公开(公告)号：US20080116904A1

公开(公告)日：2008-05-22

申请号：US11925537

申请日：2007-10-26

申请人： Joseph Kurth Reynolds ,  Kirk Hargreaves ,  David Ely ,  Paul Routley ,  Julian Haines

发明人： Joseph Kurth Reynolds ,  Kirk Hargreaves ,  David Ely ,  Paul Routley ,  Julian Haines

IPC分类号： G01R27/26

CPC分类号： H03K17/955 ,  G01R27/2605 ,  G06F3/0416 ,  G06F3/044 ,  H03K2217/960725

摘要： Methods, systems and devices are described for detecting a measurable capacitance using charge transfer techniques that can be implemented with many standard microcontrollers, and can share components to reduce device complexity and improve performance. In the various implementations of this embodiment, the passive network used to accumulate charge can be shared between multiple measurable capacitances. Likewise, in various implementations a voltage conditioning circuit configured to provide a variable reference voltage can be shared between multiple measurable capacitances. Finally, in various implementations a guarding electrode configured to guard the measurable capacitances can be shared between multiple measurable capacitances. In each of these cases, sharing components can reduce device complexity and improve performance.

摘要翻译： 描述了使用可以用许多标准微控制器实现的电荷转移技术来检测可测量电容的方法，系统和装置，并且可以共享组件以降低器件复杂性并提高性能。 在该实施例的各种实现中，用于累积电荷的无源网络可以在多个可测量电容之间共享。 同样，在各种实施方式中，可以在多个可测量电容之间共享配置成提供可变参考电压的电压调节电路。 最后，在各种实施方式中，可以在多个可测量电容之间共享用于保护可测量电容的保护电极。 在这些情况下，共享组件可以降低设备复杂性并提高性能。

公开(公告)号：US07288946B2

公开(公告)日：2007-10-30

申请号：US11606545

申请日：2006-11-30

申请人： Kirk Hargreaves ,  Joseph Kurth Reynolds ,  David Ely ,  Julian Haines

发明人： Kirk Hargreaves ,  Joseph Kurth Reynolds ,  David Ely ,  Julian Haines

IPC分类号： G01R27/26

CPC分类号： G01R27/2605 ,  G01D5/24 ,  G06F3/0383 ,  G06F3/044 ,  H03J9/00 ,  H03K17/955 ,  H03K17/962 ,  H03K17/9622 ,  H03K2217/960725 ,  H03K2217/960775

摘要： Methods, systems and devices are described for detecting a measurable capacitance using sigma-delta measurement techniques. According to various embodiments, a voltage is applied to the measurable capacitance using a first switch. The measurable capacitance is allowed to share charge with a passive network. If the charge on the passive network is past a threshold value, then the charge on the passive network is changed by a known amount for a sufficient number of repetitions until the measurable capacitance can be detected. Such a detection scheme may be readily implemented using conventional components, and can be particularly useful in sensing the position of a finger, stylus or other object with respect to a button, slider, touchpad or other input sensor.

公开(公告)号：US09417738B2

公开(公告)日：2016-08-16

申请号：US12484042

申请日：2009-06-12

申请人： Kirk Hargreaves ,  Joseph Kurth Reynolds

发明人： Kirk Hargreaves ,  Joseph Kurth Reynolds

IPC分类号： G06F3/044 ,  G06F3/0354

CPC分类号： G06F3/044 ,  G06F3/03545 ,  G09G2310/0235 ,  G09G2360/14

摘要： A method for communicating with a capacitive sensing device using an untethered active pen. The method includes capacitively receiving a capacitive sensing signal at a capacitive receiving unit of the untethered active pen. The capacitive sensing signal is output from the capacitive sensing device. In addition, the method includes determining a first frequency and a first phase associated with the capacitive sensing signal. Moreover, the method includes transmitting at a second frequency and a second phase an amplified active pen signal at the capacitive sensing device from the untethered active pen. The amplified active pen signal has a second frequency and a second phase that correspond to the first frequency and the first phase.

摘要翻译： 一种使用无电流有源笔与电容式感测装置进行通信的方法。 该方法包括在无电流有源笔的电容接收单元处容性地接收电容感测信号。 电容感测信号从电容感测装置输出。 此外，该方法包括确定与电容感测信号相关联的第一频率和第一相位。 此外，该方法包括在第二频率和第二阶段从电容式感测装置从无电流有源笔传输放大的活动笔信号。 放大的活动笔信号具有对应于第一频率和第一相位的第二频率和第二相位。

公开(公告)号：US09274643B2

公开(公告)日：2016-03-01

申请号：US13436688

申请日：2012-03-30

申请人： Kirk Hargreaves

发明人： Kirk Hargreaves

IPC分类号： G01R27/26 ,  G06F19/00 ,  G06F3/041 ,  G06F3/044 ,  H03K17/96 ,  G01R29/24

CPC分类号： G06F3/0416 ,  G01R29/24 ,  G06F3/044 ,  H03K17/962 ,  H03K2217/960725 ,  H03K2217/960775

摘要： A circuit for measuring a capacitive charge comprises a latched comparator and a determination module. The latched comparator comprises an input and an output. The input is coupled with a sensor electrode of a capacitive input device. An inverted version of the output is coupled with a feedback loop. The feedback loop is configured to provide feedback to the input to maintain the input at a predetermined voltage. The feedback is provided in clocked charge quanta steps based on a clock signal. The determination module is coupled with the output and configured to determine a change in capacitance on the sensor electrode by equating output signals from the output with an amount of charge provided to the input to reach the predetermined voltage.

摘要翻译： 用于测量电容性电荷的电路包括锁存比较器和确定模块。 锁存的比较器包括输入和输出。 输入与电容性输入装置的传感器电极耦合。 输出的反转版本与反馈回路耦合。 反馈回路被配置为向输入提供反馈以将输入保持在预定电压。 基于时钟信号以时钟电荷量子步骤提供反馈。 所述确定模块与所述输出端耦合，并且被配置为通过将来自所述输出的输出信号与提供给所述输入的电荷量相等从而确定所述传感器电极上的电容变化以达到所述预定电压。

公开(公告)号：US09190997B2

公开(公告)日：2015-11-17

申请号：US13562207

申请日：2012-07-30

申请人： Shahrooz Shahparnia ,  Kirk Hargreaves

发明人： Shahrooz Shahparnia ,  Kirk Hargreaves

IPC分类号： G01R27/26 ,  H03K17/96 ,  G01D3/08 ,  G01D5/24 ,  G06F3/044

CPC分类号： H03K17/9622 ,  G01D3/08 ,  G01D5/24 ,  G06F3/044 ,  H03K2217/96058 ,  Y10T29/49117

摘要： A processing system for a capacitive input device is described. The capacitive input device includes a plurality of sensor electrodes configured to detect input objects in a sensing region. The processing system configured to transmit a signal on a transmitter sensor channel of the capacitive input device. The processing system is also configured to receive the signal on a receiver sensor channel of the capacitive input device, wherein the receiver sensor channel is coupled with an amplifier. The processing system is also configured to determine if a level of interference has been received by the receiver sensor channel in conjunction with receipt of the signal.

摘要翻译： 对电容式输入装置的处理系统进行说明。 电容性输入装置包括被配置为检测感测区域中的输入物体的多个传感器电极。 所述处理系统被配置为在所述电容性输入设备的发射机传感器信道上发送信号。 处理系统还被配置为在电容性输入设备的接收器传感器通道上接收信号，其中接收器传感器通道与放大器耦合。 处理系统还被配置为确定接收机传感器信道的接收等级是否已经被接收到信号。

公开(公告)号：US08890544B2

公开(公告)日：2014-11-18

申请号：US13487063

申请日：2012-06-01

申请人： Kirk Hargreaves

发明人： Kirk Hargreaves

IPC分类号： G01R27/26

CPC分类号： G06F3/044

摘要： In a circuit for measuring a capacitive charge a drive module is configured for coupling with a sensor electrode of a capacitive input device. The drive module is configured to drive the sensor electrode with a plurality of positive and negative measurement cycles. A latched comparator comprises an input for capturing voltages from the sensor electrode. An output of the latched comparator provides output signals based upon the captured voltages from the sensor electrode. A first counter is set based on a first output signal produced by a first voltage captured by the input during a positive measurement cycle. A second counter is set based on a second output signal produced by a second voltage captured by the input during a negative measurement cycle. A determination module is configured to produce a demodulated output signal based on the first counter value and the second counter value.

摘要翻译： 在用于测量电容性电荷的电路中，驱动模块被配置为与电容性输入装置的传感器电极耦合。 驱动模块被配置为以多个正和负测量循环来驱动传感器电极。 锁存的比较器包括用于捕获来自传感器电极的电压的输入。 锁存比较器的输出基于来自传感器电极的捕获电压来提供输出信号。 基于在正测量周期期间由输入捕获的第一电压产生的第一输出信号来设置第一计数器。 基于在负测量周期期间由输入捕获的第二电压产生的第二输出信号来设置第二计数器。 确定模块被配置为基于第一计数器值和第二计数器值产生解调输出信号。

公开(公告)号：US08711120B2

公开(公告)日：2014-04-29

申请号：US13550520

申请日：2012-07-16

申请人： Kirk Hargreaves ,  Dmitriy Kiryashov

发明人： Kirk Hargreaves ,  Dmitriy Kiryashov

IPC分类号： G06F3/041

CPC分类号： G06F3/044 ,  G06F3/016 ,  G06F3/03545 ,  G06F3/0383

摘要： A single integrated circuit for operating both a capacitive proximity sensor device and a resistive pointing stick comprises sensor circuitry to drive a first varying voltage signal onto a transmitter electrode of the capacitive proximity sensor device. The sensor circuitry is also configured to drive a second varying voltage signal onto a voltage divider of the pointing stick and a third varying voltage signal onto the voltage divider of the pointing stick. The sensor circuitry is configured to receive a first resulting signal from a receiver electrode of the proximity sensor device and receive a second resulting signal from the pointing stick. The single integrated circuit includes determining circuitry configured to determine positional information for input received in a sensing region of the proximity sensor device based on the first resulting signal; and to determine force information received as input to the pointing stick based on the second resulting signal.

摘要翻译： 用于操作电容式接近传感器装置和电阻指示棒的单个集成电路包括用于将第一变化电压信号驱动到电容式接近传感器装置的发射器电极上的传感器电路。 传感器电路还被配置为将第二变化电压信号驱动到指示杆的分压器上，并将第三变化电压信号驱动到指示杆的分压器上。 传感器电路被配置为从接近传感器装置的接收器电极接收第一结果信号，并且从指示棒接收第二结果信号。 单个集成电路包括确定电路，其被配置为基于第一结果信号来确定在接近传感器装置的感测区域中接收的输入的位置信息; 并且基于第二结果信号来确定作为输入接收的力信息到指点棒。

公开(公告)号：US08638107B2

公开(公告)日：2014-01-28

申请号：US12970898

申请日：2010-12-16

申请人： Adam Schwartz ,  Kirk Hargreaves ,  Joseph Kurth Reynolds ,  Richard R. Schediwy

发明人： Adam Schwartz ,  Kirk Hargreaves ,  Joseph Kurth Reynolds ,  Richard R. Schediwy

IPC分类号： G01R27/26 ,  G06F3/041

CPC分类号： G01R27/2605 ,  G06F3/0416 ,  G06F3/044

摘要： A transcapacitive sensing device has and ohmic seam which sections a plurality of transmitter electrodes and also sections a plurality of receiver electrodes. A processing system is communicatively coupled with the transmitter electrodes and the receiver electrodes and configured to: transmit a first transmitter signal with a first transmitter electrode disposed on a first side of the ohmic seam; transmit a second transmitter signal with a second transmitter electrode disposed on a second side of the ohmic seam; receive a first response corresponding to said first transmitter signal with a first receiver electrode disposed on the first side of the ohmic seam; and receive a second response corresponding to said second transmitter signal with a second receiver electrode disposed on the second side of the ohmic seam.

摘要翻译： 转录感测装置具有欧姆接缝，其对多个发射器电极进行分割，并且还对多个接收器电极进行切片。 处理系统与发射机电极和接收器电极通信地耦合，并且被配置为：用设置在欧姆接缝的第一侧上的第一发射器电极发射第一发射机信号; 用设置在欧姆接缝的第二侧上的第二发射器电极传输第二发射机信号; 接收与所述第一发射机信号对应的第一响应，其中第一接收器电极设置在欧姆接缝的第一侧上; 并且接收与所述第二发射机信号对应的第二响应，其中第二接收机电极设置在欧姆接缝的第二侧上。

公开(公告)号：US20120326910A1

公开(公告)日：2012-12-27

申请号：US13170035

申请日：2011-06-27

申请人： Kirk Hargreaves ,  Adam Schwartz ,  Joseph Kurth Reynolds ,  Clyde Washburn

发明人： Kirk Hargreaves ,  Adam Schwartz ,  Joseph Kurth Reynolds ,  Clyde Washburn

IPC分类号： G08C19/12

CPC分类号： G08C19/12

摘要： A processing system includes transmitter module, receiver module, and a demodulating module. The transmitter module comprises transmitter circuitry and is configured to simultaneously transmit a first transmitter signal with a first transmitter electrode and a second transmitter signal with a second transmitter electrode. The first transmitter signal includes a combination of a first heterodyne frequency and a carrier frequency. The second transmitter signal comprises a combination of a second heterodyne frequency and the carrier frequency. The receiver module comprise receiver circuitry and is configured to receive a first resulting signal with a receiver electrode, wherein the first resulting signal comprises first effects corresponding to the first transmitter signal and second effects corresponding to the second transmitter signal. The demodulating module is configured to demodulate the first resulting signal to produce a plurality of demodulation signals, wherein the demodulating module comprises a first mixer, a second mixer, a third mixer, a first filter, a second filter and a third filter. The first mixer includes a mixing frequency corresponding to the carrier frequency, the second mixer includes a mixing frequency corresponding to the first heterodyne frequency, and the third mixer includes a mixing frequency corresponding to the second heterodyne frequency.

摘要翻译： 处理系统包括发射机模块，接收机模块和解调模块。 发射机模块包括发射机电路，并且被配置为与第二发射机电极同时发送具有第一发射机电极的第一发射机信号和第二发射机信号。 第一发射机信号包括第一外差频率和载波频率的组合。 第二发射机信号包括第二外差频率和载波频率的组合。 接收器模块包括接收器电路，并且被配置为用接收器电极接收第一结果信号，其中第一结果信号包括对应于第一发送器信号的第一效应和对应于第二发送器信号的第二效应。 解调模块被配置为解调第一结果信号以产生多个解调信号，其中解调模块包括第一混频器，第二混频器，第三混频器，第一滤波器，第二滤波器和第三滤波器。 第一混频器包括对应于载波频率的混频，第二混频器包括对应于第一外差频率的混频，第三混频器包括对应于第二外差频率的混频。

公开(公告)号：US08258797B2

公开(公告)日：2012-09-04

申请号：US12491102

申请日：2009-06-24

申请人： Shahrooz Shahparnia ,  Kirk Hargreaves

发明人： Shahrooz Shahparnia ,  Kirk Hargreaves

IPC分类号： G01R27/26

CPC分类号： H03K17/9622 ,  G01D3/08 ,  G01D5/24 ,  G06F3/044 ,  H03K2217/96058 ,  Y10T29/49117

摘要： In a method of determining interference in a capacitance sensor, a signal is transmitted on a transmitter sensor channel of the capacitive sensor. The signal is received on a receiver sensor channel of the capacitive sensor, the receiver sensor channel being coupled with an amplifier. Behavior of the amplifier is examined for non-linearity to determine if a level of interference has been received by the receiver sensor channel in conjunction with receipt of the signal.

摘要翻译： 在确定电容传感器中的干扰的方法中，在电容式传感器的发射器传感器通道上传输信号。 信号被接收在电容式传感器的接收器传感器通道上，接收器传感器通道与放大器耦合。 检查放大器的行为是否为非线性，以确定接收机传感器通道是否已经接收到干扰信号并结合信号的接收。