US 11,079,210 B2Granted

Sensing distance to terminal

AssigneeBeijing Xiaomi Mobile Software Co., Ltd.

InventorChaoxi Chen

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a method of sensing a distance applicable to a terminal including capacitive touch sensors. The method includes, when the terminal enters a non-hands-free call state, increasing an electric field strength of the touch sensors and/or decreasing a preset threshold, wherein the touch sensors generate raw data based on sensed signals when the sensed signals are greater than the preset threshold; and determining a distance between an object and the terminal based on the raw data generated by the touch sensors.

Claims9

Dependent claims

A method of sensing a distance, applicable to a touch screen terminal comprising capacitive touch sensors provided on the touch screen, the method comprising:

when the terminal enters a non-hands-free call state,
increasing an electric field strength of the touch sensors, or
decreasing a preset threshold, or
increasing an electric field strength of the touch sensors and decreasing a preset threshold;
wherein the touch sensors generate raw data based on sensed signals when the sensed signals are greater than the preset threshold;
and
determining a distance between an object and the terminal based on the raw data generated by the touch sensors;
wherein determining the distance between the object and the terminal based on the raw data generated by the touch sensors comprises:
determining a number of the touch sensors from each of which a sensed signal is greater than the preset threshold;
and
when the number is greater than a preset number, determining the distance between the object and the terminal based on the raw data generated by the touch sensors;
and
the method further comprises:
when, during a preset time period, the number is not greater than the preset number,
decreasing the electric field strength of the touch sensors in response to increasing the electric field strength of the touch sensors previously;
or
increasing the preset threshold in response to decreasing the preset threshold previously;
or
decreasing the electric field strength of the touch sensors and increasing the preset threshold in response to increasing the electric field strength of the touch sensors and decreasing the preset threshold previously;
so that the capacitive touch sensors restore a function of sensing a touch operation;
or
wherein determining the distance between the object and the terminal based on the raw data generated by the touch sensors comprises:
determining an area of the touch sensors from each of which a sensed signal is greater than the preset threshold;
and
when the area is greater than a preset area, determining the distance between the object and the terminal based on the raw data generated by the touch sensors;
and
the method further comprises:
when, during a preset time period, the area is not greater than the preset area,
decreasing the electric field strength of the touch sensors in response to increasing the electric field strength of the touch sensors previously;
or
increasing the preset threshold in response to decreasing the preset threshold previously;
or
decreasing the electric field strength of the touch sensors and increasing the preset threshold in response to increasing the electric field strength of the touch sensors and decreasing the preset threshold previously;
so that the capacitive touch sensors restore a function of sensing a touch operation;
or
wherein determining the distance between the object and the terminal based on the raw data generated by the touch sensors comprises:
determining a number and an area of the touch sensors from each of which a sensed signal is greater than the preset threshold;
and
when the number is greater than a preset number and the area is greater than a preset area, determining the distance between the object and the terminal based on the raw data generated by the touch sensors;
and
the method further comprises:
when, during a preset time period, the number is not greater than the preset number and the area is not greater than the preset area,
decreasing the electric field strength of the touch sensors in response to increasing the electric field strength of the touch sensors previously;
or
increasing the preset threshold in response to decreasing the preset threshold previously;
or
decreasing the electric field strength of the touch sensors and increasing the preset threshold in response to increasing the electric field strength of the touch sensors and decreasing the preset threshold previously;
so that the capacitive touch sensors restore a function of sensing a touch operation.

45 more elements

An apparatus for sensing a distance, applicable to a terminal comprising capacitive touch sensors, the apparatus comprising:

a processor, and
a memory for storing instructions executable by the processor,
wherein the processor is configured to:
when the terminal enters a non-hands-free call state, increase an electric field strength of the touch sensors and/or decrease a preset threshold, wherein the touch sensors generate raw data based on sensed signals when the sensed signals are greater than the preset threshold;
and
determine a distance between an object and the terminal based on the raw data generated by the touch sensors,
wherein, when determining the distance between the object and the terminal based on the raw data generated by the touch sensors, the processor is further configured to:
determine a number of the touch sensors from each of which a sensed signal is greater than the preset threshold;
and
when the number is greater than a preset number, determine the distance between the object and the terminal based on the raw data generated by the touch sensors;
and
the processor is further configured to:
when, during a preset time period, the number is not greater than the preset number,
decrease the electric field strength of the touch sensors in response to increasing the electric field strength of the touch sensors previously;
or
increase the preset threshold in response to decreasing the preset threshold previously;
or
decrease the electric field strength of the touch sensors and increase the preset threshold in response to increasing the electric field strength of the touch sensors and decreasing the preset threshold previously;
so that the capacitive touch sensors restore a function of sensing a touch operation;
or
wherein, when determining the distance between the object and the terminal based on the raw data generated by the touch sensors, the processor is further configured to:
determine an area of the touch sensors from each of which a sensed signal is greater than the preset threshold;
and
when the area is greater than a preset area, determine the distance between the object and the terminal based on the raw data generated by the touch sensors;
and
the processor is further configured to:
when, during a preset time period, the area is not greater than the preset area,
decrease the electric field strength of the touch sensors in response to increasing the electric field strength of the touch sensors previously;
or
increase the preset threshold in response to decreasing the preset threshold previously;
or
decrease the electric field strength of the touch sensors and increase the preset threshold in response to increasing the electric field strength of the touch sensors and decreasing the preset threshold previously;
so that the capacitive touch sensors restore a function of sensing a touch operation;
or
wherein, when determining the distance between the object and the terminal based on the raw data generated by the touch sensors, the processor is further configured to:
determine a number and an area of the touch sensors from each of which a sensed signal is greater than the preset threshold;
and
when the number is greater than a preset number and the area is greater than a preset area, determine the distance between the object and the terminal based on the raw data generated by the touch sensors;
and
the processor is further configured to:
when, during a preset time period, the number is not greater than the preset number and the area is not greater than the preset area,
decrease the electric field strength of the touch sensors in response to increasing the electric field strength of the touch sensors previously;
or
increase the preset threshold in response to decreasing the preset threshold previously;
or
decrease the electric field strength of the touch sensors and increase the preset threshold in response to increasing the electric field strength of the touch sensors and decreasing the preset threshold previously;
so that the capacitive touch sensors restore a function of sensing a touch operation.

44 more elements

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a terminal comprising capacitive touch sensors, cause the terminal to:

when the terminal enters a non-hands-free call state, increase an electric field strength of the touch sensors and/or decrease a preset threshold, wherein the touch sensors generate raw data based on sensed signals when the sensed signals are greater than the preset threshold;
and
determine a distance between an object and the terminal based on the raw data generated by the touch sensors;
wherein, when determining the distance between the object and the terminal based on the raw data generated by the touch sensors, the processor is further configured to:
determine a number of the touch sensors from each of which a sensed signal is greater than the preset threshold;
and
when the number is greater than a preset number, determine the distance between the object and the terminal based on the raw data generated by the touch sensors;
and
the processor is further configured to:
when, during a preset time period, the number is not greater than the preset number,
decrease the electric field strength of the touch sensors in response to increasing the electric field strength of the touch sensors previously;
or
increase the preset threshold in response to decreasing the preset threshold previously;
or
decrease the electric field strength of the touch sensors and increase the preset threshold in response to increasing the electric field strength of the touch sensors and decreasing the preset threshold previously;
so that the capacitive touch sensors restore a function of sensing a touch operation;
or
wherein, when determining the distance between the object and the terminal based on the raw data generated by the touch sensors, the processor is further configured to:
determine an area of the touch sensors from each of which a sensed signal is greater than the preset threshold;
and
when the area is greater than a preset area, determine the distance between the object and the terminal based on the raw data generated by the touch sensors;
and
the processor is further configured to:
when, during a preset time period, the area is not greater than the preset area,
decrease the electric field strength of the touch sensors in response to increasing the electric field strength of the touch sensors previously;
or
increase the preset threshold in response to decreasing the preset threshold previously;
or
decrease the electric field strength of the touch sensors and increase the preset threshold in response to increasing the electric field strength of the touch sensors and decreasing the preset threshold previously;
so that the capacitive touch sensors restore a function of sensing a touch operation;
or
wherein, when determining the distance between the object and the terminal based on the raw data generated by the touch sensors, the processor is further configured to:
determine a number and an area of the touch sensors from each of which a sensed signal is greater than the preset threshold;
and
when the number is greater than a preset number and the area is greater than a preset area, determine the distance between the object and the terminal based on the raw data generated by the touch sensors;
and
the processor is further configured to:
when, during a preset time period, the number is not greater than the preset number and the area is not greater than the preset area,
decrease the electric field strength of the touch sensors in response to increasing the electric field strength of the touch sensors previously;
or
increase the preset threshold in response to decreasing the preset threshold previously;
or
decrease the electric field strength of the touch sensors and increase the preset threshold in response to increasing the electric field strength of the touch sensors and decreasing the preset threshold previously;
so that the capacitive touch sensors restore a function of sensing a touch operation.

41 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 16/445,902Filed 19 Jun 2019
Priority: CN 201810639046.620 Jun 2018
Published: US 2019/0390948 A126 Dec 2019
Granted: 3 Aug 2021
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification7 codes

G01B 7/023
For measuring length, width or thickness: for measuring distance between sensor and object
G06F 3/044
Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means: by capacitive means
H04M 1/6041
For providing handsfree use or a loudspeaker mode in telephone sets: portable telephones adapted for handsfree use
G06F 2203/04101
Indexing scheme relating to G06F3/041 - G06F3/045: 2.5D-digitiser, i.e. digitiser detecting the X/Y position of the input means, finger or stylus,…

Family

US 2019/0390948 A1Pre-grant publication · published 26 Dec 2019
US 11,079,210 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

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Abstract

A method of sensing a distance, applicable to a touch screen terminal comprising capacitive touch sensors provided on the touch screen, the method comprising:

when the terminal enters a non-hands-free call state,
increasing an electric field strength of the touch sensors, or
decreasing a preset threshold, or
increasing an electric field strength of the touch sensors and decreasing a preset threshold;
wherein the touch sensors generate raw data based on sensed signals when the sensed signals are greater than the preset threshold;
and
determining a distance between an object and the terminal based on the raw data generated by the touch sensors;
wherein determining the distance between the object and the terminal based on the raw data generated by the touch sensors comprises:
determining a number of the touch sensors from each of which a sensed signal is greater than the preset threshold;
and
when the number is greater than a preset number, determining the distance between the object and the terminal based on the raw data generated by the touch sensors;
and
the method further comprises:
when, during a preset time period, the number is not greater than the preset number,
decreasing the electric field strength of the touch sensors in response to increasing the electric field strength of the touch sensors previously;
or
increasing the preset threshold in response to decreasing the preset threshold previously;
or
decreasing the electric field strength of the touch sensors and increasing the preset threshold in response to increasing the electric field strength of the touch sensors and decreasing the preset threshold previously;
so that the capacitive touch sensors restore a function of sensing a touch operation;
or
wherein determining the distance between the object and the terminal based on the raw data generated by the touch sensors comprises:
determining an area of the touch sensors from each of which a sensed signal is greater than the preset threshold;
and
when the area is greater than a preset area, determining the distance between the object and the terminal based on the raw data generated by the touch sensors;
and
the method further comprises:
when, during a preset time period, the area is not greater than the preset area,
decreasing the electric field strength of the touch sensors in response to increasing the electric field strength of the touch sensors previously;
or
increasing the preset threshold in response to decreasing the preset threshold previously;
or
decreasing the electric field strength of the touch sensors and increasing the preset threshold in response to increasing the electric field strength of the touch sensors and decreasing the preset threshold previously;
so that the capacitive touch sensors restore a function of sensing a touch operation;
or
wherein determining the distance between the object and the terminal based on the raw data generated by the touch sensors comprises:
determining a number and an area of the touch sensors from each of which a sensed signal is greater than the preset threshold;
and
when the number is greater than a preset number and the area is greater than a preset area, determining the distance between the object and the terminal based on the raw data generated by the touch sensors;
and
the method further comprises:
when, during a preset time period, the number is not greater than the preset number and the area is not greater than the preset area,
decreasing the electric field strength of the touch sensors in response to increasing the electric field strength of the touch sensors previously;
or
increasing the preset threshold in response to decreasing the preset threshold previously;
or
decreasing the electric field strength of the touch sensors and increasing the preset threshold in response to increasing the electric field strength of the touch sensors and decreasing the preset threshold previously;
so that the capacitive touch sensors restore a function of sensing a touch operation.

45 more elements

Facts

Application

16/445,902Filed 19 Jun 2019

Priority

CN 201810639046.620 Jun 2018

Published

US 2019/0390948 A126 Dec 2019

Granted

3 Aug 2021

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification7 codes

G01B 7/023
For measuring length, width or thickness: for measuring distance between sensor and object
G06F 3/044
Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means: by capacitive means
H04M 1/6041
For providing handsfree use or a loudspeaker mode in telephone sets: portable telephones adapted for handsfree use
G06F 2203/04101
Indexing scheme relating to G06F3/041 - G06F3/045: 2.5D-digitiser, i.e. digitiser detecting the X/Y position of the input means, finger or stylus,…