Cypress Semiconductor Corporation

Parade Technologies, Ltd.

Monterey Research, LLC

Ryan D Seguine

Mark R Lee

Edward L Grivna

Patrick N Prendergast

Tony Park

Akihiro Furuhira

Paul Gerald Clark

Gabe Rowe

Seok-Pyong Park

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

An embodiment of the present invention is directed to a method for reporting position information. Position information received from a plurality of capacitive sensors in an array of capacitive sensors is adjusted based on predetermined adjustment values to generate adjusted position information. Each predetermined adjustment value is associated with at least one of the plurality of capacitive sensors. A signal representative of the adjusted position information is generated. In another embodiment, the sensitivity of at least one of the capacitive sensors is adjusted based on the position of the at least one capacitive sensor within the array.

Normalizing capacitive sensor array signals

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

System and method for optimizing the consumption of power while maintaining performance in capacitive sensor arrays. A limited sensing area is used to improve the update rate and sensitivity of a row/column array of capacitive sensors. According to one embodiment, a method is provided for scanning a plurality of capacitive sensors by: detecting a stimulus in the field of capacitive sensors, scanning the field of capacitive sensors to determine the position of the stimulus. Once the position of the stimulus is determined, a subsection of the field comprising window corresponding to the position of the stimulus remains activated while the remaining sensors in the field are deactivated.

Method for improving scan time and sensitivity in touch sensitive user interface device

A system can include an input for receiving objects having a flat shape; a capacitance sensing network comprising a plurality of capacitance sensors positioned to be proximate to the received objects; an operations section coupled to the capacitance sensing network and configured to perform predetermined operations on the objects; and a processor section coupled to receive capacitance sense values from the capacitance sensors and configured to determine the presence and features of received objects, prior to the objects being forwarded to the operations section.

Capacitance sensing devices and methods

An apparatus and method for identifying gestures performed on a touch-sensing surface. In one embodiment, a gesture recognition unit processes an input signal to determine input metrics associated with contacts at the touch-sensing surface. The gesture recognition unit identifies a gesture based on comparing at least one of the input metrics with a threshold value associated with the gesture.

Gesture recognition system for a touch-sensing surface

An apparatus for and method of detecting multiple presences on a touch sensor device are described.

Multiple touch detection

Apparatus and methods for offsetting the reference voltage range of a relaxation-type oscillator decreases sensing time and reduces noise-induced jitter.

Reference voltage offset for capacitive touch-sensor measurement

An embodiment of the present invention is directed to a method for processing a position signal. The method includes receiving a first position signal from a capacitive sensor and determining a proximity of the capacitive sensor to a connection of an array of capacitive sensors. The sensitivity of the capacitive sensor is then adjusted and a second position signal is received from the capacitive sensor. The second position signal may then be reported. The present invention facilitates more accurate readings from an array of capacitive sensors.

A technique for implementing a center key in a capacitive sense radial slider interface without use of center mechanical button. A user interaction with an array of capacitive sensors within the radial slider interface is sensed. It is determined whether at least a threshold number greater than one of the capacitive sensors within the array are concurrently actuated by the user interaction. A center key actuation is registered if at least the threshold number of the capacitive sensors are concurrently actuated.

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Seattle, WA, United States of America

Ryan D Seguine