Abstract: A method for detecting and tracking multiple fingers in a two dimensional set of results using oversampling hill climbing and descent with range.

Abstract: A method for single and multi-finger extraction and position calculation using weighted masks for each finger, the masks for each finger being calculated using the previous position of each finger, and when the measured results overlap, the results are apportioned according to the masks such that each position result is scaled according to its mask, and scaled by its mask divided by the sum of all overlapping masks.

Abstract: A method of performing a two-finger gesture when the absolute position of the fingers does not need to be known in order to perform the gesture. A touch sensor may provide a false or ghosted position and a real position for each actual finger on the touch sensor. The real position for each finger is located by finding a strongest signal when performing a short aperture measurement relative to one side of the touch sensor so that the direction of a rotation gesture can be determined. The position of fingers in single finger and multi-finger gestures may be determined using de-ghosted weighted average and weighted absolute deviation calculations.

Abstract: A method for detecting and tracking multiple fingers in a two dimensional set of results using oversampling hill climbing and descent with range.

Abstract: A system and method for performing a multi-finger and multi-step or action gesture on a touch sensor, the gesture including at least one step, action or phase of the gesture is characterized by only a single finger being present on the touch sensor, but always incorporating another step, action or phase having at least two fingers present.

Abstract: A method for single and multi-finger extraction and position calculation using weighted masks for each finger, the masks for each finger being calculated using the previous position of each finger, and when the measured results overlap, the results are apportioned according to the masks such that each position result is scaled according to its mask, and scaled by its mask divided by the sum of all overlapping masks.

Abstract: A method of performing a two-finger gesture when the absolute position of the fingers does not need to be known in order to perform the gesture, wherein de-ghosting of results from a touch sensor that gives a false position and a real position for each actual finger on the touch sensor is performed by finding a strongest signal when performing a short aperture measurement from one side of the touch sensor so that the direction of a rotation gesture can be determined, and wherein flick and pinch gestures can all be calculated using de-ghosted weighted average and weighted absolute deviation calculations.

Abstract: A method of moving an object in a generally circular manner on the surface of a touchpad and causing a list to be scrolled as long as the object is moving, wherein a method is provided for activating a scrolling function, wherein a method is provided for determining what direction scrolling should occur based upon a direction of movement when scrolling is engaged, and wherein the direction of scrolling is only changed by an abrupt change in direction of the object.

Abstract: A proximity-based mutually capacitance-sensitive touchpad that is disposed directly beneath a keypad keymat of a mobile telephone, wherein posts associated with each key pass through a mutually capacitance-sensitive sensor electrode grid of the touchpad such that the keypad posts do not interfere with touchpad detection and tracking of a pointing object that moves along the keypad surface, to thereby enable touchpad data entry, cursor control, and scroll bar control on a display of the mobile telephone, wherein the keypad posts actuate mechanical switches underneath the touchpad.

Abstract: A capacitance sensitive touchpad that is formed as a plurality of electrodes disposed on a flat substrate, wherein spaces are created between electrodes, wherein the spaces between the electrodes can then be cut from the substrate, and wherein the remaining edges of the substrate can then be brought closer together to thereby form a three dimensional shape and yet still provide desired touchpad functionality.

Abstract: A method of moving an object in a generally circular manner on the surface of a touchpad and causing a list to be scrolled as long as the object is moving, wherein a method is provided for activating a scrolling function, wherein a method is provided for determining what direction scrolling should occur based upon a direction of movement when scrolling is engaged, and wherein the direction of scrolling is only changed by an abrupt change in direction of the object.

Abstract: A method of using a capacitance-sensitive touchpad, wherein the touchpad includes a zone on a surface thereof, wherein touchdown of a pointing object within the zone enables activation of a scrolling function, wherein direction of scrolling is then controlled by a gesture by the pointing object, such as moving in a circular motion in a clockwise direction to move down in a list, and in a counter clockwise direction to move up in a list, and wherein fast and slow scrolling speeds are controlled by tapping functions within the scroll zone.

Abstract: A single-layer touchpad comprised of a relatively clear substrate, a first active electrode disposed thereon, and a sense electrode disposed thereon, wherein the first active electrode and the sense electrode are comprised of a conductive material, wherein the first active electrode in combination with the sense electrode are used to detect the presence of a pointing object in a zone, determining in which zone the pointing object has been detected, or the simultaneous presence of multiple pointing objects in multiple zones, and wherein the first active electrode and/or the sense electrode are made sufficiently visible so that a pattern is visually detectable to the user when looking at the display screen.

Abstract: A proximity-based mutually capacitance-sensitive touchpad that is disposed directly beneath a keypad keymat of a mobile telephone, wherein posts associated with each key pass through a mutually capacitance-sensitive sensor electrode grid of the touchpad such that the keypad posts do not interfere with touchpad detection and tracking of a pointing object that moves along the keypad surface, to thereby enable touchpad data entry, cursor control, and scroll bar control on a display of the mobile telephone, wherein the keypad posts actuate mechanical switches underneath the touchpad.

Abstract: A single-layer touchpad comprised of a relatively clear substrate, a first active electrode disposed thereon, and a sense electrode disposed thereon, wherein the first active electrode and the sense electrode are comprised of a conductive material, wherein the first active electrode in combination with the sense electrode are used to detect the presence of a pointing object in a zone, determining in which zone the pointing object has been detected, or the simultaneous presence of multiple pointing objects in multiple zones, and wherein the first active electrode and/or the sense electrode are made sufficiently visible so that a pattern is visually detectable to the user when looking at the display screen.

Abstract: A proximity-based mutually capacitance-sensitive touchpad that is disposed directly beneath a keypad keymat of a mobile telephone, wherein posts associated with each key pass through a mutually capacitance-sensitive sensor electrode grid of the touchpad such that the keypad posts do not interfere with touchpad detection and tracking of a pointing object that moves along the keypad surface, to thereby enable touchpad data entry, cursor control, and scroll bar control on a display of the mobile telephone, wherein the keypad posts actuate mechanical switches underneath the touchpad.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for a capacitance-based proximity sensor with interference rejection. A pair of electrode arrays establish a capacitance on a touch detection pad, the capacitance varying with movement of a conductive object near the pad. The capacitance variations are measured synchronously with a reference frequency signal to thus provide a measure of the position of the object. Electrical interference is rejected by producing a reference frequency signal which is not coherent with the interference.