Abstract: An integrated display and touch sensor device comprises a plurality of display pixels and a processing system communicatively coupled with a plurality of common voltage electrode segments and with a plurality of receiver sensor electrodes. The plurality of display pixels is configured for displaying information on the display. The processing system is configured for driving a voltage transition onto a common voltage electrode segment of the plurality of common voltage electrode segments. The voltage transition provides a common voltage for refreshing at least one display pixel of the plurality of display pixels, and generates a first electrical signal on at least one receiver sensor electrode of the plurality of receiver sensor electrodes. The processing system is also configured for acquiring a first measurement of a capacitive coupling between the driven common voltage electrode segment and the at least one receiver sensor electrode by measuring the first electrical signal.

Abstract: A capacitive sensor apparatus comprises a first sensing element and a second sensing element. The first sensing element has a length oriented along a first axis of a contactable capacitive sensing reference surface; has a substantially constant width along its length; and is configured to have varying capacitive coupling, along the first axis, to an object proximate to the contactable capacitive sensing reference surface. The second sensing element has a length oriented along the first axis; has substantially constant width along its length; and is configured to have varying capacitive coupling, along the first axis, to the object proximate to the contactable capacitive sensing reference surface. The first sensing and second sensing elements are conductive and are configured to provide information corresponding to a spatial location of the object relative to the first axis.

Abstract: One embodiment in accordance with the invention includes a capacitive sensor apparatus that includes a first sensing element having substantially constant width along its length and configured to have varying capacitive coupling to an object proximate to a capacitive sensing reference surface, along a first axis of the capacitive sensing reference surface. The length of the first sensing element is oriented along the first axis. The capacitive sensor apparatus can include a second sensing element having substantially constant width along its length and configured to have varying capacitive coupling to the object proximate to the capacitive sensing reference surface along the first axis. The length of the second sensing element is oriented along the first axis. The first and second sensing elements are conductive, and are configured to provide information corresponding to a spatial location of the object relative to the first axis of the capacitive sensing reference surface.

Abstract: Embodiments for a capacitive sensing apparatus with attenuated electrical interference across a plurality of routing traces are provided. One embodiment forms a first sensor electrode on a substrate. In addition, a first routing trace is formed on the substrate, the first routing trace coupled with the first sensor electrode. One embodiment additionally forms a second sensor electrode on the substrate. A second routing trace differing in length from the first routing trace is also formed on the substrate, the second routing trace coupled with the second sensor electrode. To attenuate electrical interference, the second routing trace is formed having an approximately equal RC time constant characteristic as the first routing trace.

Abstract: A capacitive sensing apparatus includes a plurality of electrically conductive sensing elements that have widths that vary and lengths that traverse a sensing region. The sensing elements include a first sensing element including a first variable-width portion and a second variable-width portion that in combination produce a combined first sensor signal, a second sensing element including a third variable-width portion and a fourth variable-width portion that in combination produce a combined second sensor signal, and a third sensing element including a fifth variable-width portion and a sixth variable-width portion that in combination produce a combined third sensor signal.

Abstract: A capacitance sensing apparatus includes capacitance sensor elements covered by a layer of material. The layer of material has an uneven effect on a measure of capacitance induced in the capacitance sensor elements when an object is in proximity to a sensing surface. For example, the layer of material may have a non-uniform thickness, or a property of the material may be non-uniform across the layer. The capacitance sensor elements are dimensioned to compensate for the effect.

Abstract: A capacitive sensing device including a substrate, a sensor electrode disposed over the substrate, a first trace electrically coupled to the sensor electrode, and a second trace proximate the first trace. The second trace is for distinguishing proximity of an object with the sensor electrode from proximity of the object with the first trace.

Abstract: Embodiments for a capacitive sensing apparatus with attenuated electrical interference across a plurality of routing traces are provided. One embodiment forms a first sensor electrode on a substrate. In addition, a first routing trace is formed on the substrate, the first routing trace coupled with the first sensor electrode. One embodiment additionally forms a second sensor electrode on the substrate. A second routing trace differing in length from the first routing trace is also formed on the substrate, the second routing trace coupled with the second sensor electrode. To attenuate electrical interference, the second routing trace is formed having an approximately equal RC time constant characteristic as the first routing trace.

Abstract: A capacitive sensing apparatus includes a plurality of electrically conductive sensing elements that have widths that vary and lengths that traverse a sensing region. The sensing elements include a first sensing element including a first variable-width portion and a second variable-width portion that in combination produce a combined first sensor signal, a second sensing element including a third variable-width portion and a fourth variable-width portion that in combination produce a combined second sensor signal, and a third sensing element including a fifth variable-width portion and a sixth variable-width portion that in combination produce a combined third sensor signal.

Abstract: One type of capacitive sensing apparatus has a sensing element that includes a first portion and a second portion adjacent opposite edges of a sensing region. Signals from the first and second portions are combined. Another type of apparatus includes: a first sensing element including first and second portions; a second sensing element including third and fourth portions; and a third sensing element including fifth and sixth portions. The first, third and fifth portions form a first pattern, and the second, fourth and sixth portions form a second pattern. The patterns are bilaterally symmetrical about a median of a sensing region. In another type of apparatus, an electrical conductor coupled to a first sensing element passes through a gap in a second sensing element. An electrical conductor coupled to the second sensing element is dimensioned such that a capacitive coupling to the second sensing element is compensated for the gap.

Abstract: A repeated pattern of sensing elements can be used to indicate an unambiguous position along an axis in a sensing region. For example, different-sized sensing elements can be arranged in a repeating pattern, and the relative measures of their respective output signals can be used to identify a position in the sensing region.

Abstract: A capacitance sensing apparatus includes capacitance sensor elements covered by a layer of material. The layer of material has an uneven effect on a measure of capacitance induced in the capacitance sensor elements when an object is in proximity to a sensing surface. For example, the layer of material may have a non-uniform thickness, or a property of the material may be non-uniform across the layer. The capacitance sensor elements are dimensioned to compensate for the effect.

Abstract: One embodiment in accordance with the present invention includes a capacitive sensing device. The capacitive sensing device comprises a substantially transparent substrate and a set of patterned conductive traces formed above the substantially transparent substrate. Each of the set of patterned conductive traces has a width such that the capacitive sensing device does not have to be arranged with respect to an underlying image in order to avoid deleterious obstruction of the underlying image by the set of patterned conductive traces. The underlying image is separate from the capacitive sensing device. The capacitive sensing device is separate from active components used to comprise an information display device.

Abstract: One embodiment in accordance with the invention includes a capacitive sensor apparatus that includes a sensing element and a ground element. The capacitive sensor apparatus also includes a floating strike ring that is electrically isolated from the sensing element. The floating strike ring and the ground element form a spark gap. The spark gap is for reducing potential damage to the capacitive sensor apparatus that can be caused by an electrostatic discharge encountered by the capacitive sensor apparatus.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting a position of an object in a sensing region are disclosed. One system includes a position sensor having an opaque capacitive proximity sensor, a light source, and a light conductor coupled to the light source and at least partially disposed over the opaque sensor, the light conductor configured to transmit at least a portion of the light from the light source to generate driven light effects in the sensing region. The system further includes a processor configured to control production of the light, and a display configured to illustrate a digital representation based on the position. A method includes the steps of sensing a position of an object in the sensing region based on a conductive property of the object, controlling light produced by a light source, and generating driven light effects in the sensing region using at least a portion of the light.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for producing a light effect on a touchpad or other position sensor. In one aspect, a position sensor for detecting a position of an object suitably includes a sensor, a light source, and a light conductor at least partially located between the sensor and the object. The light conductor is configured to transmit light from the light source to produce a light effect that alters the appearance of the position sensor. Because the light conductor is located between the sensor and the object, the sensor need not be made from transparent or translucent material, thereby significantly reducing the cost of the sensor. In a further aspect, the position sensor includes at least one marking or pattern in proximity to the light conductor such that the marking can be made visible by at least a component of the light to produce an image of a soft control, logo, ornamental design, status indicator or the like.

Abstract: One embodiment in accordance with the invention includes a two-dimensional capacitive sensor apparatus. The two-dimensional capacitive sensor can include a first sensing element having varying width, a second sensing element having varying width, and a third sensing element having varying width. Additionally, the first sensing element, second sensing element, and third sensing element are substantially parallel to a first axis. Furthermore, each of the first sensing element, second sensing element, and third sensing element can be located such that they are not required to overlap each other to determine a first location along the first axis of a two-dimensional space. Moreover, the first sensing element, second sensing element, and third sensing element can have a cumulative width that is substantially constant.

Abstract: Capacitance sensing apparatuses are described. The apparatus includes capacitance sensor elements that traverse a sensing region. The apparatus also includes sensor circuitry that has multiple inputs. More than one of the capacitance sensor elements are electrically coupled to the same input. A position of an object along an axis of the sensing region is unambiguously identified according to which subset of the inputs senses a change in capacitance that is induced when the object is proximate to the sensing region.

Abstract: A repeated pattern of sensing elements can be used to indicate an unambiguous position along an axis in a sensing region. For example, different-sized sensing elements can be arranged in a repeating pattern, and the relative measures of their respective output signals can be used to identify a position in the sensing region.

Abstract: One type of capacitive sensing apparatus has a sensing element that includes a first portion and a second portion adjacent opposite edges of a sensing region. Signals from the first and second portions are combined. Another type of apparatus includes: a first sensing element including first and second portions; a second sensing element including third and fourth portions; and a third sensing element including fifth and sixth portions. The first, third and fifth portions form a first pattern, and the second, fourth and sixth portions form a second pattern. The patterns are bilaterally symmetrical about a median of a sensing region. In another type of apparatus, an electrical conductor coupled to a first sensing element passes through a gap in a second sensing element. An electrical conductor coupled to the second sensing element is dimensioned such that a capacitive coupling to the second sensing element is compensated for the gap.