Touch Sensing Device for Hovering Active Pen Detection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Touch sensing technologies face decreased sensitivity and perception rates when detecting a hovering active pen due to weak sensing signals, which are indistinguishable from proximity signals.

Innovation Solution

A touch sensing device calculates a threshold value by summing and averaging sensing values from multiple touch electrodes, identifying the active pen's state by comparing these values to positive and negative threshold deviations, thereby enhancing sensitivity and perception for hovering active pens.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a touch sensing device uses conventional capacitance sensing to detect active pen proximity, then the basic touch sensing function is maintained, but the sensing sensitivity and perception rate decrease when the active pen is hovering

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensing sensitivityVSAvoidperception rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the sensing values from multiple touch electrodes (first, second, third, and fourth electrodes) to calculate a composite sum value. This combining approach amplifies the weak sensing signal from the hovering active pen, making it distinguishable from background noise and thereby improving both sensing sensitivity and perception rate

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent dynamically adjusts the threshold value based on the calculated sum value from multiple electrodes. By making the threshold adaptive rather than fixed, the system can respond to varying signal strengths during hovering, maintaining high perception rates across different hovering distances and conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the active pen hovers at a predetermined distance from the touch panel, then user comfort is improved, but the sensing signal becomes too weak to be reliably detected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser comfortVSAvoidsensing signal strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

By summing the sensing values from four different touch electrodes, the system creates a composite signal that is strong enough to detect hovering at comfortable distances. The combined signal strength allows users to hover the pen at a relaxed distance while maintaining reliable detection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from single-electrode detection to multi-electrode spatial distribution, utilizing the spatial arrangement of multiple electrodes to capture the electric field distribution of the hovering pen. This dimensional approach enhances detection capability without requiring the pen to be closer to the panel

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

This approach increases the sensing sensitivity and perception rate for hovering active pens, improving user convenience and touch sensing speed.

Implementation Method 1

a capacitance is formed between the driving electrode and the sensing electrode and the change of the capacitance may indicate a touch or the proximity of the external object to the touch panel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentUS11392253B2Touch sensing device for sensing active pen and touch sensing system including the same

Publication Date: 2022.07.19 SILICON WORKS CO LTD

AI summary

The present disclosure allows increasing the sensing sensitivity or the perception rate for a hovering active pen using a threshold value.