US5648642A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Object position detector
Assignee: Synaptics Inc
•
Filing: 1994-10-25
•
Granted: 1997-07-15
•
Expires: 2014-10-25
Abstract
Abstract A proximity sensor system includes a sensor matrix array having a characteristic capacitance between horizontal and vertical conductors connected to sensor pads. The capacitance changes as a function of the proximity of an object or objects to the sensor matrix. The change in capacitance of each node in both the X and Y directions of the matrix due to the approach of an object is converted to a set of voltages in the X and Y directions. These voltages are processed by analog circuitry to develop electrical signals representative of the centroid of the profile of the object, i.e, its position in the X and Y dimensions. The profile of position may also be integrated to provide Z-axis (pressure) information.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert J. Miller
- 👤 Stephen J. Bisset
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 11:43
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F1/00; G06F1/16; G06F1/1613; G06F1/1626; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/03; G06F3/033; G06F3/0354; G06F3/03547; G06F3/041; G06F3/0416; G06F3/04166; G06F3/044; G06F3/0445; G06F3/0446; G06F2203/00; G06F2203/041; G06F2203/04101
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 48
Claim 1
Independent Claim
165 words
An object proximity sensor, including: a plurality of spaced-apart conductive sensor pads disposed in a matrix of rows and columns on a substrate; a plurality of row conductive lines disposed on said substrate and generally aligned with said rows, each of said row conductive lines electrically contacting every second one of said sensor pads in one of said rows; a plurality of column conductive lines disposed on said substrate, insulated from said row conductive lines and generally aligned with said columns, each of said column conductive lines electrically contacting the ones of said sensor pads in one of said columns which are not contacted by said row conductive lines; means for placing a step voltage onto each of said row conductive lines one at a time, and for simultaneously sensing the charge injected onto each of said column conductive lines in response to said step voltage placed onto each of said row conductive lines and for producing a set of object-sensed electrical signals related thereto.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
165 words
An object proximity sensor, including: a plurality of spaced-apart conductive sensor pads disposed in a matrix of rows and columns on a substrate; a plurality of row conductive lines disposed on said substrate and generally aligned with said rows, each of said row conductive lines electrically contacting every second one of said sensor pads in one of said rows; a plurality of column conductive lines disposed on said substrate, insulated from said row conductive lines and generally aligned with said columns, each of said column conductive lines electrically contacting the ones of said sensor pads in one of said columns which are not contacted by said row conductive lines; means for placing a step voltage onto each of said row conductive lines one at a time, and for simultaneously sensing the charge injected onto each of said column conductive lines in response to said step voltage placed onto each of said row conductive lines and for producing a set of object-sensed electrical signals related thereto.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The object proximity sensor of claim 1 wherein said row conductive lines are disposed on said first face of said substrate and said column conductive lines are disposed on a second face of said substrate opposite said first face.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
The object proximity sensor of claim 1, further including: means for sensing a no-object-present capacitance of each of said row conductive lines and for producing a set of no-object-present electrical signals related thereto; and means for subtracting said set of no-object-present electrical signals from said set of object-sensed electrical signals.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
The object proximity sensor of claim 3 wherein said means for producing a set of no-object-present electrical signals related to said no-object-present capacitance of each of said row conductive lines comprises means for computing weighted minima of said object-sensed electrical signals thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
222 words
An object proximity sensor, including: a plurality of spaced-apart conductive sensor pads disposed in a plurality of rows on a substrate, the ones of said sensor pads in odd numbered ones of said rows disposed along a first set of column positions and the ones of said sensor pads in even numbered ones of said rows disposed at a second set of column positions offset from said first set of column positions such that said sensor pads form a repetitive diamond pattern; a plurality of row conductive lines disposed on said substrate and generally aligned with said rows, each of said row conductive lines electrically contacting every one of said sensor pads in one of said odd-numbered rows; a plurality of column conductive lines disposed on said substrate, insulated from said row conductive lines and generally aligned with said offset column positions, each of said column conductive lines electrically contacting through said substrate the ones of said sensor pads in one of said offset column positions; means for placing a step voltage onto each of said row conductive lines one at a time, and for simultaneously sensing the charge injected onto each of said column conductive lines in response to said step voltage placed onto each of said row conductive lines and for producing a set of object-sensed electrical signals related thereto.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
222 words
An object proximity sensor, including: a plurality of spaced-apart conductive sensor pads disposed in a plurality of rows on a substrate, the ones of said sensor pads in odd numbered ones of said rows disposed along a first set of column positions and the ones of said sensor pads in even numbered ones of said rows disposed at a second set of column positions offset from said first set of column positions such that said sensor pads form a repetitive diamond pattern; a plurality of row conductive lines disposed on said substrate and generally aligned with said rows, each of said row conductive lines electrically contacting every one of said sensor pads in one of said odd-numbered rows; a plurality of column conductive lines disposed on said substrate, insulated from said row conductive lines and generally aligned with said offset column positions, each of said column conductive lines electrically contacting through said substrate the ones of said sensor pads in one of said offset column positions; means for placing a step voltage onto each of said row conductive lines one at a time, and for simultaneously sensing the charge injected onto each of said column conductive lines in response to said step voltage placed onto each of said row conductive lines and for producing a set of object-sensed electrical signals related thereto.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
The object proximity sensor of claim 5 wherein said row conductive lines are disposed on said first face of said substrate and said column conductive lines are disposed on a second face of said substrate opposite said first face.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
50 words
The object proximity sensor of claim 5, further including: means for sensing a no-object-present capacitance of each of said row conductive lines and for producing a set of no-object-present electrical signals related thereto; and means for subtracting said set of no-object-present electrical signals from said set of object-sensed electrical signals.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
42 words
The object proximity sensor of claim 7 wherein said means for producing a set of no-object-present electrical signals related to said no-object-present capacitance of each of said row conductive lines comprises means for computing weighted minimums of said object-sensed electrical signals thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
235 words
An object proximity sensor, including: a plurality of spaced-apart conductive sensor pads disposed in a plurality of rows on a substrate, the ones of said sensor pads in odd numbered ones of said rows disposed along a first set of column positions and the ones of said sensor pads in even numbered ones of said rows disposed at a second set of column positions offset from said first set of column positions and said rows spaced apart such that said sensor pads form a closely packed repetitive pattern wherein each pad is not in contact with adjoining pads; a plurality of row conductive lines disposed on said substrate and generally aligned with said rows, each of said row conductive lines electrically contacting every one of said sensor pads in one of said odd-numbered rows; a plurality of column conductive lines disposed on said substrate, insulated from said row conductive lines and generally aligned with said offset column positions, each of said column conductive lines electrically contacting the ones of said sensor pads in one of said offset column positions; means for placing a step voltage onto each of said row conductive lines one at a time, and for simultaneously sensing the charge injected onto each of said column conductive lines in response to said step voltage placed onto each of said row conductive lines and for producing a set of object-sensed electrical signals related thereto.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
235 words
An object proximity sensor, including: a plurality of spaced-apart conductive sensor pads disposed in a plurality of rows on a substrate, the ones of said sensor pads in odd numbered ones of said rows disposed along a first set of column positions and the ones of said sensor pads in even numbered ones of said rows disposed at a second set of column positions offset from said first set of column positions and said rows spaced apart such that said sensor pads form a closely packed repetitive pattern wherein each pad is not in contact with adjoining pads; a plurality of row conductive lines disposed on said substrate and generally aligned with said rows, each of said row conductive lines electrically contacting every one of said sensor pads in one of said odd-numbered rows; a plurality of column conductive lines disposed on said substrate, insulated from said row conductive lines and generally aligned with said offset column positions, each of said column conductive lines electrically contacting the ones of said sensor pads in one of said offset column positions; means for placing a step voltage onto each of said row conductive lines one at a time, and for simultaneously sensing the charge injected onto each of said column conductive lines in response to said step voltage placed onto each of said row conductive lines and for producing a set of object-sensed electrical signals related thereto.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
39 words
The object proximity sensor of claim 9 wherein said row conductive lines are disposed on said first face of said substrate and said column conductive lines are disposed on a second face of said substrate opposite said first face.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
50 words
The object proximity sensor of claim 9, further including: means for sensing a no-object-present capacitance of each of said row conductive lines and for producing a set of no-object-present electrical signals related thereto: and means for subtracting said set of no-object-present electrical signals from said set of object-sensed electrical signals.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
42 words
The object proximity sensor of claim 11 wherein said means for producing a set of no-object-present electrical signals related to said no-object-present capacitance of each of said row conductive lines comprises means for computing weighted minimums of said object-sensed electrical signals thereof.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
164 words
A method for providing an electrical signal representative of the position of an object in a two dimensional plane, including the steps of: providing a sensing plane including a matrix of conductive lines arranged as a plurality of spaced apart row conductive lines and column conductive lines, said sensing plane characterized by an inherent capacitance between the various ones of said row conductive lines and said column conductive lines, said capacitance varying with the proximity of an object to said row conductive lines and said column conductive lines; placing a step voltage onto each of said row conductive lines one at a time, and simultaneously sensing the charge injected onto each of said column conductive lines in response to said step voltage placed onto each of said row conductive lines; producing a set of object-sensed electrical signals related to said charge injected onto each of said column conductive lines as a result of placing said step voltage on each of said row conductive lines.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
164 words
A method for providing an electrical signal representative of the position of an object in a two dimensional plane, including the steps of: providing a sensing plane including a matrix of conductive lines arranged as a plurality of spaced apart row conductive lines and column conductive lines, said sensing plane characterized by an inherent capacitance between the various ones of said row conductive lines and said column conductive lines, said capacitance varying with the proximity of an object to said row conductive lines and said column conductive lines; placing a step voltage onto each of said row conductive lines one at a time, and simultaneously sensing the charge injected onto each of said column conductive lines in response to said step voltage placed onto each of said row conductive lines; producing a set of object-sensed electrical signals related to said charge injected onto each of said column conductive lines as a result of placing said step voltage on each of said row conductive lines.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
233 words
An object proximity sensor, including: a plurality of spaced-apart conductive sensor pads disposed in a matrix of rows and columns on a substrate; a plurality of row conductive lines disposed on said substrate and generally aligned with said rows, each of said row conductive lines electrically contacting every second one of said sensor pads in one of said rows; a plurality of column conductive lines disposed on said substrate, insulated from said row conductive lines and generally aligned with said columns, each of said column conductive lines electrically contacting the ones of said sensor pads in one of said columns which are not contacted by said row conductive lines; means for placing a step voltage onto each of said row conductive lines one at a time: a plurality of sense amplifiers, each of said sense amplifiers having an input connected to a different one of said column conductive lines and an output; a plurality of sample/hold circuits, each of said sample/hold circuits having a data input connected to the output of a different one of said sense amplifiers, a control input, and an output; and means for simultaneously placing a sample signal on the control inputs of all of said sample/hold circuits in response to said step voltage placed onto each of said row conductive lines to produce a set of object-sensed electrical signals related thereto at the outputs of said sample/hold circuits.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
233 words
An object proximity sensor, including: a plurality of spaced-apart conductive sensor pads disposed in a matrix of rows and columns on a substrate; a plurality of row conductive lines disposed on said substrate and generally aligned with said rows, each of said row conductive lines electrically contacting every second one of said sensor pads in one of said rows; a plurality of column conductive lines disposed on said substrate, insulated from said row conductive lines and generally aligned with said columns, each of said column conductive lines electrically contacting the ones of said sensor pads in one of said columns which are not contacted by said row conductive lines; means for placing a step voltage onto each of said row conductive lines one at a time: a plurality of sense amplifiers, each of said sense amplifiers having an input connected to a different one of said column conductive lines and an output; a plurality of sample/hold circuits, each of said sample/hold circuits having a data input connected to the output of a different one of said sense amplifiers, a control input, and an output; and means for simultaneously placing a sample signal on the control inputs of all of said sample/hold circuits in response to said step voltage placed onto each of said row conductive lines to produce a set of object-sensed electrical signals related thereto at the outputs of said sample/hold circuits.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
39 words
The object proximity sensor of claim 14 wherein said row conductive lines are disposed on said first face of said substrate and said column conductive lines are disposed on a second face of said substrate opposite said first face.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
58 words
The object proximity sensor of claim 14, further including: means for sensing a no-object-present capacitance between each individual one of said row conductive lines and each of said column conductive lines, for producing a set of no-object-present electrical signals related thereto; and means for subtracting said set of no-object-present electrical signals from said set of object-sensed electrical signals.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
53 words
The object proximity sensor of claim 16 wherein said means for producing a set of no-object-present electrical signals related to said no-object-present capacitance of each of said row conductive lines and said no-object-present capacitance of each of said column conductive lines comprises means for computing weighted minima of said object-sensed electrical signals thereof.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
290 words
An object proximity sensor, including: a plurality of spaced-apart conductive sensor pads disposed in a plurality of rows on a substrate, the ones of said sensor pads in odd numbered ones of said rows disposed along a first set of column positions and the ones of said sensor pads in even numbered ones of said rows disposed at a second set of column positions offset from said first set of column positions such that said sensor pads form a repetitive diamond pattern; a plurality of row conductive lines disposed on said substrate and generally aligned with said rows, each of said row conductive lines electrically contacting every one of said sensor pads in one of said odd-numbered rows; a plurality of column conductive lines disposed on said substrate, insulated from said row conductive lines and generally aligned with said offset column positions, each of said column conductive lines electrically contacting through said substrate the ones of said sensor pads in one of said offset column positions; means for placing a step voltage onto each of said row conductive lines one at a time; a plurality of sense amplifiers, each of said sense amplifiers having an input connected to a different one of said column conductive lines and an output; a plurality of sample/hold circuits, each of said sample/hold circuits having a data input connected to the output of a different one of said sense amplifiers, a control input, and an output; and means for simultaneously placing a sample signal on the control inputs of all of said sample/hold circuits in response to said step voltage placed onto each of said row conductive lines to produce a set of object-sensed electrical signals related thereto at the outputs of said sample/hold circuits.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
290 words
An object proximity sensor, including: a plurality of spaced-apart conductive sensor pads disposed in a plurality of rows on a substrate, the ones of said sensor pads in odd numbered ones of said rows disposed along a first set of column positions and the ones of said sensor pads in even numbered ones of said rows disposed at a second set of column positions offset from said first set of column positions such that said sensor pads form a repetitive diamond pattern; a plurality of row conductive lines disposed on said substrate and generally aligned with said rows, each of said row conductive lines electrically contacting every one of said sensor pads in one of said odd-numbered rows; a plurality of column conductive lines disposed on said substrate, insulated from said row conductive lines and generally aligned with said offset column positions, each of said column conductive lines electrically contacting through said substrate the ones of said sensor pads in one of said offset column positions; means for placing a step voltage onto each of said row conductive lines one at a time; a plurality of sense amplifiers, each of said sense amplifiers having an input connected to a different one of said column conductive lines and an output; a plurality of sample/hold circuits, each of said sample/hold circuits having a data input connected to the output of a different one of said sense amplifiers, a control input, and an output; and means for simultaneously placing a sample signal on the control inputs of all of said sample/hold circuits in response to said step voltage placed onto each of said row conductive lines to produce a set of object-sensed electrical signals related thereto at the outputs of said sample/hold circuits.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
39 words
The object proximity sensor of claim 18 wherein said row conductive lines are disposed on said first face of said substrate and said column conductive lines are disposed on a second face of said substrate opposite said first face.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
58 words
The object proximity sensor of claim 18, further including: means for sensing a no-object-present capacitance between each, individual one of said row conductive lines and each of said column conductive lines, for producing a set of no-object-present electrical signals related thereto; and means for subtracting said set of no-object-present electrical signals from said set of object-sensed electrical signals.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
53 words
The object proximity sensor of claim 20 wherein said means for producing a set of no-object-present electrical signals related to said no-object-present capacitance of each of said row conductive lines and said no-object-present capacitance of each of said column conductive lines comprises means for computing weighted minimums of said object-sensed electrical signals thereof.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
310 words
An object proximity sensor, including: a plurality of spaced-apart conductive sensor pads disposed in a plurality of rows on a substrate, the ones of said sensor pads in odd numbered ones of said rows disposed along a first set of column positions and the ones of said sensor pads in even numbered ones of said rows disposed at a second set of column positions offset from said first set of column positions and said rows spaced apart such that said sensor pads form a closely packed repetitive pattern wherein each pad is not in contact with adjoining pads; a plurality of row conductive lines disposed on said substrate and generally aligned with said rows, each of said row conductive lines electrically contacting every one of said sensor pads in one of said odd-numbered rows; a plurality of column conductive lines disposed on said substrate, insulated from said row conductive lines and generally aligned with said offset column positions, each of said column conductive lines electrically contacting the ones of said sensor pads in one of said offset column positions; means for placing a step voltage onto each of said row conductive lines one at a time; a plurality of sense amplifiers, each of said sense amplifiers having an input and an output, the inputs of said sense amplifiers each connected to a different one of said column conductive lines; a plurality of sample/hold circuits, each of said sample/hold circuits having a data input connected to the output of a different one of said sense amplifiers, a control input, and an output; and means for simultaneously placing a sample signal on the control inputs of all of said sample/hold circuits in response to said step voltage placed onto each of said row conductive lines to produce a set of object-sensed electrical signals related thereto at the outputs of said sample/hold circuits.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
310 words
An object proximity sensor, including: a plurality of spaced-apart conductive sensor pads disposed in a plurality of rows on a substrate, the ones of said sensor pads in odd numbered ones of said rows disposed along a first set of column positions and the ones of said sensor pads in even numbered ones of said rows disposed at a second set of column positions offset from said first set of column positions and said rows spaced apart such that said sensor pads form a closely packed repetitive pattern wherein each pad is not in contact with adjoining pads; a plurality of row conductive lines disposed on said substrate and generally aligned with said rows, each of said row conductive lines electrically contacting every one of said sensor pads in one of said odd-numbered rows; a plurality of column conductive lines disposed on said substrate, insulated from said row conductive lines and generally aligned with said offset column positions, each of said column conductive lines electrically contacting the ones of said sensor pads in one of said offset column positions; means for placing a step voltage onto each of said row conductive lines one at a time; a plurality of sense amplifiers, each of said sense amplifiers having an input and an output, the inputs of said sense amplifiers each connected to a different one of said column conductive lines; a plurality of sample/hold circuits, each of said sample/hold circuits having a data input connected to the output of a different one of said sense amplifiers, a control input, and an output; and means for simultaneously placing a sample signal on the control inputs of all of said sample/hold circuits in response to said step voltage placed onto each of said row conductive lines to produce a set of object-sensed electrical signals related thereto at the outputs of said sample/hold circuits.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
39 words
The object proximity sensor of claim 22 wherein said row conductive lines are disposed on said first face of said substrate and said column conductive lines are disposed on a second face of said substrate opposite said first face.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
58 words
The object proximity sensor of claim 22, further including: means for sensing a no-object-present capacitance between each individual one of said row conductive lines and each of said column conductive lines, for producing a set of no-object-present electrical signals related thereto; and means for subtracting said set of no-object-present electrical signals from said set of object-sensed electrical signals.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
53 words
The object proximity sensor of claim 24 wherein said means for producing a set of no-object-present electrical signals related to said no-object-present capacitance of each of said row conductive lines and said no-object-present capacitance of each of said column conductive lines comprises means for computing weighted minimums of said object-sensed electrical signals thereof.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
159 words
An object proximity sensor, including: a plurality of spaced-apart conductive sensor pads disposed in a matrix of rows and columns on a substrate; a plurality of row conductive lines disposed on said substrate and generally aligned with said rows, each of said row conductive lines electrically contacting every second one of said sensor pads in one of said rows; a plurality of column conductive lines disposed on said substrate, insulated from said row conductive lines and generally aligned with said columns, each of said column conductive lines electrically contacting the ones of said sensor pads in one of said columns which are not contacted by said row conductive lines; means for selecting individual ones of said row conductive lines one at a time and for simultaneously sensing the mutual capacitance between the selected one of said row conductive lines and each of said plurality of column conductive lines and for producing a set of object-sensed electrical signals related thereto.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
159 words
An object proximity sensor, including: a plurality of spaced-apart conductive sensor pads disposed in a matrix of rows and columns on a substrate; a plurality of row conductive lines disposed on said substrate and generally aligned with said rows, each of said row conductive lines electrically contacting every second one of said sensor pads in one of said rows; a plurality of column conductive lines disposed on said substrate, insulated from said row conductive lines and generally aligned with said columns, each of said column conductive lines electrically contacting the ones of said sensor pads in one of said columns which are not contacted by said row conductive lines; means for selecting individual ones of said row conductive lines one at a time and for simultaneously sensing the mutual capacitance between the selected one of said row conductive lines and each of said plurality of column conductive lines and for producing a set of object-sensed electrical signals related thereto.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
39 words
The object proximity sensor of claim 26 wherein said row conductive lines are disposed on said first face of said substrate and said column conductive lines are disposed on a second face of said substrate opposite said first face.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
58 words
The object proximity sensor of claim 26, further including: means for sensing a no-object-present capacitance between each individual one of said row conductive lines and each of said column conductive lines, for producing a set of no-object-present electrical signals related thereto; and means for subtracting said set of no-object-present electrical signals from said set of object-sensed electrical signals.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
53 words
The object proximity sensor of claim 28 wherein said means for producing a set of no-object-present electrical signals related to said no-object-present capacitance of each of said row conductive lines and said no-object-present capacitance of each of said column conductive lines comprises means for computing weighted minima of said object-sensed electrical signals thereof.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
216 words
An object proximity sensor, including: a plurality of spaced-apart conductive sensor pads disposed in a plurality of rows on a substrate, the ones of said sensor pads in odd numbered ones of said rows disposed along a first set of column positions and the ones of said sensor pads in even numbered ones of said rows disposed at a second set of column positions offset from said first set of column positions such that said sensor pads form a repetitive diamond pattern; a plurality of row conductive lines disposed on said substrate and generally aligned with said rows, each of said row conductive lines electrically contacting every one of said sensor pads in one of said odd-numbered rows; a plurality of column conductive lines disposed on said substrate, insulated from said row conductive lines and generally aligned with said offset column positions, each of said column conductive lines electrically contacting through said substrate the ones of said sensor pads in one of said offset column positions; means for selecting individual ones of said row conductive lines one at a time and for simultaneously sensing the mutual capacitance between the selected one of said row conductive lines and all of said plurality of column conductive lines and for producing a set of object-sensed electrical signals related thereto.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
216 words
An object proximity sensor, including: a plurality of spaced-apart conductive sensor pads disposed in a plurality of rows on a substrate, the ones of said sensor pads in odd numbered ones of said rows disposed along a first set of column positions and the ones of said sensor pads in even numbered ones of said rows disposed at a second set of column positions offset from said first set of column positions such that said sensor pads form a repetitive diamond pattern; a plurality of row conductive lines disposed on said substrate and generally aligned with said rows, each of said row conductive lines electrically contacting every one of said sensor pads in one of said odd-numbered rows; a plurality of column conductive lines disposed on said substrate, insulated from said row conductive lines and generally aligned with said offset column positions, each of said column conductive lines electrically contacting through said substrate the ones of said sensor pads in one of said offset column positions; means for selecting individual ones of said row conductive lines one at a time and for simultaneously sensing the mutual capacitance between the selected one of said row conductive lines and all of said plurality of column conductive lines and for producing a set of object-sensed electrical signals related thereto.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
39 words
The object proximity sensor of claim 30 wherein said row conductive lines are disposed on said first face of said substrate and said column conductive lines are disposed on a second face of said substrate opposite said first face.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
58 words
The object proximity sensor of claim 30, further including: means for sensing a no-object-present capacitance between each individual one of said row conductive lines and each of said column conductive lines, for producing a set of no-object-present electrical signals related thereto; and means for subtracting said set of no-object-present electrical signals from said set of object-sensed electrical signals.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
53 words
The object proximity sensor of claim 32 wherein said means for producing a set of no-object-present electrical signals related to said no-object-present capacitance of each of said row conductive lines and said no-object-present capacitance of each of said column conductive lines comprises means for computing weighted minima of said object-sensed electrical signals thereof.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
229 words
An object proximity sensor, including: a plurality of spaced-apart conductive sensor pads disposed in a plurality of rows on a substrate, the ones of said sensor pads in odd numbered ones of said rows disposed along a first set of column positions and the ones of said sensor pads in even numbered ones of said rows disposed at a second set of column positions offset from said first set of column positions and said rows spaced apart such that said sensor pads form a closely packed repetitive pattern wherein each pad is not in contact with adjoining pads; a plurality of row conductive lines disposed on said substrate and generally aligned with said rows, each of said row conductive lines electrically contacting every one of said sensor pads in one of said odd-numbered rows; a plurality of column conductive lines disposed on said substrate, insulated from said row conductive lines and generally aligned with said offset column positions, each of said column conductive lines electrically contacting the ones of said sensor pads in one of said offset column positions; means for selecting individual ones of said row conductive lines one at a time and for simultaneously sensing the mutual capacitance between the selected one of said row conductive lines and each of said plurality of column conductive lines and for producing a set of object-sensed electrical signals related thereto.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
229 words
An object proximity sensor, including: a plurality of spaced-apart conductive sensor pads disposed in a plurality of rows on a substrate, the ones of said sensor pads in odd numbered ones of said rows disposed along a first set of column positions and the ones of said sensor pads in even numbered ones of said rows disposed at a second set of column positions offset from said first set of column positions and said rows spaced apart such that said sensor pads form a closely packed repetitive pattern wherein each pad is not in contact with adjoining pads; a plurality of row conductive lines disposed on said substrate and generally aligned with said rows, each of said row conductive lines electrically contacting every one of said sensor pads in one of said odd-numbered rows; a plurality of column conductive lines disposed on said substrate, insulated from said row conductive lines and generally aligned with said offset column positions, each of said column conductive lines electrically contacting the ones of said sensor pads in one of said offset column positions; means for selecting individual ones of said row conductive lines one at a time and for simultaneously sensing the mutual capacitance between the selected one of said row conductive lines and each of said plurality of column conductive lines and for producing a set of object-sensed electrical signals related thereto.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
39 words
The object proximity sensor of claim 34 wherein said row conductive lines are disposed on said first face of said substrate and said column conductive lines are disposed on a second face of said substrate opposite said first face.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
56 words
The object proximity sensor of claim 34, further including: means for sensing a no-object-present capacitance between each of said row conductive lines and each of said column conductive lines, for producing a set of no-object-present electrical signals related thereto; and means for subtracting said set of no-object-present electrical signals from said set of object-sensed electrical signals.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
53 words
The object proximity sensor of claim 36 wherein said means for producing a set of no-object-present electrical signals related to said no-object-present capacitance of each of said row conductive lines and said no-object-present capacitance of each of said column conductive lines comprises means for computing weighted minima of said object-sensed electrical signals thereof.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method of claim 13, further including the steps of: sensing a no-object-present mutual capacitance between each individual one of said row conductive lines and each of said column conductive lines, and producing a set of no-object-present electrical signals related thereto; and subtracting said set of no-object-present electrical signals from said set of object-sensed electrical signals.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USRE23030E
Cited
US1590008A
Cited
US2219497A
Cited
US2546307A
Cited
US3020850A
Cited
US3198937A
Cited
US3207905A
Cited
US3128458A
Cited
US3263126A
Cited
US3256386A
Cited
US3292489A
Cited
US3244369A
Cited
US3382588A
Cited
US3501342A
Cited
US3582827A
Cited
US3437795A
Cited
US3482241A
Cited
US3519105A
Cited
US3401470A
Cited
US3493791A
Cited
US3497617A
Cited
US3588875A
Cited
US3530310A
Cited
US3497966A
Cited
US3492440A
Cited
US3543056A
Cited
US3522664A
Cited
US3516176A
Cited
US3598903A
Cited
US3530312A
Cited
US3591749A
Cited
US3593115A
Cited
US3549909A
Cited
US3651463A
Cited
US3623082A
Cited
US3662378A
Cited
US3675239A
Cited
US3683371A
Cited
US3773989A
Cited
US3696409A
Cited
US3757322A
Cited
US3737670A
Cited
US3751612A
Cited
US3732389A
Cited
US3932862A
Cited
US3760392A
Cited
US3921166A
Cited
US4001807A
Cited
US3875331A
Cited
US3931610A
Cited
US3974332A
Cited
US3992579A
Cited
US3999012A
Cited
US4007454A
Cited
US4056699A
Cited
US4058765A
Cited
US4071691A
Cited
US4129747A
Cited
US4302011A
Cited
US4103252A
Cited
US4087625A
Cited
US4198539A
Cited
US4148014A
Cited
US4371746A
Cited
US4177421A
Cited
US4257117A
Cited
US4177354A
Cited
US4221975A
Cited
US4264903A
Cited
US4224615A
Cited
US4281323A
Cited
US4246452A
Cited
US4293734A
Cited
US4334219A
Cited
US4232311A
Cited
US4373784A
Cited
US4430917A
Cited
US4290061A
Cited
US4291303A
Cited
US4290052A
Cited
US4310839A
Cited
US4313113A
Cited
US4398181A
Cited
US4639720A
Cited
US4476463A
Cited
US4442317A
Cited
US4410749A
Cited
US4475235A
Cited
US4423286B1
Cited
US4423286A
Cited
US4455452A
Cited
US4554409A
Cited
US4595913A
Cited
US4570149A
Cited
GB2139762A
Cited
US4511760A
Cited
US4734685A
Cited
US4550221A
Cited
US4733222A
Cited
US4616107A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-07-14 | 2001-01-13 | 2001-07-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-07-14 | 2005-01-13 | 2005-07-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-07-14 | 2009-01-13 | 2009-07-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |