Touch Panel Controller Low-Power Scan Mode

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing touch panel detection methods consume high power during waiting periods for touch inputs, and reducing power consumption without compromising detection accuracy is challenging, especially when detecting inputs based on smaller detection regions.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a touch panel controller that switches between normal and low-power scan modes, where in the low-power mode, every other electrode is used for detection, allowing for reduced power consumption without degrading detection accuracy by targeting specific areas like the center of the touch detection plane or alternating detection lines.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If all detection points are used to generate detection data during normal scan, then detection accuracy is maintained, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The detection plane is segmented into multiple detection points arranged in rows and columns. The controller selectively activates only specific detection points based on the scan mode (normal scan uses all points, low-power scan uses every other point), thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining adequate detection coverage through strategic segmentation of the detection array.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

During low-power scan mode, the system performs partial detection by using only every other detection point rather than all detection points. This partial action is sufficient for detecting touch inputs in many scenarios, reducing power consumption while accepting that some detection coverage is sacrificed unless needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Use of energy by moving object

If every other electrode is used for detection in low-power mode, then power consumption is reduced, but detection coverage may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoiddetection coverage

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between normal scan mode (using all detection points) and low-power scan mode (using every other detection point) based on operational requirements. This dynamic adjustment allows the detection coverage to be expanded when needed and reduced when power saving is prioritized, making the detection system adaptable to different operational contexts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS10001877B2Semiconductor device

Publication Date: 2018.06.19 OMNIVISION TDDI ONTARIO LLP

AI summary

Embodiments herein describe a touch panel controller that has a first mode and a second mode. The touch panel controller performs a normal scan in the first mode, and performs a low-power scan in the second mode. In the normal scan, all of detection points are targeted for detection on a touch detection plane of a touch panel. In the low-power scan, only every other electrode in a group of electrodes is used to generate detection data.