Foldable Touch Sensor Charging Layout for Lower Power Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic devices face challenges in reducing power consumption while supporting both touch-based and pen-based input methods, particularly in foldable devices with varying display regions.
Innovation Solution
The electronic device incorporates a sensor layer with a specific electrode arrangement and a sensor driver that adjusts charging signals based on the device's folded or unfolded state, optimizing power usage and input sensing modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If charging signals are provided to all auxiliary electrodes in both folded and unfolded states, then input sensing coverage is maintained, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor driver dynamically adjusts the charging signal provision strategy based on the detected state (folded or unfolded). In the folded state, charging signals are selectively provided only to auxiliary electrodes corresponding to the visible display region, while in the unfolded state, charging signals are provided to all auxiliary electrodes. This dynamic adaptation maintains input sensing coverage in the active region while reducing power consumption in the folded state.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different charging signal strategies to different regions of the sensor layer based on the device state. In the folded state, only the auxiliary electrodes corresponding to the visible display region receive charging signals, while other regions are excluded. This local differentiation ensures that power is consumed only where input sensing is actually needed, resolving the contradiction between maintaining sensing coverage and reducing power consumption.
2Ease of operation
If the sensor layer operates in a mode to sense touch in the folded state, then touch input is detected, but power consumption increases unnecessarily
Solution Approach 1:
In the folded state, the sensor driver performs partial sensing action by providing charging signals only to the auxiliary electrodes corresponding to the visible display region, rather than all auxiliary electrodes. This partial action is sufficient to detect touch inputs in the active area where the user can actually interact with the device, while avoiding unnecessary power consumption in regions that are not visible or accessible.
3Use of energy by moving object
If charging signals are reduced in the folded state, then power consumption decreases, but input sensing accuracy may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent ensures input sensing accuracy is maintained in the folded state by selectively providing charging signals to the auxiliary electrodes that correspond to the visible display region. This local quality approach ensures that the sensing precision is optimized exactly where the user can interact with the device (the visible area), while reducing or eliminating charging signals in regions that are folded away and not accessible for input.
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 configuration reduces power consumption and enhances input sensitivity by adapting to different display states, improving user interaction and portability.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor layer on the display layer... a sensor driver that operates in a charging drive mode to transmit a charging signal to the sensor layer... the sensor layer includes a plurality of first electrodes... a plurality of second electrodes... a plurality of first auxiliary electrodes... and a plurality of second auxiliary electrodes
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device which includes a display layer that operates in a folded state or an unfolded state and has an active region including a folding region and a plurality of non-folding regions, a sensor layer, and a sensor driver that operates in a charging drive mode to transmit a charging signal to the sensor layer. The sensor layer includes a plurality of first electrodes, a plurality of second electrodes, a plurality of first auxiliary electrodes, and a plurality of second auxiliary electrodes. The sensor driver sequentially provides the charging signal to the plurality of first auxiliary electrodes in a first direction during the charging drive mode, and the number of times that the charging signal is provided in the folded state and the number of times that the charging signal is provided in the unfolded state are different from each other.