(12) United States Patent
`Philipp
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 8,432,173 B2
`Apr. 30, 2013
`
`USOO8432.173B2
`
`(54) CAPACITIVE POSITION SENSOR
`
`O O
`(75) Inventor: Harald Philipp, Zug (CH)
`(73) Assignee: Atmel Corporation, San Jose, CA (US)
`(*) Notice:
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 13/118,280
`(22) Filed:
`May 27, 2011
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`US 2011 FO227589 A1
`Sep. 22, 2011
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`(63) Continuation of application No. 12/703,614, filed on
`Feb. 10, 2010, now Pat. No. 7,952.367, which is a
`continuation of application No. 1 1/868,566, filed on
`Oct. 8, 2007, now abandoned.
`(60) Eyal application No. 60/862,358, filed on Oct.
`s
`(51) Int. Cl.
`GOIR 27/26
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`USPC ........................................... 324/686, 324/667
`(58) Field of Classification Search
`32 4f667
`- - - - - - - - - - - - - 324,676,690
`See application file for complete search history
`References Cited
`
`(2006.01)
`
`(56)
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`4,121,204 A 10, 1978 Welch et al.
`4.264,903. A
`4/1981 Bigelow
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`DE
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`2003/0043174 A1
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`(Continued)
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`1964.5907 A1
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`19903300 A1
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`(Continued)
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`UK Intellectual Property Office, Combined Search and Examination
`Report in Corresponding UK application, Feb. 22, 2008.
`(Continued)
`Primary Examiner — Vincent Q Nguyen
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm — Baker Botts L.L.P.
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`In one embodiment, a method includes receiving one or more
`first signals indicating one or more first capacitive couplings
`of an object with a sensing element that comprises a sensing
`path that comprises a length. The first capacitive couplings
`correspond to the object coming into proximity with the sens
`ing element at a first position along the sensing path of the
`sensing element. The method includes determining based on
`one or more of the first signals the first position of the object
`along the sensing path and setting a parameter to an initial
`value based on the first position of the object along the sens
`ing path. The initial value includes a particular parameter
`value and is associated with a range of parameter values. The
`range of parameter values is associated with the length of the
`sensing path.
`
`19 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`175c --
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`Petitioner Exhibit 1001, Page1
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`

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`US 8,432,173 B2
`Page 2
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`2005/0052429 A1
`3/2005 Philipp
`2005/0078O27 A1
`4/2005 Philipp
`2006, OO16800 A1
`1/2006 Paradiso et al.
`2008.OO94O77 A1
`4/2008 Philipp
`2009,0051660 A1
`2/2009 Feland et al.
`2009, O115431 A1
`5/2009 Philipp
`20090315854 A1 12, 2009 Matsuo
`2012fO242.588 A1
`9/2012 Myers
`2012fO242592 A1
`9/2012 Rothkopf
`2012,0243151 Al
`9, 2012 Lynch
`2012fO243719 A1
`9, 2012 Franklin
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`101.33135 A1
`1, 2003
`103.13401 A1 10, 2004
`212004000044 U1
`6, 2006
`102005.002952 A1
`T 2006
`102005O18298 A1 10, 2006
`1273851 A2
`1, 2003
`1602882 A1 12/2005
`2443296 A
`4/2008
`2003O8817.6 A1 10, 2003
`2006133976 A1 12/2006
`2007OO6624 A1
`1, 2007
`2007023067 A1
`3, 2007
`
`DE
`DE
`DE
`DE
`DE
`EP
`EP
`GB
`WO
`WO
`WO
`WO
`
`6, 2007
`2007072294 A1
`WO
`233.9
`W. WO 39.95. A4
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`U.S. Appl. No. 1 1/868,566, Non-Final Office Action mailed Oct. 1,
`2009, 19 pages.
`U.S. Appl. No. 12/317.305. Non-Final Office Action mailed Oct. 1,
`2009, 15 pages.
`U.S. Appl. No. 12/317.305. Interview Summary and Supplemental
`Office Action mailed Feb. 9, 2010, 12 pages.
`U.S. Appl. No. 12/317.305, Response filed Mar. 1, 2010 to Non-Final
`Office Action mailed Oct. 1, 2009 and the Supplemental Office
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`U.S. Appl. No. 12/317.305. Notice of Allowance mailed Apr. 12,
`2010, 7 pages, Apr. 4, 2010.
`International Application Serial No. PCT/US2009/069322. Interna
`tional Search Report mailed May 7, 2010, 3 pages.
`International Application Serial No. PCT/US2009/069322, Written
`Opini
`illed May 7, 2010.5
`pinion mailed May 1, ZUUS pages.
`German Application Serial No. 102007049559.7, Office Action
`mailed Jan. 4, 2011, 10 pages.
`U.S. Appl. No. 61/454,936, filed Mar. 21, 2011, Myers.
`U.S. Appl. No. 61/454,950, filed Mar. 21, 2011, Lynch.
`U.S. Appl. No. 61/454,894, filed Mar. 21, 2011, Rothkopf.
`
`Petitioner Exhibit 1001, Page2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
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`

`

`1.
`CAPACTIVE POSITION SENSOR
`
`US 8,432,173 B2
`
`RELATED APPLICATIONS
`
`This application is a continuation under 35 U.S.C. S 120 of 5
`U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/703,614, filed 10 Feb.
`2010, which is a continuation under 35 U.S.C. S 120 of U.S.
`patent application Ser. No. 1 1/868,566, filed 8 Oct. 2007,
`which claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. S 119(e) of U.S.
`Provisional Patent Application No. 60/862,358, filed 20 Oct. 10
`2006.
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`This disclosure generally relates to touch sensors.
`
`15
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`Particular embodiments relate to capacitive position sen
`sors. Particular embodiments relate more particularly to 20
`capacitive position sensors for detecting the position of an
`object around a curved path.
`Capacitive position sensors are applicable to human inter
`faces as well as material displacement sensing in conjunction
`with controls and appliances, mechanisms and machinery, 25
`and computing.
`Capacitive position sensors in general have recently
`become increasingly common and accepted in human inter
`faces and for machine control. In the field of home appliances,
`it is now quite common to find capacitive touch controls 30
`operable through glass or plastic panels. These sensors are
`increasingly typified by U.S. Pat. No. 6,452,514 which
`describes a matrix sensor approach employing charge-trans
`fer principles. Electrical appliances, such as TVs, washing
`machines, and cooking ovens increasingly have capacitive 35
`sensor controls for adjusting various parameters, for example
`Volume, time and temperature.
`Due to increasing market demand for capacitive touch
`controls, there is an increased need for lower cost-per-func
`tion as well as greater flexibility in usage and configuration. 40
`There exists a substantial demand for new human interface
`technologies which can, at the right price, overcome the tech
`nical deficits of electromechanical controls on the one hand,
`and the cost of touch screens or other exotica on the other.
`EP1273851A2 discloses a device for adjusting tempera- 45
`ture settings, power settings or other parameters of a cooking
`apparatus. The device comprises a strip sensor which may be
`linear, curved or circular and may be a capacitive touch sensor
`or some other form of touch sensor. A linear display is
`arranged in parallel to the sensor. The capacitive touch sensor 50
`is sensitive to the touch of a finger and the display strip is
`made up of multiple display segments which illuminate to
`show the current touch setting as defined by a finger touch on
`the capacitive touch sensor. A predetermined calibration
`curve relating to a parameter to be adjusted is mapped onto 55
`the Strip, the range extending from a minimum value to a
`maximum value. The minimum value may correspond to an
`off condition of the domestic appliance. Additional opera
`tional modes may be associated with the adjustment strip to
`ascribe new functions to the sensor strip. These can be 60
`selected by touching the display for a certain time. For
`example, a first additional mode can be entered by touching
`for 5 seconds, and a second additional mode by touching for
`10 seconds. One of the additional operational modes is a
`Zoom mode which provides for fine adjustment of the param- 65
`eter value. The Zoom operational mode can be activated by a
`contact time of, for example, 10 seconds. In the Zoom mode
`
`2
`an additional digital display is activated to show the current
`numerical value of the parameter being adjusted. In the Zoom
`mode, only a fraction (e.g. 10%) of the original adjustment
`range is mapped onto the adjustment strip so that moving a
`finger across the full length of the sensor strip from left to
`right (or right to left) will only increase (decrease) the current
`setting of the parameter value, thereby providing a finer
`adjustment. During this fine adjustment, the display Strip
`keeps its original function as a relative indicator of the full
`range between the minimum and maximum values.
`More generally, linear, curved and circular sensor Strips for
`adjusting cooker settings have been known for many years,
`for example see U.S. Pat. No. 4,121.204 (resistive or capaci
`tive
`sensor), DE 19645907A1 (capacitive
`sensor),
`DE19903300A1 (resistive sensor), and EP1602882A1 (opti
`cal sensor).
`WO2006/133976A1, WO2007/006624A1 and WO2007/
`023067A1 are more recent examples of work on touch-sen
`sitive control strips for domestic appliances using capacitive
`sensors. These three patent applications were filed before the
`priority date of the present application, but first published
`after the priority date of the present application. In particular,
`WO2006/133976A1 and WO2007/023067A1 disclose Sen
`sors with a Zoom function similar to the above described
`EP1273851A2 which is used for setting a timer.
`WO2006/133976A1 provides an adjustment strip with two
`operational modes. In the first mode the full parameter value
`range is mapped across the sensor Strip. For example 0 to 99
`minutes in a timer function. If a user wishes to set the timer to
`30 minutes, he touches the strip approximately one third way
`along. A parameter value of Say 34 minutes is sensed by the
`capacitive sensor, and displayed to the user on a numeric
`display. Once the initial value has been set, the effect of
`touching the sensor field is automatically changed to a second
`mode in which the parameter value is decreased (or
`increased) finely from the initially selected value by an
`amount that depends on the distance moved by the finger
`along the sensor Strip. In the example, the user can then slide
`his finger from right to left to reduce the time from 34 minutes
`to the desired 30 minutes, using the display for visual feed
`back. In this way, the user can initially make a rough selection
`of the desired parameter value with a point and touch action,
`and then refine it to the exact value desired by a finger sliding
`action.
`WO2007/023067A1 provides an adjustment strip with two
`operational modes that Switch between mapping the full
`parameter value range across the sensor Strip and a partial
`range selected to show the Sub-range of parameter values
`between which the parameter is most often set by a user. The
`example of setting the timer on a cooker is given.
`While a Zoom function is useful, prior art implementations
`of the Zoom function have limitations regarding the manner in
`which the transition is effected from the full range mode to the
`Zoom mode. In EP1273851A2, the user is made to wait for a
`certain time, 10 seconds in the specific example, until the
`transition occurs. On the other hand, in WO2006/133976A1
`the transition automatically occurs as soon as a value from the
`full range is selected.
`
`SUMMARY
`
`Particular embodiments provide an improved capacitive
`position sensor for an electrical appliance in which a desired
`parameter value can be more efficiently and accurately
`selected.
`Particular embodiments provide a capacitive position sen
`sor for detecting a position of an object comprising: a sensing
`
`Petitioner Exhibit 1001, Page7
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`element comprising a sensing path; at least one terminal
`connected to the sensing element; at least one sensing channel
`connected to the at least one terminal in which the sensing
`channel is operable to generate a signal indicative of capaci
`tance between the terminal and a system ground; means to
`determine a position of an object on the sensing element; and
`means to further refine the position of the object correspond
`ing to a value in a parameter range of values.
`Particular embodiments provide a capacitive position sen
`sor for setting a parameter or function to a desired value in a
`range of parameter or function values by determining the
`position of an object on a capacitive position sensor, the
`capacitive position sensor comprising: a sensing element
`comprising a sensing path; at least one terminal connected to
`the sensing element; at least one sensing channel connected to
`the at least one terminal in which the sensing channel is
`operable to generate a signal indicative of capacitance
`between the terminal and a system ground; means to deter
`mine a position of an object on the sensing element; means to
`further refine the position of the object corresponding to a
`value in the range of parameter or function values; and a
`processor operable to interpret and process the signal to deter
`mine the approximate position of an object on the sensing
`path, the processor being configured to provide a first mode of
`the capacitive position sensor in which the range of parameter
`or function values is mapped onto the sensing path and in
`which the parameter or function can be set to approximately
`the desired value by a touch of the sensing path at a first point,
`and a second mode in which displacement of an object on the
`sensing element adjusts the parameter or function from the
`value initially set in the first mode, wherein the processor is
`configured to switch from the first mode to the second mode
`responsive to capacitive coupling caused by moving displace
`ment of an object along the sensing path in relation to the first
`point of touch.
`Particular embodiments provide a method for determining
`the position of an object on a capacitive position sensor as
`hereinbefore defined, the method comprising bringing an
`object into proximity with the sensing element so as to deter
`mine a position of the object, initiating a change in mode of
`40
`the sensor to respond to capacitive coupling caused by mov
`ing displacement of an object on the sensor element, displac
`ing an object on the sensing element to select a value in a
`parameter range of values, and processing the signal to deter
`mine the selected parameter value.
`Particular embodiments provide a method for setting a
`parameter or function to a desired value in a range of param
`eter or function values by determining the position of an
`object on a capacitive position sensor, the capacitive position
`sensor comprising: a sensing element comprising a sensing
`path; at least one terminal connected to the sensing element;
`at least one sensing channel connected to the at least one
`terminal in which the sensing channel is operable to generate
`a signal indicative of capacitance between the terminal and a
`system ground; means to determine a position of an object on
`the sensing element; and means to further refine the position
`of the object corresponding to a value in the range of param
`eter or function values, the method comprising: in a first mode
`of the capacitive position sensor in which the range of param
`eter or function values is mapped onto the sensing path bring
`ing an object into proximity with the sensing elementata first
`point so as to determine a position of the object and thereby
`initially set the parameter or function to approximately the
`desired value; initiating a change in mode of the sensor from
`the first mode to a second mode responsive to capacitive
`coupling caused by moving displacement of the object along
`the sensing path in relation to the first point of touch of the
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`object on the sensing element; in the second mode displacing
`the object on the sensing element to adjust the parameter or
`function from the value initially set to the desired value; and
`processing the signal to determine the selected parameter or
`function value.
`In particular embodiments, the capacitive sensor may work
`in a first mode and a second mode. In a first mode, a signal
`may be generated which is indicative of capacitive coupling
`of an object, for example a user's finger, with the sensing
`element. The signal generated in the first mode may provide
`an approximate position of an object in relation to a desired
`parameter value the user wishes to select. A processor may be
`provided to interpret and process the signal to determine the
`approximate position of an object on the sensing element. In
`the first mode of operation, the capacitive sensor may gener
`ate a signal indicative of capacitive coupling caused by bring
`ing an object into proximity with a desired location on the
`sensor or by moving displacement of the object in proximity
`with the sensing element.
`In particular embodiments, the capacitive sensor may enter
`a second mode of operation if moving displacement of the
`object in proximity with the sensing element during a first
`mode of operation exceeds a minimum threshold value. For
`example, for a sensing element in the form of a rotary capaci
`tive sensor, if a user displaces an object in proximity with the
`sensing element during a first mode of operation by a mini
`mum threshold angle in relation to a first point of touch of the
`object on the sensing element, the capacitive sensor may
`Switch into a second mode of operation. The minimum
`threshold angle may be determined by an algorithm pro
`grammed into a microcontroller and the threshold angle may
`be set at different values depending on the sensitivity required
`and the parameter which is being adjusted. In one embodi
`ment, the threshold angle may be set at 20 degrees before the
`capacitive sensor Switches from the first mode to the second
`mode of operation. An approximate parameter value may be
`obtained in the first mode and in the second mode a desired
`parameter value may be selected.
`In the second mode of operation, an object may be dis
`placed in proximity with the sensing element by a pre-deter
`mined threshold value, for example 20 degrees, to effect an
`incremental change in the parameter value thereby allowing a
`desired specific parameter value to be selected. Advanta
`geously, a capacitive sensor of particular embodiments oper
`ating in a first mode may allow a parameter value to be
`selected (which may be the desired value, or near to the
`desired value, the user wishes to select) and in a second mode
`the sensor may effect an incremental increase or decrease of
`the parameter value selected in the first mode. In the second
`mode, a parameter value may be increased or decreased by a
`pre-determined amount, for examplet1 unit, its units, ort 10
`units, based on the number of times an object is displaced on
`the sensing element exceeding a pre-determined threshold
`value. Therefore, the threshold value may correspond to an
`increase or decrease of the parameter value by, say, t1 unit,
`and each time the threshold value is reached (n times) the
`parameter value will increase or decrease by it 1 (n times t1).
`In particular embodiments, the capacitive sensor may enter
`a second mode of operation by effectively "Zooming-in' on a
`narrower range of parameter values, compared to the param
`eter range displayed in the first mode, so that a user may
`accurately select a desired parameter value. The narrower
`range of parameter values shown during the second mode will
`be determined by the parameter value selected in the first
`mode, for example plus and minus 10 units from the value
`selected in the first mode. In the second mode of operation, an
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`object may be displaced along the sensing element so as to
`select the desired parameter value.
`The processor for determining the position of an object in
`proximity with the sensing element in a first mode of opera
`tion may be operable for also determining the position of an
`object in proximity with the sensing element in a second
`mode of operation.
`In particular embodiments, the capacitive sensor may func
`tion in a first mode of operation in which an approximate
`parameter value may be selected followed by a second mode
`of operation in which a specific parameter value may be
`selected. The range of parameter values associated with the
`capacitive sensor (i.e. the resolution) may determine whether
`a desired parameter value can be selected in the first mode of
`operation. The second mode of operation will allow a desired
`parameter value to be accurately selected, for example, either
`by Zooming-in on a narrower range of parameter values
`around the parameter value selected in the first mode and
`displacing an object in proximity with the sensing element to
`select the desired value, or, by displacing an object in proX
`imity with the sensing element to exceed a predetermined
`threshold value in order to change the parameter value
`selected from the first mode by one or more increments. The
`number of times the threshold value is exceeded may deter
`mine the number of times the parameter value is increased or
`decreased.
`A capacitive sensor of particular embodiments may be
`incorporated into a control panel of an electronic appliance or
`gadget, for example a cooking oven, microwave oven, televi
`Sion, washing machine, MP3 player, mobile phone, or other
`multimedia device. A wide range of parameters or functions
`may be controlled by the capacitive sensor of particular
`embodiments, dependent on the type of electronic appliance
`in which the capacitive sensor is incorporated, for example,
`temperature, Volume, contrast, brightness, or frequency. The
`parameter or function to be controlled may be selected prior
`to use of the capacitive sensor.
`Advantageously, the sensor has a higher degree of resolu
`tion in the second mode allowing a user to move their finger
`in proximity with the sensing element to select a specific
`parameter value. If the sensing element is in the form of a
`closed loop, a user may be able to scroll clockwise or anti
`clockwise around the sensing element to select the desired
`value. In the second mode for example, a 20 degree rotation
`may be equivalent to changing a parameter value by 1 unit.
`The amount of rotation required by an object on the sensing
`element to cause an incremental change in a parameter value
`may be varied dependent on the parameter or function being
`controlled. Control circuitry or a program-controlled micro
`processor may be used to control the degree of rotation
`required to cause a change in a parameter value.
`In particular embodiments, the sensing element is arcuate
`in shape. In particular embodiments, the sensing element is in
`the form of a closed loop for use in a rotary capacitive position
`sensor. In a rotary capacitive position sensor embodiment, an
`object may be moved along the sensing element of the sensor
`for a plurality of revolutions and the distance moved by the
`object may determine the output signal which is generated by
`the sensing channel(s).
`In the first mode of operation of the capacitive sensor,
`capacitive coupling of an object in proximity with a sensing
`element may be detected to give an approximate position in
`relation to a range of values for a given parameter. If a user
`wishes to obtain different position data, the object may be
`removed from proximity with the sensing element and then
`brought into proximity with the said sensing element again. In
`other words, a user may initiate the first mode of the sensor
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`again simply by retouching the sensing element. When the
`second mode of operation is initiated, a user may scroll the
`sensing element to select a specific value of a certain param
`eter. An output signal may be generated indicative of a spe
`cific parameter value when an object ceases displacementata
`certain position on the sensing element. In an embodiment, if
`a user releases touch from the sensing element in a second
`mode and retouches the sensing element then the first mode of
`operation may be activated again.
`In particular embodiments, the capacitive position sensor
`may further comprise one or more discrete sensing areas in
`the centre region of a rotary sensing element. If the sensing
`areas in the centre region of the sensing element sense capaci
`tive coupling to an object, any signal produced from the
`sensing element is reduced or "locked out” using the Adjacent
`Key SuppressionTM technology described in the applicants
`earlier U.S. Pat. No. 6,993,607 and U.S. Patent Application
`Publication No. 2006/0192690, both incorporated herein by
`reference. Any output signal from the rotary sensing element
`caused by capacitive coupling with an object may also lock
`out a signal from the central sensing areas. The sensing ele
`ment may be embodied by a single resistor, for example it
`may comprise a resistive material deposited on a Substrate to
`form a continuous pattern. This provides for an easy-to-fab
`ricate resistive sensing element which can be deposited on the
`Substrate in any one of a range of patterns. Alternatively, the
`sensing element may be made from a plurality of discrete
`resistors. The discrete resistors may be alternately connected
`in series with a plurality of conducting sense plates, the sense
`plates providing for increased capacitive coupling between
`the object and the resistive sensing element. This provides for
`a resistive sensing element which can be fabricated from
`widely available off-the-shelf items. The disclosure of
`WO2005/019766 is incorporated herein by reference as an
`example of the capacitance measurement circuitry which
`may be used. Alternatively, a resistorless sensing element
`similar to that described in U.S. Pat. No. 4.264,903 may be
`used to form the capacitive sensor of particular embodiments.
`The resistive sensing element may have a substantially
`constant resistance per unit length. This provides for a capaci
`tive position sensor having a simple uniform response. Where
`greater positional resolution is required or when employing a
`relatively long resistive sensing element, the resistive sensing
`element may include a plurality of terminals.
`The object to be detected may be a pointer, for example a
`finger or a stylus, which can be freely positioned by a user.
`Alternatively, the object may be a wiper held in proximity to
`the resistive sensing element, the position of the wiper along
`the resistive sensing element being detected by the capacitive
`position sensor. The position of the wiper may be adjusted by
`a user, for example by turning a rotary knob, or may be
`coupled to a shaft driven by connected equipment Such that
`the capacitive position sensor can act as an encoder.
`Particular embodiments provide a sensor having high reli
`ability, a sealed Surface, low power consumption, simple
`design, ease of fabrication, and the ability to operate using
`off-the-shelf logic or microcontrollers.
`In U.S. Pat. No. 6,466,036, the applicant teaches a capaci
`tive field sensor employing a single coupling plate to detect
`change in capacitance to ground. This apparatus comprises a
`circuit employing repetitive charge-then-transfer or charge
`plus-transfer cycles using common integrated CMOS push
`pull driver circuitry. This technology forms the basis of par
`ticular embodiments and is incorporated by reference herein.
`Some definitions are now made. “Element” refers to the
`physical electrical sensing element made of conductive Sub
`stances. “Electrode' refers to one of the galvanic connection
`
`Petitioner Exhibit 1001, Page9
`
`

`

`US 8,432,173 B2
`
`7
`points made to the element to connect it to suitable driver/
`sensor electronics. The terms “object' and “finger are used
`synonymously in reference to either an inanimate object Such
`as a wiper or pointer or stylus, or alternatively a human finger
`or other appendage, any of whose presence adjacent the ele
`ment will create a localized capacitive coupling from a region
`of the element back to a circuit reference via any circuitous
`path, whether galvanically or non-galvanically. The term
`“touch' includes either physical contact between an object
`and the element, or, proximity in free space between object
`and element, or physical contact between object and a dielec
`tric (Such as glass) existing between object and element, or,
`proximity in free space including an intervening layer of
`dielectric existing between object and element. Hereinafter
`the terms “circle' or “circular refer to any ellipsoid, trap
`ezoid, or other closed loop of arbitrary size and outline shape
`having an open middle section.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 shows a control panel of an apparatus embodying a
`rotary capacitive sensor, the sensor being used in a first mode
`of operation.
`FIG. 2A shows the capacitive sensor of FIG. 1 being used
`in a second mode of operation, with the user Scrolling around
`the sensor in an anticlockwise direction.
`FIG. 2B shows the capacitive sensor of FIG. 1 being used
`in a second mode of operation, with the user Scrolling around
`the sensor in a clockwise direction.
`FIG. 3 shows a control panel of an apparatus according to
`another embodiment, in which a rotary capacitive sensor is
`being used in a first mode of operation.
`FIG. 4 shows the capacitive sensor of FIG. 3 being used in
`a second mode of operation.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS
`
`10
`
`15
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`8
`but in most cases the temperature selected in the first mode of
`operation will indicate a temperature near to the actual tem
`perature required by the user. A user may re-touch the sensing
`element 100 of the sensor to reactivate the first mode of
`operation and select a different temperature. The resolution of
`the sensor may determine how close the temperature selected
`in the first mode is to the desired temperature sought by the
`USC.
`Turning now to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the capacitive sensor 60
`is shown in a second mode of operation. The capacitive sensor
`automatically enters the second mode of operation after a
`temperature has been selected in the first mode of operation.
`In the second mode, a user is able to increase or decrease the
`temperature selected in the first mode by a pre-determined
`increment. Changing the temperature by a given increment
`depends on a user displacing their finger in proximity with the
`sensing element 100 by a pre-determined threshold angle.
`The embodiment shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B requires a 20°
`rotation (i.e. threshold angle is 20°) to effect a temperature
`change of +1°C.
`As shown in FIG. 2A, a user has displaced their finger in
`proximity with the sensing element 100 in an anti-clockwise
`direction to decrease the temperature of 175° C. selected in
`the first mode. The user has moved his finger by 40° (i.e. 2x
`the threshold angle) from the first point of touch in the first
`mode of operation, to cause a temperature decease by 2°C. to
`173° C. (shown by arrow C). As shown in FIG. 2B, the user
`has moved his finger by 40° in a clockwise direction from the
`first point of touch in the first mode of operation, to cause a
`temperature increase by 2°C. to 177°C. (arrow D). Advan
`tageously, the capacitive sensor in the second mode of opera
`tion allows a user to accurately select a desired temperature.
`The resolution of the capacitive sensor in the second mode of
`operation is typically finer than that in the first mode of
`operation. The threshold angle ma