Atmel Corporation

Gregory Brillant

Trond Jarle Pedersen

Steinar Myren

Terje Saether

In one embodiment, a method includes outputting a first current associated with a first electrode track of a self-capacitance touch sensor. The method also includes outputting a second current associated with a second electrode track of the self-capacitance touch sensor. The method also includes measuring a voltage associated with a difference between the first and second currents and determining a position of an object relative to the self-capacitance touch sensor based on the voltage.

Differential sensing for touch sensors

In one embodiment, a system includes a touch sensor, measurement circuits, and a monitoring circuit. The monitoring circuit is coupled to each measurement circuit. The monitoring circuit is configured to perform operations in a first power mode. The operations include receiving signals from the measurement circuits and generating an output signal that is proportional to a sum of the signals received from the measurement circuits. A value of the generated output signal indicates whether activity has occurred on the touch sensor.

Power mode configuration for touch sensors

In one embodiment, a system includes a touch sensor, measurement circuits, and a monitoring circuit. The measurement circuits are respectively coupled to electrodes of the touch sensor. Each measurement circuit includes a first component, a second component, and a third component. The first component of each measurement circuit is activated in a first power mode and the second and third components of each measurement circuit are deactivated in the first power mode. The monitoring circuit is coupled to the measurement circuits and includes a first component, a second component, and a third component. The monitoring circuit is configured to perform operations in the first power mode. The operations include receiving signals from the measurement circuits and generating an output signal that is proportional to a sum of the signals received from the measurement circuits. A value of the generated output signal indicates whether activity has occurred on the touch sensor.

In one embodiment, a method includes applying a drive signal to a first electrode of a sensor to generate an electric field extending at least in part from the first electrode toward a second electrode of the sensor. The electric field includes a first portion and a second portion, and the first portion extends farther away from a plane of the first electrode than the second portion. The method also includes shunting the second portion of the electric field away from the second electrode and receiving a sense signal from the second electrode produced at least in part by the first portion of the electric field. The sense signal indicates whether an object has come within proximity of the sensor.

Position detection of an object within proximity of a touch sensor

In one embodiment, a method includes modifying an amount of charge of a capacitance of a touch sensor resulting in a voltage at the capacitance being a reference voltage level. The method also includes modifying the amount of charge of the capacitance resulting in the voltage at the capacitance being a first pre-determined voltage level. The modified amount of charge of the capacitance induces a first amount of charge on an integration capacitor and the first amount of charge modifies the voltage at the integration capacitor from an integration-reference voltage level to a first charging voltage level. The method also includes modifying the amount of charge of the capacitance resulting in the voltage at the capacitance being a second pre-determined voltage level. The modified amount of charge of the capacitance inducing a second amount of charge on the integration capacitor.

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Trondheim, Norway

Gregory Brillant