US 8,115,499 B2 · Device with proximity detection capability

Abstract

The electrical equivalent of a relatively large area proximity detection capability is provided in a space limited electronic device (20, 30) with many individual input electrodes (24, 34, 44) by dynamically coupling parallel groups of the individual electrodes (24, 34, 44) and applying a proximity and/or contact test thereto. The parallel grouped electrodes act like a single large electrode and permit proximity detection at greater distances and with greater sensitivity. A multiplexer (74) automatically couples individual input electrodes (23, 24, 44) and then parallel grouped electrodes to the proximity (or contact) sensor(s) (46, 66), so that they are scanned and sensed individually and collectively in a time less than human reaction time, whereby the proximity sense function appears as if provided by a separate large area electrode. Proximity spatial detection accuracy is increased by using some of the electrodes (24, 34, 44) as driven shields to remove positional ambiguity.

Claims21

Dependent claims

A method for providing proximity detection in an electronic device having multiple individual input electrodes, comprising:

sensing and reporting the state of the individual input electrodes;
modifying the state of the device according to the state of the individual input electrodes;
coupling some or all of the multiple individual input electrodes together in parallel;
sensing and reporting the state of the coupled input electrodes;
modifying the state of the device according to the state of the coupled input electrodes;
and
de-coupling the coupled input electrodes.

4 more elements

An apparatus for detecting proximity of an input element, comprising:

multiple individual input electrodes;
an individual electrode drive and sense element having a drive-sense terminal adapted to be coupled to the individual input electrodes and having an output terminal for reporting on the states of the individual input electrode coupled to its drive-sense terminal;
a proximity drive and sense element having a drive-sense terminal adapted to be coupled to parallel groups of the individual input electrodes and having an output terminal reporting on the states of the parallel coupled groups of individual input electrodes coupled to its drive-sense terminal;
and
a multiplexer for sequentially coupling:
(i) the individual input electrodes to the drive-sense terminal of the individual electrode drive and sense element, and (ii) the parallel coupled groups of individual input electrodes to the drive-sense terminal of the proximity drive and sense element.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Device with proximity detection capability

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Device with proximity detection capability

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims21