Touch Interface Scanning Modes for Low-Power Time Display

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic devices with touch screens face issues of unnecessary user activation steps and high energy consumption due to permanent scanning of touch keys, which limits functionality and increases power usage.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device with a glass and back cover that operates in two modes: a low-energy mode for displaying the current time and a higher-energy mode for activating functions, where the touch areas are scanned at different frequencies (1-6 Hz for time display and 30-100 Hz for function activation) to optimize power usage and user convenience.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the touch keys are permanently activated and scanned at high frequency, then the user convenience is improved, but the electrical power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser convenienceVSAvoidelectrical power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the scanning frequency adjustable based on operational mode. The system transitions between a first mode (lower scanning frequency) and a second mode (higher scanning frequency), allowing the touch interface to be dynamically adapted to user needs. This resolves the contradiction by enabling high scanning frequency only when function activation is required, while using lower frequency for power saving during time display.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the scanning frequency parameter based on the operational state of the device. By switching between different scanning frequencies (first frequency for time display, second frequency for function activation), the system optimizes both power consumption and user convenience. This parameter change allows the device to maintain responsiveness when needed while minimizing energy usage during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Speed

If the scanning frequency is increased for function activation, then the response speed is improved, but the energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponse speedVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic action by using different scanning frequencies for different operational periods. During time display periods, a lower scanning frequency is used to conserve energy. When function activation is detected, the system switches to a higher scanning frequency period to improve response speed. This periodic variation in scanning frequency resolves the contradiction between speed and energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Measurement precision

If a key is required to activate a function, then the function selection is precise, but the number of available functions is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunction selection precisionVSAvoidnumber of functions

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by making the touch interface capable of multiple functions without requiring separate physical keys. The same touch-sensitive glass surface serves both for time display interaction and for activating various functions. This allows the device to support a larger number of functions while maintaining precise selection through the touch interface, resolving the contradiction between function precision and versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 electrical power consumption while maintaining user convenience by allowing efficient scanning during function activation, enabling a permanently activated display without excessive energy expenditure.

Implementation Method 1

capacitive electrodes acting as touch keys. These keys are activated by a conventional push-piece. This activation of the touch keys consists in scanning them. This means that each key is monitored at a certain frequency to see whether there is a depression, i.e. a capacitance variation.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance variation: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentUS10152029B2Method for managing operations on an electronic device

Publication Date: 2018.12.11 ETA SA MFG HORLOGERE SUISSE

AI summary

An electronic device including a case includes a glass and a back cover, the electronic device including at least one electronic module configured to calculate a current time, to execute plural functions and to provide information relating to the current time and to the functions to a display disposed underneath the glass. The electronic device further including a controller including at least one contact area allowing a user to act on the at least one electronic module, the at least one contact area being monitored by the electronic module at a scanning frequency.