Wearable finger tap detection system with low power mode

A wearable tap detection system comprising:

• a processor having a first processing portion configured to function in at least a first power mode and a second processing portion configured to function only in a second power mode that uses more power than the first power mode;
• and
• a plurality of sensors including at least one mechanical sensor,
• wherein the first processing portion is configured, when operating in the first power mode, to
• detect, as a tap event, a signal from the at least one mechanical sensor that exceeds a predetermined threshold,
• switch the processor, when the tap event is detected, from the first power mode to the second power mode,
• wherein the second processing portion is configured to process one or more signals from the plurality of sensors to generate processed signal data, and
• wherein the processor is configured to return to the first power mode after the processed signal data is generated and to analyze the processed signal data, using the first processing portion, to determine one of a character or a command that corresponds to the fingers that contacted the surface at the time of the tap event.

A wearable tap detection system comprising:

• an image sensor;
• at least one mechanical sensor that detects contact by one or more fingers against a surface;
• a microcomputer unit (MCU);
• and
• an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) having a sleep mode and an active mode, wherein in the active mode the ASIC uses more power than the MCU,
• wherein in a first operating mode:
• the ASIC is in the sleep mode;
• and
• the MCU monitors the at least one mechanical sensor to detect a tap event, the tap event occurring when a signal from the at least one mechanical sensor exceeds a predetermined threshold,
• wherein, when the MCU detects a tap event, the wearable tap detection system changes to a second operating mode in which:
• the MCU causes the ASIC to shift from the sleep mode to the active mode;
• and
• the ASIC performs processing on at least one image captured by the image sensor to generate processed signal data, and
• wherein, after the ASIC generates the processed signal data, the wearable tap detection system changes to a third operating mode in which:
• the ASIC returns to the sleep mode;
• and
• the MCU analyzes the processed signal data to determine one of a character or a command that corresponds to the fingers that contacted the surface at the time of the tap event.

A method of controlling a wearable tap detection system comprising an image sensor, at least one mechanical sensor that detects contact by one or more fingers against a surface, a microcomputer unit (MCU), and an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) having a sleep mode and an active mode, wherein in the active mode the ASIC uses more power than the MCU, the method comprising:

• monitoring the at least one mechanical sensor, using the MCU, to detect as a tap event a signal from the at least one mechanical sensor that exceeds a predetermined threshold;
• buffering a predetermined number of images captured by the image sensor;
• when the MCU detects a tap event, switching the ASIC from the sleep mode to the active mode;
• after switching the ASIC to the active mode, processing one or more images captured by the image sensor using the ASIC to generate processed signal data;
• switching the ASIC to the sleep mode, after the processed signal data is generated;
• and
• analyzing the processed signal data using the MCU to determine which fingers contacted the surface at the time of the tap event.

A wearable tap detection system comprising:

• a plurality of sensors including at least one mechanical sensor that detects contact by one or more fingers against a surface;
• a microcomputer unit (MCU);
• and
• an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) having a sleep mode and an active mode, wherein in the active mode the ASIC uses more power than the MCU,
• wherein in a first operating mode:
• the ASIC is in the sleep mode;
• and
• the MCU monitors the at least one mechanical sensor to detect a tap event, the tap event occurring when a signal from the at least one mechanical sensor exceeds a predetermined threshold,
• wherein, when the MCU detects a tap event, the wearable tap detection system changes to a second operating mode in which:
• the MCU causes the ASIC to shift from the sleep mode to the active mode;
• and
• the ASIC performs processing on one or more signals from the plurality of sensors to detect which fingers were in contact with the surface at the time of the tap event, and
• wherein, after the ASIC detects which fingers were in contact with the surface, the wearable tap detection system changes to a third operating mode in which:
• the ASIC returns to the sleep mode.