公开(公告)号：US09007326B2

公开(公告)日：2015-04-14

申请号：US14100827

申请日：2013-12-09

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Thomas James Wilson

IPC: G09G5/00 ,  G06F3/044 ,  G06F3/041 ,  G02F1/1333

CPC classification number: G06F3/044 ,  G02F1/13338 ,  G06F3/0412 ,  G06F3/0416

Abstract: This relates to an architecture of a receive channel circuit used during both a spectrum analysis phase and a touch panel detection phase. Various components of the receive channel can be used during both the spectrum analysis phase and the touch panel detection phase. For example, a plurality of digital signal mixers used in the receive channel circuit can be used to demodulate signals during both a spectrum analysis phase and a touch sensor panel detection phase. In addition, the number of digital mixers needed in the receive channel can be reduced by dividing groups of signals to be demodulated into multiple sets of signals and demodulating each set at different times.

Abstract translation: 这涉及在频谱分析阶段和触摸屏检测阶段期间使用的接收信道电路的架构。 可以在频谱分析阶段和触摸屏检测阶段期间使用接收通道的各种组件。 例如，在频谱分析阶段和触摸传感器面板检测阶段期间，可以使用在接收通道电路中使用的多个数字信号混合器来解调信号。 此外，可以通过将要解调的信号组划分成多组信号并在不同时间对每组进行解调来减少接收信道中所需的数字混频器的数量。

公开(公告)号：US11194423B2

公开(公告)日：2021-12-07

申请号：US16911212

申请日：2020-06-24

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Christoph H. Krah ,  Minh-Dieu Thi Vu ,  Thomas James Wilson

IPC: G09G5/00 ,  G06F3/041 ,  G06F1/3203 ,  G06F1/3234 ,  G06F3/044

Abstract: A system and method for autonomously scanning a sensor panel device is disclosed. A sensor panel processor can be disabled after a first predetermined amount of time has elapsed without the sensor panel device sensing any events. One or more system clocks can also be disabled to conserve power. While the processor and one or more system clocks are disabled, the sensor panel device can periodically autonomously scan the sensor panel for touch activity. If one or more results from the autonomous scans exceed a threshold, the sensor panel device re-enables the processor and one or more clocks to actively scan the sensor panel. If the threshold is not exceeded, the sensor panel device continues to periodically autonomously scan the sensor panel without intervention from the processor. The sensor panel device can periodically perform calibration functions to account for any drift that may be present in the system.

公开(公告)号：US10222854B2

公开(公告)日：2019-03-05

申请号：US15260257

申请日：2016-09-08

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Christoph H. Krah ,  Thomas James Wilson

IPC: G06F1/32 ,  G06F1/3287 ,  G06F1/3215 ,  G06F1/3234 ,  G06F3/041 ,  G06F1/3296

Abstract: Power management for a touch controller is disclosed. The touch controller can include a transmit section for transmitting stimulation signals to an associated touch sensor panel to drive the panel, where the touch controller can selectively adjust the transmit section to reduce power during the transmission. The touch controller can also include a receive section for receiving touch signals resulting from the driving of the panel, where the touch controller can selectively adjust the receive section to reduce power during the receipt of the touch signals. The touch controller can also include a demodulation section for demodulating the received touch signals to obtain touch event results, where the touch controller can selectively adjust the demodulation section to reduce power during the demodulation of the touch signals. The touch controller can also selectively reduce power below present low levels during idle periods. The touch controller can be incorporated into a touch sensitive device.

公开(公告)号：US10042476B2

公开(公告)日：2018-08-07

申请号：US15158461

申请日：2016-05-18

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Thomas James Wilson ,  Christoph H. Krah ,  Minh-Dieu Thi Vu

IPC: G06F3/0488 ,  G06F3/041

CPC classification number: G06F3/0418 ,  G06F3/0416

Abstract: A channel scan architecture for detecting touch events on a touch sensor panel is disclosed. The channel scan architecture can combine drive logic, sense channels and channel scan logic on a single monolithic chip. The channel scan logic can be configured to implement a sequence of scanning processes in a panel subsystem without intervention from a panel processor. The channel scan architecture can provide scan sequence control to enable the panel processor to control the sequence in which individual scans are implemented in the panel subsystem. Type of scans that can be implemented in the panel subsystem can include a spectral analysis scan, touch scan, phantom touch scan, ambient light level scan, proximity scan and temperature scan.

公开(公告)号：US10031609B2

公开(公告)日：2018-07-24

申请号：US14730162

申请日：2015-06-03

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Minh-Dieu Thi Vu ,  Thomas James Wilson ,  Christoph H. Krah

IPC: G06F3/045 ,  G06F3/041 ,  G06F3/0354 ,  G06F3/044 ,  G06F1/32

CPC classification number: G06F3/0416 ,  G06F1/3262 ,  G06F3/03545 ,  G06F3/041 ,  G06F3/044 ,  G06F2203/04104

Abstract: A device that can autonomously scan a sensor panel is disclosed. Autonomous scanning can be performed by implementing channel scan logic. In one embodiment, channel scan logic carries out many of the functions that a processor would normally undertake, including generating timing sequences and obtaining result data; comparing scan result data against a threshold value (e.g., in an auto-scan mode); generating row count; selecting one or more scanning frequency bands; power management control; and performing an auto-scan routine in a low power mode.

公开(公告)号：US09836079B2

公开(公告)日：2017-12-05

申请号：US14961761

申请日：2015-12-07

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Thomas James Wilson ,  Richard James Reeve

IPC: G06F1/12 ,  G06F3/041

CPC classification number: G06F1/12 ,  G06F3/0412 ,  G06F3/0416

Abstract: Touch sensing can be accomplished using master/slave touch controllers that transmit drive signals to a touch surface and process sense signals including superpositions resulting from master/slave drive signals. The master/slave can drive and sense different sets of lines, respectively, of the touch surface. A communication link between master/slave can be established by transmitting a clock signal between master/slave, transmitting a command including sequence information to the slave, and initiating a communication sequence from the clock signal and sequence information. The slave can receive/transmit communications from/to the master during first/second portions of the communication sequence, respectively. Touch sensing operations can be synchronized between master/slave by transmitting a command including phase alignment information from master to slave, and generating slave clock signals based on the clock signal and the phase alignment information, such that sense signal processing by master clock signals are in-phase with sense signal processing by slave clock signals.

公开(公告)号：US20140347306A1

公开(公告)日：2014-11-27

申请号：US14455604

申请日：2014-08-08

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Christoph H. KRAH ,  Minh-Dieu Thi Vu ,  Thomas James Wilson

IPC: G06F3/041

CPC classification number: G06F3/0418 ,  G06F1/3203 ,  G06F1/3262 ,  G06F3/041 ,  G06F3/0416 ,  G06F3/044 ,  G06F2203/04104

Abstract: A system and method for autonomously scanning a sensor panel device is disclosed. A sensor panel processor can be disabled after a first predetermined amount of time has elapsed without the sensor panel device sensing any events. One or more system clocks can also be disabled to conserve power. While the processor and one or more system clocks are disabled, the sensor panel device can periodically autonomously scan the sensor panel for touch activity. If one or more results from the autonomous scans exceed a threshold, the sensor panel device re-enables the processor and one or more clocks to actively scan the sensor panel. If the threshold is not exceeded, the sensor panel device continues to periodically autonomously scan the sensor panel without intervention from the processor. The sensor panel device can periodically perform calibration functions to account for any drift that may be present in the system.

Abstract translation: 公开了一种用于自主扫描传感器面板装置的系统和方法。 传感器面板处理器可以在经过第一预定量的时间之后被禁用，而传感器面板装置不会感测任何事件。 还可以禁用一个或多个系统时钟来节省电力。 当处理器和一个或多个系统时钟被禁用时，传感器面板设备可以周期性地自动扫描传感器面板以进行触摸活动。 如果自主扫描的一个或多个结果超过阈值，则传感器面板设备重新启用处理器和一个或多个时钟来主动扫描传感器面板。 如果不超过阈值，则传感器面板设备将继续周期性地自动扫描传感器面板而无需处理器的介入。 传感器面板设备可以周期性地执行校准功能，以解决系统中可能存在的漂移。