Abstract: A device includes a touch sensor and a touch-sensor controller. The touch-sensor may receive a signal associated with an operation of the device; in response to the signal, determine that a detection mode of the touch sensor associated with the device is to be changed, and in response to the determination, increase sensitivity of a first portion, but not all, of the touch sensor. A first portion of increased sensitivity may be an area of the touch sensor associated with a button. A first portion of increased sensitivity may be the top right portion of the touch sensor. In other examples, sensitivity may be decreased when an operation is a game played by a user on the device, a voicemail operation on the device, or an operation requiring an ear or face of a user to contact the touch sensor.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a controller includes a storage unit and a processor unit. The processor unit is coupled to the storage unit and configured to receive a signal associated with an operation of a device that includes a touch sensor. The touch sensor includes a first plurality of electrodes oriented in a first direction in a first portion of the touch sensor, a second plurality of electrodes oriented in the first direction in a second portion of the touch sensor, and a third plurality of electrodes intersecting the first and second plurality of electrodes. The processor unit is further configured to determine, in response to the signal, that a detection mode of the touch sensor is to be changed and in response to the determination, couple the second plurality of electrodes to a fixed voltage source to decrease a detection range in the second portion of the touch sensor.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus for detecting a touch. The apparatus includes a touch sensor that includes a first plurality of electrode lines and a second plurality of electrode lines. The apparatus also includes a touch sensor controller coupled to the touch sensor. The touch sensor controller is operable to apply a respective voltage pulse simultaneously to each of the first plurality of electrode lines, measure a respective signal at each of the second plurality of electrode lines, and detect a touch based on the measurement of the respective signals.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a controller includes a storage unit and a processor unit. The processor unit is coupled to the storage unit and configured to receive a signal associated with an operation of a device that includes a touch sensor. The touch sensor includes a first plurality of electrodes oriented in a first direction in a first portion of the touch sensor, a second plurality of electrodes oriented in the first direction in a second portion of the touch sensor, and a third plurality of electrodes intersecting the first and second plurality of electrodes. The processor unit is further configured to determine, in response to the signal, that a detection mode of the touch sensor is to be changed and in response to the determination, couple the second plurality of electrodes to a fixed voltage source to decrease a detection range in the second portion of the touch sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a sense unit operable to sense a plurality of first signals transmitted on one or more vertical lines and one or more horizontal lines of a touch sensor, the one or more vertical lines and the one or more horizontal lines operable to drive the plurality of first signals. The apparatus also includes a drive unit operable to transmit, in response to the sense unit sensing at least one of the plurality of first signals, a second signal to the one or more vertical lines and the one or more horizontal lines, the second signal changing an effective charge of the one or more vertical lines and the one or more horizontal lines.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for changing the detection range of a touch sensor includes receiving a signal associated with an operation of a device having a touch sensor, and in response to the signal, determining that a detection mode of the touch sensor associated with the device is to be changed. In response to the determination, decreasing sensitivity of a portion, but not all, of the touch sensor.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus for detecting a touch. The apparatus includes a touch sensor that includes a first plurality of electrode lines and a second plurality of electrode lines. The apparatus also includes a touch sensor controller coupled to the touch sensor. The touch sensor controller is operable to apply a respective voltage pulse simultaneously to each of the first plurality of electrode lines, measure a respective signal at each of the second plurality of electrode lines, and detect a touch based on the measurement of the respective signals.

Abstract: An apparatus of one embodiment includes a sensor and a controller. The sensor has first and second electrodes separated by an insulator. The controller includes measurement circuitry, a processor, and a memory comprising logic. The logic is operable to disconnect the second electrode from the measurement circuitry, induce a current on the second electrode by applying voltage to the first electrode, apply charge to the second electrode, connect the second electrode to the measurement circuitry after applying the charge to the second electrode, and determine a capacitance value associated with the second electrode.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus for detecting a touch. The apparatus includes a touch sensor that includes a first plurality of electrode lines and a second plurality of electrode lines. The apparatus also includes a touch sensor controller coupled to the touch sensor. The touch sensor controller is operable to apply a respective voltage pulse simultaneously to each of the first plurality of electrode lines, measure a respective signal at each of the second plurality of electrode lines, and detect a touch based on the measurement of the respective signals.

Abstract: An apparatus of one embodiment includes a sensor and a controller. The sensor has first and second electrodes separated by an insulator. The controller includes measurement circuitry, a processor, and a memory comprising logic. The logic is operable to disconnect the second electrode from the measurement circuitry, induce a current on the second electrode by applying voltage to the first electrode, apply charge to the second electrode, connect the second electrode to the measurement circuitry after applying the charge to the second electrode, and determine a capacitance value associated with the second electrode.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for changing the detection range of a touch sensor includes receiving a signal associated with an operation of a device having a touch sensor, and in response to the signal, determining that a detection mode of the touch sensor associated with the device is to be changed. In response to the determination, decreasing sensitivity of a portion, but not all, of the touch sensor.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus for detecting a touch. The apparatus includes a touch sensor that includes a first plurality of electrode lines and a second plurality of electrode lines. The apparatus also includes a touch sensor controller coupled to the touch sensor. The touch sensor controller is operable to apply a respective voltage pulse simultaneously to each of the first plurality of electrode lines, measure a respective signal at each of the second plurality of electrode lines, and detect a touch based on the measurement of the respective signals.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a sense unit operable to sense a plurality of first signals transmitted on one or more vertical lines and one or more horizontal lines of a touch sensor, the one or more vertical lines and the one or more horizontal lines operable to drive the plurality of first signals. The apparatus also includes a drive unit operable to transmit, in response to the sense unit sensing at least one of the plurality of first signals, a second signal to the one or more vertical lines and the one or more horizontal lines, the second signal changing an effective charge of the one or more vertical lines and the one or more horizontal lines.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a sense unit operable to sense a plurality of first signals transmitted on one or more vertical lines and one or more horizontal lines of a touch sensor, the one or more vertical lines and the one or more horizontal lines operable to drive the plurality of first signals. The apparatus also includes a drive unit operable to transmit, in response to the sense unit sensing at least one of the plurality of first signals, a second signal to the one or more vertical lines and the one or more horizontal lines, the second signal changing an effective charge of the one or more vertical lines and the one or more horizontal lines.