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US 9,542,046 B2Granted
Changing the detection range of a touch sensor
AssigneeAtmel Corporation
InventorsSamuel Brunet, Richard P. Collins, Luben H. Hristov, Steinar Myren, Trond J. Pedersen, Paul Stavely
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In one embodiment, a method for changing the detection range of a touch sensor includes receiving a signal associated with an operation of a device having a touch sensor, and in response to the signal, determining that a detection mode of the touch sensor associated with the device is to be changed. In response to the determination, decreasing sensitivity of a portion, but not all, of the touch sensor.
Claims20
A method comprising:
- receiving a signal associated with an operation of a device having a touch sensor, the touch sensor comprising:
- a first plurality of electrodes oriented in a first direction in a first portion of the touch sensor;
- a second plurality of electrodes oriented in the first direction in a second portion of the touch sensor, the second portion of the touch sensor being different than the first portion of the touch sensor;
- and
- a third plurality of electrodes intersecting the first and second plurality of electrodes;
- in response to the signal, determining that a detection mode of the touch sensor associated with the device is to be changed;
- and
- in response to the determination:
- simultaneously driving the first and the third plurality of electrodes to a first voltage to increase a detection range in the first portion, but not all, of the touch sensor;
- and
- coupling the second plurality of electrodes to a fixed voltage source to decrease a detection range in the second portion, but not all, of the touch sensor.
8 more elements
A controller comprising:
- a storage unit;
- and
- a processor unit coupled to the storage unit and configured to:
- receive a signal associated with an operation of a device comprising a touch sensor, the touch sensor comprising a first plurality of electrodes oriented in a first direction in a first portion of the touch sensor, a second plurality of electrodes oriented in the first direction in a second portion of the touch sensor, and a third plurality of electrodes intersecting the first and second plurality of electrodes;
- in response to the signal, determine that a detection mode of the touch sensor is to be changed;
- and
- in response to the determination:
- simultaneously drive the first and the third plurality of electrodes to a first voltage to increase a detection range in the first portion, but not all, of the touch sensor;
- and
- couple the second plurality of electrodes to a fixed voltage source to decrease a detection range in the second portion, but not all, of the touch sensor.
7 more elements
A mobile phone comprising:
- a touch sensor comprising:
- a first plurality of electrodes oriented in a first direction in a first portion of the touch sensor;
- a second plurality of electrodes oriented in the first direction in a second portion of the touch sensor, the second portion of the touch sensor being different than the first portion of the touch sensor;
- and
- a third plurality of electrodes intersecting the first and second plurality of electrodes;
- a touch-sensor controller configured to:
- receive an indication of a call;
- in response to the indication, determine that a detection mode is to be changed;
- and
- in response to the determination:
- simultaneously drive the first and the third plurality of electrodes to a first voltage, wherein the first voltage is associated with an increase in detection range in the first portion, but not all, of the touch sensor;
- and
- couple the second plurality of electrodes to a ground connector, wherein coupling the second plurality of electrodes to the ground connector is associated with a decrease in detection range in the second portion, but not all, of the touch sensor;
- wherein an increase in detection range increases the projection of electrical field lines from the touch sensor and a decrease in detection range decreases the projection of electrical field lines from the touch sensor.
11 more elements
A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium embodying logic configured when executed by a processor to perform operations comprising:
- receiving a signal associated with an operation of a device having a touch sensor, the touch sensor comprising:
- a first plurality of electrodes oriented in a first direction in a first portion of the touch sensor;
- a second plurality of electrodes oriented in the first direction in a second portion of the touch sensor;
- and
- a third plurality of electrodes intersecting the first and second plurality of electrodes;
- in response to the signal, determining that a detection mode of the touch sensor associated with the device is to be changed;
- and
- in response to the determination:
- simultaneously driving the first and the third plurality of electrodes to a first voltage to increase a detection range in the first portion, but not all, of the touch sensor;
- and
- coupling the second plurality of electrodes to a fixed voltage source to decrease a detection range in the second portion, but not all, of the touch sensor.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.