Atmel Corporation

Neodron Limited

Rune Watn

Steinar Myren

Trond Jarle Pedersen

Vemund Kval Bakken

In one embodiment, a method includes receiving one or more sense signals from a touch sensor of a device, comparing a value associated with the one or more sense signals to a first threshold, and determining, based on comparing the value to the first threshold, whether an object has come within a pre-determined proximity of a first pre-determined location at a surface of the device. The method further includes comparing the value associated with the one or more sense signals to a second threshold and determining, based on comparing the value to the second threshold, whether the object has come within a pre-determined proximity of a second pre-determined location at the surface of the device.

Implementing a virtual controller outside an area of a touch sensor

An apparatus includes a display stack and a controller. The display stack includes a display and a ground layer. The ground layer includes a plurality of columns. Each column of the plurality of columns includes a plurality of nodes. The controller provides voltages to a first plurality of nodes of a first column of the plurality of columns of the ground layer such that a sum of the voltages of the first plurality of nodes of the first column is less than or equal to two millivolts. The controller also measures values at a second plurality of nodes of a second column of the plurality of columns. The values at the second plurality of nodes indicates an amount of charge transferred from the first plurality of nodes to the second plurality of nodes.

Touch device

In certain embodiments, an apparatus includes a display stack and a controller. The display stack includes a display and a ground layer for generating an image for the display. The ground layer includes a plurality of columns. Each column of the plurality of columns includes a plurality of nodes. The controller provides voltages to a first plurality of nodes, respectively, of a first column of the plurality of columns of the ground layer such that a sum of the respective voltages of the first plurality of nodes of the first column is substantially zero. The controller also measures, to determine whether a touch event occurred, respective values at a second plurality of nodes of a second column of the plurality of columns. The respective values at the second plurality of nodes indicate an amount of charge transferred from the first plurality of nodes to the second plurality of nodes.

In one embodiment, a method includes applying a drive signal to an electrode of a touch sensor of a device. The touch sensor extends across an area of a surface of the device, and the drive signal is configured to generate an electric field that extends outward from the area of the surface that the touch sensor extends across and reaches a pre-determined location on the device that is outside the area of the surface that the touch sensor extends across. The method includes receiving a sense signal from the touch sensor produced at least in part by the electric field. The sense signal indicates whether an object has come within a pre-determined proximity of the pre-determined location.

Growing community of inventors

Trondheim, Norway

Rune Watn