Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention may provide a method of measuring an unknown capacitance of a device. The method may comprise the steps of driving a test signal to a circuit system that includes a current divider formed by the device with unknown capacitance and a reference capacitor; mirroring a current developed in the reference capacitor to a second circuit system that includes a measurement impedance; measuring a voltage within the second circuit system; and deriving a capacitance of the unknown capacitance based on the measured voltage with reference to a capacitance of the reference capacitor and the measurement impedance.

Abstract: Actuators are used to move a variety of objects to desired positions. It is generally desirable that they can do this quickly without exhibiting overshoot or ringing. Some actuators are required to respond very quickly and examples of these are voice coil drivers used to move lenses in autofocus cameras provided in everyday devices such as smart phones and tablets. A rapid two step controller scheme had already been disclosed by Analog Devices Inc. Whilst the scheme works well, it can only be used reliably if the resonant frequency of the actuator is known to within 2 or 3%. The inventors have discovered that the resonant frequency of an actuator unexpectedly changes as a function of position. This disclosure provides ways of modifying the control scheme to cope with changes in resonant frequency.

Abstract: An embodiment of a position sensing system includes a signal generation circuit to generate an excitation signal according to a selected characteristic signal, a drive circuit to drive an excitation source with the excitation signal, an input circuit to receive a sensor output while driving the excitation source, a signal detection circuit to identify a component of the sensor output corresponding to the characteristic signal, and a control circuit to determine the position of the movable object as a function of the identified component of the sensor output. The positioning system may be included an electronic camera, where the movable object may be a lens. The excitation source may be a conductive coil, the excitation a magnetic field, and the sensor a magneto resistive sensor. Alternatively, the excitation source may be an optical excitation source, the excitation an optical excitation, and the sensor an optical sensor.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention may provide a device to adaptively generate a haptic effect. The device may include a controller to generate a haptic command associated with a haptic profile and a haptic driver to generate a drive signal based on the haptic command, wherein the drive signal causes an actuator to produce vibrations corresponding to a haptic effect. Further, the device may include a sensor, coupled mechanically to the actuator, to measure at least one property of the vibrations. The controller may adjust the haptic command according to the measured at least one property. Therefore, the device may continuously tune haptic effect generation according to vibration measurements.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention may provide a device to adaptively generate a haptic effect. The device may include a controller to generate a haptic command associated with a haptic profile and a haptic driver to generate a drive signal based on the haptic command, wherein the drive signal causes an actuator to produce vibrations corresponding to a haptic effect. Further, the device may include a sensor, coupled mechanically to the actuator, to measure at least one property of the vibrations. The controller may adjust the haptic command according to the measured at least one property. Therefore, the device may continuously tune haptic effect generation according to vibration measurements.

Abstract: The present invention may provide a device including a haptic driver to drive a coupled actuator causing the actuator to generate a vibratory haptic effect. A touch screen may display a user interface and may include a sensor to detect user interaction with the touch screen within a predetermined range above the touch screen. A controller may calculate a proximity event based on the detected user interaction above the touch screen, and to control haptic driver operations according to the proximity event.

Abstract: Techniques to provide a three-dimensional (“3D”) user interface (“UI”) processing system for a device that may include at least one sensor, a 3D display, and a controller. The controller may include a memory, which may store instructional information, and a processor. The processor may be configured to receive sensor data from the sensor(s) and to interpret sensor data according to the instructional information. The processor may generate a user interface command(s) and transmit the command(s) to the 3D display to control and/or manipulate the 3D display. The processor may also generate host commands to control and/or execute applications within a host system of the device.