Touch IC Communication for Distributed Dual-Panel Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing touch screen devices with multiple touch panels lack efficient communication between touch controllers, leading to inefficient computing and unintended input reporting when the user's intent is not to make a selection.
Innovation Solution
Implement bi-directional communication between touch controllers using idle integrated circuits (ICs) to distribute computing power and enable/disable touch channels based on user intent, utilizing pre-arranged algorithms to balance computing load and improve performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multiple touch panels are used in a single device, then the screen area and functionality are improved, but the device complexity and communication overhead between touch controllers increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the touch control functions by enabling communication between multiple touch controllers, allowing them to share computing tasks and coordinate touch channel management. This combining approach distributes the complexity across multiple controllers while maintaining unified functionality across the expanded screen area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the touch control system into multiple independent touch controllers, each managing its own touch panel. This segmentation allows parallel processing of touch inputs and distributes the computational burden, reducing the complexity burden on any single controller while supporting multiple display areas.
2Productivity
If touch channels are continuously enabled on all touch panels, then the responsiveness and functionality are improved, but the power consumption and unintended input reporting increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of touch channels, where controllers can enable or disable specific touch channels based on detected user actions. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to maintain high responsiveness when needed while reducing power consumption by disabling channels during idle or non-interactive states.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms where touch controllers monitor user interactions and adjust touch channel states accordingly. When no touch input is detected in a zone, the controller feeds back to disable that zone's touch channels, preventing unintended inputs and reducing power consumption while maintaining readiness for actual user interactions.
3Ease of operation
If computing power is centralized in a single touch controller, then the control simplicity is improved, but the computing efficiency and processing capability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the computing workload across multiple touch controllers, with each controller processing touch inputs for its associated panel independently. This segmentation enables parallel computing, improving overall processing efficiency while maintaining simple local control at each controller level.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements multi-functionality where touch controllers can perform both local touch processing and communicate with other controllers for coordinated tasks. This universal capability allows distributed computing while maintaining operational simplicity, as each controller can function independently or collaborate as needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A touch screen device including a first touch panel, a first touch controller, a second touch panel arranged opposite from the first touch panel, and a second touch controller configured to receive data from the first touch controller, perform a calculation on the received data, and send a result of the calculation data to the first touch controller.