Apparatus and associated methods for touchscreen displays
An apparatus including at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to provide a first state or a second state for an electrode, wherein in the first state, the electrode is configured for use in the detection of touch input, and in the second state, the electrode is configured for use in the provision of haptic feedback.
1. An apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one non-transitory memory including computer program code, the at least one non-transitory memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to
provide a first state or a second state in an electrode, with a single layer functioning both as the transmitter electrode of a mutually-capacitive touch sensor and as an electrotactile element,
wherein in the first state, the electrode is configured for use in the detection of touch input,
wherein in the second state, the electrode is configured for use in the provision of haptic feedback,
wherein the electrode includes an upper surface area that is divided into a plurality of segments, configured to reduce capacitance of the electrode below a threshold level thereby staying within touch input measurement circuit limits, and
wherein each segment further configured to provide a different amplitude of haptic feedback; and
switch between providing the first state and providing the second state.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein, in the first state, the electrode serves as part of a capacitive touch sensor, and wherein the apparatus is configured to provide the first state by applying a potential to the electrode and monitoring the capacitance associated with the capacitive touch sensor.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the electrode serves as part of a self-capacitive touch sensor, and wherein the apparatus is configured to provide the first state by applying a potential to the electrode and monitoring the capacitance of the electrode.
4. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the electrode serves as a transmitter electrode of a mutually-capacitive touch sensor, and wherein the apparatus is configured to provide the first state by applying a potential to the transmitter electrode and monitoring the capacitance of a receiver electrode of the mutually-capacitive touch sensor.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is configured to provide the second state by applying a periodic potential to the electrode and controlling one or more of the amplitude, frequency, duration and polarity of the periodic potential.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is configured to discharge the electrode between providing the first state and providing the second state, and/or between providing the second state and providing the first state.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is configured to provide the second state when haptic feedback is required, and provide the first state when haptic feedback is not required.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is configured to provide the second state in response to a touch input being detected to provide haptic feedback associated with the touch input.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is configured to repeatedly switch between providing the first state and providing the second state during a period when touch input is required to be detected.
10. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is configured to repeatedly switch between providing the first state and providing the second state during a period when haptic feedback is required to be provided.
11. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is configured to switch between providing the first state and providing the second state using one or more switches.
12. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein, in the first state, the one or more switches connect the electrode to, a sensor module, and in the second state, the one or more switches connect the electrode to an electrotactile module.
13. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the sensor module comprises one or more of a sensor power supply, a sensor control circuit and a sensor measurement circuit, and the electrotactile module comprises one or more of an electrotactile power supply, an electrotactile control circuit and a stylus ground.
14. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is configured to provide a first state or a second state for each electrode of a plurality of the electrode, wherein in the first state, each of the electrodes are configured for use in the detection of touch input, and in the second state, each of the electrodes are configured for use in the provision of haptic feedback.
15. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus comprises the electrode.
16. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the electrode is formed by the junction of two or more intersecting strips of material.
17. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is one of the following: an electronic device, a portable electronic device, a portable telecommunications device, a touchscreen display for any of the aforementioned devices, and a module for any of the aforementioned devices.
18. A device comprising the apparatus of claim 1 .
19. A method comprising:
providing a first state or a second state in an electrode, with a single layer functioning both as the transmitter electrode of a mutually-capacitive touch sensor and as an electrotactile element,
wherein in the first state, the electrode is configured for use in the detection of touch input,
wherein in the second state, the electrode is configured for use in the provision of haptic feedback, providing a different amplitude of haptic feedback, and
wherein the electrode includes an upper surface area that is divided into a plurality of respective segments to keep capacitance of the electrode below a threshold level thereby staying within touch input measurement circuit limits, and for providing the different amplitudes of haptic feedback; and
switching between providing the first state and providing the second state.
20. A computer program product, embodied on a non-transitory computer-readable medium in which a computer program is stored that, when being executed by a computer, is configured to provide instructions to perform the method of claim 19 .
21. The apparatus of claim 1 , where the apparatus comprises an electrically insulating material on top of the electrode, and the electrically insulating material has a thickness of the order of 1 μm or less.