Touch Sensor Segmented Electrode Design for Edge Sensitivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Touch sensors with circular sensing areas experience reduced sensitivity and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) due to sensor area loss at edge nodes, and increasing sampling rate to improve sensitivity increases power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A touch sensor design with independently drivable first and second sensing areas, where the second sensing area is configured to minimize edge node losses and can be selectively activated or deactivated based on mode, using optimized electrode patterns to maintain high sensitivity and low power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the sampling rate is increased to improve touch sensing sensitivity, then the sensitivity and SNR are improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing area is divided into a first sensing area (center portion) and a second sensing area (edge portion), with separate sensor electrodes for each region. This segmentation allows selective driving of different sensing areas, enabling the system to achieve high sensitivity when needed while reducing power consumption by activating only the necessary portion of the sensing area at any given time.
Solution Approach 2:
The touch sensor implements dynamic control by selectively activating the first and second sensor electrodes based on operational modes. The system can switch between different sensing configurations - using both sensing areas simultaneously for high sensitivity requirements, or activating only one sensing area to reduce power consumption, thereby dynamically adapting to different operational demands.
2Measurement precision
If the sampling rate is increased to improve SNR, then the SNR is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the sensing area into distinct regions with separate electrodes, the system can concentrate sampling resources on specific areas requiring high SNR while reducing overall power consumption. The first and second sensor electrodes can be driven independently, allowing optimized sampling strategies for different sensing requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies partial action by selectively activating only the necessary sensing area (first or second sensor electrodes) based on operational needs. Instead of continuously driving all sensor electrodes at maximum sampling rates, the system activates only the required portion, achieving sufficient SNR for the current operational context while minimizing power consumption.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the first and second sensing areas are driven independently, then the power consumption is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing area is segmented into a first sensing area with first sensor electrodes and a second sensing area with second sensor electrodes. This segmentation enables independent control of each sensing region, allowing the system to reduce power consumption by activating only the necessary sensing area while maintaining relatively simple electrode configurations within each segment.
Solution Approach 2:
The first and second sensor electrodes serve multiple functions - they can be used individually or in combination depending on the operational mode. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve power reduction through selective driving while maintaining the flexibility to handle various sensing requirements, thereby managing device complexity effectively.
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 design enhances touch sensing sensitivity and SNR while reducing power consumption by minimizing sensor area loss and selectively driving sensing areas, achieving efficient touch input detection across the entire sensing area.
Implementation Method 1
The touch sensor may sense a touch input generated in the sensing area using the sensor electrodes
Data Source
AI summary
A touch sensor includes: a sensing area including a first sensing area positioned in a center portion and a second sensing area positioned outwardly therefrom in an edge portion; first sensor electrodes disposed in the first sensing area; and second sensor electrodes disposed in the second sensing area, the second sensor electrodes being configured to be separately activated from the first sensor electrodes. The first sensor electrodes are drivable to detect a touch input generated in the first sensing area in a first mode and the second sensor electrodes are drivable to detect a touch input generated in the second sensing area in a second mode.