Touch Sensor Integrating Pressure Sensing at Electrode Intersections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current touch sensors can only detect touch position and not touch pressure, limiting their functionality in providing a variety of user inputs.
Innovation Solution
A touch sensor design that includes a plurality of first and second electrodes with a pressure sensor at their intersections, along with a sensor controller to detect variations in capacitance between these electrodes, allowing for both touch position and pressure sensing by alternating between touch and pressure sensing periods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a conventional touch sensor design is used, then the touch position can be detected, but the touch pressure cannot be detected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the touch position detection function and touch pressure detection function into a single integrated sensor structure. The pressure sensor is integrated at the intersection of first and second electrodes, allowing both position and pressure to be detected simultaneously through a unified sensor system rather than separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor controller is designed to perform multiple functions: it detects capacitance variations between first and second electrodes for position sensing, and simultaneously detects capacitance variations between electrodes and the pressure sensor for pressure sensing. This multi-functional approach allows a single controller to handle both detection modes without requiring separate dedicated components.
2Adaptability or versatility
If pressure sensing is added to touch sensors, then more comprehensive input is enabled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure sensor is merged into the existing electrode structure at their intersections, rather than adding a completely separate pressure sensing system. This integration allows the same basic structure to serve both touch position and pressure detection purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor controller operates in multiple modes: during a first period it performs touch position sensing by detecting capacitance between first and second electrodes, and during a second period it performs pressure sensing by detecting capacitance between electrodes and the pressure sensor. This time-division multiplexing allows one controller to handle multiple sensing functions.
3Measurement precision
If separate touch and pressure sensing mechanisms are used, then comprehensive sensing is achieved, but the sensing speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor controller uses periodic action by alternating between different sensing periods. During a first period it performs touch position sensing, and during a second period it performs pressure sensing. This periodic switching allows comprehensive sensing while maintaining efficient operation through time-division multiplexing rather than simultaneous independent operations.
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 the detection of touch pressure in addition to touch position, enhancing user interaction capabilities by providing a more comprehensive input mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
detect a variation in capacitance between the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes to sense a touch position
Implementation Method 2
detect a variation in capacitance between the at least one of the plurality of first electrodes or the at least one of the plurality of second electrodes and the pressure sensor to sense a touch pressure
Data Source
AI summary
A touch sensor includes first electrodes extending in a first direction, second electrodes spaced apart from the first electrodes and extending in a second direction to cross the first electrodes, at least one pressure sensor arranged at an intersection between at least one of the first electrodes and at least one of the second electrodes, and a sensor controller electrically connected to the first electrodes, the second electrodes, and the pressure sensor. The sensor controller is configured to detect a variation in capacitance between the first electrodes and the second electrodes to sense a touch position during a first period and detect a variation in capacitance between the at least one of the first electrodes or the at least one of the second electrodes and the pressure sensor to sense a touch pressure during a second period.