Touch Sensor Power Management via Periodic Group Scanning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hand-held electronic devices with edge sensors experience increased power consumption due to continuous scanning, leading to reduced battery life.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a power-saving mode where only a subset of touch sensors on the lateral sides of the device are alternately activated at a lower frequency for touch detection, reducing unnecessary power usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the edge sensor keeps scanning continuously to detect touch gestures, then the touch detection capability is improved, but the power consumption is increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetouch detection capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic scanning by alternately activating different groups of touch sensors in sequence rather than continuously scanning all sensors. The controller divides touch sensors into multiple groups and activates them in alternating periods, achieving touch detection functionality while reducing overall power consumption compared to continuous scanning of all sensors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the touch sensor array into multiple groups that can be activated independently. By dividing the sensors into separate scan groups and activating them alternately, the system maintains touch detection capability across the entire display while reducing the number of active sensors at any given moment, thereby lowering power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If all touch sensors are activated to execute touch detection action, then the touch detection precision is improved, but the power consumption is increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetouch detection precisionVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by activating only a subset of touch sensors at any given time rather than all sensors simultaneously. The controller alternates between different groups of sensors, ensuring that sufficient sensors are active to maintain detection precision while avoiding the excessive power consumption that would result from activating all sensors continuously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Speed

If the edge sensor scans at high frequency to improve response speed, then the touch response time is reduced, but the power consumption is increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetouch response speedVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic scanning with alternating activation of sensor groups at optimized frequencies. Rather than maintaining high-frequency scanning of all sensors continuously, the system uses periodic activation of sensor groups, achieving acceptable touch response speed while significantly reducing power consumption through the intermittent scanning approach.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS10649559B2Handheld electronic apparatus and touch detection method thereof

Publication Date: 2020.05.12 HTC CORP

AI summary

A handheld electronic apparatus includes a housing, a plurality of touch sensors, and a controller. The controller under power saving mode activates parts of touch sensors to execute a touch detection action.