Touch and Proximity Sensor Layout With Single Conversion Engine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional touch and proximity sensing devices require multiple signal processing units and microcontrollers, leading to increased cost, size, and complexity, along with potential interference and power consumption issues due to separate processing of capacitor and proximity sensing signals.
Innovation Solution
A touch and proximity sensing device with a single sensed signal conversion engine that processes both capacitor and proximity sensing signals using a circuit board with strategically positioned electrodes and a grounding conductor foil, reducing interference and eliminating the need for additional microcontrollers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If two independent sensed signal conversion engines are used to process capacitor and proximity sensing signals separately, then signal interference is reduced, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the processing of capacitor sensing signals and proximity sensing signals into a single sensed signal conversion engine. The engine sequentially executes different instruction sets to handle each signal type, eliminating the need for two separate processing units while maintaining signal integrity through temporal separation of processing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensed signal conversion engine dynamically switches between different instruction sets based on the type of signal being processed. The engine can execute a first instruction set for capacitor sensing signals and a second instruction set for proximity sensing signals, adapting its operation mode according to the current sensing requirement without requiring hardware changes.
2Productivity
If two independent sensed signal conversion engines are used, then signal processing capability is improved, but area occupied on circuit board increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functionality of two separate sensed signal conversion engines into a single integrated engine. This consolidation maintains full signal processing capability for both capacitor and proximity sensing while occupying only one chip area on the circuit board, thereby reducing the overall area requirement.
Solution Approach 2:
The single sensed signal conversion engine is designed with multi-functionality to handle both capacitor sensing signals and proximity sensing signals. By incorporating multiple instruction sets that can be selectively executed, the engine performs multiple sensing functions without requiring multiple dedicated processing units.
3Measurement precision
If separate processing units are used for capacitor and proximity sensing, then signal detection accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensed signal conversion engine dynamically activates only the instruction set required for the current sensing operation. When processing capacitor sensing signals, only the first instruction set is executed; when processing proximity sensing signals, only the second instruction set is executed. This dynamic activation reduces power consumption compared to having two continuously operating processing units.
Solution Approach 2:
The single sensed signal conversion engine maintains continuous readiness to process both types of sensing signals by keeping both instruction sets available for selective execution. This continuous capability ensures that signal detection accuracy is maintained while avoiding the power overhead of having two permanently active processing units.
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 solution enables efficient and cost-effective processing of both touch and proximity sensing signals with reduced interference and power consumption, achieving smaller size and lower costs by using a single signal conversion engine.
Implementation Method 1
one of the sensed signal conversion engines 121 detects variation of an electric signal from said one of the capacitor sensing electrodes 112
Implementation Method 2
the other one of the sensed signal conversion engines 121 detects variation of an electric signal from the proximity sensing electrode 113
Data Source
AI summary
A touch and proximity sensing device includes a circuit board and a sensed signal processing unit including only one sensed signal conversion engine. The circuit board includes a capacitor sensing electrode and a grounding conductor foil disposed on opposite surfaces of the circuit board, and has a proximity sensing electrode formed thereon. The grounding conductor foil is spaced apart from the proximity sensing electrode in a planar direction parallel to the surfaces of the circuit board. The sensed signal conversion engine is spaced apart from the capacitor sensing electrode and the proximity sensing electrode in the planar direction and detects electric sensed signals from the capacitor sensing electrode and the proximity sensing electrode.