Spread spectrum sensor scanning using resistive-inductive-capacitive sensors

A system comprising:

• at least one resistive-inductive-capacitive sensor;
• and
• a control circuit configured to:
• maintain timing parameters for operation of the at least one resistive-inductive-capacitive sensor;
• and
• vary at least one of the timing parameters to control a spectrum associated with the at least one resistive-inductive-capacitive sensor, wherein the spectrum comprises one of a sensor activity spectrum of the at least one resistive-inductive-capacitive sensor and a current usage spectrum associated with electrical current delivered to the at least one resistive-inductive-capacitive sensor from a source of electrical energy;
• wherein:
• the timing parameters comprise a duration within a scan period for observing a particular resistive-inductive-capacitive sensor of the at least one resistive-inductive-capacitive sensor;
• and
• within the duration within the scan period for observing the particular resistive-inductive-capacitive sensor of the at least one resistive-inductive-capacitive sensor, a driving signal for driving the at least one resistive-inductive-capacitive sensor is increased from a beginning of the duration to a maximum drive strength and decreased from the maximum drive strength until an end of the duration.

A method comprising:

• maintaining timing parameters for operation of the at least one resistive-inductive-capacitive sensor;
• and
• varying at least one of the timing parameters to control a spectrum associated with the at least one resistive-inductive-capacitive sensor, wherein the spectrum comprises one of a sensor activity spectrum of the at least one resistive-inductive-capacitive sensor and a current usage spectrum associated with electrical current delivered to the at least one resistive-inductive-capacitive sensor from a source of electrical energy;
• wherein the timing parameters comprise at least one of:
• an order in which the at least one resistive-inductive-capacitive sensor is scanned during a scan period;
• a time between successive observations of two resistive-inductive-capacitive sensors of the at least one resistive-inductive-capacitive sensor;
• and
• a time between successive observations of particular resistive-inductive-capacitive sensors.

A method comprising:

• maintaining timing parameters for operation of the at least one resistive-inductive-capacitive sensor;
• and
• varying at least one of the timing parameters to control a spectrum associated with the at least one resistive-inductive-capacitive sensor, wherein the spectrum comprises one of a sensor activity spectrum of the at least one resistive-inductive-capacitive sensor and a current usage spectrum associated with electrical current delivered to the at least one resistive-inductive-capacitive sensor from a source of electrical energy;
• wherein:
• the timing parameters comprise a duration within a scan period for observing a particular resistive-inductive-capacitive sensor of the at least one resistive-inductive-capacitive sensor;
• and
• within the duration within the scan period for observing the particular resistive-inductive-capacitive sensor of the at least one resistive-inductive-capacitive sensor, a driving signal for driving the at least one resistive-inductive-capacitive sensor is increased from a beginning of the duration to a maximum drive strength and decreased from the maximum drive strength until an end of the duration.

A host device comprising:

• an enclosure;
• and
• a resonant phase sensing system integral to the enclosure and comprising:
• at least one resistive-inductive-capacitive sensor;
• and
• a driver configured to drive the at least one resistive-inductive-capacitive sensor with a driving signal at a driving frequency;
• and
• a control circuit configured to:
• maintain timing parameters for operation of the at least one resistive-inductive-capacitive sensor;
• and
• vary at least one of the timing parameters to control a spectrum associated with the at least one resistive-inductive-capacitive sensor, wherein the spectrum comprises one of a sensor activity spectrum of the at least one resistive-inductive-capacitive sensor and a current usage spectrum associated with electrical current delivered to the at least one resistive-inductive-capacitive sensor from a source of electrical energy;
• wherein the timing parameters comprise at least one of:
• an order in which the at least one resistive-inductive-capacitive sensor is scanned during a scan period;
• a time between successive observations of two resistive-inductive-capacitive sensors of the at least one resistive-inductive-capacitive sensor;
• and
• a time between successive observations of particular resistive-inductive-capacitive sensors.

A host device comprising:

• an enclosure;
• and
• a resonant phase sensing system integral to the enclosure and comprising:
• at least one resistive-inductive-capacitive sensor;
• and
• a driver configured to drive the at least one resistive-inductive-capacitive sensor with a driving signal at a driving frequency;
• and
• a control circuit configured to:
• maintain timing parameters for operation of the at least one resistive-inductive-capacitive sensor;
• and
• vary at least one of the timing parameters to control a spectrum associated with the at least one resistive-inductive-capacitive sensor, wherein the spectrum comprises one of a sensor activity spectrum of the at least one resistive-inductive-capacitive sensor and a current usage spectrum associated with electrical current delivered to the at least one resistive-inductive-capacitive sensor from a source of electrical energy;
• wherein:
• the timing parameters comprise a duration within a scan period for observing a particular resistive-inductive-capacitive sensor of the at least one resistive-inductive-capacitive sensor;
• and
• within the duration within the scan period for observing the particular resistive-inductive-capacitive sensor of the at least one resistive-inductive-capacitive sensor, a driving signal for driving the at least one resistive-inductive-capacitive sensor is increased from a beginning of the duration to a maximum drive strength and decreased from the maximum drive strength until an end of the duration.