I 1111111111111111 1111111111 lllll 111111111111111 1111111111 lll111111111111111
`US010198085B2
`
`c12) United States Patent
`Bezinge et al.
`
`(IO) Patent No.: US 10,198,085 B2
`Feb.5,2019
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`(54) METHOD AND CIRCUIT FOR SWITCHING
`A WRISTWATCH FROM A FIRST POWER
`MODE TO A SECOND POWER MODE
`
`(71) Applicants:Slyde Watch SA, Luins (CH); Gaetan
`Bezinge, Saviese (CH); Alois Nathan
`Bezinge, Saviese (CH); Layane
`Bezinge, Saviese (CH); Leonard
`Basiien Bezinge, Saviese (CH)
`
`(72)
`
`Inventors: Alex Bezinge, Saviese (CH); Adrian
`Mohni, St-Gallen (CH); Daniel Pfeifer,
`St. Anton Am Arlberg (AT); Musa
`Dogan, Heerbrugg (CH)
`
`(73) Assignee: Slyde Watch SA (CH)
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term ofthis
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by O days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 15/799,608
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Oct. 31, 2017
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2018/0067563 Al Mar. 8, 2018
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(63) Continuation of application No. 14/352,727, filed as
`application No. PCT/EP2012/070273 on Oct. 12,
`2012, now Pat. No. 9,804,678.
`
`(30)
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`Oct. 18, 2011
`
`(CH) ....................................... 1689/11
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`G06F 1132
`G06F 3101
`
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`(Continued)
`
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`CPC ............. G06F 3/017 (2013.01); G04C 3/002
`(2013.01); G04G 171045 (2013.01); G04G
`19112 (2013.01);
`
`(Continued)
`(58) Field of Classification Search
`CPC ...... G04C 3/002; G04G 17/045; G04G 19/12;
`G04G 21/08; G06F 1/3203; G06F 3/017;
`(Continued)
`References Cited
`
`(56)
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`8,230,246 Bl
`2002/0118605 Al
`
`7/2012 Sharkey
`8/2002 Born et al.
`(Continued)
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`EP
`EP
`
`7/2003
`1324159 Al
`5/2007
`1785808 Al
`(Continued)
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`K. Tuck et al., "MMA84500Q Single/Double and Directional Tap
`Detection", Freescale Semiconductor, Inc., 2010; 16 pages.
`(Continued)
`
`Primary Examiner - Hong Zhou
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm - Blank Rome LLP
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`An electronic wristwatch operable in two power modes. The
`wristwatch has an inertial sensor for detecting a gesture on
`a cover glass of the wristwatch. A touch panel is provided
`underneath the cover glass for detecting the gesture. Gesture
`detection by the inertial sensor is combined with gesture
`detection by the touch panel for triggering a switch from a
`first power mode to a second power mode.
`10 Claims, 5 Drawing Sheets
`
`3a
`
`'-.
`
`1
`
`/
`
`Petitioner Samsung Ex-1001, 0001
`
`

`

`US 10,198,085 B2
`Page 2
`
`(51)
`
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2010.01)
`(2006.01)
`
`Int. Cl.
`G06F 3/041
`G04G 17104
`G04G 19112
`G04G 21108
`G04C 3/00
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`CPC ........... G04G 21108 (2013.01); G06F 113203
`(2013.01); G06F 3/041 (2013.01)
`(58) Field of Classification Search
`CPC ...... G06F 3/041; G06F 1/3218; G06F 1/3265;
`G06F 1/163; G06F 3/0346
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`2009/0102669 Al
`2009/0195497 Al
`2009/0199130 Al
`2010/0231777 Al
`2010/0235667 Al
`2010/0265209 Al
`2011/0080349 Al
`2011/0109540 Al
`2011/0164057 Al*
`
`2011/0264928 Al
`2012/0062470 Al
`2012/0092383 Al
`2012/0154303 Al
`
`4/2009 Lin
`8/2009 Fitzgerald
`8/2009 Tsern et al.
`9/2010 Shintani
`9/2010 Mucignat et al.
`10/2010 Nurmi et al.
`4/2011 Holbein et al.
`5/2011 Milne et al.
`7/2011 Prabhu .................... G06F 3/017
`345/650
`
`10/2011 Hinckley
`3/2012 Chang
`4/2012 Hysek et al.
`6/2012 Lazaridis et al.
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`EP
`WO
`WO
`
`2315101 Al
`WO-09120292 A2
`WO-11000893 Al
`
`4/2011
`10/2009
`1/2011
`
`2002/0167699 Al
`2004/0179431 Al *
`
`2006/0256081 Al
`2007/0176896 Al
`2008/0229255 Al
`2009/0085865 Al
`
`11/2002 Verplaetse et al.
`9/2004 Nakajima .............. G04G 21/02
`368/11
`
`11/2006 Zalewski
`8/2007 Gritton et al.
`9/2008 Linjama
`4/2009 Fattah
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`BMA180 Digital, "Triaxial Acceleration Sensor", Data Sheet, Bosch
`Sensortec, Dec. 10, 2009, pp. 1-69.
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Petitioner Samsung Ex-1001, 0002
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 5, 2019
`Feb.5,2019
`
`Sheet 1 of 5
`Sheet 1 of 5
`
`US 10,198,085 B2
`US 10,198,085 B2
`
`4
`
`\
`
`\
`
`5
`
`
`
`1
`
`Fig. 1a
`Fig. 1a
`
`Petitioner Samsung Ex-1001, 0003
`
`Petitioner Samsung Ex-1001, 0003
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 5, 2019
`Feb.5,2019
`
`Sheet 2 of 5
`Sheet 2 of 5
`
`US 10,198,085 B2
`US 10,198,085 B2
`
`al Fig.
`
`Z3b
`
`“3a
`
`0
`N
`
`ib
`
`.
`0)
`LL
`
`Petitioner Samsung Ex-1001, 0004
`
`Petitioner Samsung Ex-1001, 0004
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 5, 2019
`Feb.5,2019
`
`Sheet 3 of 5
`Sheet 3 of 5
`
`US 10,198,085 B2
`US 10,198,085 B2
`
`N
`,
`C)
`LL
`
`Fig.2
`
`0
`Ct')
`N
`
`- -
`u
`(.)
`ro
`-
`
`0 v
`N
`
`i..............
`
`ro
`
`~
`
`0
`N
`
`"'O I
`"'O >
`s....~
`s: 0..
`(1)-
`0~
`c..w
`
`~ 3=
`a..
`
`I"", 'tj"
`C\I
`
`'If
`
`N
`N
`
`Petitioner Samsung Ex-1001, 0005
`
`Petitioner Samsung Ex-1001, 0005
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb.5,2019
`
`Sheet 4 of 5
`
`US 10,198,085 B2
`
`Fig. 3
`
`f
`
`t
`
`t
`
`t
`
`Fig. 4
`
`to
`" . "
`" " .
`. " .
`a-tap-thresh .................. i .... .
`
`a
`
`ii
`
`"
`
`Ii
`
`"
`a
`
`ii
`
`!
`11
`
`J
`
`C
`1o
`
`!
`
`g
`
`N
`!
`
`.
`a-notap-thresh .................. : . . ... : ...... ~-......... :
`"
`"
`tmax (4! .. ".
`"" .. ".
`"" .. .. . . . . . . .. ".
`" . . . . .
`"" ..
`--··
`
`Fig. 5
`
`s
`
`s-tap-thresh ........................ ·:· ... .
`
`"
`
`".
`""
`s-notap-thresh ......................... : .... ; ........... :. ~ ..
`
`'
`
`I
`
`~
`
`i i !
`
`"
`
`Ii
`
`:
`
`Fig. 6
`
`240
`
`"
`"
`"
`"
`"
`
`"
`
`~4 ~6
`. .
`. ,
`.
`.
`. .
`. .
`.
`. ,
`.
`, .
`
`'
`'
`
`'
`
`'
`
`Petitioner Samsung Ex-1001, 0006
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb.5,2019
`
`Sheet 5 of 5
`
`US 10,198,085 B2
`
`1
`
`Fig. 7a
`
`Fig. 7b
`
`Fig. 7c
`
`Petitioner Samsung Ex-1001, 0007
`
`

`

`US 10,198,085 B2
`
`1
`METHOD AND CIRCUIT FOR SWITCHING
`A WRISTWATCH FROM A FIRST POWER
`MODE TO A SECOND POWER MODE
`
`The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent
`application Ser. No. 14/352,727, filed Apr. 18, 2014, which
`is a national phase application of PCT/EP2012/070273, filed
`Oct. 12, 2012, which claims priority to Swiss Patent Appli(cid:173)
`cation No. CH2011/1689, filed Oct. 18, 2011. The entire
`contents of those applications are hereby incorporated by 10
`reference.
`
`2
`eration values in normal use and acceleration due to a tap or
`other gesture. This results in numerous undesirable activa(cid:173)
`tion of the touch panel and therefore in a decrease of the
`power reserve. Moreover, the user is requested to exert a
`5 strong pressure on the display in order to produce an
`acceleration above the detection threshold.
`A similar solution is described in EPl 785808.
`Therefore, different methods are known in order to switch
`on a device in sleep mode. However, it is difficult to
`distinguish between intentional commands to switch a
`device and other gestures or accelerations which may be
`produced during normal use of the device. For example,
`undesired switch of operating mode could occur when the
`touch display touches a piece of cloth or in case of strong
`15 acceleration value, for example during sport.
`
`BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention is related to a method for switching
`a wristwatch from a first power mode to a second power
`mode, and to a wristwatch which can be switched from a first
`power mode to a second power mode. The present invention
`is also related to wristwatches with a touch panel and a
`plurality of power modes.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART
`
`EP1324159 concerns a wristwatch having a touch panel.
`When not used, a display is switched to a sleeping mode. To 25
`avoid an accidental activation of the sensors, a press button
`is provided to activate the sensors and the liquid crystal
`display.
`US2009199130 concerns a method and apparatus for
`receiving an input by a user on an interactive touchscreen
`display. The input comprises a contact gesture detected with
`accelerometers.
`US2002118605 discloses a tactile wristwatch in which
`touch-sensitive keyboard keys are switched on when a user
`presses a touch-sensitive keyboard.
`US2009102669 discloses an alarm clock that can be
`stopped by the hand of a user approaching a proximity
`sensor.
`WO09120292 concerns mobile handheld devices such as,
`for example, cell phones or personal digital assistants 40
`(PD As) containing an accelerometer that sends a signal that
`causes the device to turn on.
`WO11000893 describes a wristwatch with a touch dis(cid:173)
`play. The wristwatch comprises an accelerometer which is
`used for simulating effects of shocks or acceleration on the
`movement. In order to reduce the power consumption, the
`display is automatically switched into a sleeping mode when
`not used. The user can wake up the display by means of a
`slight pressure of the glass or with a single tap or a double
`tap on the touch panel. This document does not describe how
`taps or double taps are detected and distinguished from other
`gestures or manipulations of the watch.
`US2010/235667 describes a device with an accelerometer
`for detecting gestures used to wake up the device.
`EP2315101 describes a method combining use of an
`inertial sensor and of a touch panel for detecting taps on the
`touch panel of a device such as a smartphone. The detection
`of taps by the touch panel is mainly based on the amplitude
`of the acceleration signal; if this amplitude is higher than a
`threshold, then the touch panel will be woken up to confirm 60
`this detection. Although this process might work well in
`smartphones, it has been found that a more precise detection
`method would be needed for wristwatches. Indeed, wrist(cid:173)
`watches are often subject to high acceleration values, some(cid:173)
`times in the magnitude of 50 G or higher, in normal use or 65
`during sport. The inertial system described in this document
`is not able to distinguish reliably between those high accel-
`
`35
`
`It is therefore an aim of the invention to provide a better
`20 method for switching a device, such as a microelectronic
`device, into a different power mode.
`It is another aim of the invention to provide a method for
`faster switching of a device into a different power mode,
`without causing unwanted power mode switches.
`It is another aim to provide a method for switching a
`device into a different power mode which avoids undesired
`change of mode.
`According to the invention, these aims are achieved by
`means of a method for switching a device from a first power
`30 mode to a second power mode, comprising:
`using an accelerometer (as example of inertial sensor)
`with embedded signal processing capabilities for generating
`an acceleration signal used for detecting a gesture on a cover
`glass of said wristwatch;
`using a touch panel underneath said cover glass for
`detecting said gesture;
`combining gesture detection by the inertial sensor and
`gesture detection with the touch panel for triggering a switch
`from said first power mode to said second power mode,
`said method comprising a step of discriminating between
`gesture and no gesture based on the frequency of said
`acceleration signal, and/or the direction of said acceleration
`signal as measured by said accelerometer being a three
`dimensional accelerometer, and/or the slope of said accel-
`45 eration signal.
`The gesture entered by the user to switch the power mode
`could be a tap, a double tap, a long tap or any other
`significant and recognizable gesture rarely occurring outside
`of normal use of the device, and which do not need impor-
`50 tant processing capabilities to be recognized.
`The simultaneous and combinatory usage of an inertial
`sensor, such as an accelerometer, and of a touch sensor or
`touch panel for detecting a gesture provides a more reliable
`discrimination between various gestures and other manipu-
`55 lations. Moreover, this solution reduces the power consump(cid:173)
`tion in the first power mode since only the inertial sensor
`needs to be switched on in this mode.
`The discrimination based on the frequency, and/or the
`slope of the acceleration signal is much more robust than a
`discrimination based on the amplitude of the acceleration
`signal only. It has been found that taps produce an accel-
`eration signal in a specific relatively narrow frequency
`range. It has also been found that the slope of this accel(cid:173)
`eration signal, during increase and subsequent decrease, is in
`a specific range. Therefore, the frequency and/or the slope of
`the acceleration signal can both be used, alone or in com-
`bination, as a signature of an acceleration produced by taps,
`
`Petitioner Samsung Ex-1001, 0008
`
`

`

`US 10,198,085 B2
`
`5
`
`3
`or by other gestures one wants to detect, allowing thus to
`distinguish between an acceleration caused by a tap from
`most other causes of acceleration.
`It has been found that the acceleration caused by a tap
`comprises a significant component along a direction sub-
`stantially perpendicular to the surface of the glass on which
`the tap is made, whereas most other causes produce accel(cid:173)
`erations along other directions. Therefore, a measure of the
`direction of the acceleration relatively to the surface of the
`glass could be used for distinguishing taps.
`This discrimination based on the direction is even more
`reliable if the user is requested to make a tap on a predefined
`limited portion of the glass. In this case, detection of the
`direction of the tap is easier, especially if the glass is curved.
`The first power mode could be a sleep mode, or standby 15
`mode, in which the power consumption is reduced but no
`indications are displayed on the display. The second power
`mode could be an operating mode where indications are
`displayed on the display.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The invention will be better understood with the aid of the
`description of an embodiment given by way of example and
`illustrated by the figures, in which:
`FIG. la illustrates a perspective view of a buttonless
`wristwatch with a touch display according to the invention.
`FIG. lb illustrates a transversal cut through the wrist(cid:173)
`watch of FIG. la.
`FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a possible arrangement of
`some components within an embodiment of wristwatch.
`FIG. 3 is a chronogram which illustrates the force f
`applied to the glass of a touch panel during a tap gesture.
`FIG. 4 is a chronogram which illustrates the acceleration
`measured by an accelerometer in a direction perpendicular
`to the glass of a touch panel during a tap gesture.
`FIG. 5 is a chronogram which illustrates a signal mea(cid:173)
`sured by a touch sensor during a tap gesture.
`FIG. 6 is a signal which illustrates an example of power-
`on signal generated by a circuit according to the invention. 40
`FIGS. 7a to 7c illustrate three successive positions of the
`wristwatch that are detected during a wristtum detection
`method.
`
`4
`example a ZigBee or Bluetooth module, can also be pro(cid:173)
`vided for connecting the watch to a personal computer
`and/or for supplying power to the watch and load the battery.
`The watch is advantageously powered electrically by
`means of a rechargeable accumulator 20 (FIG. lb) through
`the micro or nano USB connector, through a specific or
`proprietary connector or, in a variant embodiment, through
`a radiofrequency interface.
`The glass 3a with the touch sensor 3b underneath closes
`10 the upper surface of the watch case and covers the digital
`matrix display 4; there is an air gap between the touch sensor
`3b and the display. The glass is preferably made of sapphire
`or of another scratchproof material and is coated with an
`anti-glare treatment. In a preferred embodiment, the glass is
`cylindrically, or possibly spherically curved, while the dis(cid:173)
`play 4 is preferably flat.
`The display 4 is preferably a high-resolution digital
`matrix display, and fills up nearly the entire surface under
`the glass 3a and thus serves both as multipurpose multi-
`20 function display and as time indicator. In a preferred
`embodiment, the display is a color liquid crystal display
`(LCD) or color thin film transistor display (TFT) with at
`least 150x150 pixels or more than 200 dpi (dot per inch).
`Other types of display, including displays based on the
`25 AMOLED technology for example, can also be used. Fur(cid:173)
`thermore, the watch could also have several displays, for
`example several digital displays, or a digital matrix display
`combined with hands or other mechanical indicators.
`The display 4 is preferably placed on a printed circuit
`30 board 31 on which other components, such as a microcon(cid:173)
`troller, an inertial sensor etc are also mounted. A connector
`30 connects the touch sensor 3b with the printed circuit
`board 31; in one preferred embodiment, this connector is
`detachable, so that the glass 3a can be replaced indepen-
`35 dently of the printed circuit board. In the illustrated embodi(cid:173)
`ment, the printed circuit board 31 rests directly against the
`watch case 5, so that accelerations on the glass 3a are
`transmitted to the inertial sensor on the board 31 with
`minimal damping.
`The touch sensor or touch panel 3b is laminated or
`deposited underneath the glass 3a. In the following, since
`those two components are integrated, we will use inter(cid:173)
`changeably the expression glass or touch panel or touch
`sensor for designating the same component, depending on
`45 the context. A touch panel integrated between the display 4
`and the glass cover 3a could also be used in a sandwich
`configuration with a flat glass cover 3a.
`The touch panel 3b has an array of transparent electrodes
`and is placed underneath the glass 3a in order to detect the
`50 presence of a finger or of a stylus. The detection technology
`preferably uses methods known in the state of the art, for
`example a capacitive detection, for detecting finger contact
`and various gestures on one or several of the electrodes. In
`one embodiment, transparent electrodes can be individually
`55 powered in order to put the touch panel in a low power mode
`with only some electrodes, for example electrodes in the
`middle, which are powered on and can detect finger contact
`on the corresponding part of the display; the remaining
`electrodes are not powered on in this low power mode.
`The display 4 can display various indications, for example
`the current time, date, chrono, reverse counter, calendar,
`etc ... or phases of the moon as shown in FIG. 1. In order
`to extend the watch's functionalities, the user can switch
`from one display mode to another and for example replace
`65 the card displayed in FIG. 1 with other cards. In a preferred
`embodiment, the user can move from one card to the other
`with a slide (fast) or scroll (slow) gesture for moving
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF POSSIBLE
`EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
`
`FIGS. la and lb illustrate an example of a wristwatch 1
`according to the invention. The illustrated watch comprises
`notably a wristband 2 and a watch case 5 closed with a glass
`3a and a touch sensor 3b covering a digital matrix display 4.
`In a preferred embodiment, the watch has no crown and
`no push-buttons and is operated only through the touch
`panels and additional sensors, such as inertial sensors, inside
`the watch case. The water-tightness and solidity of the case
`is thus improved.
`A luminosity sensor enabling the intensity of the screen to
`be automatically adapted to the surrounding luminosity can
`also be used as an option. The watch can switch nearly
`instantly from a stand-by mode, where the display is 60
`switched off or at least less luminous, to a "time reading"
`and/or navigation mode, for example as soon as the glass is
`touched or following a tap or double tap on the glass.
`The watch case 5 can also include a connector (not
`shown) to connect the watch to an external computer, for
`example a micro or nano USB connector on the bottom or
`in one of the watch's sides. Wireless connection means, for
`
`Petitioner Samsung Ex-1001, 0009
`
`

`

`US 10,198,085 B2
`
`5
`through and viewing a collection of available displays or
`cards. Scrolling or sliding in the horizontal or vertical
`direction is achieved by moving the finger on the glass in the
`corresponding direction.
`FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a possible arrangement
`and schematic of some components within an embodiment
`of wristwatch according to the invention. Only components
`which are necessary for the understanding of the invention
`have been represented, although other components and other
`arrangements could be provided in other embodiments of the 10
`invention.
`The illustrated arrangement comprises a power supply 20,
`such as a rechargeable battery, for supplying power to all
`other components. A microcontroller 21 controls the display
`of indications on the matrix panel 4, depending on signals
`provided by the sensors 22, 23 and on commands entered by
`the user through the touch panel 4.
`The component 22 is a real-time clock for generating a
`clock signal based on a quartz (not shown).
`The sensor 23 is an inertial sensor, preferably an accel- 20
`erometer, preferably a 3-axis mems-based accelerometer for
`measuring acceleration values a (FIG. 4) in a direction
`perpendicular to center of the glass of the wristwatch and in
`two orthogonal directions in a plane tangential to this glass
`at his center. This inertial sensor can comprise signal pro- 25
`cessing capabilities embedded within the same component
`or chip, for determining the frequency of the measured
`acceleration signal, the direction of this signal in 2 or 3
`directions, the duration of an event in the acceleration signal,
`etc.
`The component 24 is a touch panel controller (touch
`controller) for interpreting touch signals provided by the
`touch panel 3b when the user touches the glass 3a with his
`finger and consequently generate signals in the touch panel
`3b located underneath, and for converting those signals into 35
`command signals for the microcontroller 21.
`Other components, such as an input-output circuit, for
`example a USB decoder or a Bluetooth or ZigBee receiver,
`can also be integrated.
`The microcontroller 21 is specifically configured to inter- 40
`pret the signals from the touch controller 24 and from the
`inertial sensor 23, to select indications from several avail(cid:173)
`able indications depending on these signals, and to display
`those indications on the digital matrix display 4; this
`arrangement is preferably achieved by storing in the micro- 45
`controller's memory a computer program (firmware) allow-
`ing this specific sequence of operation to be fully controlled.
`At least some of the components 21 to 24 and 3b and 4 can
`be powered in at least two different modes. In one preferred
`embodiment, a power saving mode and a time display mode 50
`are provided; the whole wristwatch can thus be powered
`either in time display mode for displaying time or other
`indications on the display 4, or in power saving mode for
`preserving the battery 20 by switching the display 4, the
`touch sensor 3b and other components in a low consumption 55
`mode. In one preferred embodiment, the display 4 and the
`touch sensor 3b are switched off in low power saving mode.
`In some embodiments, more than two power modes can
`be provided; for example, the real time clock 22 is prefer(cid:173)
`ably always powered on in power saving mode, so that the 60
`real time is not lost when the display 4 and the touch panel
`3b are switched off; it is possible however to switch the real
`time clock off in a deep sleep mode in order to prevent the
`battery from being totally discharged. Other components,
`such as the microcontroller 21, the touch panel 3b etc could 65
`have more than two different power modes, for example a
`hot power saving mode allowing for a very fast re-start, and
`
`6
`a cold power saving mode in which restart is possibly slower
`or necessitates restarting an operating system.
`The device 1 can be switched from a first power mode,
`such as a power saving mode, to a second power mode, such
`5 as a time display mode, with a user gesture on the glass
`3a/touch panel 3b. The device 1 can automatically return to
`the first power mode, for example after a predetermined
`duration, or when no acceleration and/or no activity are
`detected.
`In one embodiment, a gesture command to switch the
`device into a second power mode is detected with the inertial
`sensor 23 for detecting a tap, a double tap or another
`command which can be input by the user onto the glass
`3a/touch panel 3b in order to trigger a change of power
`15 mode. The inertial sensor 23 could be an accelerometer with
`embedded power processing capabilities and which is
`always powered on in the first low power mode. The
`embedded power processing capabilities comprise a proces-
`sor or other processing means for executing programmable
`software code for analysing the accelerations values deliv(cid:173)
`ered by the accelerometer, and for generating signals or
`values when certain conditions are met.
`In order to avoid undesired switches to the second power
`mode, which would switch the display on and reduce the
`operating time of the battery, it is necessary to discriminate
`between changes in the acceleration signals which are
`caused by a switch on gesture, such as a tap or a double tap,
`and any other acceleration caused when the wristwatch is
`displaced or manipulated in normal use. In one preferred
`30 embodiment, the accelerometer 23 generates a power on
`signal 230 for powering the touch panel 3b and the touch
`controller 24 when the user enters a tap gesture on the glass
`3a/touch panel 3b, which can be discriminated from other
`signals with the following properties:
`frequency: tap signals are typically high frequency signals
`and can be distinguished from other signals produced
`by slide, rub etc and from most acceleration that occur
`during normal use of the wristwatch. The acceleration
`produced by a valid single tap is a pulse function with
`a first step of fast increase of the acceleration almost
`immediately followed by a step of fast deceleration, the
`duration of the whole pulse being typically in the range
`of 10 to 20 ms. Therefore, the bandwidth of this
`pulse-like function is necessarily higher than a pre(cid:173)
`defined threshold, and a low pass filtering of accelera(cid:173)
`tion signals can be used to cancel signals produced by
`gestures other than taps or by movements of the wrist.
`Preferably, the embedded processing capabilities of the
`accelerometer exclude the possibility of the tap if the
`frequency of the acceleration signal, in a given direc(cid:173)
`tion such as the direction perpendicular to the center of
`the glass, is not in a predefined range.
`duration of the pulse: as indicated, a valid single tap
`generates a pulse with a duration within a given range,
`usually between 5 and 100 ms, typically between 10
`and 20 ms.
`amplitude of the pulse: a valid single tap is detected only
`if the amplitude of the acceleration is higher than a first
`predefined threshold a_,ap _,h~,h. End of the tap is detected
`when the amplitude decreases below a second threshold
`8 _ no tap _thresh.
`direction of the acceleration: a tap on the glass generates
`a maximal acceleration in a main direction perpendicu(cid:173)
`lar to the center of the glass, oriented toward the bottom
`of the watch, and a much lower acceleration in all other
`directions. A 3D accelerometer can be used for dis(cid:173)
`criminating valid taps based on the direction of the
`
`Petitioner Samsung Ex-1001, 0010
`
`

`

`US 10,198,085 B2
`
`7
`acceleration. For example, if the acceleration in a
`direction other than the main direction is higher than
`the acceleration in the main direction, the gesture will
`not be recognized as a switch on tap.
`slope of the acceleration: this feature can also be used to
`differentiate between a valid switch on tap and a non
`valid one. Taps typically generate a fast increase of the
`acceleration, whereas most other gestures such as
`swipes etc and most movements of the wrist produce a
`slower acceleration increase. Therefore, the system
`could distinguish that a tap is not valid if the slope of
`the acceleration is not in an expected range. It is also
`possible to measure the slope of acceleration in one
`preferential direction, for example in a direction per(cid:173)
`pendicular to the center of the glass, or separately in a
`plurality of predefined directions.
`The slope may be defined by the difference between two
`predefined acceleration values divided by the time it
`takes for the acceleration signal to goes from the first of
`those predefined values to the second one:
`
`slope~(a_tap_threshold-a_notap_threshold)/(trt2)
`(see FIG. 4).
`Those discriminating criteria can also be combined in
`different ways. For example, the processing means within
`the accelerometer could use the direction of the acceleration
`only during a limited time window, for example a less than
`100 ms time interval starting at the beginning of the pulse.
`It is also possible to consider at least one of those criteria
`separately during the raising portion of the acceleration
`signal and during the decreasing portion of this signal. For
`example, it is possibly to verify whether the duration, the
`frequency, and/or the slope of the acceleration signal during
`the raising portion, and then during the decreasing portion,
`are each in predefined ranges compatibles with the gesture
`one wants to discriminate.
`Other discriminating criteria could be used if other ges(cid:173)
`tures, such as double taps or long taps, are used as command
`to change the power mode.
`In the embodiment of the invention illustrated on FIG. 2,
`the power on signal 230 generated by the inertial sensor 23
`is used to wake up the touch panel 3b and/or the touch
`controller 24, or to switch those components from a low
`power mode to another power mode. Therefore, the touch
`panel 3b is switched off, or at least in low power mode, when
`the device 1 is in the first power mode, and is powered on,
`or at least partially powered on, after detection of a likely tap
`and generation of a wake up signal 230 by the accelerometer
`23. In one embodiment, the wake up signal 230 generated by
`the inertial sensor 23 triggers a switch on command of the
`touch panel 3b and/or of the touch controller 24 from a low
`power mode in which nothing is displayed and no finger
`touch can be detected, to an intermediate power mode where
`only a subset of electrodes of the touch panel is activated, for
`example electrodes in the middle of the touch panel, in order
`detect finger contact such as taps or double taps in this
`limited area only and to avoid detection if a tap is made in
`a different area. In another embodiment, the wake up signal
`230 triggers a switch on command of the touch controller 24
`into a mode where all touch electrodes are activated, to 60
`detect a tap or double tap in any area of the touch panel 3b.
`It is also possible to activate the touch panel 3b and the touch
`controller 24 during only a limited duration, preferably less
`than 100 ms, after generation of the wake up signal 230.
`The touch controller 24 generates a second wake up signal 65
`240 to wake up the microcontroller 21, and possibly other
`components of the device 1, when this touch controller
`
`20
`
`8
`confirms the tap detection. The second wake up signal 240
`can be input to an interrupt line or switch on line of the
`microcontroller 21. In one embodiment, the wake signal 230
`of the inertial sensor 23 is generated very fast at the
`5 beginning of the tap, the touch controller 24 is immediately
`woken up, and used to confirm the finger detection on the
`touch sensor 3b during the remaining time of the tap. In
`another embodiment, a double tap is required, and the
`inertial sensor is used to detect the first tap while the touch
`10 sensor 3b, possibly in cooperation with the inertial sensor
`23, is used for detecting the second confirmation tap. In yet
`another embodiment, a long tap is required, i.e. a tap where
`the finger rests against the glass during a minimal period. In
`15 all embodiments, a second wake up signal 240 is only
`generated if confirmation of a tap or double tap from the
`touch panel 3b occurs within a predetermined duration after
`the first wake signal, for example within a duration less than
`300 ms, preferably less than 100 ms.
`Discrimination of a tap by the touch controller 24 pref-
`erably depends on the location, size and duration of a touch
`signal generated by adjacent electrodes. A tap is usually
`made with the tip of a finger, i.e. on a small surface, during