Capacitive Touch Sensor With Memory And Suppression Algorithms
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional touch sensor systems in automotive applications face challenges such as high costs, complex designs, reduced reliability, lack of tactile feedback, and issues with harsh environmental conditions like rain and extreme temperatures, as well as cross-talk between sensors, which can lead to inadvertent actuation and reduced functionality.
Innovation Solution
A touch sensor system with capacitive sensing circuitry that includes a touch area suppression algorithm to differentiate between intended and unintended touches, provides tactile feedback through raised domes on the sensor cover, and incorporates a memory system to store and output touch sequences appropriately, allowing for multiple touch area functions while preventing inadvertent actuation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional mechanical components (spring and lever) are used to provide tactile feedback, then tactile feedback is achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical components (spring and lever) with a capacitive touch sensor system that uses electrical fields to detect touch input. The mechanical snap-acting arrangement is substituted with electronic signal processing that provides tactile feedback through visual or haptic actuators, eliminating the need for pivot races, pivot shafts, and other mechanical parts with narrow tolerances.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing system between the touch input and the feedback output. A controller receives signals from capacitive touch sensors and processes them through algorithms that determine the appropriate tactile feedback response, acting as a mediator that translates electrical field changes into controlled feedback without requiring direct mechanical coupling.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple touch sensors are used to provide multiple functions, then functionality increases, but cross-talk between sensors causes inadvertent actuation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the controller continuously monitors signals from multiple touch sensors and adjusts its response based on the pattern of activation. When cross-talk is detected (simultaneous activation of adjacent sensors), the system uses feedback algorithms to determine whether the input is intentional or inadvertent, preventing false actuation while maintaining multiple functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by establishing detection algorithms that anticipate and prevent cross-talk issues before they cause inadvertent actuation. The system pre-configures sensitivity thresholds and activation patterns that differentiate between intentional simultaneous touches and capacitive coupling effects, allowing multiple sensors to operate reliably in close proximity.
3Speed
If touch sensors are made sensitive to detect rapid touches, then response speed increases, but environmental interference (rain, ice, vibration) causes false detections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses partial action by implementing a memory system that stores and analyzes sequences of touch inputs over time. Rather than responding to each individual touch immediately, the system accumulates a pattern of inputs and processes them at a controlled rate, allowing it to detect rapid intentional sequences while filtering out environmental noise that does not form coherent patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically changes operational parameters based on environmental conditions and input patterns. The controller adjusts sensitivity thresholds, sampling rates, and detection windows to optimize performance in varying conditions, maintaining high response speed for intentional touches while suppressing false detections from rain, ice, or vibration that exhibit different temporal and spatial characteristics.
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
The system enhances reliability and user experience by providing tactile feedback, reducing cross-talk issues, and enabling multiple touch area functions while maintaining system integrity in harsh environments, thus improving user input accuracy and system responsiveness.
Implementation Method 1
A touch sensor system with capacitive sensing circuitry
Data Source
AI summary
A touch sensor system. The touch sensor system may include a touch sensor configured to provide an output in response to contact with a touch area, a controller coupled to the touch sensor and configured to provide a code representative of the output and a memory coupled to the controller. The memory may be configured to receive and store the code in a first time interval and to provide the code in a second time interval wherein the second time interval begins after the first time interval ends. Adjacent key suppression algorithms are also provided.