Proximity and multi-touch sensor detection and demodulation

摘要

The use of one or more proximity sensors in combination with one or more touch sensors in a multi-touch panel to detect the presence of a finger, body part or other object and control or trigger one or more functions in accordance with an “image” of touch provided by the sensor outputs is disclosed. In some embodiments, one or more infrared (IR) proximity sensors can be driven with a specific stimulation frequency and emit IR light from one or more areas, which can in some embodiments correspond to one or more multi-touch sensor “pixel” locations. The reflected IR signal, if any, can be demodulated using synchronous demodulation. In some embodiments, both physical interfaces (touch and proximity sensors) can be connected to analog channels in the same electrical core.

主权项

1. An apparatus for detecting touch events and hover events on or about a touch-sensitive surface, comprising:
a plurality of touch sensors configured for detecting one or more touch events at the touch-sensitive surface, each touch event comprising a touching of a first object against the touch-sensitive surface; one or more proximity sensors configured for detecting one or more hover events spaced from the touch-sensitive surface, each hover event comprising a hovering of a second object near the touch-sensitive surface; and a processor communicatively coupled to the plurality of touch sensors and the one or more proximity sensors, the processor capable of detecting movement of the second object based on a sequence of hover events detected by the one or more proximity sensors, and performing a function when a detected touch event at least partially overlaps in time with the detected movement.