Abstract: A field linearization pattern and a touch sensor incorporating same are disclosed. The touch sensor includes a polygonal field linearization pattern disposed around a touch sensitive area. The field linearization pattern includes a first side and a second side that intersect at a first corner. The field linearization pattern further includes an inner row and an outer row of discrete conductive segments. The inner row includes a conductive corner segment at the first corner. The conductive corner segment extends along a portion of the first and second sides of the linearization pattern. The touch sensor further includes electronics configured to detect a location of an input touch applied to the touch sensitive area by generating an electrical current in the linearization pattern. A current flowing from the first side to the second side of the linearization pattern is substantially confined within the linearization pattern.

Abstract: Touch panel systems and methods are disclosed that can distinguish temporally overlapping touch inputs from single touch inputs so that valid touch position coordinates can be determined. Touch panel systems and methods of the present invention can distinguish overlapping touches by comparing signal magnitudes to specified thresholds, by comparing the rates of change of signal magnitudes or measured positions to determined parameters, by locating the proximity a calculated location to icons or other such active areas, and the like. Because touch panel systems and methods of the present invention can discriminate single touches from double touches, they can be used in multiple user applications such as multiplayer games as well as in applications that may be subject to rapidly successive or overlapping touch inputs.

Abstract: Touch sensing systems and methods employ a touch surface and a touch sensor. An array of electrodes of the touch sensor is configured to capacitively couple to a touch in proximity with the touch surface. Circuitry is coupled to each electrode via a channel and configured to sense signals present on the electrodes. The circuitry is configured to independently adjust a sensed response of each electrode. For example, the circuitry may be configured to adjust a gain of each channel, an offset of each channel, or a gain and offset of each channel.

Abstract: A capacitive touch sensing system includes a touch surface and sets of substantially parallel electrodes arranged in relation to the touch surface. Each electrode set includes a primary electrode electrically connected to at least two sub-electrodes. The primary electrode is capable of producing greater capacitive coupling to a touch in proximity with the touch surface in relation to capacitive coupling of the at least two sub-electrodes. The sub-electrodes of the electrode sets are arranged in an interleaved pattern configured to increase an effective area of capacitive coupling associated with each electrode set.

Abstract: Touch location determination approaches involving a plurality of touch location techniques are described. Each touch location technique is capable of independently determining a location of a touch within a touch area of the touch sensitive device. The touch location determination made by at least one touch location technique is enhanced using touch location information associated with the touch acquired from one or more other touch location techniques. One touch location technique may use a different type of sensor, signal, and/or algorithm from the one or more other touch location techniques.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods of using an stylus that houses optics and a detector capable of imaging display pixels. Stylus position is determined according to the number and direction of imaged pixels passing through the field of view of the stylus optics. Stylus orientation, including rotation and tilt, stylus height, stylus contact state, and stylus pressure may also be determined.

Abstract: A touch device uses pre-touch sensing to enhance touch location determination and/or to activate various processes. Pre-touch signals are generated by one or more pre-touch sensors responsive to a touch implement hovering above the touch surface. The pre-touch signals indicate a pre-touch location of the touch implement. One or more touch sensors generate touch signals responsive to a touch by the touch implement on the touch surface. The touch signals indicate a touch location of the touch implement. A controller determines a touch location based on the pre-touch signals and the touch signals. Activation and/or deactivation of various processes may be triggered based on information acquired from the pre-touch and/or touch sensors.

Abstract: A touch sensing system and method uses bending mode sensors and a multiplicity of disparate touch location detection techniques to generate touch location information. A number of bending mode sensors are coupled to a touch sensitive surface. A number of disparate touch location detection techniques are provided, at least one of which uses signals generated by the bending mode sensors. Touch location information is developed using the disparate touch location detection techniques. The touch location information may include the location of a touch to the touch sensitive surface.

Abstract: Touch location determination is enhanced by correcting for errors that arise due to touch panel movement. A touch sensitive device includes a capacitive touch sensor configured to generate signals indicative of a location of a capacitively coupled touch on a touch surface. An error correction sensor generates a signal associated with movement of the capacitive touch sensor. Touch location is determined using the touch location signals and the error signal.

Abstract: Touch panel systems and methods are disclosed that can distinguish temporally overlapping touch inputs from single touch inputs so that valid touch position coordinates can be determined. Touch panel systems and methods of the present invention can distinguish overlapping touches by comparing signal magnitudes to specified thresholds, by comparing the rates of change of signal magnitudes or measured positions to determined parameters, by locating the proximity a calculated location to icons or other such active areas, and the like. Because touch panel systems and methods of the present invention can discriminate single touches from double touches, they can be used in multiple user applications such as multiplayer games as well as in applications that may be subject to rapidly successive or overlapping touch inputs.

Abstract: Methods and devices provide for determination of the location of a touch on a touch plate by sensing dispersive vibrations at each of a number of vibration sensors coupled to a touch plate, the vibrations caused by the touch on the touch plate. An amount of dispersion in the dispersive vibrations sensed at each of the vibration sensors is determined. A distance between the touch and each of the vibration sensors corresponding to the amount of dispersion in the dispersive vibrations sensed at each of the vibration sensors is calculated. The touch location is determined using some or all of the calculated distances.

Abstract: The present invention provides touch sensors that incorporate electrodes that are capacitively coupled through a dielectric layer to one or more resistive touch sensing layers, for example for linearizing the electric field across the resistive layer of an analog capacitive touch screen or for addressing the conductive elements of a matrix type capacitive touch screen. Such a construction allows for new manufacturing methods and new ways of constructing touch sensors.

Abstract: The present invention provides a touch sensor system that distinguishes from among distinct users. As a vehicle touch sensor system, the present invention provides a touch sensor accessible from a driver position and a passenger position, a first contact point driven with a first signal and associated with the driver position, a second contact point driven with a second signal and associated with the passenger position, and a processor configured to discern users in the driver position touching the touch sensor from users in the passenger position touching the touch sensor based on detection of the first or second signals on the touch sensor. For example, the vehicle touch sensor system can be a navigation system. Distinguishing the driver from the passenger can allow touch inputs from the driver to be disabled when the vehicle is in motion, for example.

Abstract: The present invention provides a multiple region vibration-sensing touch sensor that incorporates at least two sets of vibration sensors on a single touch plate, each set of vibration sensors defining distinct touch regions. The vibration sensors detect vibrations indicative of a touch to the touch plate, and are configured to communicate signals representing the detected vibrations to controller electronics for determining information related to the touch input. Touches within each touch region can be distinguished.

Abstract: A field linearization pattern and a touch sensor incorporating same are disclosed. The touch sensor includes a polygonal field linearization pattern disposed around a touch sensitive area. The field linearization pattern includes a first side and a second side that intersect at a first corner. The field linearization pattern further includes an inner row and an outer row of discrete conductive segments. The inner row includes a conductive corner segment at the first corner. The conductive corner segment extends along a portion of the first and second sides of the linearization pattern. The touch sensor further includes electronics configured to detect a location of an input touch applied to the touch sensitive area by generating an electrical current in the linearization pattern. A current flowing from the first side to the second side of the linearization pattern is substantially confined within the linearization pattern.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a passive light stylus that produces a defined intensity profile detectable by a user input device when at least a portion of a tip of the stylus is proximate an input surface of the user input device. In some embodiments, the stylus includes a housing including an entrance aperture configured to collect ambient light and an exit aperture configured to emit the collected light, where the exit aperture is proximate a tip of the stylus. The stylus also includes a light guide disposed within the housing, where the light guide is in optical communication with the entrance aperture and the exit aperture such that the light guide directs collected light from the entrance aperture to the exit aperture.

Abstract: The present invention provides a light-emitting stylus configured to abruptly change a property of an emitted light beam when the stylus sufficiently contacts a surface. The abrupt change in the light beam is detectable by an array of light sensitive detectors that can be used to determine the position of the light beam when the light beam is transmitted through an input surface. When the stylus contacts the input surface, the detectors can detect the abrupt change in the emitted light, signaling a change from a stylus hover mode to a stylus touch down mode.

Abstract: The present invention provides a user input device that includes and array of light detectors and a light emitting stylus configured to emit a beam of light detectable by the light detectors. The light beam is wide enough at the plane of the detectors so that at least two detectors are illuminated for all positions of interest. This allows the light beam position to be interpolated to obtain positional resolution that is greater than would be expected simply due to the spacing between detectors. Interpolation can be further aided by using a light beam that has a known variance in cross-sectional intensity. The present invention also provides for determining the orientation of the stylus by comparing the detected shape of the light beam cross-section to the known shape of the light beam cross-section.

Abstract: Conductive polymers can be used as the signal carrying layers in resistive touch screens. Using conductive polymers can allow higher sheet resistance than is conventionally obtained using indium tin oxide while maintaining electrical continuity and durability of the layer. Higher sheet resistance can also lead to reduced errors and reduced power consumption, as well as better optical transmission. Sheet resistance may be limited on an upper end by desired data sampling rates. Also disclosed are resistive touch screens that employ a conductive polymer on both the topsheet and bottom substrate and that can be operated with the use of conventional electronics.

Abstract: A flexible, capacitive touch sensor, and a method of manufacturing a plurality of such touch sensors, are provided. The capacitive touch sensor comprises a thin, flexible, transparent, insulating substrate. A thin, flexible, transparent layer of resistive material is applied to one side of the substrate, and a thin, flexible, transparent, pressure-sensitive layer of adhesive material is applied to the substrate's other side. A releasable sheet may cover this adhesive layer. A plurality of thin, flexible electrodes, electrical leads and conductive areas are applied to the resistive layer. A thin, flexible, transparent layer of protective material protects the touch sensor's active touch area. Compounds may be added to this protective layer to enhance its conductivity and lubricity. A reel-to-reel process for manufacturing a plurality of such capacitive touch sensors also is described.