Apparatus and Associated Methods

• US 20130106765A1
• Filed: 12/21/2011
• Published: 05/02/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/26/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Inventors: BEECHER, Paul, Bower, Chris, Radivojevic, Zoran, Andrew, Piers, Haque, Samiul, Cotton, Darryl, Ryhanen, Tapani
• Granted Patent: US 9,733,706 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/174
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04166 Details of scanning methods, e.g. sampling time, grouping of sub areas or time sharing with display driving Synchronisation with the driving of the display or the backlighting unit to avoid interferences generated internally G06F3/04184
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0443 using a single layer of sensing electrodes
• 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: H03K 17/962 Capacitive touch switches
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2217/96062 with tactile or haptic feedback

Abstract

An apparatus including at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to provide a first state or a second state for an electrode, wherein in the first state, the electrode is configured for use in the detection of touch input, and in the second state, the electrode is configured for use in the provision of haptic feedback.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to provide a first state or a second state for an electrode, wherein in the first state, the electrode is configured for use in the detection of touch input, and in the second state, the electrode is configured for use in the provision of haptic feedback.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, in the first state, the electrode serves as part of a capacitive touch sensor, and wherein the apparatus is configured to provide the first state by applying a potential to the electrode and monitoring the capacitance associated with the capacitive touch sensor.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the electrode serves as part of a self-capacitive touch sensor, and wherein the apparatus is configured to provide the first state by applying a potential to the electrode and monitoring the capacitance of the electrode.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the electrode serves as a transmitter electrode of a mutually-capacitive touch sensor, and wherein the apparatus is configured to provide the first state by applying a potential to the transmitter electrode and monitoring the capacitance of a receiver electrode of the mutually-capacitive touch sensor.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured to provide the second state by applying a periodic potential to the electrode and controlling one or more of the amplitude, frequency, duration and polarity of the periodic potential.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured to discharge the electrode between providing the first state and providing the second state, and/or between providing the second state and providing the first state.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured to provide the second state when haptic feedback is required, and provide the first state when haptic feedback is not required.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured to provide the second state in response to a touch input being detected to provide haptic feedback associated with the touch input.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured to repeatedly switch between providing the first state and providing the second state during a period when touch input is required to be detected.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured to repeatedly switch between providing the first state and providing the second state during a period when haptic feedback is required to be provided.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured to switch between providing the first state and providing the second state using one or more switches.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein, in the first state, the one or more switches connect the electrode to a sensor module, and in the second state, the one or more switches connect the electrode to an electrotactile module.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the sensor module comprises one or more of a sensor power supply, a sensor control circuit and a sensor measurement circuit, and the electrotactile module comprises one or more of an electrotactile power supply, an electrotactile control circuit and a stylus ground.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured to provide a first state or a second state for a plurality of electrodes, wherein in the first state, the electrodes are configured for use in the detection of touch input, and in the second state, the electrodes are configured for use in the provision of haptic feedback.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises the electrode.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electrode is formed by the junction of two or more intersecting strips of material.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is one of the following:

an electronic device, a portable electronic device, a portable telecommunications device, a touchscreen display for any of the aforementioned devices, and a module for any of the aforementioned devices.

18. A device comprising the apparatus of claim 1.

19. A method, the method comprising:

providing a first state or a second state for an electrode, wherein in the first state, the electrode is configured for use in the detection of touch input, and in the second state, the electrode is configured for use in the provision of haptic feedback.

20. A computer program, recorded on a carrier, the computer program comprising computer code configured to perform the method of claim 19.