TX Sensor Pattern With Inactive Electrodes for Capacitance Equalization

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Capacitance sensing systems face challenges with reduced insulation thickness leading to slower capacitance measurements, increased power consumption, and the need for larger integration capacitors, which affect sensitivity and measurement speed in touch screen devices.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of dummy electrodes in sensor patterns to adjust and equalize mutual capacitance between TX and RX electrodes, reducing baseline capacitance while maintaining sensitivity and improving noise immunity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If insulation thickness is reduced to improve measurement speed and sensitivity, then capacitance measurement speed increases, but power consumption increases and measurement precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapacitance measurement speedVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dummy electrodes with adjustable capacitance values to modify the electrical parameters of the sensor system. By changing the capacitance parameters of dummy electrodes, the system can compensate for the effects of reduced insulation thickness, maintaining optimal power consumption and measurement precision while achieving faster measurement speeds.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Speed

If insulation thickness is reduced to improve measurement speed and sensitivity, then capacitance measurement speed increases, but measurement precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapacitance measurement speedVSAvoidcapacitance measurement precision

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses dummy electrodes with programmable capacitance values to adjust the electrical parameters of the sensor array. By modifying the capacitance parameters of dummy electrodes, the system compensates for precision losses caused by reduced insulation thickness, maintaining accurate capacitance measurements while achieving faster measurement speeds.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system measures the capacitance values of dummy electrodes and uses this feedback information to adjust and equalize the mutual capacitance across the sensor array. This feedback mechanism allows the system to maintain measurement precision by compensating for variations introduced by reduced insulation thickness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If dummy electrodes are added to equalize mutual capacitance, then baseline capacitance is reduced and noise immunity improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenoise immunityVSAvoidsensor pattern complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The dummy electrodes serve multiple functions: they equalize mutual capacitance across the sensor array, provide a reference for baseline capacitance values, and improve noise immunity. By making these electrodes multi-functional, the patent reduces the need for separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving improved reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Quantity of substance

If dummy electrodes are added to equalize mutual capacitance, then integration capacitor size is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintegration capacitor sizeVSAvoidsensor pattern complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The dummy electrodes perform multiple functions including capacitance equalization and providing reference values, which allows the system to use smaller integration capacitors. By consolidating these functions into the dummy electrode structure, the patent reduces the need for additional large-capacitance components, thereby reducing the quantity of electrical substance while limiting complexity increases.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 allows for faster capacitance measurements, reduced power consumption, and smaller integration capacitors, enhancing the performance and cost-effectiveness of touch screen devices by maintaining sensitivity and reducing noise interference.

Implementation Method 1

Capacitance sensing systems can sense electrical signals generated on electrodes that reflect changes in capacitance. The implementation of dummy electrodes in sensor patterns to adjust and equalize mutual capacitance between TX and RX electrodes.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentUS9151790B1Sensor pattern with inactive electrodes in transmit (TX) layer for mutual capacitance

Publication Date: 2015.10.06 PARADE TECHNOLOGIES LTD

AI summary

Apparatuses and methods of equalizing mutual capacitances of sense arrays using inactive electrodes disposed between or within transmit (TX) electrodes and aligned in relation to the receive (RX) electrodes.