Proximity-Dependent Touch Panel Power Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Touch panel systems equipped with dedicated touch pens face challenges in synchronizing drive timings between the pen and the touch panel controller, leading to high power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A touch panel system that outputs a first synchronization signal to multiple signal lines, followed by a driving signal, and computes the distance between the pen and the touch panel, adjusting the power of the synchronization signal based on this distance to reduce power consumption by outputting a second synchronization signal with lower driving power when the pen is close.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the touch panel controller outputs synchronization signals to all signal lines to maintain accurate synchronization between the pen and controller, then the synchronization precision is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by transitioning from uniform synchronization signal output to localized adaptive output. The controller identifies the region where the pen is located and outputs synchronization signals only to signal lines within that region, making the signal distribution non-uniform and location-specific. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining synchronization precision where needed while reducing power consumption in regions where the pen is not present.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the synchronization signal output adaptive and changeable based on real-time pen position. The controller dynamically adjusts which signal lines receive synchronization signals according to the pen's current location, rather than using a fixed uniform pattern. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain precision when the pen is present while reducing power consumption when the pen moves to different regions or is absent.
2Reliability
If the touch panel controller outputs synchronization signals with high driving power to ensure reliable detection, then the detection reliability is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting the driving power of synchronization signals based on the pen's distance from the touch panel. When the pen is close, the controller reduces the driving power parameter while maintaining detection reliability. When the pen is far or absent, the controller increases or maintains higher power levels. This dynamic parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction between reliability and power consumption.
3Measurement precision
If the touch panel controller continuously outputs synchronization signals to all signal lines, then the synchronization accuracy is maintained, but the energy waste increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the unnecessary synchronization signal output from the system by identifying and eliminating signals sent to regions where the pen is not present. Instead of continuously outputting signals to all signal lines, the controller extracts and removes redundant signal transmissions, keeping only the essential signals needed for maintaining synchronization accuracy in the pen's actual location. This extraction principle directly addresses the energy waste problem while preserving synchronization accuracy.
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 allows for reduced power consumption while maintaining synchronization between the pen and the touch panel controller, enabling efficient operation.
Implementation Method 1
a touch panel having an electrostatic capacitance formed respectively at the intersections between multiple first signal lines and multiple second signal lines, the touch panel system detecting a touch position from changes in the electrostatic capacitance
Implementation Method 2
the touch panel controller computes, on the basis of the detection signal detecting the touch position, the distance between the pen and the touch panel in the period in which the driving signal is output
Data Source
AI summary
A touch panel controller is equipped with a control unit that outputs a decimation signal to a drive line driving circuit when touch response magnitude data is a designated value or greater, or in other words, when the distance between a touch panel and a stylus pen is closer than a designated value. Thus, it is possible to realize a touch panel system able to moderate the amount of power consumed when synchronizing drive timings between the pen and the touch panel controller that drives the touch panel, and thereby operate with low power consumption.