Capacitive Fold Angle Sensing in Foldable Display Layers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Foldable electronic devices rely on additional sensors like acceleration and gravity (A+G) sensors and Hall sensors for fold angle detection, which increase cost, size, and complexity, and can interfere with other components.
Innovation Solution
Utilize the existing touch controller IC to detect folding angles through mutual and self-capacitive sensing techniques, eliminating the need for dedicated sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If dedicated sensors (Hall sensors, A+G sensors) are used for fold angle detection, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The touch controller is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both the touch input controller and the fold angle detection sensor. By making the touch controller universal, the patent eliminates the need for dedicated fold angle sensors while maintaining accurate detection capability through capacitive sensing of the folding mechanism's movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The touch controller performs self-service by using its own capacitive sensing capability to detect fold angle without requiring external dedicated sensors. The touch controller monitors changes in capacitance caused by the folding action, thereby serving its own additional function of fold detection.
2Measurement precision
If dedicated sensors are added for fold angle detection, then measurement precision is improved, but device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The touch controller is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both the touch input controller and the fold angle detection sensor. By making the touch controller universal, the patent eliminates the need for dedicated fold angle sensors while maintaining accurate detection capability through capacitive sensing of the folding mechanism's movement.
3Measurement precision
If dedicated sensors are added for fold angle detection, then measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The touch controller is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both the touch input controller and the fold angle detection sensor. By making the touch controller universal, the patent eliminates the need for dedicated fold angle sensors while maintaining accurate detection capability through capacitive sensing of the folding mechanism's movement.
4Measurement precision
If additional sensors are installed for fold angle detection, then measurement precision is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The touch controller performs self-service by using its own capacitive sensing capability to detect fold angle without requiring external dedicated sensors. The touch controller monitors changes in capacitance caused by the folding action, thereby serving its own additional function of fold detection.
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
Accurately detects folding angles without additional sensors, reducing cost and space requirements while enhancing reliability and power efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
activating, by the touch controller, a mutual-capacitance sensing mechanism of the foldable device, wherein the activating comprises configuring one or more channels of the touch-sensing layer parallel to the folding axis on the first portion of the display layer as transmit channels, and configuring one or more channels of the touch-sensing layer parallel to the folding axis on the second portion of the display layer as receive channels
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 4~5
AI summary
According to an embodiment, a method for determining the folding angle of a foldable device is proposed. The device includes a touch controller, a display layer, and a touch-sensing layer. The device is foldable along a folding axis. A first portion is in contact with a second portion of the display layer in a fully closed position of the device. The method includes activating a mutual-capacitance sensing mechanism by configuring one or more channels of the touch-sensing layer parallel to the folding axis on the first portion of the display layer as transmit channels, and configuring one or more channels of the touch-sensing layer parallel to the folding axis on the second portion of the display layer as receive channels; collecting mutual-capacitance raw data measurements; determining the folding angle based on the mutual-capacitance raw data measurements; and activating a function or an application based on the folding angle.