Methods and Apparatus for Capacitive Sensing
First Claim
1. An electronic device comprising:
- a plurality of capacitive sensor electrodes, wherein each capacitive sensor electrode in the plurality of capacitive sensor electrodes is disposed at a different location across a surface of the electronic device; and
sensing circuitry, wherein the sensing circuitry is configured to detect a contact location of a touch at the surface of the electronic device using the plurality of capacitive sensor electrodes, wherein the sensing circuitry is configured to detect, a capacitance indicative of a distance between an external source of electric potential and the surface using the plurality of capacitive sensor electrodes.
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Abstract
The present disclosure addresses methods and apparatus facilitating capacitive sensing using a conductive surface, and facilitating the sensing of proximity to the conductive surface. The sensed proximity will often be that of a user but can be another source of a reference voltage potential. In some examples, the described systems are capable of sensing, capacitance (including parasitic capacitance) in a circuit that includes the outer conductive surface, and where that outer conductive surface is at a floating electrical potential. In some systems, the systems can be switched between two operating modes, a first mode in which the system will sense proximity to the conductive surface, and a second mode in which the system will use a capacitance measurement to sense contact with the conductive surface.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An electronic device comprising:
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a plurality of capacitive sensor electrodes, wherein each capacitive sensor electrode in the plurality of capacitive sensor electrodes is disposed at a different location across a surface of the electronic device; and sensing circuitry, wherein the sensing circuitry is configured to detect a contact location of a touch at the surface of the electronic device using the plurality of capacitive sensor electrodes, wherein the sensing circuitry is configured to detect, a capacitance indicative of a distance between an external source of electric potential and the surface using the plurality of capacitive sensor electrodes. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. The electronic device defined in claim further comprising:
an electronic device housing, wherein at least one of the plurality of capacitive sensor electrodes is formed from a portion of the electronic device housing.
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5. A proximity and touch sensing system operable in first and second modes, the proximity and touch sensing system comprising:
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a plurality of capacitive sensor electrodes arranged across a surface of the proximity and touch sensing system, wherein the plurality of capacitive sensor electrodes is configured to generate capacitance signals; and sensing circuitry, wherein the sensing circuitry is configured to identify a location of a touch at the surface using the capacitance signals when the proximity and touch sensing system is in the first mode, and wherein the sensing circuitry is configured to detect a capacitance using the capacitance signals to determine whether an object is close to the surface when the proximity and touch sensing system is in the second mode. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of operating an electronic device having sensing circuitry and a plurality of capacitor electrodes disposed across a surface of the electronic device, the method comprising:
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generating capacitance signals with the plurality of capacitor electrodes; with the sensing circuitry, determining a touch location at which an external source of electric potential is in contact with the surface of the electronic device; and with the sensing circuitry, detecting a capacitance indicative of a distance between the external source Of electric potential and the surface of the electronic device using the capacitance signals. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification