Touch Sensor Resource Scheduling for Fewer Measurement Components
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Solution Overview
Problem
Capacitive touch sensors with high resolution require a large number of components, increasing manufacturing costs and physical footprint due to the need for numerous measurements and resource allocation.
Innovation Solution
A resource allocation controller that allocates resources to different functions during different timeslots, allowing multiple functions to share resources and reducing the total number of resources required by enabling parallel function execution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a greater number of components are used to enable measurements of capacitive touch screens, then measurement capability is improved, but manufacturing cost and physical footprint increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single controller that can perform multiple measurement functions (self-capacitance measurements, mutual-capacitance measurements, and compensation measurements) and support multiple touch sensing techniques. This multi-functional controller reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each measurement type, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining comprehensive measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics through a configurable controller that can dynamically switch between different measurement modes and techniques based on the specific application requirements. The controller can adaptively select between self-capacitance and mutual-capacitance measurements, and adjust measurement parameters, allowing the same hardware to optimize performance for different scenarios without requiring fixed dedicated components
2Measurement precision
If a greater number of components are used to enable measurements of capacitive touch screens, then measurement capability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By creating a universal controller that handles multiple measurement types (self-capacitance, mutual-capacitance, compensation) within a single integrated component, the patent reduces the total component count required in the system. This consolidation directly lowers manufacturing costs while preserving full measurement capability across different touch sensing techniques
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges previously separate measurement functions into a single integrated controller. By combining self-capacitance measurement, mutual-capacitance measurement, and compensation capabilities into one controller unit, the design reduces component quantity and simplifies the manufacturing process, thereby reducing overall manufacturing cost
3Productivity
If multiple functions are executed simultaneously, then productivity is improved, but resource allocation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action through a timeslot-based measurement system that divides measurement operations into sequential time periods. Different measurement functions (self-capacitance, mutual-capacitance, compensation) are executed in alternating timeslots, allowing multiple functions to be performed systematically without requiring simultaneous resource allocation, thus managing complexity while maintaining productivity
Data Source
AI summary
A resource allocation controller for a touch-sensitive apparatus, comprising: a timing module for obtaining timing information; a timeslot counter configured to output an indication of a current timeslot of a plurality of timeslots based on the obtained timing information; an allocation module configured to allocate a first resource to one of a first function and a second function during a first timeslot of the plurality of timeslots and to allocate the first resource to the other of the first function and the second function during a second timeslot of the plurality of timeslots; and wherein the resource allocation controller is configured to indicate to a function execution module to which of the first function and the second function the first resource is allocated to during the first timeslot, and to indicate to the function execution module a function to which the first resource is allocated.