Lid Angle Detection Using Sensor Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current lid angle detection solutions for foldable electronic devices are costly and consume high power, and they fail to accurately determine the lid angle when the device is in an upright position or in a non-steady state, leading to continuous high power consumption even in sleep mode.
Innovation Solution
A device with low-powered first and second sensor units and a high-powered application processor, where the sensor units remain active during sleep mode to measure acceleration and angular velocity, allowing the processor to estimate and update the lid angle upon waking, using multiple sensors like accelerometers, magnetometers, and gyroscopes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the high-powered application processor remains always active to detect lid angle in upright position or non-steady state, then the lid angle detection accuracy is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the processing tasks between two separate units: low-powered sensor units (accelerometer, magnetometer, gyroscope) that continuously collect data, and a high-powered application processor that performs complex calculations only when needed (upon device activation). This segmentation allows accurate lid angle detection while minimizing power consumption during sleep mode.
Solution Approach 2:
The low-powered sensor units continuously measure acceleration, magnetic field, and angular velocity data even when the device is in sleep mode, preparing the necessary data in advance. When the device activates, the application processor can immediately calculate the lid angle using pre-collected data, avoiding the need for continuous high-powered processing.
2Adaptability or versatility
If hall sensors or magnetometers are used to solve the upright position detection problem, then the lid angle detection capability in upright position is improved, but the device cost and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the existing accelerometer and magnetometer serve multiple functions: they detect both the device's orientation in space and the lid angle simultaneously. By processing the combination of acceleration data (device orientation) and magnetic field data (hinge angle), the system achieves upright position detection capability without adding dedicated hall sensors or additional magnetometers, thereby reducing device cost.
3Measurement precision
If the lid angle detection solution is always running to manage corner cases, then the lid angle detection accuracy is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts its operational state based on device activity. During sleep mode, only low-powered sensor units operate, collecting data passively. Upon device activation, the high-powered application processor becomes active to perform lid angle calculations. This dynamic state transition ensures accurate lid angle detection when needed while minimizing power consumption 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
Enables accurate lid angle detection in upright and non-steady states while reducing power consumption by allowing the device to enter sleep mode without continuous processor activity, thus providing a cost-effective and efficient solution.
Implementation Method 1
the first and second sensor units measure acceleration and angular velocity, and calculate orientations of the respective lid components based on the acceleration and angular velocity measurements
Implementation Method 2
the first and second sensor units measure acceleration and angular velocity, and calculate orientations of the respective lid components based on the acceleration and angular velocity measurements
Implementation Method 3
The application processor subsequently updates the initial lid angle using one or more of acceleration, magnetometer, or gyroscope measurements
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is directed to a device and method for lid angle detection that is accurate even if the device is activated in an upright position. While the device is in a sleep state, first and second sensor units measure acceleration and angular velocity, and calculate orientations of respective lid components based on the acceleration and angular velocity measurements. Upon the device exiting the sleep state, a processor estimates the lid angle using the calculated orientations, sets the estimated lid angle as an initial lid angle, and updates the initial lid angle using, for example, two accelerometers; two accelerometers and two gyroscopes; two accelerometers and two magnetometers; or two accelerometers, two gyroscopes, and two magnetometers.