TOUCH SENSORS AND TOUCH SENSING METHODS
First Claim
1. A touch-sensitive position sensor comprising:
- an array of first electrodes and an array of second electrodes arranged in a pattern to define a sensing surface; and
a controller coupled to respective ones of the first electrodes and the second electrodes and arranged to determine a reported position for an object adjacent the sensing surface in a coordinate system defined relative to the first electrodes and the second electrodes by measuring changes in an electrical parameter associated with the first electrodes and the second electrodes which is caused by the presence of the object; and
wherein at least some of the first electrodes and the second electrodes are arranged to follow paths which are non-linear within the sensing surface such that object positions along a straight line on the sensing surface correspond with reported positions along a curve in the coordinate system defined relative to the first electrodes and second electrodes.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A touch-sensitive position sensor is disclosed. The sensor comprises an array of first electrodes and an array of second electrodes arranged to cross one another in a pattern to define a sensing surface. The sensing surface has a rectangular shape which is formed into a cylinder such that first and second opposing edges of the sensing surface are adjacent one another. A controller is coupled to respective ones of the first electrodes and the second electrodes and arranged to measure changes in an electrical parameter, e.g. capacitance or resistance, associated with the first and second electrodes caused by the presence of the object adjacent the sensing surface. The controller is further operable to determine a reported position for the object from these measurements in a coordinate system defined relative to the electrodes. At least some of the electrodes are arranged to follow paths which are non-linear within the sensing surface such that object positions along a straight line between the first and second opposing edges on the sensing surface correspond with reported positions along a closed curve in the coordinate system defined relative to the electrodes. Thus, a continuous movement around a circumference of the cylindrical sensing surface is reported as a continuous movement around a closed path in the coordinate system defined relative to the electrodes.
59 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A touch-sensitive position sensor comprising:
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an array of first electrodes and an array of second electrodes arranged in a pattern to define a sensing surface; and a controller coupled to respective ones of the first electrodes and the second electrodes and arranged to determine a reported position for an object adjacent the sensing surface in a coordinate system defined relative to the first electrodes and the second electrodes by measuring changes in an electrical parameter associated with the first electrodes and the second electrodes which is caused by the presence of the object; and wherein at least some of the first electrodes and the second electrodes are arranged to follow paths which are non-linear within the sensing surface such that object positions along a straight line on the sensing surface correspond with reported positions along a curve in the coordinate system defined relative to the first electrodes and second electrodes. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of sensing a position of an object adjacent a sensing surface comprising:
- providing an array of first electrodes and an array of second electrodes arranged in a pattern on the sensing surface;
determining a reported position for the object in a coordinate system defined relative to the first electrodes and the second electrodes by measuring changes in an electrical parameter associated with the first electrodes and the second electrodes caused by the presence of the object, wherein at least some of the first electrodes and the second electrodes are arranged to follow paths which are non-linear within the sensing surface such that object positions along a straight line on the sensing surface correspond with reported positions along a curve in the coordinate system defined relative to the first electrodes and second electrodes.
- providing an array of first electrodes and an array of second electrodes arranged in a pattern on the sensing surface;
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17. (canceled)
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18. (canceled)
Specification