CN101535933B - The method of capacitively sensing finger position - Google Patents
The method of capacitively sensing finger position Download PDFInfo
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- CN101535933B CN101535933B CN200780042046.8A CN200780042046A CN101535933B CN 101535933 B CN101535933 B CN 101535933B CN 200780042046 A CN200780042046 A CN 200780042046A CN 101535933 B CN101535933 B CN 101535933B
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Abstract
The present invention relates to the method for capacitively sensing finger position, and disclose allow exactly determined sensor array configuration is carried out to the position of object.The sensor of the multiple different length of sensor array configuration using, these sensor have the beginning and end position of staggering.Staggered by the beginning and end position that make different length sensor, only need in given area to utilize less sensor can provide accurate positional information.
Description
Technical field
Relate generally to sensor array configuration of the present invention.Specifically, the present invention relates to the sensor configuration allowing target location to be carried out to accurately judgement.
Background technology
Touch pad is usually used in portable consumer electronic device, such as laptop computer.Utilize touch pad, when along the surperficial moveable finger of touch pad, the movement of input pointer (i.e. cursor) corresponds to the relative movement that user points (or stylus).When detecting that one or many knocks on a surface of the touchpad, touch pad can also be selected on a display screen.In some cases, any part of touch pad can be knocked, and in other cases, the private part of touch pad can be knocked.
Touch pad generally includes the sensor of one or more adjacency for detecting finger distance touch pad.Such as, sensor can based on resistance sensing, surface acoustic wave sensing, pressure sensing (such as foil gauge), optical sensing, capacitance sensing etc.Sensor is dispersed in touch pad everywhere usually, and each sensor represents x, y position.In most of the cases, placement sensor is carried out according to the grid configuration be made up of row and column.Therefore, when on the sensor grid in touch pad during moveable finger, unique x and y position signalling is generated, and these x and y position signallings control indication equipment x, y on the display device and move.For the sake of brevity, remaining discussion is by for the discussion to capacitive sensing techniques.But it should be noted that other technologies also have similar feature.
With reference to figure 1, will be described in more detail touch pad 10.Touch pad is generally small rectangular region, they multiple electrodes 14 comprising protecting screen 12 and be arranged under this protecting screen 12.For ease of discussing, a part of protecting screen 12 has been removed electrode 14 is shown.Each electrode 14 represents different x, y positions.In one configuration, along with finger 16 is close to electrode grid 14, electrode 14 detects the small capacitance change of the position of finger 16.Circuit board/Sense Electronics is measured electric capacity and is produced x, y input signal 18 corresponding with float electrode 14, and this signal is sent to the main process equipment 20 with display screen 22.X, y input signal 18 is used to control the movement of cursor 24 on display screen 22.As shown in the figure, input pointer to move with x, y direction similar with x, y finger motion detected.
Sensor in given area is more little more, then more accurately can determine the position of object (such as pointing).
But along with sensor becomes less, the signal produced by being positioned on a sensor by object also becomes less relative to the noisiness generated by sensor and sensing system.This makes sensor more out of true, and causes physical constraints to the number of the sensor that can be used in the sensor array in covering one region.
Therefore, need a kind of modified sensor array to configure, it allows accurately to determine the finger position in given area.
Summary of the invention
Described herein is the sensor array can determined more accurately object's position.Sensor configuration can use multiple sensing element, and wherein each sensing element has at least a yardstick (such as length or width) different from the yardstick of other at least some sensing elements.Multiple sensing element can be arranged in an interleaved manner, makes the forward position of sensing element and/or tail along not lining up.The configuration of this sensor can make object's position can be determined by with more high precision, also can make the decreased number of the sensor needed for given area.In addition, because less sensor can be needed, so the size of each sensor in array can be increased, thus improve the signal to noise ratio (S/N ratio) of the sensor in array.
The embodiment of sensor array configuration can comprise multiple sensor with different size being positioned at diverse location place.Such as, in the plane that can use X-Y coordinate system to describe, can the length of sensor is different with the position of sensor in X-direction (being also referred to as longitudinal direction here) obtains one-dimension information about object's position and two-dimensional signal by making.The sensor of different length can be arranged such that the forward position of adjacent sensors and tail edge do not line up, but staggers in the vertical.Like this, not every sensor all with the given straight line intersection extended perpendicular to X-direction.
Can by determining which concrete sensor is determined the positional information relevant with the position of object in the X-direction of sensor by object activation.Because different sensors diverse location place in the X direction starts and terminates, so not every proximity sense can extend to given X position.Therefore, once identify the sensor be activated, just by determining which X position has crossed all sensors be activated, object position in the X direction can be determined.
The width of sensor can be sufficiently narrow, object can be covered simultaneously and thus activate multiple sensor simultaneously.Then by determining which width position has crossed the set of sensors be activated, object position in the direction of the width can be determined.
Therefore, if sensor array is extended to covering 2 dimensional region, then can, by measurement along the position in sensor length direction and measurement along the position in the narrow width direction of sensor, determine to point the position in Descartes (X-Y) coordinate system.
In addition, some sensor can be removed and still keeps carrying out sterically defined ability to object in various patterns, because if object is placed with the sensor spanning and be removed, then can estimate that object is positioned at the amount on the sensor that is removed by deducting the object amount be positioned on one or more sensors of not being removed.Like this, had sensor can be used to measure the position of finger in two dimensions than the array of regular grid array much less, and following situation can be used to: utilize common grid may produce sensor that is too small so that cannot effectively work.
In addition, by improving sensor array with polar coordinate system, any one in these solutions all can be applied to detect angle circumferentially and the radius from the center of circle.
The embodiment of circular sensor array can comprise multiple sensors of the different length longitudinally arranged around an axis.The end of adjacent sensors can be disposed in apart from axis different distance place.
Accompanying drawing explanation
Fig. 1 illustrates an example of touch pad and display device.
Fig. 2 (a) and 2 (b) illustrate the alternative exemplary of the capacitance sensing line according to some embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 3 (a) and 3 (b) illustrate the alternative exemplary of arranging according to the sensor of some embodiment of the present invention, and it is configured to determine the position of object along the axle that will measure.
Fig. 4 illustrates an example of arranging according to the sensor of some embodiment of the present invention, and it is configured to determine the position of object along the diaxon that will measure.
Fig. 5 illustrates another example of arranging according to the sensor of some embodiment of the present invention, and it is configured to determine the position of object along the diaxon that will measure.
Fig. 6 illustrates an example of arranging according to the circular sensor of some embodiment of the present invention, and it can be used to the polar coordinate position determining object.
Fig. 7 illustrates an example of the media player stereographic map according to some embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 8 illustrates an example of the laptop computer stereographic map according to some embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 9 illustrate according to some embodiment of the present invention, an example of the stereographic map with the desk-top computer being attached thereto the external input equipment connect.
Figure 10 illustrates an example of the stereographic map of the telechiric device of the use input equipment according to some embodiment of the present invention.
Embodiment
Representative embodiments described herein relates to permission and carries out exactly determined sensor array configuration to object's position.Sensor array configuration can use the sensor of multiple different length, and these sensors have staggered starting position and end position.Staggered by the starting position and end position that make the sensor of different length, provide the required sensor used of accurate positional information less in given area.In addition, because less sensor can be used, so the size of each sensor in this region can be increased, to improve the signal to noise ratio (S/N ratio) of the sensor in array.
In following description of the preferred embodiments, with reference to the accompanying drawing forming the application's part.It should be understood that when not departing from the scope of preferred implementation, other embodiments can be used and can structure change be carried out.In addition, below description includes the example comprising capacitive sensor.Be understood that the sensor relating to capacitive transducer part and also can refer to other types, include, without being limited to resistance sensing, surface acoustic wave sensing, pressure sensing (such as foil gauge), optical sensing, capacitance sensing etc.In addition, although touch pad is described to the equipment that described sensor can be utilized to configure, be understood that other sensing equipments (such as touch-screen) also can utilize these sensors to configure.
Fig. 2 (a) illustrates an example of capacitance sensing line.In Fig. 2 (a), circle 202 illustrates the finger as object, and the position of this object is just determined.In order to improve the degree of accuracy positioned with capacitive transducer 204, finger 202 once can cover more than one sensor 204.If finger once only covers a sensor, then only can detect to there is finger 202 on a sensor.Therefore, can only say that finger is positioned at certain position completely within the region that sensor defines, and more accurately cannot judge the position of finger 202.
If finger covers more than one sensor, then can determine the ratio covering each sensor.Such as, if 50 percent of finger is just being covered with each sensor, then knowing on the straight line of finger between these sensors.If 25 percent of finger is just covering a sensor and 75 percent is just covering contiguous sensor, then can know the greater part of finger be positioned at obtain more high scale sensor on.This arranges the reason with zigzag sensor 204 as shown in Fig. 2 (a).Serrate can, when not making sensor become less, make finger 202 more often be positioned on two sensors 204.
Fig. 2 (b) illustrates following example, and wherein strip sensor 208 is divided into independent sensing section 206, and these sensing sections are each is approximately the half-size scale pointed.The size reducing sensor enables finger be positioned on multiple sensing section simultaneously.But, reduce size and also make the signal to noise ratio (S/N ratio) of the sensor in array reduce.Therefore, can the size of balance sensor to deal with these problems.
In the example shown in Fig. 2 (b), two sensors 206 cover by the finger 202.The number percent that two sensors are capped can be measured, to determine pointing which position between two sensors.This is another example of following method, and described method comprises the steps: large strip sensor to be divided into multiple sensing section, reads all sensing sections and determine which section is just being activated to locate finger position.
In Fig. 2 (a) and 2 (b), the axle 200 that will measure is divided into eight section 204 and 206 by along this axle, to detect the movement along this axle.Can detect has finger 202 in two sensing sections 204 or 206, and can measure its ratio to determine finger 202 is positioned at which position along the axle 200 that will measure.Thisly determine that the method for finger position can be called as proportion measurement technology.
Fig. 3 (a) and 3 (b) illustrate other examples measured the position of the object along the axle 300 that will measure, and axle 300 extends to the length of a series of sensing zone 302.Fig. 3 (a) illustrates the example with five horizontal sensor bands capable 302, and these five horizontal sensor bands capable 302 are eachly divided into two sensing sections 304.Each sensing zone capable 302 comprises interruption 306, and interruption position is different for each row 302.Except some section 304 is removed, Fig. 3 (b) and Fig. 3 (a) are similar.
Formed with Fig. 2 (a) and 2 (b) and contrast, Fig. 3 (a) is not by the single sensor bar disconnected along the axle that will measure.As an alternative, Fig. 3 (a) has five sensing zones capable 302, and each in these five sensing zones capable 302 is separated at diverse location 306 place along the axle 300 that will measure.Sensing zone capable 302 is enough narrow and enough close, makes one to point 202 all can cover them simultaneously.Sensing zone capable 302 is also enough narrow, if make to point the sensing section 304 touched in a line, then it also will touch another sensing section 304 of closing in row.
Therefore, the width of sensor can be selected as the diameter being less than the object will determining position, such as, be less than the diameter of general finger.In addition, the length of one or more sensor also can be selected as the diameter being greater than the object will determining position.
In Fig. 3 (a), the top row in sensing zone capable 302 comprises two sensing sections 302, i.e. the comparatively long pass sense section compared with short pass sense section and right side in left side.Finger 202 covers longer sensing section.The second row in sensing zone capable 302 comprises the comparatively long pass sense section compared with short pass sense section and left side on right side.Finger 202 covers shorter sensing section.The third line in sensing zone capable 302 comprises the comparatively long pass sense section compared with short pass sense section and right side in left side.Finger 202 covers longer sensing section.Fourth line in sensing zone capable 302 comprises the comparatively long pass sense section compared with short pass sense section and left side on right side.Finger 202 covers longer sensing section.Etc..
In Fig. 3 (a), because the layout of sensor array is known, so can by determining to point the position being positioned at and which sensing section 304 as above being determined finger 202.Specifically, the axle 300 will measured only has the position that such: finger 202 can cover that a series of segments 304 previously described.According to number and the position of the interruption 306 in sensing zone, usage ratio measuring technique can also come more accurately to determine the position of finger 202 in addition.
In the example shown in Fig. 3 (b), on left side and right side, remove a sensing section 304 every a sensing section 304 in an alternating manner.This means that the length along with sensing section changes by the distance between sensing section 304 and proximity sense section 304.
As mentioned above, due to the size of row, narrow degree and position, a finger 202 once can cover all five horizontal stripes row 302.Therefore, the position of finger 202 can be determined by the residue sensing section in each sensing row 302 in consideration Fig. 3 (b).
In addition, if finger 202 is not in concrete sensing section 304, then can judge that finger 202 may be present in the region not having sensing section.Such as, in Fig. 3 (b), but finger 202 be detected as be arranged in first and the 3rd sensing row 302 sensing section 304 on or not the sensing section 304 of the second sensing row 302.Therefore, can determine that finger 202 is also arranged in the rightward space of the second row 302 of sensing section.Similar analysis can be carried out to each horizontal line 302.In Fig. 3 (b), only have five sensing sections 304 in depicted area, this and Fig. 2 (a) are formed with shown in same area eight sensing sections 304 of 2 (b) and contrast.Therefore example shown in Fig. 3 (b) can make the number of sensing section 304 be reduced.
Fig. 4 illustrates following example, and the structure wherein shown in Fig. 3 (a) is by extends perpendicular.In the diagram, the method that can describe according to composition graphs 2 (a) measures the upright position of finger along the Z-axis 406 that will measure.More specifically, each sensing row 402 can serve as the sensor along following capacitance sensing line, and described capacitance sensing line extends along the Z-axis 406 that will measure.Because sensing row 402 is very thin, so have a large amount of sensing row 402 in the unit length of the Z-axis 406 that will measure.According to the method that composition graphs 2 (a) describes, which provide the high-resolution position sensing along the Z-axis 406 that will measure.
Due to along the interrupt pattern in the sensing section 404 of transverse axis 408 that will measure, transverse axis 408 that composition graphs 3 (a) describes, that can be used to along measuring for the measuring technique carrying out measuring along the axle 300 that will measure is measured.Therefore, same group of sensing section 404 can be used to determine the position of finger 202 along the Z-axis 406 that will measure and both the transverse axis 408 that will measure.
The comparatively macrolattice that the additive method carrying out measuring along two axles can utilize small-sized side's sensor (being such as finger one half-size scale) to form, also can utilize two-layer sensor, the orthogonal sets of such as substrate front side and the horizontal group of substrate back.Each measuring technique all utilizing composition graphs 2 (a) to describe in these methods is measured along vertical and transverse axis.
Fig. 5 illustrates following example, and the structure wherein shown in Fig. 3 (b) is by extends perpendicular.In the example depicted in fig. 5, the half of number of sensors shown in Fig. 4 can be used to determine the horizontal and vertical position of finger 202.
Specifically, the same with Fig. 4, each sensing row 502 can serve as the sensor along following capacitance sensing line, and described capacitance sensing line extends along the Z-axis 506 that will measure.Because sensing row 502 is very thin, so have a large amount of sensing row 502 in the unit length of the Z-axis 506 that will measure.According to the method that composition graphs 2 (a) describes, the high-resolution position sensing along the Z-axis 506 that will measure can be provided like this.If finger 202 is arranged on the interstitial site 510 of sensing row, then whether can be determined this situation by finger 202 activation by determining the sensing section be positioned at above and below gap 510.If finger 202 is not only positioned at above gap 510 but also is positioned at below it, then it is also positioned on gap 510.
In addition, due to along the interrupt pattern in the sensing section 504 of transverse axis 508 that will measure, the transverse axis 508 that can be used to along measuring for the measuring technique carrying out measuring along the axle 300 that will measure that therefore composition graphs 3 (b) describes is measured.Therefore, same group of sensing section 504 can be used to determine the position of finger 202 along the Z-axis 506 that will measure and both the transverse axis 508 that will measure.
Utilize the sensor that do not line up to interrupt reducing the concept detecting number of sensors used in position and be not limited to horizontal bar or horizontal stripes.Identical concept can be used to polar coordinate model or other two-dimentional or three-dimensional patterns.Such as, this concept can be corresponded to and be detected the inside of at least one in following shape or outside: annular, cylindricality, taper shape, truncated cone shape (clipping most advanced and sophisticated circular cone), spherical, semisphere, Part-spherical, or other geometric configuratioies various.
In polar coordinates configuration, multiple sensor ring can be used to use polar coordinates to determine the position pointed.Such as, sensor placement can comprise sensor concentric ring.Then can determine to point and just cover which ring, angle around this ring, and usage ratio measuring technique can determine between two rings position.
But if sensor is arranged by with concentric circle patterns, then move along with towards the center of circle, the size of wedge shape sensing section can reduce.Along with each sensing section becomes less and sensitive zones reduction, the semaphore that each sensor can produce also can reduce (namely reducing based on the capacitive reading making finger be positioned at gained on sensor).Along with semaphore becomes less, signal to noise ratio (S/N ratio) also becomes lower.Therefore the sensitive zones of the sensing section in the inner loop of this layout can have too low signal to noise ratio (S/N ratio), and being low to moderate them accurately cannot measure finger position.
Fig. 6 illustrates an example of the another kind of sensor configuration of circular pattern, and it can be used to utilize less section accurately to determine polar coordinate position.Example shown in Fig. 6 can be considered the polar coordinates form of expression of Fig. 5 example shown.In figure 6, the Z-axis will measured in Fig. 5 corresponds to the angle θ around circle.In figure 6, the transverse axis will measured in Fig. 5 corresponds to radius r or the amplitude (if regarding the vector originating in the center of circle as) in the distance center of circle.For ease of illustrating, relative to the number of the sensing section 504 shown in Fig. 5, the number of the sensing section 604 and 606 shown in Fig. 6 is reduced.
In figure 6, some sensing section 606 extends to the center of sensor array 600, and some sensing section 604 does not extend to the center of sensor array 600.The combination of sensing element 604 and 606 can be used to the polar coordinate position accurately determining the object (being finger 202 in this situation) be positioned on sensor array 600.As long as the width of sensing section is less than the width of finger 202, finger 202 once will cover more than one sensor 604 and 606.
This configuration can be used to determine the angle θ of finger 202.Because section 604 and 606 is arranged on circle with different angles θ, so can by determining that the angle θ of the sensor 604 and 606 that finger 202 activates determines the angle θ of finger 202.
Also this configuration can be used to determine the radial position of finger 202.Because the section of only having 606 extends to the center of sensor array 600, if so only have sensing section 606 to be activated, then point 202 and be positioned at following radius: the radius at this radius section of being less than 604 place.If sensing section 604 is also activated except sensing section 606, then point the radius that 202 are positioned at sensor 604 place.
Layout shown in Fig. 6 decreases sensor number and allows to carry out accurate polar coordinate mode location to object.In addition, this configuration allows to use less polar coordinates sensor array configuration.
In the another kind of embodiment of Fig. 6 example shown, the configuration at Bu Dai center can be produced.Such as, Wedging can be made to obtain shorter, make them to arrive center.Another input equipment (such as button) is placed on the center of sensor array by such permission.
As previously mentioned, sensor array described here can be integrated in the electronic equipment as input equipment, or they also can be used to the equipment of other sensing type.Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 shows some implementations of the touchpad sensor array be integrated in electronic equipment.In the figure 7, touch pad 700 is integrated in media player 702.In fig. 8, touch pad 800 is integrated in laptop computer 802.On the other hand, Fig. 9 and Figure 10 shows some implementations for the touchpad sensor array in peripherals.In fig .9, touch pad 900 is included in and is connected in the peripherals 902 of desk-top computer 904.In Fig. 10, touch pad 1000 is bonded in telechiric device 1002, and telechiric device 1002 is wirelessly connected to expansion docking station (dockingstation) 1004, and media player 1006 depressed place is connected in this expansion docking station 1004.But it should be noted that telechiric device also can be configured to directly and media player (or other electronic equipments) carries out alternately, thus without the need to docking station.The sequence number being called " MEDIAPLAYERSYSTEM " can submitted on April 25th, 2003 for an example of the docking station of media player is find in the U.S. Patent application of 10/423,490, and above-mentioned application is incorporated into this by reference.It should be noted that these embodiments and unrestricted, other equipment many and configuration can be used.
With reference to figure 7, media player 702 will by more detailed discussion.Term " media player " is commonly referred to as the computing equipment that can be exclusively used in and process such as audio frequency, video or the such a media of other figure, such as music player, game machine, video game machine, video recorder, video camera etc.In some cases, media player comprises single function (being such as exclusively used in the media player playing music), and in other cases, media player comprises multiple function (such as playing the media player of music, display video, storage figure picture etc.).In any one situation, these equipment are normally portable, no matter where travel can listen to the music, play games or play video, recording of video or take pictures to make user.
In one embodiment, media player is the handheld device manufactured according to the size putting into user's pocket.By having pocket-sized, user is without the need to directly carrying this equipment and thus no matter where travelling can with this equipment (such as user be subject to carrying huge and be often the restriction of heavy equipment unlike when laptop computer or notebook).Such as, when music player, user can use this equipment while gym workouts.In case of a camera, user can use this equipment while climbing the mountain.In the case of a game player, user uses this equipment while can fulfiling in the car.In addition, this equipment can be operated by the hand of user.Without the need to reference surface (such as desktop).In the illustrated embodiment, media player 702 is pocket hand-held MP3 music players, and it allows user to store a large amount of music (such as, reaching the song of 4,000 CD quality in some cases).Such as, MP3 player can correspond to and to be manufactured by the Apple Computer Inc of California Cupertino
board MP3 player.Although the MP3 music player is here mainly used in storing and playing music, it can also comprise other function, such as store calendar and phone list, storage game and play games, storage picture etc.In fact, in some cases, it can serve as highly portable memory device.
As shown in Figure 7, media player 702 comprises shell 722, and this shell comprises various electric assembly (comprise integrated circuit (IC) chip and other circuit) to provide calculating operation for media player 702 in inside.In addition, shell 722 can also limit shape or the form of media player 702.In other words, the profile of shell 722 can embody the solid appearance of media player 702.The integrated circuit (IC) chip be included in shell 722 can comprise microprocessor (such as CPU), storer (such as ROM, RAM), power supply (such as battery), circuit board, hard disk drive, other storeies (such as flash memory) and/or various I/O (I/O) with other circuit and support circuit.Electricity assembly can also comprise the assembly for inputting or export music or sound, such as microphone, amplifier and digital signal processor (DSP).Electricity assembly can also comprise the assembly for catching image, such as imageing sensor (such as charge-coupled image sensor (CCD) or complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) (CMOS)) or optical device (such as lens, optical splitter, light filter).
In the illustrated embodiment, media player 702 comprises hard disk drive to give media player mass storage capacity.Such as, a 20GB hard disk drive can store the music reaching 4000 songs or about 266 hours.By contrast, the music to 128MB or about two hours is on average stored based on the media player of flash memory.The capacity of hard disk drive can be (such as 5,10,20GB etc.) miscellaneous.Here the media player 702 shown in can also comprise battery, such as lithium polymer secondary battery except hard disk drive.Such battery can provide Continuous Play time of about 10 hours for media player.
Media player 702 also comprises display screen 724 and interlock circuit.Display screen 724 is used to user's display graphics user interface and other information (such as text, object, figure).Such as, display screen 724 can be liquid crystal indicator (LCD).In an embodiment, display screen corresponds to the high-definition display device that 160 take advantage of 128 pixels, has white LED backlight to provide visual clearly under daylight and low-light (level) situation.As shown in the figure, display screen 724 is by the transparent wall being arranged in opening 725 front visible to the user of media player 702 by the opening 725 in shell 722.Although transparent wall 726 is transparent, it can be counted as a part for shell 722, because it helps the shape or the form that define media player 702.
Media player 702 also comprises touch pad 700, and this touch pad comprises sensor array, such as, any one in those sensor arraies previously described.Touch pad 700 is made up of touchable outer surface 731 usually, and this outside surface 731 is for being received in finger touch pad carrying out handle.Although not shown in Figure 7, being positioned under touchable outer surface 731 is sensor array device.Sensor device comprises multiple sensor, and these sensors can be configured to when finger is shelved thereon, to be knocked or through out-of-date activation.In the simplest situations, whenever finger is placed on a sensor, electric signal is just produced.The number of the signal within the scope of preset time can indicate finger position on a touchpad, direction, speed and acceleration, and in other words, signal is more, then user to move its finger more.As a rule, monitored signal by electrical interface, the number of signal, combination and frequency inverted are position, direction, speed and acceleration information by this electrical interface.Then this information can be used for the controlling functions of on display screen 724 carry out desired by media player 702.Such as, user can pass through list of songs by carrying out easily scrolling around touch pad 700 pivoting finger.
Touch pad can also comprise one or more moveable button area A-D and centre button E in addition to that mentioned above.Button area is configured to provide one or multinomial special controlling functions, for the order carrying out selecting or send with operate media player 702 and be associated.Such as, when MP3 music player, push button function can with open menu, played songs, F.F. song, searching menu, carry out selecting etc. to be associated.As a rule, push button function realizes via mechanical clicking action.
Touch pad 700 can be miscellaneous relative to the position of shell 722.Such as, touch pad 700 can be disposed in any outer surface (such as end face, side, front or the back side) in shell 722, that can be accessed by user during the manipulation of media player 702.As a rule, the touch sensing surface 731 of touch pad 700 is fully exposed to user.In the embodiment shown in figure, touch pad 700 is arranged in the front lower area of shell 722.In addition, flush under the surface that touch pad 700 can be recessed in shell 722, with it or expand on it.In the embodiment shown in figure, the touch sensing surface 731 of touch pad 700 flushes substantially with the outside surface of shell 722.
The profile of touch pad 700 also can be miscellaneous.Although touch pad is shown as circle, it also can be square, rectangle, triangle etc.More specifically, touch pad is annular, i.e. likeness in form or formation one annular.Like this, the inner periphery and the outer periphery of touch pad define the work border of touch pad.
Media player 702 can also comprise maintained switch 734.Maintained switch 734 is configured to the button of activation or inactive touch pad and/or associated company.So do normally in order to prevent touch pad and/or button from such as producing undesirable order when media player is stored in user's pocket.When deactivated, the signal from button and/or touch pad is not sent out or is ignored by media player.When activated, the signal from button and/or touch pad is sent out and is therefore received by media player and process.
In addition, media player 702 can also comprise one or more earphone jack 736 and one or more FPDP 738.Earphone jack 736 can receive headset connector, and headset connector is associated with the earphone being configured to listen to the sound that media device 702 exports.On the other hand, FPDP 738 can receive data connector/cable assembly, and described data connector/cable assembly is configured to send data to the main process equipment that such as multi-purpose computer (such as desk-top computer, portable computer) is such and receive data from it.Such as, FPDP 738 can be used to upload audio frequency, video or other images to media device 702 and download audio frequency, video or other images from media device 702.Such as, FPDP can be used to song, playlist, audio books, e-book, photo etc. to download in the storing mechanism of media player.
FPDP 738 can be miscellaneous.Such as, FPDP can be PS/2 port, serial port, parallel port, USB port, FireWire port port and/or similar port.In some cases, FPDP 738 can be that radio frequency (RF) link or optical infrared (IR) link are so that without the need to cable.Although not shown in Figure 7, media player 702 can also comprise power port, and this power port receives power connector/cable assembly, and described power connector/cable assembly is configured to media player supply electric power.In some cases, FPDP 738 not only can serve as FPDP but also can serve as power port.In the illustrated embodiment, FPDP 738 is the FireWire port ports having data and electric power two kinds of abilities concurrently.
Although only have a FPDP to be illustrated, it should be noted that this and unrestricted, and multiple FPDP can be incorporated in media player.Similarly, FPDP can comprise multinomial data function, by the function i ntegration of several data port in individual data port.In addition, it should be noted that maintained switch, earphone jack and the FPDP position on shell can be miscellaneous.In other words, they are not limited to the position shown in Fig. 7.They can be disposed in (such as front, the back side, side, top or bottom) almost Anywhere on shell.Such as, FPDP can be disposed in the end face of shell but not bottom surface as shown in the figure.
Although fully describe various illustrative embodiments with reference to accompanying drawing, will notice, to its various change with to revise for those skilled in the art be apparent.Be understood that these change and amendment is included in the scope of the theme that appended claims limits.
the cross reference of related application
Application claims is the U.S. Provisional Application No.60/858 of 60/858,404 in the application number that on November 13rd, 2006 submits to, the right of priority of 404.
Claims (29)
1. a sensor array, in electronic equipment, to provide the position of the object contacted with described equipment, described sensor array comprises:
Multiple sensors of different length, described object is covered in when determining described position on described sensor, and wherein, described sensor has length direction and Width, and the end of adjacent sensors staggers on the length direction of described sensor, and
Wherein, the distance between sensor and adjacent sensors on described Width along described sensor length and change, and
Wherein, the width of described sensor is configured to the yardstick being less than the object contacted with described equipment.
2. sensor array as claimed in claim 1, wherein, the length of described sensor is configured to the yardstick being greater than the object contacted with described equipment.
3. sensor array as claimed in claim 1, wherein, the different distance between sensor with adjacent sensors is configured to the yardstick being less than the object contacted with described equipment.
4. sensor array as claimed in claim 1, wherein, described to liking finger.
5. sensor array as claimed in claim 1, wherein, described equipment is configured to the polar coordinate position providing described object.
6. sensor array as claimed in claim 1, wherein, described equipment is configured to the Cartesian coordinate position providing described object.
7. sensor array as claimed in claim 1, wherein, described sensor is arranged to parallel to each other.
8. sensor array as claimed in claim 1, wherein, described sensor is longitudinally arranged by around an axis.
9. sensor array as claimed in claim 1, wherein, described sensor is based on resistance sensing, surface acoustic wave sensing, pressure sensing, optical sensing or capacitance sensing.
10. sensor array as claimed in claim 1, wherein, described sensor is based on capacitance sensing.
11. sensor arraies as claimed in claim 1, wherein, equipment comprises at least one in media player, desk-top computer, laptop computer, personal digital assistant, cell phone or telechiric device.
12. 1 kinds of sensor arraies, in electronic equipment, to provide the position of the object contacted with described equipment, described sensor array comprises:
Around multiple sensors of the different length that an axis is radially arranged, described object is covered in when determining described position on described sensor,
Wherein, described sensor has length direction and Width, and the end of adjacent sensors staggers on the length direction of described sensor,
Wherein, the distance between sensor and adjacent sensors on described Width along described sensor length and change, and
Wherein, the width of described sensor is configured to the yardstick being less than the object contacted with described equipment.
13. sensor arraies as claimed in claim 12, wherein, the length of described sensor is configured to the yardstick being greater than the object contacted with described equipment.
14. sensor arraies as claimed in claim 12, wherein, equipment is configured to the polar coordinate position providing described object.
15. 1 kinds of sensor arraies, in electronic equipment, to provide the position of the object contacted with described equipment, described sensor array comprises
The multiple sensors arranged abreast with the axle that will measure, described object is covered in when determining described position on described sensor, and wherein, adjacent sensors is starting along the diverse location place of the described axle that will measure and terminating, and
Wherein, the distance between sensor and adjacent sensors along described sensor length and change, and
Wherein, the width of described sensor is configured to the yardstick being less than the object contacted with described equipment.
16. sensor arraies as claimed in claim 15, wherein, the length of described sensor is configured to the yardstick being greater than the object contacted with described equipment.
17. sensor arraies as claimed in claim 15, wherein, the different distance between sensor with adjacent sensors is configured to the yardstick being less than the object contacted with described equipment.
18. 1 kinds of sensor arraies, in electronic equipment, to provide the position of the object contacted with described equipment, described sensor array comprises:
Multiple sensors of different length, described object is covered in when determining described position on described sensor,
Wherein, the length of each described sensor is the distance between the first end of each sensor and the second end,
The end of adjacent sensors staggers on the length direction of described sensor, and
The first distance between sensor and the first end of adjacent sensors is greater than the second distance between sensor and the second end of adjacent sensors, and
Wherein, the width of described sensor is configured to the yardstick being less than the object contacted with described equipment.
19. 1 kinds utilize sensor array to determine the method for object's position, comprising:
Measure described object and be placed amount on an array of sensors, described sensor array comprises multiple sensors of different length, wherein, the end of adjacent sensors staggers on the length direction of described sensor, and distance between sensor and adjacent sensors along described sensor length and change; And
Measured amount is associated with the position of described object on described sensor array, and
Wherein, the width of described sensor is configured to the yardstick being less than the object contacted with described sensor array.
20. 1 kinds of methods manufacturing sensor array, described sensor array is used in electronic equipment, and to provide the position of the object contacted with described equipment, described method comprises:
By multiple sensor localizations of different length on substrate, described object will be covered in when determining described position on described sensor, adjacent sensors is staggered on the length direction of described sensor, and the distance between sensor and adjacent sensors along described sensor length and change, and
Wherein, the width of described sensor is configured to the yardstick being less than the object contacted with described sensor array.
21. 1 kinds of portable sets, comprising:
Sensor array, this sensor array comprises multiple sensors of different length, wherein, the end of adjacent sensors staggers on the length direction of described sensor, distance between sensor and adjacent sensors along described sensor length and change, described sensor array is configured to generate signal, and described signal depends on and is covered in the position of the object on described sensor relative to described sensor array; And
Processor, described processor is configured to perform the order depending on described signal, and
Wherein, the width of described sensor is configured to the yardstick being less than the object contacted with described sensor array.
22. 1 kinds utilize sensor array to determine the method for object's position, comprising:
Spaced and the array of the objection detecting sensor that length is different is arranged relative to a surface, described sensor is arranged along the first dimension extension relative to described surface not line up and extends along the second dimension relative to described surface, the interval along described second dimension between at least some adjacent sensors is greater than along the interval of described first dimension between at least some adjacent sensors
Along both in described first dimension and described second dimension, determine to detect in described array that object covers sensor object not detected in sensor thereon and described array,
Thus detect the position of described object relative to described surface, and
Wherein, the width of described sensor is configured to the yardstick being less than the object contacted with described sensor array.
23. methods as claimed in claim 22, wherein, described first dimension can be measured along the first linear axes, and described second dimension can be measured along the second linear axes.
24. methods as claimed in claim 23, wherein, described first linear axes and described second linear axes define 90 ° of angles mutually.
25. methods as claimed in claim 22, wherein, described first dimension can be measured along the radial axle of circle, and described second dimension is by measurement of angle, and described angle is facing to the center of described circle.
26. 1 kinds utilize sensor array to determine the equipment of object's position, comprising:
, the spaced and array of objection detecting sensor that length different that arrange relative to a surface, described sensor is arranged along the first dimension extension relative to described surface not line up and extends along the second dimension relative to described surface, the interval along described second dimension between at least some adjacent sensors is greater than along the interval of described first dimension between at least some adjacent sensors
Processor, described processor is configured to: along described first dimension and described second dimension, determines to detect in described array that object covers sensor object not detected in sensor thereon and described array,
Thus detect the position of described object relative to described surface, and
Wherein, the width of described sensor is configured to the yardstick being less than the object contacted with described sensor array.
27. equipment as claimed in claim 26, wherein, described first dimension can be measured along the first linear axes, and described second dimension can be measured along the second linear axes.
28. equipment as claimed in claim 27, wherein, described first linear axes and described second linear axes define 90 ° of angles mutually.
29. equipment as claimed in claim 26, wherein, described first dimension can be measured along the radial axle of circle, and described second dimension is by measurement of angle, and described angle is facing to the center of described circle.
Applications Claiming Priority (5)
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| US85840406P | 2006-11-13 | 2006-11-13 | |
| US60/858,404 | 2006-11-13 | ||
| US11/842,724 US8482530B2 (en) | 2006-11-13 | 2007-08-21 | Method of capacitively sensing finger position |
| US11/842,724 | 2007-08-21 | ||
| PCT/US2007/084549 WO2008064007A2 (en) | 2006-11-13 | 2007-11-13 | Method of capacitively sensing finger position |
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| CN101535933A CN101535933A (en) | 2009-09-16 |
| CN101535933B true CN101535933B (en) | 2015-12-09 |
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| CN200780042046.8A Active CN101535933B (en) | 2006-11-13 | 2007-11-13 | The method of capacitively sensing finger position |
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| US10037091B2 (en) | 2014-11-19 | 2018-07-31 | Honda Motor Co., Ltd. | System and method for providing absolute coordinate and zone mapping between a touchpad and a display screen |
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| CN201203861Y (en) * | 2006-11-13 | 2009-03-04 | 苹果公司 | Sensor array and portable equipment |
| US9727175B2 (en) | 2010-05-14 | 2017-08-08 | Elo Touch Solutions, Inc. | System and method for detecting locations of touches on a projected capacitive touch sensor |
| JP2013526746A (en) * | 2010-05-14 | 2013-06-24 | イーロ・タッチ・ソリューションズ・インコーポレイテッド | System and method for detecting the position of a touch on a touch sensor |
| US10268320B2 (en) * | 2010-08-06 | 2019-04-23 | Apple Inc. | Method for disambiguating multiple touches on a projection-scan touch sensor panel |
| CN103576960A (en) * | 2012-08-02 | 2014-02-12 | 深圳纽迪瑞科技开发有限公司 | Touch screen pressure and position sensing method, touch screen pressure and position sensing element, and electronic touch device |
| CN104281304A (en) * | 2013-07-08 | 2015-01-14 | 索尼公司 | Touch induction component, manufacturing method, touch screen and electronic device |
| US10831318B2 (en) | 2013-12-24 | 2020-11-10 | Intel Corporation | Adaptive enclosure for a mobile computing device |
| US20170371515A1 (en) | 2014-11-19 | 2017-12-28 | Honda Motor Co., Ltd. | System and method for providing absolute and zone coordinate mapping with graphic animations |
| CN108109581B (en) * | 2018-01-16 | 2018-12-25 | 深圳鑫亿光科技有限公司 | Interactive LED display and its display methods |
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| Publication number | Publication date |
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| CN201203861Y (en) | 2009-03-04 |
| CN101535933A (en) | 2009-09-16 |
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