Fold Angle Detection via Self-Capacitance in Foldable Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing foldable electronic devices face challenges in accurately determining the fold angle and opening state due to limited accuracy in sensing technologies and the need for additional hardware, which consumes power and increases complexity.

Innovation Solution

The use of self-capacitance measurement with at least one powered electrode and one grounded electrode, along with a processor and memory, to calculate the fold angle and determine the opening state, leveraging existing electrodes and antennas within the device to avoid the need for additional hardware and enhance power efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional sensing technology is used to determine fold angle and opening state, then the device can obtain fold angle information, but the measurement accuracy is limited and additional hardware sensors are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefold angle measurement accuracyVSAvoidhardware sensor requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent reuses existing electrodes and antennas that were originally designed for other functions (touch sensing, wireless communication) and makes them serve a dual purpose by measuring self-capacitance to determine fold angle and opening state. This eliminates the need for dedicated fold angle sensors while maintaining measurement capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The device uses its own existing structural components (electrodes and antennas) to perform the measurement function rather than requiring external or additional specialized sensors. The self-capacitance measurement leverages the device's inherent electrical structures to provide fold angle information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If multiple sensors are deployed on both sides of the fold to determine fold angle, then measurement coverage is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefold angle detection accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Existing electrodes and antennas are made multi-functional by using them for both their original purposes and for fold angle measurement through self-capacitance sensing, eliminating the need for additional powered sensors that would increase power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent recovers and repurposes existing electrical components (electrodes and antennas) that would otherwise be idle or serve single functions, extracting additional measurement capability from them without requiring new power-intensive sensing hardware.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Adaptability or versatility

If additional hardware sensors are included to determine fold angle, then sensing capability is enhanced, but manufacturing cost and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensing capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent achieves enhanced sensing capability by making existing electrodes and antennas multi-functional, allowing them to serve both their primary functions and fold angle measurement, thereby avoiding additional hardware costs and simplifying manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The measurement capability is extracted from the existing electrical structures without adding new components. The self-capacitance measurement function is isolated and implemented using only the device's existing electrodes and antennas, removing the need for additional sensing hardware.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

This approach provides accurate fold angle and opening state determination while minimizing power consumption and hardware requirements, offering flexibility and cost-effectiveness for foldable electronic devices.

Implementation Method 1

obtain a self-capacitance of the at least one powered electrode based on a distance between the at least one powered electrode and the at least one grounded electrode

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSelf-capacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentUS10528088B2Opening state detection of a foldable device using self-capacitance

Publication Date: 2020.01.07 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC

AI summary

An electronic device and method is disclosed that determines a fold angle and/or opening state of a foldable electronic device using a self-capacitance measurement of an electrode disposed in the foldable electronic device. Using self-capacitance to determine the opening state provides an accurate result and makes efficient use of power of the foldable electronic device. Further, the technique offers flexibility in the implementation, as it can make use of electrodes, sensors, and/or antennas already present in many foldable electronic devices.