Abstract: A stylus includes a timer; a signal generator coupled to a stylus tip; a switch; and a controller comprising one or more computer-readable non-transitory storage media embodying logic. The logic is operable when executed to: in response to the switch of the stylus being ON, initiate the signal generator to generate a signal having a pre-determined frequency and a pre-determined voltage from the stylus tip, and activate the timer, and stop the generating of the signal when a timing of the activated timer reaches a pre-determined threshold.

Abstract: A sensing apparatus including a frame; a capacitive sensor comprising a sensing surface moveably mounted relative to the frame and configured to measure, as a function of time, characteristics of capacitive couplings between the sensing surface and a plurality of objects at different locations over the sensing surface; a displacement sensor configured to detect when there is a displacement of the sensing surface relative to the frame due to a displacement load applied to the sensing surface by one of the objects; and a processing element configured to identify which of the objects applied the displacement load based on changes in the measured characteristics of the capacitive couplings for the respective objects during a time period around when the displacement of the sensing surface is detected.

Abstract: A sensing apparatus for determining relative amounts of force applied to a sensing surface at a plurality of locations, the sensing apparatus comprising: a capacitive sensor element comprising the sensing surface, wherein the capacitive sensor element is moveably mounted; a displacement sensor element for detecting changes in the displacement of the capacitive sensor element; capacitive sensing circuitry coupled to the capacitive sensor element and configured to determine locations for a plurality of objects capacitively coupled to the sensing surface; displacement sensing circuitry coupled to the displacement sensor element and configured to determine changes in the displacement of the capacitive sensor element at a plurality of different locations; and processing circuitry configured to determine a location at which a net displacement load acts on the sensing surface from the determined changes in displacement of the sensor element, and to establish relative amounts of the net displacement load on the deter

Abstract: A sensing apparatus for determining relative amounts of force applied to a sensing surface at a plurality of locations, the sensing apparatus comprising: a capacitive sensor element comprising the sensing surface, wherein the capacitive sensor element is moveably mounted; a displacement sensor element for detecting changes in the displacement of the capacitive sensor element; capacitive sensing circuitry coupled to the capacitive sensor element and configured to determine locations for a plurality of objects capacitively coupled to the sensing surface; displacement sensing circuitry coupled to the displacement sensor element and configured to determine changes in the displacement of the capacitive sensor element at a plurality of different locations; and processing circuitry configured to determine a location at which a net displacement load acts on the sensing surface from the determined changes in displacement of the sensor element, and to establish relative amounts of the net displacement load on the deter

Abstract: A stylus includes a timer; a signal generator coupled to a stylus tip; a switch; and a controller comprising one or more computer-readable non-transitory storage media embodying logic. The logic is operable when executed to: in response to the switch of the stylus being ON, initiate the signal generator to generate a signal having a pre-determined frequency and a pre-determined voltage from the stylus tip, and activate the timer, and stop the generating of the signal when a timing of the activated timer reaches a pre-determined threshold.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a timer, a signal generator, a signal activator input, and a controller. The controller includes one or more computer-readable non-transitory storage media embodying logic that is operable when executed to initiate a coupling, in response to an actuation of the signal activator input, of a power source to the signal generator to thereby cause the signal generator to generate a signal. The logic is further operable to initiate a coupling, in response to the actuation of the signal activator input, of the power source to the timer to thereby activate the timer.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes conducting a first signal to a first source electrode external to a touch sensor. The first source electrode is capacitively coupled to the touch sensor through a touch object. The method further includes measuring a mutual capacitance between the first source electrode and the first measuring electrode. The method further includes identifying, based at least in part on the measured mutual capacitance and using a controller of the touch sensor, the touch object touching the touch sensor at a detected touch position.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a touch-sensitive device includes a controller, a shield sensor, a plurality of first electrodes, and a plurality of second electrodes. The plurality of first electrodes spans a first direction and the plurality of second electrodes spans a second direction that is different than the first direction. The controller electrically couples the plurality of first electrodes to the shield sensor. The shield sensor charges the plurality of first electrodes to cause substantially equal voltages to be present on the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a sensor and a controller having a processor and a memory. The memory includes logic operable, when executed by the processor, to connect each electrode of a first subset of electrodes of the sensor and determine a first value associated with the first subset of electrodes. Based at least on the first value, the logic is further operable to alter the first subset of electrodes to a second subset of electrodes and connect, in response to determining to alter the first subset of electrodes to the second subset of electrodes, each electrode of the second subset of electrodes of the sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus of one embodiment includes a sensor having a plurality of electrodes and a controller having a processor and a memory. The memory includes logic operable to configure the plurality of electrodes of the sensor to form a first cluster pattern including a first cluster and a second cluster. The first cluster and the second cluster each include two or more electrodes of the plurality of electrodes. The logic is further operable to determine a value associated with a capacitance of a first cluster and configure, in response to determining the value, the plurality of electrodes to form a second cluster pattern. The second cluster pattern includes a third cluster and a fourth cluster. The third cluster and the fourth cluster each include two or more electrodes of the plurality of electrodes and the third cluster is interleaved with the fourth cluster such that an electrode of the third cluster is positioned between two electrodes of the fourth cluster.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a device includes a controller, first electrodes, second electrodes, a plurality of sensors, and a shield sensor. The controller is operable to cause substantially equal voltages to be present on the first and second electrodes while measuring capacitances of the plurality of first electrodes electrically coupled to the shield sensor and measuring capacitances of the plurality of second electrodes electrically coupled to the plurality of sensors.

Abstract: An apparatus of one embodiment includes a sensor having a plurality of electrodes and a controller having a processor and a memory. The memory includes logic operable to configure the plurality of electrodes of the sensor to form a first cluster pattern including a first cluster and a second cluster. The first cluster and the second cluster each include two or more electrodes of the plurality of electrodes. The logic is further operable to determine a value associated with a capacitance of a first cluster and configure, in response to determining the value, the plurality of electrodes to form a second cluster pattern. The second cluster pattern includes a third cluster and a fourth cluster. The third cluster and the fourth cluster each include two or more electrodes of the plurality of electrodes and the third cluster is interleaved with the fourth cluster such that an electrode of the third cluster is positioned between two electrodes of the fourth cluster.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a sensor and a controller having a processor and a memory. The memory includes logic operable, when executed by the processor, to connect each electrode of a first subset of electrodes of the sensor and determine a first value associated with the first subset of electrodes. Based at least on the first value, the logic is further operable to alter the first subset of electrodes to a second subset of electrodes and connect, in response to determining to alter the first subset of electrodes to the second subset of electrodes, each electrode of the second subset of electrodes of the sensor.

Abstract: A position sensor comprises first and second electrodes that generally extend in a first direction and are arranged in a pattern that defines a sensitive area, the second electrodes interleaved with the first electrodes in a second direction. The first electrodes comprise first, second, and third groups of elements, elements in the first, second, and third groups being connected to each other but not to elements in another group. The elements have shapes configured for adjacent elements in the first and second groups to co-extend in the first direction over a first portion of the sensitive area and to provide ratiometric capacitive signals with respect to each other in the first direction, and adjacent elements in the second and third groups to co-extend in the first direction over a second portion of the sensitive area and to provide ratiometric capacitive signals with respect to each other in the first direction.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a timer, a signal generator, a signal activator input, and a controller. The controller includes one or more computer-readable non-transitory storage media embodying logic that is operable when executed to initiate a coupling, in response to an actuation of the signal activator input, of a power source to the signal generator to thereby cause the signal generator to generate a signal. The logic is further operable to initiate a coupling, in response to the actuation of the signal activator input, of the power source to the timer to thereby activate the timer.

Abstract: An apparatus of one embodiment includes a sensor having a plurality of electrodes and a controller having a processor and a memory. The memory includes logic operable to configure the electrodes to form a first cluster pattern having a plurality of first clusters of two or more electrodes, apply voltage to each first cluster, and determine a plurality of first values associated with a capacitance of a first cluster. The logic is further operable to configure the electrodes to form a second cluster pattern having a plurality of second clusters of two or more electrodes, apply voltage to each second cluster, and determine a plurality of second values associated with a capacitance of a second cluster. At least one second cluster is interleaved with an adjacent second cluster. The logic is further operable to determine a position of an object based at least on the second values.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a sensor having a plurality of electrodes and a controller having a processor and a memory. The memory includes logic operable, when executed by the processor, to connect each electrode of a first subset of the plurality of electrodes, apply voltage to the first subset, and determine a first value associated with a capacitance of the first subset. Based at least on the first value, the logic is further operable to connect each electrode of a second subset of the plurality of electrodes, the second subset having fewer electrodes than the first subset, apply voltage to the second subset, and determine a second value associated with a capacitance of the second subset.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a controller includes one or more computer-readable non-transitory storage media embodying logic that is operable when executed to: initiate an acquisition of a first signal from an electrode of a touch sensor according to an acquisition frequency of the touch sensor, store a first modulated signal which includes a modulated form of the first signal, initiate an acquisition of a second signal from the electrode of the touch sensor according to the acquisition frequency of the touch sensor, reverse a polarity of the second signal to produce a third signal, store a second modulated signal which includes a modulated form of the third signal, generate a signal-timing waveform based on the first and second modulated signals, and retrieve information associated with a stylus from the generated signal-timing waveform.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system includes one or more processors and one or more memory units storing logic. The logic is configured to, when executed by the processors, cause the processors to perform operations including detecting a position of a touch object within an area of a touch sensor during a period of time when an injected signal is present on one or more of the plurality of electrodes of the touch sensor. The injected signal is generated by a signal source and electrically coupled to the touch sensor through a source electrode distinct from the plurality of electrodes of the touch sensor. The operations further include identifying a source of the touch object based at least in part on a proximity of the injected signal present on one or more of the plurality of electrodes to the detected position of the touch object.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a touch-sensitive device includes a controller, horizontal electrodes, and vertical electrodes. The touch-sensitive device further includes a first plurality of switches that couple the horizontal electrodes to a first plurality of sensors, a second plurality of switches that couple the vertical electrodes to a second plurality of sensors, and a third and fourth plurality of switches that couple the horizontal and vertical electrodes to a shield sensor. The controller is operable to perform simultaneous hovering, touch, and proximity detection by selectively controlling, the first, second, third, and fourth plurality of switches. The hovering, touch, and proximity detection includes causing substantially equal voltages to be present on the horizontal and vertical electrodes while measuring capacitances using the shield sensor and either the first or second plurality of sensors.