Using a printed circuit to offset charge during capacitive sensing
AssigneeSynaptics Incorporated
InventorAdam Schwartz
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In a method of capacitive sensing an absolute capacitive sensing signal is driven through at least one of a plurality of routing traces of a printed circuit. Absolute capacitive sensing is performed with at least one sensor electrode of a plurality of sensor electrodes in a sensor electrode pattern. The at least one sensor electrode is coupled with the at least one of the plurality of routing traces. An offsetting signal is transmitted on a parallel conductor overlapping the at least one of the plurality of routing traces, such that charge is offset from the at least one of the plurality of routing traces during the absolute capacitive sensing.
Claims22
A method of capacitive sensing, said method comprising:
- driving an absolute capacitive sensing signal through at least one of a plurality of routing traces of a printed circuit;
- performing absolute capacitive sensing with at least one sensor electrode of a plurality of sensor electrodes in a sensor electrode pattern, wherein said at least one sensor electrode is coupled with said at least one of said plurality of routing traces;
- and
- transmitting an offsetting signal on a parallel conductor overlapping said at least one of said plurality of routing traces, such that charge is offset from said at least one of said plurality of routing traces during said absolute capacitive sensing.
A processing system comprising:
- a sensor module configured to:
- drive an absolute capacitive sensing signal through at least one of a plurality of routing traces on a printed circuit to perform absolute capacitive sensing with at least one sensor electrode of a plurality of sensor electrodes in a sensor electrode pattern, wherein said at least one sensor electrode is coupled with said at least one of said plurality of routing traces;
- and
- transmit an offsetting signal on a parallel conductor overlapping said at least one of said plurality of routing traces such that charge is offset from said at least one of said plurality of routing traces during said absolute capacitive sensing;
- and
- a determination module configured to determine input within a sensing region of said plurality of sensor electrodes based on said absolute capacitive sensing.
A capacitive sensing input device, said capacitive sensing input device comprising:
- a sensor electrode pattern comprising a plurality of sensor electrodes;
- a processing system configured to operate said sensor electrodes to perform absolute capacitive sensing;
- and
- a printed circuit comprising:
- a plurality of routing traces configured to communicatively couple signals between said sensor electrode and said processing system;
- and
- a parallel conductor overlapping said plurality of said routing traces, said parallel conductor coupled with said processing system and configured to offset charge from said plurality of routing traces during said absolute capacitive sensing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.