Abstract: Described is a touch-sensitive apparatus including a plurality of drive electrodes and control circuitry is configured to: apply time-varying voltage signal(s) to groups of neighbouring drive electrodes for a first time period; perform a first measurement on a receiver electrode during the first time period; apply time-varying voltage signal(s) groups of neighbouring drive electrodes for a second time period; perform a second measurement on the receiver electrode during the second time period; and determine a resultant signal corresponding to the mutual capacitance between the first group of neighbouring drive electrodes and the receiver electrode based on both the first measurement and the second measurement. Further described is a corresponding method for determining the presence of a touch on a touch-sensitive element.

Abstract: Described is a touch-sensitive apparatus including a plurality of drive electrodes and control circuitry is configured to: apply time-varying voltage signal(s) to groups of neighbouring drive electrodes for a first time period; perform a first measurement on a receiver electrode during the first time period; apply time-varying voltage signal(s) groups of neighbouring drive electrodes for a second time period; perform a second measurement on the receiver electrode during the second time period; and determine a resultant signal corresponding to the mutual capacitance between the first group of neighbouring drive electrodes and the receiver electrode based on both the first measurement and the second measurement. Further described is a corresponding method for determining the presence of a touch on a touch-sensitive element.

Abstract: Disclosed is circuitry for calculating the magnitude of a received signal from an electrode of a capacitive touch sensitive apparatus. The circuitry includes a first digital signal generating module configured to generate a first digital signal, the first digital signal representing a sinusoidal wave having a first frequency, and a second digital signal generating module configured to generate a second digital signal, the second digital signal representing a sinusoidal wave having the first frequency, wherein the second digital signal is orthogonal to the first digital signal. The circuitry also includes a sensing module for coupling to an electrode array, the sensing module configured to receive the first digital signal, provide a driving signal to at least one electrode of the electrode array based on the first digital signal, and output a received digital signal, wherein the received digital signal is indicative of a capacitive coupling experienced by the at least one electrode.

Abstract: A touch-sensitive apparatus includes drive electrodes, comprising at least first and second electrodes; a receiver electrode; drive circuitry configured to generate first and second time-varying voltage signals, wherein the time-varying voltage signals are the inverse of one another; and control circuitry that performs a first measurement on the receiver electrode during a first time period, wherein the control circuitry supplies at least one of the time-varying voltage signals to the drive electrodes during the first time period; and perform a second measurement on the at least one receiver electrode during a second time period, wherein the control circuitry is configured to supply at least one of the time-varying voltage signals to the drive electrodes during the second time period; and determine a resultant signal corresponding to the mutual capacitance between the first electrode and the receiver electrode based on both the first measurement and the second measurement.

Abstract: A displacement sensor comprising: a first electrode and a second electrode displaceably mounted relative to the first electrode; capacitance measurement circuitry configured to make measurements of a capacitance associated with the first and second electrodes and to generate analogue capacitance measurement signals in response thereto; compensation circuitry configured to generate a compensated analogue capacitance measurement signal by reducing a magnitude of a current analogue capacitance measurement signal by an amount indicated by a compensation signal derived from at least one previous analogue capacitance measurement signal; and processing circuitry configured to digitise the compensated analogue capacitance measurement signal and to determine if there is a displacement of the second electrode relative to the first electrode based on the compensated analogue capacitance measurement signal.

Abstract: A sensing apparatus comprising: a displacement sensor comprising capacitance measurement circuitry configured to provide a displacement sensor output signal indicative of a separation between a frame element and a displacement element movably mounted with respect to the frame element; a touch sensor comprising measurement circuitry configured to provide a touch sensor output signal indicative of when an object is determined to be touching the displacement element; and a processing element configured to output a displacement detection signal to indicate there is determined to be a displacement of the displacement element relative to the frame element in response to determining the touch sensor output signal indicates an object is touching the displacement element and a difference between the displacement sensor output signal and a baseline displacement sensor output signal exceeds a threshold value, wherein the baseline displacement sensor output signal is determined from the displacement sensor output signal

Abstract: A touch-sensitive apparatus, the apparatus comprising: a touch-sensitive element comprising an array of electrodes having a first electrode and a second electrode, the second electrode spatially intersecting the first electrode at an intersection point; and measurement circuitry configured to: measure the mutual capacitance at the intersection point of the first and second electrodes; measure the self-capacitance of the first electrode, and measure the self-capacitance of the second electrode; and processing circuitry configured to: determine the presence of a touch on the touch-sensitive element on the basis of a comparison of the measured mutual capacitance at the intersection point to a first threshold and on the basis of a combination of the measured self-capacitance of the first electrode and the measured self-capacitance of the second electrode being greater than or equal to a second threshold.

Abstract: Disclosed is circuitry for calculating the magnitude of a received signal from an electrode of a capacitive touch sensitive apparatus. The circuitry includes a first digital signal generating module configured to generate a first digital signal, the first digital signal representing a sinusoidal wave having a first frequency, and a second digital signal generating module configured to generate a second digital signal, the second digital signal representing a sinusoidal wave having the first frequency, wherein the second digital signal is orthogonal to the first digital signal. The circuitry also includes a sensing module for coupling to an electrode array, the sensing module configured to receive the first digital signal, provide a driving signal to at least one electrode of the electrode array based on the first digital signal, and output a received digital signal, wherein the received digital signal is indicative of a capacitive coupling experienced by the at least one electrode.

Abstract: A touch-sensitive apparatus, the apparatus comprising: a touch-sensitive element comprising an array of electrodes having a first electrode and a second electrode, the second electrode spatially intersecting the first electrode at an intersection point; and measurement circuitry configured to: measure the mutual capacitance at the intersection point of the first and second electrodes; measure the self-capacitance of the first electrode, and measure the self-capacitance of the second electrode; and processing circuitry configured to: determine the presence of a touch on the touch-sensitive element on the basis of a comparison of the measured mutual capacitance at the intersection point to a first threshold and on the basis of a combination of the measured self-capacitance of the first electrode and the measured self-capacitance of the second electrode being greater than or equal to a second threshold.

Abstract: A touch-sensitive apparatus, the apparatus comprising: a plurality of drive electrodes, comprising at least a first electrode and a second electrode; at least one receiver electrode; drive circuitry configured to generate a first time-varying voltage signal and a second time-varying voltage signal, wherein the first and second time-varying voltage signals are the inverse of one another, and control circuitry configured to: perform a first measurement on the at least one receiver electrode during a first time period, wherein the control circuitry is configured to supply at least one of the first and second time-varying voltage signals to the first and second drive electrodes during the first time period; and perform a second measurement on the at least one receiver electrode during a second time period, wherein the control circuitry is configured to supply at least one of the first and second time-varying voltage signals to the first and second drive electrodes during the second time period; and determine a re

Abstract: A sensing apparatus comprising: a displacement sensor comprising capacitance measurement circuitry configured to provide a displacement sensor output signal indicative of a separation between a frame element and a displacement element movably mounted with respect to the frame element; a touch sensor comprising measurement circuitry configured to provide a touch sensor output signal indicative of when an object is determined to be touching the displacement element; and a processing element configured to output a displacement detection signal to indicate there is determined to be a displacement of the displacement element relative to the frame element in response to determining the touch sensor output signal indicates an object is touching the displacement element and a difference between the displacement sensor output signal and a baseline displacement sensor output signal exceeds a threshold value, wherein the baseline displacement sensor output signal is determined from the displacement sensor output signal

Abstract: A sensing apparatus including a frame; a capacitive sensor comprising a sensing surface moveably mounted relative to the frame and configured to measure, as a function of time, characteristics of capacitive couplings between the sensing surface and a plurality of objects at different locations over the sensing surface; a displacement sensor configured to detect when there is a displacement of the sensing surface relative to the frame due to a displacement load applied to the sensing surface by one of the objects; and a processing element configured to identify which of the objects applied the displacement load based on changes in the measured characteristics of the capacitive couplings for the respective objects during a time period around when the displacement of the sensing surface is detected.

Abstract: A displacement sensor comprising: a first electrode and a second electrode displaceably mounted relative to the first electrode; capacitance measurement circuitry configured to make measurements of a capacitance associated with the first and second electrodes and to generate analogue capacitance measurement signals in response thereto; compensation circuitry configured to generate a compensated analogue capacitance measurement signal by reducing a magnitude of a current analogue capacitance measurement signal by an amount indicated by a compensation signal derived from at least one previous analogue capacitance measurement signal; and processing circuitry configured to digitise the compensated analogue capacitance measurement signal and to determine if there is a displacement of the second electrode relative to the first electrode based on the compensated analogue capacitance measurement signal.

Abstract: The touch panel module comprises a touch panel sensor element and a touch panel controller for measuring changes in capacitance associated with one or more sensor electrodes comprising the touch panel sensor element and generating corresponding touch panel output signalling is communicated to the host controller. The capacitance measurement circuit comprises a capacitance measurement channel coupled to a power supply line for the touch panel module, e.g., a ground for the touch panel module, and is configured to measure a capacitance associated with the touch panel module circuitry coupled to this power supply line and to generate corresponding capacitance measurement circuit output signalling for communication to the host controller. The touch panel power supply at the touch panel module is galvanically isolated from the capacitance measurement circuit power supply at the capacitance measurement circuit.

Abstract: A displacement sensor for sensing a change in separation between a first element and a second element along a displacement direction. The sensor comprises a reference electrode mounted to the second element in the form of a conductive trace on a surface of the second element facing the first element. A deformable electrode, e.g. a conductive elastomeric material, is arranged between the first element and the second element so as to overlie the reference electrode. The deformable electrode has a contact surface facing the reference electrode and insulated therefrom. At least part of the contact surface is inclined relative to an opposing surface of the reference electrode such that when the deformable electrode is compressed along the displacement direction there is a reduction in volume between the contact surface and the opposing surface of the reference electrode, thereby changing the capacitive coupling between them.

Abstract: A capacitive sensor comprising: a first electrode; a displacement element moveably mounted relative to the first electrode; and a second electrode coupled to the displacement element so that displacement of the displacement element along a displacement direction changes a separation between the first electrode and the second electrode; and a controller element configured to selectively operate in a displacement sensing mode and in a proximity sensing mode, wherein in the displacement sensing mode, the controller element is configured to electrically couple the second electrode to a reference potential and to electrically couple the first electrode to capacitance measurement circuitry to measure a capacitance characteristic of the first electrode to determine a displacement of the displacement element relative to the reference electrode; and in the proximity sensing mode, the controller element is configured to electrically couple the second electrode to capacitance measurement circuitry to measure a capacitan

Abstract: A sensing apparatus including a frame; a capacitive sensor comprising a sensing surface moveably mounted relative to the frame and configured to measure, as a function of time, characteristics of capacitive couplings between the sensing surface and a plurality of objects at different locations over the sensing surface; a displacement sensor configured to detect when there is a displacement of the sensing surface relative to the frame due to a displacement load applied to the sensing surface by one of the objects; and a processing element configured to identify which of the objects applied the displacement load based on changes in the measured characteristics of the capacitive couplings for the respective objects during a time period around when the displacement of the sensing surface is detected.

Abstract: The touch panel module comprises a touch panel sensor element and a touch panel controller for measuring changes in capacitance associated with one or more sensor electrodes comprising the touch panel sensor element and generating corresponding touch panel output signalling is communicated to the host controller. The capacitance measurement circuit comprises a capacitance measurement channel coupled to a power supply line for the touch panel module, e.g., a ground for the touch panel module, and is configured to measure a capacitance associated with the touch panel module circuitry coupled to this power supply line and to generate corresponding capacitance measurement circuit output signalling for communication to the host controller. The touch panel power supply at the touch panel module is galvanically isolated from the capacitance measurement circuit power supply at the capacitance measurement circuit.

Abstract: A displacement sensor for sensing a change in separation between a first element and a second element along a displacement direction. The sensor comprises a reference electrode mounted to the second element in the form of a conductive trace on a surface of the second element facing the first element. A deformable electrode, e.g. a conductive elastomeric material, is arranged between the first element and the second element so as to overlie the reference electrode. The deformable electrode has a contact surface facing the reference electrode and insulated therefrom. At least part of the contact surface is inclined relative to an opposing surface of the reference electrode such that when the deformable electrode is compressed along the displacement direction there is a reduction in volume between the contact surface and the opposing surface of the reference electrode, thereby changing the capacitive coupling between them.

Abstract: A capacitive sensor comprising: a first electrode; a displacement element moveably mounted relative to the first electrode; and a second electrode coupled to the displacement element so that displacement of the displacement element along a displacement direction changes a separation between the first electrode and the second electrode; and a controller element configured to selectively operate in a displacement sensing mode and in a proximity sensing mode, wherein in the displacement sensing mode, the controller element is configured to electrically couple the second electrode to a reference potential and to electrically couple the first electrode to capacitance measurement circuitry to measure a capacitance characteristic of the first electrode to determine a displacement of the displacement element relative to the reference electrode; and in the proximity sensing mode, the controller element is configured to electrically couple the second electrode to capacitance measurement circuitry to measure a capacitan