Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC

Cypress Semiconductor Corporation

Meta Platforms Technologies, LLC

Mark R Lee

Mark William Casebolt

Ryan D Seguine

Louis W Bokma

Cole D Wilson

James Charles Marshall

Andrew Best

Lord Nigel Featherston

Thomas Middleton Rutledge Fuller

Jeremiah M Pope

Christopher R Hammer

Charles Salvatore Mauro, Jr

The disclosed apparatus may include a capacitive proximity sensor that increases capacitance in response to proximity of an object; a reference capacitor in parallel with the capacitive proximity sensor; a switch that connects and disconnects the capacitive proximity sensor and the reference capacitor; and a capacitance sensing block that generates a capacitance signal based on a capacitance of the reference capacitor when the switch is in a disconnecting state and based on the capacitance of the reference capacitor and a capacitance of the capacitive proximity sensor when the switch is in a connecting state. Various other methods and systems are also disclosed.

Variable-distance proximity detector

A technique for operating a capacitive sensor array is described. The technique includes measuring a first capacitance of a first set of electrodes at a first time, measuring a second capacitance of a second set of electrodes at a second time, and calculating a position of a conductive object based on a relative magnitude of the first capacitance and the second capacitance. The first set and the second set includes at least one electrode in common and at least one electrode that is not in common.

Technique for increasing the sensitivity of capacitive sense arrays

A technique for operating a capacitive sensor array. The technique includes logically grouping capacitance sensors of an array of capacitance sensors into sensor groups. The sensor groups each include at least two capacitance sensors of the array of capacitance sensors. Values indicative of a capacitance for each of the sensor groups are measured. The measured values are then analyzed to determine a location of a user interaction with the array of capacitance sensors.

Technique for increasing the sensitivity of capacitive sensor arrays

A first capacitor and a second capacitor are charged until voltage at the second capacitor settles to a settling voltage. While charging, the first capacitor is alternately switched between a current source and ground. When the settling voltage is reached, charging of the first capacitor is halted. The second capacitor continues to be charged until voltage at the second capacitor reaches a reference voltage. The amount of time it takes for the settling voltage to reach the reference voltage corresponds to a measure of capacitance on the first capacitor.

Capacitance measurement system and methods

A random scanning technique for secure transactions entered with a capacitive sensor input device is described.

Random scanning technique for secure transactions entered with capacitive sensor input device

Direction of motion in a sensor array of a touch sensing device may be determined using a rule-based algorithm. A presence of a conductive object on a sensing device may be detected. First, second, and third locations of the detected presence of the conductive object may be determined. The first location may be compared with the second location using the rule-based algorithm, and a first direction of motion of the conductive object may be recognized based on the comparison. The second location may be compared with the third location using the rule-based algorithm, and the same first direction of motion of the conductive object may be recognized based on the comparison.

Method and apparatus to determine direction of motion in a sensor array of a touch sensing device

A computer input device controller dynamically adjusts the rate at which an illumination source is activated, and may also adjust the rate at which other optical tracking system components are activated. As the velocity of optical tracking system movement relative to a tracked surface increases, the controller increases the activation rate(s). As the velocity of relative movement decreases, the controller decreases the activation rate(s). Future displacements of a tracking system relative to a tracked surface are also estimated. In particular, relative tracking system/tracked surface velocity is calculated based on a series of images. Relative displacement is then estimated based on the calculated velocity.

Dynamically adjusting operation of one or more sensors of a computer input device

A proximity sensor measures receptor output with an energy source deactivated. The sensor then measures receptor output with the energy source activated. The measurements with the energy source activated are compared to the measurements with the energy source deactivated to compensate for the effect of ambient conditions. A near condition is recognized if the change between the two groups of measurements exceeds a designated value. To compensate for receptor output that may decrease after reaching a peak value during approach of an object, a near condition can be maintained until the change between the two groups of measurements no longer exceeds a different designated value. Multiple sensors can be used to avoid false near conditions caused by, e.g., placing a device equipped with the sensors next to a stationary object. In one embodiment, a sensor comprises an infrared light emitting diode and a phototransistor.

Proximity sensor with adaptive threshold

Sampling of a phototransistor in an optical encoding system is controlled by &ldquo;turning on&rdquo; the phototransistor, after light has already charged the base of the phototransistor at least somewhat, by applying a potential difference across the collector and emitter of the phototransistor, producing an essentially instantaneous emitter response, which is then sampled.

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Edmonds, WA, United States of America

Mark R Lee