Proximity Sensor Power Management via Periodic Idle State
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional proximity sensors in user devices face challenges in reducing power consumption effectively, especially when multiple modems with varying RF transmit power levels are active, which can lead to unnecessary power usage and inefficiency in proximity detection.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a Periodic Idle state for the proximity sensor, where it alternates between active and idle states based on the use cases and states of WWAN, WLAN, and Bluetooth modems, with adjustable scanning rates and state transitions triggered by user proximity and modem activity, allowing for optimized power management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the proximity sensor operates continuously in Active state to ensure effective proximity detection, then detection reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The proximity sensor dynamically transitions between Active state and Periodic Idle state based on system conditions. In Active state, the sensor operates continuously for reliable detection. In Periodic Idle state, the sensor enters idle mode periodically while remaining capable of quick transitions back to active detection, thus reducing power consumption while maintaining detection reliability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor implements periodic idle periods where it switches to a low-power state for predetermined durations. During these periodic idle intervals, the sensor consumes minimal power while still maintaining the capability to detect proximity events when transitioning back to Active state, achieving a balance between continuous monitoring and power savings.
2Measurement precision
If the proximity sensor operates in Active state with high scanning rates to improve detection speed, then detection precision is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The scanning rate of the proximity sensor is dynamically adjusted based on the operational state. In Active state, the sensor uses high scanning rates for precise and rapid proximity detection. When transitioning to Periodic Idle state, the scanning rate is reduced or temporarily suspended during idle periods, thereby maintaining detection precision when active while significantly reducing power consumption during idle intervals.
3Speed
If the proximity sensor remains in Active state to respond quickly to user proximity, then response speed is improved, but power efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains the proximity sensor in Active state with quick-response capability during periods when the device is in use or when RF transmit power is high. By proactively managing state transitions based on predicted usage patterns and RF activity, the system ensures rapid response to proximity events when needed while minimizing the time spent in high-power states, thus improving overall power efficiency without sacrificing response speed when required.
Data Source
AI summary
Proximity sensors are used in many user devices to detect a user's proximity to it. The proximity detection may be used to control the transmit power of a user device to ensure that the transmit power is in the allowed power range. There are other uses of proximity detection. A proximity sensor, like many other electronic devices, needs power supply for its normal operation. Many user devices are battery operated and therefore reducing power consumption of a user device is essential. A method and apparatus are disclosed that may enable reduced power consumption for a proximity sensor. The disclosed method may be applied to any user device that employs a proximity sensor.