Dynamic Touchscreen Scan Rate Adjustment for Power Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable devices with touchscreens face significant power consumption challenges, especially when the touchscreen must be continuously scanned for input, leading to reduced battery life, as existing methods do not efficiently manage power consumption based on user activity and interaction patterns.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method that analyzes sensor data to determine user motion profiles and adjusts touchscreen settings dynamically, including scan rates and sensitivity, to optimize power consumption by reducing unnecessary scanning in areas where user interaction is unlikely and increasing it in areas where interaction is expected.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the touchscreen is continuously scanned for input, then the touchscreen responsiveness is maintained, but the power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the touchscreen scan rate adjustable and variable. The system dynamically changes the scan rate based on predicted user interaction probability. When user interaction is predicted (high probability), the scan rate increases to maintain responsiveness. When interaction is unlikely (low probability), the scan rate decreases to save power. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between maintaining responsiveness and reducing power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses sensor data analysis to predict user interaction before it occurs. By analyzing motion patterns, device orientation, and contextual information in advance, the system preliminarily determines the probability of user interaction. This preliminary prediction allows the system to proactively adjust the touchscreen scan rate, ensuring high responsiveness is maintained only when needed, thereby reducing unnecessary power consumption during periods of low expected interaction.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the touchscreen scan rate is reduced to save power, then power consumption decreases, but the touchscreen responsiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the touchscreen scan rate based on spatial location and contextual probability. Instead of uniformly reducing the scan rate across the entire touchscreen, the system identifies specific regions or areas where user interaction is predicted and maintains higher scan rates in those localized areas. This allows the system to reduce overall power consumption while preserving responsiveness in the specific locations where user input is expected.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the touchscreen is disabled to conserve battery, then power consumption is reduced, but the device usability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by implementing intermittent touchscreen scanning at variable rates. Instead of continuously scanning at a constant high rate or completely disabling the touchscreen, the system periodically adjusts the scan rate based on predicted user interaction probability. During periods of low predicted interaction, the scan rate is reduced or temporarily suspended to conserve battery. When interaction probability increases (detected through sensor data), the scan rate is increased to restore full usability. This periodic adjustment resolves the contradiction between extending battery life and maintaining ease of operation.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, devices, and computer programs are presented for managing power consumption of a display. One method includes an operation for setting a first display setting for a touchscreen of an activity monitoring device associated with a user. The first display setting has having a first rate of power consumption by the display and a first touchscreen scan rate for detecting touch on the touchscreen. Further, the method includes operations for receiving data at the activity monitoring device, the data being indicative of an external event, and for applying a second display setting for the touchscreen based on a predefined expected user interaction. The second display setting has a second rate of power consumption and a second touchscreen scan rate.