Surface Coverage Touch

• US 20130141381A1
• Filed: 12/01/2011
• Published: 06/06/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/01/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Atmel Corporation (Microchip Technology Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Atmel Corporation (Microchip Technology Incorporated)
• Inventors: Yilmaz, Esat, Merken, Leo
• Application Number:
  US13/309,042
• Publication Number:
  US 20130141381A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/174
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3262 Power saving in digitizer or tablet
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0443 using a single layer of sensing electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0445 using two or more layers of sensing electrodes, e.g. using two layers of electrodes separated by a dielectric layer
• 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: H04M 1/22 Illumination; Arrangements for improving the visibility of characters on dials
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/66 with means for preventing unauthorised or fraudulent calling verifying user identity or authority in secret or secure digital communications H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/22 including a touch pad, a touch sensor or a touch detector digitizers for touch screens G06F3/041

Abstract

In one embodiment, a method includes receiving, from a touch sensor of a device, signals corresponding to touch or proximity inputs within a touch-sensitive area of the touch sensor. The touch-sensitive area has periphery areas. The method also includes determining, based on the signals, whether the touch or proximity inputs were simultaneously sensed within the periphery areas; and if the touch or proximity inputs were simultaneously sensed within the periphery areas, then initiating a pre-determined function of the device.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving, from a touch sensor of a device, signals corresponding to touch or proximity inputs within a touch-sensitive area of the touch sensor, the touch-sensitive area having a plurality of periphery areas;

determining, based on the signals, whether the touch or proximity inputs were substantially simultaneously sensed within the plurality of the periphery areas; and

if the touch or proximity inputs were substantially simultaneously sensed within the plurality of the periphery areas, then initiating a pre-determined function of the device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the periphery areas comprise a corner area or an edge area.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the determining step comprises determining whether the touch or proximity inputs were substantially simultaneously located within at least a first one of the corner areas and a second one of the corner areas that is substantially catercorner to the first one of the corner areas.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining step comprises determining whether the touch or proximity inputs were substantially simultaneously located within at least a first one of the periphery areas and a second one of the periphery areas located on a side within the touch-sensitive area substantially opposite to the first one of the periphery areas.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining step comprises determining whether the touch or proximity inputs were substantially simultaneously located within at least three of the periphery areas.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the pre-determined function is one of deactivating a display backlight, locking the device, or discontinuing a phone call.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the initiating step occurs in response to the touch or proximity inputs being substantially simultaneously located within the plurality of the periphery areas for a pre-determined amount of time.

8. A computer-readable non-transitory storage media embodying logic configured when executed to:

receive, from a touch sensor of a device, signals corresponding to touch or proximity inputs within a touch-sensitive area of the touch sensor, the touch-sensitive area having a plurality of periphery areas;

determine, based on the signals, whether the touch or proximity inputs were substantially simultaneously sensed within the plurality of the periphery areas; and

if the touch or proximity inputs were substantially simultaneously sensed within the plurality of the periphery areas, then initiate a pre-determined function of the device.

9. The media of claim 8, wherein the periphery areas comprise a corner area or an edge area.

10. The media of claim 9, wherein the logic is further configured to determine whether the touch or proximity inputs were substantially simultaneously located within at least a first one of the corner areas and a second one of the corner areas that is substantially catercorner to the first one of the corner areas.

11. The media of claim 8, wherein the logic is further configured to determine whether the touch or proximity inputs were substantially simultaneously located within at least a first one of the periphery areas and a second one of the periphery areas located on a side within the touch-sensitive area substantially opposite to the first one of the periphery areas.

12. The media of claim 8, wherein the logic is further configured to determine whether the touch or proximity inputs were substantially simultaneously located within at least three of the periphery areas.

13. The media of claim 8, wherein the pre-determined function is one of deactivating a display backlight, locking the device, or discontinuing a phone call.

14. The media of claim 8, wherein the logic is further configured to initiate the pre-determined function in response to the touch or proximity inputs being substantially simultaneously located within the plurality of the periphery areas for a pre-determined amount of time.

15. A device comprising:

a touch sensor having a touch-sensitive area, the touch-sensitive area having a plurality of periphery areas; and

a computer-readable non-transitory storage media coupled to the touch sensor and embodying logic configured when executed to;

receive, from a touch sensor of a device, signals corresponding to touch or proximity inputs within the touch-sensitive area;

determine, based on the signals, whether the touch or proximity inputs were substantially simultaneously sensed within the plurality of the periphery areas; and

if the touch or proximity inputs were substantially simultaneously sensed within the plurality of the periphery areas, then initiate a pre-determined function of the device.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein the periphery areas comprise a corner area or an edge area.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein the logic is further configured to determine whether the touch or proximity inputs were substantially simultaneously located within at least a first one of the corner areas and a second one of the corner areas that is substantially catercorner to the first one of the corner areas.

18. The device of claim 15, wherein the logic is further configured to determine whether the touch or proximity inputs were substantially simultaneously located within at least a first one of the periphery areas and a second one of the periphery areas located on a side within the touch-sensitive area substantially opposite to the first one of the periphery areas.

19. The device of claim 15, wherein the logic is further configured to determine whether the touch or proximity inputs were substantially simultaneously located within at least three of the periphery areas.

20. The device of claim 15, wherein the logic is further configured to initiate the pre-determined function in response to the touch or proximity inputs being substantially simultaneously located within the plurality of the periphery areas for a pre-determined amount of time.