Touch Sensor Sampling Rate Control for Power Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Touch sensor displays in information handling systems face challenges in reducing power consumption, as they often operate at high sampling rates, leading to increased energy usage without efficient control mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
An information handling system incorporating a processor, user interface with a touch sensor, and proximity sensor, where the touch sensor controller adjusts the sampling rate based on input from both sensors to optimize power usage, transitioning through modes such as ON, WARM, SLEEP, and OFF to minimize power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the touch sensor operates at a high sampling rate to ensure responsive touch detection, then the touch response accuracy is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The touch sensor controller dynamically adjusts the sampling rate based on system state and touch activity. The controller transitions between multiple operating modes (ON, WARM, SLEEP, OFF) with different sampling rates, allowing the system to maintain high detection accuracy when needed while reducing power consumption during idle periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the sampling rate parameter according to operational conditions. By monitoring touch events and system state, the controller modifies the sampling frequency to optimize the balance between detection accuracy and power consumption, using higher rates during active touch interaction and lower rates during idle states.
2Speed
If the touch sensor continuously samples at high rates to detect touch input quickly, then the responsiveness is improved, but the battery life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The touch sensor operates in periodic sampling cycles with varying durations and frequencies based on system state. During active modes, sampling occurs at high frequency to ensure rapid touch detection. During idle modes, the sampling rate is reduced or suspended, extending battery life while maintaining the capability to quickly detect and transition to high-rate sampling when touch input occurs.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the sampling rate is reduced to lower power consumption, then the power efficiency is improved, but the touch detection reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The touch sensor controller implements feedback mechanisms to monitor touch events and system state, using this information to dynamically adjust sampling rates. When touch events are detected or anticipated, the controller increases the sampling rate to ensure reliable detection. When no touch activity is present, the rate is reduced to improve power efficiency, with the feedback loop ensuring reliability is maintained when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a method may include receiving information communicated from a touch sensor controller configured to translate signals received from the touch sensor and control a rate of sampling of tactile touches on the touch sensor. The method may also include receiving information communicated from a proximity sensor configured to detect a human finger or stylus proximate to the touch sensor. The method may further include, based on the information communicated from the touch sensor controller and information communicated from the proximity sensor, determining a desired rate of sampling. The method may additionally include causing the touch sensor controller to control the rate of sampling such that the touch sensor operates at the desired rate of sampling.