Touch Device GPIO Mode Switching for Stylus Function Diversity

Solution Overview

Problem

Electromagnetic touch devices require additional hardware, such as coils, to perform functions like erasing or right-clicking, increasing production costs and weight, which is not user-friendly for slim electronic products.

Innovation Solution

A touch device with a touch sensing unit, processing unit, and digital controller that uses GPIO signals to switch between control modes, allowing the same touch signal to perform different functions without additional coils on the stylus, maintaining cursor and left-button functions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If additional coils are provided on the touch stylus to perform erasing or right-clicking functions, then function diversity is improved, but weight and volume are increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunction diversityVSAvoidweight

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The touch sensing unit is designed to detect multiple types of touch events (touch, approach, release) using a single electromagnetic sensing mechanism. The same coil structure serves multiple functions by detecting different electromagnetic signal characteristics, eliminating the need for separate coils for different functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system distinguishes between different touch functions by detecting changes in electromagnetic signal parameters such as touch frequency, signal strength, and temporal patterns. Different functions (writing, erasing, right-clicking) are achieved by interpreting different parameter patterns from the same sensing hardware.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If additional coils are provided on the touch stylus to perform erasing or right-clicking functions, then function diversity is improved, but production costs are increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunction diversityVSAvoidproduction costs

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The touch sensing unit is designed to detect multiple types of touch events (touch, approach, release) using a single electromagnetic sensing mechanism. The same coil structure serves multiple functions by detecting different electromagnetic signal characteristics, eliminating the need for separate coils for different functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple functional capabilities (touch detection, approach detection, release detection) are merged into a single electromagnetic sensing system. The processing unit integrates the detection and interpretation of various touch events, consolidating what would traditionally require separate hardware components into one unified system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If additional coils are provided on the touch stylus to perform erasing or right-clicking functions, then function diversity is improved, but volume is increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunction diversityVSAvoidvolume

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The touch sensing unit is designed to detect multiple types of touch events (touch, approach, release) using a single electromagnetic sensing mechanism. The same coil structure serves multiple functions by detecting different electromagnetic signal characteristics, eliminating the need for separate coils for different functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple functional capabilities are nested within a single electromagnetic sensing framework. The system detects touch, approach, and release events by analyzing different aspects of the electromagnetic signal from the same physical structure, effectively nesting multiple functions within one hardware component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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

Enhances function diversity of the touch stylus by allowing multiple functions with a single touch end, reducing hardware requirements and maintaining essential functions like cursor and left-button operations, thus optimizing user experience.

Implementation Method 1

A principle of the electromagnetic technology is that, with the operation of an electromagnetic stylus, an intended action of the electromagnetic stylus is determined according to changes in the magnetic field of sensing lines below a panel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS10684723B2Touch device and control method thereof

Publication Date: 2020.06.16 GETAC TECH CORP

AI summary

A touch device includes a touch sensing unit, a processing unit, an embedded controller and a digital controller. The touch sensing unit has a first control mode and a second control mode, and senses a touch event from a touch stylus. The embedded controller is coupled to the processing unit. The digital controller is coupled to the touch sensing unit, the embedded controller and the processing unit, and receives a general-purpose input/output (GPIO) signal from the embedded controller. When the GPIO signal is in a first value, the digital controller reports the first control mode to the processing unit. When the GPIO signal is in a second value, the digital processor reports the second control mode to the processing unit. Thus, the performance of the touch device and the touch stylus is improved.