Capacitive sensing apparatus with a shield electrode
First Claim
1. An apparatus comprising:
- a plurality of capacitive sensing cells distributed over a sensing area, wherein each capacitive sensing cell comprises a capacitive sensor electrode and at least one switch;
a plurality of output conductive traces, wherein each output conductive trace is configured to provide an output from any of multiple capacitive sensing cells;
a plurality of control conductive traces, wherein each control conductive trace is configured to provide a control input to multiple capacitive sensing cells, wherein the switch of each capacitive sensing cell is configured to be controlled by one of the plurality of control conductive traces to enable a conductive path between the capacitive sensor electrode of the capacitive sensing cell and one of the plurality of output conductive traces; and
a shield electrode overlying at least portions of the output conductive traces or the control conductive traces while exposing at least portions of the plurality of capacitive sensor electrodes wherein the shield electrode extends across the sensing area so as to cover at least portions of the output conductive traces or the control conductive traces, but is discontinuous having areas where the at least portions of the plurality of capacitive sensor electrodes are exposed.
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Abstract
An apparatus including a plurality of capacitive sensing cells distributed over a sensing area, wherein each capacitive sensing cell includes a capacitive sensor electrode and at least one switch; a plurality of output conductive traces, wherein each output conductive trace is configured to provide an output from multiple capacitive sensing cells; a plurality of control conductive traces, wherein each control conductive trace is configured to provide a control input to multiple capacitive sensing cells, wherein the switch of a capacitive sensing cell is configured to be controlled by one of the plurality of control conductive traces to enable a conductive path between the capacitive sensor electrode of the capacitive sensing cell and one of the plurality of output conductive traces; and a shield electrode overlying at least portions of the output conductive traces or the control conductive traces while exposing at least portions of the capacitive sensor electrodes.
18 Citations
18 Claims
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1. An apparatus comprising:
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a plurality of capacitive sensing cells distributed over a sensing area, wherein each capacitive sensing cell comprises a capacitive sensor electrode and at least one switch; a plurality of output conductive traces, wherein each output conductive trace is configured to provide an output from any of multiple capacitive sensing cells; a plurality of control conductive traces, wherein each control conductive trace is configured to provide a control input to multiple capacitive sensing cells, wherein the switch of each capacitive sensing cell is configured to be controlled by one of the plurality of control conductive traces to enable a conductive path between the capacitive sensor electrode of the capacitive sensing cell and one of the plurality of output conductive traces; and a shield electrode overlying at least portions of the output conductive traces or the control conductive traces while exposing at least portions of the plurality of capacitive sensor electrodes wherein the shield electrode extends across the sensing area so as to cover at least portions of the output conductive traces or the control conductive traces, but is discontinuous having areas where the at least portions of the plurality of capacitive sensor electrodes are exposed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18)
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17. An apparatus comprising:
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an array of capacitive sensor electrodes comprising a plurality of distinct capacitive sensor electrodes distributed over a sensing area in N rows and M columns; an array of switches distributed over a sensing area in N rows and M columns, each switch being adjacent an associated one of the capacitive sensor electrodes; row conductive traces each extending parallel to an adjacent one of the rows of capacitive sensor electrodes; column conductive traces each extending parallel to an adjacent one of the columns of capacitive sensor electrodes, wherein each capacitive sensor electrode in each row of capacitive sensor electrodes is operatively connected to the adjacent row conductive trace via its associated switch and wherein each column conductive trace is operatively connected to control the switches associated with a column of capacitive sensor electrodes; and a shield electrode overlying at least portions of the output conductive traces or the control conductive traces while exposing at least portions of the capacitive sensor electrodes wherein the shield electrode extends across the sensing area so as to cover at least portions of the output conductive traces or the control conductive traces, but is discontinuous having areas where the at least portions of the plurality of capacitive sensor electrodes are exposed.
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Specification