IP Library › Granted Patent US 9,983,749
Granted Patent B2
US 9,983,749 · App. 15/158,843 · Granted May 29, 2018

Touch detection

Inventors: Terje Saether (Trondheim, NO); Carl Olof Fredrik Jonsson (Gavle, SE)
Assignee: Atmel Corporation
G06F3/044G06F3/0412G06F3/0416G06F3/041
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,983,749
App. No.
15/158,843
Filed
May 19, 2016
Granted
May 29, 2018
Kind
B2
Art Unit
2696
USPC
345/174
Abstract

An apparatus includes a driver circuit and a sensing system. The driver circuit includes an operational transconductance amplifier and a current mirror. The current mirror is coupled to the operational transconductance amplifier. The sensing system is coupled to the first current mirror. The sensing system is operable to detect a touch based on a change in capacitance at an electrode of a plurality of electrodes of a touch sensor.

Claims (93)

1. An apparatus comprising:

a first driver circuit comprising:

a first operational transconductance amplifier; and

a first current mirror coupled to the first operational transconductance amplifier;

a sensing system coupled to the first current mirror, the sensing system operable to detect a touch based on a change in capacitance at an electrode of a plurality of electrodes of a touch sensor;

a second current mirror coupled to the sensing system;

a first switch coupled to the first current mirror;

a second switch coupled to the first current mirror and to the first operational transconductance amplifier;

a third switch coupled to the first operational transconductance amplifier and to the second current mirror;

a fourth switch coupled to the second current mirror;

a fifth switch coupled to the first operational transconductance amplifier;

a sixth switch coupled to the first operational transconductance amplifier; and

a seventh switch coupled to the first operational transconductance amplifier, the first current mirror, and the second current mirror.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein:

the second switch, the fourth switch, and the seventh switch are configured to close when a rate of change of an input voltage to the first driver circuit is positive; and

the first switch, the third switch, the fifth switch, and the sixth switch are operable to open when the rate of change of the input voltage to the first driver circuit is positive.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein:

the first switch and the fourth switch are operable to be closed when a rate of change of an input voltage to the first driver circuit is zero; and

the second switch, the third switch, and the seventh switch are operable to be open when the rate of change of the input voltage to the first driver circuit is zero.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein:

the first switch, the third switch, and the seventh switch are operable to close when a rate of change of an input voltage to the first driver circuit is negative; and

the second switch, the fourth switch, the fifth switch, and the sixth switch are operable to open when the rate of change of the input voltage to the first driver circuit is negative.

5. An apparatus comprising:

a first driver circuit comprising:

a first operational transconductance amplifier; and

a first current mirror coupled to the first operational transconductance amplifier;

a sensing system coupled to the first current mirror, the sensing system operable to detect a touch based on a change in capacitance at an electrode of a plurality of electrodes of a touch sensor, the first current mirror operable to provide a first current to the sensing system;

a second current mirror coupled to the sensing system and operable to provide a second current to the sensing system;

a third current mirror coupled to the first current mirror and to the sensing system and operable to provide to the sensing system a third current that is opposite in polarity to the first current; and

a fourth current mirror coupled to the second current mirror and to the sensing system and operable to provide to the sensing system a fourth current that is opposite in polarity to the second current.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 , further comprising a second driver circuit coupled to a second electrode of the plurality of electrodes, wherein the first current mirror and the second current mirror are coupled to the second driver circuit.

7. A device comprising:

a touch sensor comprising a plurality of electrodes;

a first operational transconductance amplifier;

a first current mirror coupled to the first operational transconductance amplifier; and

a sensing system coupled to the first current mirror, the sensing system operable to detect a touch based on a change in capacitance at an electrode of the plurality of electrodes of the touch sensor;

a second current mirror coupled to the sensing system;

a first switch coupled to the first current mirror;

a second switch coupled to the first current mirror and to the first operational transconductance amplifier;

a third switch coupled to the first operational transconductance amplifier and to a second current mirror;

a fourth switch coupled to the second current mirror;

a fifth switch coupled to the first operational transconductance amplifier;

a sixth switch coupled to the first operational transconductance amplifier; and

a seventh switch coupled to the first operational transconductance amplifier, the first current mirror, and the second current mirror.

8. The device of claim 7 , wherein:

the second switch, the fourth switch, and the seventh switch are operable to close when a rate of change of an input voltage to the first driver circuit is positive; and

the first switch, the third switch, the fifth switch, and the sixth switch are operable to open when the rate of change of the input voltage to the first driver circuit is positive.

9. The device of claim 7 , wherein:

the first switch and the fourth switch are operable to be closed when a rate of change of an input voltage to the first driver circuit is zero; and

the second switch, the third switch, and the seventh switch are operable to be open when the rate of change of the input voltage to the first driver circuit is zero.

10. The device of claim 7 , wherein:

the first switch, the third switch, and the seventh switch are operable to close when a rate of change of an input voltage to the first driver circuit is negative; and

the second switch, the fourth switch, the fifth switch, and the sixth switch are operable to open when the rate of change of the input voltage to the first driver circuit is negative.

11. A device comprising:

a touch sensor comprising a plurality of electrodes;

a first operational transconductance amplifier;

a first current mirror coupled to the first operational transconductance amplifier;

a sensing system coupled to the first current mirror, the sensing system operable to detect a touch based on a change in capacitance at an electrode of the plurality of electrodes of the touch sensor, the first current mirror operable to provide a first current to the sensing system;

a second current mirror coupled to the sensing system and operable to provide a second current to the sensing system;

a third current mirror coupled to the first current mirror and to the sensing system and operable to provide to the sensing system a third current that is opposite in polarity to the first current; and

a fourth current mirror coupled to the second current mirror and to the sensing system and operable to provide to the sensing system a fourth current that is opposite in polarity to the second current.

12. The device of claim 11 , further comprising a driver circuit coupled to a second electrode of the plurality of electrodes, wherein the first current mirror and the second current mirror are coupled to an output of the driver circuit.

13. An apparatus comprising:

a first driver circuit comprising:

a first operational transconductance amplifier; and

a first current mirror coupled to the first operational transconductance amplifier, the first operational transconductance amplifier operable to drive a current through the first current mirror to an electrode of a plurality of electrodes of a touch sensor;

a sensing system coupled to the first current mirror, the sensing system operable to detect a touch based on a change in capacitance at the electrode;

a second current mirror coupled to the sensing system;

a first switch coupled to the first current mirror;

a second switch coupled to the first current mirror and to the first operational transconductance amplifier;

a third switch coupled to the first operational transconductance amplifier and to the second current mirror;

a fourth switch coupled to the second current mirror;

a fifth switch coupled to the first operational transconductance amplifier;

a sixth switch coupled to the first operational transconductance amplifier; and

a seventh switch coupled to the first operational transconductance amplifier, the first current mirror, and the second current mirror.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein:

the second switch, the fourth switch, and the seventh switch are operable to close when a rate of change of an input voltage to the first driver circuit is positive; and

the first switch, the third switch, the fifth switch, and the sixth switch are operable to open when the rate of change of the input voltage to the first driver circuit is positive.

15. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein:

the first switch and the fourth switch are operable to be closed when a rate of change of an input voltage to the first driver circuit is zero; and

the second switch, the third switch, and the seventh switch are operable to be open when the rate of change of the input voltage to the first driver circuit is zero.

16. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein:

the first switch, the third switch, and the seventh switch are operable to close when a rate of change of an input voltage to the first driver circuit is negative; and

the second switch, the fourth switch, the fifth switch, and the sixth switch are operable to open when the rate of change of the input voltage to the first driver circuit is negative.

17. An apparatus comprising:

a first driver circuit comprising:

a first operational transconductance amplifier; and

a first current mirror coupled to the first operational transconductance amplifier, the first operational transconductance amplifier operable to drive a current through the first current mirror to an electrode of a plurality of electrodes of a touch sensor:

a sensing system coupled to the first current mirror, the sensing system operable to detect a touch based on a change in capacitance at the electrode, the first current mirror operable to provide a first current to the sensing system;

a second current mirror coupled to the sensing system and operable to provide a second current to the sensing system;

a third current mirror coupled to the first current mirror and to the sensing system and operable to provide to the sensing system a third current that is opposite in polarity to the first current; and

a fourth current mirror coupled to the second current mirror and to the sensing system and operable to provide to the sensing system a fourth current that is opposite in polarity to the second current.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 , further comprising a second driver circuit coupled to a second electrode of the plurality of electrodes, wherein the first current mirror and the second current mirror are coupled to the second driver circuit.

Assignments (15)
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 May 19, 2016
From: SAETHER, TERJE; JONSSON, CARL OLOF FREDRIK
To: ATMEL CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 038644/0749 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20170336889A1 · Nov 23, 2017