Devices and methods for detecting input to a touch-sensitive surface
Inventors
MAHDAVIPOUR, Omid • Datta, Supratik
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12737085-B1
Publication Date
2026-09-15
Expiration Date
Abstract
A plurality of auxiliary electrodes added to an electronic device improves touch detection on a first surface of the electronic device. In some examples, the plurality of auxiliary electrodes are disposed outside of a first dimension of the first surface and non-parallel to the first surface. In some examples, the electronic device is configured to reduce touch detection error caused by a dead-band region of the first surface using the plurality of auxiliary electrodes. In some examples, the electronic device is configured to reduce touch detection error caused by an input provided by an object near an edge of the first surface using the plurality of auxiliary electrodes.
Core Innovation
An electronic device includes a housing with a first surface having a first dimension. A plurality of touch-node electrodes is disposed beneath the first surface and extends along a first plane parallel to the first surface, and a plurality of auxiliary electrodes is disposed outside of the first dimension, where at least a first auxiliary electrode extends along a second plane that is non-parallel to the first surface.
The electronic device detects an input corresponding to movement of an object relative to the first dimension of the first surface using one or more signals from the touch-node electrodes and one or more signals from the auxiliary electrodes. The device uses a first signal from the first auxiliary electrode that extends along the second plane that is non-parallel to the first surface and is configured to detect movement along the first dimension relative to the first surface.
In the disclosed configurations, the first surface can have a first dimension less than 25 mm, and the device detects movement of an object in a first direction corresponding to the first dimension. Auxiliary electrodes disposed outside the first dimension extend along a non-parallel second plane to support movement-related input detection using both touch-node and auxiliary signals.
Claims Coverage
The partial claim set includes two independent claims. Each independent claim is directed to an electronic device that uses touch-node electrode signals together with auxiliary electrode signals, including at least one auxiliary electrode that extends along a non-parallel plane, to detect movement relative to a first surface dimension.
Touch-node electrodes beneath parallel first plane with auxiliary electrodes outside first dimension on non-parallel second plane
An electronic device comprising a housing with a first surface having a first dimension; a plurality of touch-node electrodes disposed beneath the first surface extending along a first plane that is parallel to the first surface; and a plurality of auxiliary electrodes disposed outside of the first dimension, wherein at least a first electrode of the plurality of auxiliary electrodes extends along a second plane that is non-parallel to the first surface, wherein the device detects an input corresponding to movement of an object relative to the first dimension using one or more signals from the touch-node electrodes and one or more signals from the auxiliary electrodes, including a first signal from a first auxiliary electrode that extends along the second plane that is non-parallel to the first surface.
Small first dimension touch surface with movement detection using non-parallel auxiliary electrode signals
An electronic device comprising a housing with a first surface having a first dimension less than 25 mm; a plurality of touch-node electrodes disposed beneath the first surface extending along a first plane that is parallel to the first surface; and a plurality of auxiliary electrodes disposed outside of the first dimension, wherein at least a first electrode of the plurality of auxiliary electrodes extends along a second plane that is non-parallel to the first surface, wherein the device detects an input corresponding to movement of an object in a first direction corresponding to the first dimension relative to the first dimension of the first surface using one or more signals from the touch-node electrodes and one or more signals from the auxiliary electrodes, including a first signal from a first auxiliary electrode that extends along the second plane that is non-parallel to the first surface.
Across the independent claims, the core inventive structure is the combination of touch-node electrodes arranged along a plane parallel to the first surface with auxiliary electrodes disposed outside the first surface dimension that extend along a second plane non-parallel to the first surface. Input detection for movement relative to the first dimension uses signals from both sets of electrodes, including signals from the non-parallel auxiliary electrode.
Stated Advantages
Reduces touch/proximity detection errors including dead-band/saturation effects and centroid/location errors for inputs occurring near or beyond the surface edge.
Expands an effective detection region beyond the edge using auxiliary electrodes disposed outside the first dimension.
Documented Applications
Small touch surfaces having a first dimension less than 25 mm, where an object can saturate touch-node sensing and inhibit swipe/movement detection; auxiliary electrodes are used to support movement detection beyond the edge.
Movement-related touch input detection, including swipe input along the first dimension and movement/location detection using signals from touch-node electrodes and auxiliary electrodes.
Inputs occurring near or beyond the surface edge, including centroid/location error reduction and detection support within a threshold distance of an edge of the first surface.
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