Touch Screen Scanning Modes for Fast Response and Lower Power

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing touch screen technologies face a trade-off between high response speed and low power consumption, as increasing response speed through higher report rates leads to increased power consumption.

Innovation Solution

A method that combines self-capacitance scanning with a high report rate for quick response and mutual-capacitance scanning with a low report rate for accurate positioning, adapting the scanning method based on application requirements and power availability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the report rate is increased to improve touch response speed, then the response speed is improved, but the power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetouch response speedVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic scanning rate adjustment by switching between first scanning manner (higher report rate) and second scanning manner (lower report rate) based on touch detection states. The control circuit dynamically adjusts the scanning parameters to match actual usage conditions, using higher rates only when touch events occur and lower rates during idle periods, thereby resolving the contradiction between response speed and power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the scanning parameter (report rate) based on different operating conditions. By detecting touch events and adjusting the scanning rate accordingly - using first scanning manner with higher report rate during touch events and second scanning manner with lower report rate during idle periods - the system optimizes both response speed and power consumption through parameter adaptation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Use of energy by moving object

If the report rate is reduced to save power consumption, then the power consumption is reduced, but the response speed decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidtouch response speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic scanning with alternating patterns between first scanning manner and second scanning manner. The control circuit periodically switches between higher report rate (first scanning) and lower report rate (second scanning) based on detected touch states, creating a rhythmic scanning pattern that balances power savings during idle periods with responsive detection during active periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adapts the scanning rate based on real-time touch detection states. When no touch is detected, the system transitions to the second scanning manner with lower report rate to save power. When touch events are detected, it switches to the first scanning manner with higher report rate to ensure rapid response, making the scanning behavior dynamic rather than static.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 meets the high response speed demands of sensitive applications while reducing power consumption by dynamically switching between scanning modes.

Implementation Method 1

the detection circuit performs first touch detection based on self-capacitance of the selected detection electrodes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSelf-capacitance: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

the detection circuit performs second touch detection based on mutual capacitance between the detection electrodes that perform the first touch detection and the drive electrodes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMutual capacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentEP3754458B1Method and apparatus for scanning a touch screen, and a medium
Publication Date: 2026.04.22 BEIJING XIAOMI MOBILE SOFTWARE CO LTD
  • EP3754458B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3754458B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3754458B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a method and an apparatus for scanning a touch screen, and a medium. The method includes: scanning the touch screen in a first scanning manner, the first scanning manner using a first report rate; and switching to a second scanning manner to scan the touch screen in response to detecting that the touch screen is touched in the first scanning manner, the second scanning manner using a second report rate. The number of scan regions into which the touch screen is divided in the first scanning manner is smaller than that of scan regions into which the touch screen is divided in the second scanning manner, and the first report rate is greater than or equal to the second report rate.