IP Library Granted Patent US 8,847,911
Granted Patent B2
US 8,847,911 · App. 13/277,654 · Granted Sep 30, 2014

Circuit to provide signal to sense array

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,847,911
App. No.
13/277,654
Granted
Sep 30, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

A circuit for generating a voltage is disclosed. The voltage has an amplitude greater than an available power supply. The circuit includes a driver to supply the voltage on an output terminal to an electrode of a touch sense array. The circuit also includes a charge pump array coupled to the driver. The charge pump array includes an array of charge pumps to supply an input voltage to the driver. The circuit also includes a feedback circuit coupled to the charge pump array. The feedback circuit is configured to measure the input voltage and to select different combinations of the array of charge pumps to maintain the voltage on the output terminal.

Claims (25)

1. A circuit, comprising:

a driver to supply a voltage on an output terminal to an electrode of a touch sense array;

a charge pump array coupled to the driver, the charge pump array comprising a plurality of charge pumps to supply an input voltage on a terminal of the charge pump array to the driver; and

a first feedback circuit coupled to the charge pump array, wherein the first feedback circuit is configured to measure the input voltage and to select a first combination of the plurality of charge pumps when the input voltage is more than a threshold level and to select a second combination of the plurality of charge pumps when the input voltage is less than the threshold voltage, wherein the second combination comprises fewer charge pumps than the first combination.

2. The circuit of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of charge pumps comprises a plurality of pump stages connected in series and configured to store up to an amount of voltage equal to the input voltage.

3. The circuit of claim 1 , wherein the input voltage is programmable.

4. The circuit of claim 1 , wherein the first feedback circuit comprises a feedback scaler circuit coupled to the charge pump array, wherein the feedback scaler circuit configured to produce a first voltage proportional to the input voltage.

5. The circuit of claim 4 , wherein the first feedback circuit further comprises a comparator coupled to the feedback scaler circuit.

6. The circuit of claim 5 , wherein the first feedback circuit further comprises a reference generator configured to produce a reference voltage coupled to the comparator.

7. The circuit of claim 6 , wherein the reference generator is configured to select the input voltage of the charge pump array.

8. The circuit of claim 1 , further comprising a second feedback coupled to the charge pump array and configured to provide a reference voltage to the charge pump array.

9. A circuit, comprising:

a multiplexor coupled to a corresponding one of a plurality of input electrodes of a touch sense array, wherein each of the input electrodes is configured to selectively receive a driving current;

a current driver coupled to at least one input terminal of the multiplexor;

a charge pump array coupled to the current driver, the charge pump array comprising a plurality of charge pumps to supply an input voltage on a terminal of the charge pump array to the current driver; and

a first feedback circuit coupled to the charge pump array, wherein the first feedback circuit is configured to measure the input voltage and to select a first combination of the plurality of charge pumps when the input voltage is more than a threshold level and to select a second combination of the plurality of charge pumps when the input voltage is less than the threshold voltage, wherein the second combination comprises fewer charge pumps than the first combination.

10. The circuit of claim 9 , wherein the first feedback circuit comprises a feedback scaler circuit coupled to the charge pump array, wherein the feedback scaler circuit is configured to produce a first voltage proportional to the input voltage.

11. The circuit of claim 10 , wherein the first feedback circuit further comprises a comparator coupled to the feedback scaler circuit.

12. The circuit of claim 11 , wherein the first feedback circuit further comprises a reference generator configured to produce a reference voltage coupled to the comparator.

13. The circuit of claim 9 , wherein the current driver comprises:

a current source coupled between the terminal of the charge pump array and an output terminal of the current driver; and

a current sink coupled between the output terminal of the current driver and a common terminal.

14. A method for driving a touch sense array, comprising:

supplying, using a charge pump array comprising a plurality of charge pumps, a voltage on an output terminal to an electrode of a touch sense array; and

selecting, via a feedback circuit coupled to the charge pump array, a first combination of the plurality of charge pumps when the input voltage is more than a threshold level and to select a second combination of the plurality of charge pumps when the input voltage is less than the threshold voltage, wherein the second combination comprises fewer charge pumps than the first combination.

Assignments (6)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE 8647899 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 035240 FRAME 0429. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY INTERST. Recorded Nov 3, 2020
From: CYPRESS SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION; SPANSION LLC
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 058002/0470 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 31, 2015
From: CYPRESS SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
To: PARADE TECHNOLOGIES, LTD.
Reel/Frame 036508/0284 →
PARTIAL RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS AND TRADEMARKS Recorded Aug 4, 2015
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC., AS COLLATERAL AGENT FOR THE SECURED PARTIES
To: CYPRESS SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 036264/0114 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 21, 2015
From: CYPRESS SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION; SPANSION LLC
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 035240/0429 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 28, 2012
From: CYPRESS SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 028863/0870 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 3, 2012
From: KLEIN, HANS W.; GALLAGHER, KEVIN; O'KEEFFE, DANIEL; ELLIS, DENIS; BYRKETT, BRUCE
To: CYPRESS SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 027652/0715 →