Touch Controller Proximity Sensing via Sensor Grouping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Touch panel sensors have low sensing sensitivity and are limited to short proximity sensing distances, and increasing supply voltage to improve sensitivity results in higher power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A touch controller groups touch sensors into sensing and non-sensing groups, setting non-sensing group sensors to a floating or simultaneously-driven state to enhance sensitivity and extend sensing distance while reducing power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If increasing the supply voltage to the touch panel, then sensing sensitivity is improved, but power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The touch sensor array is divided into multiple sensing regions, each independently controllable. The controller selectively activates only the sensing region where proximity sensing is needed, rather than continuously monitoring the entire panel. This segmentation enables high sensitivity in the active region while keeping other regions inactive, thus reducing overall power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic scanning of different sensing regions in a sequential manner. Instead of continuous monitoring of the entire touch panel, the controller cycles through different regions, activating them one after another. This periodic action maintains sensing capability while significantly reducing average power consumption compared to continuous full-panel monitoring.
2Ease of manufacture
If touch panel sensors are used for proximity sensing, then cost is reduced and structural design is simplified, but sensing distance is limited to short distances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the temporal dimension by sequentially activating different sensing regions over time. This time-based dimensionality allows the system to effectively extend the sensing distance capability beyond the physical limitations of individual sensor regions, enabling long-range proximity detection while maintaining the cost advantages of touch panel sensors.
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 method provides higher sensitivity for longer proximity sensing distances with lower power consumption by optimizing the state of touch sensors in the touch panel.
Implementation Method 1
the touch controller may set one or more first touch sensors of the non-sensing group to a floating state during the first sensing period
Implementation Method 2
by detecting that the user's face is near the display, it is possible is turn off the display and reduce power consumption
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device controlling a touch panel and performing a proximity sensing method is provided. The electronic device includes a touch controller. The touch controller is configured to group a plurality of touch sensors into a sensing group of one or more touch sensors and a non-sensing group of one or more touch sensors, control the sensing group to perform a proximity or hover sensing operation during a first sensing period and not control the non-sensing group to perform the proximity or hover sensing operation during the first sensing period, set one or more first touch sensors of the non-sensing group to a floating state during the first sensing period, and set one or more second touch sensors of the non-sensing group to a simultaneously-driven state during the first sensing period.