Capacitive Button Controller Power State Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional computer systems still rely on mechanical power buttons, which are being replaced by capacitive buttons in other applications, necessitating a suitable processing flow to implement power control functions like powering on, off, and sleep states using capacitive technology.
Innovation Solution
A computer system and operation method that detects the touch of a capacitive power button to change the system's operation state, where a capacitive button controller sends a power button signal to the system platform, shutting it down if touched for a predetermined time or entering a power saving state if not touched, allowing for efficient power management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional mechanical buttons are used for power control, then reliable power state changes are achieved, but the system lacks adaptability to modern capacitive interface standards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical button structures with capacitive buttons that detect touch through capacitance changes. The capacitive button controller monitors capacitance variations to detect user input, eliminating moving mechanical parts while maintaining reliable power control functionality through electrical field sensing mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the detection parameter from mechanical pressure to electrical capacitance. By monitoring capacitance value changes at the button interface, the system can detect touch events and trigger power state transitions, achieving compatibility with modern capacitive interfaces while maintaining reliable operation through precise electrical parameter monitoring.
2Adaptability or versatility
If capacitive buttons are implemented for power control, then adaptability to modern interfaces is improved, but the complexity of processing flow and state management increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary detection of capacitance changes before triggering power state changes. The capacitive button controller continuously monitors capacitance values and prepares for state transitions by detecting touch events in advance, allowing the system to manage complex state changes through pre-condition monitoring and staged processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the capacitive button controller continuously reports capacitance status to the system platform, which responds with appropriate power state changes. This closed-loop feedback system manages processing complexity by breaking down the power control flow into detectable capacitance events and corresponding state responses.
3Use of energy by moving object
If capacitive buttons replace mechanical buttons, then power consumption is reduced, but the detection precision of touch events must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical button structures with capacitive buttons that detect touch through capacitance changes. The capacitive button controller monitors capacitance variations to detect user input, eliminating moving mechanical parts while maintaining reliable power control functionality through electrical field sensing mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an electrical copy of the mechanical button function through capacitive sensing. By measuring capacitance changes that replicate the touch detection function of mechanical buttons, the system achieves energy-efficient operation while maintaining equivalent detection precision through electrical parameter measurement.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the transition between power states (on, off, sleep, hibernate) using capacitive buttons, reducing power consumption and enhancing user interaction by replacing mechanical buttons with capacitive ones for power control.
Implementation Method 1
Capacitive buttons have many advantages and have gradually replaced the conventional mechanic buttons. When an object (such as a user's finger) touches the capacitive button, the capacitance of the capacitive button is changed and an internal controller of the computer system detects this
Data Source
AI summary
An operation method for a computer system includes: a capacitance button controller detecting whether a capacitance button group is touched; if a capacitance power button of the capacitance button group is touched, a system platform receiving a power button signal in a first logic state and changing an operation state of the system platform; if the capacitance power button is touched for longer than a predetermined time, shutting down the system platform; if the capacitance power button is touched for not longer than the predetermined time, the system platform receiving the power button signal in a second logic state and determining a subsequent operation status of the system platform and the capacitance button controller based on a system status signal; and if the capacitance button group is touched but the capacitance power button is not touched, the capacitance button controller entering into a power-saving state.