Portable Device Touch and Force Data Synchronization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Portable electronic devices with touch-sensitive displays face challenges in reducing power consumption, as the power drawn by these displays is significant and existing technologies do not efficiently manage data reporting from force sensors and touch-sensitive displays, leading to unnecessary power usage during idle periods.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a low power mode where force data and touch data are reported only when a change in state occurs, synchronizing force data with touch data to minimize reporting frequency, and using piezoelectric elements for haptic feedback that simulates the collapse of a dome-type switch, reducing power consumption and enhancing user interaction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If force sensors and touch-sensitive display operate in full reporting mode with regular scanning cycles, then data acquisition is continuous and responsive, but power consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata acquisition responsivenessVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between full reporting mode and low reporting mode based on operational state. During idle periods, it operates in low reporting mode with event-triggered updates to conserve power. When user interaction is detected, it transitions to full reporting mode to ensure responsive data acquisition, thus adapting the reporting frequency to actual needs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of continuous periodic scanning in full reporting mode, the system uses event-triggered periodic updates in low reporting mode. Force data and touch data are reported only when state changes occur, eliminating unnecessary periodic readings during idle periods while maintaining responsiveness when events occur

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Adaptability or versatility

If force data and touch data are reported at different scanning cycles, then each sensor operates independently, but synchronization difficulties arise and power is wasted on redundant reporting

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor independenceVSAvoidredundant power usage

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges the reporting mechanisms of force sensors and touch-sensitive display into a unified low reporting mode. Both sensors operate on the same event-triggered scanning cycle, eliminating redundant independent scanning. This synchronization reduces power consumption while maintaining the ability to detect and correlate user interactions across both sensor types

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Measurement precision

If touch-sensitive display scanning frequency is increased to improve touch response, then touch detection accuracy improves, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetouch detection accuracyVSAvoiddisplay power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The touch-sensitive display dynamically adjusts its scanning frequency based on operational context. During idle periods, it operates at lower scanning frequency to conserve power. When user interaction is detected through force sensors or touch events, the scanning frequency increases to improve touch detection accuracy and response time, thus adapting measurement precision to actual usage needs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 approach reduces power consumption by minimizing data reporting during idle periods and provides efficient haptic feedback, extending the battery life of portable electronic devices while maintaining effective user input processing.

Implementation Method 1

using piezoelectric elements for haptic feedback that simulates the collapse of a dome-type switch

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS8436806B2Method of synchronizing data acquisition and a portable electronic device configured to perform the same

Publication Date: 2013.05.07 MALIKIE INNOVATIONS LTD

AI summary

A method of synchronizing force data with touch data and a portable electronic device configured to perform the same are provided. In accordance with one embodiment, there is provided a method of synchronizing data acquisition in a portable electronic device, the method comprising: detecting touch events on a touch-sensitive display and storing touch data for each touch event with a time stamp for the touch event; detecting force events on the touch-sensitive display and storing force data for each force event with a time stamp for the force event; matching touch data for a particular touch event with force data for a force event corresponding to the particular touch event; and outputting the matched touch data and force data for input processing operations.