Foldable Hinge Angle Detection With Sleep-State Sensor Wake-Up
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hinge angle determination methods in foldable electronic devices result in high power consumption and computational cost due to continuous calculations during sleep states, leading to inaccurate mode transitions and undesirable user experiences.
Innovation Solution
Implement a system with first and second sensor units, each containing accelerometers and gyroscopes, and a processor to determine orientations during an operating mode, and a third processor to manage sleep state activity conditions, selectively activating sensors for efficient hinge angle detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensors and hinge angle computation run continuously during sleep state, then hinge angle determination accuracy is maintained, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from continuous sensor operation to periodic operation by only activating sensors when motion is detected. The processor monitors motion sensors during sleep state and selectively activates the hinge angle determination system based on detected activity, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining accuracy when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The motion sensors automatically detect device movement and trigger the hinge angle determination system without requiring continuous operation of all sensors. The system serves itself by using motion detection as a wake-up signal to activate the appropriate sensors and computation only when necessary.
2Measurement precision
If hinge angle calculation is performed continuously, then mode transition accuracy is improved, but computational cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge angle calculation is performed periodically based on motion detection events rather than continuously. When the motion sensor detects activity, the system activates the hinge angle determination computation; when no motion is detected, the computation remains inactive, reducing overall computational cost while maintaining transition accuracy.
3Speed
If sensors remain active during sleep state, then response time to hinge angle changes is reduced, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Motion sensors remain in a low-power monitoring state during sleep, ready to detect device movement. When motion is detected, the system quickly activates the full sensor suite and hinge angle determination computation, providing fast response to actual changes while consuming minimal power during idle periods.
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
Reduces power consumption and computational costs by selectively activating sensors based on device activity, ensuring accurate hinge angle determination and proper mode transitions.
Implementation Method 1
a first sensor unit including a first accelerometer
Implementation Method 2
a first gyroscope
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is directed to hinge angle detection for electronic devices in a sleep state. An example method includes determining, during a sleep state of a device, whether the device is in an activity condition or an inactivity condition; and responsive to determining that the device is in the activity condition—causing a first sensor unit and a second sensor unit to operate in an operating mode, and determining an angle based on the first orientation and the second orientation determined during the operating mode. Both sensor units include an accelerometer and a gyroscope, and are configured to, during the operating mode, determine an orientation based on measurements by accelerometer and gyroscope.