US 7,064,747 B2 · Touch-sensitive detector

Abstract

A touch-sensitive detector includes a detection surface and a conducting element, and a first and second set of electrodes, each set of electrodes including at least one electrode extending parallel to the detection surface and where each electrode is electrically isolated. A first and second interaction capacitor is formed by the conducting element with the first and second set of electrodes, respectively. The second interaction capacitor has a lower capacitance than the first interaction capacitor. The touch-sensitive detection element further includes a first and second set of detectors arranged for detecting a signal emitted by at least one electrode of the first set of electrodes and the second set of electrodes, respectively, and transmitted through an external element located at the electrode emitting the signal. The external element contacts the detection surface. A touch sensitive detection method is also provided.

Claims22

Dependent claims

A touch-sensitive detection element, comprising:

a detection surface;
a conducting element;
a first set of electrodes including at least one electrode extending parallel to the detection surface, each electrode electrically isolated, the first set of electrodes forming a first interaction capacitor with the conducting element;
a second set of electrodes including at least one electrode extending parallel to the detection surface, each electrode electrically isolated, the second set of electrodes forming a second interaction capacitor with the conducting element, the second interaction capacitor having a lower capacitance than the first interaction capacitor;
a first set of detectors arranged for detecting a signal emitted by at least one electrode of the first set of electrodes and transmitted through an external element contacting the detection surface at the electrode emitting the signal and at a detector of the first set of detectors;
and
a second set of detectors arranged for detecting a signal emitted by at least one electrode of the second set of electrodes and transmitted through an external element contacting the detection surface at the electrode emitting the signal and at a detector of the second set of detectors.

4 more elements

A touch-sensitive detection device, comprising:

a detection surface;
means for conducting;
a first plurality of electrode means including at least one electrode means extending parallel to the detection surface, each electrode means electrically isolated, the first plurality of electrode means forming a first interaction capacitor means with the means for conducting;
a second plurality of electrode means including at least one electrode means extending parallel to the detection surface, each electrode means electrically isolated, the second plurality of electrode means forming a second interaction capacitor means with the means for conducting, the second interaction capacitor means having a lower capacitance than the first interaction capacitor means;
a first set of detecting means arranged for detecting a signal emitted by at least one electrode means of the first set of electrode means and transmitted through an external element located at the electrode means emitting the signal, the external element contacting the detection surface;
and
a second set of detecting means arranged for detecting a signal emitted by at least one electrode means of the second set of electrode means and transmitted through an external element located at the electrode means emitting the signal, the external element contacting the detection surface.

4 more elements

A touch-sensitive detection method employing a touch-sensitive detection element comprising a detection surface, a conducting part, a first and a second sets of detectors arranged at the detection surface, a first and a second sets of electrodes, each set of electrodes comprising at least one electrode extending parallel to the detection surface, all the electrodes being in themselves electrically isolated in pairs, the first and second sets of electrodes each forming, with the conducting part of the touch-sensitive detection element, a respective interaction capacitor, each detector of the first set of detectors being arranged to detect a signal emitted by at least one electrode of the first set of electrodes and transmitted from one of the emitting electrodes through an external element coming into contact with the detection surface at this detector and at this electrode, each detector of the second set of detectors being arranged to detect a signal emitted by at least one electrode of the second set of electrodes and transmitted from one of the emitting electrodes through an external element coming into contact with the detection surface at this detector and at this electrode, wherein, with the interaction capacitor of the second set of electrodes with the conducting part having a lower capacitance than the interaction capacitor of the first set of electrodes with the conducting part, the touch-sensitive detection method comprises:

in a first touch-sensitive detection mode, detectors of the first set of detectors detecting a signal emitted by at least one electrode and transmitted through the external element upon contact of this element with the detection surface;
and
in at least one second touch-sensitive detection mode, detectors of the second set of detectors detecting a signal emitted by at least one electrode of the second set of electrodes and transmitted through the external element upon contact of the external element with the detection surface.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Touch-sensitive detector

Life of this patent

Touch-sensitive detector

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims22