TOUCH SENSING ON THREE DIMENSIONAL OBJECTS

• US 20120019449A1
• Filed: 07/26/2010
• Published: 01/26/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Atmel Corporation (Microchip Technology Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Atmel Corporation (Microchip Technology Incorporated), QRG Limited (Microchip Technology Incorporated)
• Inventors: Yilmaz, Esat, Ard, Christopher
• Application Number:
  US12/843,427
• Publication Number:
  US 20120019449A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0445 using two or more layers of sensing electrodes, e.g. using two layers of electrodes separated by a dielectric layer
• 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 3/047 using sets of wires, e.g. crossed wires
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures

Abstract

Examples of touch sensors are capable of determining the position of one or more touches and/or gestures on a three dimensional object.

Claims

1. A touch sensor for determining position of a touch on a three dimensional object, the touch sensor comprising:

pluralities of first and second electrodes and an insulator between the first and second electrodes, the first and second electrodes and the insulator being mounted to a surface of the three-dimensional object,

the plurality of first electrodes being arranged in a first direction, and

the plurality of second electrodes being arranged in a second direction different from the first direction such that the first and second electrodes cross over each other to form touch sensing nodes at three-dimensional locations relative to the object; and

a processor configured to process a signal from one or more of the electrodes representing the touch at one or more of the sensing nodes, to determine a position of the touch on the three dimensional object.

2. The touch sensor of claim 1, wherein:

the insulator comprises an insulating substrate; and

at least one of the plurality of the first electrodes and the plurality of the second electrodes is formed on a surface of the insulating substrate.

3. The touch sensor of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to process a plurality of detected touches and determine a gesture occurred, and when occurrence of a gesture is detected, to initiate performance of a function corresponding to the gesture.

4. The touch sensor of claim 3, wherein the function is selected from the group consisting of adjusting a volume level, turning power on to a device, and turning power off at a device.

5. The touch sensor of claim 1, wherein the three-dimensional object is cylindrical.

6. The touch sensor of claim 1, wherein the three-dimensional object is disc-shaped.

7. The touch sensor of claim 1, wherein:

the first electrodes form drive electrodes;

the second electrodes form sense electrodes; and

the touch sensor further comprises;

a drive unit connected to apply a drive signal to the first electrodes; and

a sense unit connected to sense a change in charge on the second electrodes and supply sensing results to the processor.

8. The touch sensor of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to detect and track movement of touch positions to detect one or more gestures selected from the group consisting of:

a push gesture, a pull gesture, a rotational gesture in a first direction, and a rotational gesture in a second direction opposite the first direction.

9. The touch sensor of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to detect and track movement of touch positions to detect a three dimensional screwing movement at the object.

10. The touch sensor of claim 9, wherein the processor is further configured to detect distinguish between positive and negative movement in at least one direction of the three dimensional screwing movement.

11. The touch sensor of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to detect and track movement of touch positions to detect a plurality of gestures including:

a push gesture, a pull gesture, a rotational gesture in a first direction, a rotational gesture in a second direction opposite the first direction, and a three dimensional screw gesture.

12. A touch panel for placement on the surface of a three dimensional object, the touch panel comprising:

a plurality of first electrodes arranged in a first direction;

a plurality of second electrodes; and

an insulator between the first and second electrodes,

the plurality of second electrodes being arranged in a second direction different from the first direction such that the first and second electrodes cross over each other to form touch sensing nodes,

wherein the pluralities of first and second electrodes and the insulator are configured for mounting to the surface of the three-dimensional object in such a manner that each of the nodes will be located at a three-dimensional location relative to the object.

13. The touch panel of claim 12, wherein:

the insulator comprises an insulating substrate; and

at least one of the plurality of the first electrodes and the plurality of the second electrodes is formed on a surface of the insulating substrate.

14. The touch sensor of claim 12, wherein the three-dimensional object is cylindrical.

15. The touch sensor of claim 12, wherein the three-dimensional object is disc-shaped.