Abstract: Apparatuses and methods of multi-phase scanning of a touch panel are described. One apparatus selects a sequence having a number of one values, negative one values, and zero values. The one values correspond to an in-phase drive signal, the negative one values correspond to an opposite-phase drive signal, and the zero values correspond to a reference signal (e.g., reference voltage or ground). A sum of the sequence is equal to zero. The apparatus applies one of the in-phase drive signal, the opposite-phase drive signal, or the reference signal to each of a first set of electrodes at a first stage according to the sequence. The apparatus rotates the sequence to obtain a rotated sequence and applies one of the signals according to the rotated sequence. The apparatus receives sense signals to detect a presence of an object on the touch panel.

Abstract: Implementations disclosed describe techniques and systems for efficient determination and tracking of trajectories of objects in an environment of a wireless device. The disclosed techniques include, among other things, obtaining multiple sets of sensing values that characterize one or more radio signals received, during a respective sensing event, from an object in an environment of the wireless device. The sensing signals may be carried by waves with randomly selected frequencies representing a portion of all frequencies that are used as working sensing frequencies. Multiple techniques of efficient frequency interpolation and temporal interpolation are disclosed that reconstruct the sensing values to the full range of working frequencies. The reconstructed sensing values may then be used to track objects in the environment.

Abstract: A method can include determining a plurality of sample sets, each sample set being different from one another and including a plurality of frequencies separated by a uniform frequency range; wirelessly transmitting information identifying the sample sets for at least one remote device; for each sample set, transmitting a tone on each frequency of the sample set, receiving a tone on each frequency of the sample set from another device, and determining phase difference values for the received tones with respect to corresponding transmitted tones. From the phase shift values, a distance to the other device can be estimated. Corresponding devices and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system can include one or more electrodes; a sensor structure configured to position electrodes over a surface of a body that includes an artery. A capacitance sensing circuit can be coupled to the electrodes and configured to acquire capacitance values of the electrodes over a predetermined time period. The capacitance values can correspond to a distance between the body surface and the at least one electrode. Processor circuits can be configured to generate APW data from the capacitance values. Corresponding methods and devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: A fingerprint sensor-compatible overlay material which uses anisotropic conductive material to enable accurate imaging of a fingerprint through an overlay is disclosed. The anisotropic conductive material has increased conductivity in a direction orthogonal to the fingerprint sensor, increasing the capacitive coupling of the fingerprint to the sensor surface, allowing the fingerprint sensor to accurately image the fingerprint through the overlay. Methods for forming a fingerprint sensor-compatible overlay are also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods of multi-phase scanning of a touch panel are described. One apparatus selects a sequence having a number of one values, negative one values, and zero values. The one values correspond to an in-phase drive signal, the negative one values correspond to an opposite-phase drive signal, and the zero values correspond to a reference signal (e.g., reference voltage or ground). A sum of the sequence is equal to zero. The apparatus applies one of the in-phase drive signal, the opposite-phase drive signal, or the reference signal to each of a first set of electrodes at a first stage according to the sequence. The apparatus rotates the sequence to obtain a rotated sequence and applies one of the signals according to the rotated sequence. The apparatus receives sense signals to detect a presence of an object on the touch panel.

Abstract: A rotary encoder for capturing angular position of a target rotating over capacitive sensors. The rotary encoder includes a source plate. The rotary encoder includes a pair of capacitive sensors coupled to the source plate, and a target plate separated from the source plate by a gap. The target plate includes a spoke and a flange. The spoke is capacitively coupled to the pair of capacitive sensors and the flange is capacitively coupled to a ground pad. Each capacitive sensor of the pair of capacitive sensors is configured to detect a change in a capacitive value corresponding to an angular position of the spoke to the capacitive sensor. The target plate is mechanically coupled to a joystick. A movement of the joystick causes a rotation of the target plate about an axis to change the angular position of the spoke to the pair of capacitive sensors.

Abstract: Technology directed to non-contact liquid sensing is described. One processing device includes a multi-port network, a capacitance measurement circuit, and a digital processing circuit. Processing device measures a first set and a second set of currents associated with a first electrode and a second electrode coupled to an exterior surface of a container holding liquid. Processing device determines independent impedances of the container, the liquid, and the liquid and container using the first set of currents and the second set of currents. Processing device determines an electrical property of the liquid using the independent impedances of the liquid.

Abstract: A capacitive fingerprint sensor includes a set of capacitive sensor electrodes in a sensing area. The set of capacitive sensor electrodes includes a set of transmit (Tx) sensor electrodes, a set of receive (Rx) sensor electrodes, and a set of compensation electrodes. The fingerprint sensor also includes a multiphase capacitance sensor that is configured to perform a sensing scan of the capacitive sensor electrodes by applying a first Tx signal to a first subset of the Tx sensor electrodes while simultaneously applying a second Tx signal to a second subset of the set of Tx sensor electrodes, and based on a compensation signal received at the set of compensation electrodes, reduce a component of the Rx signal originating from a source other than a contact at the sensing area.

Abstract: A fingerprint sensor-compatible overlay material which uses anisotropic conductive material to enable accurate imaging of a fingerprint through an overlay is disclosed. The anisotropic conductive material has increased conductivity in a direction orthogonal to the fingerprint sensor, increasing the capacitive coupling of the fingerprint to the sensor surface, allowing the fingerprint sensor to accurately image the fingerprint through the overlay. Methods for forming a fingerprint sensor-compatible overlay are also disclosed.

Abstract: An example system drives one or more transmit signals on first electrodes disposed in a first layer and propagating electrodes disposed in a second layer. The system measures a capacitance of sensors through a of second electrodes. Each second electrode crosses each first electrode to provide a plurality of discrete sensor areas, each discrete sensor area associated with a difference crossing and including a portion of at least one propagating electrode. Each second electrode is galvanically isolated from the first electrodes and the propagating electrodes.

Abstract: A fingerprint sensor-compatible overlay material which uses anisotropic conductive material to enable accurate imaging of a fingerprint through an overlay is disclosed. The anisotropic conductive material has increased conductivity in a direction orthogonal to the fingerprint sensor, increasing the capacitive coupling of the fingerprint to the sensor surface, allowing the fingerprint sensor to accurately image the fingerprint through the overlay. Methods for forming a fingerprint sensor-compatible overlay are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system measure, at a first channel of a processing device, a first signal indicative of a touch object proximate to an electrode layer. The first signal includes a touch data component and a first noise component generated by a noise source. The method, apparatus, and system measure, at a second channel of the processing device, a second signal including a second noise component generated by the noise source. The second channel is coupled to a shield layer disposed between the noise source and the electrode layer. The method, apparatus, and system generate an estimated noise signal using the second noise component of the second signal that is associated with the second channel. The method, apparatus, and system subtract the estimated noise signal from the measured first signal to obtain the touch data component of the first signal.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system measure, at a first channel of a processing device, a first signal indicative of a touch object proximate to an electrode layer. The first signal includes a touch data component and a first noise component generated by a noise source. The method, apparatus, and system measure, at a second channel of the processing device, a second signal including a second noise component generated by the noise source. The second channel is coupled to a shield layer disposed between the noise source and the electrode layer. The method, apparatus, and system generate an estimated noise signal using the second noise component of the second signal that is associated with the second channel. The method, apparatus, and system subtract the estimated noise signal from the measured first signal to obtain the touch data component of the first signal.

Abstract: An example system drives one or more transmit signals on first electrodes disposed in a first layer and propagating electrodes disposed in a second layer. The system measures a capacitance of sensors through a of second electrodes. Each second electrode crosses each first electrode to provide a plurality of discrete sensor areas, each discrete sensor area associated with a difference crossing and including a portion of at least one propagating electrode. Each second electrode is galvanically isolated from the first electrodes and the propagating electrodes.

Abstract: Fingerprint detection circuits with common mode noise rejection are described. The Fingerprint detection circuit includes a half-bridge circuit coupled to a receive (RX) electrode of an array of fingerprint detection electrodes and to a buried capacitance that is unalterable by the presence of a conductive object on the array. The fingerprint detection circuit may also include a listener electrode configured to enable common mode noise rejection through a differential input stage of a low noise amplifier (LNA).

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system measure, at a first channel of a processing device, a first signal indicative of a touch object proximate to an electrode layer. The first signal includes a touch data component and a first noise component generated by a noise source. The method, apparatus, and system measure, at a second channel of the processing device, a second signal including a second noise component generated by the noise source. The second channel is coupled to a shield layer disposed between the noise source and the electrode layer. The method, apparatus, and system generate an estimated noise signal using the second noise component of the second signal that is associated with the second channel. The method, apparatus, and system subtract the estimated noise signal from the measured first signal to obtain the touch data component of the first signal.

Abstract: An apparatus including a first signal generator of a force sensing circuit to output a first excitation (TX) signal on a first terminal and a second TX signal on a second terminal. The first terminal and the second terminal are configured to couple to a first force sensor and a reference sensor. The apparatus includes a first receiver channel coupled to a third terminal and a fourth terminal. The third terminal is configured to couple to the first force sensor and the fourth terminal is configured to couple to the reference sensor. The force sensing circuit is configured to measure a first receive (RX) signal from the first force sensor via the third terminal and a second RX signal from the reference sensor via the fourth terminal. The force sensing circuit is configured to measure a force value indicative of a force applied to the first force sensor.

Abstract: A fingerprint sensor-compatible overlay material which uses anisotropic conductive material to enable accurate imaging of a fingerprint through an overlay is disclosed. The anisotropic conductive material has increased conductivity in a direction orthogonal to the fingerprint sensor, increasing the capacitive coupling of the fingerprint to the sensor surface, allowing the fingerprint sensor to accurately image the fingerprint through the overlay. Methods for forming a fingerprint sensor-compatible overlay are also disclosed.

Abstract: Fingerprint detection circuits with common mode noise rejection are described. The Fingerprint detection circuit includes a half-bridge circuit coupled to a receive (RX) electrode of an array of fingerprint detection electrodes and to a buried capacitance that is unalterable by the presence of a conductive object on the array. The fingerprint detection circuit may also include a listener electrode configured to enable common mode noise rejection through a differential input stage of a low noise amplifier (LNA).