Touch Pressure Detection with Visual Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sensor devices in portable electronic devices, such as smartphones and health monitors, are sensitive to pressure variations when a user touches the substrate, leading to less accurate detection results due to varying finger pressure, which can differ from the calibrated pressure.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes a sensor device to detect touch pressure, an image capture device to associate the image with the pressure, and a processor to compare the pressure to a desired level, providing instructions to adjust the pressure and modify signals to reduce artifacts and improve signal-to-noise ratio, using capacitive touch panels and cameras in devices like smartphones and health monitors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a sensor device is used to detect bio-signals through a touch surface, then the device can provide convenient user interaction and bio-signal monitoring, but the detection accuracy deteriorates due to varying finger pressure affecting the sensor readings
Solution Approach 1:
The system captures images of the user's body part, analyzes contact area and pressure distribution, and provides real-time feedback through visual indicators showing whether the applied pressure is appropriate. This feedback loop guides the user to adjust their pressure to achieve optimal detection conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary analysis of the captured image to determine contact area and pressure level before the actual bio-signal detection. This preliminary assessment allows the system to prepare appropriate feedback or signal modification strategies to ensure accurate detection.
2Measurement precision
If the system provides real-time feedback to users to adjust pressure, then detection accuracy improves, but device complexity increases due to additional image capture and processing components
Solution Approach 1:
The image capture device serves multiple functions: it captures the user's body part for pressure analysis, provides visual feedback for pressure adjustment, and can potentially be used for other user interface functions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the image capture device with the existing touch surface and sensor device, integrating multiple functions into a unified system. The image processing and pressure analysis are merged with the bio-signal detection workflow, eliminating the need for separate independent systems.
3Measurement precision
If signal modification is applied to compensate for pressure variations, then bio-signal detection accuracy improves, but processing time increases due to real-time signal analysis and adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary analysis of the captured image to determine contact area and pressure level before the actual bio-signal detection. This preliminary assessment allows the system to prepare appropriate signal modification strategies in advance, reducing real-time processing delays.
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 system ensures consistent pressure for accurate bio-signal detection, reducing pressure artifacts and enhancing the signal-to-noise ratio by adjusting user input pressure and modifying signals in real-time.
Implementation Method 1
Capacitive touch panels are often used with touch screen devices. A capacitive touch panel generally includes an insulator, such as glass, coated with a transparent conductor, such as indium tin oxide (ITO). As the human body is also an electrical conductor, touching the surface of the panel results in a distortion of the panel's electric field, measurable as a change in capacitance.
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a sensor device configured to detect a touch pressure dependent characteristic of a body part of a user while the user touches a touch surface with the body part. The system also includes an image capture device configured to capture an image of the body part of the user while the user touches the touch surface. The system further includes a processor configured to associate the image with an amount of pressure exerted on the touch surface by the user. The processor is also configured to compare the amount of pressure exerted on the touch surface to a desired amount of pressure associated with the user for the sensor device, and initiate compensation for the touch pressure dependent characteristic based upon the comparison.