Solution to achieve mutual capacitance sensing fold / unfold detection by using touch controllers which do not have the capability to change TX / RX setting

Abstract

A touch sensor may receive inputs at a flexible display. The touch sensor may include an array of columns and rows with the columns being parallel to a folding axis of the flexible display. A touch integrated circuit may measure capacitance at a. plurality of input channels and a plurality' of output channels. An electrical pad corresponding to a particular input channel of the plurality of input channels that is connected to a particular column of the columns may be shorted to an electrical pad corresponding to a particular output channel of the plurality of output channels external to the touch integrated circuit. A controller may control operation of a pad switch of the particular input channel and a pad switch of a particular output channel to selectively couple the particular column to the particular output channel or to the particular input channel.

Description

SOLUTION TO ACHIEVE MUTUAL CAPACITANCE SENSING FOLD / UNFOLD DETECTION BY USING TOUCH CONTROLLERS WHICH DO NOT HAVE THE CAPABILITY TO CHANGE TX / RX SETTINGBACKGROUND

[0001] Some computing devices may unfold to provide increased screen area, as compared to similarly sized computing devices that are not foldable, while being foldable to reduce a particular size dimension. When folded, the reduced dimension may allow a computing device to fit within a container or other area. For example, a computing device may be folded to fit within and be stored in a pocket, bag, or oilier container and be unfolded for use.SUMMARY

[0002] In general, techniques of this disclosure are directed to detecting the opening and folding (“open / fold detection”) of a foldable computing device, such as to respectively activate (e.g., turn on) and deactivate (e.g., turn off) a display or other component of the foldable computing device. In some examples, a foldable computing device may comprise halves or foldable portions that fold relative to one another, such as via one or more hinges. A foldable computing device may include a foldable display that folds and unfolds along with the foldable computing device. In some aspects, open / fold detection may include determining an angle between foldable portions of the foldable computing device. The foldable computing device may initiate a wake / on, tablet, laptop, tent, book, offi'standby, or other operating mode based on the angle.

[0003] Some solutions utilize a number of sensors to achieve open / fold detection. For example, some solutions include one or more Hall effect sensors (‘Hall sensors”) to detect whether a foldable computing device is open or folded and a plurality of inertial measurement units (“IMUs”) to detect the angle at which the halves of the foldable computing device are positioned. The sensors must be particularly positioned at the foldable computing device to operate properly. For example, a Hall sensor may ideally be placed at an outer or distal edge of one half of the foldable computing device, while IMUs may ideally be placed symmetrically at each half of the foldable computing device. Multiple sensors add to the bill of materials (BoM) and / or cost of a foldable computing device.

[0004] In accordance with the techniques disclosed herein, rather than relying on particular sensors, such as IMUs and Hall sensors for open / fold detection, a foldable computing device may utilize touch integrated circuitry' coupled with scan switching circuitry to perform open / fold detection, including detection of angles at which foldable portions (e.g., halves) ofthe foldable computing device are positioned. In this manner, a number of sensors, such as IMUs and Hall sensors, may be reduced or eliminated. In some examples, the foldable computing device, such as via a controller thereof, may use the scan switching circuitry to selectively toggle or switch one or more portions of a touch sensor between transmit and receive states to switch between user input detection and open / fold detection.

[0005] Hie foldable computing device may utilize a mutual-capacitance scan for open / fold detection, including angle detection. For example, the foldable computing device may determine a distance between the foldable portions of the foldable computing device using the mutual -capacitance scan. For instance, the foldable computing device may determine a distance between each foldable portion of the folding computing device with the mutualcapacitance scan. The foldable computing device may switch between user input detection and open / fold detection rapidly (e.g., within a frame of a display frame rate). As such, the foldable computing device may use the touch sensor to seamlessly perform both user input detection and open / fold detection.

[0006] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a foldable device including a flexible display; a touch sensor that receives inputs at the flexible display, the touch sensor including an array of columns and rows, the columns parallel to a folding axis of the flexible display; and a touch integrated circuit includes a plurality of electrical interfaces including a plurality of receive electrical interfaces and a separate plurality of transmit electrical interfaces, each of tire plurality of electrical interfaces including a respective electrical pad and a respective pad switch; a plurality’ of input channels that process respective electrical signals received via a respective receive electrical interface of the plurality of receive electrical interfaces; a plurality of output channels that output respective electrical signals via a respective transmit electrical interface of tire plurality of transmit electrical interfaces, wherein an electrical pad corresponding to a particular input channel of the plurality of input channels that is connected to a particular column of the columns is shorted to an electrical pad corresponding to a particular output channel of the plurality of output channels external to the touch integrated circuit; and a controller configured to control operation of a pad switch of the particular input channel and a pad switch of the particular output channel to selectively couple the particular column to the particular output channel or to the particular input channel.

[0007] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method including receiving, by a touch sensor, inputs at a flexible display, the touch sensor including an array of columns and rows, the columns parallel to a folding axis of the flexible display;measuring, by a touch integrated circuit, capacitance at a plurality of input channels and a plurality of output channels, wherein an electrical pad corresponding to a particular input channel of the plurality of input channels that is connected to a particular column of the columns is shorted to an electrical pad corresponding to a particular output channel of the plurality of output channels external to the touch integrated circuit; and controlling, by a controller, operation of a pad switch of the particular inp ut channel and a pad sw itch of a particular output channel to selectively couple the particular column to the particular output channel or to the particular input channel.

[0008] The details of one or more examples of the subject matter of this specification are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, aspects, and advantages of the subject matter will become apparent from the description, the drawings, and the claims.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0009] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example foldable computing device with open / fold detection, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

[0010] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating further details of an example foldable computing device with open / fold detection, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

[0011] FIGS. 3A and 3B are block diagrams illustrating further details of an example foldable computing device with open / fold detection, m accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

[0012] FIG. 4 is a graph illustrating operation of example scan switching circuitry over time, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

[0013] FIGS. 5A-5D illustrate example operating modes of an example foldable computing device with open / fold detection, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

[0014] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating example operations of an example foldable computing device to perform open / fold detection, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example foldable computing devicewith open / fold detection, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. Foidable computing device 110 may be an example of a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a wearable device, a gaming system, a media player, an e-book reader, camera, personal digital assistant (“PDA”), navigation system, flat panel display device, or any other type of portable or wearable computing device. FIG. 1 illustrates a particular example of foldable computing device 110, and many other examples of foldable computing devices may be used in other instances and may include a subset of the components included in example mobile computing device 110 or may include additional components not shown in FIG. 1.

[0016] As shown in the example of FIG, 1, foldable computing device 110 may include at least two foldable portions 132, 134 (e.g., foldable panels) and one or more hinges 112 that allow foldable portions 132, 134 to collapse or fold to a collapsed state, where foldable computing device 110 is considered closed or folded, and to open or unfold to an expanded state, where foldable computing device may be considered open. For example, foldable computing device 110 may comprise a first foldable portion 132 (e.g., a first half), second foldable portion 134 (e.g., a second half), and hinge 1 12. First foldable portion 132 and second foldable portion 134 may be rotatably mounted to hinge 112 to allow first foldable portion 132 and second foldable portion 134 to open and fold. As shown in FIG. 1 for example, first foldable portion 132 and second foldable portion 134 may open and fold about folding axis 114 via hinge 112. In some examples, foldable computing device 110 may include display 108 with a relatively large length or width (e.g., display area) when open while occupying a relatively small length or width dimension when folded.

[0017] Foldable computing device 110 may provide various operating modes when open. For example, foldable computing device 110 may have a tablet, laptop, tent, book, or other operating mode based on the angle to which foldable computing device 110 is open. Each operating mode may determine orientation of graphical elements presented on display 108 as well as other operational characteristics of foldable computing device 110.

[0018] Display 108 may be capable of rendering data into images viewable by a user of foldable computing device 110. For example, display 108 may include a matrix of pixels that are individually controllable. In some examples, display 108 may comprise one or more display panels, such as but not limited to, liquid crystal displays (“LCD”), light emitting diode (“LED”) displays, organic light-emitting diode (“OLED”) displays, micro lightemitting diode (“microLED”) displays, or similar monochrome or color displays capable of outputting visible information to a user of foldable computing device 110. Display 108 mayspan hinge 1 12 from first foldable portion 132 to second foldable portion 134 and be flexible or foldable along with first foldable portion 132 and second foldable portion 134. In some examples, display 108 may comprise multiple separate displays 108. For instance, display 108 may include a first display at first foldable portion 132 and a second display at second foldable portion 134 and be separated at hinge 112.

[0019] First foldable portion 132 and second foldable portion 134 may each comprise an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface may be externally visible when foldable computing device 110 is open and not externally visible when foldable computing device 110 is folded. The example of FIG. 1 illustrates a plan view of foldable computing device 1 10 in an open state. As can be seen, display 108 may be at an inner surface of first foldable portion 132 and second foldable portion 134. Accordingly, display 108 may only be externally visible when foldable computing device 110 is open.

[0020] Foldable computing device 110 may include user interface component (“UIC”) 120 and touch integrated circuit (“TIC”) 122, UIC 120 may function as an input and / or output device tor foldable computing device 1 10. For example, as shown in FIG. 1 , UIC 120 includes display 108 for outputting visible information to a user of computing device 102 and touch sensor 118 for receiving user input (e.g., touch or pen input) from the user and performing open / fold detection. In some examples, with respect to open / fold detection, foldable computing device 1 10 may be considered open when foldable computing device 110 is open to any degree greater than zero or to a particular threshold degree (e.g., 1 degree).

[0021] Display 108 may output information to the user in the form of one or more user interfaces, which may be associated with functionality provided by foldable computing device 110. Such user interfaces may be associated with computing platforms, operating systems, applications, and / or services executing at or accessible from foldable computing device 1 10 (e.g., electronic message applications, chat applications, Internet browser applications, mobile or desktop operating systems, social media applications, electronic games, menus, and other types of applications).

[0022] Touch sensor 118 may be used to measure capacitance, such as to detect changes in capacitance caused by user input (e.g., user input detection) or by opening or folding foldable computing device 110 (e.g., open / fold detection). Touch sensor 1 18 may detect user input in the form of gestures (e.g., tapping, swiping, or touching display 108 with a finger or stylus). Touch sensor 118 may perform open / fold detection by measuring capacitance to determine an angle or distance between foldable portions 132, 134 of foldable computing device 110. In some examples, touch sensor 118 may be part of display 108, such as by being integrated intoa layer or other portion of display 108.

[0023] In some examples, touch sensor 118 may comprise a plurality of electrodes 104, 106. Electrodes 104, 106 may be constructed from a suitable conductive material, such as indium tin oxide (“ITO”) which may be transparent and thus invisible to a user. Electrodes 104, 106 may be mounted a distance apart, such as on either side of a dielectric material (e.g., a glass substrate). Electrodes 104, 106 may be mounted in various arrangements. For example, as shown in the example of FIG. 1, touch sensor I 18 may comprise a matrix of column electrodes 104 and row' electrodes 106 that are mounted generally perpendicular to one another on either side of a dielectric material.

[0024] UIC 120 and TIC 122 may operate in conjunction to perform user input and open / fold detection. For example, touch sensor 118, together with TIC 122, may perform capacitance scans to perform user input and open / fold detection. As will be described further below, to perform a capacitance scan, TIC 122 may output a voltage signal to one or more electrodes 104, 106 and measure a change in capacitance (e.g., as may be induced by the presence of a finger or other object on or near touch sensor 1 18).

[0025] In some examples, TIC 122 may perform particular types of capacitance scans, such as mutual-capacitance scans. During a mutual-capacitance scan, TIC 122 measures capacitance between different electrodes 104, 106, as compared to a self-capacitance scan which measures capacitance at an electrode 104, 106 relative to ground. For example, during a mutual -capacitance scan, TIC 122 may measure capacitance between one or more output or transmit electrodes (e.g., column electrodes 104) and one or more input or receive electrodes (e.g., row electrodes 106). Though described in some examples with respect to column electrodes 104 as transmit electrodes and row' electrodes 106 as receive electrodes, TIC 122 may perform mutual -capacitance scans between any two or more different electrodes 104, 106 (e.g,, one or more column electrodes 104 and one or more row electrodes 106, between two or more column electrodes 104, or between two or more row electrodes 106).

[0026] Some computing devices may perform a self-capacitance scan to determine whether the computing device is open or folded by estimating an angle or distance based on raw selfcapacitance data. The raw self-capacitance data may often change due to material characteristics over the computing device’s operational lifetime causing the estimation of the angle or distance between foldable portions of the computing de vice to become unpredictable and inaccurate thereby causing detection of whether the computing device is open or folded to become unreliable.

[0027] TIC 122 may comprise a plurality of input channels and output channels. TIC 122may drive electrodes 104, 106 (e.g., output a voltage signal to electrodes 104, 106) via an output channel and measure capacitance between the output channel and at least one input channel. In some examples, a plurality of input, channels of TIC 122 may each be coupled to a respective row electrode 106 and a plurality of output channels of TIC 122 may each be coupled to a respective column electrode 104.

[0028] Foldable computing device 110 may include scan switching circuitry 126 to toggle or switch touch sensor 118 between user input detection and open / fold detection. For example, scan switching circuitry 126 may allow' foldable computing device 1 10 to selectively perform mutual -capacitance scans for user input detection and open / fold detection, as will now be described.

[0029] To perform a mutual -capacitance scan, TIC 122 may take advantage of the inherent capacitive coupling that exists between different electrodes 104, 106. For example, TIC 122 may measure the capacitance between different electrodes 104, 106 (e.g., one or more column electrodes 104 and one or more row electrodes 106, between two or more column electrodes 104, or between two or more row electrodes 106) where they overlap, move apart, or move closer to one another.

[0030] During user input detection, TIC 122. may drive electrode 104 of touch sensor 118 (e.g,, column electrode 1041.,) and measure the capacitance on intersecting electrodes 106 of touch sensor 118 (e.g., row electrodes 106). TIC 122 may repeat this process until each location column electrodes 104 and row' electrodes 106 overlap (e.g., each touch sensor cell) has been sensed. Where touch sensor 118 includes c column electrodes and r row electrodes. the mutual -capacitance scan produces c x r measurements. The mutual-capacitance scan therefore may involve the scanning of each touch sensor cell individually to generate a full ■‘image” of the panel, which may allow TIC 122 to unambiguously identify individual user inputs (e.g., individual touch contacts),

[0031] TIC 122 may have one or more input channels that are unused for user input, detection that may be used for open / fold detection. For example, touch sensor 118 may include n receive electrodes (e.g,, row electrodes 106A-106N) sufficient to detect the desired range of user input (e.g., sufficient to detect user input across a desired extent of display 108), while TIC 122 includes «+l or more input channels (e.g., unused input channels). Scan switching circuitry' 126 may utilize the unused input channels to perform open / fold detection.

[0032] In some examples, scan switching circuitry 126 may comprise a circuit path, trace, or other connection that couples or shorts an outpu t channel to an unused input channel of TIC 122. The output channel may be coupled to an electrode 104, 106, such as for examplecolumn electrode 104N. The output channel and the unused input channel may be selectively coupled to column electrode 104N through scan switching circuitry 126 to toggle or switch between the user input detection and open / fold detection.

[0033] For example, when coupled to the output channel, column electrode 104N may be an output electrode that outputs a voltage signal and, when coupled to the unused input channel, column electrode 104N may form the input electrode of a mutual capacitance electrode pair. In some examples, foldable computing device I 10 may be in an open / fold detection or scan mode when switching circuitry' 126 couples an electrode 104N to the unused input channel of TIC 122 and be in a user input detection or scan mode when switching circuitry 126 couples the electrode 104N to the output channel of TIC 122 shorted by switching circuitry’ 126.

[0034] As such, during open / fold detection, TIC 122 may perform mutual -capacitance scans between different column electrodes 104. For example, TIC 122 may perform a mutualcapacitance scan between a first column electrode 104A at foldable portion 132 and a second column electrode 104N at foldable portion 134, TIC 122 may measure the capacitance between column electrodes 104A, 104N to detect whether foldable computing device 110 is open or folded. In some examples, TIC 122 measures the capacitance to determine a distance between column electrodes 104. TIC 122 may utilize the determined distance to determine an angle at which foldable portions 132, 134 are positioned relative to one another.

[0035] TIC 122 may perform a mutual -capacitance scan between various pairs of column electrodes 104, such as column electrodes 104 at proximal and / or distal ends of foldable portions 132, 134. In this manner, TIC 122 may determine the distance between foldable portions 132, 134 at proximal and / or distal ends of foldable portions 132, 134, such as to more accurately determine a distance (and therefore angle) between foldable portions 132, 134. For example, as described above, scan switching circuitry 126 may be coupled to column electrode 104N. As shown m FIG. I, column electrode 104N may be at a distal end of foldable portion 134. In this example, TIC 122 may perform a mutual -capacitance scan between column electrodes 104A,104N which are respectively at the distal ends of foldable portions 132, 134. During open / fold detection, scan switching circuitry' 126 may couple column electrode 140N to an input channel of TIC 122 and column electrode 104A may remain coupled to an output channel of TIC 122. As such, TIC 122 may drive column electrode 104A and measure capacitance between column electrodes 104A, 104N to determine a distance and / or angle between foldable portions 132, 134.

[0036] Though described with respect to individual column electrodes 104 A, 104N at the distal ends of foldable portions 132, 134, scan switching circuitry 126 may selectively couplemultiple column electrodes 104 to individual input and output channel pairings of TIC 122. For example, scan switching circuitry 126 may selectively couple one or more column electrodes 104 adjacent to column electrode 104N. As shown in FIG. 1, column electrode 1041 may be at a proximal end of foldable portion 134. Similar to above, scan switching circuitry 126 may selectively couple column electrode 1041 to tin input or output channel of TIC 122. For example, to perform a mutual -capacitance scan at a proximal end of foldable portions 132, 134, TIC 122 may drive column electrode 104F via an output channel and measure capacitance between the driven column electrodes and column electrode 1041.

[0037] When foldable computing device 110 is open, as shown in FIG. 1, capacitance measured by TIC 122 may be lower due to the increased distance between column electrodes 104. When foldable computing device 1 10 is folded, capacitance measured by TIC 122 may be higher due to the decreased distance between column electrodes 104. In some examples, TIC 122 may determine foldable computing device 110 is folded when capacitance is above a threshold capacitance value and determine foldable computing device 1 10 is open when capacitance is below the same threshold capacitance value or another threshold capacitance value as may be offset or adjusted by one or more constants or heuristics.

[0038] Though described as selectively coupling column electrodes 104 to an input and output channel of TIC 122, scan switching circuitry 126 may selectively couple row electrodes 106 or electrodes mounted in other orientations. In general, scan switching circuitry 126 may selectively couple electrodes 104, 106 of touch sensor 118 that are parallel with folding axis 114 of foldable computing device 1 10, such as to allow TIC 12.2 to more readily determine a distance and / or angle between foldable portions 132, 134 as foldable portions 132, 134 are opened or folded.

[0039] Controller 124 may be included to operate or control one or more pad switches within or coupled to scan switching circuitry 126. Controller 124 may operate one or more pad switches (e.g., open and close pad switches) to selectively couple electrode 104 to the output channel or the unused input channel shorted by scan switching circuitry 126. In some examples, controller 124 may operate one or more pad switches to switch between the user input detection mode and the open / fold detection mode rapidly to improve the responsiveness of foldable computing device 110, such as in changing between different operating modes (e.g., wake / on, tablet, laptop, tent, book, or standby / off modes). For instance, controller 124 may- operate one or more pad switches to switch between user input detection the open / fold detection based on a refresh rate (e.g., 60 Hertz (“Hz”)) or frame time (1 / 60* of a second) of display 108. In some examples, controller 124 may switch between user input detection andopen / fold detection within the duration of one or more display frames presented at display 108.

[0040] In some examples, controller 124 may be a display controller that may control or manage operation of display 108, such as to cause display 108 to render one or more graphics or images. For instance, controller 124 may cause display 108 to render a user interface or other graphic received from a processor, operating system, or other component of foldable computing device 110.

[0041] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating further details of an example foldable computing device 210, in accordance with one or more techniques of this disclosure. Foldable computing device 210 of FIG. 2 may be an example of foldable computing device I 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 . FIG. 2 illustrates only one particular example of foldable computing device 210, and many other examples of foldable computing device 210 may be used in other instances and may include a subset of the components included in example foldable computing device 210 or may include additional components not shown in FIG. 2. Display 208, touch sensor 218, TIC 222, controller 224, and scan switching circuitry 226 may be examples of display 108, touch sensor 1 18, TIC 122, controller 124, and scan switching circuitry 126 of FIG. 1.

[0042] As shown in the example of FIG, 2, foldable computing device 210 may include display 208, one or more processors 228, one or more input components 242, one or more communication units 244, one or more output components 246, and one or more storage components 248. Display 208 may include touch sensor 2.18, TIC 2.2.2, controller 22.4, and display panel 256. As shown in FIG. 2, one or more storage components 248 may include UI module 264, user application module 272, operating system 262, open / fokl module 274, and touch mapping module 2.76. In some examples, UI module 264, open / fold module 274, and / or touch mapping module 276 may be considered to be a component of operating system 262.

[0043] Communication channels 250 may interconnect each of tire components 208, 218, 222, 224, 22.6, 228, 242, 244, 246, 248, and 256 for inter-component communications (physically, communicatively, and / or operatively). In some examples, communication channels 250 may include a system bus, a network connection, an inter-process communication data structure, or any other method for communicating data.

[0044] One or more input components 242. of foldable computing device 2.10 may receive input. Examples of input are tactile, audio, and video input. Input components 242 of foldable computing device 210, in one example, includes touch-sensitive screen, mouse,keyboard, voice responsive system, video camera, microphone or any other type of device for detecting input from a human or machine.

[0045] One or more input components 242 may include one or more sensors. Numerous examples of sensors exist and include any input component configured to obtain environmental information about the circumstances surrounding foldable computing device 210 and / or physiological information that defines the activity state and / or physical well-being of a user of foldable computing device 210, In some examples, a sensor may be an input component 242 that obtains physical position, movement, and / or location information of foldable computing device 210. For instance, sensors may include one or more location sensors (GPS components, Wi-Fi components, cellular components), one or more temperature sensors, one or more motion sensors (e.g., multi-axial accelerometers, gyros), one or more pressure sensors (e.g., barometer), one or more ambient light sensors, and one or more other sensors (e.g., microphone, camera, infrared proximity sensor, hygrometer, and the like). Other sensors may include a heart rate sensor, magnetometer, glucose sensor, hygrometer sensor, olfactory sensor, compass sensor, step counter sensor, to name a few other non-limiting examples.

[0046] In some examples, input components 242 may include an IMU sensor, such as to sense a position and / or orientation of foldable computing device 2.10 in space. Sensor data from the IMU sensor may be combined with capacitance data from open / fold detection to determine an operating mode of foldable computing device 210. For example, open / fold detection may be used to determine a distance and / or angle of foldable portions that indicates foldable computing device 210 is in a tent or laptop operating mode, and orientation data may be used to further determine which of these modes foldable computing device 210 is in. For example, when IMU sensor detects > 0g for x seconds foldable computing device 210 may be m the laptop operating mode and when IMU sensor detects < 0g forx seconds foldable computing device 210 may be in the tent operating mode.

[0047] One or more output components 246 of foldable computing device 210 may generate output. Examples of output are tactile, audio, and video output. Output components 246 of foldable computing device 210, in one example, includes a sound card, video graphics adapter card, speaker, liquid crystal display (LCD), or any other type of device for generating output to a human or machine.

[0048] One or more communication units 244 of foldable computing device 210 may communicate with external devices via one or more wired and / or wireless networks by transmitting and / or receiving network signals on the one or more networks. Examples ofcommunication units 244 include a network interface card (e.g., such as an Ethernet card), an optical transceiver, a radio frequency transceiver, a GPS receiver, or any other type of device that can send and / or receive information. Other examples of communication units 244 may include short wave radios, cellular data radios, wireless network radios, as well as universal serial bus (USB) controllers.

[0049] Display 208 of foldable computing device 210 may include touch sensor 218, TIC 222, controller 224, and display panel 256. Display panel 2.56 may be a display device capable of rendering graphical user interfaces. Examples of display panel 256 include, but are not limited to, LCD displays, dot matrix displays, LED displays, microLED displays, OLED displays, e-ink, or similar monochrome or color displays capable of outputting vi sible information to a user of foldable computing device 210. Controller 224 may perform one or more operations to manage the operation of display panel 256. For instance, controller 224 may receive instructions from UI module 264 that cause controller 224 to control display panel 2.56 to render a particular graphical user interface.

[0050] TIC 222 may perform one or more operations to perform user input detection and open / fold detection via touch sensor 218, such as described above. TIC 222 may comprise a plurality of input channels 252 and a plurality of output channels 254. Input channels 252 and output channels 254 may be individually coupled to a respective electrode of electrodes 204, 206. Electrodes 204, 206 may be examples of electrodes 104, 106 of FIG. 1. TIC 222 may output an indication of capacitance data indicating measured capacitances to one or more other components of foldable computing devi ce 210, such as UI module 264. During user input detection, the measured capacitances may indicate user input (e.g., touch gestures). During open / fold detection, the measured capacitances may indicate a distance and / or angle between foldable portions of foldable computing device 210.

[0051] TIC 222 may periodically perform a mutual-capacitance scan to output a voltage signal across the electrodes 204, 206 and sense the resultant change in capacitance. During user input detection, TIC 222 may, each time TIC 222 senses user input, output an indication of the user input, such as in the capacitance data, to one or more other components of foldable computing device 210. In some examples, TIC 222 may, each time TIC 222 senses user input, output user input data that indicates the magnitude of the sensed change in capacitance and / or the location of the sensed change in capacitance. In this way, TIC 222 may, each time TIC 222 senses user input, output capacitance data that indicates a user input that is sensed at a particular location of display 208.

[0052] During open / fold detection TIC 222 may, each time TIC 222 senses an open / foldevent (e.g., change in distance between foldable portions of foldable computing device 210), output an indication of the open / fold event, such as in the capacitance data, to one or more other components of foldable computing device 210. In some examples, TIC 222 may, each time TIC 222 senses an open / fold event, output open / fold data that indicates the magnitude of tlie sensed change in capacitance. In this way, TIC 222, may each time TIC 222 senses an open / fold event, output capacitance data that indicates a particular open / fold event (e.g., a distance or angle between foldable portions of foldable computing device 210).

[0053] As described above, TIC 222 may periodically sense user input at a specific touch sampling frequency, such as 60 Hz (e.g., 60 times per second), 120 Hz (i.e., 120 times per second, 240 Hz (i.e., 240 times per second), and the like. Each time TIC 222 senses user input is referred to herein as a touch sampling period, and a time period between two successive touch sampling periods during which TIC 222 is not sensing user input is referred to herein as a touch sampling interval. For example, if TIC 222 senses user input at a touch sampling frequency of 60 Hz, TIC 222 may have a touch sampling interval of l / 60tBof a second. Each time TIC 222 senses an open / fold event is referred to herein as an open / fold sampling period, and a time period between two successive open / fold sampling periods during which TIC 222 is not sensing open / fold events is referred to herein as an open / fold sampling interval. For example, if TIC 2.22 senses open / fold events at an open / fold sampling frequency of 60Hz, TIC 222 may have an open / fold sampling interval of 1 / 60thof a second.

[0054] One or more processors 228 may implement functionality and / or execute instructions within foldable computing device 210. Examples of one or more processors 228 include, but are not limited to, one or more digital signal processors (DSPs), general purpose microprocessors, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmable logic arrays (FPGAs), or other equivalent integrated or discrete logic circuitry. Accordingly, the term “processor,” as used herein may refer to any of the foregoing structures or any other structure suitable for implemen tation of the techniques described herein.

[0055] For example, one or more processors 228 may receive and execute instructions that provide the functionality of UI module 264, user application module 2.72, operating system 262, open / fold module 272, and touch mapping module 276. Tire instructions executed by one or more processors 228 may cause foldable computing device 210 to store and / or modify information within one or more storage components 248 of one or more processors 228 during program execution. One or more processors 22.8 may execute instructions of UI module 264, user application module 272, operating system 262, open / fold module 274, and touch mapping module 276 to perform one or more operations. That is, UI module 264, userapplication module 272, operating system 262, and touch mapping module 276 may be operable by one or more processors 228 to perform various functions described herein.

[0056] One or more storage components 248 within foldable computing device 210 may store information for processing during operation of foldable computing device 210 (e.g., foldable computing device 210 may store data accessed by UI module 264, user application module 272, operating system 262, open / fold module 274, and touch mapping module 276 during execution at foldable computing device 210). In some examples, storage components 248 is a temporary memory, meaning that a primary purpose of storage components 248 is not long-term storage. Storage components 248 on foldable computing device 210 may be configured for short-term storage of information as volatile memory and therefore not retain stored con ten ts if powered off. Examples of volatile memories include random access memories (RAM), dynamic random access memories (DRAM), static random access memories (SRAM), and other forms of volatile memories known in the art.

[0057] Storage components 248, m some examples, also include one or more computer- readable storage media. Storage components 248 may be configured to store larger amounts of information than volatile memory. Storage components 248 may further be configured for long-term storage of information as non-volatile memory space and retain information after power on / off cycles. Examples of non-volatile memories include magnetic hard disks, optical discs, floppy discs, flash memories, or forms of electrically programmable memories (EPROM) or electrically erasable and programmable (EEPROM) memories. Storage components 248 may store program instructions and / or information (e.g., data) associated with UI module 264, user application module 272, operating system 262, open / fold module 274, and touch mapping module 276.

[0058] UI module 264 may be configured to act as an intermediary between various components of foldable computing device 210 to make determinations based on user input detected by a user interface component and generate output at the user interface component in response to the user input. As shown in FIG. 2, UI module 264 may include touch driver 266 and display driver 268, Touch driver 266 may be configured to interact w-ith TIC 222 and operating system 262 to process user input sensed via display 208. Display driver 268 may be configured to interact with controller 224 and operating system 262 to process output for display at display panel 256, which may be altered based on user input received via touch sensor 218.

[0059] Operating system 262, or a component thereof, is configured to manage interactions between applications and a user of foldable computing device 210. As shown in the exampleof FIG. 2, operating system 262 may be configured to manage operations between user application module 272 and a user of foldable computing device 210. For example, operating system 262 may generate touch events in response to touch input sensed by TIC 22.2, where each touch event may indicate a location of a corresponding touch input sensed by TIC 222.

[0060] One or more processors 228 is configured to execute touch mapping module 276 to map touch input data generated by a touch sensor 218 of display 208 and sensed by TIC 222 to a touch location at the display 208, Touch mapping module 276 may be configured to, in response to TIC 222 sensing touch input at display 208, map the sensed touch input to a location of display 208 (e.g., an X and Y coordinate of display panel 256). Operating system 262 may therefore be configured to generate a touch event that indicates the location of the touch input.

[0061] One or more processors 228 may be configured to execute open / fold module 274 to receive, process, and / or respond to capacitance data generated by touch sensor 218 of display 208 and sensed by TIC 222, such as during open / fold detection. For example, open / fold module 274 may cause foldable computing device 210 to enter a sleep / off mode in response to capacitance data indicating foldable computing device is folded or enter a wake / on mode in response to capacitance data indicating foldable computing device is open. Open / fold module 274 may determine an angle at which foldable portions of foldable computing device 210 is open using the capacitance data and cause foldable computing device 210 to activate a particular operating mode (e.g., wake / on, tablet, laptop, tent, book, off / standby) based on the angle .

[0062] In some examples, open / fold module 274 may act as an intermediary between operating system 262 or other component of foldable computing device 210 and TIC 222. For instance, open / fold module 274 may notify operating system 262 when foldable computing device 2.10 is open or folded, or to what degree foldable computing device 2.10 is open. Operating system 262 may then activate a particular operational mode based on the angle, such as by rotating or updating a user interface at display 108 based on the activated operational mode.

[0063] FIGS. 3A and 3B are block diagrams illustrating further details of an example foldable computing device with open / fold detection, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. As will be described further below, FIG. 3A illustrates an example of display 308 performing user input detection and FIG. 3B illustrates an example of display 308 performing open / fold detection. Display 308 of FIGS. 3A-3B may be an example of display 208 of FIG. 2. Touch sensor 318, TIC 322, controller 324, and scan switchingcircuitry 326 may be examples of touch sensor 218, TIC 222, controller 224, and scan switching circuitry 226 of FIG. 2.

[0064] As can be seen, display 308 may include touch sensor 318 which may be coupled to TIC 322. TIC 322 may comprise a plurality of input channels 352 and a plurality of output channels 354. Though not entirely shown, touch sensor 318 may be coupled to TIC 322 at electrodes 304, 306. For example, column electrodes 304A-304M may each be coupled to respective output channels 354A-354M such that each column electrode 304 is connected to a single output channel 354. Similarly, row' electrodes 306A-306M may each be coupled to respective input channels 352A-352M such that each row electrode 306 is connected to a single input channel 352. TIC 322 may drive electrodes 304 via output channels 352 to perform capacitance scans (e.g., mutual -capacitance scans) and measure capacitance between electrodes 304, 306 through output channel 354 and input channel 354 coupled to electrodes 304, 306.

[0065] In some examples, a subset of input channels 352 or each input channel 352 may comprise an electrical interface 386, electrical pad 382, and pad switch 384. Similarly, in some examples, a subset of output channels 354 or each output channel 354 may comprise an electrical interface 386, electrical pad 382, and pad switch 384. As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B for example, input channel 352N comprises electrical connection 386A, pad switch 384A, and pad 382A and output channel 354M comprises electrical connection 386B, pad switch 384B, and pad 382B. Likewise, output channel 354A comprises electrical connection 386C, pad switch 384C, and pad 382C. In some examples, individual electrodes 304, 306 may couple to individual input channels 352 or individual output channels 352 via respective electrical pads 382, pad switches 384, electrical interfaces 386, or various subsets thereof. As shown by the broken line surrounding TIC 322, in some examples, pad switches 384, electrical interfaces 386, or both may be included as part of TIC 322. For example, input channels 352 and output channels 354 of TIC 322 may each be provided with a pad switch 384 for testing purposes.

[0066] Input channel 352N may be an example of an unused input channel 352 of TIC 322. For example, touch sensor 318 may include column electrodes 304A-304M coupled to input channels 352A-352M for user input detection. Input channels 352A-352M may accordingly be considered sufficient to perform a desired amount of user input detection (e.g., detection of user input across an extent of display 308), As such, input channel 352N may be considered an unused input channel 352 at least for the reason that input channel 352N is not used for user input detection.

[0067] Scan switching circuitry 326 may couple or short unused input channel 352N to an output channel 354. As shown in FIGS. 3A-3B, scan switching circuitry 326 shorts unused input channel 352N with output channel 354M by connecting electrical pad 384A of input channel 352N with electrical pad 382B of output channel 354M. In some examples, scan switching circuitry 326 may comprise a circuit trace or connection that connects or shorts unused input channel 352N with output channel 354M. Scan switching circuitry 326 may selectively couple column electrode 304M with input channel 352N or output channel 354M via pad switches 384.

[0068] Referring to FIG. 3A for example, pad switch 384A is open and pad switch 384B is closed thereby coupling column electrode 304M with output channel 354M. As such, to perform user input detection, TIC 322 may drive column electrodes 304, including column electrode 304M to measure capacitance between one or more column electrodes 304 and one or more row electrodes 306. Referring to the example of FIG. 3B, pad switch 384A is closed and pad switch 384B is open thereby coupling column electrode 304M with input channel 352N. In such manner, TIC 322 may drive column electrode 304A and measure capacitance between column electrodes 304A, 304M to perform open / fold detection.

[0069] Controller 324 may control pad switches 384 to toggle or switch display 308 between user input detection and open / fold detection. As can be seen, controller 324 may be coupled to pad switches 384 via one or more control or communication lines. To switch to user input detection, controller 324 may open pad switch 384A of input channel 352T4 and close pad switch 384B of output channel 354M. To switch to open / fold detection, controller 324 may close pad switch 384A of input channel 352N and open pad switch 384B of output channel 354M.

[0070] FIG. 4 is a graph illustrating operation of example scan switching circuitry over time, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is described in the context of FIGS. 3A and 3B. FIG. 4 illustrates example frame times 496 which may be the same or different periods of time. For example, scan switching circuitry 326 may operate (e.g., switch between user input detection and open / fold detection) at a particular frequency (e.g., 60Hz or 120Hz) and, in such case, each frame time 496 may be the inverse fraction of a second (e.g., l / 60,hor l / I20thof a second, respectively). Scan switching circuitry 326 may operate according to a variable rate (e.g., 10Hz to 120Hz) in some examples and, in such case, each frame time 496 may vary (e.g., between l / 10thand l / 120thof a second, respectively. In some examples, scan switching circuitry 326 may utilize the same fixed or variable refresh rate as display 308.

[0071] Scan switching circuitry 326 may switch between user input detection and open / fold detection within a unit of frame time 496. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, scan switching circuitry 326 may perform user input detection during a user input sampling period 492 and perform open / fold detection during an open / fold sampling period 494. In the example of FIG. 4, scan switching circuitry 326 switches between user input detection and open / fold detection within frame time 496. As such, display 308 may perform both user input detection and open / fold detection at least once per unit of frame time 496, Since user input sampling period 492 and open / fold sampling period 494 may both occur wi thin frame time 496, display 308 may be responsive to open / fold events with little or no noticeable latency or delay. In some examples, user input sampling period 492 may be longer than open / fold sampling period 494, such as can be seen in FIG. 4. Though shown as occurring for each unit of frame time 496, in some examples, open / fold detection (e.g., open / fold sampling period 494) mayskip one or more frame times 496, such as to save power (e.g., during a low battery or power conservation mode of foldable computing device).

[0072] As compared to computing devices utilizing Hall and IMU sensors, which may both be required for angle and operating mode detection, responsiveness may be substantially improved. For example, initialization of a Hall sensor and IMU sensor may require 50ms and 150ms, respectively. In accordance with the described techniques, only initialization of TIC 322 may be required. In some examples, initialization of TIC 322 may only require 50ms. Moreover, angle determination, such as may be performed by one or more processors, may be less computationally intensive when utilizing TIC 322 in accordance with the described techniques. For example, a processor may require 30ms tor angle determination wi th sensor data from Hall and IMU sensors and only require 8ms with capacitance data from TIC 322. Overall, 200ms or more may be saved by using TIC 322 for open / fold and operating mode detection.

[0073] FIGS. 5A-5D illustrate example operating modes of an example foldable computing device with open / fold detection, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. Computing device 510, touch sensor 518, and electrodes 504 of FIGS. 5A-5D may be an example of computing device 110, touch sensor 1 18, and electrodes 104, 106 of FIG. I. As can be seen, FIGS. 5A-5C illustrate foldable computing device 510 open to varying amounts (e.g., degrees) while FIG. 5D illustrates foldable computing device 510 m a closed or folded state. Foldable computing device 510 may activate various operating modes (e.g., wake / on, tent, laptop, book, tablet, or standby / off) based on the amount foldable computing device 510 is open. In some examples, the amount foldable computing device 510is open may be based on a distance or angle between foldable portions 532, 534 of foldable computing device 510. The angle between foldable portions 532, 534 may be determined based on a distance between foldable portions 532, 534. For example, the angle may be determined based on a distance between proximal ends 505 of foldable portions 532, 534, distal ends 507 of foldable portions 532, 534, or both. As described above, foldable portions 532, 534 may rotate, fold, or move about folding axis 514 such as via one or more hinges. [0074} Operating modes may be assigned to particular angles between foldable portions 532, 534 of foldable computing device 510. As such, foldable computing device 510 may activate an operating mode by determining, such as via TIC (e.g., TIC 122), the angle between foldable portions 532, 534. For example, foldable computing device 510 may activate a tablet operating mode when foldable portions 532, 534 are at a fully open state (e.g., between 120 degrees and 180 degrees open), such as shown in FIG. 5A, a laptop or tent operating mode when foldable portions 532, 534 are open to at least 80 degrees but less than 120 degrees, such as shown in FIG. 5B, a book operating mode when foldable portions 532, 534 are open more than 0 degrees but less than 20 degrees, such as shown in FIG. 5C, and a standby / off operating mode when foldable portions 532, 534 are folded or closed (e.g., substantially 0 degrees open), such as shown in FIG. 5D. In some examples, foldable computing device 510 may activate an active / on operating mode when foldable portions 532, 534 are more than 0 degrees open. The active / on mode may overlap (e.g., coexist with) other operating modes. As described above, in some examples, foldable computing device 510, such as via controller 324 or processor 228, may use sensor data, such as from an input component 242 (e.g., an IMU sensor), combined with capacitance data 509 (e.g., an angle determined by TIC 122) to differentiate between the laptop and tent operating modes wdiich may share the same angle range.[0075} FIGS. 5A-5C illustrate foldable computing device 510 performing open / fold detection via mutual -capacitance scans, such as through TIC 122. As shown in the examples of FIGS. 5A-5D, TIC 12.2 may perform mutual-capacitance scans between pairs of column electrodes 504 at proximal ends 505 and distal ends 507 of foldable portions 532, 534. For instance, with respect to proximal ends 505, TIC 122 may perform mutual-capacitance scans between a first pair of column electrodes 504F, 5041, a second pair of column electrodes 504G, 504J, a third pair of column electrodes 504H, 504K (collectively, “proximal column electrodes”), or various subsets thereof. Likewise, with respect to distal ends 507, TIC 122 may perform mutual-capacitance scans between a first pair of column electrodes 504A, 504V, a second pair of column electrodes 504B, 504W, a third pair of column electrodes504C, 504X (collectively, “distal column electrodes”), or various subsets thereof.

[0076] Though described with respect to groups of three pairs of column electrodes 504, TIC 122 may perform open / fold detection with fewer additional column electrodes 504.Moreover, TIC 522 may perform a mutual -capacitance scan using column electrodes 504 at any location across touch sensor 518. Touch sensor 518 may include one or more oilier column electrodes 504Z, as well as a plurality of row electrodes (not shown in FIGS. 5A- 5D). For example, touch sensor 518 may comprise a matrix of column and row electrodes such as shown in FIGS. 1-3B and described above.

[0077] FIGS. 5A--5D illustrate examples of capacitance data 509 which TIC 122, may generate during open / fold detection. Capacitance data 509 may include capacitance measurements 511 corresponding to different pairs of column electrodes 504. For example, capacitance signal 5111 may represent capacitance measured by TIC 122 between column electrodes 504F, 5041, capacitance signal 511 J may represent capacitance measured by TIC 122 between column electrodes 504G, 504J, capacitance signal 51 IK may represent capacitance measured by TIC 122 between column electrodes 504H, 504K. Likewise, capacitance signal 511V may represent capacitance measured by TIC 122 between column electrodes 504A, 504V, capacitance signal 511W may represent capacitance measured by TIC 122 between column electrodes 504B, 504W, capacitance signal 51 IX may represent capacitance measured by TIC 122 between column electrodes 504C, 504X.

[0078] Individual units of capacitance data 509 may include capacitance measurements 511 from different pairs of column electrodes 504. For example, capacitance data 509A includes capacitance measurements 51 11, 511 J, 51 1 K and capacitance data 509B may represent one or more capacitance measurements 51 IV, 51 1W, 51 IX. In some examples, capacitance data 509 may include a location for each capacitance measurement 511. As can be seen from the example of FIGS. 5A-5D, capacitance data 509 is represented by a chart having a vertical axis, y, representing capacitance measurements, and a horizontal axis, x, representing a location at which the capacitance measurement was taken (e.g., the location or x coordinate of column electrode 504 used to sense or measure the capacitance signal at touch sensor 518) , Capacitance measurement 511 may represent an amount or magnitude of capacitance measured between a pair of column electrodes 504.

[0079] In some examples, TIC 122 may normalize or standardize capacitance measurements 511 to a particular scale. In the examples of FIGS. 5A-5D for instance, capacitance measurements are normalized to a scale of 0 to 10, with 0 being the minimum and 10 being tlie maximum. TIC 122 may combine capacitance measurements 511, such as by averagingcapacitance signals 511 to generate capacitance data 509. In some examples, TIC 522, may apply an adjustment to capacitance data 509, capacitance measurements 511, or both, such as to provide a floor or minimum for capacitance data 509, capacitance measurements 511, or both. For example, capacitance data. 509, capacitance measurements 511, or both that are below a capacitance threshold may be set to an assigned minimum capacitance value. In the examples of FIGS. 5A--5D for instance, TIC 122 may adjust capacitance data 509 of less than x. (e.g., 1.5) for proximal column electrodes at proximal end 505 to equal y (e.g., 1) and adjust capacitance data 509 of less than m (e.g., 0.5) for distal column electrodes at distal portion 507 to equal n (e.g., 0). TIC 122 may adjust capacitance data 509A for proximal end 505 to a higher value (e.g., 1 as compared to 0) as compared to capacitance data 509 for distal column electrodes, such as to reflect the relatively smaller maximum distance between pairs of proximal column electrodes 504 (as compared to pairs of distal column electrodes 504) due to placement of proximal column electrodes adjacent folding axis 514.

[0080] TIC 122 may generate capacitance data 509, capacitance measurements 511 or both indicating an operating mode of foldable computing device 510. In the example of FIG. 5A, foldable computing device 510 is in a fully open state (e.g., 120 degrees to 180 degrees), such as m a tablet operating mode. As can be seen, foldable portions 532, 534 are at a high or maximum angle relative to one another (e.g,, 180 degrees). Accordingly, TIC 122 may measure capacitance signals 511 at or near zero for distal column electrodes and proximal column electrodes in the tablet operating mode. In the example of FIG. 5A for instance, capacitance signals 51 IV, 51 1 W, 51 IX are 0 for distal column electrodes and capacitance measurements 51 11, 511 J, 51 1 K are 1 for proximal column electrodes. When combined, such as by TIC 122 averaging the respective capacitance measurements 511, capacitance measurements 511 result in capacitance data 509A of 1 for proximal column electrodes and capacitance data 509B of 0 for distal column electrodes. In some examples, when capacitance data 509 for at least proximal column electrodes is at a floor (e.g., minimum value), TIC 12.2 may determine foldable portions 532, 534 of foldable computing device 510 are fully open and, in response, activate a tablet operating mode.

[0081] Referring to the example of FIG. 5B, TIC 122 may measure at or near zero capacitance for distal column electrodes and measure higher capacitance for proximal column electrodes 504 when foldable portions 532, 534 are in a moderately open state (e.g., at least 80 degrees), which may be a laptop or tent operating mode. For instance, capacitance measurements 5111, 51 1 J, 51 IK combine (e.g., average) to a value of 3 for capacitance data 509A, while capacitance measurements 51 IV, 51 1W, 51 IX are 0 and combine to a value of 0for capacitance data 509B in the example of FIG. 5B. The example of FIG. 5B also illustrates, for instance, capacitance between column electrodes 504F, 5041 may be higher than capacitance between column electrodes 504G, 504J and capacitance between column electrodes 504G, 504J may be higher than capacitance between column electrodes 504H, 504K, which reflects the distance between each of the foregoing pairs of column electrodes 504. As such, capacitance signal 51 II is higher than capacitance signal 511 J and capacitance signal 51 1 J is higher than capacitance signal 51 IK, which reflects the distance between each group of proximal column electrodes.

[0082] Referring to the example of FIG. 5C, foldable computing device 510, TIC 122 may measure even higher capacitance at proximal column electrodes relative to the example of FIG. 5C since foldable portions 532, 534 have moved closer together to a low open state (e.g., less than 20 degrees), which may be a book operating mode. In the example of FIG. 5C for instance, capacitance measurements 5111, 51 U, 51 IK have increased such that, when combined by TIC 122, capacitance data 509 A is 5.

[0083] Capacitance measurements 511 for distal column electrodes may only slightly increase in the low' open state since distal column electrodes remain significantly apart. In the example of FIG. 5C for instance, capacitance measurements 511V, 511W, 51 IX have increased relative to FIG. 5B. Capacitance data 509B for distal column electrodes may remain at a minimum (e.g., 0) subsequent adjustment. In the example of FIG. 5C for instance, though capacitance measurements 51 IV, 511 W, 51 IX may have increased above 0, TIC 122 may adjust capacitance measurements 511, capacitance data 509, or both to equal a minimum value (e.g., 0) if capacitance measurements 51 1, capacitance data 509, or both are below' a capacitance threshold (e.g., 0.5).

[0084] In some examples, TIC 122 may determine foldable computing device 510 is in the book operating mode when capacitance data 509A for proximal column electrodes is within a first range and determine foldable computing device 510 is in the tent or laptop operating mode when capacitance data 509A for proximal column electrodes is within a higher second range. For example, for the normalized scale of 0 to 10 described above, the first range may be greater than 1 and less than 5 while the second range may be 5 or greater and less than 10. Continuing this example, using capacitance data 509A of 3 in the example of FIG. 5B, TIC 122 may determine foldable computing device 510 is in the laptop operating mode, and using capacitance data 509A of 5 in the example of FIG. 5C, TIC 122 may determine foldable computing device 510 is in the tent operating mode.

[0085] In the example of FIG. 5D, foldable computing device 510 is in a folded state, whichmay be a standby / off operating mode. As can be seen, TIC 122 may measure capacitance signals 511 are at a maximum for both proximal column electrodes and distal column electrodes. In the example of FIG. 5D for instance, capacitance measurements 51 II, 511 J, 5I1K and capacitance measurements 511V, 51 1W, 51 1 X are at a maximum (e.g., lO on the normalized scale of 0 to 10) since proximal column electrodes and distal column electrodes are adjacent one another (e.g., as close as may be possible) when foldable computing device 510 in the folded state. Continuing the example of FIG. 5D, when combined (e.g. , averaged) by TIC 122, capacitance data 509A and capacitance data 509B are both 10. TIC 122 may determine foldable computing device 510 is in the standby / off mode when capacitance data 509 for at least distal column electrodes is at a maximum (e.g., 10).

[0086] Foldable computing device 510, such as via TIC 122, may determine an operating mode based on capacitance data 509 in various ways, including those described above. In some examples, capacitance data 509, capacitance measurements 511, or both may be mapped to angles to which foldable portions 532, 534 may be positioned relative to one another. TIC 122 may determine an angle from capacitance data 509, capacitance measurements 511, or both based on the mapping and determine an operating mode based on the angle. As described above, each operating mode may be assigned to a range of angles. In some examples, TIC 122 may determine a ratio which indicates an angle to which foldable portions 532, 534 are open relative to one another based on capacitance data 509, capacitance measurements 511, or both. For example, the ratio may be determined using capacitance data 509, capacitance measurements 511, or both for distal column electrodes relative to (e.g., over) proximal column electrodes, or vice versa. The upper and lower bounds of the range may represent a fully open (e.g., 180 degrees) state and a folded (e.g., 0 degrees) state. For instance, the range may be from 0 to 1 with 0 representing the fully open state and 1 representing the folded state or vice versa.

[0087] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating example operations of an example foldable computing device to perform open / fold detection, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is described in the context of foldable computing device 1 10 of FIGS. 1-3C. In some examples, touch sensor 318 may receive inputs at display 308 (602). Display 308 may be a flexible or foldable display. Touch sensor 318 may include an array of column electrodes 304 and row electrodes 306, with column electrodes 304 being parallel to a folding axis 314 of display 108.

[0088] TIC 322 may measure capacitance at a plurality of input channels 352 and a plurality of output channels 354 (604). An electrical pad 382A corresponding to a particular inputchannel 352N of input channels 352 that is connected to a particular column electrode 304M of the columns may be shorted to an electrical pad 382B corresponding to a particular output channel 354M of output channels 354. Electrical pad 382A may be shorted to electrical pad 382B external to TIC 322.

[0089] Controller 324 may control operation of a pad switch 384A of input channel 352N and a pad switch 384B of output channel 354M to selectively couple column electrode 304M to output channel 354M or input channel 352N (606), In some examples, column electrode 304M may be selectively coupled to output channel 354M or input channel 352N based on a detection mode. For instance, controller 352 may couple column electrode 304M to output channel 354M when in a first detection mode or couple column electrode 304M to input channel 352N when in a second detection mode. The first detection mode may be a user input detection mode and the second detection mode may be an open / fold detection mode.

[0090] To selectively couple column electrode 304M to output channel 354M, controller 32.4 may close pad switch 384B of output channel 354M and open pad switch 384A of input channel 352N. To selectively couple column electrode 304M to input channel 354N, controller 324 may open pad switch 384B of output channel 354M and close pad switch 384A of input channel 352N. Selectively coupling column electrode 304M to output channel 354M or input channel 352N may occur at a time interval based on a frame rate (e.g., 60 Hz) associated with display 108.

[0091] In some examples, processor 2.28 may determine an angle between halves (e.g., foldable portions 132, 134 of foldable device 110 based on a capacitance between the column electrode 304M and at least one other column electrode 304A of the column electrodes 304 when column electrode 304M is coupled to input channel 352N. To determine the angle between the halves of foldable device 110, processor 228 may determine the distance between column electrode 304M and at least one other column electrode 304 (e.g., column electrode 304 A).

[0092] Aspects of this disclosure include the following examples.

[0093] Example 1 : A foldable device includes a flexible display; a touch sensorthat receives inputs at the flexible display, the touch sensor including an array of columns and rows, the columns parallel to a folding axis of the flexible display ; and a touch integrated circuit includes a plurality of electrical interfaces including a plurality of receive electrical interfaces and a separate plurality of transmit electrical interfaces, each of the plurality of electrical interfaces including a respective electrical pad and a respective pad switch; a plurality of input channels that process respective electrical signals received via a respective receiveelectrical interface of the plurality of receive electrical interfaces; a plurality of output channels that output respective electrical signals via a respective transmit electrical interface of the plurality of transmit electrical interfaces, wherein an electrical pad corresponding to a particular input channel of the plurality of input channels that is connected to a particular column of the columns is shorted to an electrical pad corresponding to a particular output channel of the plurality of output channels external to the touch integrated circuit; and a controller configured to control operation of a pad switch of the particular input channel and a pad switch of the particular output channel to selectively couple the particular column to the particular output channel or to the particular input channel.

[0094] Example 2: The foldable device of example 1, wherein to selectively couple the particular column to the particular output channel or to the particular input channel the controller is further configured to couple the particular column to the particular output channel when in a first detection mode and couple the particular column to the particular input channel when in a second detection mode.

[0095] Example 3: The foldable device of example 2, wherein the first detection mode is a user input detection mode and the second detection mode is an open / fold detection mode.

[0096] Example 4: lire foldable device of any of examples 1 through 3, wherein tire controller is further configured to selectively couple the particular column to the particular output channel or to the particular input channel at a time interval based on a frame time associated with the flexible display.

[0097] Example 5: The foldable device of any of examples 1 through 4, wherein to selectively couple the particular column to the particular output channel, the controller closes the pad switch of the particular output channel and opens the pad switch of the particular input channel.

[0098] Example 6: The foldable device of any of examples 1 through 5, wherein to selectively couple the particular column to the particular input channel, the controller opens the pad switch of the particular output channel and closes the pad switch of the particular input channel.

[0099] Example 7: The foldable device of any of examples 1 through 6, further comprising processing circuitry that determines an angle between halves of the foldable device based on a capacitance between the particular column and at least one other column of the columns when the particular column is coupled to the particular input channel.

[0100] Example 8: Tire foldable device of example 7, wherein to determine the angle between the halves of the foldable device, the processing circuitry determines the distancebetween the particular column and the at least one other column.[01011 Example 9: A method includes receiving, by a touch sensor, inputs at a flexible display, the touch sensor including an array of columns and rows, the columns parallel to a folding axis of the flexible display; measuring, by a touch integrated circuit, capacitance at a plurality of input channels and a plurality of output channels, wherein an electrical pad corresponding to a particular input channel of the plurality of input channels that is connected to a particular column of the columns is shorted to an electrical pad corresponding to a particular output channel of the plurality of output channels external to the touch integrated circuit; and controlling, by a controller, operation of a pad switch of the particular input channel and a pad switch of a particular output channel to selectively couple the particular column to the particular output channel or to the particular input channel.

[0102] Example 10: The method of example 9, wherein selectively coupling the particular column to the particular output channel or to the particular input channel comprises coupling, by the controller, the particular column to the particular output channel when in a first detection mode and the particular column to the particular input channel when in a second detection mode.

[0103] Example 11: The method of example 10, wherein the first detection mode is a user input detection mode and the second detection mode is an open / fold detection mode.

[0104] Example 12: The method of any of examples 9 through 11, wherein selectively coupling the particular column to the particular output channel or to the particular input channel comprises selectively coupling the particular column to the particular output channel or to the particular input channel at a time interval based on a frame time associated with the flexible display.

[0105] Example 13: The method of any of examples 9 through 12, wherein to selectively couple the particular column to the particular output channel, the controller closes the pad switch of the particular output channel and opens the pad switch of the particular input channel.

[0106] Example 14: The method of any of examples 9 through 13, wherein to selectively couple the particular column to the particular input channel, the controller opens the pad switch of the particular output channel and closes the pad switch of the particular input channel.

[0107] Example 15: The method of any of examples 9 through 14, further comprising determining, by processing circuitry, an angle between halves of the foldable device based on a capacitance between the particular column and at least one other column of the columnswhen the particular column is coupled to the particular input channel.

[0108] Example 16: The method of example 15, wherein to determine the angle between the halves of the foldable device, the processing circuitry determines the distance between the particular column and the at least one other column.

[0109] Various examples of the disclosure have been described. Any combination of ths described systems, operations, or functions is contemplated.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:1 . A foldable device comprising: a flexible display; a touch sensor that receives inputs at the flexible display, the touch sensor including an array of columns and rows, the columns parallel to a folding axis of the flexible display; and a touch integrated circuit comprising: a plurality of electrical interfaces including a plurality of receive electrical interfaces and a separate plurality of transmit electrical interfaces, each of the plurality' of electrical interfaces including a respective electrical pad and a respective pad switch; a plurality of input channels that process respective electrical signals received via a respective receive electrical interface of the plurality of receive electrical interfaces; a plurality of output channels that output respective electrical signals via a respective transmit electrical interface of the plurality of transmit electrical interfaces, wherein an electrical pad corresponding to a particular input channel of the plurality of input channels that is connected to a particular column of the columns is shorted to an electrical pad corresponding to a particular o utput channel of the plurality of output channels external to the touch integrated circuit; and a controller configured to control operation of a pad switch of the particular input channel and a pad switch of the particular output channel to selectively couple the particular column to the particular output channel or to the particular input channel.

2. The foldable device of claim 1 , wherein to selectively couple the particular column to tire particular output channel or to the particular input channel the controller is further configured to couple the particular column to the particular output channel when in a first detection mode and couple the particular column to the particular input channel when in a second detection mode.

3. The foldable device of claim 2, wherein the first detection mode is a user input detection mode and the second detection mode is an open / fold detection mode.

4. The foldable device of any of claims 1-3, wherein the controller is further configured to selectively couple the particular column to the particular output channel or to the particular input channel at a time interval based on a frame time associated with the flexible display.

5. The foldable device of any of claims 1-4, wherein to selectively couple the particular column to the particular output channel, the controller closes the pad switch of the particular output channel and opens the pad switch of the particular input channel.

6. The foldable device of any of claims 1-5, wherein to selectively couple the particular column to the particular input channel, the controller opens the pad switch of the particular output channel and closes the pad switch of the particular input channel.

7. lire foldable device of any of claims 1-6, further comprising processing circuitry that determines an angle between halves of the foldable device based on a capacitance between the particular column and at least one other column of the columns when the particular column is coupled to the particular input channel.

8. The foldable device of claim 7, wherein to determine the angle between the halves of die foldable device, the processing circuitry- determines a distance between the particular column and the at least one other column.

9. A method comprising: receiving, by a touch sensor of a foldable device, inputs at a flexible display of the foldable device, the touch sensor including an array of columns and rows, the columns parallel to a folding axis of the flexible display; measuring, by a touch integrated circuit of the foldable device, capacitance at a plurality of input channels and a plurality of output channels, wherein an electrical pad corresponding to a particular input channel of the plurality of input channels that is connected to a particular column of the columns is shorted to an electrical pad corresponding to a particular output channel of the plurality of output channels external to the touch integrated circuit; and controlling, by a controller, operation of a pad switch of the particular input channel and a pad switch of a particular output channel to selectively couple the particular column to die particular output channel or to the particular input channel.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein selectively coupling the particular column to the particular output channel or to the particular input channel comprises coupling, by the controller, the particular column to the particular output channel when in a first detection mode and the particular column to the particular input channel when in a second detection mode.1 1 . The method of claim 10, wherein the first detection mode is a user input detection mode and the second detection mode is an open / fold detection mode.

12. The method of any of claims 9-1 1, wherein selectively coupling the particular column to the particular output channel or to the particular input channel comprises selectively coupling the particular column to the particular output channel or to the particular input channel at a time interval based on a frame time associated with the flexible display.

13. The method of any of claims 9-12, wherein to selectively couple the particular column to the particular output channel, the controller closes the pad switch of the particular output channel and opens the pad switch of the particular input channel.

14. The method of any of claims 9-13, wherein to selectively couple the particular column to the particular input channel, the controller opens the pad switch of the particular output channel and closes the pad switch of the particular input channel.

15. The method of any of claims 9-14, further comprising determining, by processing circuitry, an angle between halves of the foldable device based on a capacitance between the particular column and at least one other column of the columns when the particular column is coupled to the particular input channel.

16. The method of any of claims 15, wherein to determine the angle between the halves of the foldable device, the processing circuitry' determines a distance between the particular column and the at least one other column.

Images