Method and system for extending the lifespan of a touch screen assembly

• US 20080018610A1
• Filed: 07/20/2006
• Published: 01/24/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/20/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited (Trimble Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited (Trimble Inc.)
• Inventors: Pearson, James Walter, Puckette, Robert Barnwell Elliott, Peskin, Christopher Alexander, Harmon, John Paul
• Application Number:
  US11/491,385
• Publication Number:
  US 20080018610A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0416 Control or interface arrangements specially adapted for digitisers

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention recite a method and system for extending the lifespan of a touch screen assembly. In one embodiment, a signal is received indicating an input pressure is being applied to a touch screen assembly. It is then determined that the input pressure comprises a valid input event and the coordinates of the valid input event are received from the touch screen assembly.

Claims

1. A method for extending the lifespan of a touch screen assembly, said method comprising:

receiving an analog signal indicating an input pressure is being applied to a touch screen assembly;

determining said input pressure is at least equal to a programmable threshold voltage; and

determining said input pressure comprises a valid input event.

2. The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising:

determining a voltage output from an analog multiplexer coupled with said touch screen assembly.

3. The method as recited in claim 2 further comprising:

comparing said voltage with said programmable threshold voltage.

4. The method as recited in claim 3 further comprising:

determining that said analog signal indicates a valid input event based upon said comparing.

5. The method as recited in claim 4 further comprising:

initiating a signal that said input pressure comprises said valid input event based upon said determining that said voltage is at least equal to said programmable threshold voltage.

7. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said method further comprises:

receiving said analog signal from a touch screen assembly device disposed in a handheld electronic device.

6. The method as recited in claim 6 further comprising:

determining the coordinates of said valid input event on said touch screen assembly in response to said signal.

8. A system for extending the lifespan of a touch screen assembly, said system comprising:

a bus

a touch screen assembly coupled with said bus;

an analog multiplexer/demultiplexer coupled with said touch screen assembly; and

a controller coupled with said bus, said controller for determining that a pressure exerted on said touch screen assembly device is at least equal to a programmable threshold voltage.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein said touch screen assembly outputs an analog signal in response to said pressure being exerted.

10. The system of claim 8 further comprising:

a sensing circuit coupled with an output from said analog multiplexer/demultiplexer, said sensing circuit for determining a voltage generated by said analog multiplexer/demultiplexer in response to said pressure exerted on said touch screen assembly.

11. The system of claim 10 further comprising:

a comparator for accessing said voltage determined by said sensing circuit and for comparing said voltage with said programmable threshold voltage.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein said comparator is further for initiating a signal indicating that said pressure comprises a valid input event.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein said controller subsequently determines the coordinates of said pressure based upon said signal.

14. The system of claim 8 wherein said bus, said touch screen assembly, said controller and said analog multiplexer/demultiplexer are disposed in a handheld electronic device.

15. A method for extending the lifespan of a touch screen assembly, said method comprising:

receiving an interrupt which indicates that an input pressure is being applied to a touch screen assembly;

determining that said input pressure comprises a valid input event; and

receiving the coordinates of said valid input event from said touch screen assembly.

16. The method as recited in claim 15 further comprising:

determining a voltage output from an analog multiplexer coupled with said touch screen assembly.

17. The method as recited in claim 16 further comprising:

executing a sub-routine for determining whether said input pressure comprises said valid input event.

18. The method as recited in claim 17 wherein said sub-routine further comprises:

accessing said voltage output by said analog multiplexor/demultiplexor;

accessing a programmable threshold voltage; and

comparing said voltage with said programmable threshold voltage.

19. The method as recited in claim 18 wherein said sub-routine further comprises:

determining that said voltage is at least equal to said programmable threshold voltage.

20. The method as recited in claim 19 wherein said sub-routine further comprises:

initiating a signal that said input pressure comprises said valid input event based upon said determining that said voltage is at least equal to said programmable threshold voltage.