TRANSMITTING AND RECEIVING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR BIDIRECTIONAL ORTHOGONAL SIGNALING SENSORS

• US 20170024061A1
• Filed: 05/23/2016
• Published: 01/26/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 05/22/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tactual Labs Co.
• Original Assignee: Tactual Labs Co.
• Inventors: Forlines, Clifton, Leigh, Darren
• Granted Patent: US 10,191,579 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04101 2.5D-digitiser, i.e. digitiser detecting the X/Y position of the input means, finger or stylus, also when it does not touch, but is proximate to the digitiser's interaction surface and also measures the distance of the input means within a short range in the Z direction, possibly with a separate measurement setup
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04104 Multi-touch detection in digitiser, i.e. details about the simultaneous detection of a plurality of touching locations, e.g. multiple fingers or pen and finger
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04105 Pressure sensors for measuring the pressure or force exerted on the touch surface without providing the touch position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04112 Electrode mesh in capacitive digitiser: electrode for touch sensing is formed of a mesh of very fine, normally metallic, interconnected lines that are almost invisible to see. This provides a quite large but transparent electrode surface, without need for ITO or similar transparent conductive material
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03545 Pens or stylus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03547 Touch pads, in which fingers can move on a surface
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/041 Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0416 Control or interface arrangements specially adapted for digitisers
• 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 3/041661 using detection at multiple resolutions, e.g. coarse and fine scanning; using detection within a limited area, e.g. object tracking window
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/042 by opto-electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/044 by capacitive means
• 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 3/0448 Details of the electrode shape, e.g. for enhancing the detection of touches, for generating specific electric field shapes, for enhancing display quality
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/0003 by switching between different modulation schemes
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0007 the frequencies being orthogonal, e.g. OFDM(A), DMT

Abstract

A system and method for determining location of a touch event on or in proximity to a touch sensitive device is disclosed. The touch sensitive device includes row conductors and column conductors that each only transmit or receive signals during a given frame. Each of the orthogonal row signals is transmitted on a respective one of at least some of the row conductors. Signals are received on each of the column conductors an amount of each of the row signals present on each of the plurality of column conductors is detected. Orthogonal column signals are transmitted on the column conductors. Signals are received on each of the row conductors and an amount of each of the orthogonal column signals present on each of the row conductors is detected. The detected amount of each of the orthogonal row signals and the detected amount of each of the orthogonal column signals is used to determine a location of a touch event on or in proximity to the touch sensitive device. At least one of the transmitting and receiving steps avoids simultaneously transmitting and receiving on at least one of the row conductors or column conductors.

Claims

1. A method of determining a location of a touch event on or in proximity to a touch sensitive device, the touch sensitive device comprising a plurality of row conductors and a plurality of column conductors that each only transmit or receive signals during a given frame, the path of each of the row conductors crossing the path of each of the column conductors, the method comprising:

simultaneously transmitting each of a plurality of orthogonal row signals on a respective one of at least some of the plurality of row conductors;

receiving signals on each of the plurality of column conductors and detecting an amount of each of the plurality of orthogonal row signals present on each of the plurality of column conductors;

simultaneously transmitting each of a plurality of orthogonal column signals on a respective one of at least some of the column conductors;

receiving signals on each of the plurality of row conductors and detecting an amount of each of the plurality of orthogonal column signals present on each of the plurality of row conductors; and

,

using the detected amount of each of the plurality of orthogonal row signals and the detected amount of each of the plurality of orthogonal column signals to determine a location of a touch event on or in proximity to the touch sensitive device;

wherein at least one of the transmitting and receiving steps avoids simultaneously transmitting and receiving on at least one of the row conductors or column conductors.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step that avoids simultaneously transmitting and receiving comprises a step of using at least one switch to switch between broadcast and receive on the at least one conductor.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the at least one switch comprises a switch configured to route either a signal generator or a receiver to the at least one conductor at a given time.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the at least one switch comprises a switch configured to switch a signal generator between the at least one conductor and another conductor.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the at least one switch comprises a switch configured to switch a receiver between the at least one conductor and another conductor.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein the at least one switch is configured to switch a receiver between the at least one conductor and another conductor and configured to switch a signal generator between the at least one conductor and the another conductor.

7. The method of claim 2, further comprising a step of interleaving processing of a first signal received on the at least one conductor with sampling of a second signal received on another conductor.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the step of interleaving comprises:

after sampling a first frame of the first signal received on the at least one conductor and sampling a first frame of the second signal received on the second conductor;

processing the first frame of the first signal and the first frame of the second signal; and

reporting the processed first frame of the first signal and first frame of the second signal.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the step of interleaving comprises processing a first frame of the first signal received on the at least one conductor while sampling a second frame of the first signal received on the at least one conductor.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of interleaving further comprises reporting the processed first frame of the first signal while processing a second frame of the first signal.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of interleaving further comprises processing a first frame of the second signal received on the another conductor while sampling the second frame of the first signal received on the at least one conductor.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of interleaving further comprises reporting the processed first frame of the second signal while processing a second frame of the first signal.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of interleaving comprises processing the second frame of the first signal received on the at least one conductor while sampling a second frame of the second signal received on the at least one conductor.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of interleaving further comprises reporting the processed second frame of the first signal while processing a second frame of the second signal.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising a step of associating each of a plurality of simultaneous touch events with a discrete source based on at least one of:

the detected amount of at least one of the plurality of orthogonal row signals present on at least one row conductor or the detected amount of each of the plurality of orthogonal column signals present on at least one column conductor.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising a step of distinguishing a two-handed gesture from a one-handed gesture.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising a step of distinguishing at least two of the plurality of touch events as having been initiated by different users.

18. The method of claim 15, further comprising a step of distinguishing a passive object from a hand.

19. The method of claim 15, further comprising a step of identifying a passive object whether a user is touching the object or not.

20. The method of claim 15, further comprising a step of identifying a passive object.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the passive object is a stylus.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein the step of identifying a passive object comprises identifying a number of prongs that are connected together and form a specific pattern.

23. The method of claim 20, wherein the step of identifying a passive object comprises switching to electrical connections between the touches in a pattern that is recognizable to the touch sensitive device.

24. The method of claim 15, further comprising a step of identifying an active object.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the active object comprises a signal generator.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein the active object is a stylus.

27. The method of claim 15, further comprising using the association to improve palm rejection.

28. The method of claim 15, further comprising using the association to improve accidental-touch rejection.

29. The method of claim 15, further comprising a step of determining whether the plurality of touch events come from one hand.

30. The method of claim 15, further comprising a step of determining whether the plurality of touch events come from two hands of the same person.

31. The method of claim 15, further comprising a step of determining whether the plurality of touch events come from touches from multiple people.

32. The method of claim 15, further comprising a step of determining whether two contacts, each identified in different frames, are being made by different users.

33. The method of claim 15, further comprising a step of determining whether two contacts, each identified in different frames, are the same contact.

34. The method of claim 15, further comprising a step of utilizing multiple thresholds.

35. The method of claim 34, further comprising using the multiple thresholds to determine at least one of:

whether two of the plurality of touch events come from one hand, whether two of the plurality of touch events come from two hands of the same person, or whether two of the plurality of touch events come from the hands of different people.

36. The method of claim 34, wherein the thresholds are set adaptively as the touch-sensitive device is being used.

37. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of identifying touch events is performed by a signal processor.

38. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of identifying touch events comprises detecting coupling between a row being touched by a first one of a user'"'"'s digits and a row being touched by a second one of the user'"'"'s digits.

39. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of identifying touch events comprises detecting coupling between a column being touched by a first one of a user'"'"'s digits and a column being touched by a second one of the user'"'"'s digits.

40. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of identifying touch events comprises detecting coupling between rows in proximity to a touch event caused by one part of a user'"'"'s body and rows in proximity to a touch event caused by another part of a user'"'"'s body.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein the one part of a user'"'"'s body is a digit and the another part of the user'"'"'s body comprises the user'"'"'s palm.

42. The method of claim 15, wherein the touch events comprise an action by a user that occurs in proximity to the touch sensitive device.

43. A low-latency touch sensitive device, comprising:

a. a plurality of row conductors and column conductors that only transmit or receive signals during a given frame;

b. a plurality of switches operatively connected to the conductors and configured to alternate between connecting each conductor to transmitter and to receiver;

c. row signal generator operatively connected to the plurality of row conductors, the row signal generator adapted to simultaneously generate a plurality of unique orthogonal row signals, each unique orthogonal row signal being orthogonal to each of the other unique orthogonal row signals;

d. column signal decoder operatively connected to the plurality of column conductors, the column signal decoder adapted to detect a level for each of the plurality of unique orthogonal row signals on each of the plurality of column conductors;

e. column signal generator operatively connected to the plurality of column conductors, the column signal generator adapted to simultaneously generate a plurality of unique orthogonal column signals, each unique orthogonal column signal being orthogonal to each of the other unique orthogonal column signals;

f. row signal decoder operatively connected to the plurality of row conductors, the row signal decoder adapted to detect a level for each of the plurality of unique orthogonal column signals on each of the plurality of row conductors and a level for each of the plurality of unique orthogonal row signals on each of the plurality of row conductors; and

g. processor configured to associate each of a plurality of simultaneous touch events with a discrete source based on a detected amount of at least one of the plurality of orthogonal row signals present on at least one of the plurality of row conductors.

44. The device of claim 43, wherein the processor is further configured to distinguish a two-handed gesture from a one-handed gesture.

45. The device of claim 43, wherein the processor is further configured to distinguish at least two of the plurality of touch events as having been initiated by different users.

46. The device of claim 43, wherein the processor is further configured to distinguish a passive object from a hand.

47. The device of claim 43, wherein the processor is further configured to identify a passive object whether a user is touching the object or not.

48. The device of claim 43, wherein the processor is further configured to identify a passive object.

49. The device of claim 48, wherein the passive object is a stylus.

50. The device of claim 48, wherein the processor is further configured to identify a number of prongs that are connected together and form a specific pattern.

51. The device of claim 48, wherein the processor is further configured to switch to electrical connections between the touches in a pattern that is recognizable to the touch sensitive device.

52. The device of claim 43, wherein the processor is further configured to identify an active object.

53. The device of claim 52, wherein the active object comprises a signal generator.

54. The device of claim 52, wherein the active object is a stylus.

55. The device of claim 43, wherein the processor is further configured to use the association to improve palm rejection.

56. The device of claim 43, wherein the processor is further configured to use the association to improve accidental-touch rejection.

57. The device of claim 43, wherein the processor is further configured to determine whether the plurality of touch events come from one hand.

58. The device of claim 43, wherein the processor is further configured to determine whether the plurality of touch events come from two hands of the same person.

59. The device of claim 43, wherein the processor is further configured to determine whether the plurality of touch events come from touches from multiple people.

60. The device of claim 43, wherein the processor is further configured to determine whether two contacts, each identified in different frames, are being made by different users.

61. The device of claim 43, wherein the processor is further configured to determine whether two contacts, each identified in different frames, are the same contact.

62. The device of claim 43, wherein the processor is further configured to utilize multiple thresholds.

63. The device of claim 62, wherein the processor is further configured to use the multiple thresholds to determine at least one of:

whether two of the plurality of touch events come from one hand, whether two of the plurality of touch events come from two hands of the same person, or whether two of the plurality of touch events come from the hands of different people.

64. The device of claim 62, wherein the processor is further configured to set the thresholds adaptively as the touch-sensitive device is being used.

65. The device of claim 43, wherein processor is a signal processor.

66. The device of claim 43, wherein the processor is further configured to detect coupling between a row being touched by a first one of a user'"'"'s digits and a row being touched by a second one of the user'"'"'s digits.

67. The device of claim 43, wherein the processor is further configured to detect coupling between a column being touched by a first one of a user'"'"'s digits and a column being touched by a second one of the user'"'"'s digits.

68. The device of claim 43, wherein the processor is further configured to detect coupling between rows in proximity to a touch event caused by one part of a user'"'"'s body and rows in proximity to a touch event caused by another part of a user'"'"'s body.

69. The device of claim 68, wherein the one part of a user'"'"'s body is a digit and the another part of the user'"'"'s body comprises the user'"'"'s palm.

70. The device of claim 43, wherein the touch events comprise an action by a user that occurs in proximity to the touch sensitive device.

71. The device of claim 43, wherein the processor is further configured to apply a label to a contact.

72. The device of claim 71, wherein the processor is further configured to cause the label applied to the contact to persist across frames.