Touch-Sensitive Device Proximity Detection via Dual Threshold Scanning

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic apparatuses with touch-sensitive devices can only detect a single touch event, requiring additional components and increased power consumption to detect approaching objects, which increases costs and resource usage.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a system where the touch-sensitive device's sensing electrodes are scanned to determine if an object is close or touching by setting and comparing sensed values to threshold levels, allowing for differentiation between proximity and touch events, and adjusting scanning frequencies to conserve power.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If an additional approaching detector is equipped to detect objects close to the electronic apparatus, then the detection capability for adjacency events is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling the touch-sensitive device to serve dual purposes: detecting both touch events and adjacency events. By utilizing the existing sensing electrodes for both functions, the system eliminates the need for separate approaching detectors, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining enhanced detection capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The touch-sensitive device performs self-service by detecting adjacency events using its own sensing electrodes without requiring external additional detectors. The system leverages its existing components to achieve the adjacency detection function, reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If additional power is provided to operate approaching detectors, then the detection capability for adjacency events is improved, but the power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling the touch-sensitive device to serve dual purposes: detecting both touch events and adjacency events. By utilizing the existing sensing electrodes for both functions, the system eliminates the need for separate approaching detectors, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining enhanced detection capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The touch-sensitive device performs self-service by detecting adjacency events using its own sensing electrodes without requiring external additional detectors. The system leverages its existing components to achieve the adjacency detection function, reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If the touch-sensitive device only determines single touch events, then the device complexity is kept low, but the detection capability for adjacency events is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice complexityVSAvoiddetection capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling the touch-sensitive device to serve dual purposes: detecting both touch events and adjacency events. By utilizing the existing sensing electrodes for both functions, the system eliminates the need for separate approaching detectors, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining enhanced detection capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 detection of adjacency events without additional hardware, reducing power consumption and costs by providing distinct application modes for proximity and touch events, while maintaining user-friendly operation.

Implementation Method 1

capacitance variations between the electrodes can be sensed. It is known that a human body is a conductor. Thus, when a human body is close to the electrodes, the capacitance between a finger of the human body and the electrodes is increased.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

at least one sensing electrode of the touch-sensitive device is scanned to obtain a sensed value corresponding to the sensing electrode

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentUS9152255B2Management and application methods and systems for touch-sensitive devices, and computer program products thereof

Publication Date: 2015.10.06 HTC CORP

AI summary

Management and application methods and systems for an electronic apparatus having touch-sensitive devices are provided. First, at least one sensing electrode of a touch-sensitive device is scanned. It is determined whether a sensed value corresponding to the sensing electrode is greater than a first threshold value and whether the sensed value corresponding to the sensing electrode is greater than a second threshold value, wherein the second threshold value is greater than the first threshold value. When the sensed value is greater than the first threshold value, and is not greater than the second threshold value, it is determined that a first event is detected by the touch-sensitive device, for example, an object is close to the touch-sensitive device. When the sensed value is greater than the second threshold value, it is determined that a second event is detected by the touch-sensitive device, for example, the touch-sensitive device is touched by the object.