Touch Controller Fold-Angle Detection Without Extra Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Foldable electronic devices rely on redundant sensors like acceleration and gravity (A+G) sensors and Hall sensors for fold angle detection, increasing cost, size, and complexity, particularly in compact designs.
Innovation Solution
Utilize the existing touch controller IC to detect folding angles through mutual and self-capacitive sensing techniques, eliminating the need for additional sensors and leveraging existing components for accurate angle detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If dedicated sensors (Hall or gravity acceleration sensors) are used to detect folding angle, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The touch controller is designed to perform multiple functions: traditional touch input detection and folding angle detection. By making the touch controller universal, the patent eliminates dedicated sensors while maintaining folding angle measurement capability through capacitive sensing of the display layers
Solution Approach 2:
The display structure itself serves the dual purpose of both displaying visual information and providing folding angle detection data. The capacitive properties of the display layers enable the system to self-monitor its folding state without external sensors
2Measurement precision
If dedicated sensors are added for fold angle detection, then measurement precision is improved, but device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The touch controller performs both touch input and folding angle detection functions, eliminating the need for separate sensor components and reducing overall device volume
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines touch control functionality with folding detection functionality into a single integrated system, merging previously separate functions into one component to reduce device size
3Measurement precision
If dedicated sensors are used for folding detection, then measurement precision is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The touch controller, already powered for touch input operations, leverages its existing operational state to perform folding detection without requiring additional dedicated power sources for separate sensors
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the inherent capacitive properties of the display structure that are already part of the powered touch control system, eliminating the need for separate power-intensive sensing components
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
Reduces costs and space requirements while maintaining accurate fold angle detection, enabling dynamic user experiences and optimizing device performance based on folding positions.
Implementation Method 1
activating, by the touch controller, a mutual-capacitance sensing mechanism of the foldable device, wherein the activating comprises configuring one or more channels of the touch-sensing layer parallel to the folding axis on the first portion of the display layer as transmit channels, and configuring one or more channels of the touch-sensing layer parallel to the folding axis on the second portion of the display layer as receive channels
Data Source
AI summary
According to an embodiment, a method for determining the folding angle of a foldable device is proposed. The device includes a touch controller, a display layer, and a touch-sensing layer. The device is foldable along a folding axis. A first portion is in contact with a second portion of the display layer in a fully closed position of the device. The method includes activating a mutual-capacitance sensing mechanism by configuring one or more channels of the touch-sensing layer parallel to the folding axis on the first portion of the display layer as transmit channels, and configuring one or more channels of the touch-sensing layer parallel to the folding axis on the second portion of the display layer as receive channels; collecting mutual-capacitance raw data measurements; determining the folding angle based on the mutual-capacitance raw data measurements; and activating a function or an application based on the folding angle.