公开(公告)号：US20070075710A1

公开(公告)日：2007-04-05

申请号：US11606545

申请日：2006-11-30

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

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

IPC分类号： G01R27/26 ,  G01R31/02

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.

摘要翻译： 描述了使用Σ-Δ测量技术来检测可测量电容的方法，系统和装置。 根据各种实施例，使用第一开关将电压施加到可测量电容。 允许可测量电容与无源网络共享电荷。 如果无源网络上的电荷超过阈值，则无源网络上的电荷可以通过已知的量改变足够数量的重复，直到可以检测到可测量的电容。 这种检测方案可以使用常规部件容易地实现，并且可以特别有用于相对于按钮，滑块，触摸板或其他输入传感器感测手指，触针或其它物体的位置。

公开(公告)号：US20070046299A1

公开(公告)日：2007-03-01

申请号：US11446324

申请日：2006-06-03

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

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

IPC分类号： G01R27/26

CPC分类号： G01R27/2605

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：US20070176609A1

公开(公告)日：2007-08-02

申请号：US11446323

申请日：2006-06-03

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

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

IPC分类号： G01R27/26

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

摘要： Methods, systems and devices are described for detecting a measurable capacitance using charge transfer techniques. According to various embodiments, a charge transfer process is performed for two or more times. During the charge transfer process, a pre-determined voltage is applied to the measurable capacitance, and the measurable capacitance is then allowed to share charge with a filter capacitance through a passive impedance that remains coupled to both the measurable capacitance and to the filter capacitance throughout the charge transfer process. The value of the measurable capacitance can then be determined as a function of a representation of a charge on the filter capacitance and the number of times that the charge transfer process was performed. 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 an input sensor.

摘要翻译： 描述了使用电荷转移技术检测可测量电容的方法，系统和装置。 根据各种实施方式，电荷转移处理进行2次以上。 在电荷转移过程中，将预定电压施加到可测量电容，然后允许可测量的电容通过被动阻抗与滤波电容共享电荷，该被动阻抗保持与可测量的电容和整个滤波电容耦合 电荷转移过程。 可测量电容的值可以根据滤波电容上的电荷的表示和电荷转移过程的次数来确定。 这种检测方案可以使用常规部件容易地实现，并且可以特别有用于感测手指，触针或其他物体相对于输入传感器的位置。

公开(公告)号：US20080061800A1

公开(公告)日：2008-03-13

申请号：US11925541

申请日：2007-10-26

申请人： Joseph Reynolds ,  Kirk Hargreaves

发明人： Joseph Reynolds ,  Kirk Hargreaves

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 sigma-delta 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. A switch or IO controlling the charge sharing and/or charge changing can also be shared 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Σ-Δ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。 也可以共享控制电荷共享和/或电荷改变的开关或IO。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：US20130321005A1

公开(公告)日：2013-12-05

申请号：US13486860

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 ,  H03K17/962 ,  H03K2217/960715 ,  H03K2217/960775

摘要： A circuit for measuring a change in capacitive coupling between a transmitter electrode and receiver electrode includes a transmitter module that couples with the transmitter electrode and drives it with a plurality of positive and negative measurement cycles. A latched comparator has an input and an output, where the input couples with the receiver electrode. Upon enablement, the latched comparator determines if receiver electrode voltages satisfy an input threshold of the latched comparator and provides an output signal from an output based on this determination. A first counter is adjusted based on a first output signal of the latched comparator output during a positive measurement cycle. A second counter is adjusted based on a second output signal of the latched comparator during a negative measurement cycle. Measurement of change in capacitive coupling between the transmitter electrode and receiver electrode is based on counter values of the first and second counters.

摘要翻译： 用于测量发射器电极和接收器电极之间的电容耦合变化的电路包括发射器模块，其与发射器电极耦合并且利用多个正和负测量周期驱动它。 锁存的比较器具有输入和输出，其中输入与接收器电极耦合。 一旦启用，锁存的比较器确定接收器电极电压是否满足锁存比较器的输入阈值，并且基于该确定从输出端提供输出信号。 基于在正测量周期期间的锁存比较器输出的第一输出信号来调整第一计数器。 在负测量周期期间，基于锁存比较器的第二输出信号来调整第二计数器。 发射极和接收器电极之间的电容耦合变化的测量是基于第一和第二计数器的计数值。

公开(公告)号：US08415958B2

公开(公告)日：2013-04-09

申请号：US12815662

申请日：2010-06-15

申请人： Kirk Hargreaves ,  Mihai M Bulea

发明人： Kirk Hargreaves ,  Mihai M Bulea

IPC分类号： G01R27/26

CPC分类号： G06F3/044

摘要： A capacitive imaging sensor device includes a sensor substrate. A first set of sensor electrodes is disposed on a first surface of the sensor substrate, substantially in parallel with a first axis, and with at least two of its sensor electrodes extending for different lengths along the first axis. A second set of sensor electrodes is disposed on the first surface, substantially in parallel with the first axis, and in a common single layer with the first set. A processing system is coupled with the first and second sets and configured for: measuring a first capacitive coupling between a first sensor electrode of the first set and a sensor electrode of the second set; measuring a second capacitive coupling between a second sensor electrode of the first set and the sensor electrode of the second set; and determining a capacitance image using the first and second measurements of capacitive coupling.

摘要翻译： 电容成像传感器装置包括传感器基板。 第一组传感器电极设置在传感器基板的基本上与第一轴平行的第一表面上，并且其传感器电极中的至少两个沿着第一轴线延伸不同长度。 第二组传感器电极设置在第一表面上，基本上与第一轴平行，并且在与第一组相同的共同单层中。 处理系统与第一组和第二组耦合并且被配置用于：测量第一组的第一传感器电极和第二组的传感器电极之间的第一电容耦合; 测量第一组的第二传感器电极和第二组的传感器电极之间的第二电容耦合; 以及使用电容耦合的第一和第二测量来确定电容图像。

公开(公告)号：US07902842B2

公开(公告)日：2011-03-08

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：US20100327882A1

公开(公告)日：2010-12-30

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 ,  H01R43/00

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。

公开(公告)号：US07451050B2

公开(公告)日：2008-11-11

申请号：US11387754

申请日：2006-03-22

申请人： Kirk Hargreaves

发明人： Kirk Hargreaves

IPC分类号： G01R29/26 ,  G06F15/00 ,  H04B1/00

CPC分类号： G06F3/044 ,  G06F3/0418

摘要： Methods, systems and devices are described for detecting noise in a touchpad or other sensor that produces an output in response to a stimulus that is applied at or near a sensing region. According to various embodiments, a carrier signal is applied to the sensing region at two or more frequencies to thereby produce an output from the sensing region at each frequency. Each of the outputs is demodulated and filtered by a demodulation filter having a demodulation filter bandwidth. The various frequencies applied to the carrier signal are selected such that a difference between the frequencies is less than the demodulation filter bandwidth. At least some of the effects of the stimulus are removed from the outputs produced by the various carrier frequencies to produce two or more filtered outputs. The filtered outputs are then added, combined or otherwise processed to detect noise contained therein. If noise contained in one or more of the filtered outputs reaches an unacceptable level, the carrier signal may be shifted to a new sensing frequency for subsequent operation of the sensor.

公开(公告)号：US08847899B2

公开(公告)日：2014-09-30

申请号：US13233790

申请日：2011-09-15

申请人： Clyde Washburn ,  Eric Bohannon ,  Imre Knausz ,  Kirk Hargreaves

发明人： Clyde Washburn ,  Eric Bohannon ,  Imre Knausz ,  Kirk Hargreaves

IPC分类号： G06F3/041 ,  G06F3/044

CPC分类号： G06F3/044 ,  G06F3/0418

摘要： An input device processing system comprises a sensor module that transmits a first transmitter signal with a transmitter electrode and receives a resulting signal with a receiver electrode. The first transmitter signal comprises a first transmitter frequency, and the resulting signal comprises effects corresponding to the first transmitter signal. A demodulation module demodulates the resulting signal to produce a first signal (e.g., an upper sideband signal) and a second signal (a lower sideband signal), selectably determines a first measurement of a change in capacitive coupling between the transmitter electrode and the receiver electrode based on at least one of the first and second signals, and determines positional information for an input object based on the first measurement.

摘要翻译： 输入设备处理系统包括传感器模块，该传感器模块用发射机电极发送第一发射机信号，并用接收机电极接收所得到的信号。 第一发射机信号包括第一发射机频率，并且所得到的信号包括对应于第一发射机信号的效应。 解调模块解调得到的信号以产生第一信号（例如，上边带信号）和第二信号（下边带信号），可选地确定发射机电极和接收器电极之间的电容耦合变化的第一测量 基于第一和第二信号中的至少一个，并且基于第一测量来确定输入对象的位置信息。