Method and apparatus for arbitrating among contiguous buttons on a capacitive touchscreen

• US 8,866,762 B2
• Filed: 07/01/2011
• Issued: 10/21/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 07/01/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: PixArt Imaging Incorporated
• Original Assignee: PixArt Imaging Incorporated
• Inventors: Townsley, David, Narasimhan, Sarangan
• Primary Examiner(s): Feild, Joseph
• Assistant Examiner(s): POLO, GUSTAVO D
• Application Number:
  US13/174,777
• Publication Number:
  US 20130002599A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,208 Days
• Field of Search: 345173-178, 715700-864
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0412 Digitisers structurally integrated in a display
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0416 Control or interface arrangements specially adapted for digitisers
• 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 3/04842 Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence

Abstract

Various embodiments of a capacitive touchscreen system and corresponding methods are described. A touchscreen controller is operably connected to a first plurality of drive electrodes, a second plurality of sense electrodes, and a host processor. The touchscreen controller has computer-readable button group programming instructions and data loaded into a first memory portion thereof from the host processor that comprise steps for sensing and arbitrating among touches occurring on and within a first plurality of buttons. Firmware instructions and data are loaded into a second portion of the memory of the touchscreen controller. The first plurality of buttons is arranged in a first group on the touchscreen, and the first group is located within a first portion of the touchscreen. Capacitive sensing of touches occurring on and within at least second portions of the touchscreen that are located outside the first portion of the touchscreen are controlled by the firmware instructions.

Claims

1. A method of operating a capacitive touchscreen system comprising a first plurality of electrically conductive drive electrodes arranged in rows or columns, a second plurality of electrically conductive sense electrodes arranged in rows or columns arranged at an angle with respect to the rows or columns of the first plurality of electrodes, mutual capacitances existing between the first and second pluralities of electrodes at locations where the first and second pluralities of electrodes intersect, the mutual capacitances changing in the presence of one or more fingers of a user or touch devices brought into proximity thereto, drive circuitry operably connected to the first plurality of drive electrodes, sense circuitry operably connected to the second plurality of sense electrodes and configured to sense input signals therefrom, and a touchscreen controller operably connected to the first plurality of drive electrodes and the second plurality of sense electrodes, the touchscreen controller being operably connected to a host processor, the method comprising:

downloading computer-readable button group programming instructions and data from the host processor to a first portion of a memory of the touchscreen controller, the computer-readable button group programming instructions and data comprising steps for sensing and arbitrating among touches occurring on and within a first plurality of buttons, the first plurality of buttons being arranged in a first group on the touchscreen, the first group being located within a first portion of the touchscreen, capacitive sensing of touches occurring on and within at least second portions of the touchscreen that are located outside the first portion of the touchscreen being controlled by firmware instructions and data loaded into a second portion of the memory of the touchscreen controller,

wherein the first plurality of buttons are exclusive to one another, when one of the first plurality of buttons is pressed, the rest of the first plurality of buttons are disabled.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising concatenating the first plurality of buttons to form a first slider located in the first portion of the touchscreen.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising implementing the first slider by providing computer-readable button group programming instructions and data corresponding to a Flying V algorithm.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising configuring the computer-readable button group programming instructions and data to sense and arbitrate among touches occurring on or within the first group and the first group is located along a first edge of the touchscreen.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising configuring the computer-readable button group programming instructions and data to sense and arbitrate among touches occurring on and within a second plurality of buttons, the second plurality of buttons being arranged in a second group located within the first portion of the touchscreen.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising concatenating the second plurality of buttons to form a second slider located in the first portion of the touchscreen.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising implementing the second slider by providing computer-readable button group programming instructions and data corresponding to a Flying V algorithm.

8. The method of claim 5, further comprising configuring the computer-readable button group programming instructions and data to sense and arbitrate among touches occurring on or within the second group and the second group is disposed along a first or second edge of the touchscreen.

9. The method of claim 5, further comprising locating the first group adjacent to the second group within the first portion of the touchscreen.

10. The method of claim 5, further comprising configuring the computer-readable button group programming instructions and data to sense and arbitrate among touches occurring on and within a third plurality of buttons, the third plurality of buttons being arranged in a third group located within the first portion of the touchscreen.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising concatenating the third plurality of buttons to form a third slider located in the first portion of the touchscreen.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising implementing the third slider by providing computer-readable button group programming instructions and data corresponding to a Flying V algorithm.

13. The method of claim 10, further comprising locating the third group adjacent to at least one of the first group and the second group within the first portion of the touchscreen.

14. The method of any one of claims 1, 5 and 10, further comprising configuring the computer-readable button group programming instructions and data to permit only a single button from among the first, second or third pluralities of buttons to generate a report that such single button has been touched or pressed by a user during a given time period or plurality of adjoining time periods.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising generating the report notwithstanding the user having touched other buttons from among the first, second or third pluralities of buttons during the time period or plurality of adjoining time periods.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising basing the report upon which button from among the first, second or third pluralities of buttons was touched first during the time period or plurality of adjoining time periods.

17. The method of claim 14, further comprising basing the report upon which button from among the first, second or third pluralities of buttons corresponds to the greatest touch strength sensed during the first period or plurality of adjoining time periods.

18. The method of claim 14, further comprising basing the report upon a grace period corresponding to the plurality of adjoining time periods, and such single button is selected from among the first, second or third pluralities of buttons on the basis of the greatest touch strength sensed during the plurality of adjoining time periods.

19. The method of claim 1, further comprising configuring the computer-readable button group programming instructions and data to permit static releases of a user'"'"'s touch on or within a button in the first group.

20. The method of claim 1, further comprising configuring the computer-readable button or slider group programming instructions and data to permit dynamic releases of a user'"'"'s touch on or within a button in the first group.

21. The method of claim 1, further comprising dedicating the second portions of the touchscreen to navigation.

22. A capacitive touchscreen system, comprising:

a first plurality of electrically conductive drive electrodes arranged in rows or columns;

a second plurality of electrically conductive sense electrodes arranged in rows or columns arranged at an angle with respect to the rows or columns of the first plurality of electrodes, mutual capacitances existing between the first and second pluralities of electrodes at locations where the first and second pluralities of electrodes intersect, the mutual capacitances changing in the presence of one or more fingers of a user or touch devices brought into proximity thereto;

drive circuitry operably connected to the first plurality of drive electrodes;

sense circuitry operably connected to the second plurality of sense electrodes and configured to sense input signals therefrom, and

a touchscreen controller operably connected to the first plurality of drive electrodes and the second plurality of sense electrodes, the touchscreen controller being operably connected to a host processor, the touchscreen controller having

computer-readable button group programming instructions and data loaded into a first memory portion thereof from the host processor, the computer-readable button group programming instructions and data comprising steps for sensing and arbitrating among touches occurring on and within a first plurality of buttons, firmware instructions and data being loaded into a second portion of the memory of the touchscreen controller;

wherein the first plurality of buttons is arranged in a first group on the touchscreen, the first group is located within a first portion of the touchscreen, and capacitive sensing of touches occurring on and within at least second portions of the touchscreen that are located outside the first portion of the touchscreen are controlled by the firmware instructions,

wherein the first plurality of buttons are exclusive to one another, when one of the first plurality of buttons is pressed, the rest of the first plurality of buttons are disabled.

23. The capacitive touchscreen system of claim 22, wherein the first plurality of buttons is concatenated to form a first slider located in the first portion of the touchscreen.

24. The capacitive touchscreen system of claim 23, wherein the first slider is implemented by computer-readable button group programming instructions and data corresponding to a Flying V algorithm.

25. The capacitive touchscreen system of claim 22, wherein the computer-readable button group programming instructions and data are configured to sense and arbitrate among touches occurring on or within the first group and the first group is located along a first edge of the touchscreen.

26. The capacitive touchscreen system of claim 22, wherein the computer-readable button group programming instructions and data further include steps configured to sense and arbitrate among touches occurring on and within a second plurality of buttons, the second plurality of buttons being arranged in a second group located within the first portion of the touchscreen.

27. The capacitive touchscreen system of claim 26, wherein the second plurality of buttons is concatenated to form a second slider located in the first portion of the touchscreen.

28. The capacitive touchscreen system of claim 27, wherein the second slider is implemented by computer-readable button group programming instructions and data corresponding to a Flying V algorithm.

29. The capacitive touchscreen system of claim 26, wherein the computer-readable button group programming instructions and data are configured to sense and arbitrate among touches occurring on or within the second group and the second group is disposed along a first or second edge of the touchscreen.

30. The capacitive touchscreen system of claim 26, wherein the first group is located adjacent to the second group within the first portion of the touchscreen.

31. The capacitive touchscreen system of claim 26, wherein the computer-readable button group programming instructions and data further include steps configured to sense and arbitrate among touches occurring on and within a third plurality of buttons, the third plurality of buttons being arranged in a third group located within the first portion of the touchscreen.

32. The capacitive touchscreen system of claim 31, wherein the third plurality of buttons is concatenated to form a third slider located in the first portion of the touchscreen.

33. The capacitive touchscreen system of claim 32, wherein the third slider is implemented by computer-readable button group programming instructions and data corresponding to a Flying V algorithm.

34. The capacitive touchscreen system of claim 32, wherein the third group is located adjacent to at least one of the first group and the second group within the first portion of the touchscreen.

35. The capacitive touchscreen system of any one of claims 22, 26 and 31, wherein the computer-readable button group programming instructions and data further include steps configured to permit only a single button from among the first, second or third pluralities of buttons to generate a report that such single button has been touched or pressed by a user during a given time period or plurality of adjoining time periods.

36. The capacitive touchscreen system of claim 35, wherein the report is generated notwithstanding the user having touched other buttons from among the first, second or third pluralities of buttons during the time period or plurality of adjoining time periods.

37. The capacitive touchscreen system of claim 35, wherein the report is based upon which button from among the first, second or third pluralities of buttons was touched first during the time period or plurality of adjoining time periods.

38. The capacitive touchscreen system of claim 35, wherein the report is based upon which button from among the first, second or third pluralities of buttons corresponds to the greatest touch strength sensed during the first period or plurality of adjoining time periods.

39. The capacitive touchscreen system of claim 35, wherein the report is based upon a grace period corresponding to the plurality of adjoining time periods, and such single button is selected from among the first, second or third pluralities of buttons on the basis of the greatest touch strength sensed during the plurality of adjoining time periods.

40. The capacitive touchscreen system of claim 22, wherein the computer-readable button group programming instructions and data further include steps configured to permit static releases of a user'"'"'s touch on or within a button in the first group.

41. The capacitive touchscreen system of claim 22, wherein the computer-readable button or slider group programming instructions and data further include steps configured to permit dynamic releases of a user'"'"'s touch on or within a button in the first group.

42. The capacitive touchscreen system of claim 22, wherein the second portions of the touchscreen are dedicated to navigation.