ELECTRONIC ANALYSIS CIRCUIT WITH ALTERNATION OF CAPACITIVE/RESISTIVE MEASUREMENT FOR PASSIVE-MATRIX MULTICONTACT TACTILE SENSOR

• US 20100289508A1
• Filed: 12/19/2008
• Published: 11/18/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Stantum SAS
• Original Assignee: Stantum SAS
• Inventors: Olivier, Julien, Largillier, Guillaume, Joguet, Pascal
• Application Number:
  US12/809,434
• Publication Number:
  US 20100289508A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 324/686
• 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 3/0446 using a grid-like structure of electrodes in at least two directions, e.g. using row and column electrodes
• 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: G06F 3/047 using sets of wires, e.g. crossed wires

Abstract

An electronic analysis circuit for a passive-matrix multicontact tactile sensor including an electrical supply mechanism feeding one of two axes of the matrix, and a mechanism for detecting electrical characteristics along the other axis of the matrix, at intersections between the two axes. The electrical characteristic measured is alternately capacitance and resistance. A multicontact passive-matrix tactile sensor includes an electrical supply mechanism feeding one of the two axes of the matrix, a mechanism detecting electrical characteristics along the other axis of the matrix, at the intersections between the two axes, and such an electronic analysis circuit.

Claims

1-10. -10. (canceled)

11. An analysis electronic circuit for a passive-matrix multicontact tactile sensors comprising:

means for electrically energizing one of two axes of the matrix; and

means for detecting electrical characteristics on the other axis of the matrix at intersections between the two axes,

wherein the electrical characteristic measured is alternately capacitance and resistance.

12. An analysis electronic circuit according to claim 11, wherein the alternation of the measured electrical characteristic is periodic.

13. An analysis electronic circuit according to claim 12, wherein the alternation of the measured electrical characteristic is effected in each of a scanning cycle.

14. An analysis electronic circuit according to claim 11, wherein the alternation of the measured electrical characteristic is conditioned by detection of at least one artifact.

15. An analysis electronic circuit according to claim 14, wherein the measured electrical characteristic is the resistance in a case of detection of the at least one artifact.

16. An analysis electronic circuit according to claim 11, wherein the alternation of the measured electrical characteristic is conditioned by reception of a control signal.

17. An analysis electronic circuit according to claim 11, wherein the electrical characteristic is measured in each of a scanning phase of the sensor and is resistance, and when a contact is detected in a contact area an additional capacitance measurement is effected over an area as a whole to determine a nature of the contact.

18. An analysis electronic circuit according to claim 11, for which the contact means is a finger, wherein the electrical characteristic measured in each of a phase of scanning the sensor is resistance, and if contact is detected in a contact area during a first scanning phase and is no longer detected during a later scanning phase, an additional capacitance measurement is effected over an area as a whole to determine any subsequent proximity of the finger.

19. An analysis electronic circuit according to claim 11, wherein the electrical characteristic is measured in each of a phase of scanning the sensor and is capacitance, and if contact is detected in a contact area inside a graphic object, an additional resistance measurement is effected over a whole of the graphic object to determine a force exerted on the graphic object by the contact.

20. A multicontact passive-matrix tactile sensor comprising:

means for electrically energizing one of two axes of the matrix; and

means for detecting electrical characteristics on the other axis of the matrix at intersections between the two axes; and

an analysis electronic circuit according to claim 11.