Apparatus and method for selectively driving a piezo transducer
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for controlling a device having a touch sensor, comprising:
- a piezo transducer for detecting a pressure pattern applied to the sensor;
a comparator coupled to the transducer; and
a pressure pattern recognition circuit coupled to a comparator output of the comparator, the circuit being configured to;
determine whether the pressure pattern satisfies a predetermined condition; and
in response to the pressure pattern satisfying the predetermined condition, generate an output signal;
a switch coupled to and selectively connecting the transducer to one of (i) a logic circuit and (ii) an oscillator, wherein;
the transducer operates as a pressure pattern detector in response to being connected to the logic circuit, wherein the logic circuit provides a signal value corresponding to a logic value, thereby grounding a bottom lead of the transducer; and
the oscillator provides an oscillating signal, thereby increasing a drive voltage to the transducer; and
the transducer operates as an alarm generator in response to being connected to the oscillator;
an inverter connected between the switch and a bottom lead of the transducer, wherein;
the inverter is configured to transmit a ground signal to the transducer to permit the transducer to operate as the pressure pattern detector; and
the inverter is configured to transmit an oscillating signal to the transducer to permit the transducer to operate as the alarm generator;
a tri-state buffer coupled to a top lead of the transducer, wherein;
in response to the tri-state buffer being set to a high impedance state, the transducer is permitted to operate as the pressure pattern detector; and
in response to the tri-state buffer being set to a low impedance state, the transducer is permitted to operate as the alarm generator.
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Abstract
Devices and methods are provided for selectively driving a piezo transducer to operate as a pressure pattern detector or an alarm generator. In one embodiment, there is provided a device that includes: a piezo transducer; a comparator coupled to the transducer and a reference voltage; and a pressure pattern recognition circuit coupled to a comparator output of the comparator. The pressure pattern recognition circuit may be configured to: (i) determine whether the pressure pattern satisfies a predetermined condition; and (ii) in response to the pressure pattern satisfying the predetermined condition, generate an output signal.
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Citations
5 Claims
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1. An apparatus for controlling a device having a touch sensor, comprising:
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a piezo transducer for detecting a pressure pattern applied to the sensor; a comparator coupled to the transducer; and a pressure pattern recognition circuit coupled to a comparator output of the comparator, the circuit being configured to; determine whether the pressure pattern satisfies a predetermined condition; and in response to the pressure pattern satisfying the predetermined condition, generate an output signal; a switch coupled to and selectively connecting the transducer to one of (i) a logic circuit and (ii) an oscillator, wherein; the transducer operates as a pressure pattern detector in response to being connected to the logic circuit, wherein the logic circuit provides a signal value corresponding to a logic value, thereby grounding a bottom lead of the transducer; and
the oscillator provides an oscillating signal, thereby increasing a drive voltage to the transducer; andthe transducer operates as an alarm generator in response to being connected to the oscillator; an inverter connected between the switch and a bottom lead of the transducer, wherein; the inverter is configured to transmit a ground signal to the transducer to permit the transducer to operate as the pressure pattern detector; and the inverter is configured to transmit an oscillating signal to the transducer to permit the transducer to operate as the alarm generator; a tri-state buffer coupled to a top lead of the transducer, wherein; in response to the tri-state buffer being set to a high impedance state, the transducer is permitted to operate as the pressure pattern detector; and in response to the tri-state buffer being set to a low impedance state, the transducer is permitted to operate as the alarm generator. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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Specification