Abstract: A two-dimensional position sensor comprising a substrate with a sensitive area defined by a pattern of electrodes including electrodes for determining x-position and electrodes for determining y-position. The x-electrodes and y-electrodes generally extend in the x-direction and are interleaved in the y-direction. The x-electrodes comprise at least first, second and third groups of elements shaped such that adjacent ones of the elements of the different x-electrode groups co-extend in the x-direction so that the x-electrodes provide ratiometric capacitive signals, thereby providing quasi-continuous x-position sensing across the sensitive area. In addition, the y-electrodes may be resistively connected or arranged in ratiometric pairs to provide quasi-continuous y-position sensing. Alternatively, the x-electrode groups may be interdigitated to form pairs of x-adjacent blocks of differing area to provide stepwise x-position sensing in combination with stepwise y-position sensing provided by the y-electrodes.

Abstract: Two different sets of electrodes in a touch sensitive device are formed to produce an electric field gradient from one end of the electrodes to the other end when opposite ends of the electrodes are driven with different voltages. A signal measuring cycle is performed by alternately driving the ends of one set of electrodes, while using the other set of electrodes to receive signals. The roles of the sets of electrodes are then reversed, such that the set that that was driven is now used to receive signals from the other set of electrodes. Reference signals may be obtained by driving both sides of one set of electrodes, and then both sides of the other set of electrodes. The signals obtained are then used to determine the touch position on the touch sensitive device.

Abstract: A two-dimensional position sensor is formed by drive electrodes (52) and sense electrodes (62, 64, 66) both extending in the x-direction and interleaved in the y-direction. The sense electrodes comprise several groups, two of which co-extend in the x-direction over each different portions of extent in the x-direction. The drive and sense electrodes are additionally arranged to capacitively couple with each other. In use, drive signals are applied to the drive electrodes and then the resultant sense signals received from the sense electrodes measured. The position of a touch or stylus actuation on the sensor is determined in the x- and y-directions as follows. In the x-direction, the position is determined by an interpolation between sense signals obtained from co-extending pairs of sense electrodes, and in the y-direction by interpolation between sense signals obtained from different sequences of drive signals applied to the drive electrodes.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes, at a first input of a comparator, receiving from an analog multiplexer one of multiple first voltages. Each of the first voltages results at least in part from an interaction between an object and an electrode of each of one or more nodes of a capacitive touch sensor. The method includes, at a second input of the comparator, receiving a second voltage across a measurement capacitor that has a first terminal coupled to the second input of the comparator. The method includes charging the measurement capacitor at least in part through a measurement resistor coupled in series to the first terminal of the measurement capacitor and monitoring an output of the comparator during the charging of the measurement capacitor. The output of the comparator changes state when the second voltage becomes approximately equal to or greater than the one of the first voltages.

Abstract: A two-dimensional position sensor comprising a substrate with a sensitive area defined by a pattern of electrodes including electrodes for determining x-position and electrodes for determining y-position. The x-electrodes and y-electrodes generally extend in the x-direction and are interleaved in the y-direction. The x-electrodes comprise at least first, second and third groups of elements shaped such that adjacent ones of the elements of the different x-electrode groups co-extend in the x-direction so that the x-electrodes provide ratiometric capacitive signals, thereby providing quasi-continuous x-position sensing across the sensitive area. In addition, the y-electrodes may be resistively connected or arranged in ratiometric pairs to provide quasi-continuous y-position sensing. Alternatively, the x-electrode groups may be interdigitated to form pairs of x-adjacent blocks of differing area to provide stepwise x-position sensing in combination with stepwise y-position sensing provided by the y-electrodes.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a touch sensor includes drive electrodes. The drive electrodes include drive electrode structures that are each coupled to an adjacent drive electrode structure by a first strip of conductive material. The touch sensor also includes sense electrodes. The sense electrodes include sense electrode structures that are each coupled to an adjacent sense electrode structure by a second strip of conductive material. The sense electrode structures are formed on a same layer as the drive electrode structures. The first or second strip of conductive material include one or more conductive crossovers that each couple two drive electrode structures to each other or couple two sense electrode structures to each other.

Abstract: A capacitive position sensor comprises a substrate having an arrangement of electrodes mounted on a single surface thereof, the electrodes arranged so as to define an array of sensing cells arranged in columns and rows to form a sensing area. Each sensing cell includes a column sensing electrode and a row sensing electrode. The column sensing electrodes of sensing cells in the same column are electrically coupled together, and the row sensing electrodes of sensing cells in the same row are electrically coupled together. Row sensing electrodes of sensing cells at opposing ends of at least one of the rows are connected together by an electrical connection made outside of the sensing area so that there is no requirement for electrical connections to cross within the sensing area, providing a capacitive position sensor having a sensing area with electrodes on only one side of a substrate.

Abstract: Some embodiments include apparatus and methods to test a device having a driving layer and a sensing layer. A test signal is applied to electrodes of the driving layer in a capacitive load state, with a capacitive load applied, and in an ambient state, without a capacitive load applied. Measured values are obtained at the sensing layer for each state. The measured values are compared with threshold values. A report is generated when a measured value violates a threshold. In one embodiment, the driving layer and the sensing layer form multiple capacitive electrodes within a touch sensor. The measured values are related to mutual capacitance values of the touch sensor.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes modifying an amount of charge of a capacitance of a touch sensor. The modified amount of charge resulting in a voltage at the capacitance being a first pre-determined voltage level. The method also includes applying a first pre-determined amount of charge to the capacitance. The application of the first pre-determined amount of charge to the capacitance modifying the voltage at the capacitance from the first pre-determined voltage level to a first charging voltage level. The method also includes determining a first difference between the first charging voltage level and a reference voltage level; and determining whether a touch input to the touch sensor has occurred based on the first difference.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes applying a first current to a capacitance of a touch sensor. The application of the first current to the capacitance for a first amount of time modifies the voltage at the capacitance from the reference voltage level to a first pre-determined voltage level. The method also includes applying a second current to an integration capacitor. The second current is proportional to the first current. The application of the second current to the integration capacitor for the first amount of time modifies the voltage at the integration capacitor from the reference voltage level to a first charging voltage level. The method also includes determining whether a touch input to the touch sensor has occurred based on the first charging voltage level.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes discharging a first capacitor and discharging a set of capacitances present on a first set of lines of a touch sensor. After discharging the first capacitor and the set of capacitances, the method further includes causing charge to be transferred to the set of capacitances during a first time period. After the first time period, the method includes causing charge to be transferred to the first capacitor and the set of capacitances during a second time period. After the second time period, the voltage across the first capacitor to a first threshold is compared. The method also includes determining whether a touch was detected by the touch sensor based on comparing the voltage across the first capacitor to the first threshold.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a first set of signal values from a touch sensor. The touch sensor includes a plurality of electrodes. The method includes storing the first set of signal values in a first two-dimensional array and determining a first one-dimensional representation associated with a first axis of the first two-dimensional array. The method includes determining a first area associated with at least one touch detected by the touch sensor from the first one-dimensional representation and determining a second one-dimensional representation associated with a second axis based on the first area, the second axis being different than the first axis. The method includes determining a second area associated with at least one touch detected by the touch sensor from the second one-dimensional representation and determining coordinates for the at least one touch detected by the touch sensor based on the first area and the second area.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes, by a base station, communicating a challenge to a transponder through a first communication link; and establishing a second communication link with the transponder. The second communication link is a capacitive link. The method also includes receiving a first response to the challenge through the first communication link with the transponder; sampling the second communication link to detect a signal corresponding to a second response to the challenge from the transponder; receiving the second response through the second communication link; and authorizing the transponder based on the first and second responses.

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 one embodiment, a method includes, at a first input of a comparator, receiving from an analog multiplexer one of multiple first voltages. Each of the first voltages results at least in part from an interaction between an object and an electrode of each of one or more nodes of a capacitive touch sensor. The method includes, at a second input of the comparator, receiving a second voltage across a measurement capacitor that has a first terminal coupled to the second input of the comparator. The method includes charging the measurement capacitor at least in part through a measurement resistor coupled in series to the first terminal of the measurement capacitor and monitoring an output of the comparator during the charging of the measurement capacitor. The output of the comparator changes state when the second voltage becomes approximately equal to or greater than the one of the first voltages.

Abstract: A capacitive position sensor comprises a substrate having an arrangement of electrodes mounted on a single surface thereof, the electrodes arranged so as to define an array of sensing cells arranged in columns and rows to form a sensing area. Each sensing cell includes a column sensing electrode and a row sensing electrode. The column sensing electrodes of sensing cells in the same column are electrically coupled together, and the row sensing electrodes of sensing cells in the same row are electrically coupled together. Row sensing electrodes of sensing cells at opposing ends of at least one of the rows are connected together by an electrical connection made outside of the sensing area so that there is no requirement for electrical connections to cross within the sensing area, providing a capacitive position sensor having a sensing area with electrodes on only one side of a substrate.

Abstract: A capacitive position sensor for determining the position of an object along first and second directions is described. The sensor comprises a substrate having an arrangement of electrodes mounted on a single surface thereof. The electrodes are arranged so as to define an array of sensing cells arranged in columns and rows to form a sensing area. Each of the sensing cell including a column sensing electrode and a row sensing electrode with the column sensing electrodes of sensing cells in the same column being electrically coupled together and the row sensing electrodes of sensing cells in the same row also being electrically coupled together.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a touch sensor includes drive electrodes. The drive electrodes include drive electrode structures that are each coupled to an adjacent drive electrode structure by a first strip of conductive material. The touch sensor also includes sense electrodes. The sense electrodes include sense electrode structures that are each coupled to an adjacent sense electrode structure by a second strip of conductive material. The sense electrode structures are formed on a same layer as the drive electrode structures. The first or second strip of conductive material include one or more conductive crossovers that each couple two drive electrode structures to each other or couple two sense electrode structures to each other.

Abstract: Some embodiments include apparatus and methods to test a device having a driving layer and a sensing layer. A test signal is applied to electrodes of the driving layer in a capacitive load state, with a capacitive load applied, and in an ambient state, without a capacitive load applied. Measured values are obtained at the sensing layer for each state. The measured values are compared with threshold values. A report is generated when a measured value violates a threshold. In one embodiment, the driving layer and the sensing layer form multiple capacitive electrodes within a touch sensor. The measured values are related to mutual capacitance values of the touch sensor.

Abstract: A capacitive position sensor for determining the position of an object along first and second directions is described. The sensor comprises a substrate having an arrangement of electrodes mounted on a single surface thereof. The electrodes are arranged so as to define an array of sensing cells arranged in columns and rows to form a sensing area. Each of the sensing cell including a column sensing electrode and a row sensing electrode with the column sensing electrodes of sensing cells in the same column being electrically coupled together and the row sensing electrodes of sensing cells in the same row also being electrically coupled together.