Abstract: A touch sensor system includes a sensing area having a periphery and a plurality of light sources and a plurality of analog optical detectors arranged about the periphery of the sensing area. The system further includes addressing circuitry that selectively drives each of the plurality of light sources with a modulated signal and selectively activates the plurality of analog optical detectors, and a controller that receives a collective detector output from the plurality of analog optical detectors. The outputs from the analog optical detectors may be a time multiplexed to provide the collective detector output. Each optical detector may include a photodiode; a first transistor coupled to the photodiode in a current amplifier configuration that generates an amplified current output as a function of a photodiode current; and enable circuitry to enable and disable the optical detector as a function of an enable input signal.

Abstract: A method for configuring a touch sensor system is provided. The method may be performed automatically by a controller of the system. The system comprises a touch panel operatively coupled to the controller, where the touch panel comprises a plurality of transmit electrodes and a plurality of receive electrodes. The method comprises selectively and individually driving, by the controller, at least one of the transmit electrodes. For each driven transmit electrode, signal outputs from one or more of the receive electrodes are received while the transmit electrode is driven. One or more characteristics of the touch panel is determined as a function of the signal outputs from the receive electrodes. At least one operation setting of the controller is configured based on the one or more characteristics. The one or more characteristics of the touch panel may include a number of transmit electrodes and a number of receive electrodes.

Abstract: A method is provided for configuring a touch sensor controller coupled to a touch panel and a host computing device. The method includes receiving, by the controller, first input for starting a configuration mode of operation. The first input may be received independent of the host computing device. The controller initiates the configuration mode of operation responsive to the first input. The controller receives at least one second input via the touch panel for configuring at least one operational setting of the controller. The method also includes configuring, by the controller, the at least one operational setting according to the received at least one second input.

Abstract: A method for configuring a touch sensor system is provided. The method may be performed automatically by a controller of the system. The system comprises a touch panel operatively coupled to the controller, where the touch panel comprises a plurality of transmit electrodes and a plurality of receive electrodes. The method comprises selectively and individually driving, by the controller, at least one of the transmit electrodes. For each driven transmit electrode, signal outputs from one or more of the receive electrodes are received while the transmit electrode is driven. One or more characteristics of the touch panel is determined as a function of the signal outputs from the receive electrodes. At least one operation setting of the controller is configured based on the one or more characteristics. The one or more characteristics of the touch panel may include a number of transmit electrodes and a number of receive electrodes.

Abstract: Optical touch sensors may be adversely affected by noise, such as modulated sunlight incident on the touch sensor. An analog optical detector is provided that includes a frequency dependent emitter feedback circuitry that does not substantially reduce the gain for a first modulation frequency range of the photodiode current and provides, for a second modulation frequency range of the photodiode current, a current feedback to reduce the gain of the first transistor. The second modulation frequency may include one or more expected noise modulation frequencies. A touch sensor device including a plurality of such optical detectors is also provided. Also provided is a touch sensor device comprising sampling disable circuitry operable to disable sampling of the output from the optical detectors for a duration of time.

Abstract: Optical touch sensors may be adversely affected by noise, such as modulated sunlight incident on the touch sensor. An analog optical detector is provided that includes a frequency dependent emitter feedback circuitry that does not substantially reduce the gain for a first modulation frequency range of the photodiode current and provides, for a second modulation frequency range of the photodiode current, a current feedback to reduce the gain of the first transistor. The second modulation frequency may include one or more expected noise modulation frequencies. A touch sensor device including a plurality of such optical detectors is also provided. Also provided is a touch sensor device comprising sampling disable circuitry operable to disable sampling of the output from the optical detectors for a duration of time.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for a touch sensor controller coupled to a touch sensor panel. A touch sensor system including the controller and the touch sensor panel may experience interference from various sources. The method disclosed herein includes receiving signals output from the touch sensor panel. The controller determines interference information using the signals received from the touch sensor panel. This determining includes analyzing signal levels of the signals received from the touch sensor panel. The controller generates an output indicative of the interference information.

Abstract: A method is provided for configuring a touch sensor controller coupled to a touch panel and a host computing device. The method includes receiving, by the controller, first input for starting a configuration mode of operation. The first input may be received independent of the host computing device. The controller initiates the configuration mode of operation responsive to the first input. The controller receives at least one second input via the touch panel for configuring at least one operational setting of the controller. The method also includes configuring, by the controller, the at least one operational setting according to the received at least one second input.

Abstract: A method for configuring a touch sensor system is provided. The method may be performed automatically by a controller of the system. The system comprises a touch panel operatively coupled to the controller, where the touch panel comprises a plurality of transmit electrodes and a plurality of receive electrodes. The method comprises selectively and individually driving, by the controller, at least one of the transmit electrodes. For each driven transmit electrode, signal outputs from one or more of the receive electrodes are received while the transmit electrode is driven. One or more characteristics of the touch panel is determined as a function of the signal outputs from the receive electrodes. At least one operation setting of the controller is configured based on the one or more characteristics. The one or more characteristics of the touch panel may include a number of transmit electrodes and a number of receive electrodes.

Abstract: Optical touch sensors may be adversely affected by noise, such as modulated sunlight incident on the touch sensor. An analog optical detector is provided that includes a frequency dependent emitter feedback circuitry that does not substantially reduce the gain for a first modulation frequency range of the photodiode current and provides, for a second modulation frequency range of the photodiode current, a current feedback to reduce the gain of the first transistor. The second modulation frequency may include one or more expected noise modulation frequencies. A touch sensor device including a plurality of such optical detectors is also provided. Also provided is a touch sensor device comprising sampling disable circuitry operable to disable sampling of the output from the optical detectors for a duration of time.

Abstract: A touch sensor system includes a sensing area having a periphery and a plurality of light sources and a plurality of analog optical detectors arranged about the periphery of the sensing area. The system further includes addressing circuitry that selectively drives each of the plurality of light sources with a modulated signal and selectively activates the plurality of analog optical detectors, and a controller that receives a collective detector output from the plurality of analog optical detectors. The outputs from the analog optical detectors may be a time multiplexed to provide the collective detector output. Each optical detector may include a photodiode; a first transistor coupled to the photodiode in a current amplifier configuration that generates an amplified current output as a function of a photodiode current; and enable circuitry to enable and disable the optical detector as a function of an enable input signal.

Abstract: Optical touch sensors may be adversely affected by noise, such as modulated sunlight incident on the touch sensor. An analog optical detector is provided that includes a frequency dependent emitter feedback circuitry that does not substantially reduce the gain for a first modulation frequency range of the photodiode current and provides, for a second modulation frequency range of the photodiode current, a current feedback to reduce the gain of the first transistor. The second modulation frequency may include one or more expected noise modulation frequencies. A touch sensor device including a plurality of such optical detectors is also provided. Also provided is a touch sensor device comprising sampling disable circuitry operable to disable sampling of the output from the optical detectors for a duration of time.

Abstract: In a frequency multiplexed capacitive touch sensor, a plurality of resonance frequencies may be used to drive electrodes for sensing touch. A capacitive touch sensor apparatus is provided that includes a substrate layer and a plurality of resonant circuits. Each resonant circuit comprises a respective electrode and a respective electromechanical resonator connected to the respective electrode. The electromechanical resonators comprise any suitable high-Q resonator including, but not limited to: ceramic oscillators; crystal oscillators; and MEMs oscillators, as described above. The electrodes of the plurality of resonant circuits are distributed on the substrate layer. The electromechanical resonators may allow relatively close spacing of adjacent resonance frequencies, in comparison to resonant circuits with discrete inductors.

Abstract: A capacitive touch sensor comprises a plurality of electrodes on a substrate, and a position of a finger touching the sensor is determined by monitoring output signal changes caused by changes in capacitance caused by the present of the finger over or near the electrodes. The disclosure provides a capacitive touch sensor apparatus comprising a substrate and a plurality of touch sensor electrodes arranged on the substrate. Each of the electrodes comprises a respective primary electrode strip and a respective one or more electrode strip branches extending from the primary electrode strip.

Abstract: The disclosure provides methods and apparatuses for detecting two-touch events with a five-wire resistive touch sensor comprising an active layer and a sensing layer. The methods include, while a first voltage gradient is generated across an active layer of the sensor, measuring a first voltage of a sensing layer electrode and a current across the sensor. The methods further include, while the second voltage gradient is generated across the active layer, measuring a second voltage of the sensing layer electrode and a second current across the sensor. The first and second currents are compared to a respective threshold. A two-touch event is detected based on the comparison.

Abstract: In a frequency multiplexed capacitive touch sensor, a plurality of resonance frequencies may be used to drive electrodes for sensing touch. A capacitive touch sensor apparatus is provided that includes a substrate layer and a plurality of resonant circuits. Each resonant circuit comprises a respective electrode and a respective electromechanical resonator connected to the respective electrode. The electromechanical resonators comprise any suitable high-Q resonator including, but not limited to: ceramic oscillators; crystal oscillators; and MEMs oscillators, as described above. The electrodes of the plurality of resonant circuits are distributed on the substrate layer. The electromechanical resonators may allow relatively close spacing of adjacent resonance frequencies, in comparison to resonant circuits with discrete inductors.

Abstract: A capacitive touch sensor comprises a plurality of electrodes on a substrate, and a position of a finger touching the sensor is determined by monitoring output signal changes caused by changes in capacitance caused by the present of the finger over or near the electrodes. The disclosure provides a capacitive touch sensor apparatus comprising a substrate and a plurality of touch sensor electrodes arranged on the substrate. Each of the electrodes comprises a respective primary electrode strip and a respective one or more electrode strip branches extending from the primary electrode strip.

Abstract: The disclosure provides methods and apparatuses for detecting two-touch events with a five-wire resistive touch sensor comprising an active layer and a sensing layer. The methods include, while a first voltage gradient is generated across an active layer of the sensor, measuring a first voltage of a sensing layer electrode and a current across the sensor. The methods further include, while the second voltage gradient is generated across the active layer, measuring a second voltage of the sensing layer electrode and a second current across the sensor. The first and second currents are compared to a respective threshold. A two-touch event is detected based on the comparison.

Abstract: A system for communicating with a wireless-enabled device. The system comprises an input for receiving from the device a signal indicative of the device being in a de-powered operational state; a functional entity configured to determine, on a basis of (i) knowledge that the device is in the de-powered operational state and (ii) context information regarding the device, a certain action to be taken by the device while in the de-powered operational state; and an output for causing transmission of a message to the device, wherein the message is for causing the device to take the certain action while in the de-powered operational state.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring context information associated with a wireless communication entity for determining a potential occurrence of a network disruption for that wireless communication entity. Upon determining a potential occurrence of a network disruption, causing an adjustment of bandwidth available for data transfer involving the wireless communication entity. The adjustment is used to prevent or mitigate service disruptions.