Touch Screen Communication via Capacitive Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Touch screens on mobile devices often lack communication interfaces and require specific connection wires, limiting their ability to communicate directly with other devices, and existing detection methods are inefficient in distinguishing between real and unreal touches, especially with conductive objects not coupled to ground.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses conductive strips on touch screens to detect external conductive objects by providing a driving signal and analyzing capacitive signals, allowing for full-screen driven detection and 2D mutual capacitive detection to determine object presence and update reference values, even with water stains or other non-grounded conductive objects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional touch detection methods are used, then the touch screen can detect touches, but it cannot distinguish between real touches and water stains or other conductive objects not coupled to ground
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a ground coupled object detection mechanism as an intermediary step between conventional touch detection and touch confirmation. By detecting whether the detected conductive object is coupled to ground, the system can distinguish between real touches (coupled to ground) and false detections like water stains (not coupled to ground), thereby improving both measurement precision and reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by using the ground coupling detection result to confirm or reject the initial touch detection. The system continuously monitors the ground coupling status and uses this feedback information to validate whether a detected touch is genuine, preventing false positives from water stains or other conductive contaminants
2Measurement precision
If 2D mutual capacitive detection is performed continuously to update reference values, then detection accuracy is maintained, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by updating reference values only at specific intervals or under specific conditions (when ground coupled object detection confirms no touch), rather than continuously. This periodic update strategy maintains detection accuracy while significantly reducing power consumption compared to continuous 2D mutual capacitive detection
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses preliminary ground coupled object detection to determine whether reference value updates are necessary before performing the more power-intensive 2D mutual capacitive detection. This preliminary action filters out unnecessary updates, saving energy while maintaining accuracy when needed
3Adaptability or versatility
If communication interfaces and connection wires are added to mobile devices, then communication capability is improved, but device complexity and portability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the touch screen serve multiple functions: it acts as both the user interface for touch input and a communication interface for near-field communication. By using the existing capacitive sensing infrastructure for both touch detection and communication, the system avoids adding separate communication hardware, thereby maintaining simplicity while enabling communication capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the touch screen to perform communication functions using its own capacitive coupling characteristics without requiring external communication interfaces or connection wires. The touch screen utilizes the natural capacitive coupling between conductive objects and the screen to transmit communication signals, making the system self-sufficient for communication purposes
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 efficient detection of external conductive objects and updates reference values, reducing power consumption and improving communication capabilities by distinguishing real from unreal touches, and allowing for communication through capacitive coupling.
Implementation Method 1
detecting mutual capacitive signals on conductive strips arranged in parallel in a second direction
Data Source
AI summary
The invention discloses a system and method for communication through touch screens that uses a first touch screen and a second touch screen for communication to form a communication system. The first and the second touch screens have a detecting mode for detecting an approach or touch of an external conductive object. In addition, the first and the second touch screens have a communication mode in which capacitively coupled communications between the first and the second touch screens are performed in order to exchange or communicate a message.