Integrated Touch Sensing and Feedback Electrode Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current touch sensing and feedback technologies often fail to integrate both touch sensing and feedback functionalities effectively, lacking adequate feedback intensity in user interaction devices.

Innovation Solution

A touch sensing and feedback apparatus comprising a feedback electrode, a reference electrode insulated from the feedback electrode, a signal generator, and a signal detector, which generates and transmits sensing and feedback driving signals to detect touch actions and provide tactile feedback by controlling the electrical charges on the electrodes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If touch sensing and feedback functionalities are integrated in a single apparatus, then functionality and feedback intensity are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintegrated touch sensing and feedback functionalityVSAvoidapparatus structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines touch sensing and feedback functionalities into a single integrated apparatus by merging the sensing electrode and feedback electrode into one structure. The sensing electrode serves dual purposes: detecting touch input and providing feedback to the user, thereby reducing the number of separate components needed while maintaining both functionalities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The sensing electrode is designed to perform multiple functions: it acts as both the sensing electrode for detecting touch input and the feedback electrode for providing tactile feedback. This multi-functional design allows a single electrode structure to replace what would traditionally require separate sensing and feedback components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Illumination intensity

If feedback driving signal is applied to enhance tactile sensation, then feedback intensity is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetactile feedback intensityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The feedback driving signal is applied periodically rather than continuously, synchronized with the detected touch events. The controller applies feedback signals only when touch input is detected, using periodic bursts of electrical energy to create tactile sensations, thereby reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous signal application

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The controller dynamically adjusts the parameters (voltage, frequency, duration) of the feedback driving signal based on the detected touch characteristics. By varying these parameters according to the specific touch event, the system optimizes energy consumption while maintaining adequate feedback intensity for different interaction scenarios

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 integrated touch sensing and feedback capabilities, enhancing tactile sensations through controlled voltage and frequency of feedback signals, and maintaining the reference electrode in an electrically grounded condition to intensify feedback intensity.

Implementation Method 1

a signal generator to generate a sensing driving signal and transmit the sensing driving signal to a sensing electrode... a signal detector coupled to a detecting electrode to detect the sensing driving signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

generates a feedback driving signal and transmits the feedback driving signal to the feedback electrode based on the touch action signal; and generates a reference driving signal and transmits the reference driving signal to the reference electrode based on the touch action signal. The reference driving signal maintains the reference electrode in an electrically-grounded condition

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical charge control: Electrostatics

Data Source

PatentUS9035894B2Touch sensing and feedback apparatuses and methods

Publication Date: 2015.05.19 HANNSTAR DISPLAY CORP

AI summary

A touch sensing and feedback apparatus comprises a feedback electrode, a reference electrode electrically insulated from the feedback electrode, a signal generator to generate a sensing driving signal and transmit the sensing driving signal to a sensing electrode, and a signal detector coupled to a detecting electrode to detect the sensing driving signal and generate a touch action signal based on the detected sensing driving signal. The signal generator generates a feedback driving signal and transmits the feedback driving signal to the feedback electrode based on the touch action signal, and generates a reference driving signal and transmits the reference driving signal to the reference electrode based on the touch action signal. The reference driving signal maintains the reference electrode electrically-grounded.