METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SENSING PROXIMITY TOUCH
First Claim
1. A proximity touch sensor comprising:
- an input module for receiving input from outside of the sensor, the input module being configured to include a capacitor and changing the capacitance of the capacitor according to the input;
a comparator for comparing the voltage changed by the capacitance with a reference voltage and reversing its output signal when the voltage changed by the capacitance is equal to the reference voltage, the output signal of the comparator being used as a first clock signal;
a first counter for counting the number of the first clock signal and outputting a signal when the counted result matches a sensing number;
a second counter for counting the number of a second clock signal until it receives the output signal of the first counter; and
a touch determining module for determining the input as a touch based on the output of the second counter.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Method and apparatus for sensing a proximity touch by accumulating delays generated by the proximity touch for at least a predetermined number of times. Compared to general touches, a proximity touch generates a smaller size of delay than the minimum size that a sensor can sense, so it is difficult for conventional touch sensors to sense a proximity touch. Accordingly, for detection of a proximity touch, the proximity touch should generate a larger size of delay than the minimum size that a touch sensor can sense, and to this end, delays generated by a proximity touch are accumulated for at least a predetermined number of times. Then, the accumulated delays are compared with the minimum size that the sensor can sense so as to determine whether there is a proximity touch.
5 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A proximity touch sensor comprising:
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an input module for receiving input from outside of the sensor, the input module being configured to include a capacitor and changing the capacitance of the capacitor according to the input; a comparator for comparing the voltage changed by the capacitance with a reference voltage and reversing its output signal when the voltage changed by the capacitance is equal to the reference voltage, the output signal of the comparator being used as a first clock signal; a first counter for counting the number of the first clock signal and outputting a signal when the counted result matches a sensing number; a second counter for counting the number of a second clock signal until it receives the output signal of the first counter; and a touch determining module for determining the input as a touch based on the output of the second counter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A proximity touch sensor comprising:
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an input module for receiving input from outside of the sensor, the input module being configured to include a capacitor and changing the capacitance of the capacitor according to the input; a comparator for comparing the voltage changed by the capacitance with a reference voltage and reversing its output signal when the voltage changed by the capacitance is equal to the reference voltage, the output signal of the comparator being used as a first clock signal; a first counter for counting the number of the first clock signal and outputting a signal when the counted result matches a sensing number; a sensing number generator configured to generate the sensing number, wherein the sensing number is a number which can be set according the condition of the outer sensor system or the delay condition of the inner sensor system; a second counter for counting the number of a second clock signal until it receives the output signal of the first counter; a clock generator for generating the second clock signal counted by the second counter; and a touch determining module for determining the input as a touch based on the output of the second counter. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for sensing proximity touch comprising:
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receiving an input; changing the capacitance of a capacitor by the input; accumulating delay time for the capacitor to discharge for at least a predetermined number, the delay time being determined by the change of the capacitance; and determining the input as a touch when the accumulated delay time is greater than or equal to a predetermined time. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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Specification