Sensor Controller Intermediate Potential Circuit Reduces Through Current
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing technique for reducing power consumption in sensor controllers, as described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2019-091442, faces issues with through current flow and maintaining intermediate potential states, which hinders efficient power reduction.
Innovation Solution
A sensor controller with transmission drivers generating signal waveforms between two potentials and an intermediate potential supply unit that outputs an intermediate potential between these potentials to the output signal lines at specific transition times, stabilizing the potential and reducing power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If output signal lines with high potential and low potential are short-circuited to transfer charge, then power consumption is reduced, but through current flows causing additional power consumption and potential instability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dedicated intermediate potential generation circuit that acts as a mediator between high and low potential lines. Instead of directly short-circuiting high and low potential lines which causes through current, the circuit generates an intermediate potential (e.g., Vdd/2) and uses it to gradually transition the potential of output signal lines. This intermediary approach eliminates direct current paths between high and low potential lines while still achieving charge transfer and power consumption reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the potential parameter of output signal lines gradually through multiple stages rather than abruptly. By transitioning from high potential → intermediate potential → low potential (or reverse), the circuit avoids large potential differences that would cause through current. The intermediate potential serves as a transition state that reduces the energy differential, thereby minimizing harmful current flow while enabling charge redistribution.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If output signal lines are set to high impedance state to prevent through current, then through current is suppressed, but it becomes difficult to maintain intermediate potential on the output signal lines
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate potential generation circuit is designed to autonomously maintain the intermediate potential level without requiring continuous external control signals. The circuit uses feedback mechanisms and stable reference voltage sources (such as voltage dividers or dedicated reference circuits) to self-regulate and hold the intermediate potential steady, ensuring that output signal lines can reliably transition through this potential state without drifting or instability.
3Loss of energy
If charge is supplied from high potential lines to low potential lines through short-circuit, then power consumption is reduced, but through current flows for a certain period hindering power reduction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic control of the intermediate potential generation, activating it only during specific transition periods when potential changes are required. During normal operation or stable states, the intermediate potential circuit remains inactive or in a low-power mode. This periodic activation pattern reduces the duration during which current flows through the circuit, thereby minimizing energy loss associated with maintaining the intermediate state while still achieving necessary charge transfer when needed.
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 solution effectively suppresses through current and reduces power consumption by providing a stable intermediate potential, improving upon the conventional method's limitations.
Implementation Method 1
the potential generation circuit includes a voltage source or a capacitive element separate from the transmission drivers
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a sensor controller, an electronic device including the sensor controller, and a control method of the sensor controller. The sensor controller includes a plurality of transmission drivers, a plurality of output signal lines for outputting transmission signals output from the corresponding transmission drivers, to corresponding detection electrodes, and an intermediate potential supply unit including a potential generation circuit that includes a voltage source or a capacitive element separate from the transmission drivers, the intermediate potential supply unit being configured to output a voltage from the potential generation circuit at a timing at which potentials of signal waveforms start to transition from a first potential to a second potential higher than the first potential or from the second potential to the first potential, to thereby supply an intermediate potential between the first potential and the second potential to the output signal lines.