Closed-loop sensor on a solid-state object position detector
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An object position detector, comprising:
- a processor comprising a plurality of sensor inputs;
a first touch sensor configured to sense an object proximate to a substantially closed loop, the touch sensor comprising a first plurality of sensor electrodes disposed along the substantially closed loop, wherein a first sensor electrode of the first plurality of sensor electrodes is coupled to a first sensor input of the plurality of sensor inputs; and
a second touch sensor comprising a second plurality of sensor electrodes, the second touch sensor configured to sense an object proximate to the second plurality of sensor electrodes, wherein a first sensor electrode of the second plurality of sensor electrodes is coupled to both the first sensor electrode of the first plurality of sensor electrodes and the first sensor input of the plurality of sensor inputs,wherein the processor is configured to provide first data responsive to the first touch sensor sensing the object proximate to the substantially closed loop and to provide second data responsive to the second touch sensor sensing the object proximate to the second plurality of sensor electrodes.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present disclosure discloses an object position detector. The object position detector comprises a touch sensor formed as a closed loop and having a physical constraint formed on an upper surface of the touch sensor and coextensive with the closed loop. The touch sensor is configured to sense motion of an object proximate to the closed loop. The object position detector also comprises a processor coupled to the touch sensor and is programmed to generate an action in response to the motion on the touch sensor.
-
Citations
20 Claims
-
1. An object position detector, comprising:
-
a processor comprising a plurality of sensor inputs; a first touch sensor configured to sense an object proximate to a substantially closed loop, the touch sensor comprising a first plurality of sensor electrodes disposed along the substantially closed loop, wherein a first sensor electrode of the first plurality of sensor electrodes is coupled to a first sensor input of the plurality of sensor inputs; and a second touch sensor comprising a second plurality of sensor electrodes, the second touch sensor configured to sense an object proximate to the second plurality of sensor electrodes, wherein a first sensor electrode of the second plurality of sensor electrodes is coupled to both the first sensor electrode of the first plurality of sensor electrodes and the first sensor input of the plurality of sensor inputs, wherein the processor is configured to provide first data responsive to the first touch sensor sensing the object proximate to the substantially closed loop and to provide second data responsive to the second touch sensor sensing the object proximate to the second plurality of sensor electrodes. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
-
10. An object position detector, comprising:
-
a first touch sensor comprising a first plurality of sensor electrodes disposed along a first substantially closed loop, the first plurality of sensor electrodes configured to sense an object proximate to the first substantially closed loop; a second touch sensor comprising a second first plurality of sensor electrodes disposed along a second substantially closed loop, the second plurality of sensors configured to sense an object proximate to the second substantially closed loop; and a processor configured to process signals from the first touch sensor to determine motion of the object proximate the first substantially closed loop and to effect a first function responsive to motion of the object proximate the first substantially closed loop being substantially along the first substantially closed loop, and to process signals from the second touch sensor to determine motion of the object proximate the second substantially closed loop and to effect a second function responsive to motion of the object proximate the second substantially closed loop being substantially along the second substantially closed loop. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
-
-
14. An object position detector, comprising:
-
a processor comprising a plurality of sensor inputs; a first touch sensor comprising a first plurality of sensor electrodes disposed in a substantially closed loop, the first touch sensor configured to sense an object proximate to the substantially closed loop; and a second touch sensor comprising a second plurality of sensor electrodes, the second touch sensor configured to sense an object proximate to the second plurality of sensor electrodes, wherein the processor is configured to provide first data responsive to the first touch sensor sensing the object proximate to the substantially closed loop and to provide second data responsive to the second touch sensor sensing the object proximate to the second plurality of sensor electrodes, and wherein each sensor electrode in the first plurality of sensor electrodes is coupled to a sensor input of the plurality of sensor inputs, and wherein each sensor electrode in the second plurality of sensor electrodes is coupled to a sensor input of the plurality sensor inputs such that each sensor electrode in the first plurality of sensor electrode shares a sensor input with a sensor electrode in the second plurality of sensor electrodes. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
-
-
17. A method for providing an object position detector, comprising:
-
providing a processor having a plurality of sensor inputs; providing a first capacitive touch sensor configured to sense an object proximate to a substantially closed loop, the providing a first touch sensor comprising disposing a first plurality of sensor electrodes along the substantially closed loop and coupling a first sensor electrode of the first plurality of sensor electrodes to a first sensor input of the plurality of sensor inputs; and providing a second capacitive touch sensor configured to sense an object proximate to a second plurality of sensor electrodes, the providing a second touch sensor comprising disposing a second plurality of sensor electrodes and coupling a first sensor electrode of the second plurality of sensor electrodes to both the first sensor electrode of the first plurality of sensor electrodes and the first sensor input of the plurality of sensor inputs, wherein the processor is configured to provide first data responsive to the first touch sensor sensing the object proximate to the substantially closed loop and to provide second data responsive to the second touch sensor sensing the object proximate to the second plurality of sensor electrodes. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
-
Specification