Method for simulating a touch on a touch screen

• US 20060202969A1
• Filed: 10/04/2005
• Published: 09/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Hauck, Karl P.
• Granted Patent: US 7,639,238 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04186 Touch location disambiguation

Abstract

Methods are provided for simulating a touch on a touch screen by applying a first signal to a first surface of the touch screen, applying a second signal to a second, opposing surface of the touch screen sensor, and changing the first signal relative to the second signal. Such methods can be used to simulate a touch to the center of the touch screen, for example. The simulated touch can be used in some embodiments to perform diagnostics and/or calibrations functions.

Claims

1. A method of simulating a touch on a touch screen sensor having a first surface and a second surface opposing the first surface, the method comprising:

applying a first signal to the first surface of the touch screen sensor;

applying a second signal to the second surface of the touch screen sensor; and

simulating the touch on the touch screen sensor by changing the first signal relative to the second signal.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second signals comprise AC voltage signals.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein:

applying the first signal comprises applying the first signal to a first electrode disposed on the first surface; and

applying the second signal comprises applying the second signal to a second electrode disposed on the second surface.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the simulated touch is at the touch screen center.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising calculating a position for the simulated touch.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising using the calculated position for the simulated touch to perform a diagnostics function.

7. The method of claim 5, further comprising using the calculated position for the simulated touch to perform a calibration function.