Atmel Corporation

Neodron Limited

Steinar Myren

Trond Jarle Pedersen

Samuel Daniel Brunet

Luben Hristov Hristov

Richard Paul Collins

Paul Stavely

Vemund Kval Bakken

Rune Watn

Terje Saether

Gregory Brillant

Fredrik Larsen

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 controller includes a storage unit and a processor unit. The processor unit is coupled to the storage unit and configured to receive a signal associated with an operation of a device that includes a touch sensor. The touch sensor includes a first plurality of electrodes oriented in a first direction in a first portion of the touch sensor, a second plurality of electrodes oriented in the first direction in a second portion of the touch sensor, and a third plurality of electrodes intersecting the first and second plurality of electrodes. The processor unit is further configured to determine, in response to the signal, that a detection mode of the touch sensor is to be changed and in response to the determination, couple the second plurality of electrodes to a fixed voltage source to decrease a detection range in the second portion of the touch sensor.

Changing the detection range of a touch sensor

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 for determining the location of a touch on a touch sensor includes receiving input signals in response to a touch proximate to a location on the touch sensor. Each input signal may have a total capacitance that includes a first capacitance associated with the touch and a second capacitance that is parasitic capacitance. The parasitic capacitance of one or more of the input signals may be adjusted to result in the second capacitance of each of the input signals being substantially equal. An average capacitance of the adjusted input signals may be calculated. The location of the touch on the touch sensor may then be determined based on a comparison of the total capacitance of each of the input signals and the average capacitance of the input signals.

Capacitive measurement circuit for a touch sensor drive

In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a sensor and a controller having a processor and a memory. The memory includes logic operable, when executed by the processor, to connect each electrode of a first subset of electrodes of the sensor and determine a first value associated with the first subset of electrodes. Based at least on the first value, the logic is further operable to alter the first subset of electrodes to a second subset of electrodes and connect, in response to determining to alter the first subset of electrodes to the second subset of electrodes, each electrode of the second subset of electrodes of the sensor.

Dynamic clustering of touch sensor electrodes

An apparatus of one embodiment includes a sensor having a plurality of electrodes and a controller having a processor and a memory. The memory includes logic operable to configure the plurality of electrodes of the sensor to form a first cluster pattern including a first cluster and a second cluster. The first cluster and the second cluster each include two or more electrodes of the plurality of electrodes. The logic is further operable to determine a value associated with a capacitance of a first cluster and configure, in response to determining the value, the plurality of electrodes to form a second cluster pattern. The second cluster pattern includes a third cluster and a fourth cluster. The third cluster and the fourth cluster each include two or more electrodes of the plurality of electrodes and the third cluster is interleaved with the fourth cluster such that an electrode of the third cluster is positioned between two electrodes of the fourth cluster.

Dynamic configuration of touch sensor electrode clusters

In one embodiment, a device includes a controller, first electrodes, second electrodes, a plurality of sensors, and a shield sensor. The controller is operable to cause substantially equal voltages to be present on the first and second electrodes while measuring capacitances of the plurality of first electrodes electrically coupled to the shield sensor and measuring capacitances of the plurality of second electrodes electrically coupled to the plurality of sensors.

Pseudo driven shield

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.

An apparatus of one embodiment includes a sensor having a plurality of electrodes and a controller having a processor and a memory. The memory includes logic operable to configure the electrodes to form a first cluster pattern having a plurality of first clusters of two or more electrodes, apply voltage to each first cluster, and determine a plurality of first values associated with a capacitance of a first cluster. The logic is further operable to configure the electrodes to form a second cluster pattern having a plurality of second clusters of two or more electrodes, apply voltage to each second cluster, and determine a plurality of second values associated with a capacitance of a second cluster. At least one second cluster is interleaved with an adjacent second cluster. The logic is further operable to determine a position of an object based at least on the second values.

In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a sensor having a plurality of electrodes and a controller having a processor and a memory. The memory includes logic operable, when executed by the processor, to connect each electrode of a first subset of the plurality of electrodes, apply voltage to the first subset, and determine a first value associated with a capacitance of the first subset. Based at least on the first value, the logic is further operable to connect each electrode of a second subset of the plurality of electrodes, the second subset having fewer electrodes than the first subset, apply voltage to the second subset, and determine a second value associated with a capacitance of the second subset.

In one embodiment, an apparatus for detecting a touch. The apparatus includes a touch sensor that includes a first plurality of electrode lines and a second plurality of electrode lines. The apparatus also includes a touch sensor controller coupled to the touch sensor. The touch sensor controller is operable to apply a respective voltage pulse simultaneously to each of the first plurality of electrode lines, measure a respective signal at each of the second plurality of electrode lines, and detect a touch based on the measurement of the respective signals.

Fast scanning for mutual capacitance screens

In one embodiment, a touch-sensitive device includes a controller, horizontal electrodes, and vertical electrodes. The touch-sensitive device further includes a first plurality of switches that couple the horizontal electrodes to a first plurality of sensors, a second plurality of switches that couple the vertical electrodes to a second plurality of sensors, and a third and fourth plurality of switches that couple the horizontal and vertical electrodes to a shield sensor. The controller is operable to perform simultaneous hovering, touch, and proximity detection by selectively controlling the first, second, third, and fourth plurality of switches. The hovering, touch, and proximity detection includes causing substantially equal voltages to be present on the horizontal and vertical electrodes while measuring capacitances using the shield sensor and either the first or second plurality of sensors.

In one embodiment, a method for changing the detection range of a touch sensor includes receiving a signal associated with an operation of a device having a touch sensor, and in response to the signal, determining that a detection mode of the touch sensor associated with the device is to be changed. In response to the determination, decreasing sensitivity of a portion, but not all, of the touch sensor.

Growing community of inventors

Vikhammer, Norway

Steinar Myren