Integrated button activation sensing and proximity sensing
First Claim
1. A method, comprising:
- detecting a presence of a conductive object on a device by individually measuring a capacitance on a plurality of sensor elements of the device;
coupling a group of sensor elements of the plurality of sensor elements together; and
detecting a presence of the conductive object in proximity to the device by collectively measuring a capacitance on the group of coupled sensor elements.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatuses and methods for coupling a group of sensor elements together in one mode to collectively measure a capacitance on the group of sensor elements, in addition to individually measuring a capacitance on each of the sensor elements in another mode. The touch-sensor buttons may be used individually for button-activation sensing, and the touch-sensor buttons may be used collectively for proximity detection. The touch-sensor buttons and a ground conductor that surrounds the touch-sensor buttons may also be collectively used for proximity detection. The apparatus may include a processing device, and a plurality of sensor elements that are individually coupled in a first mode for button-activation sensing and collectively coupled in a second mode for proximity sensing.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A method, comprising:
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detecting a presence of a conductive object on a device by individually measuring a capacitance on a plurality of sensor elements of the device; coupling a group of sensor elements of the plurality of sensor elements together; and detecting a presence of the conductive object in proximity to the device by collectively measuring a capacitance on the group of coupled sensor elements. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An apparatus, comprising:
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a plurality of sensor elements; and a processing device, wherein the plurality of sensor elements are individually coupled to the processing device to detect a presence of a conductive object on the apparatus, and wherein a group of sensor elements of the plurality of sensor elements are collectively coupled to the processing device to detect a presence of a conductive object in proximity to the apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. An apparatus, comprising:
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a plurality of sensor elements of a device; and means for detecting a presence of a conductive object both on the device and in proximity to the device using the plurality of sensor elements and without using an additional proximity sensor. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26)
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Specification