Abstract: A processing system for baseline management includes a sensor module comprising sensor circuitry coupled to sensor electrodes, where the sensor module is configured to receive resulting signals with at least a portion of the sensor electrodes. The processing system further includes a determination module operatively connected to the sensor electrodes. The determination module is configured to obtain a first profile from the resulting signals, calculate, using the first profile, a first statistic and a second statistic for the first profile, and select, according to a first range of the first statistic and a second range of the second statistic, a baseline relaxation technique from a plurality of baseline relaxation techniques to obtain a selected baseline relaxation technique. The determination module is further configured to adjust a baseline for the capacitance sensing input device according to the selected baseline relaxation technique.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally provide an input device that includes a zero-dimensional button that detects whether an input object is proximate to a sensing region. However, different input objects may provide similar responses which may prevent the input device from accurately determining whether the user actually intended to activate the button. In one embodiment, the input device drives a capacitive sensing signal onto a sensor electrode in the capacitive button and measures at least two resulting signals. The input device then derives capacitance values based on the two resulting signals and uses a ratio between the capacitance values to classifying the interaction with the input object. This ratio enables the input device to distinguish between events that have similar capacitive responses and would otherwise be indistinguishable if only one resulting signal were measured.

Abstract: A processing system comprises a sensor module and a determination module. The sensor module is configured to acquire changes in absolute capacitance from a first plurality of sensor electrodes of a sensor electrode pattern. The sensor module is also configured to utilize the changes in absolute capacitance to determine a drive order in which to drive sensor electrodes of the first plurality of sensor electrodes to acquire changes in transcapacitance between the first plurality of sensor electrodes and a second plurality of sensor electrodes of the sensor electrode pattern. The determination module is configured to determine positional information for an input object in a sensing region of the capacitive sensing device based on the changes in transcapacitance.

Abstract: An input device having a sensing region overlapping an input surface includes a first substrate, a second substrate physically coupled to the first substrate, and a sensor electrode disposed on the first substrate and configured to detect input objects in the sensing region. A first force sensor includes a first electrode disposed on the first substrate and a first conductive portion of the second substrate capacitively coupled with the first electrode. The first conductive portion is configured to move relative to the first electrode such that a first variable capacitance of the first force sensor changes in response to force applied to the input surface in a first direction parallel to the touch surface.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for determining a context-dependent virtual distance based on stigmergic interference. The method may include obtaining environmental status information relating to an environment in proximity to a client device, calculating, based on the obtained environmental status information, the context-dependent virtual distance between the client device and a user of the client device, and controlling a user signaling pattern of the client device based on the calculated context-dependent virtual distance.

Abstract: Embodiments in the present disclosure use various individual electrodes in a capacitive sensing pixel of an electrode matrix to perform two different techniques of capacitive sensing. For example, a capacitive sensing pixel may include at least two sensor electrodes that may be driven different by a processing system depending on the current capacitive technique being used to user interaction. When performing absolute capacitive sensing, a first one of the sensor electrodes may be driven with a modulated signal in order to measure a change in absolute capacitance between the driven sensor electrode and an input object. Alternatively, when performing transcapacitance sensing, the first sensor electrode is driven with a transmitter signal while a resulting signal is measured on a second sensor electrode in the capacitive pixel. In this manner, the individual electrodes in a capacitive sensing pixel may be driven differently depending on the current capacitive sensing technique.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for synchronizing data inputs generated at a plurality of frequencies by a plurality of data sources. A device receives a first set of data points from a first data source of the plurality of data sources generated at a first frequency of the plurality of frequencies, receives a second set of data points from a second data source of the plurality of data sources generated at a second frequency of the plurality of frequencies, selects a time window corresponding to a period of time during which at least a subset of the first set of data points and at least a subset of the second set of data points were generated, and generates a vector representing a first reduced form of the subset of the first set of data points and a second reduced form of the subset of the second set of data points.

Abstract: A method and system are provided that reduce the effect of substantially non-random electrical interference on an input device's ability to reliably and accurately sense the position of an object. Several embodiments improve performance of an input device by reducing the effect of interference on position sensing data acquired by the input device. In one embodiment, the input device corrects for a cyclic variation in the electromagnetic interference (EMI) generated by components within the electronic system, such as interference from refreshing or updating an image on a display module that affects the capacitive sensing measurements acquired from a plurality of capacitive sensing elements. However, in some embodiments, performance of an input device is improved by reducing the effect that external interference generated outside of the electronic system has on the position sensing data acquired by the input device.

Abstract: An input device having a sensing region overlapping an input surface includes a first substrate, a second substrate physically coupled to the first substrate, and a sensor electrode disposed on the first substrate and configured to detect input objects in the sensing region. A first force sensor includes a first electrode disposed on the first substrate and a first conductive portion of the second substrate capacitively coupled with the first electrode. The first conductive portion is configured to move relative to the first electrode such that a first variable capacitance of the first force sensor changes in response to force applied to the input surface in a first direction parallel to the touch surface.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally provide an input device that includes a zero-dimensional button that detects whether an input object is proximate to a sensing region. However, different input objects may provide similar responses which may prevent the input device from accurately determining whether the user actually intended to activate the button. In one embodiment, the input device drives a capacitive sensing signal onto a sensor electrode in the capacitive button and measures at least two resulting signals. The input device then derives capacitance values based on the two resulting signals and uses a ratio between the capacitance values to classifying the interaction with the input object. This ratio enables the input device to distinguish between events that have similar capacitive responses and would otherwise be indistinguishable if only one resulting signal were measured.

Abstract: Elastomeric composites comprising natural rubber, a filler and nanofiller, which exhibit improved performance are disclosed. The elastomeric composite comprise a filler in an amount of less than 50 parts, yet exhibit high elastic modulus, high elasticity and reduced relaxation and/or creep. Articles and devices for dispensing fluid materials and comprising elastomeric composites are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are techniques for reducing certain types of noise in capacitive sensing devices. The techniques generally comprise utilizing a low-pass filter in conjunction with a comb filter to “zero out” frequency components associated with certain types of noise. More specifically, the comb filter is configured to zero out noise associated with the fundamental frequency and harmonics of noise that approximates a square wave or an impulse train. The frequency of the sensing signal for capacitive sensing is chosen such that the comb filter does not zero out such frequency.

Abstract: A capacitance measurement circuit comprises a differential amplifier with first and second inputs and an output, first and second feedback capacitances, and a reset mechanism. The first input is coupled to a modulated reference voltage and the second input is coupled with a sensor electrode. A first feedback capacitance is coupled between the output and the second input. A second feedback capacitance is coupled between the output and the second input. The reset mechanism resets the first feedback capacitance to a first level of charge and the second feedback capacitance to a second level of charge. During an absolute capacitance measurement phase, the differential amplifier charges the sensor electrode while balancing voltages on the first and second inputs to a voltage level associated with the modulated reference voltage and integrates charge on the sensor electrode to measure capacitance corresponding to a coupling between the sensor electrode and an input object.

Abstract: An input device comprises a first plurality of sensor electrodes, a second plurality of sensor electrodes, and a processing system. The processing system comprises a first integrated circuit, a second integrated circuit, and a central controller. The first integrated circuit is coupled to the first plurality of sensor electrodes and configured to receive first resulting signals therewith. The second integrated circuit is coupled to the second plurality of sensor electrodes and configured to receive second resulting signals therewith. The central controller is communicatively coupled to the first and second integrated circuits. The central controller is configured to receive the first resulting signals from the first integrated circuit and the second resulting signals from the second integrated circuit and is configured to determine positional information from the first resulting signals and the second resulting signals and to communicate the positional information to a host processor.

Abstract: A differential amplifier has an output and differential first and second inputs. A switch disposed between a sensor electrode and the second input is opened to initiate a reset phase where the sensor electrode and the differential amplifier are decoupled. A feedback capacitance disposed between the second input and the output is reset to a first level of charge. The switch is closed to initiate a measurement phase where the second input and sensor electrode are coupled. In the measurement phase: charge is balanced between the sensor electrode and the feedback capacitance such that a sensor electrode voltage equals a voltage of the first input equals a voltage of the second input, and the sensor electrode is charged; and the differential amplifier is utilized to integrate charge on the sensor electrode, such that an absolute capacitance corresponding to a coupling between the sensor electrode and an input object is measured.

Abstract: A processing system configured to sense an input object in a sensing region of a sensing device including a transmitter module coupled to a first transmitter electrode and a second transmitter electrode and configured to simultaneously apply a first transmitter signal to the first transmitter electrode and a second transmitter signal to the second transmitter electrode, wherein the first transmitter signal is based on a first one of a plurality of distinct codes and the second transmitter signal is based on a second one of the plurality of distinct codes. The processing system also includes a receiver module including receiver circuitry coupled to a first receiver electrode and configured to receive a first resulting signal with the first receiver electrode, the first resulting signal comprising effects corresponding to the first and second transmitter signals and a noise component.

Abstract: In an example, a processing system for a capacitive sensing device includes a sensor module and a determination module. The sensor module includes sensor circuitry coupled to a plurality of transmitter electrodes and a plurality of receiver electrodes. The sensor module is configured to receive resulting signals from the plurality of receiver electrodes during a plurality of noise acquisition bursts while suspending transmission with the plurality of transmitter electrodes. The resulting signals include the effects of noise. The sensor module is further configured to introduce at least one time delay between a respective at least one pair of the plurality of noise acquisition bursts. The determination module is configured to determine an interference measurement for a first frequency based on the resulting signals.

Abstract: A device for dispensing a material under pressure, including at least one elastic portion defining at least one wall of a chamber defining a volume within which said material is to be contained; and at least one non-elastic portion coupled to said at least one elastic portion and affecting a geometry of one or both of said elastic portion and of said chamber; wherein, at least when the material is contained within said chamber, said at least one elastic portion is stretched so as to urge a reduction in volume of said chamber by at least 70%. The non-elastic portion is optionally rigid.

Abstract: A processing system configured to sense an input object in a sensing region of a sensing device including a transmitter module coupled to a first transmitter electrode and a second transmitter electrode and configured to simultaneously apply a first transmitter signal to the first transmitter electrode and a second transmitter signal to the second transmitter electrode, wherein the first transmitter signal is based on a first one of a plurality of distinct codes and the second transmitter signal is based on a second one of the plurality of distinct codes. The processing system also includes a receiver module including receiver circuitry coupled to a first receiver electrode and configured to receive a first resulting signal with the first receiver electrode, the first resulting signal comprising effects corresponding to the first and second transmitter signals and a noise component.

Abstract: A processing system comprises a sensor module and a determination module. The sensor module is configured to drive a modulated signal on to a sensor electrode to achieve a target voltage on the sensor electrode during a first portion of a sensing cycle, wherein the modulated signal comprises a first voltage that is beyond a level of the target voltage and which is driven for a first period of time and a second voltage that is at the target voltage and which is driven for a second period of time that follows the first period of time. The determination module is configured to determine an absolute capacitance of the sensor electrode during the first portion of the sensing cycle after driving the second voltage.