METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A TOUCH SENSOR
First Claim
1. A method for controlling a touch sensor, the touch sensor comprising a support layer and an electrically conductive sensor structure thereon, wherein the electrically conductive sensor structure forms a plurality of capacitors, the capacitors having a capacitance varying in response to a user touching or approaching the corresponding capacitor, and wherein the electrically conductive sensor structure comprises a piezoresistive material and is configured to provide a resistance varying in response to a force being applied to the support layer, the method comprising:
- supplying an alternating electrical signal to the electrically conductive sensor structure for scanning the plurality of capacitors,determining an actuation position where the user touches or approaches the touch sensor based on the alternating electrical signal and the capacitances of the plurality of capacitors,detecting an electrical signal which is a function of the resistance of the electrically conductive sensor structure, andperforming a synchronous demodulation of the detected electrical signal based on the alternating electrical signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention relates to a method for controlling a touch sensor. The touch sensor comprises a support layer and an electrically conductive sensor structure thereon. The electrically conductive sensor structure forms a plurality of capacitors having a capacitance varying in response to a user touching or approaching the capacitor. The electrically conductive sensor structure comprises a piezoresistive material providing a resistance varying in response to a force being applied to the support layer. According to the method, an alternating electrical signal is supplied to the electrically conductive sensor structure for scanning the capacitors. An actuation position where the user touches the touch sensor is determined based on the alternating electrical signal and the capacitances of the capacitors. An electrical signal which is a function of the resistance of the electrically conductive sensor structure is detected and synchronously demodulated based on the alternating electrical signal.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A method for controlling a touch sensor, the touch sensor comprising a support layer and an electrically conductive sensor structure thereon, wherein the electrically conductive sensor structure forms a plurality of capacitors, the capacitors having a capacitance varying in response to a user touching or approaching the corresponding capacitor, and wherein the electrically conductive sensor structure comprises a piezoresistive material and is configured to provide a resistance varying in response to a force being applied to the support layer, the method comprising:
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supplying an alternating electrical signal to the electrically conductive sensor structure for scanning the plurality of capacitors, determining an actuation position where the user touches or approaches the touch sensor based on the alternating electrical signal and the capacitances of the plurality of capacitors, detecting an electrical signal which is a function of the resistance of the electrically conductive sensor structure, and performing a synchronous demodulation of the detected electrical signal based on the alternating electrical signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A controller for controlling a touch sensor, the touch sensor comprising a support layer and an electrically conductive sensor structure thereon, wherein the electrically conductive sensor structure forms a plurality of capacitors, the capacitors having a capacitance varying in response to a user touching or approaching the corresponding capacitor, and wherein the electrically conductive sensor structure comprises a piezoresistive material and is configured to provide a resistance varying in response to a force being applied to the support layer, the controller being configured to
supply an alternating electrical signal (30) to the electrically conductive sensor structure for scanning the plurality of capacitors, determine an actuation position where the user touches or approaches the touch sensor based on the alternating electrical signal and the capacitances of the plurality of capacitors, detect an electrical signal which is a function of the resistance of the electrically conductive sensor structure, and perform a synchronous demodulation of the detected electrical signal based on the alternating electrical signal.
Specification