3D Touchscreen Proximity Sensing for Faster Laptop Wake-Up

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing information handling systems, such as laptops and notebooks, experience significant latency and delay in waking up from sleep mode due to inefficient user detection, leading to power consumption inefficiencies and user inconvenience.

Innovation Solution

Implement a three-dimensional sensing touchscreen with a shunt mode sensor configuration that includes groups of transmit, receive, and space sensors to create an electric field for proximity detection, allowing for efficient user presence detection and transitioning between two-dimensional and three-dimensional sensing modes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by stationary object

If the touchscreen uses traditional two-dimensional sensing in sleep mode, then power consumption is reduced, but user detection accuracy and responsiveness deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoiduser detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by stationary objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The touchscreen sensing mode is dynamically switched between two-dimensional sensing during normal operation and three-dimensional proximity detection during sleep mode based on system state. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize both power consumption and detection accuracy according to operational requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from two-dimensional touchscreen sensing to three-dimensional proximity detection by adding depth sensing capability. This dimensional change enables the system to detect user presence in sleep mode through proximity sensing rather than direct touch, improving detection accuracy while maintaining power savings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Use of energy by stationary object

If the system enters sleep mode to conserve power, then power consumption is reduced, but latency in waking up increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidlatency in waking up

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by stationary objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary proximity detection during sleep mode using three-dimensional sensing before full wake-up is required. This preliminary action allows the system to detect user approach in advance and transition to wakeful state proactively, reducing latency while maintaining power conservation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors proximity signals during sleep mode and uses this feedback to determine when to transition from sleep to wakeful state. This feedback mechanism ensures timely wake-up response while maintaining power-saving benefits throughout the sleep period.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Use of energy by stationary object

If the touchscreen sensing rate is lowered in sleep mode, then power consumption is reduced, but responsiveness to user interaction deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidsensing rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by stationary objectVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The sensing rate is dynamically adjusted based on system state - operating at normal rates during active use and switching to optimized proximity detection rates during sleep mode. This dynamic rate adjustment balances power consumption with responsiveness according to operational context.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes key sensing parameters including detection mode, sampling rate, and sensor activation criteria when transitioning between sleep and wakeful states. These parameter changes enable the system to optimize power consumption while maintaining adequate responsiveness for wake-up initiation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enhances user detection accuracy and reduces latency in waking up from sleep mode, optimizing power consumption and user interaction efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

driving the transmit sensors and receive sensors to create an electric field

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectric Field: Electric Field

Implementation Method 2

When a finger or pointing device enters the electric field, the touchscreen detects the user through capacitance changes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentUS12481394B1Three dimensional proximity detection for information handling system

Publication Date: 2025.11.25 DELL PROD LP

AI summary

Described herein are methods and systems for switching between a normal scanning mode and a proximity detection mode for a touchscreen of an information handling system, such as a laptop or notebook personal computer. When the information handling system is in idle mode, proximity detection is enabled, by grouping sensors of the touchscreen to transmit and to received, creating an electric field. If a user's finger or pointing device enters or breaks the electric field, user presence is detected and the system switches to normal or scanning mode.