Flexible calibration device for touch sensor panel calibration

• US 8,514,203 B2
• Filed: 09/26/2008
• Issued: 08/20/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Staton, Kenneth Lawrence, Lim, Richard Wei Kwang
• Primary Examiner(s): Beck, Alexander S
• Assistant Examiner(s): HERMANN, KIRK W
• Application Number:
  US12/239,630
• Publication Number:
  US 20090273584A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,789 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 345/178
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0418 for error correction or compensation, e.g. based on parallax, calibration or alignment
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0443 using a single layer of sensing electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0445 using two or more layers of sensing electrodes, e.g. using two layers of electrodes separated by a dielectric layer
• 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

Abstract

The efficient calibration of multi-touch sensor panels that have non-flat surfaces is disclosed. The calibration of the sensor panels can be accomplished using a calibration device with a flexible calibration surface. The flexible calibration surface is particularly well-suited for curved or other non-flat touch sensor panels, such as those that might be present on a mouse or other device designed to be grasped by a user'"'"'s hand. The flexible apparatus can conform to the non-flat touch sensor panel and apply the equivalent of a conductive touch over most or all of the pixels.

Claims

1. A method for calibrating a touch sensor panel having a plurality of sensors, the method comprising:

simultaneously simulating touch events on every sensor of the touch sensor panel by removably contacting the touch sensor panel with a flexible container containing a conductive and conformable material, wherein the touch events are simultaneously simulated on every sensor of the touch sensor panel by the flexible container;

obtaining touch output values for the sensors in the touch sensor panel; and

calibrating the touch sensor panel utilizing the touch output values.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the conductive and conformable material comprises sodium chloride or potassium chloride.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the conductive and conformable material has a conductivity of equal to or greater than 5 S/m.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the flexible container is located in a well configured to contain the conductive and conformable material if the flexible container ruptures.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the touch sensor panel is a multi-touch sensor panel.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the container comprises latex rubber.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the touch sensor panel is connected to a suction device.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the touch sensor panel is curved.

9. Calibration device for a touch sensor panel having a plurality of sensors, the device comprising:

a flexible container containing a conductive and conformable material, wherein the flexible container is configured to simultaneously simulate touch events on every sensor of the touch sensor panel by removably contacting the touch sensor panel with the flexible container during calibration; and

a processing device configured to receive touch output values from the touch sensor panel.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the conductive and conformable material comprises sodium chloride or potassium chloride.

11. The device of claim 9, wherein the conductive and conformable material has a conductivity of equal to or greater than 5 S/m.

12. The device of claim 9, further comprising a well configured to contain the conductive and conformable material if the flexible container ruptures.

13. The device of claim 9, wherein the touch sensor panel is a multi-touch sensor panel.

14. The device of claim 9, wherein the container comprises latex rubber.

15. The device of claim 9, wherein the touch sensor panel holder comprises a suction device.

16. The device of claim 9, wherein the touch sensor panel is curved.

17. A method for calibrating a touch sensor panel having a plurality of sensors, the method comprising:

simultaneously simulating touch events on every sensor of the touch sensor panel by removably contacting the touch sensor panel with a contoured surface formed from a pliable conductive material, wherein the touch events are simultaneously simulated on every sensor of the touch sensor panel by the contoured surface;

providing a plurality of sensor readings for the touch sensor panel; and

calibrating the sensor panel utilizing the readings.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the touch sensor panel is a multi-touch sensor panel.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the pliable conductive material comprises conductive rubber.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the touch sensor panel is curved.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein the pliable conductive material is formed in a spiral pattern.

22. The method of claim 17, wherein the pliable conductive material comprises a plurality of protrusions.

23. A calibration device for a touch sensor panel having a plurality of sensors, the device comprising:

a contoured surface comprising a pliable conductive material, wherein the contoured surface is configured to simultaneously simulate touch events on every sensor of the touch sensor panel by removably contacting the touch sensor panel with the contoured surface; and

a processing device configured to receive signals from the touch sensor panel.

24. The device of claim 23, wherein the touch sensor panel is a multi-touch sensor panel.

25. The device of claim 23, wherein the pliable conductive material comprises conductive rubber.

26. The device of claim 23, wherein the touch sensor panel is curved.

27. The device of claim 23, wherein the pliable conductive material is formed in a spiral pattern.

28. The device of claim 23, wherein the pliable conductive material comprises a plurality of protrusions.

29. The device of claim 23, wherein the contoured surface is connected to a plurality of hydraulic devices.