IP Library Granted Patent US 10,379,672
Granted Patent B2
US 10,379,672 · App. 15/649,535 · Granted Aug 13, 2019

Dynamic proximity object detection

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,379,672
App. No.
15/649,535
Granted
Aug 13, 2019
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method of dynamically adjusting a sensitivity of sensor electrodes configured for capacitive sensing in a sensing region of an input device. The input device detects a first input in the sensing region, and acquires force information about the first input via one or more force sensors coupled to the sensing region. The input device dynamically adjusts a sensitivity of the sensor electrodes based at least in part on an amplitude and duration of the force. In some aspects, the input device may increase the sensitivity of the sensor electrodes when a force of the first input exceeds a force threshold for at least a first threshold duration. In some other aspects, the input device may restore the sensitivity of the sensor electrodes to a prior configuration when no input is detected in the sensing region for at least a second threshold duration.

Claims (49)

1. An input device comprising:

a plurality of sensor electrodes configured for capacitive sensing in a sensing region of the input device;

one or more force sensors coupled to the sensing region;

processing circuitry; and

a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processing circuitry, cause the input device to:

detect a first input in the sensing region;

determine a force of the first input based on force information received via the one or more force sensors; and

dynamically increase a sensitivity of the plurality of sensor electrodes in response to an amplitude of the force exceeding a force threshold for at least a first threshold duration.

2. The input device of claim 1 , wherein execution of the instructions further causes the input device to:

detect that a trigger condition is satisfied, at least in part, when the amplitude of the force exceeds the force threshold for at least the first threshold duration.

3. The input device of claim 2 , wherein execution of the instructions further causes the input device to:

acquire capacitive sensing information about the first input via the plurality of sensor electrodes; and

determine, based on the capacitive sensing information, that a capacitive property of the first input is below a capacitive threshold.

4. The input device of claim 3 , wherein the capacitive threshold is associated with a capacitive property of a gloved finger.

5. The input device of claim 3 , wherein the trigger condition is satisfied when the amplitude of the force exceeds the force threshold for at least the first threshold duration and the capacitive property of the first input is below the capacitive threshold.

6. The input device of claim 3 , wherein execution of the instructions further causes the input device to:

determine a capacitive sensing baseline for one or more of the sensor electrodes, when the trigger condition is satisfied, based at least in part on the capacitive sensing information about the first input.

7. The input device of claim 2 , wherein execution of the instructions further causes the input device to:

request a second input from a user of the input device when the trigger condition is satisfied; and

adjust the sensitivity of the plurality of sensor electrodes upon receiving the second input.

8. The input device of claim 7 , wherein execution of the instructions further causes the input device to:

acquire capacitive sensing information about the second input via the plurality of sensor electrodes; and

determine a capacitive sensing baseline for one or more of the sensor electrodes based at least in part on the capacitive sensing information about the second input.

9. The input device of claim 1 , wherein the execution of the instructions to dynamically adjust the sensitivity of the plurality of sensor electrodes further causes the input device to:

restore the sensitivity of the plurality of sensor electrodes to a prior configuration when no input is detected in the sensing region for at least a second threshold duration.

10. A method of operating an input device, comprising:

detecting a first input in a sensing region of the input device;

determining a force of the first input based on force information received via one or more force sensors; and

dynamically increasing a sensitivity of a plurality of sensor electrodes in response to an amplitude of the force exceeds a force threshold for at least a first threshold duration, wherein the plurality of sensor electrodes is configured for capacitive sensing in the sensing region.

11. The method of claim 10 , further comprising:

detecting that a trigger condition is satisfied, at least in part, when the amplitude of the force exceeds the force threshold for at least the first threshold duration.

12. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:

acquiring capacitive sensing information about the first input via the plurality of sensor electrodes; and

determining, based on the capacitive sensing information, that a capacitive property of the first input is below a capacitive threshold.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the trigger condition is satisfied when the amplitude of the force exceeds the force threshold for at least the first threshold duration and the capacitive property of the first input is below the capacitive threshold.

14. The method of claim 12 , further comprising:

determining a capacitive sensing baseline for one or more of the sensor electrodes, when the trigger condition is satisfied, based at least in part on the capacitive sensing information about the first input.

15. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:

requesting a second input from a user of the input device when the trigger condition is satisfied; and

adjusting the sensitivity of the plurality of sensor electrodes upon receiving the second input.

16. The method of claim 15 , further comprising:

acquiring capacitive sensing information about the second input via the plurality of sensor electrodes; and

determining a capacitive sensing baseline for one or more of the sensor electrodes based at least in part on the capacitive sensing information about the second input.

17. The method of claim 10 , further comprising:

restoring the sensitivity of the plurality of sensor electrodes to a prior configuration when no input is detected in the sensing region for at least a second threshold duration.

18. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by processing circuitry of an input device, cause the input device to perform operations comprising:

detecting a first input in a sensing region of the input device;

determining a force of the first input based on force information received via one or more force sensors; and

dynamically increasing a sensitivity of a plurality of sensor electrodes in response to an amplitude of the force exceeding a force threshold for at least a first threshold duration, wherein the plurality of sensor electrodes is configured for capacitive sensing in the sensing region.

Assignments (3)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE CORRECT THE SPELLING OF THE ASSIGNOR NAME PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 051316 FRAME: 0777. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Mar 18, 2020
From: SYNAPTICS INCORPORATED
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 052186/0756 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 16, 2019
From: SYNAPTICS INCORPROATED
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 051316/0777 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 13, 2017
From: ZHONG, YUAN; SRINIVASAN, UMHA MAHESH
To: SYNAPTICS INCORPORATED
Reel/Frame 043003/0237 →
Cited By (3)
US 12,242,688 US 12,265,679 US 12,386,460