Keyboard-Tablet Magnetic Position Detection for Power Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for controlling devices, such as keyboards and tablets, result in high occupancy of computing resources and high power consumption due to continuous angle calculations using gravity sensors.

Innovation Solution

A method that determines the distance state between a keyboard and a terminal device, adjusts the screen state to wake-up mode when in a distant state, and calculates the angle between the keyboard and the terminal device based on their positions, allowing for adjustment of the keyboard state accordingly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If gravity sensors are used to continuously calculate the angle between the keyboard and the tablet, then the device can be controlled according to the angle, but the calculation resource occupation rate increases and power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice controlVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic action by using magnetic sensors to detect the relative position between keyboard and tablet at specific intervals or when position changes occur, rather than continuously calculating angles. The controller determines the relative position based on magnetic field changes, and only updates the connection state when the position changes, thereby reducing continuous computation and power consumption while maintaining effective device control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Ease of operation

If gravity sensors are used to continuously calculate the angle between the keyboard and the tablet, then the device can be controlled according to the angle, but the calculation resource occupation rate increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice controlVSAvoidcalculation resource occupation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical/gravity-based angle calculation system with a magnetic field-based detection system. Instead of using gravity sensors to continuously calculate angles, the system uses magnetic sensors to directly detect the relative position between keyboard and tablet. This substitution eliminates complex continuous calculations and reduces computational resource occupation while maintaining device control functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If continuous angle calculation is performed using gravity sensors, then accurate device state control is achieved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveangle measurementVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by utilizing the magnetic field environment naturally present between the keyboard and tablet. The magnetic sensors automatically detect relative position changes based on magnetic field variations caused by the physical arrangement of the devices, eliminating the need for continuous active sensing and calculation. The system serves itself by leveraging the inherent magnetic properties of the devices to determine connection states.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4321962B1Method and apparatus for controlling a device, storage medium, and program product
Publication Date: 2025.05.07 BEIJING XIAOMI MOBILE SOFTWARE CO LTD
  • EP4321962B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4321962B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4321962B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

Aspects of the present invention are directed to a method for controlling a device, including: determining a distance state between a keyboard and a terminal device, the keyboard is in communication connection with the terminal device; in a case that the distance state is a distant state, adjusting a state of a screen of the terminal device to a wake-up state, and obtaining a first position of the keyboard and a second position of the terminal device; determining an angle between the keyboard and the screen of the terminal device according to the first position and the second position; and adjusting a state of the keyboard according to the angle.