Synchronizing Touch and Force Data for Power Reduction
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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 and touch sensors, leading to unnecessary power usage during idle periods.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a low reporting mode for force sensors and touch-sensitive displays, where data is reported only when a change in state occurs, and synchronizing force data with touch data to minimize power consumption and provide efficient input processing, including haptic feedback mechanisms using piezoelectric elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If data is reported continuously from force sensors and touch-sensitive displays, then data availability and responsiveness are improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a low reporting mode where force sensors and touch-sensitive displays operate with periodic data reporting instead of continuous reporting. Data is reported only at specific intervals or when state changes occur, reducing power consumption while maintaining adequate data availability for device operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between different reporting modes (low reporting mode and normal mode) based on device state. The reporting frequency and data acquisition rates are adjusted dynamically to balance power consumption requirements with data availability needs at different operational phases
2Use of energy by moving object
If data acquisition rate is reduced to save power, then power consumption decreases, but data synchronization accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by storing data buffers and timestamps before mode transitions occur. When switching between low reporting mode and normal mode, pre-captured data is utilized to maintain synchronization accuracy without requiring continuous high-rate data acquisition, thus preserving power while maintaining measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses timestamp-based feedback mechanisms to track and synchronize data from multiple sources (force sensors, touch-sensitive display, processor). By monitoring data timestamps and adjusting synchronization accordingly, the system maintains accurate data matching even when operating at reduced data acquisition rates in low power mode
3Use of energy by moving object
If low reporting mode is implemented, then power consumption is reduced, but input processing responsiveness may be delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts reporting frequency based on device state. During idle periods, low reporting mode reduces power consumption. When input events are detected or device state changes, the system transitions to normal mode with higher reporting rates, ensuring responsive input processing when needed while maintaining power efficiency during idle states
Solution Approach 2:
Data is pre-captured and stored in buffers with timestamps during low reporting mode. When an input event triggers processing, the pre-stored data is immediately available for rapid processing, minimizing delays despite the lower reporting rate. This preliminary data capture allows the system to respond quickly to user interactions without maintaining continuous high-rate data acquisition
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 ensures accurate input processing, extending the device's battery life while maintaining effective tactile feedback and click/unclick input functionality.
Implementation Method 1
haptic feedback mechanisms using piezoelectric elements
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A method of synchronizing force data with touch data comprises: receiving an interrupt signal generated by a touch-sensitive display when a change greater than a predetermined threshold occurs on a touch-sensitive overlay of the touch-sensitive display; generating a time stamp when the interrupt signal is received from the touch-sensitive display; receiving an interrupt signal generated by a force sensing transducer when a force greater than a predetermined force threshold is applied to the touch-sensitive display; generating a time stamp when the interrupt signal is received from the force sensing transducer; synchronizing touch data for a particular touch event with force data for a force event corresponding to the particular touch event; outputting the synchronized touch data and force data to input processing operations. A portable electronic device configured to perform this method is also provided.