Force sensing resistor (FSR) with capacitive sensing

• US 10,534,473 B2
• Filed: 11/16/2017
• Issued: 01/14/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 11/16/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
• Inventors: Schediwy, Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): Butcher, Brian M
• Application Number:
  US15/815,519
• Publication Number:
  US 20190146627A1
• Time in Patent Office: 789 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04101 2.5D-digitiser, i.e. digitiser detecting the X/Y position of the input means, finger or stylus, also when it does not touch, but is proximate to the digitiser's interaction surface and also measures the distance of the input means within a short range in the Z direction, possibly with a separate measurement setup
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04106 Multi-sensing digitiser, i.e. digitiser using at least two different sensing technologies simultaneously or alternatively, e.g. for detecting pen and finger, for saving power or for improving position detection
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0416 Control or interface arrangements specially adapted for digitisers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/044 by capacitive means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/045 using resistive elements, e.g. a single continuous surface or two parallel surfaces put in contact
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/962 Capacitive touch switches
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/9625 using a force resistance transducer
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/9645 Resistive touch switches

Abstract

An input device includes a sensor apparatus coupled to a sensing region. The sensor apparatus is operable in at least a first mode or a second mode. When operating in the first mode, the input device is configured to detect a capacitance of the sensor apparatus. When operating in a second mode, the input device is configured to detect a resistance of the sensor apparatus. The input device is further configured to process user inputs in the sensing region based at least in part on the detected capacitance or resistance of the sensor apparatus. In some implementations, the input device may be configured to switch between the first mode and the second mode based at least in part on the detected capacitance or resistance of the sensor apparatus.

Claims

1. An input device, comprising:

a sensor apparatus coupled to a sensing region of the input device; and

processing circuitry configured to operate the sensor apparatus in at least a first mode or a second mode, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to;

detect a capacitance of the sensor apparatus when operating in the first mode;

detect a resistance of the sensor apparatus when operating in the second mode;

switch from the first mode to the second mode when the detected capacitance exceeds a threshold capacitance;

switch from the second mode to the first mode when the detected resistance exceeds a threshold resistance; and

process user inputs in the sensing region based at least in part on the detected capacitance or the detected resistance of the sensor apparatus.

2. The input device of claim 1, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to:

operate the sensor apparatus in the first mode when no external forces are exerted in the sensing region; and

operate the sensor apparatus in the second mode when at least a threshold amount of force is applied to the sensing region.

3. The input device of claim 1, wherein the processing circuitry is configured to switch between the first mode and the second mode periodically.

4. The input device of claim 1, wherein the sensor apparatus comprises:

an active layer including a first conductive element and a second conductive element; and

a resistive layer formed from a conductive substrate, wherein an air gap separates the active layer from the resistive layer when no external forces are exerted on the sensor apparatus.

5. The input device of claim 4, wherein the processing circuitry is configured to detect the capacitance of the sensor apparatus by:

transmitting a first signal via the first conductive element;

receiving a resulting signal, based on the first signal, via the second conductive element; and

measuring a capacitance between the first conductive element and the second conductive element based at least in part on the resulting signal.

6. The input device of claim 4, wherein the processing circuitry is configured to detect the resistance of the sensor apparatus by:

coupling the first conductive element to a first voltage source;

coupling the second conductive element to a resistor, wherein a first end of the resistor is coupled to the second conductive element and a second end of the resistor is coupled to a second voltage source; and

measuring a resistance between the first conductive element and the second conductive element based at least in part on a voltage across the resistor.

7. The input device of claim 6, wherein the second voltage source corresponds to a ground potential.

8. The input device of claim 6, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to:

couple the second end of the resistor to a floating voltage when operating the sensor apparatus in the first mode.

9. A method of operating an input device, comprising:

detecting a capacitance of a sensor apparatus when operating the sensor apparatus in a first mode;

detecting a resistance of the sensor apparatus when operating the sensor apparatus in a second mode;

switching from the first mode to the second mode when the detected capacitance exceeds a threshold capacitance;

switching from the second mode to the first mode when the detected resistance exceeds a threshold resistance; and

processing user inputs in a sensing region of the input device based at least in part on the detected capacitance or the detected resistance of the sensor apparatus, wherein the sensor apparatus is coupled to the sensing region.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

operating the sensor apparatus in the first mode when no external forces are exerted in the sensing region; and

operating the sensor apparatus in the second mode when at least a threshold amount of force is applied to the sensing region.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

switching between the first mode and the second mode periodically.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the detecting of the capacitance comprises:

transmitting a first signal via a first conductive element of the sensor apparatus;

receiving a resulting signal, based on the first signal, via a second conductive element of the sensor apparatus; and

measuring a capacitance between the first conductive element and the second conductive element based at least in part on the resulting signal.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the detecting of the resistance comprises:

coupling a first conductive element to a first voltage source;

coupling a second conductive element to a resistor, wherein a first end of the resistor is coupled to the second conductive element and a second end of the resistor is coupled to a second voltage source; and

measuring a resistance between the first conductive element and the second conductive element based at least in part on a voltage across the resistor.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the second voltage source corresponds to a ground potential.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

coupling the second end of the resistor to a floating voltage when operating the sensor apparatus in the first mode.

16. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by processing circuitry of an input device, cause the input device to perform operations comprising:

detecting a capacitance of a sensor apparatus when operating the sensor apparatus in a first mode, wherein the sensor apparatus is coupled to a sensing region of the input device;

detecting a resistance of the sensor apparatus when operating the sensor apparatus in a second mode;

switching from the first mode to the second mode when the detected capacitance exceeds a threshold capacitance;

switching from the second mode to the first mode when the detected resistance exceeds a threshold resistance; and

processing user inputs in a sensing region of the input device based at least in part on the detected capacitance or the detected resistance of the sensor apparatus, wherein the sensor apparatus is coupled to the sensing region.