Touch Sensor Electrode Segmentation for Hover Recognition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic devices with touch screens face challenges in accurately measuring touch and hovering inputs due to limitations in sensor area, leading to degradation in linearity and recognition accuracy.
Innovation Solution
The integration of additional electrodes, such as dummy electrodes connected through a bridge structure within the existing touch sensor, allows for improved touch input performance and secure hovering recognition without increasing the sensor area, utilizing capacitance changes to detect external object interactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the area of sensor is increased for performance improvement, then touch input accuracy is improved, but linearity and recognition area degrade
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is divided into multiple separate sensing regions: a first sensing region for touch input detection and a second sensing region for hovering input detection. This segmentation allows each region to be optimized for its specific function, enabling accurate touch recognition while maintaining linearity and recognition area for hovering detection without the trade-off that occurs when a single sensor area is increased.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a vertical dimension by implementing hovering detection capability in addition to touch detection. By detecting capacitance changes at different proximity levels (touch vs. hover), the system achieves three-dimensional interaction recognition, allowing both touch accuracy and hovering linearity to coexist through spatial differentiation of sensing functions.
2Measurement precision
If additional sensors are added for hovering recognition, then hovering detection accuracy is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor structure is designed to perform multiple functions: the same electrode configuration and readout circuitry are used for both touch input detection and hovering input detection. By making the sensor universal, the system achieves accurate hovering detection without adding separate sensors, thereby avoiding increased manufacturing costs while maintaining improved measurement precision for both touch and hover interactions.
3Measurement precision
If sensor area is increased to improve touch measurement, then touch sensitivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is segmented into distinct functional regions (first sensing region for touch, second sensing region for hover) that can be independently optimized. This segmentation reduces device complexity by allowing each region to use simplified electrode configurations tailored to its specific detection needs, rather than requiring a complex unified structure to handle both functions simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial sensing coverage for different functions: the first sensing region covers areas where touch input is expected, while the second sensing region covers areas where hovering input is detected. This partial action approach allows touch measurement accuracy to be improved in relevant areas without requiring the entire sensor area to be optimized for both functions, thereby reducing overall device complexity.
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 solution enhances touch recognition accuracy and secures hovering recognition while maintaining the sensor area, enabling effective grip and proximity detection without additional manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
detect touch information related to an external object, at least based on a change of a capacitance between at least some first electrode of the one or more first electrodes and at least some second electrode of the one or more second electrodes
Implementation Method 2
detect hovering information related to the external object, at least based on a capacitance related to at least some third electrode of the one or more third electrodes
Data Source
AI summary
According to various embodiments, an electronic device may comprise: one or more first electrodes; one or more second electrodes arranged in at least a different direction from the one or more first electrodes; one or more third electrodes arranged between the one or more second electrodes, respectively, in the same direction as the second electrodes when viewed from above; and a control circuit, wherein the control circuit is configured to detect touch information related to an external object, at least on the basis of a change in a capacitance value between at least a part of the one or more first electrodes and at least a part of the one or more second electrodes, and detect hovering information related to the external object, at least on the basis of a capacitance value related to at least a part of the one or more third electrodes. Various other embodiments are possible.