US5457289A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Frontally shielded capacitive touch sensor system
Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Co
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Filing: 1994-03-16
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Granted: 1995-10-10
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Expires: 2014-03-16
Abstract
Abstract A frontally shielded capacitive touch sensor system includes a capacitive touch sensor having a touch sensitive surface; a front shield mounted in front of the touch sensor and extending peripherally about the surface surrounding an exposed accessible area of the touch sensitive surface; a device for providing a first voltage on the touch sensor and detecting a change in capacitance representative of a touch to the touch sensor and for providing a second voltage on the front shield for controlling the capacitance between the touch sensor and the front shield and shielding the system from stray capacitance occurring at the front shield.
Inventors
- 👤 Hung-Chih Huang
- 👤 Robert A. Stein
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-10 02:36
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/03; G06F3/041; G06F3/044; G06F3/0444
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
103 words
A frontally shielded capacitive touch sensor system, comprising: a capacitive touch sensor having a touch sensitive surface; a front shield mounted in front of said touch sensor and extending peripherally about said surface surrounding an exposed accessible area of said touch sensitive surface; means for providing a first voltage on said touch sensor and means for detecting a change in capacitance representative of a touch to said touch sensor and for providing a second voltage on said front shield for controlling the capacitance between said touch sensor and said front shield and shielding the system from stray capacitance occurring at said front shield.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
103 words
A frontally shielded capacitive touch sensor system, comprising: a capacitive touch sensor having a touch sensitive surface; a front shield mounted in front of said touch sensor and extending peripherally about said surface surrounding an exposed accessible area of said touch sensitive surface; means for providing a first voltage on said touch sensor and means for detecting a change in capacitance representative of a touch to said touch sensor and for providing a second voltage on said front shield for controlling the capacitance between said touch sensor and said front shield and shielding the system from stray capacitance occurring at said front shield.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
The frontally shielded capacitive touch sensor system of claim 1 in which said second voltage is substantially equal to said first voltage and substantially eliminates the capacitance between said front shield and said surface and said stray capacitance occurring at said front shield.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
56 words
The frontally shielded capacitive touch sensor system of claim 1 in which said second voltage is greater than said first voltage and substantially eliminates the capacitance between said front shield and said surface, said stray capacitance occurring at said front shield, and substantially compensates for stray capacitance between said exposed accessible area and the ambient atmosphere.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The frontally shielded capacitive touch sensor system of claim 1 in which said second voltage is less than said first voltage.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The frontally shielded capacitive touch sensor system of claim 1 in which said second voltage is ground voltage.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
The frontally shielded capacitive touch sensor system of claim 1 in which said means for providing a first voltage includes a voltage distribution network disposed about the periphery of said touch sensitive surface and said front shield covers said distribution network.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The frontally shielded capacitive touch sensor system of claim 1 in which said front shield includes a front conductive layer and a back non-conductive layer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The frontally shielded capacitive touch sensor of claim 1 in which said means for providing said first and second voltages includes conductor means for interconnecting with said touch sensor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The frontally shielded capacitive touch sensor of claim 1 in which said conductor means are integral with said front shield.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
frontally shielded capacitive touch sensor of claim 9 in which said touch sensor includes a plurality of sensing contacts and said conductor means includes a plurality of terminals for engaging said contacts.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4831566A
Cited
US5381160A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-10-09 | 1999-04-10 | 1999-10-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-10-09 | 2003-04-10 | 2003-10-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-10-09 | 2007-04-10 | 2007-10-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |