Method for improving sensitivity of capacitive touch sensors in an electronic device
View Patent ↗An electronic device and method are disclosed that relate to the selection of a control algorithm for optimizing the performance of a device that is controlled by a user initiated touching of the device that creates a capacitive coupling. The device and method entail the use of a motion sensor to gather data related to the movement of the device, a means for analyzing the data to select an optimal control algorithm, and implementing the control algorithm.
1. An electronic device configured to receive input from a user in the form of a user initiated touching of the electronic device, wherein the touching of the electronic device creates a capacitive coupling between the user and the electronic device, and wherein the electronic device comprises:
a display screen;
a capacitive touch sensor incorporated within the display screen for detecting the user initiated touching of the electronic device by detecting the capacitive coupling between the user and the capacitive touch sensor;
at least one sensor operable to collect data corresponding to motion of the electronic device; and
control circuitry operable to adjust a sensitivity of the capacitive touch sensor to the user initiated touching depending on the data collected by the at least one sensor, wherein the control circuitry comprises an algorithm for lowering the sensitivity of the capacitive touch sensor to a default sensitivity level when the at least one sensor detects motion of the electronic device that is greater than or equal to a predetermined amount, and increasing the sensitivity of the capacitive touch sensor to a higher sensitivity level when the at least one sensor detects motion of the electronic device that is below the predetermined amount.
2. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises an accelerometer.
3. The electronic device of claim 1 , further comprising a detector for determining whether the electronic device is coupled to an alternating current (AC) power supply with a ground conductor.
4. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the control circuitry is operable to adjust the sensitivity of the capacitive touch sensor in response to motion experienced by the electronic device and whether the electronic device is connected to a ground supply.
5. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the electronic device is a computer.
6. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the capacitive touch sensor is coupled to the display for detecting a position of a pointing device relative to an XY plane parallel to a surface of the display, and wherein the control circuitry is coupled to a driver for adjusting a sensitivity of the capacitive touch sensor to accurately detect the position of the pointing device.
7. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises a gyroscope.
8. A method for selecting a control algorithm for setting a sensitivity of a capacitive touch screen device, the method comprising:
determining whether the capacitive touch screen device is abutting the body of a user or connected to a ground supply; and
selecting a control algorithm for setting a sensitivity of a capacitive touch sensor included within the capacitive touch screen device based on said determination, wherein
the step of selecting a control algorithm comprises:
implementing a first control algorithm if the device is determined to be abutting and supported by the body of the user or connected to the ground supply, wherein the first control algorithm lowers or maintains the sensitivity of the capacitive touch sensor at a default sensitivity level; and
implementing a second control algorithm if the device is not determined to be abutting and supported by the body of the user or connected to the ground supply, wherein the second control algorithm increases the sensitivity of the capacitive touch sensor to a sensitivity level higher than the default sensitivity level.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein said determining comprises:
receiving data from a first sensor for detecting movement of the capacitive touch screen device above a predetermined value; and
receiving data from a second sensor for detecting whether the capacitive touch screen device is coupled to a ground supply.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the step of receiving data from the first sensor comprises receiving data from an accelerometer coupled to the capacitive touch screen device.
11. The method of claim 8 , wherein the step of determining whether the device is abutting the body of the user or connected to a ground supply comprises receiving data from a sensor coupled for detecting movement of the capacitive touch screen device, wherein the data comprises a change in position of the capacitive touch screen device, and wherein the step of determining determines that the device is abutting the body of the user if the change in position is greater than a predetermined value.
12. A system incorporated within a portable computing device for reducing the effect of electronic noise on a control mechanism for an electronic display of the personal computing device, the system comprising:
a first sensor that is operable to detect movement of the personal computing device;
a second sensor that is operable to detect whether the personal computing device is coupled to a ground supply;
a first control mechanism for inputting data to the personal computing device by creating a capacitive coupling between an object and the electronic display of the personal computing device; and
a second control mechanism for adjusting a sensitivity of the first control mechanism based on input received from the first sensor and the second sensor, wherein the second control mechanism comprises an algorithm for lowering the sensitivity of the first control mechanism to a default sensitivity level when the first sensor detects movement of the personal computing device that is greater than or equal to a predetermined amount, and increasing the sensitivity of the first control mechanism to a higher sensitivity level when the first sensor detects movement of the personal computing device that is below the predetermined amount.
13. The system of claim 12 , wherein the object comprises a stylus or an appendage of a user.
14. The system of claim 12 , wherein the electronic display is a capacitive touch-screen display.
15. The system of claim 12 , wherein the first sensor is an accelerometer.
16. The system of claim 12 , wherein the second control mechanism comprises an algorithm for lowering or maintaining the sensitivity of the first control mechanism at a default sensitivity level when the second sensor detects the personal computing device as being coupled to the ground supply, and increasing the sensitivity of the first control mechanism to a higher sensitivity level when the second sensor detects the personal computing device as being disconnected from the ground supply.
17. The system of claim 12 , wherein the first sensor comprises a gyroscope.