Ultrasonic Sensor Wet Condition Input Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Capacitive touch sensors on user devices are ineffective when the user's finger is wet or the device is submerged in liquid, as the presence of water affects capacitance measurements, making it difficult to unlock and control the device underwater.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an ultrasonic sensor that can detect user inputs through vibrations or ultrasonic signals, allowing the device to switch to ultrasonic input detection when wet conditions are detected, eliminating the need for a force sensor and reducing complexity and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If capacitive touch sensors are used for input detection, then the device can be controlled easily under normal conditions, but the sensors become ineffective when the user's finger is wet or the device is submerged in liquid
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary substance (water-soluble polymer coating) between the capacitive touch sensor and the user's finger. This coating allows water to pass through while maintaining the sensor's capacitance detection capability, enabling the sensor to function reliably under wet conditions without requiring a complete system redesign
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of the sensor surface by applying a water-soluble polymer coating with specific dielectric properties. This coating modifies the capacitance characteristics to be less sensitive to water presence while maintaining sensitivity to finger contact, allowing the sensor to distinguish between wet and dry conditions
2Reliability
If a force sensor is added to detect user inputs underwater, then the device can be controlled under wet conditions, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding a completely new sensing mechanism (force sensor), the patent uses an intermediary polymer coating that enables the existing capacitive sensor to function underwater by mediating the interaction between water and the sensor, thereby avoiding increased device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The capacitive touch sensor is designed to serve multiple functions: it detects inputs in normal dry conditions and also detects inputs underwater when coated with the water-soluble polymer. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate force sensors or alternative input mechanisms
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 users to unlock and control devices underwater without pre-locking above water, improving user experience and reducing resource consumption compared to previous techniques.
Implementation Method 1
Incorporating an ultrasonic sensor that can detect user inputs through vibrations or ultrasonic signals
Data Source
AI summary
Various aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to control of a user device under a wet condition. In some aspects, a user device may determine whether the user device is operating under a wet condition; select, based at least in part on whether the user device is operating under the wet condition, a set of input components to control the user device, wherein the set of input components is selected from a plurality of different sets of input components; and configure a user interface of the user device according to the set of input components. Numerous other aspects are provided.