Circuits, systems, and methods for processing the proximity of large objects, including large objects on touch screens
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of sensing at least one object in proximity to an array of sensors, comprising:
- making a determination that an object greater than a predetermined size has been detected, wherein the predetermined size is large relative to a finger touch;
defining an ignore zone relative to the object that includes first sensor locations of the object and second sensor locations surrounding a least a portion of the first sensor locations, wherein defining the ignore zone includes determining that a sense value of at least one of the second sensor locations meets or exceeds a threshold sense value of the ignore zone, wherein the threshold sense value of the ignore zone is less than a first sense threshold associated with the first sensor locations; and
removing the ignore zone after a predetermined duration, whereindetermination of proximity of other objects outside of the ignore zone is processed differently than determination of proximity of objects inside of the ignore zone.
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Abstract
A method of sensing at least one object in proximity to an array of sensors can include making a determination that an object greater than a predetermined size has been detected; defining an ignore zone that includes sensor locations of the object and sensor locations surrounding those of the object; and removing the ignore zone after a predetermined duration; wherein the proximity of objects outside of the ignore zone are processed differently than the proximity of objects inside of the ignore zones.
13 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of sensing at least one object in proximity to an array of sensors, comprising:
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making a determination that an object greater than a predetermined size has been detected, wherein the predetermined size is large relative to a finger touch; defining an ignore zone relative to the object that includes first sensor locations of the object and second sensor locations surrounding a least a portion of the first sensor locations, wherein defining the ignore zone includes determining that a sense value of at least one of the second sensor locations meets or exceeds a threshold sense value of the ignore zone, wherein the threshold sense value of the ignore zone is less than a first sense threshold associated with the first sensor locations; and removing the ignore zone after a predetermined duration, wherein determination of proximity of other objects outside of the ignore zone is processed differently than determination of proximity of objects inside of the ignore zone. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method, comprising:
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defining an ignore zone of a sensor array by including in the ignore zone first sensor locations corresponding to a detected object and second sensor locations that are adjacent to at least a portion of the first sensor locations and have sensor readings that meet or exceed a first sense threshold associated with defining the ignore zone, the defining of the ignore zone including defining a finite duration of the ignore zone, wherein an area of the ignore zone is large relative to a finger touch; determining if a sensor reading in the sensor array exceeds a second sense threshold associated with detecting an object, wherein the second sense threshold is greater than the first sense threshold; and if the sensor reading exceeds the second sense threshold and the corresponding sensor is within the ignore zone, changing the duration of the ignore zone. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A system, comprising:
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a sense circuit configured to generate sense values corresponding to properties of each sensor in a sensor array, the properties of each sensor varying in response to proximity of objects; a controller circuit coupled to at least the sense circuit and configured to generate object position values in response to the sense values and an object threshold, and define an ignore zone that includes at least the object position values that meet or exceed a first sense threshold used to define the ignore zone and a duration value for the ignore zone, wherein the first sense threshold is less than a second sense threshold used for detection of normal touches and wherein an area of the ignore zone is large relative to a finger touch; and a memory configured to store positions and durations of ignore zones. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification