US 8,508,497 B2Granted

Inductive touch screen with antenna mode for use in a communication device and methods for use therewith

AssigneeBroadcom Corporation

InventorAhmadreza (Reza) Rofougaran

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Abstract

A touch screen can be used in a communication device having a transceiver that communicates radio frequency (RF) signals. The touch screen includes a display layer for displaying information. An inductor grid includes a plurality of inductive elements. A switch matrix selects one of the inductive elements in response to a selection signal in a first mode of operation, and couples together a group of inductive elements to form an antenna in a second mode of operation. A dual mode driver generates the selection signal and, in the first mode of operation, drives the selected inductive element to detect a touch object in proximity to the selected inductive element and generates touch screen data in response thereto. In a second mode of operation, the dual mode driver couples the antenna formed by the group of inductive elements to the transceiver to send and receive the RF signals.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A communication device comprising:

a processor that executes a communication application;
a transceiver, coupled to the processor, that communicates radio frequency (RF) signals with at least one remote station in accordance with the communication application;
an inductive touch screen, coupled to the processor and the transceiver, that provides a user interface for the communication application, the touch screen comprising:
a display layer for displaying information;
an inductor grid, coupled to display layer, that includes a plurality of inductive elements;
at least one switch matrix, coupled to the inductor grid, that selects a selected one of the plurality of inductive elements in response to at least one selection signal in a first mode of operation, and that couples together a group of the plurality of inductive elements to form an antenna in a second mode of operation;
a dual mode driver, coupled to the at least one switch matrix and the inductor grid, that generates the at least one selection signal and that:
in the first mode of operation, drives the selected one of the plurality of inductive elements to detect a touch object in proximity to the selected one of the plurality of inductive elements and that generates touch screen data in response thereto;
and
in a second mode of operation, couples the antenna formed by the group of the plurality of inductive elements to the transceiver to send and receive the RF signals to and from a remote station;
wherein the dual mode driver includes:
a measurement circuit that detects a touch object in proximity to the selected one of the plurality of inductive elements in the first mode of operation;
a controller for generating a control signal that indicates one of, a first mode or operation and a second mode of operation;
and
a mode switch, coupled to the controller, that responds to the control signal by:
coupling the selected one of the plurality of inductive elements to the measurement circuit when the control signal indicates the first mode of operation;
and
coupling the antenna formed by the group of the plurality of inductive elements to the transceiver when the control signal indicates the first mode of operation.

15 more elements

An inductive touch screen for use in a communication device having a transceiver that communicates radio frequency (RF) signals with at least one remote station, the inductive touch screen comprising:

a display layer for displaying information;
an inductor grid, coupled to display layer, that includes a plurality of inductive elements;
at least one switch matrix, coupled to the inductor grid, that selects a selected one of the plurality of inductive elements in response to at least one selection signal in a first mode of operation, and that couples together a group of the plurality of inductive elements to form an antenna in a second mode of operation;
a dual mode driver, coupled to the at least one switch matrix and the inductor grid, that generates the at least one selection signal and that:
in the first mode of operation, drives the selected one of the plurality of inductive elements to detect a touch object in proximity to the selected one of the plurality of inductive elements and that generates touch screen data in response thereto;
and
in a second mode of operation, couples the antenna formed by the group of the plurality of inductive elements to the transceiver to send and receive the RF signals to and from a remote station;
wherein the dual mode driver includes:
a measurement circuit that detects a touch object in proximity to the selected one of the plurality of inductive elements in the first mode of operation;
a controller for generating a control signal that indicates one of, a first mode or operation and a second mode of operation;
and
a mode switch, coupled to the controller, that responds to the control signal by:
coupling the selected one of the plurality of inductive elements to the measurement circuit when the control signal indicates the first mode of operation;
and
coupling the antenna formed by the group of the plurality of inductive elements to the transceiver when the control signal indicates the first mode of operation.

12 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 12/426,954Filed 20 Apr 2009
Published: US 2010/0267421 A121 Oct 2010
Granted: 13 Aug 2013
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification12 codes

H04M 1/0266
Details of the structure or mounting of specific components: for a display module assembly
G06F 3/0446
By capacitive means: using a grid-like structure of electrodes in at least two directions, e.g. using row and column electrodes
G06F 3/046
Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means: by electromagnetic means
H01Q 1/243
Specially adapted for hand-held use: with built-in antennas