Perpetuum Ltd

Touchnetix Limited

Bookham Technology Limited

Other

Measurement Microsystems A-z Inc.

Touchnext Limited

Stephen William Roberts

Peter Timothy Sleeman

Roy Freeland

John Paul Drake

Christopher Kyle Ard

Adam Wasenczuk

Bradley Jonathan Luff

Behrooz Chini

Arnold Peter Roscoe Harpin

John Mark Morgan

Andrzej Barwicz

Neil Maurice White

Stephen Geoffrey Unwin

Giles Stanley

Paul R Roberts

Keith Dobson Dawkins

Thomas Benoit Julien Mouille

John Stuart Parker

Jason Butler

Described is a touch-sensitive apparatus including a plurality of drive electrodes and control circuitry is configured to: apply time-varying voltage signal(s) to groups of neighbouring drive electrodes for a first time period; perform a first measurement on a receiver electrode during the first time period; apply time-varying voltage signal(s) groups of neighbouring drive electrodes for a second time period; perform a second measurement on the receiver electrode during the second time period; and determine a resultant signal corresponding to the mutual capacitance between the first group of neighbouring drive electrodes and the receiver electrode based on both the first measurement and the second measurement. Further described is a corresponding method for determining the presence of a touch on a touch-sensitive element.

Touch-sensitive apparatus and method

Disclosed is circuitry for calculating the magnitude of a received signal from an electrode of a capacitive touch sensitive apparatus. The circuitry includes a first digital signal generating module configured to generate a first digital signal, the first digital signal representing a sinusoidal wave having a first frequency, and a second digital signal generating module configured to generate a second digital signal, the second digital signal representing a sinusoidal wave having the first frequency, wherein the second digital signal is orthogonal to the first digital signal. The circuitry also includes a sensing module for coupling to an electrode array, the sensing module configured to receive the first digital signal, provide a driving signal to at least one electrode of the electrode array based on the first digital signal, and output a received digital signal, wherein the received digital signal is indicative of a capacitive coupling experienced by the at least one electrode. The circuitry includes a first multiplier module configured to receive the first digital signal and the received digital signal and multiply the two digital signals together; a second multiplier module configured to receive the second digital signal and the received digital signal and multiply the two digital signals together; and a signal magnitude calculating module configured to calculate the magnitude of the received digital signal based on the output from the first multiplier module and the second multiplier module. Also disclosed is a touch sensitive apparatus including the circuitry and a method for calculating the magnitude of a received signal from an electrode of a capacitive touch sensitive apparatus.

Circuitry for touch-sensitive apparatus and method

A touch-sensitive apparatus includes drive electrodes, comprising at least first and second electrodes; a receiver electrode; drive circuitry configured to generate first and second time-varying voltage signals, wherein the time-varying voltage signals are the inverse of one another; and control circuitry that performs a first measurement on the receiver electrode during a first time period, wherein the control circuitry supplies at least one of the time-varying voltage signals to the drive electrodes during the first time period; and perform a second measurement on the at least one receiver electrode during a second time period, wherein the control circuitry is configured to supply at least one of the time-varying voltage signals to the drive electrodes during the second time period; and determine a resultant signal corresponding to the mutual capacitance between the first electrode and the receiver electrode based on both the first measurement and the second measurement.

Mutual capacitive touch-sensitive apparatus and method applying inverse signals to electrodes

A touch-sensitive apparatus, the apparatus comprising: a touch-sensitive element comprising an array of electrodes having a first electrode and a second electrode, the second electrode spatially intersecting the first electrode at an intersection point; and measurement circuitry configured to: measure the mutual capacitance at the intersection point of the first and second electrodes; measure the self-capacitance of the first electrode, and measure the self-capacitance of the second electrode; and processing circuitry configured to: determine the presence of a touch on the touch-sensitive element on the basis of a comparison of the measured mutual capacitance at the intersection point to a first threshold and on the basis of a combination of the measured self-capacitance of the first electrode and the measured self-capacitance of the second electrode being greater than or equal to a second threshold.

A sensing apparatus comprising a displacement sensor element arranged to sense a separation between a first element () and a second element () movably mounted with respect to the first element; an acceleration sensor element configured to sense an acceleration associated with the first element; displacement measurement circuitry (A) configured to make a measurement indicative of separation on the basis of the sensed separation; acceleration measurement circuitry (C) configured to make a measurement of acceleration on the basis of the sensed acceleration; and a processing element (D) configured to output a signal to indicate there is determined to be a change in the separation of the second element relative to the first element on the basis of the measurement indicative of separation and the measurement of acceleration.

Displacement sensing

A security device for an electrically powered device includes a remote location-tracking circuit for mounting in a power plug or power cable, a control means for mounting in the power plug or power cable with the remote location-tracking circuit, an immobilizing circuit which is a power shut-down circuit for immobilizing a tool positioned within the tool casing, wherein the power shut-down circuit includes a relay; and a power cable connected between the control means and power shut-down circuit, the power cable being adapted to supply power to the tool, and the power shut-down circuit being controlled by the control means, wherein if the remote location-tracking circuit is removed by severing the power cable, thereby disconnecting the control means from the power shut-down circuit, the power shut-down circuit is configured to automatically shut down the power supply to the tool via the relay until the control means is re-connected.

Security device for an electrically powered device

The touch panel module comprises a touch panel sensor element and a touch panel controller for measuring changes in capacitance associated with one or more sensor electrodes comprising the touch panel sensor element and generating corresponding touch panel output signalling is communicated to the host controller. The capacitance measurement circuit comprises a capacitance measurement channel coupled to a power supply line for the touch panel module, e.g., a ground for the touch panel module, and is configured to measure a capacitance associated with the touch panel module circuitry coupled to this power supply line and to generate corresponding capacitance measurement circuit output signalling for communication to the host controller. The touch panel power supply at the touch panel module is galvanically isolated from the capacitance measurement circuit power supply at the capacitance measurement circuit. Thus, the touch panel module may operate in a broadly conventional manner, whilst the capacitance measurement circuit simultaneously, or in a time multiplexed manner, measures a capacitance associated with the overall circuitry of the touch panel module, thereby providing a relatively sensitive proximity sensor.

Capacitive sensor apparatus and methods

A displacement sensor for sensing a change in separation between a first element and a second element along a displacement direction. The sensor comprises a reference electrode mounted to the second element in the form of a conductive trace on a surface of the second element facing the first element. A deformable electrode, e.g. a conductive elastomeric material, is arranged between the first element and the second element so as to overlie the reference electrode. The deformable electrode has a contact surface facing the reference electrode and insulated therefrom. At least part of the contact surface is inclined relative to an opposing surface of the reference electrode such that when the deformable electrode is compressed along the displacement direction there is a reduction in volume between the contact surface and the opposing surface of the reference electrode, thereby changing the capacitive coupling between them. The sensor further comprises a controller element configured to measure a characteristic of the capacitive coupling between the reference electrode and the deformable electrode and to determine if a change in separation between the first element and the second element has occurred be determining if there is a change in the characteristic of capacitive coupling between the reference electrode and the deformable electrode.

Displacement sensing apparatus and methods

A touch sensor comprises a sensor element for sensing the position of an object over a display screen in a first direction and in a second direction. The sensor element comprises a substrate having an electrode pattern disposed thereon to define an array of sensor nodes. The electrode pattern comprises a plurality of conductors arranged to follow portion of a network of lines extending generally in the first direction, wherein each of the lines follows a zigzag (saw-tooth) pattern comprising an alternating series of first line segments arranged at a first angle to the first direction and second line segments arranged at a second angle to the first direction, and wherein respective ones of the first line segments in each line are co-linear with respective ones of the first line segments in an adjacent line. Such a configuration leads to a reduced visibility of the conductors overlying the display screen.

Touch sensors

A capacitive sensor comprising: a first electrode; a displacement element moveably mounted relative to the first electrode; and a second electrode coupled to the displacement element so that displacement of the displacement element along a displacement direction changes a separation between the first electrode and the second electrode; and a controller element configured to selectively operate in a displacement sensing mode and in a proximity sensing mode, wherein in the displacement sensing mode, the controller element is configured to electrically couple the second electrode to a reference potential and to electrically couple the first electrode to capacitance measurement circuitry to measure a capacitance characteristic of the first electrode to determine a displacement of the displacement element relative to the reference electrode; and in the proximity sensing mode, the controller element is configured to electrically couple the second electrode to capacitance measurement circuitry to measure a capacitance characteristic associated with the second electrode to detect the presence of an object in proximity to the second electrode; and in the displacement sensing mode, the controller element is configured to electrically couple the second electrode to a reference potential signal.

Capacitive sensing apparatus and methods

A touch-sensitive position sensor is disclosed. The sensor comprises an array of first electrodes and an array of second electrodes arranged to cross one another in a pattern to define a sensing surface. The sensing surface has a rectangular shape which is formed into a cylinder such that first and second opposing edges of the sensing surface are adjacent one another. A controller is coupled to respective ones of the first electrodes and the second electrodes and arranged to measure changes in an electrical parameter, e.g. capacitance or resistance, associated with the first and second electrodes caused by the presence of the object adjacent the sensing surface. The controller is further operable to determine a reported position for the object from these measurements in a coordinate system defined relative to the electrodes. At least some of the electrodes are arranged to follow paths which are non-linear within the sensing surface such that object positions along a straight line between the first and second opposing edges on the sensing surface correspond with reported positions along a closed curve in the coordinate system defined relative to the electrodes. Thus, a continuous movement around a circumference of the cylindrical sensing surface is reported as a continuous movement around a closed path in the coordinate system defined relative to the electrodes.

Touch sensors and touch sensing methods

A touch-sensitive position sensor is disclosed. The sensor comprises an array of first electrodes and an array of second electrodes arranged in a pattern to provide a sensing surface, wherein at least some of the first electrodes and the second electrodes are arranged to follow paths which are non-linear within the sensing surface such that there are ends of the first electrodes and ends of the second electrodes which meet a common edge of the sensing surface. A controller is coupled to respective ones of the first electrodes and the second electrodes and arranged to determine a reported position for an object adjacent the sensing surface by measuring changes in an electrical parameter e.g. capacitance or resistance, associated with the first electrodes and the second electrodes which is caused by the presence of the object. The controller is further operable to provide an indication of the reported position in a first coordinate system defined relative to the first electrodes and the second electrodes, the sensor further comprises a processor arranged to receive the indication of reported position from the controller in the first coordinate system and to transform the reported position to an output position in a second coordinate system, wherein the transform is based on the non-linear pattern of electrodes. Thus, a sensor having electrodes which are distorted so as to meet a common edge may be provided for ease of connectability, with the distortion been accounted for through the transform performed by the processor.

An electromechanical generator for converting mechanical vibrational energy into electrical energy, the electromechanical generator comprising a housing, an electrically conductive coil assembly fixedly mounted in the housing, a magnetic core assembly movably mounted in the housing for linear vibrational motion along an axis, a first biasing device, mounted between the housing and the magnetic core assembly, adapted to apply a centering force acting to oppose movement of the magnetic core assembly away from a central position on the linear axis and a second magnetic biasing device adapted to provide a compensating force to compensate for variations in the centering force of the first biasing device due to temperature.

Electromechanical generator for converting mechanical vibrational energy into electrical energy

An electromechanical generator for converting mechanical vibrational energy into electrical energy. The electromechanical generator has a housing and an electrically conductive coil assembly movably mounted in the housing. The coil assembly has radially inner and outer sides, and upper and lower edges. A mount for the coil assembly extends inwardly of the radially inner side for mounting the coil assembly for linear vibrational motion along an axis. A first biasing device is mounted between the housing and the mount to bias the electrically conductive coil assembly in opposed directions along the axis towards a central coil position, a magnetic core assembly is movably mounted in the housing for linear vibrational motion along the axis, and a second biasing device is mounted between the housing and the magnetic core assembly to bias the magnetic core assembly in opposed directions along the axis towards a central magnet position.

A vibration energy harvester for converting mechanical vibrational energy into electrical energy, the vibration energy harvester comprising a device for generating electrical energy when subjected to mechanical vibration, and a current control circuit electrically connected to the device for providing a substantially constant output current at an electrical output of the vibration energy harvester.

Growing community of inventors

Winchester, United Kingdom

Stephen William Roberts