with normal characteristics maintain full functionality. This allows the system to preserve usability in unaffected regions while ensuring safety in contaminated zones
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial action by selectively disabling touch reporting only in specific zones or under specific confidence thresholds rather than globally. The system can maintain partial functionality by allowing touches in regions where liquid coverage is not detected or where the confidence level is insufficient to trigger a safety response
3Measurement precision
If the system uses complex analysis methods to distinguish liquid coverage from touch events, then detection accuracy is improved, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic action through sequential multi-stage analysis. Instead of using a single complex algorithm, the system processes sensing data through a series of simpler sequential stages - initial threshold filtering, differential calculation, spatial pattern recognition, and confidence-based decision making. This periodic processing approach maintains high differentiation accuracy while keeping individual processing steps computationally simple
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
Effectively prevents misjudgments by accurately determining the presence of a conductive liquid or object on the touch panel, enabling safe operation by disabling reporting of touch points or switching to alternative processing modes, thus preventing potential hazards.
Implementation Method 1
perform sensing based on the mutual capacitive coupling signals of all of the second electrodes 120
Data Source
AI summary
A touch sensitive processing apparatus is provided for detecting whether a touch panel is mostly covered by a conductive liquid or object. The apparatus includes a driving circuit for providing a driving signal to one of multiple parallel electrodes of the touch panel; a sensing circuit for sensing multiple values by the electrodes with respect to the driving signal; and a processor. The processor is configured for commanding the driving circuit to provide the driving signal and receiving the multiple sensing values from the sensing circuit; and determining that the touch panel is mostly covered by a conductive liquid or object according to the sensing values.