Touch Sensor Power Management via Static Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless control devices, such as computer mice, lack effective methods for calibrating touch sensors and managing power consumption, leading to potential inaccuracies in touch detection and increased power usage.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a touch sensor calibration process that activates after a predetermined period of no user input, using a combination of sensors like optical, touch, accelerometer, and gyroscope to detect user inputs and adjust power levels based on touch object staticness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the touch sensor operates continuously in normal mode to ensure accurate touch detection, then measurement precision is improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The touch sensor dynamically switches between normal mode and calibration mode based on detected user input activity. During periods of no user input, the system transitions to calibration mode to conserve energy while maintaining the ability to detect touches when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs calibration operations periodically during periods of inactivity rather than continuously. This periodic calibration approach maintains measurement precision while significantly reducing overall power consumption compared to continuous operation.
2Measurement precision
If the touch sensor is calibrated frequently to maintain accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs calibration in advance during periods of user inactivity, before the next period of active use begins. This preliminary calibration ensures the sensor is ready for accurate detection without interrupting user workflow.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically detects periods of user inactivity and autonomously initiates calibration during these periods. The calibration process serves itself by utilizing naturally occurring idle time without requiring user intervention or system interruption.
3Reliability
If multiple sensors are used to detect user input and manage power, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensor types (touch sensor, optical sensor, accelerometer, gyroscope) into a unified sensor system that shares common control logic and processing. This merging approach improves reliability through multi-sensor input while managing complexity through integrated architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The control circuit is designed to universally manage multiple different sensor types using the same control logic and processing pathways. This multi-functional approach allows reliable detection through diverse sensors while avoiding the complexity of separate dedicated control systems for each sensor type.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of reducing the power consumption of an input device includes operating the input device at a first power level, detecting the presence of a touch object on a touch surface of the input device, determining that the presence of the touch object on the touch surface is static for a predetermined period of time, operating the input device at a second power level, maintaining the input device at the second power level, determining that the presence of the touch object on the touch surface is not static, and operating the input device at the first power level. In some cases, the touch object is a finger. The touch object is static if the touch object's position on the touch surface remains within a predetermined region, where the predetermined region is an area centered around the presence of the touch object on the touch surface.