Abstract: Asymmetric scanning logic implements asymmetric panel scanning by scanning some rows on a touch panel more frequently than other rows. Note that although an entire row at a time may be driven, if only particular pixels in the row are of interest (e.g., included in any region of interest for focused asymmetric scanning), then circuitry may power down the receivers for the columns in which the pixels exist to save power. The asymmetric scanning logic facilitates focused attention to specific areas of interest on the touch panel, to compensate, for example, for high noise or low signal strength in those areas of interest.

Abstract: Control circuitry for a touch panel includes a touch panel interface, a memory comprising scanning logic, and a controller in communication with the memory and the touch panel interface. The controller is operable, when the scanning logic is executed, to energize a first and a second row in the touch panel simultaneously, a first time; obtain a first signal measurement along a column intersecting the first and second rows; energize the first and the second row in the touch panel simultaneously, a second time; obtain a second signal measurement along the column; and determine a first pixel value and a second pixel value along the column from the first signal measurement and the second signal measurement.

Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for providing enhanced touch sensing. One system providing enhanced touch sensing includes a multi-mode touch screen and a processor configured to apply at least one test signal to a sense element of the multi-mode touch screen, detect at least one return signal from the sense element, and then determine a relative position of an object corresponding to the at least one return signal, the multi-mode touch screen being capable of sensing the first object using first and second detection modes. One multi-mode touch screen comprises a multi-mode multi-touch touch screen. One processor is configured to apply an adaptive test signal to a sense element of a touch screen.

Abstract: Control circuitry for a touch panel includes a touch panel interface, a memory comprising scanning logic, and a controller in communication with the memory and the touch panel interface. The controller is operable, when the scanning logic is executed, to energize a first and a second row in the touch panel simultaneously, a first time; obtain a first signal measurement along a column intersecting the first and second rows; energize the first and the second row in the touch panel simultaneously, a second time; obtain a second signal measurement along the column; and determine a first pixel value and a second pixel value along the column from the first signal measurement and the second signal measurement.

Abstract: A game controller with a communications interface includes a touch sensitive pad having a plurality of touch sensitive elements, and processing circuitry coupled to the communications interface and the at least one touch sensitive pad. The processing circuitry enacts touch pad configuration settings that correlate subsets of the plurality of touch sensitive elements to produce distinct user input locations. The processing circuitry receives touch pad input from the at least one touch sensitive pad. The processing circuitry processes the touch pad input to determine user input directions based upon the touch pad configuration settings, and then transmits the touch pad input directions via the communications interface for use as gaming input.

Abstract: Operating a game controller to identify a user by receiving touch pad input from at least one touch sensitive pad of the game controller that has a plurality of touch sensitive elements. The touch pad input corresponds to the user's touch of at least some of the plurality of touch sensitive elements. The touch pad input is at least partially processed by processing circuitry of the game controller and transmitted to a game console via a communications interface of the game controller for processing of the at least partially processed touch pad input to identify the user via pattern recognition. At least partially processing the touch pad input can be by identifying at least one finger orientation, at least one finger spacing, at least one finger width, a plurality of finger knuckle/joint locations, and/or a plurality of finger lengths based upon the touch pad input.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided that allow a touch sensor, such as a mutual capacitive touch panel, to switch from an operative transmit (TX) frequency at which the mutual capacitive touch panel is driven to an alternative TX frequency. When switching to an alternative TX frequency, an alternative baseline capacitance value corresponding to the alternative TX frequency may be utilized to determine whether a touch event has occurred on the mutual capacitive touch panel. Frame scans can be repeatedly performed at the operative TX frequency and the alternative TX frequency in rapid succession, and an average difference of the frame scans can be calculated and utilized to generate the alternative baseline capacitance value which may be insensitive to sudden ambient changes and moving touch events affecting the mutual touch capacitive panel.

Abstract: Operating a remote control to identify a user by receiving touch pad input from at least one touch sensitive element of the remote control that has a plurality of touch sensitive elements. The touch pad input corresponds to the user's touch of at least some of the plurality of touch sensitive elements. The touch pad input is at least partially processed by processing circuitry of the remote control and transmitted to a multimedia system console via a communications interface of the remote control for processing of the at least partially processed touch pad input to identify the user via pattern recognition. At least partially processing the touch pad input can be by identifying at least one finger orientation, at least one finger spacing, at least one finger width, a plurality of finger knuckle/joint locations, and/or a plurality of finger lengths based upon the touch pad input.

Abstract: A method for enhancing and supplementing the informed consent process of a patient undergoing a medical procedure is disclosed. A plurality of interactive multi-media program segments relating to a medical procedure are presented on-line to a patient who is to undergo the procedure. The patient views the multi-media program segments which may include a review of anatomy and physiology, the disease, the procedure, pre and post-operative instructions and risks and benefits. Patients may pose written questions to their doctor. The patient's experience, including which program segments are viewed as well as the patient's interactions therewith are captured, documented and preserved.

Abstract: A game controller with a communications interface includes a touch sensitive pad having a plurality of touch sensitive elements, and processing circuitry coupled to the communications interface and the at least one touch sensitive pad. The processing circuitry enacts touch pad configuration settings that correlate subsets of the plurality of touch sensitive elements to produce distinct user input locations. The processing circuitry receives touch pad input from the at least one touch sensitive pad. The processing circuitry processes the touch pad input to determine user input directions based upon the touch pad configuration settings, and then transmits the touch pad input directions via the communications interface for use as gaming input.

Abstract: Asymmetric scanning logic implements asymmetric panel scanning by scanning some rows on a touch panel more frequently than other rows. Note that although an entire row at a time may be driven, if only particular pixels in the row are of interest (e.g., included in any region of interest for focused asymmetric scanning), then circuitry may power down the receivers for the columns in which the pixels exist to save power. The asymmetric scanning logic facilitates focused attention to specific areas of interest on the touch panel, to compensate, for example, for high noise or low signal strength in those areas of interest.

Abstract: Control circuitry for a touch panel includes a touch panel interface, a memory comprising scanning logic, and a controller in communication with the memory and the touch panel interface. The controller is operable, when the scanning logic is executed, to energize a first and a second row in the touch panel simultaneously, a first time; obtain a first signal measurement along a column intersecting the first and second rows; energize the first and the second row in the touch panel simultaneously, a second time; obtain a second signal measurement along the column; and determine a first pixel value and a second pixel value along the column from the first signal measurement and the second signal measurement.

Abstract: A game controller with a communications interface, at least one touch sensitive pad having a plurality of touch sensitive elements, and processing circuitry coupled to the communications interface and the at least one touch sensitive pad. The processing circuitry enacts touch pad configuration settings that correlate subsets of the plurality of touch sensitive elements to respective distinct user input locations. The processing circuitry receives touch pad input from the at least one touch sensitive pad. The touch pad input corresponds to a user's touch of at least some of the plurality of touch sensitive elements. The processing circuitry processes the touch pad input to determine user input directions based upon the touch pad configuration settings, and then transmits the touch pad input directions to a game console via the communications interface for use as gaming input.

Abstract: A mutual capacitive touch panel providing improved noise immunity and improved spatial resolution is described. The touch panel includes a drive line having a plurality of drive electrodes. The touch panel further includes a sense line arranged at an angle with respect to the drive line and the sense line having a plurality of sense electrodes, such that each of the plurality of sense electrodes overlies one of the plurality of drive electrodes. The touch panel is further configured such that a perimeter of each of the plurality of drive electrodes encompasses a perimeter of at least one of the plurality of sense electrodes.

Abstract: A method for enhancing and supplementing the informed consent process of a patient undergoing a medical procedure is disclosed. A plurality of interactive multi-media program segments relating to a medical procedure are presented on-line to a patient who is to undergo the procedure. The patient views the multi-media program segments which may include a review of anatomy and physiology, the disease, the procedure, pre and post-operative instructions and risks and benefits. Patients may pose written questions to their doctor. The patient's experience, including which program segments are viewed as well as the patient's interactions therewith are captured, documented and preserved.

Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for providing enhanced touch sensing. One system providing enhanced touch sensing includes a multi-mode touch screen and a processor configured to apply at least one test signal to a sense element of the multi-mode touch screen, detect at least one return signal from the sense element, and then determine a relative position of an object corresponding to the at least one return signal, the multi-mode touch screen being capable of sensing the first object using first and second detection modes. One multi-mode touch screen comprises a multi-mode multi-touch touch screen. One processor is configured to apply an adaptive test signal to a sense element of a touch screen.

Abstract: A game controller with a communications interface, at least one touch sensitive pad having a plurality of touch sensitive elements, and processing circuitry coupled to the communications interface and the at least one touch sensitive pad. The processing circuitry receives touch pad input via the plurality of touch sensitive elements of the at least one touch sensitive pad. The processing circuitry then transmits the touch pad input to a game console via the communications interface. The touch sensitive pad can have a plurality of separate and distinct touch sensitive pads, allowing the processing circuitry to receive touch pad input via each of the plurality of separate and distinct touch sensitive pads. Touch pad input could include user finger and/or user thumb touch pad input.

Abstract: Operating a game controller by setting initial operational parameters of at least one touch sensitive pad of the game controller. The touch sensitive pad has a plurality of touch sensitive elements. Touch pad input is received from the at least one touch sensitive pad of the game controller. The touch pad input corresponds to a user's touch of at least some of the plurality of touch sensitive elements. The touch pad input is at least partially processed by processing circuitry of the game controller and transmitted to a game console via a communications interface of the game controller for processing. Upon meeting an operational parameter alteration condition, the operational parameters of the at least one touch sensitive pad of the game controller are altered.

Abstract: Operating a game controller by receiving touch pad input from at least one touch sensitive pad of the game controller that has a plurality of touch sensitive elements. The touch pad input corresponds to the user's touch of at least some of the plurality of touch sensitive elements. The touch pad input is at least partially processed by processing circuitry of the game controller and the at least partially processed touch pad input is transmitted to a game console via a communications interface of the game controller for use as gaming input. At least partially processing the touch pad input can be by determining hand/foot position, changes in hand/foot position, hand grip/foot pressure, changes in hand grip/foot pressure based upon the touch pad input.

Abstract: Provided a method of reducing impedance variations in an electrical circuit structured and arranged for placement on an integrated circuit (IC) substrate. The method includes forming sets of parallel connected resistors, each set corresponding to one of the impedance devices on the IC. Each set also includes two or more parallel resistor paths, each resistor path including two or more cascaded resistors and has a total impedance value substantially equal to the predetermined impedance value of its corresponding impedance device. Finally, the method includes configuring the sets of parallel resistor paths to form an interdigital structure across the substrate when the electrical circuit is placed on the IC.