Optical Touch Device Power Management via Dynamic Mode Switching
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing touch-sensitive devices face challenges in scaling to larger screen sizes, handling multitouch events, and managing increasing resolution demands while maintaining low power consumption, especially in mobile devices.
Innovation Solution
An optical touch-sensitive device with multiple emitters and detectors that use multiplexed optical beams and adjustable operating modes and detection schemes to conserve power, allowing for simultaneous multitouch event detection and flexible power management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the device uses higher resolution and faster operation to meet increasing demands, then detection precision and productivity are improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multiple operating modes (active, standby, high-resolution, high-speed, software-driven) that dynamically adjust system behavior based on current needs. The device can switch between these modes to optimize the balance between detection precision, operation speed, and power consumption, rather than operating at fixed high performance levels continuously
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs different detection schemes that use varying amounts of power and energy applied to beams, scan rates, and beam densities. By using partial action (lower power settings) when full performance is not needed, the device reduces overall power consumption while maintaining adequate detection capabilities for the current operational context
2Adaptability or versatility
If the device activates more beams and detectors to detect multitouch events, then detection capability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the detection system into multiple independent beams and detectors that can be selectively activated. Instead of activating all beams and detectors simultaneously, the system segments the detection task and activates only the necessary subset based on the current operational mode and detection needs, reducing overall power consumption while maintaining multitouch capability
Solution Approach 2:
The optical beams and detectors are designed to serve multiple functions - they can detect single touches, multitouch events, and work across different operating modes. This multi-functionality allows the same hardware components to handle diverse detection scenarios without requiring separate dedicated components for each function, optimizing power usage
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
The device effectively detects multiple simultaneous touch events with reduced power consumption by switching between operating modes and detection schemes, enhancing performance and efficiency in larger screen sizes and mobile applications.
Implementation Method 1
The emitters produce optical beams which are received by the detectors
Data Source
AI summary
An optical touch-sensitive device is able to determine the locations of multiple simultaneous touch events. The optical touch-sensitive device includes multiple emitters and detectors. Each emitter produces optical beams which are received by the detectors. Touch events disturb the optical beams. Detection schemes define the operation of the touch capability. Different detection schemes consume different amounts of power and may be used in combination to reduce overall power consumption.