TW201307855A - Power efficient capacitive detection - Google Patents

Abstract

Capacitive detection systems, modules, and methods. In one embodiment, a power saving mode is implemented when deemed appropriate, based on an analysis of previous detection or non-detection of the presence and/or position of an object near a capacitive sensing area.

Description

Power effective capacitance detection

This invention relates to capacitive sensors.

There are many available input devices for electronic systems. Examples of such input devices include: a keyboard, a joystick, a touch screen, a mechanical mouse, an optical mouse, a touch sensor, and the like.

The touch sensitive sensor includes an impedance film position sensor, a surface acoustic wave sensor, a high sensitivity piezoelectric sensor, an optical sensor, or a capacitive sensor depending on different technologies. The advantages and disadvantages of various techniques are discussed in the prior art, however, the reader should note that in general, capacitive sensors are currently considered to have high sensitivity and reliability. Capacitive sensors are also generally considered to have a long product life and cost savings.

According to the present invention, there is provided a method of generating a time interval measurement result of a monotonic function of a capacitance of a capacitive sensor, the method comprising: causing a voltage change on the capacitive sensor to change at least once; and measuring at least one time interval Generating a time interval measurement of the monotonic function of the capacitance of the capacitive sensor, during each of the at least one time interval, the changed voltage across the sensor varies between two predetermined values, wherein Measuring at least two time intervals to produce a time interval measurement result, the measurement is cumulative, and The predetermined value corresponding to at least one of the at least one time interval is non-zero.

According to the present invention, there is also provided a module for generating a time interval measurement result of a monotonic function of a capacitance of a capacitance sensor, the module comprising: means for causing a voltage change on the capacitance sensor to change at least once; And means for generating a time interval measurement result of a monotonic function of the capacitance of the capacitive sensor, comprising means for measuring a time interval at which the changed voltage across the sensor varies between two predetermined values, Or means for cumulatively measuring at least two time intervals, during each of the at least two time intervals, the changed voltage on the sensor varies between two predetermined values, wherein the at least one measurement time corresponds to The predetermined values of the intervals are all non-zero.

According to the present invention, a capacitance detecting method includes: causing each voltage on at least one of the capacitive sensing regions to change at least once; for each of the at least one capacitive sensor In one case, by measuring at least one time interval to generate a time interval measurement result of a monotonic function of the capacitance of the capacitive sensor, during each of the at least one time interval, the changed voltage on the sensor is a change between two non-zero predetermined values, wherein if the time interval measurement result is generated by measuring at least two time intervals, the measurement is cumulative; and the analyzing corresponds to at least one generation of the at least one capacitive sensor The time interval measurement results to detect or not detect the presence of an object near the capacitive sensing region.

According to the present invention, a capacitance detecting system further includes: a capacitive sensing region including at least one capacitive sensor; and a capacitance measuring module configured to cause a capacitive sensing region At least one Each voltage on the sensor changes at least once and is configured to generate a time interval measurement of a monotonic function of the capacitance of the capacitive sensor for each of the at least one sensor whose voltage is changed, The assay module includes at least one counter, wherein each counter corresponds to a sensor and is configured to measure a time interval at which the changed voltage on the corresponding sensor varies between two non-zero predetermined values, or Configuring to cumulatively measure at least two time intervals, during each of the at least two time intervals, the changed voltage on the corresponding sensor varies between two non-zero predetermined values; and the controller module And configured to analyze a time interval measurement corresponding to at least one of the at least one sensor whose voltage is changed to detect or not detect the presence of an object proximate to the capacitive sensing region.

Embodiments of the invention that use one or more capacitive sensors to detect the presence and/or location of an object are described herein.

References in the specification to "an embodiment", "an embodiment", "an embodiment", "another embodiment", "another embodiment", "a variety of embodiments" or variations thereof mean The specific features, structures, or characteristics described in the embodiments are included in at least one embodiment of the invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment", "an embodiment", "an embodiment", "another embodiment", "another embodiment", "a variety of embodiments" or variations thereof are not necessarily referring to the same Example.

It will be appreciated that some features of the invention described in the context of a particular embodiment may be combined in a single embodiment. phase Conversely, various features of the invention that are described in the context of a single embodiment for the sake of brevity may be provided separately or in any suitable sub combinations.

Reference

1, 3, 4, 5, 8, and 16 are block diagrams of elements of capacitance detecting system 100 and/or system 100 in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. It should be understood that the functionality of the components of the capacitance detection system 100 and/or system 100 is provided to partitions in blocks in a particular block diagram to aid the reader in understanding and therefore should not be considered as limiting. In some embodiments of the invention, elements of system 100 and/or system 100 may include fewer, more, and/or different blocks than those illustrated in the figures herein. In some embodiments of the invention, the functionality of elements of system 100 and/or system 100 may be divided differently into the blocks illustrated in the figures herein. In some embodiments of the invention, the functionality of elements of system 100 and/or system 100 may be partitioned into fewer, more, and/or different blocks than those shown in the figures herein. In some embodiments of the invention, elements of system 100 and/or system 100 may include additional functionality, functionality less than the functionality described herein, and/or functionality different therefrom. In some embodiments of the invention, one or more of the elements represented as blocks in the figures herein may have more functionality, less and/or different functionality than those described herein. Depending on the embodiment, the elements represented as blocks shown in any of the figures herein may be concentrated or dispersed relative to one another.

1 is a block diagram of the highest level of a capacitance detection system 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, as will be explained in greater detail below, the capacitance detection system 100 can be used for detection of presence and/or detection of position. In the illustrated embodiment, the system 100 includes a capacitive sensing area module 115, a capacitance measuring module 105 (including, for example, a sensor interface module 125 and a logic module 135), and a controller module 145. In the illustrated embodiment, the controller interface 155 provides an interface between the assay module 105 and the controller module 145.

Each of modules 105 and 145 can be comprised of any combination of software, hardware, and/or firmware capable of performing the functions as defined and illustrated herein. The modules 115, 105, and 145 of the capacitance detecting system 100 can be concentrated or dispersed relative to each other. For example, a touch panel or a key is used as an input device. In an embodiment, the controller module 145 can be included in the touch panel or the key together with the capacitive sensing area module 115 and the measuring module 105. In another embodiment, the controller module 145 can be positioned outside the touchpad or key.

In one embodiment, each of the capacitive sensing regions 115 has two conductors separated by a dielectric material, with most of the energy found between the conductors. A finger or any other object proximate to a particular capacitive sensor changes the capacitance of the particular capacitive sensor. (Fingers or any other object may access the capacitive sensing area module 115, for example, by touching a cover layer of an input device such as a touch pad or key that includes at least the capacitive sensing area 115).

In some embodiments, the assay module 105 is specifically configured to charge/discharge the capacitive sensor in the capacitive sensing region 115 one or more times during each accumulation cycle, and is generated by the controller module 145 To detect the presence and/or location of a finger or other object. In the following, the information provided by the self-capacitance assay module 105 to the controller module 145 is referred to as "assay data" in some embodiments. Assuming an embodiment where n > 1 (i.e., more than one sensor is present in the capacitive sensing region 115), the plurality of sensors in the capacitive sensing region 115 may or may not be divided depending on the embodiment. A sensor associated with a different axis. For example, in some cases, multiple sensors 110 may be divided into sensors associated with different axes when needed to detect the position of more than one dimension of the finger or other object, and when not needed The detection of the position or the need to detect the position with respect to one dimension may not be divided into sensors associated with different axes.

In one embodiment, the layout of the plurality of capacitive sensors in the capacitive sensing region module 115 is similar to that described in U.S. Patent No. 4,550,221, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. For the convenience of the reader, FIG. 2A illustrates an embodiment of the layout of the capacitive sensor in the capacitive sensing region module 115, which is similar to the capacitive sensor illustrated and described in US Pat. No. 4,550,221. layout.

As shown in the embodiment of FIG. 2A, the capacitive sensing area module 115 includes a substrate 228, such as a printed circuit board (PCB), that supports the first and second interleaved closely spaced arrays of conductive plates 230. The conductive plate 230 is covered, for example, by an insulating thin layer as a cover layer. For example, the conductive plate 230 may be a conductive metal thin plate deposited on the top surface of the substrate 228. Take the line And a column to arrange the plates of the first array. As a non-limiting example, in FIG. 2A, the plates of the first array (hereinafter referred to as X sensors) are arranged in thirteen rows and twelve columns. For example, sensors 236 and 238 are examples of X sensors. The second array consists of plates that are also arranged in rows and columns. As a non-limiting example, in FIG. 2A, the plates of the second array (hereinafter referred to as Y sensors) are arranged in twelve rows and thirteen columns. For example, sensors 232 and 234 are examples of Y sensors. In one embodiment, the dimensions and spacing of the columns 230 of columns Y1-Y12 and rows X1-X12 are selected such that when the fingers or another object is placed adjacent to the sensor (eg, in contact with the insulating layer), The presence of the object or other item changes at least one of the ambient ground and the columns Y1-Y12 (ie, the capacitance change in at least one of the Y sensors) and at least one of the rows X1-X12 The capacitance between the plates of one (ie, the capacitance change in at least one of the X sensors).

Although the sensor display layout is in the grid in Figure 2A, any suitable layout can be used. For example, Figure 2B illustrates the layout of ten capacitive sensors (2B1 through 2B10) in module 115 in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Although the Y sensor and the X sensor are shown in diamond shape in FIG. 2A, any shape (eg, circular, square, etc.) that allows the sensors to be properly spaced may alternatively be used in other embodiments. For example, Figure 2C shows four sensors, 2C1 through 2C4 having different shapes. Although twelve X sensors and twelve Y sensors are shown in FIG. 2A, the number of X sensors and Y sensors is not limited by the present invention to that shown in FIG. 2A. The current number. For example, in one embodiment, there may be twelve X sensors and fifteen Y sensors.

Depending on the embodiment, any suitable number of dimensions may be used in any suitable coordinate system to indicate position detection of an object proximate to the capacitive sensing region 115. Examples of coordinate systems include Cartesian coordinate systems, polar coordinate systems, cylindrical coordinate systems, ball coordinate systems, geographic coordinate systems, and the like.

Referring again to the embodiment of FIG. 1, sensor interface module 125 and logic module 135 are shown as separate blocks of assay module 105. It should be apparent that in some embodiments of the present invention, the functionality of the sensor interface module 125 and the logic module 135 may be represented by a single block, and/or the sensor interface module 125 and the logic module 135 may be The functionality of either or each of the functions is divided into multiple blocks.

3 illustrates a capacitance detection system 100 in which a sensor interface 125 and a logic module 135 are each partitioned into sub-blocks in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3 , the sensor interface module 125 includes a comparator module 310 and a charging/discharging module 320 , and the logic module 135 includes a counter module 330 and a clock module 340 . Each of the modules 310, 320, 330, and 340 can be comprised of any combination of software, hardware, and/or firmware capable of performing the functions as defined and illustrated herein.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, input clock 375 is provided to clock module 340, and the source of input clock 375 is not limited by the present invention. For example, the input clock 375 can be the system clock of the capacitance detecting system 100, the system clock of the system including the capacitance detecting system 100, provided by the controller 145, generated internally by the module 105, and the like. The clock module 340 is especially The configuration is provided to provide a charge/discharge control indication 360 to the charge/discharge module 320. The charge/discharge module 320 is specifically configured to charge and/or discharge the capacitive sensors in the capacitive sensing region module 115 based on the received charge/discharge control commands 360. The comparator module 310 is specifically configured to provide a counter enable command 380 to the counter module 330 based on the voltage on the charged capacitive sensor and/or the discharged capacitive sensor. The counter module 330 is especially configured to be executed when enabled, thereby measuring the time interval of the capacitance of the capacitive sensor reflecting the charging and/or discharging. The time interval 337 of the measurement (which is an example of the measured data) is provided to the controller 145 via the controller interface 155 and/or any other that may be provided to the capacitance detection system 100 or the system including the capacitance detection system 100 Module.

Note that the time interval can be a function of the capacitance of the capacitive sensor, and thus the measurement of the time interval (eg, the time interval 337 of the measurement associated with the sensor) can replace the measurement sensor in some cases. Capacitance. Therefore, a brief explanation of the relationship between capacitance and time is now provided.

As is well known in the art, the current i flowing through the capacitor is given by the following equation:

Where C is the capacitance of the capacitor, and It is the change in voltage over time on the capacitor.

Rearrange the equations to get:

The rearrangement equation illustrates the reciprocal of the rate of change (derivative) of the voltage across the capacitor (i.e., the time interval at which the voltage across the capacitor changes) equals the capacitance of the capacitor divided by the current flowing through the capacitor. The time interval at which the voltage across the capacitor changes is a monotonic function of the capacitance of the capacitor because the time interval is greater at larger capacitances than at smaller capacitances. For example, in the case where the cumulative measurement voltage is changed over one or more time intervals on the capacitor, it can be considered that the measurement result indicating more than one time interval is a monotonic function of the capacitance of the capacitor because the measurement result is a capacitor The monotonic function of the average capacitance, which is larger at larger average capacitance than at smaller average capacitance.

See Figures 1 and 3 again. In an embodiment, the assay module 105 can include individual functionality associated with each of the capacitive sensors 115. In another embodiment, additionally, the functionality in the assay module 105 can be associated with more than one capacitive sensor (assuming there are multiple capacitive sensors in the capacitive sensing region 115). In some embodiments (wherein multiple capacitive sensors are present in the capacitive sensing area module 115), each of the modules 310, 320, 330, and 340 may or may not be included with the capacitive sensor The functionality associated with one or more of them.

For further explanation of some embodiments of FIG. 3, it is assumed that each distinct component in comparator module 310 includes m copies (m 1) Each of the different components in the charging/discharging module 320 includes one copy (l 1) Each of the different components in the counter module 330 includes k replicas (k 1), and each distinct component in the clock module 340 includes j replicas (j 1). Depending on the embodiment, either of j, k, l, and m may be the same number or may not be the same number, and each of j, k, l, and m may be equal to n or may not be equal to n (where n is the number of capacitive sensors in the module 115 as explained above). For example, assuming that embodiments in which j, k, l, and/or m are less than n and n is greater than 1, in some embodiments of these embodiments, one or more capacitive sensors may be allowed to be associated A particular replica operates in parallel with respect to at least two of the associated sensors, while in other embodiments, it may be desirable for a particular replica to operate with respect to different sensors at non-overlapping times. Continuing with the example, in some cases, a particular replica can be configured to have a sense of (one or more) Y(s) with respect to (one or more) X sensors and different (non-overlapping) times at a time The detector is operated. Continuing with the example, the particular module 310, 320, 330, or 340 can, in some cases, include replicas that each allow for parallel operation with respect to at least two sensors, each forced to be at non-overlapping time A copy of the different sensor operations, and/or each of which is associated with only one replica of the sensor. As another example, in some embodiments, j, k, l, and/or m can be equal to 1, where n > 1, which means that each component having a replica can be associated with the capacitive sensing region module 115. All sensors operate (eg, operate in parallel for at least two sensors, or, for example, operate non-parallel with respect to different sensors). As another example, j, k, l, and/or m can be equal to n, and thus, each element having n replicas can associate each replica with a different capacitive sensor.

4 is a block diagram of a capacitance detection system 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 4, it is assumed that there are multiple senses of capacitance Detector. In the illustrated embodiment, the clock module 340 includes elements each having a replica associated with all of the capacitive sensors in the capacitive sensing region module 115 (i.e., in the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 4) =1), but the comparator module 310, the charging and discharging module 320, and the counter module 330 include components each having a separate replica for each of the capacitive sensing region modules 115 (ie, in the figure) In the illustrated embodiment, k, l, and m are each equal to n). It should be apparent that in other embodiments, j, k, l, and/or m may differ from the numbers shown in the embodiment of FIG.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, the clock module 340 includes a clock generator module 444 and a storage module ("storage register"), and the storage module is configured to store the influence measurement module 105 and One or more configurable operational parameters of the operation of controller module 145. For ease of understanding by the reader, the (configuration) register is divided into a mode register 448, a control register 450, a jitter generator register 452, and a state setting register 454, however, this should not be divided. Interpretation is binding. Each of modules 444, 448, 450, and/or 452 can be comprised of any combination of software, hardware, and/or firmware capable of performing the functions as defined and illustrated herein. Further details regarding the clock generator module 444 and the registers 448, 450, 452 or 454 are provided further below. In an embodiment, the operational parameters associated with any of the registers 448, 450, 452, or 454 can be configured by the controller 145 and/or the assay module 105 as described in further detail below. . Although j=1 is assumed in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4 (ie, each of the registers 444, 448, 450, and 452 in the clock module 340 and the capacitive sensing area module 115 All sensors are associated), but this may not be dark Each of the operational parameters of the display registers 444, 448, 450, and 452 are organized with respect to the operation of all of the sensors (as explained in greater detail below).

In some embodiments, there may be more, less, and/or different functionality included in the clock module 340, and/or the functionality provided by the clock module 340 may be partitioned into FIG. 4 The modules shown are fewer, more, and/or different from the modules. In some embodiments, the functionality described below as belonging to a particular register 448, 450, 452, or 454 may additionally be provided by the other of the registers 448, 450, 452, or 454. In some embodiments, there may be more than one copy of the registers 448, 450, 452, and/or 454, wherein each copy of the particular register has a group that is associated with one or more different sensors State parameters. In some embodiments, there may be fewer, more, and/or different registers that provide the same, enhanced, or degraded functionality as described herein for the registers 448, 450, 452, or 454. In some embodiments, some of the operational parameters described herein as configurable via any of the registers 448, 450, 452, and/or 454 may not be configurable, for example, some parameters It can be constructed (eg, hard coded, hardwired, etc.) and/or based on other configurable and/or non-configurable parameters. In some embodiments, there may be fewer, more, and/or different operational parameters that affect the operation of assay module 105 and/or controller module 145 than those described herein.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, it is assumed that n capacitive sensors in the capacitive sensing region 115 include h X sensors and i Y sensors (h, i) 1 and h+i=n). It is also assumed that in the embodiment illustrated in Figure 4, there are individual comparators 410 corresponding to each of the capacitive sensors (showing four comparators 410, i.e., 410 ₁ , 410 ₂ , 410 _N-1 , 410 _N), corresponding to the presence of each of the individual charge in the capacitive sensing / discharging circuit 420 (shown four charge and discharge circuit 420, _{i.e., 420 1, 420 2, 420} N-1, 420 N), And there are individual counters 430 corresponding to each of the capacitive sensors (showing four counters 430, ie, 430 ₁ , 430 ₂ , 430 _N-1 , 430 _N ). In other embodiments, k, l, and/or m may be less than n. In other embodiments, the plurality of sensors illustrated in FIG. 4 may be laid out in one dimension (eg, may include only X sensors or only Y sensors).

In FIG. 4, additional signals between modules in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention are illustrated in addition to the charge/discharge control signals 360 and counter enable signals 380 discussed above. In the illustrated embodiment, counter clock 442, such as generated by clock generator 444, is provided to counter 440. In the illustrated embodiment, it is assumed that the same counter clock 442 is provided to each counter 440, but in other embodiments, different counter clocks 442 may be provided to different counters 440. The counter enable configuration signal 470 is provided by the clock module 340 to the comparator 410. The counter enable configuration signal is explained in more detail below.

FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of a detailed capacitance sensing system for a capacitive sensor 502 from capacitive sensing region 115, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. For the sake of simplicity of the description, the capacitive sensor 502 is represented by a capacitor (using a capacitor symbol). Assuming an embodiment with X and Y sensors, sensor 502 can be an X or Y sensor. For the sake of simplicity of the description, the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 assumes each of the capacitive sensing area modules 115 and the individual comparator modules 410 and counter modules 430. And the charge/discharge module 420 is associated, or the plurality of capacitive sensors are associated with the same 410, 430, and/or 420, but each of the associated sensors is shared at separate times 410, 430 and/or 420 operate. For simplicity of description, the embodiment of FIG. 5 also assumes that all of the sensors in capacitive sensing region 115 are associated with the same clock module clock generator 444 and registers 448, 450, 452, and 454. Union. For ease of understanding, in the description, the digital label of the signal associated with sensor 502 is distinguished from the signals associated with all of the sensors in capacitive sensing region 115 by starting with "5", for example, the counter clock. 542, charge/discharge control 560, counter enable configuration 570, counter enable 580, however, depending on the embodiment, the signals associated with sensor 502 may or may not be different from other sensors. signal of.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 5, the charge/discharge module 420 associated with the capacitive sensor 502 includes a charge/discharge circuit 522. In the illustrated embodiment, the comparator module 410 associated with the capacitive sensor 502 includes a first comparator 514 and a second comparator 516 and an enable module 512. In the illustrated embodiment, the counter module 430 associated with the capacitive sensor 502 includes a counter 530.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, when the charge/discharge control signal 560 emitted by the clock module 340 indicates that the capacitive sensor 502 should be charged, the charge/discharge circuit 522 causes the capacitive sensor 502 to charge. When the charge/discharge control signal 560 indicates that the sensor 502 should be discharged, the charge/discharge circuit 522 causes the sensor 502 to discharge. Voltage 518 on capacitive sensor 502 is provided to first comparator 514 and second comparator 516.

Note that in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, the timing of charging and discharging of capacitive sensor 502 can be controlled independently of the value of voltage 518 on capacitive sensor 502. Further details regarding the timing of controlling the charging and discharging of the sensors in the capacitive sensing region 115 in some embodiments are provided below.

The components included in the charge/discharge circuit 522 may vary depending on the embodiment and are not limited to any particular configuration. In one embodiment, the charge/discharge circuit 522 includes a current source coupled to a positive voltage source (Vcc), a first switch in series with the current source, and a second switch in parallel with the capacitive sensor 502. In this embodiment, when the charge/discharge control signal 560 indicates charging, the first switch is turned off and the second switch is turned on, which causes the capacitive sensor 110 to be charged by a constant current provided by the current source. Similarly, in this embodiment, when the charge/discharge control signal 560 indicates a discharge, the first switch is open and the second switch is closed, which allows the capacitive sensor 502 to discharge to ground via the second switch. The reader will understand that in other embodiments, the charge/discharge circuit 522 can include components that will provide charging and discharging functionality in different configurations.

Charge/discharge control signal 560 and charge/discharge circuit 522 are illustrated in the embodiment of FIG. 5 to affect the charging and discharging of capacitive sensor 502. In another embodiment, there may be separate functionality that affects the charging of capacitive sensor 502 and affects the discharge of capacitive sensor 502.

Continuing with the description of the embodiment of FIG. 5, the first comparator 514 compares the sensor voltage 518 to the low voltage (reference) level 517 and produces a visual sensor voltage 518 that is above or below the low voltage level 517. Changed output 511. The second comparator 516 compares the sensor voltage 518 with the high voltage (reference) level 519 and produces an output 513 that varies depending on whether the senser voltage 518 is above or below the high voltage level 519. In another embodiment, the functionality of comparators 514 and 516 can be combined into a single comparison element.

When referring to voltage levels 517 and 519, the terms low and high are understood to be relative to each other, and thus high voltage level 519 is greater than low voltage level 517. The values of low pressure level 517 and high pressure level 519 are not limited by the present invention. In some cases voltage values 517 and 519 are constant over time, and in other cases voltage values 517 and 519 may change over time. In an embodiment, voltage values 517 and 519 are both non-zero.

In some cases, there may be advantages to embodiments in which the low pressure level 517 and the high pressure level 519 are all non-zero. In some of these situations, using a zero value can have lower anti-noise stability than using a non-zero value. In some of these situations, another way or in addition, the value zero may be within the non-linear range of the charge/discharge curve of capacitor 502 and is therefore less stable.

In some embodiments, low voltage level 517 and high voltage level 519 are each between zero and supply voltage (Vcc). In one (non-limiting) example of one of these embodiments, the low voltage level 517 is greater than zero and less than or equal to one-third of the positive voltage source Vcc (ie, 0 < V ₅₁₇ Vcc/3), and the high voltage level 519 is equal to or greater than two-thirds of Vcc and less than or equal to Vcc (ie, 2/3 Vcc) V ₅₁₉ Vcc). In this embodiment, in some cases, the voltage range between the low voltage level 517 and the high voltage level 519 corresponds to a "more linear" section of the graph of the voltage 518 on the sensor 502 during charging or discharging.

Referring again to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, output 511 from first comparator 514, output 513 from second comparator 516, and counter enable configuration signal 570 are provided to enable module 512. The enable module 512 outputs a counter enable signal 580 that causes the counter 530 associated with the sensor 502 to begin or not execute. In some embodiments, counter 530 is thereby configured to have a voltage 518 across sensor 502 that varies between low voltage level 517 and high voltage level 519 (where voltage 518 can be positively increased and / Or is decreasing) execution. In one of these embodiments, the counter 530 is configured to execute during a time interval (when charging) that the voltage 518 on the sensor 502 increases from the low voltage level 517 to the high voltage level 519. In the other of these embodiments, the counter 530 is additionally or additionally configured to reduce the voltage 518 on the sensor 502 from the high voltage level 519 to the low voltage level 517 (when discharging) )run. In one embodiment, the counter enable configuration signal 570 controls whether voltage 518 is varied between low voltage level 517 and high voltage level 519 during charging, during discharging, or during charging and discharging of sensor 502. The counter 530 is operated. In the discussion herein, it should be understood that depending on the embodiment, the range between the low pressure value 517 and the high pressure value 519 may or may not include the low pressure value 517 and/or the high voltage value 519 when the counter 530 is operating.

As illustrated in the embodiment of FIG. 5, the enablement module 512 is external to the counter 530, but in another embodiment, the enablement module 512 can be incorporated into the counter 530.

Counter clock 542 is provided to counter 530 as shown in the embodiment of FIG. Thus, when counter 530 is executed, counter 530 counts the number of cycles of counter clock 542. Thus, in the illustrated embodiment, the counter 530 measures the time at which the voltage across the capacitive sensor 502 varies between the low voltage level 517 and the high voltage level 519 by the "unit" or "count" of the counter clock cycle. The interval (i.e., counter 530 counts the number of counter clock cycles at which the counter enable signal 580 is "on"). In other embodiments, the time interval may be measured in a different unit than the unit of the cycle of the counter clock 542. For example, in one of these embodiments, counter 542 may instead be an element that measures a time period in units of seconds (eg, nanoseconds, microseconds, etc.).

To facilitate the reader's understanding, the functionality of the sensor interface 125 associated with the sensor 502 and the counter module 430 associated with the sensor 502 is divided into the functionality shown in FIG. 5, in accordance with an embodiment. In the component, but the division should not be considered to be binding. In some embodiments, the functionality may be partitioned into fewer, more, and/or different components than those illustrated in FIG. In some embodiments, the functionality may be divided differently into the elements illustrated in FIG. In some embodiments, any of the elements in FIG. 5 may have more or less functionality than described herein and/or functionality different therefrom.

6 and 7 illustrate timing diagrams associated with operation of counter 530 when sensor 502 is separately charged and discharged, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention.

As shown in the embodiment of FIG. 6, timing diagram 602 illustrates counter clock signal 542 over time. Timing diagram 604 illustrates pushing over time When the counter 530 is executed and when the counter 530 is not executed (stopped). Timing diagram 605 illustrates counter enable signal 580 over time, wherein in the illustrated embodiment, counter enable signal 580 is high for enable and low for deactivation. Timing diagram 606 illustrates voltage 518 on capacitive sensor 502 over time. Timing diagrams 608 and 610 illustrate low voltage level 517 and high voltage level 519, respectively, over time. Timing diagram 612 illustrates charge/discharge control signal 560 over time, wherein in the illustrated timing diagram, charge/discharge control signal 560 is high for charging and low for discharge.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, at time 614, the charge/discharge control signal 560 changes to a "charge" level (see timing diagram 612) and the capacitive sensor 502 begins to charge. As capacitive sensor 502 charges, voltage 518 on capacitive sensor 502 increases over time (as illustrated by timing diagram 606). At time point 616 (t_low_n), voltage 518 on capacitive sensor 502 reaches low voltage level 517 (illustrated by the crossover of timing diagram 606 and timing diagram 608). Thus, at time point 616, counter enable signal 580 changes to the "enabled" level (see timing diagram 605) and counter 530 begins to run (as illustrated by timing diagram 604). In one embodiment, time point 616 is the point in time when low pressure level 517 is reached, while in another embodiment, time point 616 is the point in time when low pressure level 517 is exceeded. At time point 618 (t_high_n), voltage 518 on capacitive sensor 502 reaches high voltage level 519 (illustrated by the crossover of timing diagram 606 and timing diagram 610). Thus, at time point 618, counter enable signal 580 changes to the "deactivated" level (see timing diagram 605) and counter 530 stops Run (see timing diagram 604). In one embodiment, time point 618 is the point in time when high pressure level 519 is reached, while in another embodiment, time point 618 is the point in time when high pressure level 519 is exceeded. The time Δt_n represents the time difference between the time point 616 (t_low_n) and the time point 618 (t_high_n), that is, the time interval during which the counter 530 operates. At time 620, charge/discharge control signal 560 changes to a "discharge" level (see timing diagram 612), and capacitive sensor 110 begins to discharge. In an embodiment, during discharge, counter 530 continues to be deactivated (i.e., not running). In another embodiment, during discharge, counter 530 operates when sensor voltage 518 varies between low voltage level 517 and high voltage level 519 (as described below with reference to FIG. 7). At time 626, the charge/discharge signal 520 completes a charge/discharge cycle, and thus the charge/discharge cycle T_c is illustrated as being equal to the time difference between time point 614 and time point 626. In one embodiment, the charge/discharge cycle 520 is then repeated (i.e., where charge/discharge control 520 changes to a "charge" level at time point 626 as at time point 614).

For the sake of simplicity of the description of the embodiment of FIG. 7, the timing of the counter clock signal 542, the sensor voltage 518, the low voltage level 517, the high voltage level 519, and the charge/discharge control signal 560, respectively, over time is assumed. Figures 602, 606, 608, 610, and 612 are not altered from the embodiment depicted in Figure 6. Timing diagram 704 illustrates when counter 530 runs over time and when counter 530 does not run (stop). Timing diagram 705 illustrates counter enable signal 580 over time.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7, at time 614, the charge/discharge control signal 560 changes to the "charge" level (see timing diagram 612) and the capacitive sensor 502 begins to charge. As capacitive sensor 502 charges, voltage 518 on capacitive sensor 502 increases over time (as illustrated by timing diagram 606). In one embodiment, the counter enable signal 580 is enabled and the counter 530 operates during a time interval during which the voltage 518 on the charged sensor 502 varies between the low voltage level 517 and the high voltage level 519 (as described above with reference to FIG. 6). Described)). In another embodiment, the counter enable signal 580 is not enabled and the counter 530 is not running when the sensor 502 is charging. At time 620, charge/discharge control signal 560 changes to a "discharge" level (see timing diagram 612), and capacitive sensor 110 begins to discharge. At time point 722 (t_high_n), voltage 518 on capacitive sensor 502 reaches high voltage level 519 (illustrated by the crossover of timing diagram 606 and timing diagram 610). Thus, at time point 722, counter enable signal 580 changes to the "enabled" level (see timing diagram 705), and counter 530 begins execution (as illustrated by timing diagram 704). In one embodiment, time point 722 is the point in time when high voltage level 519 is reached, while in another embodiment, time point 722 is the point in time when voltage 518 is below high pressure level 519. At time point 724 (t_low_n), voltage 518 on capacitive sensor 502 reaches low voltage level 517 (illustrated by the crossover of timing diagram 606 and timing diagram 608). Thus, at time point 724, counter enable signal 580 changes to the "deactivate" level (see timing diagram 705), and counter 530 ceases execution (see timing diagram 704). In one embodiment, time point 724 is the point in time when low voltage level 517 is reached, while in another embodiment, time point 724 is current. The point in time when pressure 518 is below low pressure level 517. The time Δt_n represents the time difference between the time point 722 (t_high_n) and the time point 724 (t_low_n), that is, the time interval during which the counter 530 operates. At time 626, the charge/discharge signal 520 completes a charge/discharge cycle, and thus the charge/discharge cycle T_c is illustrated as being equal to the time difference between time point 614 and time point 626. In one embodiment, the charge/discharge cycle 520 is then repeated (i.e., where charge/discharge control 520 changes to a "charge" level at time point 626 as at time point 614).

Referring to Figures 6 and 7, it should be noted that the low voltage levels shown in timing diagrams 608 and 610 and the values of high pressure levels 517 and 519, respectively, are only examples of possible low voltage levels and high pressure levels 517 and 519. In one embodiment, one or both of the low pressure level and the high pressure levels 517 and 519 are input to the assay module 105. In one embodiment, one or both of the low voltage level 517 and the high voltage level 519 are constructed, for example, hard coded/hardwired. In some embodiments, one or both of voltage levels 517 and 519 are based on configurable and/or non-configurable operating parameters. For example, in one of these embodiments, the percentage of Vcc equal to each of the low pressure level 517 and the high pressure level 519 can be configurable. As another example, in one of these embodiments, the low pressure level and high pressure levels 517 and 519 can each be equal to the constructed percentage of Vcc. In some embodiments, one or both of voltage levels 517 and 519 are configurable. In some embodiments with configurable parameters, the low voltage level 517 and/or the high voltage level 519 (or configurable percentage) can be independently for each sensor, collectively for each subset of the sensors (subset) or collectively configured for all of the sensors in the capacitive sensing region 115. Examples of subsets are further given below.

In some embodiments, the counter enable configuration signal 570 can be configured, for example, via the set state register 454 (see FIG. 4 or 5) to one of the following "counter enabled" modes: when charging/discharging control Signal 560 is enabled at the "charge" level, enabled when charge/discharge control signal 560 is at the "discharge" level, and enabled when charge/discharge control signal 560 is at the "charge" level and at the "discharge" level. Thus, depending on the mode, the counter enable signal 580 can cause the counter 530 to change during the time interval between the low voltage level and the high voltage levels 517 and 519 of the voltage on the charged sensor 502 (as shown in FIG. 6). The voltage on the discharged sensor 502 operates during a time interval between the low voltage level and the high voltage levels 517 and 519 (as shown in Figure 7), or during both of these time intervals. In some of these embodiments, the counter enable mode can be set independently for each of the capacitive sensing regions 115, or for each subset of the sensors in the capacitive sensing region 115. Together, in the other of these embodiments, the counter enable mode is commonly set for all of the sensors in the capacitive sensing region 115. An example of a subset is further given below. In other embodiments, the counter enable mode is not configurable, for example, the mode can be constructed or based on configurable and/or non-configurable operational parameters.

For the sake of simplicity of the description, in the description of the embodiments of Figures 6 and 7, it is assumed that charging occurs when the charge/discharge control signal 560 is high, and the counter 530 operates when the counter enable signal 580 is high, but in other In an embodiment, such operations can be triggered when the trigger signal is low. For example, in an embodiment, charging may occur when the charge/discharge control signal 560 is low.

Depending on the embodiment, the discharge profile of the charge section and section 606 of curve 606 (see FIG. 6 or 7) may be mirror images of each other or may not be mirror images of each other. Therefore, depending on the embodiment, the time interval during which the voltage 518 varies between the low voltage level 517 and the high voltage level 519 may be the same as the time interval during which the voltage 518 varies between the low voltage level 517 and the high voltage level 519. different.

It should be noted that the period (frequency) of the counter clock signal 542 illustrated in the timing diagram 602 of FIG. 6 or 7 is only one example of the possible period (frequency) of the counter clock signal 542. In some embodiments, the frequency (period) of the counter clock signal 542 can be configured, for example, via the clock control register 450 (see FIG. 4 or 5). In such embodiments, changing the frequency of the counter clock signal 542 may change the amplitude of the time interval measured by the counter 530 in some cases. In some of these embodiments, the counter clock signal frequency (period) may be independently set for each sensor in the capacitive sensing region 115, or for a sensor in the capacitive sensing region 115 Each subset is set in common, and in the other of the embodiments, the counter clock signal frequency (period) is commonly set for all of the sensors in the capacitive sensing region 115. An example of a subset is further given below. In other embodiments, the frequency (period) of the counter clock signal 542 is not configurable, for example, the frequency (cycle) can be constructed (eg, hard coded/hardwired) or can be based on configurable and/or Or non-configurable operation parameter. For example, in one embodiment, the period (frequency) of the counter clock 542 may depend, at least in part, on the period (frequency) of the measured clock 846 (described below with reference to Figures 8 and 9).

Similarly, the frequency (period) of the charge/discharge control 560 shown in the timing diagram 612 of FIG. 6 or 7 is only one example of the possible frequency (period) of the charge/discharge control 560. In one embodiment, twice the selected frequency of the charge/discharge control signal 560 (i.e., half of the charge/discharge cycle) should be sufficient to allow the voltage 518 on the capacitive sensor 502 to be charged at the capacitive sensor 502. The selected high voltage 519 is reached during the period and/or the selected low voltage 517 is reached during the discharge of the sensor 502. In some embodiments, the frequency (period) of the charge/discharge control signal 560 can be configured, for example, via the clock control register 450 (see FIG. 4 or 5). In some of these embodiments, the charge/discharge cycle frequency (period) may be set independently for each sensor in the capacitive sensing region 115, or for a sensor in the capacitive sensing region 115. Each subset is set collectively, and in the other of these embodiments, the charge/discharge cycle frequency (period) is commonly set for all of the sensors in the capacitive sensing region 115. An example of a subset is further given below. In other embodiments, the frequency (period) of the charge/discharge signal 560 is not configurable, for example, the frequency (cycle) can be constructed (eg, hard coded/hardwired) or can be based on configurable and/or Non-configurable operating parameters. For example, in one embodiment, the frequency (period) of the charge/discharge signal 560 may depend, at least in part, on the period (frequency) of the measured clock 846 (described below with reference to Figures 8 and 9).

As mentioned above, in some embodiments, the period (frequency) and/or periodic (frequency) charge/discharge frequency 560 of the counter clock 542 may be at least partially viewed by the clock generator 444 (internal ) Measure clock 846. Depending on the embodiment, the measurement clock 846 may not include clock jitter or may include or optionally include clock jitter (for example) in an attempt to reduce electromagnetic interference. In some embodiments, the clock jitter is configurable, for example using a configurable jitter generator register 452 (see Figure 4 or 5). For example, in one embodiment, via jitter generator buffer 452, clock jitter can be enabled or disabled (ie, turned on/off), and jitter values can be configured, which will be applied to the assay. Clock 846.

In some embodiments, it may be constructed not to add jitter to the assay clock 846 or to always add jitter to the assay clock 846. In some embodiments, additionally or in another manner, the jitter may be based on configurable and/or non-configurable operational parameters. Thus, the jitter generator register 452 can be omitted from the capacitance detection system 100 in some cases.

Referring to Figure 9, a flowchart of a method 900 for fabricating jitter in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In other embodiments, the stages illustrated in method 900 may be performed in an order different than that shown in FIG. 9, and/or more than one stage may be performed simultaneously.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 9, in stage 902, there is power on of the capacitance detection system 100. In stage 904, there is initialization. Initialization may include any action suitable for the embodiments. For example, in some embodiments, the initialization includes configuration of operational parameters in the clock module 340. Continuing with the example, in one embodiment, especially among the following One can be configured: jitter enable/disable, jitter value, clock divider value, high voltage level, low voltage level, counter clock period (frequency), charge/discharge cycle (frequency), counter enable mode The number of charge/discharge cycles in the accumulation cycle, charge and discharge enable/disable, automatic/manual mode, new set preparation, stop state, predetermined time interval between reads, and/or start cycle. As discussed above, the operational parameters can be configured independently for each sensor, collectively for each subset of the sensors, or collectively for all of the sensors. In stage 906, controller 145 determines if jitter is required. Depending on the embodiment, jitter can be required for any reason. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 9, it is assumed that because the preset jitter is disabled and therefore there is a need to generate jitter in stage 908, the jitter generator register 452 is configured to enable jitter and set The jitter value (for example, as part of the initialization of the scratchpad). If there is no need to generate jitter, then stage 908 is skipped. Method 900 then ends.

Depending on the embodiment, the jitter generator register 452 may never be configured or may be configured each time the power is turned on or more frequently.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a clock generator 444 (optionally including jitter) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In the embodiment of FIG. 8, input clock 375 is input to clock transform module 841. If the jitter generator module 845 is enabled by the jitter generator register 452, the jitter 847 is generated based on the jitter value in the jitter register 452. The transform clock 849 (output based on the input clock 375 by the transform module 841) and optionally generated jitter 847 are summed together by the mixer module 843 to produce a measurement clock 846.

In various embodiments, there may be one common jitter 847 for each of the sensors in the capacitive sensing region 115 or each subset of the sensors in the capacitive sensing region 115, or there may be for each sensing Independent jitter 847 generated by the device. Thus, in various embodiments, the jitter can be enabled/disabled together and the jitter value can be set for all of the sensors in the capacitive sensing region 115 or for each subset of the sensors, or can be enabled/disabled Jitter, and the jitter value is set independently for each sensor. Examples of subsets are further given below.

In some embodiments of FIG. 8, clock transform module 841 applies the constructed transform to input clock 375 to generate transform clock 849. For example, in one embodiment, the clock divider value "Z" can be constructed and the transform module 841 divides it by the frequency of the input clock 375 to produce the frequency of the transform clock 849. In other embodiments, the applied transformation is configurable. For example, in an embodiment, the clock divider value "Z" in the clock control register 450 (see FIG. 4 or 5) may be used to configure the frequency associated with the input clock 375. The frequency of the clock 849 is transformed (eg, the frequency of the generated clock 849 signal = the frequency of the input clock 375 signal / Z). Continuing with the example, in one embodiment, the frequency (period) of the transform clock 849 is equal to the frequency (period) of the input clock 375 (as a preset value) unless, for example, by setting a clock divider value. Additional configuration. In an embodiment, "Z" may be configured to a value greater than one, and thus, if Z is configured, the frequency of the transform clock 849 is less than the frequency of the input clock 375. In another embodiment, "Z" can be configured to any value (i.e., cause the frequency of the generated clock 849 to be greater than, less than, or equal to the frequency of the input clock 375 depending on the value of "Z") .

In embodiments having a configurable clock divider value, the clock divider value can be set independently for each sensor in the capacitive sensing region 115 or for sensing in the capacitive sensing region 115 Each subset of the devices is set collectively, and in the other of these embodiments, the clock divider values can be collectively set for all of the sensors in the capacitive sensing region 115. An example of a subset is further given below.

It should be noted that in an embodiment where there is no transformation applied by the clock transformation 841 or the transformation is a transformation that does not change the input clock 375 (eg, multiplied by "1"), then the transformation clock 849 is equal to Enter clock 375. In an embodiment where there is no generated jitter, the measurement clock 846 is equal to the transformed clock 849.

In one embodiment, in addition to or instead of the input clock 375 generated by the jitter generator 845, and/or the conversion applied by the clock transition 841, the input clock 375 is generated by the jitter. The jitter 847 generated by the 845, and/or the transformation applied by the clock transition 841, may also be based on configurable and/or non-configurable operational parameters. In an embodiment, the measurement clock 846 may have a constructed value, such as a hard coded/hardwired value.

In one embodiment, the frequency of the counter clock 542 is equal to or some other function of the frequency of the measured clock 846. In one embodiment, the frequency of charge/discharge control 560 is equal to or some other function of the frequency of the measured clock 846. For example, in some embodiments, the frequency of the counter clock 542 and/or the frequency of the charge and discharge control 560 may increase as the frequency of the measured clock 846 increases.

Referring again to FIG. 5, the output from counter 530 associated with sensor 502 is a time interval measurement 537 (eg, "unit" or "count" of the counter clock cycle, or in other units), where time The interval measurement result 537 is one of the time interval measurement results 337. Depending on the embodiment, the accumulation cycle may include a charge/discharge cycle that produces any number (equal to or greater than one) of a single instance of the time interval measurement 537. For example, in one embodiment, sensor 502 can be measured during a single charge of sensor 502, during a single discharge of sensor 502, or during a single charge and discharge of sensor 502. The upper voltage 518 is spaced between the low voltage level 517 and the high pressure level 519. As another example, in an embodiment, the counter 530 can be cumulatively operated during multiple charging and/or discharging of the capacitive sensor 502 to cumulatively measure the voltage across the capacitive sensor 110 at a low voltage level. The time interval between changes with the high pressure level 314. Thus, depending on the embodiment, the time interval measurement 537 generated by the counter 530 in a cumulative cycle may include any number of accumulations (equal to or greater than one) of the time intervals on the charge/discharge cycle, The voltage 518 on the capacitive sensor 502 that is charged and/or discharged during the time interval varies between the low voltage level 517 and the high voltage level 519. The reader will understand that the time interval measurement result 537 is an example of assay data associated with the sensor 502 that is provided to the controller module 145 for the embodiment illustrated in FIG.

Assuming an embodiment in which the sensor 502 cumulatively measures a plurality of time intervals, there may or may not be a change in one or more of the operational parameters between the measurements. For example, depending on the embodiment, especially any of the following The change may or may not vary between the measurements: counter clock 542, charge/discharge control mode, low voltage level 517, high voltage level 519, and/or charge/discharge control signal. 560.

In some cases, there may be advantages to embodiments that include accumulation of multiple measurement time intervals for time interval measurement results 537, wherein voltages on sensors 502 that are charged and/or discharged during the time intervals (on multiple charges and/or discharges of sensor 502) varies between low level 517 and high level 519. For example, in some of these situations, the accumulation of multiple measurement time intervals improves the likelihood that the time interval measurement result 537 is affected by a small change in the capacitance of the capacitive sensor 502. Continuing with the example, assume that there is a small change in capacitance due to, for example, touching an object of the overlay of an input device that includes at least capacitive sensing module 115. In this example, if the time interval measurement 537 is measured on one of the sensors 502 charging and/or discharging, the smaller and possibly negligible change in the time interval measurement 537 may be generated in some cases. . The example continues, however, if the time interval measurement 537 is cumulatively measured cumulatively across multiple charges and/or discharges of the sensor 502, the time interval measurement 537 is larger and may be more Changes that are easily identifiable can be produced in some situations.

In some embodiments, the number of charge/discharge cycles (equal to or greater than one) that can be constructed in the accumulation cycle, cumulatively measured by the counter 530 during the accumulation cycle, or a charge/discharge cycle in a cumulative cycle The number can vary depending on configurable and/or non-configurable operating parameters. In some embodiments, the number of charge/discharge cycles per cumulative cycle may be For example, it is configured via the clock control register 450 (see Fig. 4 or 5). In some of these embodiments, the number of charge/discharge cycles per accumulation cycle may be set independently for each of the capacitive sensing regions 115, or for the capacitive sensing region 115. Each subset of sensors is set collectively, and in the other of these embodiments, the number of charge/discharge cycles per accumulation cycle is common to all of the sensors in capacitive sensing region 115. An example of a subset is further given below.

Referring to Figure 10, there is shown a timing diagram when the accumulation cycle includes s charge/discharge cycles in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

At time 1032, a cumulative cycle begins. This accumulation cycle includes s charge/discharge cycles (where s 1), wherein as explained above, in various embodiments, s may be configured via the clock control register 450, may be constructed, or may be configurable and/or non-configurable operating parameters . Timing diagram 1028 illustrates s charge/discharge cycles. During the s charge/discharge cycles, as discussed above, the time intervals are cumulatively measured. At time 1034, the accumulation cycle ends after s charge/discharge cycles. The period T_ac of the accumulation cycle is therefore equal to the time difference between time point 1034 and time point 1032. The number of charge/discharge cycles included in the accumulation cycle is not limited by the present invention, and the number illustrated in Fig. 10 is only an example. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 10, for the sake of brevity, it is assumed that each charge/discharge cycle has an equal duration, but in another embodiment, the duration may vary. In an embodiment, each of the charge/discharge cycles shown in timing diagram 1028 can be associated with the timing diagrams described with reference to FIGS. 6 and/or 7.

Referring again to the embodiment of FIG. 4, it is assumed for the purposes of this discussion that a plurality of X and/or Y capacitive sensors are included in the capacitive sensing region 115, which will now be further referenced to the plurality of X and/or Y capacitive sensing The operation of the measurement module 105 will be described in detail.

Depending on the embodiment, there may or may not be a variation between any of the following in the sensor in the capacitive sensing region 115: the period of the counter clock (frequency), the inclusion of jitter, or Exclusion and/or jitter value, the number of time intervals for cumulative measurement (ie, the number of charge/discharge cycles in a cumulative cycle), the value of the low voltage level, the value of the high voltage level, and the trigger level of the signal (High or Low), counter enable mode (ie, during sensor charging, discharging, or charging and discharging), period (frequency) of charge/discharge control signals, and the like. For example, in some embodiments, variations may be allowed in some cases between assay data being provided to controller 145 and/or separately processed by controller 145. As another example, in an embodiment, variations may be allowed between the sensors because the controller 145 knows how to compensate for any changes between the sensors, and/or because the changes may cancel each other out. As another example, in some embodiments, variations due to differences between modules associated with different sensors may be tolerated as long as the changes do not affect the presence and/or position detection performed by controller 145. The result. Continuing with the example, in one of these embodiments, the difference in calibration values (eg, assay data generated by different counters when no object, such as near capacitive sensing region 115) is considered by controller 145 So that this difference does not affect presence and / or location detection.

Depending on the embodiment, charging and discharging of all n (n > 1) sensors in the capacitive sensing region 115 may be enabled, or charging and discharging of at least one of the n sensors may be disabled, For example, at least one of the sensors remains discharged. For example, in an embodiment in which sensor 502 of FIG. 5 is considered, if charging and discharging of sensor 502 is enabled, charging/discharging control 560 is generated, and if charging of sensor 502 is disabled and When discharged, no charge/discharge control 560 is generated. For example, in some embodiments, the activation or deactivation of the charging and discharging of the sensor can be configured, for example, via the set/status register 454. In some of these embodiments, charging and discharging of each of the capacitive sensing regions 115 can be enabled or disabled independently, or the sense in the capacitive sensing region 115 can be enabled or disabled in common. The charging and discharging of each subset of the detectors, in the other of these embodiments, can collectively enable or disable charging and discharging of all of the sensors in the capacitive sensing region 115. Examples of subsets are further given below. For example, in one of these embodiments, charging and discharging of different subsets may be alternately enabled in sequence, with charging and discharging of other subsets remaining inactive until they are in turn. In another embodiment, the activation or deactivation of sensor charging and discharging is not configurable, for example, enabling or disabling can be configured (eg, charging and discharging can be enabled frequently), or enabling/disabling can be Based on configurable and / or non-configurable operating parameters.

Depending on the embodiment, the charging and/or discharging of each of the sensors in the capacitive sensing region 115 that are enabled for charging and discharging may or may not be synchronized (ie, the time 614 and/or 620 of the particular capacitive sensor). Can be synchronized or not synchronized with the charging and / or discharging time of other sensors). In some embodiments The counter 430 corresponding to the various sensors maintains its assay data until read, or may use additional memory (counter or additional device) to store the assay data, and thus is enabled in these embodiments The charging and discharging of the respective sensors for charging and discharging do not necessarily need to be synchronized. In one of these embodiments, synchronization of the sensors is not necessarily required as long as the assay data is provided on time for each sensor that "measures data is provided to controller 145 in parallel" . In the other of these embodiments, additionally or alternatively, the measured data has been provided to the controller 145 and/or the sensor-enabled charge and discharge sensor respectively processed by the controller 145 Can be allowed to be asynchronous.

To further illustrate synchronization or non-synchronization, two embodiments are presented, which should not be construed as limiting. In the first embodiment, although not necessarily synchronized (i.e., times 614 and 620 of Figure 6 are not necessarily synchronized for all enabled sensors), all of the sensors that are enabled for charging and discharging are charged and discharged in parallel. In a second embodiment, the subset of sensors is charged when the charge/discharge control signal 360 is high, and is discharged when the charge/discharge control signal 360 is low, while the different subsets are at the charge/discharge control signal 360. Charging at low time and discharging when the charge/discharge control signal 360 is high. Continuing with this second embodiment, for example, an X sensor (or Y sensor) that is enabled for charging and discharging can be charged at a high level of the charge/discharge control signal 360, and at a low level of the charge/discharge control signal 360. The discharge is quasi-upper, and the Y sensor (or X sensor) enabled for charging and discharging can be charged at a low level of the charge/discharge control signal 360 and discharged at a high level of the charge/discharge control signal 360.

As described above with reference to Figures 6 and 7, in various embodiments, the counter associated with the sensor can be (cumulatively) measured during charging of the sensor and/or during discharge of the sensor. The time interval when the voltage of the detector changes between the low reference level and the high reference level. Also in accordance with the above discussion, in one embodiment, the charge and discharge enabled sensor can be charged when the charge/discharge signal is high and discharged when the charge/discharge signal is low, while in another embodiment, The sensor that enables charging and discharging can be charged when the charge/discharge signal is low and discharged when the charge/discharge signal is high. Thus, when discussing the operation of multiple sensors, multiple possible timing diagrams are possible. Figures 11, 12 and 13 show examples that should not be construed as typical or exhaustive.

In FIG. 11, a timing diagram associated with a counter 430 corresponding to an X sensor enabled for charging and discharging and a Y sensor is illustrated in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As should be understood from the above discussion, depending on the embodiment, charging and discharging of all of the sensors in the capacitive sensing region 115 can be enabled, or charging of some of the sensors of less than all of the sensors can be enabled. And discharge. For the sake of brevity, it is assumed that the charge/discharge control signal 360 and the cycle of the accumulation cycle are the same for all sensors that are enabled for charging and discharging.

Timing diagram 1102 illustrates charge and discharge control signals 360 as a function of time included in a cumulative cycle (where the period of the accumulation cycle is equal to T_ac). Timing diagram 1104 illustrates the execution (activation) and stop (deactivation) of the counter 430 associated with the X sensor and the Y sensor enabled for charging and discharging. In an embodiment, charging is enabled to The X sensor and the Y sensor, although not necessarily synchronized, have been charged in parallel (when the charge/discharge control signal 360 is high) and discharged (when the charge/discharge control signal 360 is low). In this embodiment, the counter operates when the sensor is charged and the voltage fluctuates between a low voltage level and a high voltage level, which cumulatively measures the time interval between the X sensor and the Y sensor that are enabled for charging and discharging. (For example, as in Figure 6). In another embodiment, the X sensor and the Y sensor that are enabled for charging and discharging, although not necessarily synchronized, have been charged in parallel (when the charge/discharge control signal 360 is low) and discharged (when charging/discharging control) When signal 360 is high). In this embodiment, the counter operates during discharge (when the voltage varies between a low voltage level and a high voltage level), which cumulatively measures the time interval between the X sensor and the Y sensor that are enabled for charging and discharging. .

Depending on the embodiment, an earlier cumulative cycle or a later cumulative cycle may or may not be similar to the accumulation cycle illustrated in FIG. For example, in some cases, there may be any change in operational parameters between accumulation cycles.

In FIG. 12 is a timing diagram associated with a counter 430 corresponding to an X sensor enabled for charging and discharging and a Y sensor in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 12, the counter associated with the X sensor and the counter associated with the Y sensor are executed sequentially. As should be understood from the above discussion, depending on the embodiment, charging and discharging of all of the sensors in the capacitive sensing region 115 can be enabled, or charging of some of the sensors of less than all of the sensors can be enabled and Discharge. For the sake of simplicity, in the embodiment of Figure 12, it is assumed that for charging and discharging are enabled. For all sensors, the charge/discharge control signal 360 and the cycle of the accumulation cycle are the same.

Timing diagram 1202 shows the charge and discharge control signal 360 as a function of the time included in a cumulative cycle (where the period of the accumulation cycle is equal to T_ac). Timing diagram 1208 shows the execution (activation) and stop (deactivation) of the counter 430 associated with the X sensor that is enabled for charging and discharging. Timing diagram 1210 shows the execution (activation) and stop (deactivation) of the counter 430 associated with the Y sensor that is enabled for charging and discharging. In an embodiment, the X sensor and the Y sensor that are enabled for charging and discharging, although not necessarily synchronized, have been charged in parallel (when the charge/discharge control signal 360 is high) and discharged (when the charge/discharge control signal is 360 is low). However, in this embodiment, the counter associated with the X sensor operates when the sensor is charged and the voltage fluctuates between a low voltage level and a high voltage level, which cumulatively measures X-sensing via enabled charging and discharging. The time interval of the device (for example, as in Figure 6). In this embodiment, the counter associated with the Y sensor operates when the sensor discharges and the voltage fluctuates between a low voltage level and a high voltage level, which cumulatively measures the Y sensor that is enabled for charging and discharging. Time interval (eg, as in Figure 7). In another embodiment, the X sensor and the Y sensor that are enabled for charging and discharging, although not necessarily synchronized, have been charged in parallel (when the charge/discharge control signal 360 is low) and discharged (when charging/discharging control) When signal 360 is high). However, in this embodiment, the counter associated with the X sensor operates during discharge (when the voltage fluctuates between a low voltage level and a high voltage level), which cumulatively measures X-sensing via enabled charging and discharging. Time of the device The counter associated with the Y sensor operates during charging (when the voltage varies between the low voltage level and the high voltage level), which cumulatively measures the time interval of the Y sensor that is enabled for charging and discharging. In another embodiment, when the charge/discharge control 360 is high and the voltage varies between the low voltage level and the high voltage level, the X sensor that is enabled to charge and discharge is charged and the counter is running, which cumulatively measures Time interval (eg, as in Figure 6). In this embodiment, when the charge/discharge control 360 is low and the voltage varies between the low voltage level and the high voltage level, the Y sensor that is enabled for charging and discharging is charged and the counter is running, which cumulatively measures the time. interval. In another embodiment, when the charge/discharge control 360 is high and the voltage varies between the low voltage level and the high voltage level, the X sensor that is enabled for charging and discharging has been discharged and the counter is running, which cumulatively measures time interval. In this embodiment, when the charge/discharge control 360 is low and the voltage varies between the low voltage level and the high voltage level, the Y sensor that has been charged and discharged has been discharged and the counter is running, which cumulatively measures the time. Interval (for example, as in Figure 7).

Depending on the embodiment, an earlier cumulative cycle or a later cumulative cycle may or may not be similar to the accumulation cycle illustrated in FIG. For example, in some cases, there may be any change in operational parameters between accumulation cycles.

In FIG. 13 is a timing diagram associated with a counter 430 corresponding to an X sensor and a Y sensor in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 13, charging and discharging of at least one X sensor is enabled, and charging and discharging of all Y sensors are disabled. For the sake of simplicity, in the embodiment of Figure 13, it is assumed that for charging and discharging are enabled For all sensors, the charge/discharge control signal 360 and the cycle of the accumulation cycle are the same.

Timing diagram 1302 illustrates charge discharge control signal 360 as a function of time included in a cumulative cycle (where the period of the accumulation cycle is equal to T_ac). Timing diagram 1308 illustrates the running (enabled) and stopped (deactivated) of counter 430 associated with the X sensor over time. In one embodiment, when the charge/discharge control 360 is high and the voltage on the sensor varies between a certain low voltage and a certain high voltage level, the operation of the counter for the X sensor is in the sense Occurs during charging of the detector (see, for example, Figure 6). However, in another embodiment, when the charge/discharge control 360 is high and the voltage on the sensor varies between a certain low voltage and a certain high voltage level, the execution of the counter for the X sensor is This occurs during the discharge of the sensor. Timing diagram 1310 illustrates the cessation (deactivation) of the counter 430 associated with the Y sensor due to deactivation of charging and discharging over time. In another embodiment, charging and discharging of the Y sensor can be enabled and charging and discharging of the X sensor can be disabled.

Depending on the embodiment, an earlier cumulative cycle or a later cumulative cycle may or may not be similar to the accumulation cycle illustrated in FIG. For example, in some cases, there may be any change in operational parameters between accumulation cycles. Continuing with the example, depending on the embodiment, charging and discharging of the X sensor may or may not be enabled in an earlier cumulative cycle or a later accumulation cycle, and Y sensing may or may not be disabled. Charge and discharge. For example, in an embodiment, charging and discharging of all X sensors may be disabled and at least one Y sensing may be enabled during the next accumulation cycle Charging and discharging, enabling charging and discharging of at least one X sensor and deactivating charging and discharging of all Y sensors, enabling charging of at least one X sensor and at least one Y sensor, and Discharge, etc.

Referring again to Figure 1, controller 145 and controller interface 155 will now be discussed in greater detail.

The capacitance measurement module 105 provides measurement data to the controller module 145 via the controller interface 155, which allows the controller module 145 to detect the presence and/or location of fingers or other objects. The assay data can be, for example, a measured time interval 337 as discussed above, or can be, for example, other than a function of capacitance of one or more capacitive sensors in the capacitive sensing region 115. data. For example, the measurement data may be voltage, current, other time measurement results, etc., which is a function of capacitance, and thus may be used by controller module 145 to detect the presence and/or location of fingers or other objects. .

Depending on the embodiment, the assay data can be pushed or pulled to the controller module 145. For the sake of brevity, the following description relates to controller 145 "reading" the assay data, or the assay data is "received", "entered" or "provided", and it should be understood that such terms include facilitating the implementation of the assay data. Examples and examples of pulling the assay data. Depending on the embodiment, the controller module 145 can determine when the measurement data should be input to the controller module 145. The capacitance measurement module 105 can determine when the measurement data should be input to the controller module 145, or can be controlled by the controller. Either or both of the module and the capacitance measurement module determine the timing.

Depending on the embodiment, controller 145 may receive assay data associated with all of the n sensors in capacitive sensing region 115 in parallel (although not necessarily synchronized), or may receive (without necessarily synchronizing) reception with less than all n in parallel. Sensor-related measurement data for each sensor.

In some embodiments, for example, controller 145 receives in parallel measurement data associated with all of the sensors (even sensors that disable charging and discharging, if present). For example, referring to FIG. 13, in one of these embodiments, the controller 145 receives assay data associated with the X sensor and the Y sensor (even if charging and discharging are disabled for the Y sensor) . In some of these embodiments, the measured data of the sensor that is deactivated for charging and discharging has a negligible effect on the processing performed by controller 145. For example, in one of these embodiments, the value of the assay data associated with the sensor that deactivates the charge and discharge causes the value to have a negligible effect on the presence and/or location detection. . As another example, in one of these embodiments, the controller 145 knows which sensors are deactivated to charge and discharge, and thus the associated assay data can be ignored.

In some embodiments, for example, controller 145 may only receive assay data for sensors that are enabled for charging and discharging in parallel. For example, referring again to FIG. 13, in one of these embodiments, controller 145 can only receive assay data associated with the X sensor. Referring to FIG. 11 or 12, in some embodiments, for example, the controller 145 can receive the measurement data associated with the X sensor and the Y sensor that are enabled for charging and discharging in parallel (without the counter enable mode of the sensor) ). In some embodiments, for example, the controller 145 can receive all of the sensors that are processed together in the above-described assay data in parallel. The measurement data may, in some cases, be separated from the measurement data associated with the sensor that is separately processed together with the measurement data. Continuing with the example, in one of the embodiments, and assuming that the measurement data associated with the Y sensor and the measurement data related to the X sensor are separately processed, the measurement data related to the X sensor can be received in parallel. And the measurement data related to the Y sensor may be received in parallel, wherein the X measurement data and the Y measurement data may be received in parallel or may not be received in parallel. Continuing with the example, in one of these embodiments, the controller 145 can receive assay data associated with the X sensor enabled for charging and discharging in parallel, or can be received in parallel with all X sensors. Measurement data (regardless of whether charging and discharging are enabled or disabled).

In some embodiments, for example, controller 145 can receive assay data for all of the sensors belonging to a subset, such as one of the examples given below, in parallel. For example, if the subset includes all of the sensors that measure the time interval in parallel, referring to FIG. 11, in one of these embodiments, the X sensor and the Y sensor can be received in parallel. The assay data, while referring to FIG. 12, in the other of these embodiments, the assay data associated with the X sensor and the Y sensor can be received separately.

For ease of description, the sensors that measure data received in parallel by controller 145 are referred to as "groups" even though the sensors in the group may not necessarily be similar. The group of sensors can include any number of sensors ranging from one to n (where n is the number of sensors in the capacitive sensing region 115).

In embodiments having more than one group of sensors in the capacitive sensing region 115, in some cases, different groups are received at the split time The assay data can be advantageous (e.g., if there is a limit to the throughput of interface 155).

In some embodiments, the controller 145 calculates or is configured to know (eg, based on a predetermined time interval between receipts of the assay data) when the assay data associated with the group of sensors is ready, and then read The measurement data (if needed). For example, in some of these embodiments, the predetermined time interval may be configurable, configurable (eg, hard coded/hardwired), and/or visible other configurable and / or depending on the operating parameters that are not configurable. In some embodiments, the "new setup ready" indication in the settings/status register 454 can be set by the assay module 105, for example, when the assay data for the group is ready. In one of these embodiments, the "new setup ready" indication can be cleared by controller 145, for example, after controller 145 reads the assay data. In the other of these embodiments, the "new setup ready" indication can be cleared by the assay module 105, for example, after a predetermined number of counter clock cycles. In one of these embodiments, the controller 145 checks the status of the new setup preparation indication (polling), and if the "new setup preparation" indication is set, the controller 145 reads the measurement data (if needed). . In one of these embodiments, when the measurement data for the group is ready, the controller 145 receives the interrupt generated by the new setup preparation indication and, if necessary, reads the measurement data. In embodiments where there is more than one group of sensors that receive assay data received by controller 145, each group may be associated with a different "new setup ready" indication. In an embodiment, the controller 145 may choose not to read the assay data when the assay data is ready.

In some embodiments, the timing of the beginning of each accumulation cycle is controlled by controller 145, which is hereinafter referred to as "manual mode." In some embodiments, the timing of the beginning of each accumulation cycle is determined by assay module 105, which is hereinafter referred to herein as "automatic mode." In some embodiments, the mode (automatic or manual) can be configured, for example, via mode register 448. In some of these embodiments, the modes (automatic or manual) may be configured independently for each sensor, may be configured for each subset of the sensors, or may be for all senses The detectors are configured together. Examples of possible subsets are given below. In another embodiment, the mode (automatic or manual) is not configurable, for example, constructed in an automatic or manual mode, and/or based on configurable and/or non-configurable operational parameters.

In some embodiments, operation during the automatic mode may be stopped by controller 145. In one of these embodiments, a stop status indication can be configured, for example, via mode register 448. In the other of these embodiments, additionally or additionally, operation may be stopped, for example, via state setting register 454 by deactivating charging and discharging of the sensor. In the other of these embodiments, in addition or in addition, the operation can be stopped by deactivating the input clock 375 of the assay module 105. In some embodiments, the operation during the manual mode can also be stopped, for example, by the assay module 105. In one of these embodiments, the measurement module 105 can disable charging and discharging of the sensor by, for example, via the state setting register 454, for example, via the mode register 448. To set a stop indication, and/or to stop the operation by deactivating the input clock 375.

In some embodiments, when the operation is stopped, no charge/discharge control signal 360 is generated and/or the counter clock 442 is not supplied to the counter 430. In some embodiments, the stop state indication can be cleared and/or the charging of the sensor is enabled when the stop operation is no longer needed.

In some embodiments, a cumulative cycle can be initiated by the controller 145 in manual mode. In an embodiment, a start loop indication can be set, for example, via mode register 448. In another embodiment, additionally or additionally, a cumulative cycle can be initiated, for example, via state setting register 454 by enabling charging and discharging of the sensor.

In some embodiments, controller 145 can configure operational parameters of system 100, such as any of the operational parameters in clock module 340. As discussed above, in some embodiments, each specific operational parameter is configurable (eg, in any of the following: jitter enable/disable, jitter value, clock divider value) , high voltage level, low voltage level, counter clock period (frequency), charge/discharge cycle (frequency), counter enable mode, number of charge/discharge cycles in the accumulation cycle, charge and discharge enable/disable, automatic / Manual mode, new setup preparation, stop state, predetermined time interval between reads, and/or start cycle) can be independently for each sensor, collectively for each subset of sensors, or collectively for all sensing To configure. Examples of subsets include, in particular, all X sensors, all Y sensors, all even X sensors, all even Y sensors, all odd X sensors, all odd Y sensors, all X and Y-even sensor, all X and Y odd sensors, even X and odd Y sensors, even Y and odd X sensors, layout in capacitive sensing module 115 Sensors in a specific area, X sensors in specific areas of the layout, Y sensors in specific areas of the layout, all sensors that charge or discharge in parallel, all sensors with the same counter enable mode All sensors in parallel measurement time interval, all enabled sensors, all enabled X sensors, all enabled Y sensors, all the senses provided to the controller 145 in parallel The detector, the measurement data are all sensors that are processed together by the controller 145, any combination of the above, and the like. These examples of subsets should not be construed as limiting. It should be understood that the subset of terms does not necessarily imply that the sensors in the subset are similar. In some embodiments, one or more of the operational parameters may not be configurable, for example, the operational parameters may be constructed or may depend on other configurable and/or non-configurable operational parameters.

To aid the reader's understanding, reference is now made to FIG. 2A and examples of "even" and "odd" sensors are presented using top-down and left-to-right conventions. In an embodiment, the sensor 232 can be considered to be one of the "odd" Y sensors because the sensor 232 is the first sensor in the last row; the sensor 234 can be considered to be "even" One of the Y sensors, because the sensor 234 is the second sensor in the last row; as the first sensor in the last column, the sensor 236 can be considered an "odd" X-sensing One of the devices; and as the second sensor in the last column, the sensor 238 can be considered to be one of the "even" X sensors.

In one embodiment, in addition to the controller 145, the assay module 105 can also configure at least one of the operational parameters in the registers 448, 450, 452, and/or 454.

As mentioned above, the operational parameters discussed herein should not be construed as being binding. In some embodiments, there may be more, less, and/or different configurable and/or non-configurable operational parameters than those discussed herein that affect the assay module 105 and/or controller 145 operating.

14 is a flow diagram of a manual mode method 1400 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In other embodiments, the stages illustrated in method 1400 may be performed in an order different than that shown in FIG. 14, and/or more than one stage may be performed simultaneously.

In stage 1402 of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 14, there is power up of the capacitance detection system 100. In stage 1404, there is initialization. Initialization may include any action suitable for the embodiments. For example, in some embodiments, the initialization includes configuration of operational parameters in the clock module 340. Continuing with the example, in one embodiment, any of the following may be configured: jitter enable/disable, jitter value, clock divider value, high voltage level, low voltage level, counter Clock cycle (frequency), charge/discharge cycle (frequency), counter enable mode, number of charge/discharge cycles in the accumulation cycle, charge and discharge enable/disable, automatic/manual mode, new set preparation, stop state, The predetermined time interval between reads, and/or the start of the loop. As discussed above, the operational parameters can be configured independently for each sensor, collectively for each subset of the sensors, or collectively for all of the sensors. Assume that the mode is manual mode. For example, in various embodiments, the manual mode can be the only mode supported, can be a preset mode, or can be a mode configured in stage 1404. In stage 1406, controller 145 determines if a cumulative cycle should begin. If no (for the stage Negative 1406), method 1400 waits until a cumulative cycle should begin. If a cumulative cycle should be initiated (affirmation of 1406), controller 145 causes the accumulation cycle to begin. For example, in some embodiments, controller 145 can set a start cycle indication and/or enable charging and discharging of the sensor(s). Continuing with the example, in one of these embodiments, the start of the loop indication and/or the activation of the sensor also causes the associated counter 430 to be reset or otherwise ready for a new count. Continuing with the example, in one of the embodiments, after determining that the start loop indication has been set, the assay module 105 clears the start loop indication.

In some embodiments, during the accumulation period, the measurement module 105 charges and discharges the sensor one or more times (equal to the number of charge/discharge cycles of each accumulation cycle), and cumulatively generates the above-described measurement data. . For example, in some of these embodiments, each charge/discharge cycle can be associated with a timing diagram as discussed above with reference to Figures 6 and/or 7, and/or operational parameters can affect The operations discussed above. When the accumulation cycle is complete, the assay module 105 can (eg, in one embodiment) suspend charging and discharging by suspending the generation of the charge/discharge control signal 360 and/or the counter clock 442. Continuing with the example, in one embodiment, the assay module 105 can cease operation by deactivating charging and discharging and/or by setting a stop indication as discussed above.

As discussed above, depending on the embodiment, controller 145 can know that the assay data is ready, for example, based on a predetermined time interval between reads, or that assay module 105 can be read at the assay data. Take a time to set a "new setup ready" indication. Assume that there is a "new setting preparation finger In the embodiment shown, the "new setup ready" indication can be used to generate an interrupt to the controller 145, or the controller 145 can poll and be aware that the "new setup preparation indication" is set (affirmation of stage 1408). And when (if and when) the controller 145 requires, the controller 145 can read the assay data for the group of sensors associated with setting the "new setup ready" indication in stage 1410. For example, Assume that, as in the embodiment of Figure 4, the controller 145 can read any of the counters 430 corresponding to the group of sensors associated with setting the "new settings ready" indication. Continue the example, in the group In an embodiment where the group includes all of the n sensors in the capacitive sensing region 115, the controller 145 reads all of the counters 430 in the counter module 330. The example continues, including enabling charging and discharging in the group. In all of the sensor embodiments, the controller 145 reads the counter 430 associated with the charging and discharging enabled sensors. In stage 1412, the controller 145 processes the read assay data. In stage 1414 , assuming the use of "new In preparation, the controller 145 clears the "new setup preparation indication." In an embodiment, clearing the "new setup preparation indication" causes the counter 430 associated with the group to be reset or otherwise prepared for the new count. In an embodiment without a "new setup ready" indication, stage 1414 can be skipped. In various embodiments, stage 1414 can occur before stage 14, after stage 1412, or concurrent with stage 1412. Method 1400 then returns to stage 1406, wherein controller 145 determines when to trigger the next accumulation cycle.

In an embodiment of method 1400, controller 145 and/or assay module 105 can configure or reconfigure any of the operational parameters of clock module 340 during any suitable phase of method 1400.

15 is a flow diagram of an automatic mode method 1500 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. With the exception of stage 1506, Figures 15 and 14 are substantially identical, so only stage 1506 is illustrated.

In stage 1506, controller 145 determines whether to stop charging and discharging. If controller 145 decides to stop charging and discharging (affirmation of stage 1506), controller 145 causes charging and discharging to cease, for example, by deactivating charging and discharging and/or by setting a stop indication as discussed above. . If it is determined that charging is not to be stopped (negative to stage 1506), the controller 145 does not stop charging and discharging. If it is determined to stop the "charge and discharge" stop (negative to stage 1506), controller 145, for example, suspends by stopping the stop indication and/or by enabling charging and discharging as discussed above. Charging and discharging." As long as the operation is not stopped by the controller 145, in some embodiments, the measurement module 105 charges and discharges the sensor one or more times during each accumulation cycle (equal to the charge/discharge cycle of each accumulation cycle) The number) and cumulatively produced the assay data. For example, in some of these embodiments, each charge/discharge cycle can be associated with a timing diagram as discussed above with reference to Figures 6 and/or 7, and/or various operational parameters can affect The operations as discussed above.

As discussed above, depending on the embodiment, controller 145 can know that the assay data is ready, for example, based on a predetermined time interval between reads, or that assay module 105 can be read at the assay data. To set the "New setting preparation" instruction. Assume that there is a "new setting preparation instruction" Alternatively, an interrupt to controller 145 may be generated by a "new setup ready" indication, or controller 145 may poll and be aware that a "new setup preparation indication" is set (affirmation of stage 1508). If and when the controller 145 requires it, the controller 145 can read the assay data for the group of sensors associated with setting the "new setup preparation indication" in the stage 1510 of the illustrated embodiment. For example, assuming that the embodiment of FIG. 4, the controller 145 can read the assay data generated by the counter 430. Continuing with the example, in embodiments where the group includes all of the n sensors in the capacitive sensing region 115, the controller 145 can read the assay data generated by all of the counters 430 in the counter module 330. Continuing with the example, in embodiments where the group includes all of the sensors that enable charging and discharging, the controller 145 can read the counters 430 generated by the sensors associated with charging and discharging the enabled sensors. Measurement data. In stage 1512, controller 145 processes the measured assay data. In some embodiments, the assay module 105 does not wait for the controller 145 to read and process the assay data before resetting the counter 430 (or otherwise preparing the counter 430 for a new count) and before starting a new accumulation cycle. In some of these embodiments in which there is a new setup preparation indication, the assay module 105 clears, for example, a new setup preparation indication after a number of counter clock cycles. In some of these embodiments in which there is a new setup preparation indication, the controller 145 may clear the new setup preparation indication after reading the data (if not cleared). In some of these embodiments, there may be memory (eg, counters and/or other types of memory) for storing abutting when performing the current accumulation cycle and generating new assay data. Previous cumulative cycle Measurement data in the middle. For example, in some of the embodiments having memory, the controller 145 always reads the assay data from the memory, or if a new accumulation cycle has begun since the assay data is ready, then The measurement data is read from the memory. For example, in some of the embodiments with memory and counter 430, when counter 430 generates assay data in a new accumulation cycle, it may be generated by counter 430 in a previous accumulation cycle. The measurement data is left in the memory.

In one embodiment of method 1500, controller module 145 or assay module 105 can configure or reconfigure one or more operational parameters of clock module 340 at any suitable stage of method 1500.

In some embodiments, the controller module 145 can switch between manual and automatic modes by reconfiguring the mode register 448. For example, in one of these embodiments, if the mode is reconfigured to an automatic mode prior to performing stage 1406 in the iteration of method 1400, stage 1506 and subsequent stages of method 1500 can be substituted. The ground is proceeding. As another example, in one of these embodiments, if the mode is reconfigured to the manual mode after execution of stage 1506, stage 1406 and subsequent stages of method 1400 can proceed.

In an embodiment, stages 1402 and 1404 or stages 1502 and 1504 are executed in parallel with stages 902 and 908 discussed above with reference to FIG.

Referring again to Figure 1, the controller 145 (e.g., in stage 1412 or 1512) performs the process of detecting the presence and/or location of the object and the interdependence between the reading of the measured data and the processing of the measured data (if presence) It is not limited by the invention. However, for further explanation to the reader, some examples are now provided. In one embodiment, for example, all of the read assay data is processed. In other embodiments, for example, only some of the measured data of the read assay data is processed. Continuing with the example, in one of these other embodiments, including the data relating to the sensor that is deactivated to charge and discharge, the reading of the assay data is ignored, and the deactivated charging and discharging are ignored. Sensor related information. In one embodiment, for example, all assay data that is read in parallel and designated for processing is processed together. In other embodiments, for example, all assay data that is read in parallel and designated for processing is not necessarily processed together. Continuing with the example, in some of these other embodiments, assay data that is read in parallel but associated with a different subset may be processed separately in some cases. Some examples of subsets are given above. Continuing with the example, in one of these other embodiments, the measured data associated with the X sensor and the measured data associated with the Y sensor are processed separately. In various embodiments, the controller module 145 may or may not separately receive the measurement data to be processed separately (that is, the measurement data to be separately processed may be received in parallel in some cases). For example, if it is assumed that the measurement data corresponding to the X sensor and the measurement data corresponding to the Y sensor are separately processed, the controller module 145 may receive (one or more) before processing the X sensor measurement data. The measurement data of the X sensor, and the measurement data corresponding to the (one or more) Y sensors is received before the Y sensor measurement data is processed. Continuing with the example, in one embodiment, the controller module 145 can receive X sensor (or Y sensor) measurement data, process X sensor (or Y sensor) measurement data, and then process Y sensor (or The X sensor receives the Y sensor (or X sensor) measurement data before measuring the data, and then receives the (new) X sensor (or Y sensor) measurement data. In another embodiment, the controller module 145 can receive at least some of the separately processed assay data in parallel, and process the assay data in parallel or sequentially.

Referring again to FIG. 1, in some embodiments in which the controller module 145 detects the position of the object approaching the capacitive sensing region 115, the controller module 145 translates the detected position into an output coordinate after detecting the position. . In such embodiments, the coordinates may be output to any suitable module within and/or outside of the capacitance detection system 100, depending on the embodiment. For example, in some of these embodiments, the output can be to (at least to) a display to display a location (eg, the position of the cursor) on the display. In one of these embodiments, the coordinates may be output by the controller module 145 via a USB interface, a PS/2 interface, a parallel interface, a serial interface, or via any other suitable interface. In some embodiments, the coordinates output by controller module 145 can be converted to display by a host drive (eg, a host mouse drive, such as a Microsoft Windows® drive, a Linux® drive, or any other operating system host drive). coordinate.

In some embodiments in which the controller module 145 detects the presence of an object proximate to the capacitive sensing region 115, the controller module 145 (except or otherwise) outputs an indication of whether a presence has been detected. In such embodiments, the indication may be output to any suitable module within and/or outside of the capacitance detection system 100, depending on the embodiment. For example, in some of these embodiments, the output can be to a display or to an event logger. here In one of the embodiments, the controller module 145 can output the indication related to the detected presence via a USB interface, a PS/2 interface, a parallel interface, a serial interface, or any other suitable interface. In an embodiment, if the key on the keypad or the keyboard includes the capacitive sensing area module 115, if the presence is detected, the controller module 145 may output a code corresponding to the key.

In some embodiments, the location and/or presence of the detection by controller 145 may affect the operation of assay module 105 and/or controller 145.

16 is a block diagram of a controller module 145 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 16, controller module 145 receives the assay data from assay module 105 and controls the assay data, for example, by configuring operational parameters in assay module 105 as described above. The module 105 is measured. In the illustrated embodiment, the controller module 145 uses the received measurement data to detect, for example, the presence and/or location of an object proximate to the capacitive sensing module 115. In the illustrated embodiment, the controller module 145 outputs data, such as coordinates of the detected position of the object, and/or whether an indication of the presence of the object has been detected.

It should be noted that in some embodiments of the invention, the controller module 145 is configured to detect the presence and/or location of an object based on the received assay data, regardless of the functionality included in the assay module 105 and No form or content of the measurement data. In some of these embodiments, the controller module 145 can use the assay data to detect the presence and/or location of the sensor as long as the assay data is a monotonic function of the capacitance of the sensor.

For example, the measured data is a monotonic function of the capacitance in the following cases: x y, then f(x) f(y) (monotonically increasing - that is, determining the order of the data retention capacitance) or x < y, then f(x) f(y) (monotonically decreasing - that is, determining the order in which the data is reversed).

In other embodiments of these embodiments, the assay data can be a monotonic or non-monotonic function of the capacitance.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 16, the controller module 145 includes an interaction module 1602, a calibration module 1604, a presence detection module 1610, a position detection module 1620, an offset calculation module 1630, and a memory. 1640, and a transmission module 1650. In an embodiment, the interaction module 1602 is configured to interact with the assay module 105 via the interface 155, for example, configuring operational parameters as described herein, optionally starting and/or stopping charging and discharging, receiving the above Measurement data, etc. Each of the modules 1602, 1604, 1610, 1620, 1630, 1640, and 1650 can be comprised of any combination of software, hardware, and/or firmware capable of performing the functions as defined and illustrated herein. Modules 1602, 1604, 1610, 1620, 1630, 1640, and 1650 will be discussed in greater detail with reference to FIG. It should be recalled that, as mentioned above, the block diagram of FIG. 16 is merely an example and in some embodiments of the invention, controller 145 may include fewer, more, and/or different than the blocks illustrated in FIG. Block. For example, in one of these embodiments, the calibration module 1604 is omitted because the calibration values are not calculated (see stages 1702 and 1706 of Figure 17 below). As another example, in one of these embodiments, because filtering is not performed (see stage 1722 of Figure 17 below) and/or because position detection is not performed (see description of method 1700 below), Therefore, the offset calculation module 1630 is omitted. As another example, in one of these embodiments, the position detection module 1620 can be omitted because position detection is not performed (see description of method 1700 below). In some embodiments of the invention, the functionality of controller 145 may be partitioned differently into the blocks illustrated in FIG. In some embodiments of the invention, the functionality of controller 145 may be partitioned into fewer, more, and/or different blocks than those shown in FIG. In some embodiments of the invention, controller 145 may include additional functionality, less functionality than described herein, and/or functionality different therefrom. In some embodiments of the invention, one or more of the numbers 1602, 1604, 1610, 1620, 1630, 1640, and/or 1650 herein may have more, less, and/or different functionality than those described herein. Feature.

For ease of understanding by the reader, the (non-binding) convention of logical coordinates will now be described. The logical coordinate grid, in some embodiments, assists in performing calculations to detect position. Assuming that a plurality of capacitive sensors in the capacitive sensing module 115 are arranged as an X sensor and a Y sensor as described above with reference to FIG. 2, FIG. 18 illustrates a sense of application in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. The logical coordinate grid of the layout of the detector (or part of the logical coordinate grid applied to the portion of the layout). For example, in one embodiment, FIG. 18 may show a logical coordinate grid applied to the layout of sensors in the right upper hand corner of the touchpad to the right or any other grid location. As mentioned above, the present invention does not limit the number of sensors in the capacitive sensing area module 115, and thus the number of sensors shown in Figure 18 is only an example. As shown in Figure 18, the logical coordinate grid maps each sensor to a predetermined number of orders A bit, wherein the interval between each of the two sensors in each particular dimension (i.e., the interval between every two X sensors or the interval between every two Y sensors) is 100 units. In some embodiments, the interval can be divided into any number of units. In some embodiments, the logical coordinate grid can perform any suitable mapping.

It is assumed that there is an embodiment in the capacitive sensing area module 115 in which a capacitive sensor and/or controller 145 performs presence detection but does not perform position detection, in some embodiments of the embodiments, a logic grid Practice may not be necessary. In embodiments where only one array of sensors (ie, an array of X sensors or Y sensors) is present in the capacitive sensing region module 115, the logical coordinate grid can assume one in the array A separation of 100 or any other suitable number of units between each of the two sensors, and/or performing any suitable mapping.

The reader will understand that the logical coordinate grid is a convention developed in some embodiments to facilitate calculation of the position by the controller module 145, and thus, in some embodiments, the visual controller module 145 Whether and how it is configured to detect or omit the logical coordinate grid convention. For ease of understanding by the reader, the logical coordinate grid described above is assumed in the description of the embodiment of method 1700 (Fig. 17).

In some embodiments, memory 1640 stores one or more levels and/or values of derivable levels. In some embodiments, the levels are used by the controller module 145 to detect the presence of a finger or another object proximate the capacitive sensing area module 115 and/or to detect a finger or The location of the object. For example, in some of these embodiments, at the input device During the manufacturing process, one or more of these levels (and/or one or more of the values that can be derived) are determined and stored in memory 1640. Continuing with the example, additionally, in some of these embodiments, one or more of the levels (and/or one or more values may be derived) during the development process It is determined and stored in the memory. Continuing with the example, depending on the embodiment, each level may or may not change after the initial determination during the life of the input device.

In some embodiments, the one or more levels for presence detection and/or position detection include, in particular, any of the following: touch low level, touch high level, and noise tolerance ( Margin) level, and / or max_points level.

In some embodiments, the touch low level and the touch high level are set as a function of the surface descriptor. The surface descriptor is a value describing one or more characteristics of the overlay layer, the overlay layer covering at least the capacitive sensing area module 115 of the system 100 (eg, including at least the capacitive sensing area 115 such as a touchpad or a key Enter the overlay of the device). Examples of properties may include, inter alia, the thickness of the cover layer and/or the electrical properties of the cover layer. For example, a thin layer of good isolation material can be described by the low value of the surface descriptor, while a thick layer of any material or a thin layer of conductive material can be described by the high value of the surface descriptor, or vice versa.

For example, in one embodiment, the following equations can be used to calculate the touch low level and the touch high level:

TOUCH _ HIGH _ level = 2 × TOUCH _ LOW _ level

In this embodiment, there is no cover layer covering at least the capacitive sensing area module 115 of the system 100 when the fingers or other objects are in proximity (eg, no coverage on the input device such as a trackpad or key) Layer), assume 350 is the surface descriptor value. The equations of touch_low and touch_high levels given here are only an example, and therefore should not be construed as limiting.

In another embodiment, other equations can be used to calculate the touch_low and touch_high levels. In another embodiment, the touch_low and touch_high levels may be calculated using a look-up table in addition to or instead of the equation.

In an embodiment, as long as at least the cover layer of the capacitive sensing area module 115 of the overlay system 100 remains the same (eg, the same plastic or other material overlay for the touchpad or keys), the touch_low and touch_high levels are Keep the same.

In some embodiments, the specific configuration of the capacitive sensing area module 115 and/or the capacitance measuring module 125 in the noise tolerance quasi-view system 100 depends on the physical environment. In such embodiments, the noise tolerance level can be empirically determined for a particular construction and physical environment. For example, in an embodiment, when no object is close to the capacitive sensing region 115, the measurement data of each sensor can be read multiple times with a predetermined time period, and can be calculated for each sensor. Between the maximum and minimum readings difference. In this embodiment, the average of the differences calculated for all of the sensors in the capacitive sensing region 115 is the noise tolerance level. This method of describing the noise tolerance level should not be construed as limiting, and in other embodiments, other methods can be used to determine the noise tolerance level.

In some embodiments, the maximum point level is a function of the current touch low level value or noise tolerance. For example, in one embodiment, the maximum point level is given by the following algorithm: if (TOUCH_LOW level ^* 3/5) is greater than the NOISE_MARGIN level

Then MAX_POINTS level = TOUCH_LOW level ^* 3/5

Otherwise MAX_POINTS level = NOISE_MARGIN level

The algorithm for the maximum point level shown here is only an example and therefore should not be construed as limiting. In another embodiment, another algorithm can be used. In another embodiment, a lookup table may be used in addition to or in lieu of an algorithm to determine the maximum point level.

In some embodiments in which the controller module 145 is configured to detect presence but not detect position, the noise tolerance level and/or the maximum point level do not necessarily require a determination.

In an embodiment, touching the low level, the touch high level, and/or the max_points level to some or all of the surface_descriptor values may prove advantageous in some cases, allowing for relatively simple customization via providing surface_descriptor values. Hardware construction.

In one embodiment where there are two arrays of sensors (eg, X sensor and Y sensor), touch low level, touch high level, noise tolerance level, and/or max_points level It can be the same for both arrays.

17 is a flow diagram of a method 1700 of processing the assay data performed by controller 145, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Method 1700 can be used for presence detection and/or position detection depending on the embodiment. In other embodiments, the stages illustrated in method 1700 can be performed in an order different than that shown in FIG. 7, and/or more than one stage can be performed simultaneously.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 17, at stage 1701, there is power on of the capacitance detection system 100. In some embodiments, during power-on, stage 1702 is performed by controller 145 (eg, calibration module 1604) that determines a calibration value for the assay data associated with the sensor in capacitive sensing region 115. In these embodiments, the calibration value of the assay data is the value of the assay data when no fingers or other objects near the capacitive sensing region 115 are present. For example, in some of these embodiments, the calibration values are received by the interaction module 1602 and passed to the calibration module 1604. In one of these embodiments, the calibration module 1604 stores the calibration values in the memory 1640. In embodiments where calibration values are not used (see stage 1706 below), the determination of the calibration values may be omitted (i.e., stage 1702 may be omitted).

In an embodiment, during power up (stage 1701) and/or during any other suitable phase of method 1700, one or more of the following levels may be updated (eg, to account for changes in environmental conditions) Inside: touch Touch low level, touch high level, maximum point level and/or noise tolerance level. In another embodiment, the update during method 1700 can be omitted.

In some embodiments, stages 902 through 910, stages 1402 through 1404, and/or stages 1502 through 1504 are performed prior to stage 1704 (eg, in parallel with stages 1701 and 1702). For example, in an embodiment, prior to stage 1704, one or more operational parameters in the clock module 340 can be configured, such as, in particular, any of the following operational parameters discussed above: Jitter enable/disable, jitter value, clock divider value, high voltage level, low voltage level, counter clock period (frequency), charge/discharge cycle (frequency), counter enable mode, charge in cumulative cycle / The number of discharge cycles, charge and discharge enable/disable, automatic/manual mode, new setup preparation, predetermined time interval between reads, stop state, and/or start cycle. As discussed above, one operational parameter can be configured independently for each sensor, collectively for each subset of sensors, or collectively for all sensors.

In stage 1704, the assay data is provided to controller module 145, for example, to interaction module 1602. For example, various embodiments of charging and discharging, as well as providing assay data, can occur as described above, and can occur under manual_mode or auto_mode, depending on the embodiment. For example, in an embodiment, stage 1704 can correspond to stages 1406 through 1410 or to stages 1506 through 1510.

In an embodiment, stage 1512 or 1412 (processing of assay data) discussed above may include any of stages 1706 through 1724.

In order to simplify the description of the processing herein, in the described embodiments, it is assumed that the measurement data may be a monotonically increasing function or a single of the capacitance depending on the embodiment. Tune the function. Thus, the absolute value of the received assay data (or the absolute value of the received assay data minus the calibration value) is described as an embodiment used during processing to allow for a function that monotonically increases or decreases. However, it should be understood that obtaining absolute values may not be necessary depending on the embodiment, and/or in some embodiments, the assay data may not be a monotonic function of capacitance.

In some embodiments, in stage 1706, the received assay data (or the assay data used for location and/or presence detection) is each reduced by a corresponding sensor calibration value (eg, at stage 1702). The person judged in the), and obtain the absolute value of each difference (and / or can use the look-up table). The term "balanced assay data" is used herein to mean the absolute value of this difference, that is, ABS (received value - calibration value). For example, the calibration module 1604 can receive assay data from the interaction module 1602 and calibration values from the memory 1640 and perform the reduction function and absolute value calculations in stage 1705 to produce balanced assay data. In some embodiments, if the particular calibration value is higher than the received assay data corresponding to the same sensor, the controller 145 recalculates the corresponding calibration value or the calibration values for all of the sensors, the recalculation being (eg, ) by averaging the continuous readings corresponding to the sensor that is performing the recalculation. In an embodiment, stage 1706 is omitted and the absolute value of the received assay data is used for subsequent calculations. In order to include two embodiments with stage 1706 and without stage 1706, subsequent calculations of method 1700 will be described as applied to (balanced) assay data, where the brackets in this context indicate optional of stage 1706 (optional) )Nature.

In stage 1708, it is checked whether the (balanced) assay data has a predetermined relationship to one or more levels indicating that the presence has been detected (ie, the presence of a finger or other object has affected the capacitive sensing region The capacitance of one or more of the sensors in 115). For example, in one embodiment, stage 1708 is performed by presence detection module 1610. Depending on the embodiment, the presence or absence of the detection may be used for any purpose or for no purpose.

Referring to Figure 19, a diagram illustrating presence detection in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

19 shows, for example, because the sensors in the capacitive sensing region 115 are arranged in one dimension or because the (balanced) assay data 1906 corresponds to the X sensor and is plotted on the Z axis with respect to the X-axis logical coordinates. (balanced) assay data 1906. In the latter case, additionally, the (balanced) measurement data corresponding to the Y sensor can be plotted on the Z-axis with respect to the Y-axis logical coordinate.

Note that in the embodiment of Figure 19, the plotted (balanced) assay data 1906 is similar to the shape of a Gaussian distribution. In some embodiments, this shape can be produced when the finger or another object changes the capacitance of one or more capacitive sensors in the capacitive sensing area module 115 (but in different amounts). For example, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 19, the capacitive sensor corresponding to point 1908 has a much higher capacitance than the capacitive sensor corresponding to point 1910. The (balanced) assay data of the present invention is not constrained in shape by the Gaussian distribution or the amplitudes illustrated in any of the figures presented herein.

The touch sensor level 1902 and the touch low level 1904 of the X sensor (or one dimension) are also shown in the embodiment of FIG. In another embodiment, Additionally, the touch level of the Y sensor (or another dimension) and the touch level can be drawn.

In one embodiment, in stage 1708, presence detection module 1610 checks (balanced) assay data against, for example, the values of touch_low_level and touch_high_level stored in memory 1640. For example, referring to FIG. 19, it may be checked in stage 1708 whether the (balanced) assay data is present at least between touch low level 1904 and touch high level 1902. As shown in FIG. 19, points 1908 and 1910 are both between touch low level 1904 and touch high level 1902, and thus, presence is detected.

In another embodiment, it is possible to check (balanced) the assay data for at least one point above the touch low level 1904, and if so, detect the presence. However, in some cases, it may be preferable to have two levels 1902 and 1904 such that an outlier point above the touch high level 1902 will not affect the decision of the detection.

In some embodiments, for example, if only one sensor is present in the sensing region 115 or if only data from one sensor is processed separately, there may be only one point corresponding to the (balanced) measurement data. (ie, not the distribution of points). In such embodiments, a point is compared to one or more levels to determine if a presence is detected. For example, in one of the embodiments, if one point is between the touch low level and the touch high level, the presence is detected (ie, the presence of the finger or other object is detected to have affected one). The capacitance of the sensor).

It should also be noted that in some embodiments, stage 1708 may be performed even if the (balanced) assay data corresponding to one or more sensors does not accurately reflect the capacitance, for example, because (balanced) assay data includes and Disable sensor-related information for charging and discharging. These embodiments assume that "inaccurate" (balanced) assay data does not include the unique point that falls between the touch_low and touch_high levels, or that "inaccurate" is assumed when the check is only relative to the touch_low level. The (balanced) assay data does not include the unique point that falls above the touch_low level.

If there is (balanced) measurement data corresponding to the X sensor and the Y sensor, in one embodiment, the (balanced) measurement data corresponding to the X sensor and the corresponding Y sense may be respectively The (balanced) assay data of the detector is to perform stage 1708, and in another embodiment, for (balanced) assay data corresponding to the X sensor or (balanced) corresponding to the Y sensor The data is measured to perform stage 1708. For example, in some cases, it may be assumed that the processing corresponds to only (balanced) assay data of the X sensor or the Y sensor to be sufficiently sensitive to detect presence. In embodiments in which phase 1708 is performed more than once for (balanced) assay data (eg, for X sensors and Y sensor data, respectively), multiple stages 1708 may be performed sequentially or in parallel. In some embodiments, not all of the available (balanced) assay data in stage 1708 can be compared to a predetermined level to detect the presence, perhaps because it is believed that only a portion of the available data is sufficiently accurate. For example, in some of these embodiments, it is assumed that the X and Y sensors are in the capacitive sensing region module 115, In section 1708, the available (balanced) assay data corresponding to only some of the X sensors and/or some of the Y sensors is compared to the level.

Assuming no presence is detected in stage 1708 (negative to stage 1708), method 1700 repeats returning to stage 1702 or stage 1704, depending on the embodiment. In an embodiment, the recalibration of the calibration values (stage 1702) may be performed each time no presence is detected or occasionally when no presence is detected. In another embodiment, recalibration is not performed and method 1700 repeats directly to stage 1704. In some embodiments, if no presence is detected in stage 1708, transmission module 1650 can output an indication that there is no (ie, no detected presence).

Assuming that presence is detected in stage 1708, if location detection is also required, method 1700 continues with location detection starting at stage 1710, where location detection is performed, for example, by location detection module 1620. For example, in one embodiment, the (balanced) measurement data can be transmitted from the calibration module 1604 or the self-presence detection module 1610 to the position detection module 1620. If position detection is not required and only detection is required, in some embodiments, method 1700 jumps to stage 1724, which assumes that the indication of presence is output by transmission module 1650. For example, in some embodiments of the invention, the presence or absence of an indication of a finger or other item may be an only desired output. In one of the embodiments, each of the capacitive sensing regions 115 corresponds to a button, and the button needs to be detected to detect whether a finger or another object is detected. The presence.

In some embodiments, an indication of the presence and/or absence of presence detected by the presence detection module 1610 in stage 1708 can be provided to The interaction module 1602, for example, affects the operation of the assay module 105 and/or the controller module 145. The dashed arrow leading from the presence detection module 1610 to the interaction module 1602 represents an optional nature of the feedback to the interaction module 1602 in an embodiment of the invention.

Referring to Figure 20, a diagram illustrating a position detection algorithm in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Shown in Figure 20 is the X sensor (or one dimension) touch low level 2004, the touch high level 2002 (described above with reference to Figure 19), the noise tolerance level 2012, and the maximum point level 2014 . In another embodiment, additionally, the touch low level, the touch high level, the noise tolerance level, and the maximum point level of the Y sensor (or another dimension) may also be drawn.

In the embodiment of FIG. 20, the (balanced) measurement data 2006 is relatively relative, for example, because the sensors in the sensing region 115 are arranged in one dimension or because the (balanced) measurement data 2006 corresponds to the X sensor. The X-axis logical coordinates are plotted on the Z-axis. In the latter case, additionally, (balanced) assay data corresponding to the Y sensor can be plotted against the Y-axis logical coordinates.

Referring now to Figure 21, there is illustrated (balanced) assay data in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention in which a plurality of X sensors and Y sensors are present in capacitive sensing region 115. Figure 21 illustrates (balanced) assay data 2102 on the Z-axis corresponding to the X sensor (as plotted against the X-axis) and Z corresponding to the Y sensor (as plotted against the Y-axis) (Balanced) measurement data on the shaft 2104. Pairs of values (x, z) or (y, z) are hereinafter referred to as data points on each axis, respectively in curves 2102 or 2104 The calculated x or y value for each of the above points is a logical coordinate on the layout of the sensor in the capacitive sensing region 115 as described above with reference to FIG. Curve 2106 shows the intersection of (balanced) assay data 2102 with (balanced) assay data 2104.

The present invention is not limited by the diagrams illustrated in Figures 19, 20, and 21, and in other embodiments, the (balanced) assay data may not necessarily be similar to the graphs of Figures 19, 20, and 21 when plotted.

Note that position detection can be performed in some cases, even if the (balanced) measurement data corresponding to one or more sensors does not accurately reflect the capacitance, for example, because (balanced) measurement data includes and deactivated charging As well as the sensor related to the discharge, it is assumed that the "inaccurate" (balanced) measurement data does not affect the calculations discussed herein with respect to position detection.

In stage 1710, assuming that an X sensor and a Y sensor are present in the capacitive sensing area module 115, in some embodiments, the (balanced) measurement data corresponding to the Y sensor is processed and corresponding, respectively. The (balanced) measurement data of the X sensor is used to determine the X logical coordinates of the fingers or other objects and the Y logical coordinates, respectively. If there is a separate process, depending on the embodiment, the (balanced) measurement data corresponding to the X-axis and the (balanced) measurement data corresponding to the Y-axis can be processed in parallel or sequentially. If the position is only represented in one dimension (i.e., X or Y logical coordinates), in one embodiment, the sensor corresponding to one dimension (e.g., X sensor or Y) is processed in stage 1710. (balanced) measurement data of the sensor to detect the position.

For example, in one embodiment, the position detection module 1620 retrieves one or more levels from the memory 1640 for position detection.

Referring again to FIG. 20, in stage 1712, the maximum point of the (balanced) assay data for each dimension between the touch low level 2004 and the touch high level 2002 is determined. (To discuss stage 1712, it is assumed that any data points above the touch high level 2002 are outliers and are therefore ignored).

For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 20, the maximum point of the (balanced) assay data X of the X dimension is point 2008.

In stage 1716, it is determined how many and which points will be used to calculate the position of the object for each dimension. On the other hand, using fewer points may result in faster calculations in some situations, and/or may reduce power consumption in some cases. On the other hand, using more points can lead to more accurate calculations in some situations. Therefore, in stage 1716, the minimum number of points and which points are needed for an accurate calculation must be determined. In an embodiment with a display, the controller module 145 should determine the location with sufficient resolution so that if desired, the host driver (or any other module) can convert the determined location to have a suitable fit. The display coordinates of the resolution of the display (eg, by pixel).

The number of points in the (balanced) measurement data above the maximum point level in any direction away from the maximum point is counted. For example, suppose that one dimension is drawn horizontally (for example, the X-axis or the Y-axis), and the number of points to the right of the maximum point and the number of points to the left of the maximum point (which is above the maximum point level) are performed. count.

Referring again to Figure 20, points 2020 and 2022 to the right of the maximum point 2008 are above the maximum point level 2014 (i.e., two points are on the right), and points 2016 and 2018 to the left of the maximum point 2008 are at the maximum point. Above the standard 2014 (ie, two points on the left).

The number of points that will be used in the calculation in the illustrated embodiment is given by 2 x Max (left point, right point) +1. In other words, in the illustrated embodiment, the same number of points to the right and to the left of the maximum point are used in the calculation, wherein the number used depends on the higher number of points above the maximum point level on either side. Referring again to Figure 20, there are two points on the right and two points on the left. Using the above equation, (2 x Max(2,2)+1=2 x 2+1=5), and thus for the embodiment of Figure 20, five points are used to calculate the position in the X dimension, ie, The maximum point, the two highest points to the left of the maximum point, and the two points to the right of the maximum point (the highest point) are used in the calculation. Referring to Figure 20, a plurality of points 2008, 2016, 2018, 2020, and 2022 are used.

In another embodiment, there may be different equations for determining the number of points used in the calculation. In another embodiment, a predetermined number of points are used in the calculation.

In an embodiment, in stage 1718, a weighted average is used to calculate the position in each dimension (ie, unfiltered logical coordinates).

In the above weighted average equation, for each of the points (selected in stage 1716), the logic of the corresponding sensor is weighted (ie, multiplied) by the (balanced) measured data value of the point. coordinate.

If it is desired to calculate the position in more than one dimension (eg, the X and Y axes), in one embodiment, a weighted average calculation is performed for each axis separately (eg, two weighted averages are performed separately, one for the X sensor) Information, and one for the Y sensor data).

Assuming that two weighted average calculations are performed in stage 1718 (once for the X sensor data and once for the Y sensor data), in one embodiment, the (unfiltered) position of the fingers or other objects is The detection is at the (x, y) unfiltered coordinates determined by the two weighted average calculations. If there is only one dimension, in one embodiment, the (unfiltered) position of the finger or other object is detected as being at the unfiltered coordinates determined by a weighted average calculation.

The equations presented above for calculating unfiltered coordinates should not be construed as limiting. In another embodiment, unfiltered locations may be calculated differently, for example, using a Gaussian approximation.

In some embodiments, the unfiltered locations are provided by the detection module 1620 to the offset calculation module 1630 and/or stored in the memory 1640.

In some embodiments, a filter algorithm is used in stage 1722 to smooth (unfiltered) weighted logical coordinates in each dimension to minimize electrical noise and/or other The effect of obstacles. For example, in some of these embodiments, a weighted decay algorithm (ie, a weighted average) is used to calculate the filtered coordinates in each dimension. In such embodiments, to calculate the newly filtered coordinates, the average between the new unfiltered coordinates (determined in stage 1718) and the previously filtered coordinates (determined in the previous iteration of stage 1722) is calculated. In some of these embodiments, if the (U) mark (new) unfiltered coordinates (from 1718), the "X _prev " marks the previously filtered coordinates, and the "X _new " mark the newly filtered The coordinates, and (new) unfiltered and previously filtered coordinates are α and β , respectively, then we get: X _new = αU _new + βX _prev . In such embodiments, α and β are scalable and can be selected based on, for example, the construction in one of these embodiments to produce the smoothest movement of the cursor of the input device on the display. . For example, in one of these embodiments, alpha and beta may be customized for a surface overlay of an input device, such as a cover layer of a touchpad, and/or for generating dissimilarities The electrical components of the input device are customized.

If it is desired to calculate positions in more than one dimension (eg, X and Y axes), in one embodiment, filtering is performed separately for each axis (eg, two weighted attenuation algorithms are performed separately, one for X sensing) Information, and one for the Y sensor data).

Assuming that filtering is performed twice in stage 1722 (once for the X sensor data and once for the Y sensor data), in one embodiment, the filter position of the finger or other object is detected as being in two The (x, y) filtered coordinates determined by the weighted decay algorithm. If there is only one dimension, the filtered position of the finger or other object is detected as being at the filtered coordinates as determined by a weighted decay algorithm.

Stage 1722 may prove advantageous in some situations when smoothing any positional movement, however, in other embodiments, stage 1722 may be omitted. For example, in one embodiment, stage 1722 is omitted if a presence is detected in stage 1708 after no presence is detected in the previous iteration of stage 1708. In some cases, this embodiment thereby prevents smoothing of discontinuous positional movements.

Depending on the embodiment, the unfiltered and/or filtered locations determined in stage 1718/1722 may be used for any purpose or for no purpose. For example, in an embodiment, in stage 1724, unfiltered and/or filtered locations may be output to the host driver via transport module 1650, which will drive (filtered or unfiltered weighting logic) The coordinates are converted into display coordinates so that a position can be displayed on the screen. (As mentioned above, if no presence is detected in stage 1708 and no position detection is required, in some embodiments, method 1700 jumps from stage 1708 to stage 1724, and in stage 1724, the transmission mode can be Group 1650 outputs an indication of presence).

In some embodiments, the unfiltered and/or filtered locations determined in stages 1718/1722 or functions thereof may be provided to the interaction module 1602, for example, to affect the assay module 105 and/or the controller module. 145 operation. In some embodiments, if no location is detected, an indication of the failure of the detected location may be provided to the interaction module 1602. The dashed arrows directed from the offset calculation module 1630 to the interactive module 1602 represent an optional nature of feedback to the interactive module 1602 in an embodiment of the invention.

In some embodiments, if no location is detected, an indication of a failed location detection may be output by transmission module 1650 in stage 1724.

After stage 1724, method 1700 repeats returning to stage 1704.

Referring again to FIG. 1, in some embodiments, the presence of detection and/or position detection may affect charging and discharging (eg, feedback arrows via the self-presence detection module 1610 to the interactive module 1602, and/or Feedback arrow via the self-offset calculation module 1630 to the interaction module 1602). For example, in some of these embodiments, the configuration of the operational parameters may be affected by the results of presence detection and/or position detection. Continuing with the example, in one of the embodiments, there may be a default mode of operation before the initial presence of the detection and/or position detection result, and depending on the initial result, the operation may be Switch to or may not switch to a non-preset mode of operation. It is assumed that the operation is changed to a non-preset operation mode based on the initial result or the subsequent result, and the operation may be changed back to or may not be returned to a preset mode depending on the subsequent result.

In an embodiment, it is assumed that there may be one or more power saving (ie, power saving) modes and one or more normal (non-power saving) modes. Depending on the embodiment, the preset mode may be a power save mode or a normal mode. In one embodiment, the power save mode is configured to replace the normal mode to save power when there is a lower likelihood of a power save mode that adversely affects position detection and/or presence detection. In one embodiment, the normal mode is configured to replace the power save mode when there is a higher likelihood of a power save mode that adversely affects position detection and/or presence detection. In an embodiment, the power save mode may additionally reduce electromagnetic interference (EMI) from the assay module 105.

In an embodiment, in the normal mode or in the power saving mode Performing charging and discharging is configurable. For example, in an embodiment, the normal mode or power save mode can be configured, for example, by controller 145 via mode register 448 (see FIG. 4).

In some embodiments, the measured clock frequency (period) is higher (lower) in the normal mode than in the power saving mode. As mentioned above with reference to Figures 8 and 9, the measurement clock 846 may or may not include jitter, and therefore, the following discussion of the measurement clock in the normal and power saving modes should be considered to include appropriate and not An embodiment with jitter. For example, in some of these embodiments, for example, the clock divider value "Z" in the clock control register 450 (see FIG. 4 or 5) is available for configuration and input. The frequency of the pulse 375 is related to the frequency of the transform clock 849 (see FIG. 8) in the power saving mode (eg, the frequency of the transform clock 849 signal in the power save mode = the frequency of the input clock 375 signal / Z) . In embodiments having a configurable clock divider value, the clock divider value can be set independently for each sensor in the capacitive sensing region 115, or for a sense in the capacitive sensing region 115 Each subset of the detectors is set collectively, and in the other of these embodiments, the clock divider values can be collectively set for all of the sensors in the capacitive sensing region 115. An example of a subset is further given above.

In an embodiment, there may be different configurable clock divider values for normal and power saving modes (ie, Z for normal mode is smaller than Z for power saving mode), and In the other of these embodiments, there may be no configurable clock demultiplexer in the normal mode (i.e., transform clock 849 frequency = frequency of the input clock 375 signal).

As mentioned above, in some embodiments, the frequency of the counter clock 542 is equal to the frequency of the measured clock 846 or some other function of the frequency of the measured clock 846. In some embodiments, additionally or alternatively, the frequency of charge/discharge control 560 is equal to the frequency of the measured clock 846 or some other function of the frequency of the measured clock 846. For example, in some embodiments, the frequency of the counter clock 542 and/or the frequency of the charge and discharge control 560 may increase as the frequency of the measured clock 846 increases.

In one embodiment, the slowing down frequency of the counter clock 542 in the power save mode reduces the measured data amplitude. For example, in one embodiment, the slowing down frequency of the charge and discharge control 560 in the power save mode reduces the frequency of the capacitive and charged capacitive sensors in the capacitive sensing region 115, and thus reduces the measured data. The frequency of generation.

In other embodiments, there may be no slowing measurement clock 846 compared to the power save mode of the normal mode. In some of these embodiments, the same clock divider value may exist for both power save mode and normal mode, or there may be no clock saver for power save mode and normal mode Value. In such embodiments, power savings in the power save mode may result from other operational parameters, such as fewer enabled charge and discharge sensors in the power save mode than in the normal mode. Or reduced controller clock frequency (discussed below).

In some embodiments, in the power save mode, the clock for operation of the controller 145 may be slower than the normal mode, in addition to or in lieu of the slowed measurement clock 846. For example, in one of these embodiments, the slowed controller clock can reduce the measurement data The read rate (i.e., the predetermined time interval between readings of the assay data is increased). As another example, in one of these embodiments, additionally or in another manner, the slowed controller clock may reduce the rate at which the assay data is processed, which is caused by the transmission module 1650. The location and/or presence of less frequent transmissions. In other embodiments, the clock for operation of controller 145 may not slow down in power save mode compared to normal mode. In such other embodiments, the power savings in the power save mode may result from other operational parameters, such as fewer enabled charge and discharge sensors in the power save mode than in the normal mode. And/or there is a reduced measured clock frequency in the power save mode than in the normal mode.

In some embodiments, the charging of the sensor and the enabling or disabling of the discharge can be configured, for example, via the set/status register 454 for the power save mode. In some of these embodiments, for the power save mode, charging and discharging of each of the capacitive sensing regions 115 may be enabled or disabled independently, or capacitive sensing may be enabled or disabled in common. Charging and discharging of each subset of the sensors in region 115, while in the other of these embodiments, the charging of all of the sensors in capacitive sensing region 115 can be enabled or disabled together and Discharge. An example of a subset is given above. In other embodiments, the charging and discharging of the sensors of the power saving mode can be constructed (eg, hard coded/hardwired) enabled or disabled.

In some embodiments, the charging and discharging of the sensors in the normal mode can be configured, for example, via the set/status register 454. For example, in some of these embodiments, on The configuration may allow the normal mode as well as the power save mode to have the same number of enabled charging and discharging sensors, or less required charging and discharging during the power saving mode than during normal mode. . In some of these embodiments, the charging and discharging of each of the capacitive sensing regions 115 may be independently enabled or disabled for the normal mode, or the capacitive sensing regions may be enabled or disabled together. The charging and discharging of each subset of the sensors in 115, and in the other of these embodiments, the charging and discharging of all of the sensors in the capacitive sensing region 115 can be enabled or disabled in common . An example of a subset is given above. In other embodiments, the charging and discharging of the sensors in the normal mode can be constructed (eg, hard coded/hardwired). For example, in one of these other embodiments, all of the sensors can be enabled to charge and discharge in the normal mode.

In embodiments where there are the same number of sensors that enable charging and discharging in the normal mode and in the power saving mode, the power savings in the power saving mode may result from other operating parameters, for example, in power savings. There is a lower measured clock frequency and/or controller clock frequency in the mode than in the normal mode (as discussed above).

In an embodiment, in the normal mode, all of the sensors in the capacitive sensing region 115 (constructed or configured) are enabled to charge and discharge. In this embodiment, any of the following charging and discharging sets of sensors can be specifically constructed or configured to enable charging and discharging for the power saving mode: only all X sensors, only all sense of Y Detector, only even X sensor, only even Y sensor, only odd X sensor, only odd Number Y sensor, only all X and Y even sensors, only all X and Y odd sensors, only even X and odd Y sensors, only even Y and odd X sensors, capacitive sensing Interleaving of a sensor in a particular area of the layout in group 115, an X sensor in a particular area of the layout, a Y sensor in a particular area of the layout, or any of the above sensors (eg, The X sensor in a cumulative period and the Y sensor in the next accumulation period, and repeated), any combination of the above sensors, and the like. Examples of such collections should not be construed as limiting.

Referring again to Figures 11, 12 and 13 discussed above. In an embodiment, Figures 11 and 12 illustrate examples of normal modes of enabling charging and discharging for X and Y sensors, while Figure 13 illustrates having enabled for (at least one) X sensors and for Y sensors An example of a power saving mode that disables charging and discharging. The reader should be aware that Figures 11, 12, and 13 are merely examples of normal mode and power saving modes, and depending on the embodiment, the charging and discharging configurations may vary.

Referring now to Figure 22, a capacitance detection method 2200 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. In an embodiment, method 2200 can be performed by controller 145.

Stages 2201, 2202, and 2204 correspond to stages 1701, 1702, and 1704, respectively, so please refer to the discussion of FIG.

As mentioned above, one or more operational parameters in the clock module 340 can be configured prior to stage 1704 (corresponding to stage 2204). In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 22, at least a preset mode (depending on the embodiment, normal mode or power save mode) is configured in stage 2203. For example, In some embodiments, any of the following may be configured: a mode that can be configured to be a normal mode or a power save mode via the mode register 448, via the clock control register 450 The clock divider value of the default mode can be configured as the controller clock frequency of the preset mode, and the sensing in the preset mode can be enabled/disabled via the setting/status register 454. Charging and discharging, and/or configurable other operating parameters suitable for the preset mode. Continuing with the example, in some embodiments, one or more operational parameters associated with the preset mode may alternatively be constructed (eg, hard coded/hardwired) to be performed in the preset mode. In some embodiments, the configurable values of the operational parameters associated with the power save mode and/or the normal mode (whether or not the preset mode) may be configured in stage 2203, for example, in power save mode and/or Or configurable clock divider value (if present) in normal mode, configurable controller clock frequency, and/or configurable set of sensors with charging and discharging enabled. In some embodiments, one or more operational parameters associated with the power save mode and/or the normal mode may alternatively be constructed (eg, hard coded/hardwired) to be implemented in an associated mode. Continuing with the example, in some of these embodiments, any subsequent changes, such as via mode of mode buffer 448 (see stages 2214 and 2226), will cause operational parameter values associated with the current mode. (It was constructed or previously configured in stage 2203) was implemented. Stage 2203 can be performed, for example, by the interaction module 1602.

For the sake of example, assume that the preset mode is the normal mode. Further assuming that in contrast to the power save mode, in the normal mode, there is no clock divider value (i.e., transform clock 849 = input clock 375, see Figure 8), It is therefore not necessary to configure the clock register 450. It is also assumed that when the mode in mode register 448 is configured to "normal mode" in phase 2203, all of the capacitive sensing regions 115 are enabled due to the configured "normal mode" in mode register 448. The charging and discharging of the n sensors does not necessarily require the separate configuration of the set/status register 454 in stage 2203. This example should not be construed as limiting stage 2203.

In an embodiment, stage 1512 or 1412 (processing of assay data) discussed above may include any of stages 2208 through 2226.

In stage 2208, controller module 135 determines if the presence of a finger or other item is detected. In an embodiment, stage 2208 may correspond to stage 1708 described above.

If no presence is detected in stage 2208, then each of the calibration values may be recalibrated in stage 2209 as discussed above in relation to method 1700. In another embodiment, stage 2209 can be omitted. In stage 2210, a timer (eg, in the presence detection module 1610, see FIG. 16) is activated or allowed to continue to run to count the amount of time that no time is detected. In stage 2212, controller module 145 (eg, presence detection module 1610) determines if the time of absence is detected to be a longer time. For example, the timer can generate an interrupt or the timer can be polled. If the timer value is above a predetermined amount of time base in one embodiment (or in another embodiment, greater than or equal to a predetermined amount of time base), then it is considered to be a longer time. Depending on the embodiment, the predetermined amount of time base can vary, and thus the present invention does not limit the value of the time amount base. In an embodiment, the amount of time base is configurable and can therefore be adjusted for optimal performance.

If it is not a long time since no presence was detected, then method 2200 proceeds to stage 2226, which configures the normal mode (see stage 2226 described below) and then repeats back to stage 2204. If the normal mode has been configured (eg, as a preset mode), method 2200 can skip phase 2226 and repeat directly to stage 2204.

If it is a long time, in stage 2214, it is configured as a power saving mode if it has not been configured (for example, as a preset mode). For example, in an embodiment, a power save mode indication can be set in mode register 448. For example, in some embodiments, additionally or in another manner, the clock saver value of the power save mode can be configured or implemented such that the frequency of the clock 846 is measured (which affects, for example, the counter clock 542) The frequency and/or frequency of the charge/discharge control 560 is lower in the power save mode than in the normal mode. The value of the clock divider of the power save mode, if any, may vary depending on the embodiment and is not limited herein. For example, in some embodiments, additionally or in another manner, the controller clock frequency can be configured or implemented as compared to the reduced frequency of the normal mode. The frequency of the controller clock in the power saving mode may vary depending on the embodiment and is not limited herein. In some embodiments, additionally or alternatively, the selected sensor may be enabled/disabled for charging and discharging such that fewer sensors are charged and discharged in the power saving mode than in the normal mode. Continuing with the example, in one of these embodiments, in stage 2214, some of the sensors that may be enabled in the normal mode are deactivated for charging and discharging in the power saving mode. The difference in the number of sensors that charge and discharge in normal mode and power save mode, if any, and in power save mode The identity of the sensor for charging and discharging is not limited by the present invention. In one embodiment, the number of sensors that charge and discharge in the power save mode is determined based on a trade-off between the power savings and the accuracy of detecting the presence and/or position of the object proximate to the capacitive sensing region 115, Which sensors are charged and discharged during the power save mode, the clock divider value in the power save mode, and/or the controller clock frequency in the power save mode. Stage 2214 can be performed, for example, by interaction module 1602.

In an embodiment, the power save mode may include fewer enabled charging and discharging sensors than in the normal mode. In another embodiment, the power save mode may include a measured clock frequency that is lower than the measured clock frequency in the normal mode. In another embodiment, the power save mode may include a lower controller clock frequency. In another embodiment, the power save mode may include a lower (or the same) number of enabled charging and discharging sensors compared to the normal mode, a lower (or the same) determination as compared to the normal mode. Clock frequency, and / or lower (or the same) controller clock frequency compared to normal mode. In another embodiment, in addition to or instead of determining the clock frequency, the controller clock frequency, and/or the number of sensors that are enabled for charging and discharging, the clock frequency, the controller clock frequency, and/or Other operational parameters may differ between the power save mode and the normal mode, depending on the number of sensors that enable charging and discharging.

In some embodiments, the power save mode may be different for different implementations of stage 2214. For example, in some of these embodiments, there may be multiple suitable power modes in which different sets of charging and discharging of the sensors are enabled, wherein different controller clock frequencies are applied, and / Alternatively, different measured clock frequencies are applied, and thus each time phase 2214 is performed, the same power mode is not necessarily configured. Continuing with the example, in one of the embodiments, when the stage 2214 is first executed, only all of the X sensors (or less than all of the X sensors) are enabled for charging and discharging, but under At one stage 2214, only all of the Y sensors (or less than all of the Y sensors) are enabled to charge and discharge, and then the process is repeated.

Examples of sets of sensors that may enable charging and discharging in power saving mode in stage 2214 include, in particular, any of the following: only all X sensors, only all Y sensors, only even X Sensor, only even Y sensor, only odd X sensor, odd only Y sensor, only all X and Y even sensors, only all X and Y odd sensors, only even X and odd Interleaving of the Y sensor, only the even Y and the odd X sensor, any of the above sensors (eg, the X sensor in one accumulation period and the Y sensor in the next accumulation period) And repeat), any combination of the above sensors, and the like. Examples of such collections should not be construed as limiting.

Stage 2214 can be skipped if the mode has been configured for power save mode.

Method 2200 then repeats to stage 2204, which performs charging and discharging according to the power saving mode in this case. For example, in an embodiment, it is assumed that the power save mode includes only all X sensors (or less than all X sensors) or only all Y sensors (or less than all Y sensors). Continuing with the example, assume that only the X sensor (or only the Y sensor) is charged and discharged (and ignores the measured clock frequency and/or the controller clock frequency) Any change in rate), in some cases, may have a 50% reduction in power consumption compared to the mode in which all X and Y sensors are charged and discharged. As another example, assume that only a subset of the X sensors (or Y sensors) are charged and discharged, in some cases, may be greater than the modes of charging and discharging of all X and Y sensors. 50% reduction in power consumption. Continuing with the example, if only half of the X sensors (or Y sensors) are charged and discharged (and ignoring any changes in the measured clock frequency and/or controller clock frequency), in some cases, power Consumption can be reduced to 25% of the level at which all X and Y sensors are charged and discharged. These levels of power savings should not be construed as limiting.

Referring to Figure 23, a layout of a sensor in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. As shown in FIG. 23, there are six columns of six X sensors 2310 per column and seven rows of six Y sensors 2320 per row. Therefore, there are fewer X sensors than Y sensors. (In another embodiment, it can be assumed that Figure 23 shows only a small portion of the layout. In this embodiment, it is also assumed that the pattern will continue so that there will be fewer than the Y sensor in the overall layout. X sensor.)

In an embodiment, the axis having the least number of sensors (here the X axis) is selected, and the power saving mode is performed on the even (or odd) sensors on the axis (here the X axis) To charge and discharge. For the sake of example, in this embodiment, it is assumed that the charge and discharge even X sensors are charged in the power save mode, while the charging and discharging of the odd X sensors and all Y sensors 2320 are disabled. Therefore, referring to the sixth column of the X sensor in FIG. 23, in this embodiment, the charge and discharge even X sensors are used. 2330, while charging and discharging of the odd-numbered X sensor 2340 is disabled in the power saving mode.

After detecting any execution of stage 2208 of existence (i.e., affirmation of stage 2208), the timer used in the amount of time since the last detected presence was tracked in stage 2220 (if the timer was previously started) aborted. Next, in stage 2224, position detection is performed, for example, as described above in relation to any of stages 1710 through 1724. Additionally or alternatively, an indication of detection and/or absence may be output as described above.

The normal mode (which is assumed to have not been configured) is configured in phase 2226 if needed (eg, as a preset mode). In an embodiment, a normal mode indication can be set in mode register 448. For example, in some embodiments, additionally or in another manner, the clock mode divider value of the normal mode can be configured or implemented such that the frequency of the measured clock 846 is in the normal mode compared to the power save mode. Still high. In another embodiment, in the normal mode, the transformed clock frequency 849 is equal to the frequency of the input clock 375. The value of the clock mode divider of the normal mode, if any, may vary depending on the embodiment and is not limited herein. In some embodiments, the controller clock frequency of the normal mode may be configured or implemented additionally or in another manner. The frequency of the controller clock of the normal mode may vary depending on the limitation and is not limited herein. In some embodiments, charging or discharging may be enabled additionally or in another manner such that more sensors are charged and discharged in the normal mode than in the power saving mode. In one of these embodiments, all of the sensors are charged and discharged in the normal mode. In normal mode as well as power section The difference in the number of sensors for charging and discharging in the provincial mode (if present) and the identification of the sensor for charging and discharging in the normal mode are not limited herein. Stage 2226 can be performed, for example, by interaction module 1602. Stage 2226 can be omitted if it has been configured in normal mode.

Method 2200 then repeats back to stage 2204, where stage 2204 is performed in accordance with the normal mode.

It should be noted that in an embodiment, the results of stage 2212 and/or stage 2208 may be provided to interaction module 1602 by presence detection module 1610, for example, if a change between power save mode and normal mode is desired.

FIG. 24 illustrates a capacitance detection method 2400 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In other embodiments, the stages illustrated in method 2400 may be performed in an order different than that shown in FIG. 24, and/or more than one stage may be performed simultaneously. In an embodiment, method 2400 can be performed by controller 145.

Stages 2401, 2402, and 2404 correspond to stages 1701, 1702, and 1704, respectively, so please refer to the discussion of FIG.

As mentioned above, one or more operational parameters in the clock module 340 can be configured prior to stage 1704 (corresponding to stage 2404). In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 24, at least a preset mode (depending on the embodiment, normal mode or power saving mode) is configured in stage 2403. For example, in some embodiments, any of the following may be configured: a mode that can be configured to be in a normal mode or a power save mode via mode register 448, via a clock control The buffer 450 is configured as a preset mode clock divider value, which can be configured as a controller clock frequency, and can be temporarily stored via setting/status The 454 is enabled/disabled to charge and discharge the sensors in the preset mode, and/or can be configured to other operating parameters suitable for the preset mode. Continuing with the example, in some embodiments, one or more operational parameters associated with the preset mode may alternatively be constructed (eg, hard coded/hardwired) to be performed in the preset mode.

For the sake of example, assume that the preset mode is the normal mode. Further assuming that in contrast to the power save mode, in the normal mode, there is no clock divider value (i.e., transform clock 849 = input clock 375, see Figure 8), and thus there is no need to configure clock temporary storage. 450. It is also assumed that when the mode in mode register 448 is configured to "normal mode" in phase 2403, all of the capacitive sensing regions 115 are enabled due to the configured "normal mode" in mode register 448. The charging and discharging of the n sensors does not necessarily require the separate configuration of the set/status register 454 in stage 2403. This example should not be construed as limiting stage 2403.

In an embodiment, stage 1512 or 1412 (processing of assay data) discussed above may include any of stages 2408 through 2426.

In stage 2408, controller module 135 determines if the presence of a finger or other item is detected. For example, in an embodiment, stage 2408 can correspond to stage 1708 described above.

If no presence is detected, then each of the calibration values may be recalibrated in stage 2409 as discussed above in relation to method 1700. In another embodiment, stage 2409 can be omitted. Method 2400 then repeats back to stage 2404.

If presence is detected in stage 2408 (i.e., affirmation of 2408), then in stage 2420, for example, as described above in relation to stages 1710 through 1724 Position detection is performed as described in either of them. Additionally or alternatively, an indication of detection and/or absence may be output as described above.

In stage 2422, it is determined if the detected position is "close" to the previously detected position in the earlier iteration of stage 2422. For example, stage 2422 can be performed by position detection module 1620 or offset calibration module 1630. For example, the location of this repetition and previously repeated unfiltered and/or filtered can be compared to see if the location is close. Continuing with the example, the length vector between the previous (filtered or unfiltered) location and the current (filtered or unfiltered) location can be compared to a predetermined upper length limit. In this example, if the length of the vector is less than the upper limit of the length (or less than or equal to the upper limit of the length) in one embodiment, the detected position is close to the previously detected position. Depending on the embodiment, the predetermined upper limit of the length may vary, and thus the present invention does not limit the value of the upper limit of the length. In an embodiment, the upper length limit is configurable and can therefore be adjusted for optimal performance.

In another embodiment, in stage 2422, it is determined whether the detected finger or other item is moving "slowly". In this embodiment, a change in position after the time elapsed during the change of position may be determined, for example, a change from a previously repeated filtering and/or unfiltered position. Depending on the embodiment, the rate considered "slow" may vary, and thus the invention does not limit the definition of "slow".

If the detected position is close to the previously detected position (or the rate of movement is slow), then stage 2424 is performed. In stage 2424, the power save mode is configured (if not already configured) (eg, as a preset mode). For example, in an embodiment, a power save mode finger can be set in the mode register 448. Show. For example, in some embodiments, additionally or in another manner, the clock saver value of the power save mode can be configured or implemented such that the frequency of the clock 846 is measured (which affects, for example, the counter clock 542) The frequency and/or frequency of the charge/discharge control 560 is lower in the power save mode than in the normal mode. The value of the clock divider of the power save mode, if any, may vary depending on the embodiment and is not limited herein. For example, in some embodiments, additionally or in another manner, the controller clock frequency can be configured or implemented as compared to a frequency in which the frequency in the normal mode has decreased. The frequency of the controller clock may vary depending on the embodiment and is not limited herein. For example, in some embodiments, additionally or in another manner, the selected sensor may be enabled/disabled for charging and discharging such that less sensing is possible in the power saving mode than in the normal mode The device is charged and discharged. Continuing with the example, in one of these embodiments, in stage 2424, some of the sensors enabled in the normal mode disable charging and discharging in the power saving mode. Continuing with the example, in one of these embodiments, charging and discharging are only enabled around sensors in a particular region of the sensor, for example corresponding to the maximum point (see stage 1712 of Figure 17). The dimensions of the regions are not limited by the invention and may in some cases be configurable and therefore adjustable to achieve optimum performance. The difference in the number of sensors that charge and discharge in the normal mode as well as in the power save mode, if any, and the identification of the sensors that charge and discharge in the power save mode are also not limited by the present invention. In one embodiment, the number of sensors that charge and discharge in the power save mode is determined based on a trade-off between the power savings and the accuracy of detecting the presence and/or position of the object proximate to the capacitive sensing region 115. Which sensors are charged and discharged during the power save mode, the controller clock frequency in the power save mode, and/or the clock divider value in the power save mode. Stage 2424 can be performed, for example, by interaction module 1602.

In an embodiment, the power save mode may include fewer enabled charging and discharging sensors than in the normal mode. In another embodiment, the power save mode may include a measured clock frequency that is lower than the measured clock frequency in the normal mode. In another embodiment, the power save mode may include a lower controller clock frequency. In another embodiment, the power save mode may include a lower (or the same) number of enabled charging and discharging sensors compared to the normal mode, a lower (or the same) determination as compared to the normal mode. Clock, and/or lower (or the same) controller clock frequency compared to normal mode. In another embodiment, in addition to or instead of determining the clock frequency, the controller clock frequency, and/or the number of sensors that are enabled for charging and discharging, the clock frequency, the controller clock frequency, and/or Other operational parameters may differ between the power save mode and the normal mode, depending on the number of sensors that enable charging and discharging.

In some embodiments, the power save mode may be different for different implementations of stage 2424. For example, in some of these embodiments, there may be multiple suitable power modes in which different sets of charging and discharging of the various sensors are enabled, wherein different controller clock frequencies are applied, and / or where different measured clock frequencies are applied, and therefore each time during the execution of stage 2424, the same power mode is not necessarily configured.

Assume that the power save mode of stage 2424 includes a reduced measurement clock An example of frequency. In an embodiment, in stage 2424, the mode can be configured as a power save mode by setting a power save mode indication in mode register 448. For example, in one embodiment, during phase 2424, the clock pulse divider is configured, for example, by configuring a power save mode to configure the measurement clock by dividing the clock divider value by the input clock. Frequency (cycle). As another example, in an embodiment, the power save mode mode clock divider can be defined, for example, in stage 2403, and once the power save mode is configured in stage 2424, the power save mode is used. The clock divider divides the input clock by the clock divider value and possibly the sum of the jitter.

Stage 2424 can be omitted if the mode is already in power save mode.

Method 2400 then repeats to stage 2404, which in this case will perform charging and discharging corresponding to the power saving mode. For example, in one embodiment, it is assumed that the clock saver value of the power save mode is Z, and there is no clock pulse divider value for the normal mode (ie, transform clock 849 = input clock 375) . Ignoring any differences in the sensor that are enabled for charging and discharging in normal mode and that are not enabled for charging and discharging in power saving mode and/or any difference in controller clock frequency, in some cases, in power saving mode The power consumption can be equal to 1/Z of the power consumption in the normal mode. This level of power savings should not be construed as limiting.

If the detected position is not close, then in stage 2426, it is configured to the normal mode (if not already configured) (eg, as a preset mode). For example, in an embodiment, a normal mode indication can be set in mode register 448. For example, in some embodiments, additionally or in another manner, The clock divider value of the normal mode can be configured or implemented so that the frequency of the measured clock 846 is higher in the normal mode than in the power save mode (although the value of the clock mode divider in the normal mode is not limit). In another embodiment, in the normal mode, the transformed clock frequency 849 is equal to the frequency of the input clock 375. The value of the clock mode divider of the normal mode, if any, may vary depending on the embodiment and is not limited herein. For example, in some embodiments, additionally or in another manner, the controller clock frequency of the normal mode can be configured or implemented. The frequency of the controller clock of the normal mode may vary depending on the limitation and is not limited herein. For example, in some embodiments, charging or discharging may be enabled additionally or in another manner such that more sensors are charged and discharged in the normal mode than in the power saving mode. In one of these embodiments, all of the sensors are charged and discharged in the normal mode. The difference in the number of sensors that charge and discharge in the normal mode as well as in the power save mode, if any, and the identification of the sensors that charge and discharge in the normal mode are not limited herein. Stage 2426 can be performed, for example, by the interaction module 1602. Stage 2426 can be omitted if it has been configured in normal mode.

Method 2400 then repeats back to stage 2404, where stage 2404 is performed in accordance with the normal mode.

It should be noted that in an embodiment, the result of stage 2422 may be provided to interaction module 1602 by position detection module 1620 or offset calculation module 1630, for example, if a change between power save mode and normal mode is desired.

In some embodiments, there may be two types of power saving modes, one of which is not detected as in the embodiment of FIG. The trigger has been triggered for a long time, and one is triggered when the detected position in the embodiment of FIG. 24 is close to the previously detected position (or the moving rate is slow). Similarly, there may be two types of normal mode possibilities, one of which is triggered when the time when no presence is detected in the embodiment of FIG. 22 is not long, and one is in the embodiment of FIG. Triggered when the detected position is not close to the previously detected position (or the moving rate is not slow). For example, in one of these embodiments, referring to FIG. 22, method 2200 can be modified as follows to include a power save mode as described with reference to FIG. 22 and a power save mode as described with reference to FIG. In the modified 2200, after stage 2224, instead of continuing to stage 2226, stage 2422 can be performed. If the answer to stage 2422 is yes (i.e., the position is close to the previously detected position or the rate of movement is slow), then stage 2424 is performed (i.e., as described in the embodiment of Figure 24, the configuration is successful if desired Rate saving mode). If the answer to stage 2422 is no (ie, the location is not close to the previously detected location or the rate of movement is not slow), then stage 2426 is performed (ie, as described in the embodiment of FIG. 24, if needed Then configured as normal mode). The modified method 2200 continues to stage 2226 before repeating the return to stage 2204 (i.e., as described in the embodiment of Fig. 22, configured to the normal mode if desired).

For the sake of example, in an embodiment, the difference between the normal mode and the power saving mode is assumed (which is determined, for example, depending on whether the time of detection is present for a longer period of time in the embodiment of FIG. 22) Represented by the number of sensors that are enabled for charging and discharging (ie, the reduced number of sensors that are enabled for charging and discharging in the power saving mode). In this The difference between the normal mode and the power saving mode in this embodiment is further assumed in the example (which is determined depending on whether the detected position in the embodiment of FIG. 24 is close to the previously detected position or the moving rate is slow). This is expressed by the measured clock frequency and/or the controller clock frequency (i.e., the frequency that has been reduced in the power saving mode). Thus, in this embodiment, there may be, inter alia, a combination of the clock frequency (measuring the clock and/or the controller clock) and the value of the sensor that enables charging and discharging: reduced clock frequency / Reduced number of sensors that enable charging and discharging, reduced clock frequency / normal number of sensors that enable charging and discharging, normal clock frequency / reduced enabled charging and discharge sensors The number, as well as the number of normal clock frequencies/normal sensors that enable charging and discharging. In some cases, each of these combinations may be further subdivided based on the number/selection and/or clock frequency of the sensors that are enabled for charging and discharging (ie, there may be corresponding to different normals and/or Or multiple possible measured clock frequencies of the power save mode, controller clock frequency, and/or a set of sensors that enable charging and discharging.

It will also be appreciated that the system in accordance with the present invention can be a suitably programmed computer. Also, the present invention contemplates a computer program that can be read by a computer for performing the methods of the present invention. The present invention further encompasses machine readable memory that can implement a program of instructions executable by a machine for performing the methods of the present invention.

While the invention has been shown and described with respect to specific embodiments, it is not limited thereby. The reader now contemplates numerous modifications, changes, and improvements within the scope of the present invention.

100‧‧‧Capacitance Detection System

105‧‧‧Capacitance Measurement Module

115‧‧‧Capacitive Sensing Area Module

125‧‧‧Sensor Interface Module

135‧‧‧Logic Module

145‧‧‧Controller Module

155‧‧‧Controller interface

228‧‧‧Substrate

230‧‧‧ Conductive plate

232‧‧‧Sensor

234‧‧‧ sensor

236‧‧‧ sensor

238‧‧‧ sensor

310‧‧‧ Comparator Module

320‧‧‧Charging/discharging module

330‧‧‧Counter module

337‧‧ ‧ time interval

340‧‧‧clock module

360‧‧‧Charging/discharging control instructions

375‧‧‧ input clock

380‧‧‧Counter enable command

410‧‧‧ comparator

410N‧‧‧ comparator

420‧‧‧Charging/discharging circuit

420N‧‧‧Charging/discharging circuit

430‧‧‧ counter

430N‧‧‧ counter

442‧‧‧ Counter clock

444‧‧‧ clock generator

448‧‧‧ mode register

450‧‧‧Control register

452‧‧‧Jitter generator register

454‧‧‧Status setting register

470‧‧‧Counter enable configuration signal

502‧‧‧Capacitive sensor

511‧‧‧ output

512‧‧‧Enable Module

513‧‧‧ output

514‧‧‧First comparator

516‧‧‧Second comparator

517‧‧‧Low-pressure level

518‧‧‧Sensor voltage

519‧‧‧High pressure level

522‧‧‧Charging/discharging circuit

530‧‧‧ counter

537‧‧‧Time interval measurement results

542‧‧‧ Counter clock

560‧‧‧Charging/discharging control signal

570‧‧‧Counter enable configuration signal

580‧‧‧Counter enable signal

602‧‧‧ Timing diagram

604‧‧‧ Timing diagram

605‧‧‧ Timing diagram

606‧‧‧ Timing diagram

608‧‧‧ Timing diagram

610‧‧‧Timeline

612‧‧‧ Timing diagram

614‧‧ ‧ time point

616‧‧‧ time point

618‧‧‧ time point

620‧‧‧ time point

626‧‧‧ time point

704‧‧‧ Timing diagram

705‧‧‧ Timing diagram

722‧‧‧ time

724‧‧‧ time

841‧‧‧ Clock Transformer Module

843‧‧‧Mixer module

845‧‧‧Jitter Generator Module

846‧‧‧ Determination of the clock

847‧‧‧Jitter

849‧‧‧Change clock

900‧‧‧ method

902‧‧‧

Stage 904‧‧

906‧‧‧

908‧‧‧ stage

1028‧‧‧ Timing diagram

1032‧‧‧ time point

1034‧‧‧Time

1102‧‧‧ Timing diagram

1104‧‧‧ Timing diagram

1202‧‧‧ Timing diagram

1208‧‧‧ Timing diagram

1210‧‧‧ Timing diagram

1302‧‧‧ Timing diagram

1308‧‧‧ Timing diagram

1310‧‧‧ Timing diagram

1400‧‧‧Manual mode method

1402‧‧‧ stage

1404‧‧‧ stage

1406‧‧‧ stage

1408‧‧‧ stage

1410‧‧‧ stage

1412‧‧‧

1414‧‧‧ stage

1500‧‧‧Automatic mode method

1502‧‧‧ stage

1504‧‧‧ stage

1506‧‧‧ stage

Phase 1508‧‧

1510‧‧‧ stage

1512‧‧‧

1602‧‧‧Interactive Module

1604‧‧‧ Calibration Module

1610‧‧‧ presence detection module

1620‧‧‧ Position Detection Module

1630‧‧‧Offset calculation module

1640‧‧‧ memory

1650‧‧‧Transmission module

1700‧‧‧ method

Stage 1701‧‧

1702‧‧‧

Phase 1704‧‧

1706‧‧‧

Stage 1708‧‧

1710‧‧‧ stage

Phase 1712‧‧

1716‧‧‧ stage

1718‧‧‧ stage

1722‧‧‧ stage

1724‧‧‧ stage

1902‧‧‧Touch high level

1904‧‧‧Touch low level

1906‧‧‧(balanced) measurement data

1908‧‧ points

1910‧‧ points

2002‧‧‧Touch high level

2004‧‧‧Touch low level

2006‧‧‧(balanced) measurement data

2008‧‧‧ points

2012‧‧‧Communication tolerance level

2014‧‧‧Maximum point

2016‧‧‧ points

2018‧‧ points

2020‧‧‧ points

2022‧‧ points

2102‧‧‧(balanced) measurement data

2104‧‧‧(balanced) measurement data

2106‧‧‧ Curve

4101‧‧‧ Comparator

4201‧‧‧Charging/discharging circuit

4301‧‧‧Counter

2B01‧‧‧Capacitive Sensor

2B02‧‧‧Capacitive Sensor

2B03‧‧‧Capacitive Sensor

2B04‧‧‧Capacitive sensor

2B05‧‧‧Capacitive Sensor

2B06‧‧‧Capacitive Sensor

2B07‧‧‧Capacitive Sensor

2B08‧‧‧Capacitive Sensor

2B09‧‧‧Capacitive Sensor

2B10‧‧‧Capacitive Sensor

2C01‧‧‧ sensor

2C02‧‧‧Sensor

2C03‧‧‧Sensor

2C04‧‧‧Sensor

X1‧‧‧

X2‧‧‧

X3‧‧‧

X4‧‧‧

X5‧‧‧

X6‧‧‧

X7‧‧‧

X8‧‧‧

X9‧‧‧

X10‧‧‧

X11‧‧‧

X12‧‧‧

Y1‧‧‧ column

Y2‧‧‧ column

Y3‧‧‧ column

Y4‧‧‧ column

Y5‧‧‧ column

Y6‧‧‧ column

Y7‧‧‧ column

Y8‧‧‧ column

Y9‧‧‧ column

Y10‧‧‧ column

Y11‧‧‧ column

Y12‧‧‧ column

The preferred embodiments are described by way of example only, and not by way of limitation

1 is a block diagram of a capacitance detecting system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

2A is an illustration of the layout of a capacitive sensor in a capacitive sensing area module in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

2B is an illustration of the layout of a capacitive sensor in a capacitive sensing area module in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

2C is an illustration of four capacitive sensors in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a block diagram of a capacitance detecting system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a detailed block diagram of a capacitance detecting system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a block diagram of a detailed capacitance sensing system for a capacitive sensor in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

6 illustrates a timing diagram associated with operation of a counter when an associated sensor is being charged, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention.

Figure 7 illustrates a timing diagram associated with operation of a counter when an associated sensor is discharged, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention.

Figure 8 is a block diagram of a clock generator in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

9 is a flow chart of a method for fabricating jitter in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 10 illustrates a timing diagram of a cumulative cycle in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

11 illustrates a timing diagram for a counter associated with an X sensor and a Y sensor, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 12 illustrates a timing diagram for a counter associated with an X sensor and a Y sensor, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 13 illustrates a timing diagram for a counter associated with an X sensor and a Y sensor, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

14 is a flow chart of a manual mode method in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

15 is a flow chart of an automatic mode method in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 16 is a block diagram of a controller module in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

17 is a flow chart of a method of detecting capacitance according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 18 is an illustration of a logical coordinate grid in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

19 is a diagram illustrating a presence detection algorithm in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

20 is a diagram illustrating a position detection algorithm in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 21 is a graph of (balanced) assay data in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

22 is a power effective capacitance detecting method according to an embodiment of the present invention. Flow chart of the law.

23 is an illustration of the layout of a sensor in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

24 is a flow chart of a method for detecting a power effective capacitance in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

100‧‧‧Capacitance Detection System

105‧‧‧Capacitance Measurement Module

115‧‧‧Capacitive Sensing Area Module

125‧‧‧Sensor Interface Module

135‧‧‧Logic Module

145‧‧‧Controller Module

155‧‧‧Controller interface

Claims (8)

A capacitance detecting method includes: charging and discharging a first plurality of capacitive sensors in a capacitive sensing region in which charging and discharging are enabled at least once; generating a sense of charging and discharging the first plurality of charges Capacitance-related data of the detector; and after analyzing the generated data, charging and discharging the second plurality of capacitive sensors in the capacitive sensing region that enable charging and discharging to be enabled at least once again The first plurality of capacitive sensors and the second plurality of capacitive sensors include different numbers of sensors. The method of claim 1, wherein the charging and discharging are performed at least once again at a frequency different from the charging and discharging at least once. The method of claim 2, further comprising: generating data relating to capacitance of the second plurality of sensors, wherein the generating is included in the charging and discharging at least once The frequency of the data of the sensor of the plurality of sensors and the sensors of the second plurality of sensors is different, and the data of the sensor is generated during at least one of the charging and discharging. The method of claim 1, further comprising: generating data relating to capacitance of the second plurality of sensors, wherein the charging and discharging from at least one time to at least one of The change in data values generated by the sensors included in the first plurality of sensors and the second plurality of sensors during charging and discharging is at least partially related to the sensor capacitance Any change is irrelevant. A capacitance detecting method includes: charging and discharging at least one capacitive sensor in a capacitive sensing region at least once; generating data related to capacitance of at least one of the charged and discharged electrodes; and subsequently Forming the capacitance due to analysis of the generated data, at a value that is at least partially independent of any change in sensor capacitance from the previously generated change, or at a different frequency than the frequency of the previous generation period Sensing data of each of at least one capacitive sensor in the region. A capacitance detecting module comprising: at least one configuration register for configuring a power saving mode or a normal mode; and a charging/discharging module configured to enable charging and discharging to be activated Charging and discharging at least one capacitive sensor in the measurement region; and a counter module configured to measure a capacitance of the corresponding capacitive sensor for each capacitive sensor enabled for charging and discharging Corresponding time interval measurement result; wherein the power saving mode is different from the normal mode by at least one variable selected from the group consisting of: the number of capacitive sensors enabled for charging and discharging, provided to The counter clock frequency of the counter module, and the frequency of charging and discharging. The module of claim 6, wherein the at least A configuration register includes an indication to indicate which of the capacitive sensing modules have enabled or disabled charging and discharging. The module of claim 6, wherein the at least one configuration register comprises a clock divider, and the clock divider is configured to divide a frequency of a clock in a normal mode. And to derive a frequency of the clock in the power save mode, wherein the counter clock is equal to the clock or another function of the clock.