IP Library Granted Patent US 10,409,428
Granted Patent B2
US 10,409,428 · App. 14/978,286 · Granted Sep 10, 2019

Object detection and scan

Inventor: Thomas Bell (Hampshire, GB)
Assignee: Atmel Corporation
G06F3/044G06F3/03545G06F3/0416G06F3/04166
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,409,428
App. No.
14/978,286
Filed
Dec 22, 2015
Granted
Sep 10, 2019
Kind
B2
Art Unit
2626
USPC
345/173
Abstract

In certain embodiments, a method includes determining a position of a touch input in a touch-sensitive area of a touch sensor. The touch sensor includes a first number of electrodes having a first orientation and a second number of electrodes having a second orientation. The second orientation being different from the first orientation. The method also includes selecting a first set of the first number of electrodes corresponding to at least a portion of an area of the touch input within the touch-sensitive area; and applying a first pre-determined voltage to the selected first set of the first number of electrodes based at least in part on the area of the touch input being larger than a pre-determined area.

Claims (53)

1. A method comprising:

determining a position of a touch input in a touch-sensitive area of a touch sensor, the touch sensor comprising a first plurality of electrodes having a first orientation and a second plurality of electrodes having a second orientation, the second orientation being different from the first orientation, wherein each of the first plurality of electrodes transmits a synchronization signal to a stylus;

selecting a first set of the first plurality of electrodes corresponding to at least a portion of an area of the touch input within the touch-sensitive area; and

applying, in response to selecting the first set of the first plurality of electrodes, a first pre-determined voltage to the selected first set of the first plurality of electrodes based at least in part on the area of the touch input being larger than a pre-determined area;

wherein applying the first pre-determined voltage to the selected first set of the first plurality of electrodes excludes the selected first set of the first plurality of electrodes from transmitting a subsequent synchronization signal to the stylus.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

selecting a first set of the second plurality of electrodes corresponding to at least the portion of the area of the touch input within the touch-sensitive area;

applying, while applying the first pre-determined voltage to the selected first set of the first plurality of electrodes, the first pre-determined voltage to the selected first set of the second plurality of electrodes; and

applying, while applying the first pre-determined voltage to the selected first set of the first plurality of electrodes and the selected first set of the second plurality of electrodes, a signal comprising a second pre-determined voltage to electrodes of the first plurality of electrodes other than the selected first set of the first plurality of electrodes, and electrodes of the second plurality of electrodes other than the selected first set of the second plurality of electrodes.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein:

the first pre-determined voltage is ground; and

the signal comprises a synchronization signal for the stylus.

4. The method of claim 2 , wherein the second pre-determined voltage is higher than the first pre-determined voltage.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least a portion of the area of the touch input is an entirety of the area of the touch input.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least a portion of the area of the touch input comprises a centroid of the area of the touch input.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising detecting an edge of the area of the touch input, wherein the selected first set of the first plurality of electrodes corresponds to the detected edge of the touch input.

8. A controller comprising:

a processor; and

a memory coupled to the processor, the memory storing logic configured to cause the processor as a result of being by executed the processor, to:

determine a position of a touch input in a touch-sensitive area of a touch sensor, the touch sensor comprising a first plurality of electrodes having a first orientation and a second plurality of electrodes having a second orientation, the second orientation being different from the first orientation, wherein each of the first plurality of electrodes transmits a synchronization signal to a stylus;

select a first set of the first plurality of electrodes corresponding to at least a portion of the area of the touch input within the touch-sensitive area; and

apply, in response to selecting the first set of the first plurality of electrodes, a first pre-determined voltage to the selected first set of the first plurality of electrodes based at least in part on the area of the touch input being larger than a pre-determined area;

wherein applying the first pre-determined voltage to the selected first set of the first plurality of electrodes excludes the selected first set of the first plurality of electrodes from transmitting a subsequent synchronization signal to the stylus.

9. The controller of claim 8 , wherein the processor is further configured to:

select a first set of the second plurality of electrodes corresponding at least a portion of the area of the touch input within the touch-sensitive area;

apply, while applying the first pre-determined voltage to the selected first set of the first plurality of electrodes, the first pre-determined voltage to the selected first set of the second plurality of electrodes; and

apply, while applying the first pre-determined voltage to the selected first set of the first plurality of electrodes and the selected first set of the second plurality of electrodes, a signal comprising a second pre-determined voltage to electrodes of the first plurality of electrodes other than the selected first set of the first plurality of electrodes, and electrodes of the second plurality of electrodes other than the selected first set of the second plurality of electrodes.

10. The controller of claim 9 , wherein:

the first pre-determined voltage is ground; and

the signal comprises a synchronization signal for the stylus.

11. The controller of claim 9 , wherein the second pre-determined voltage is higher than the first pre-determined voltage.

12. The controller of claim 8 , wherein the at least a portion of the area of the touch input is an entirety of the area of the touch input.

13. The controller of claim 8 , wherein the at least a portion of the area of the touch input comprises a centroid of the area of the touch input.

14. The controller of claim 8 , wherein the processor is further configured to detect an edge of the area of the touch input, wherein the selected set of the first plurality of electrodes corresponds to the detected edge of the touch input.

15. A system comprising:

a touch sensor comprising a first plurality of electrodes having a first orientation and a second plurality of electrodes having a second orientation, the second orientation is different from the first orientation, wherein each of the first plurality of electrodes transmits a synchronization signal to a stylus; and

a controller coupled to the touch sensor, the controller comprising:

a processor; and

a memory coupled to the processor, the memory storing logic configured to cause the processor as a result of being by executed the processor, to:

determine a position of a touch input in a touch-sensitive area of a touch sensor;

select a first set of the first plurality of electrodes corresponding to at least a portion of the area of the touch input within the touch-sensitive area; and

apply, in response to selecting the first set of the first plurality of electrodes, a first pre-determined voltage to the selected first set of the first plurality of electrodes based at least in part on the area of the touch input being larger than a pre-determined area;

wherein applying the first pre-determined voltage to the selected first set of the first plurality of electrodes excludes the selected first set of the first plurality of electrodes from transmitting a subsequent synchronization signal to the stylus.

16. The system of claim 15 , wherein the processor is further configured to:

select a first set of the second plurality of electrodes covering at least a portion of the area of the touch input within the touch-sensitive area; and

apply, while applying the first pre-determined voltage to the selected first set of the first plurality of electrodes, the first pre-determined voltage to the selected first set of the second plurality of electrodes; and

apply, while applying the first pre-determined voltage to the selected first set of the first plurality of electrodes and the selected first set of the second plurality of electrodes, a signal comprising a second pre-determined voltage to electrodes of the first plurality of electrodes other than the selected first set of the first plurality of electrodes, and electrodes of the second plurality of electrodes other than the selected first set of the second plurality of electrodes.

17. The system of claim 16 , wherein:

the first pre-determined voltage is ground; and

the signal comprises a synchronization signal for the stylus.

18. The system of claim 15 , wherein the processor is further configured to detect an edge of the area of the touch input, wherein the selected first set of the first plurality of electrodes corresponds to the detected edge of the touch input.

19. The system of claim 15 , wherein the at least a portion of the area of the touch input is an entirety of the area of the touch input.

20. The system of claim 15 , wherein the at least a portion of the area of the touch input comprises a centroid of the area of the touch input.

Assignments (17)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 16, 2025
From: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INC.; MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY IRELAND LIMITED; MICROSEMI CORPORATION; ATMEL CORPORATION; SILICON STORAGE TECHNOLOGY, INC.; MICROSEMI FREQUENCY AND TIME CORP.; MICROSEMI SEMICONDUCTOR ULC; MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY GERMANY GMBH
To: CRESTONE IP MANAGEMENT, LLC
Reel/Frame 071991/0419 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 14, 2022
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED; SILICON STORAGE TECHNOLOGY, INC.; ATMEL CORPORATION; MICROSEMI CORPORATION; MICROSEMI STORAGE SOLUTIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 060894/0437 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 11, 2022
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED; SILICON STORAGE TECHNOLOGY, INC.; ATMEL CORPORATION; MICROSEMI CORPORATION; MICROSEMI STORAGE SOLUTIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 059363/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 10, 2022
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED; SILICON STORAGE TECHNOLOGY, INC.; ATMEL CORPORATION; MICROSEMI CORPORATION; MICROSEMI STORAGE SOLUTIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 059863/0400 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 9, 2022
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED; SILICON STORAGE TECHNOLOGY, INC.; ATMEL CORPORATION; MICROSEMI CORPORATION; MICROSEMI STORAGE SOLUTIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 059358/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 28, 2022
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: ATMEL CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 059262/0105 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 25, 2022
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED; SILICON STORAGE TECHNOLOGY, INC.; ATMEL CORPORATION; MICROSEMI CORPORATION; MICROSEMI STORAGE SOLUTIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 059333/0222 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 4, 2021
From: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED; SILICON STORAGE TECHNOLOGY, INC.; ATMEL CORPORATION; MICROSEMI CORPORATION; MICROSEMI STORAGE SOLUTIONS, INC.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 057935/0474 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 24, 2020
From: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED; SILICON STORAGE TECHNOLOGY, INC.; ATMEL CORPORATION; MICROSEMI CORPORATION; MICROSEMI STORAGE SOLUTIONS, INC.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 055671/0612 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 5, 2020
From: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INC.; SILICON STORAGE TECHNOLOGY, INC.; ATMEL CORPORATION; MICROSEMI CORPORATION; MICROSEMI STORAGE SOLUTIONS, INC.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 053468/0705 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 30, 2020
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INC.; SILICON STORAGE TECHNOLOGY, INC.; ATMEL CORPORATION; MICROSEMI CORPORATION; MICROSEMI STORAGE SOLUTIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 053466/0011 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 24, 2020
From: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INC.; SILICON STORAGE TECHNOLOGY, INC.; ATMEL CORPORATION; MICROSEMI CORPORATION; MICROSEMI STORAGE SOLUTIONS, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 053311/0305 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 18, 2018
From: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED; SILICON STORAGE TECHNOLOGY, INC.; ATMEL CORPORATION; MICROSEMI CORPORATION; MICROSEMI STORAGE SOLUTIONS, INC.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 047103/0206 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 25, 2018
From: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED; SILICON STORAGE TECHNOLOGY, INC.; ATMEL CORPORATION; MICROSEMI CORPORATION; MICROSEMI STORAGE SOLUTIONS, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 046426/0001 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 10, 2017
From: ATMEL CORPORATION
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 041715/0747 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 2, 2016
From: ATMEL TECHNOLOGIES U.K. LIMITED
To: ATMEL CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 037640/0514 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 22, 2015
From: BELL, THOMAS
To: ATMEL TECHNOLOGIES U.K. LIMITED
Reel/Frame 037350/0523 →
Continuity (3)
Continuation 14977348 · Dec 21, 2015
Provisional Application 62103500 · Jan 14, 2015
Related Publication 20160202784A1 · Jul 14, 2016