Touch Source Driver Power Modes for Display and Capacitive Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing input devices, such as proximity sensor devices, face challenges in dynamically adjusting their configuration settings for display updating and capacitive sensing, which limits their ability to reduce power consumption and adapt to changing operational conditions.
Innovation Solution
A processing system that includes a timing module coupled to source drivers via a communication link, allowing for the transmission of operating parameters to modify the operations of the source drivers, thereby reducing power consumption by dynamically adjusting equalizer bias currents and configuring capacitive sensing operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the source driver operates with fixed configuration settings for display updating and capacitive sensing, then the device simplicity is maintained, but the power consumption cannot be dynamically reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic configuration of the source driver by allowing the timing module to send different operating parameters (such as equalizer bias settings) to the source driver during operation. This enables the system to transition from fixed configuration to dynamic adjustment, reducing power consumption when capacitive sensing is not active while maintaining the ability to switch between modes when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes operational parameters of the source driver by modifying bias currents and equalizer settings based on the operational mode. The timing module adjusts these parameters dynamically - using lower bias currents during capacitive sensing mode and higher bias currents during display updating mode - thereby optimizing power consumption for each specific operation.
2Reliability
If the source driver uses higher bias currents for display updating, then the display performance is improved, but the power consumption increases during capacitive sensing operation
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts bias currents based on the operational mode. During capacitive sensing, the timing module sends commands to reduce bias currents to save power. When display updating is required, the system increases bias currents to ensure proper display performance. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between power saving and performance maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The source driver operates in periodic cycles, alternating between capacitive sensing mode and display updating mode. The timing module coordinates these periodic operations, adjusting bias currents appropriately for each phase. During sensing phases, lower currents are used; during display phases, higher currents are applied, ensuring both power efficiency and display quality are maintained.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the source driver dynamically adjusts operating parameters, then the power consumption is reduced, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The timing module serves multiple functions: it controls the display updating timing, manages capacitive sensing operations, and dynamically adjusts source driver parameters. By consolidating these functions into a single multi-functional timing module, the patent avoids the need for separate control circuits for each function, thereby limiting the increase in overall system complexity despite the dynamic parameter adjustment capability.
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure generally provides a processing system that includes a first controller coupled with a second controller via a first communication link. The first controller is configured to transmit display data and configuration data to the second controller via the first communication link. The second controller is configured to drive, using the display data, one or more coupled display electrodes for performing display updating. The second controller is further configured to operate one or more coupled sensor electrodes using the configuration data to acquire capacitive sensing data, and to transmit the capacitive sensing data to the first controller via the first communication link.