A method for configuring a touch sensor system is provided. The method may be performed automatically by a controller of the system. The system comprises a touch panel operatively coupled to the controller, where the touch panel comprises a plurality of transmit electrodes and a plurality of receive electrodes. The method comprises selectively and individually driving, by the controller, at least one of the transmit electrodes. For each driven transmit electrode, signal outputs from one or more of the receive electrodes are received while the transmit electrode is driven. One or more characteristics of the touch panel is determined as a function of the signal outputs from the receive electrodes. At least one operation setting of the controller is configured based on the one or more characteristics. The one or more characteristics of the touch panel may include a number of transmit electrodes and a number of receive electrodes.
The present disclosure provides a method for a touch sensor controller coupled to a touch sensor panel. A touch sensor system including the controller and the touch sensor panel may experience interference from various sources. The method disclosed herein includes receiving signals output from the touch sensor panel. The controller determines interference information using the signals received from the touch sensor panel. This determining includes analyzing signal levels of the signals received from the touch sensor panel. The controller generates an output indicative of the interference information.
A method is provided for configuring a touch sensor controller coupled to a touch panel and a host computing device. The method includes receiving, by the controller, first input for starting a configuration mode of operation. The first input may be received independent of the host computing device. The controller initiates the configuration mode of operation responsive to the first input. The controller receives at least one second input via the touch panel for configuring at least one operational setting of the controller. The method also includes configuring, by the controller, the at least one operational setting according to the received at least one second input.
G06F 3/041 - Numériseurs, p. ex. pour des écrans ou des pavés tactiles, caractérisés par les moyens de transduction
G06F 3/044 - Numériseurs, p. ex. pour des écrans ou des pavés tactiles, caractérisés par les moyens de transduction par des moyens capacitifs
G06F 3/045 - Numériseurs, p. ex. pour des écrans ou des pavés tactiles, caractérisés par les moyens de transduction utilisant des éléments résistifs, p. ex. une seule surface uniforme ou deux surfaces parallèles mises en contact
G06F 3/04847 - Techniques d’interaction pour la commande des valeurs des paramètres, p. ex. interaction avec des règles ou des cadrans
G06F 3/04883 - Techniques d’interaction fondées sur les interfaces utilisateur graphiques [GUI] utilisant des caractéristiques spécifiques fournies par le périphérique d’entrée, p. ex. des fonctions commandées par la rotation d’une souris à deux capteurs, ou par la nature du périphérique d’entrée, p. ex. des gestes en fonction de la pression exercée enregistrée par une tablette numérique utilisant un écran tactile ou une tablette numérique, p. ex. entrée de commandes par des tracés gestuels pour l’entrée de données par calligraphie, p. ex. sous forme de gestes ou de texte
4.
Optical touch sensor systems and optical detectors with noise mitigation
Optical touch sensors may be adversely affected by noise, such as modulated sunlight incident on the touch sensor. An analog optical detector is provided that includes a frequency dependent emitter feedback circuitry that does not substantially reduce the gain for a first modulation frequency range of the photodiode current and provides, for a second modulation frequency range of the photodiode current, a current feedback to reduce the gain of the first transistor. The second modulation frequency may include one or more expected noise modulation frequencies. A touch sensor device including a plurality of such optical detectors is also provided. Also provided is a touch sensor device comprising sampling disable circuitry operable to disable sampling of the output from the optical detectors for a duration of time.
Optical touch sensors may be adversely affected by noise, such as modulated sunlight incident on the touch sensor. An analog optical detector is provided that includes a frequency dependent emitter feedback circuitry that does not substantially reduce the gain for a first modulation frequency range of the photodiode current and provides, for a second modulation frequency range of the photodiode current, a current feedback to reduce the gain of the first transistor. The second modulation frequency may include one or more expected noise modulation frequencies. A touch sensor device including a plurality of such optical detectors is also provided. Also provided is a touch sensor device comprising sampling disable circuitry operable to disable sampling of the output from the optical detectors for a duration of time.
A touch sensor system includes a sensing area having a periphery and a plurality of light sources and a plurality of analog optical detectors arranged about the periphery of the sensing area. The system further includes addressing circuitry that selectively drives each of the plurality of light sources with a modulated signal and selectively activates the plurality of analog optical detectors, and a controller that receives a collective detector output from the plurality of analog optical detectors. The outputs from the analog optical detectors may be a time multiplexed to provide the collective detector output. Each optical detector may include a photodiode; a first transistor coupled to the photodiode in a current amplifier configuration that generates an amplified current output as a function of a photodiode current; and enable circuitry to enable and disable the optical detector as a function of an enable input signal.
In a frequency multiplexed capacitive touch sensor, a plurality of resonance frequencies may be used to drive electrodes for sensing touch. A capacitive touch sensor apparatus is provided that includes a substrate layer and a plurality of resonant circuits. Each resonant circuit comprises a respective electrode and a respective electromechanical resonator connected to the respective electrode. The electromechanical resonators comprise any suitable high-Q resonator including, but not limited to: ceramic oscillators; crystal oscillators; and MEMs oscillators, as described above. The electrodes of the plurality of resonant circuits are distributed on the substrate layer. The electromechanical resonators may allow relatively close spacing of adjacent resonance frequencies, in comparison to resonant circuits with discrete inductors.
1004335 ONTARIO INC. CARRYING ON BUSINESS AS A D METRO (Canada)
Inventeur(s)
Mcculloch, Robert Donald
Duxbury, Guy Michael Amyon Farquharson
David, Albert M.
Pavlov, Gueorgui
Abrégé
A capacitive touch sensor comprises a plurality of electrodes on a substrate, and a position of a finger touching the sensor is determined by monitoring output signal changes caused by changes in capacitance caused by the present of the finger over or near the electrodes. The disclosure provides a capacitive touch sensor apparatus comprising a substrate and a plurality of touch sensor electrodes arranged on the substrate. Each of the electrodes comprises a respective primary electrode strip and a respective one or more electrode strip branches extending from the primary electrode strip.
The disclosure provides methods and apparatuses for detecting two-touch events with a five-wire resistive touch sensor comprising an active layer and a sensing layer. The methods include, while a first voltage gradient is generated across an active layer of the sensor, measuring a first voltage of a sensing layer electrode and a current across the sensor. The methods further include, while the second voltage gradient is generated across the active layer, measuring a second voltage of the sensing layer electrode and a second current across the sensor. The first and second currents are compared to a respective threshold. A two-touch event is detected based on the comparison.
G06F 3/045 - Numériseurs, p. ex. pour des écrans ou des pavés tactiles, caractérisés par les moyens de transduction utilisant des éléments résistifs, p. ex. une seule surface uniforme ou deux surfaces parallèles mises en contact
1004335 ONTARIO INC. CARRYING ON BUSINESS AS A D METRO (Canada)
Inventeur(s)
Duxbury, Guy Michael Amyon Farquharson
Mcculloch, Robert Donald
David, Albert M.
Pavlov, Gueorgui
Abrégé
The disclosure provides a touch sensor system that comprises a sensing area having a periphery and a plurality of light sources and a plurality of analog optical detectors arranged about the periphery of the sensing area. The system further comprises addressing circuitry that selectively drives each of the plurality of light sources with a modulated signal and selectively activates the plurality of analog optical detectors, and a controller that receives a collective detector output from the plurality of analog optical detectors. The outputs from the analog optical detectors may be a time multiplexed to provide the collective detector output. Each optical detector may comprise a photodiode; a first transistor coupled to the photodiode in a current amplifier configuration that generates an amplified current output as a function of a photodiode current; and enable circuity to enable and disable the optical detector as a function of an enable input signal.
G06F 3/042 - Numériseurs, p. ex. pour des écrans ou des pavés tactiles, caractérisés par les moyens de transduction par des moyens opto-électroniques
H03K 17/78 - Commutation ou ouverture de porte électronique, c.-à-d. par d'autres moyens que la fermeture et l'ouverture de contacts caractérisée par l'utilisation de composants spécifiés par l'utilisation, comme éléments actifs, de dispositifs opto-électroniques, c.-à-d. des dispositifs émetteurs de lumière et des dispositifs photo-électriques couplés électriquement ou optiquement
11.
CAPACITIVE TOUCH SENSOR APPARATUS HAVING BRANCHING ELECTRODES
1004335 ONTARIO INC. CARRYING ON BUSINESS AS A D METRO (Canada)
Inventeur(s)
Mcculloch, Robert Donald
Duxbury, Guy Michael Amyon Farquharson
David, Albert M.
Pavlov, Gueorgui
Abrégé
A capacitive touch sensor comprises a plurality of electrodes on a substrate, and a position of a finger touching the sensor is determined by monitoring output signal changes caused by changes in capacitance caused by the present of the finger over or near the electrodes. The disclosure provides a capacitive touch sensor apparatus comprising a substrate and a plurality of touch sensor electrodes arranged on the substrate. Each of the electrodes comprises a respective primary electrode strip and a respective one or more electrode strip branches extending from the primary electrode strip.
G06F 3/044 - Numériseurs, p. ex. pour des écrans ou des pavés tactiles, caractérisés par les moyens de transduction par des moyens capacitifs
H01L 23/48 - Dispositions pour conduire le courant électrique vers le ou hors du corps à l'état solide pendant son fonctionnement, p. ex. fils de connexion ou bornes
12.
CAPACITIVE TOUCH SENSOR APPARATUS HAVING ELECTROMECHANICAL RESONATORS
1004335 ONTARIO INC. CARRYING ON BUSINESS AS A D METRO (Canada)
Inventeur(s)
Mcculloch, Robert Donald
Duxbury, Guy Michael Amyon Farquharson
David, Albert M.
Pavlov, Gueorgui
Abrégé
In a frequency multiplexed capacitive touch sensor, a plurality of resonance frequencies may be used to drive electrodes for sensing touch. A capacitive touch sensor apparatus is provided that includes a substrate layer and a plurality of resonant circuits. Each resonant circuit comprises a respective electrode and a respective electromechanical resonator connected to the respective electrode. The electromechanical resonators comprise any suitable high-Q resonator including, but not limited to: ceramic oscillators; crystal oscillators; and MEMs oscillators, as described above. The electrodes of the plurality of resonant circuits are distributed on the substrate layer. The electromechanical resonators may allow relatively close spacing of adjacent resonance frequencies, in comparison to resonant circuits with discrete inductors.
B81B 7/02 - Systèmes à microstructure comportant des dispositifs électriques ou optiques distincts dont la fonction a une importance particulière, p. ex. systèmes micro-électromécaniques [SMEM, MEMS]
A common capacitive touch sensor may have a two dimensional array of transparent conductive strips going from edge to edge on a substrate layer or sheet of a touch sensor. According to some aspects, there is provided a capacitive touch sensor device including a substrate layer and a plurality of resonant circuits. Each resonant circuit includes an electrode, and each resonant circuit has a respective resonance frequency that is unique within the plurality of resonant circuits. The electrodes of the resonant circuits are distributed on the substrate layer. A controller for a touch sensor is also provided that includes a signal generator to drive at least one plurality of resonant circuits, where each resonant circuit has a respective resonance frequency. The signal generator is tunable to generate input signals at each of the resonance frequencies. The controller also includes a detector.
A common capacitive touch sensor may have a two dimensional array of transparent conductive strips going from edge to edge on a substrate layer or sheet of a touch sensor. According to some aspects, there is provided a capacitive touch sensor device including a substrate layer and a plurality of resonant circuits. Each resonant circuit includes an electrode, and each resonant circuit has a respective resonance frequency that is unique within the plurality of resonant circuits. The electrodes of the resonant circuits are distributed on the substrate layer. A controller for a touch sensor is also provided that includes a signal generator to excite at least one plurality of resonant circuits, where each resonant circuit has a respective resonance frequency. The signal generator is tunable to generate input signals to excite the resonant circuits. The controller also includes a detector for measuring the responses of the resonant circuits.
G01V 3/08 - Prospection ou détection électrique ou magnétiqueMesure des caractéristiques du champ magnétique de la terre, p. ex. de la déclinaison ou de la déviation fonctionnant au moyen de champs magnétiques ou électriques produits ou modifiés par les objets ou les structures géologiques, ou par les dispositifs de détection
G01B 7/004 - Dispositions pour la mesure caractérisées par l'utilisation de techniques électriques ou magnétiques pour mesurer les coordonnées de points
H01F 37/00 - Inductances fixes non couvertes par le groupe
Resistive touch sensors, such as those used in touchscreen panels, typically comprise multiple sheets separated by a gap. Typically, one sheet is a hard substrate layer, and the other sheet is a flexible switch layer that, when touched, flexes to touch the substrate layer. Changes in pressure within the gap may damage a resistive touch sensor. According to an aspect, there is provided a touch sensor device comprising a first sheet having and a second sheet overlaying and being spaced from the first sheet, thereby forming a gap. The gap is filled with gas, typically air, and has a sealed periphery. The touch sensor also includes a hole in the first sheet extending from the gap to an outer surface of the first sheet. The touch sensor device also includes a regulator device attached to the hole to allow flow of the gas between the chamber and the gap.
G01V 3/08 - Prospection ou détection électrique ou magnétiqueMesure des caractéristiques du champ magnétique de la terre, p. ex. de la déclinaison ou de la déviation fonctionnant au moyen de champs magnétiques ou électriques produits ou modifiés par les objets ou les structures géologiques, ou par les dispositifs de détection
G01B 21/00 - Dispositions pour la mesure ou leurs détails, où la technique de mesure n'est pas couverte par les autres groupes de la présente sous-classe, est non spécifiée ou est non significative
G01B 7/004 - Dispositions pour la mesure caractérisées par l'utilisation de techniques électriques ou magnétiques pour mesurer les coordonnées de points
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