(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2004/0252109 A1
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Dec. 16, 2004
`Trent, JR. et al.
`
`US 2004O2S2109A1
`
`(54)
`
`(75)
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`(73)
`(21)
`(22)
`
`CLOSED-LOOP SENSOR ON A SOLID-STATE
`OBJECT POSITION DETECTOR
`
`Inventors: Raymond A. Trent JR., San Jose, CA
`(US); Scott J. Shaw, Fremont, CA
`(US); David W. Gillespie, Los Gatos,
`CA (US); Christopher Heiny, Boulder
`Creek, CA (US); Mark A. Huie, San
`Carlos, CA (US)
`Correspondence Address:
`SIERRA PATENT GROUP, LTD.
`PO BOX 6149
`STATELINE, NV 89449 (US)
`ASSignee: Synaptics, Inc.
`
`Appl. No.:
`
`10/338,765
`
`Filed:
`
`Jan. 7, 2003
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/372,009, filed on Apr.
`11, 2002.
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51) Int. Cl. ................................................... G09G 5/00
`(52) U.S. Cl. .............................................................. 345/174
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`The present disclosure discloses an object position detector.
`The object position detector comprises a touch Sensor
`formed as a closed loop and having a physical constraint
`formed on an upper Surface of the touch Sensor and coex
`tensive with the closed loop. The touch Sensor is configured
`to Sense motion of an object proximate to the closed loop.
`The object position detector also comprises a processor
`coupled to the touch Sensor and is programmed to generate
`an action in response to the motion on the touch Sensor.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`20
`
`22
`
`
`
`26
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`Petitioner Exhibit 1005, Page 1
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Dec. 16, 2004 Sheet 1 of 17
`
`US 2004/0252109 A1
`
`
`
`10
`
`12
`
`Closed
`Loop Path
`Decoder
`
`14
`
`Message
`Generator
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`20
`
`
`
`22
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`26
`
`*N
`
`26
`
`Fig. 3
`
`Petitioner Exhibit 1005, Page 2
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Dec. 16, 2004 Sheet 2 of 17
`
`US 2004/0252109 A1
`
`1."
`
`4.
`
`KD
`Se (C)
`es
`/ ise ". .
`3S t
`
`f 5
`
`Petitioner Exhibit 1005, Page 3
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Dec. 16, 2004 Sheet 3 Of 17
`
`US 2004/0252109 A1
`
`O. c > / to
`Fig. 11
`Fig. 12 Fig. 13 Fig. 14 Fig. 15
`
`
`
`Fig. 22
`
`Fig. 23
`
`Petitioner Exhibit 1005, Page 4
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Dec. 16, 2004 Sheet 4 of 17
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`US 2004/0252109 A1
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`
`
`62
`1.
`
`Petitioner Exhibit 1005, Page 5
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Dec. 16, 2004 Sheet 5 of 17
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`US 2004/0252109 A1
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`
`
`91
`
`93
`
`Fig. 28
`
`Petitioner Exhibit 1005, Page 6
`
`

`

`ent Application Publicat00000000000000000000000
`
`
`
`Petitioner Exhib 000000000000
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`Petitioner Exhibit 1005, Page 7
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Dec. 16, 2004 Sheet 7 of 17
`
`US 2004/0252109 A1
`
`
`
`Fig. 31
`
`Petitioner Exhibit 1005, Page 8
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Dec. 16, 2004 Sheet 8 of 17
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`US 2004/0252109 A1
`
`
`
`X or Y Axis Sensor Inputs
`
`Fig. 32
`
`Petitioner Exhibit 1005, Page 9
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Dec. 16, 2004 Sheet 9 of 17
`
`US 2004/0252109 A1
`
`-CH
`
`110 - 115
`
`114
`
`12
`
`34
`
`116 (S -C-
`Fig. 33
`'' 112
`
`115
`
`110
`114 116 ?
`115
`
`N
`
`
`
`124
`
`Petitioner Exhibit 1005, Page 10
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Dec. 16, 2004 Sheet 10 of 17
`
`US 2004/0252109 A1
`
`130
`
`
`
`142
`
`144
`
`Petitioner Exhibit 1005, Page 11
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Dec. 16, 2004 Sheet 11 of 17
`
`US 2004/0252109 A1
`
`
`
`150
`
`Balance
`
`C(O)
`
`C(1)
`
`C(2)
`i-1
`
`C(3)
`i
`
`C(4)
`i--1
`
`C(5)
`
`Fig. 40
`
`Petitioner Exhibit 1005, Page 12
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Dec. 16, 2004 Sheet 12 of 17
`
`US 2004/0252109 A1
`
`
`
`Determine which electrode has
`the largest capacitance
`Measurement
`
`Fit capacitance measurements of
`electrode with largest capacitance
`and its neighboring electrodes to an
`inverted parabola
`
`Calculate the center point
`of the parabola
`
`Reduce the calculated center
`point by Modulo N, if necessary
`
`Pass calculated center point value
`through a non-linear function to
`compensate for non-linearities
`
`Fig. 39
`
`Petitioner Exhibit 1005, Page 13
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Dec. 16, 2004 Sheet 13 of 17
`
`US 2004/0252109 A1
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Locate peak electrode i
`
`Rotate coordinate system by renumbering
`each electrodej to (j-i-N/2) Modulo N,
`thus centering i
`
`Calculate mathematical centroid X
`
`
`
`Reverse rotate X'-(X--i-N/2) Modulo N.
`X' is final input object location
`
`Fig. 41
`
`Petitioner Exhibit 1005, Page 14
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Dec. 16, 2004 Sheet 14 of 17
`
`US 2004/0252109 A1
`
`
`
`Compute numerator Nas
`N= Sum(sin(i2.pi/N) * C(i))
`
`Compute denominator D as
`D=Sum(cos(i2.pi/N) * C(i))
`
`Compute atan2(ND) to
`obtain angular position
`
`Fig. 42
`
`Petitioner Exhibit 1005, Page 15
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Dec. 16, 2004 Sheet 15 of 17
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`US 2004/0252109 A1
`
`
`
`Compute numerator Nas
`N-f.
`
`Compute denominator Das
`D-f.
`
`Compute? (N.D) to obtain
`angular position
`
`Fig. 43
`
`Petitioner Exhibit 1005, Page 16
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Dec. 16, 2004 Sheet 16 of 17
`
`US 2004/0252109 A1
`
`Calculate NewPos
`
`
`
`
`
`Was an
`object previously present
`on the sensor?
`
`Copy NewPos
`into OldPos
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Determine motion between
`two samples ( Motion - NewPos - OldPos)
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Motion is
`180' or
`more ?
`
`
`
`
`
`Subtract 360°
`from Motion
`
`
`
`Motion is
`Less than
`-1800
`
`
`
`Yes
`
`Add 360'
`to Motion
`
`Fig44
`
`Petitioner Exhibit 1005, Page 17
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Dec. 16, 2004 Sheet 17 of 17
`
`US 2004/0252109 A1
`
`Determine a first point and a
`Second point on the closed
`loop sensor
`
`
`
`
`
`Calculate the distance between
`the first and second points
`
`Calculate the angles corresponding
`to the first and second points
`
`Subtract the angle of the second point
`from the angle of the first point to
`get a result
`
`Use the sign of the result to
`indicate direction of motion
`
`Fig. 45
`
`Petitioner Exhibit 1005, Page 18
`
`

`

`US 2004/0252109 A1
`
`Dec. 16, 2004
`
`CLOSED-LOOP SENSOR ON A SOLID-STATE
`OBJECT POSITION DETECTOR
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATION
`0001) This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provi
`sional Application Serial No. 60/372,009, filed Apr. 11,
`2002.
`
`BACKGROUND
`0002 User interfaces on digital information processing
`devices often have more information and options than can be
`easily handled with buttons or other physical controls. In
`particular, Scrolling of documents and data, Selection of
`menu items, and continuous value controls, Such as Volume
`controls, can be difficult to control with buttons and general
`purpose pointing devices. These buttons and pointing
`devices are inherently limited in how far they can move or
`how many options can be selected. For example, a computer
`mouse, though it can move a pointer or cursor indefinitely,
`has limits to how far it can move without being picked up
`and repositioned, which limits its usability in these situa
`tions.
`0003 Solutions to this problem have included:
`0004 a. Keys, such as “page up” and “page down”
`and arrow keys, that are specifically designated to
`maneuver through or control data;
`0005) b. Provisions for scrollbars in a user interface
`which can be used to Scroll data long distances by
`using a Standard computer pointing device control
`ling a cursor,
`0006 c. Similarly controlled (as in b.) hierarchical
`menus or choices,
`0007 d. Graphical user interface elements such as
`“slider bars” and “spin controls” to vary a parameter
`over an arbitrary range;
`0008 e. Scrolling “wheels” on standard pointing
`devices,
`0009) f. Physical knob controls, which, when used to
`control a user interface are often referred to in the art
`as "jog dials”. Some knobs and dials output quadra
`ture Signals to indicate direction of motion;
`0010 g. Trackballs that rely on optically or
`mechanically Sensed spherical controls to provide
`two-dimensional Sensing, and
`0011 h. A capacitive two-dimensional object posi
`tion Sensor that can be used for Scrolling by provid
`ing a "Scrolling region', where users can Slide their
`fingers to generating Scrolling actions.
`0012. The disadvantages of these prior Solutions are as
`follows:
`0013 a. Designated Keys: These typically require
`designated Space on the keyboard as well as Sup
`porting electronics and physical Structures. KeyS
`usually limit the control they offer to the user over
`the information being Scrolled or the function being
`performed to distinct values. For example, page up
`
`and page down keys enable the user to increment
`through a document at a constant rate of page by
`page only.
`0014) b. Scroll bars controlled by a pointing device
`and a cursor: These elements require the user to
`move long distances acroSS a display and/or Select
`relatively Small controls in order to Scroll the data.
`Additionally, these Scroll bars take up room on the
`display that can be used for other purposes.
`0015 c. Hierarchical menus controlled by a pointing
`device or by key combinations: These have a similar
`problem to scroll bars, in terms of the complexity of
`the targeting task that faces the user. First, the user
`must hit a Small target near the edge of a Screen, and
`then the user must navigate along narrow paths to
`open up additional layers of menu hierarchy. Short
`cut keys, which usually consist of key combinations,
`are typically non-intuitive and hard to remember.
`0016 d. “Sliders” and “spin controls” controlled by
`a pointing device or by key combinations: These
`have targeting problems similar to Scroll bars and
`hierarchical menus (Sometimes exacerbated by the
`targets usually being even Smaller than in the cases
`of Scrollbars and menus).
`0017 e. Physical Scroll Wheels on mice: The user is
`unable to scroll very far with these wheels due to
`mechanical limitations in how far the user can move
`the wheel in a single Stroke. These mechanical
`limitations are because of the construction of the
`wheel itself or because of interactions between the
`wheel and nearby physical features (Such as the
`wheel mounting or the device housing). The limits
`on the practical/comfortable length of the basic fin
`ger motion also Severely restrict the ability of the
`user to Scroll Significant distances in one Stroke.
`Additionally, these wheels are mechanically com
`pleX and take up a lot of Space.
`0018 f. Physical knobs or “Jog Dial” controls:
`These have the disadvantages of being relatively
`large and mechanically complex. Similar to the
`Scroll wheel, the knob or dial requires Some amount
`of friction to limit accidental activation, which
`increases the difficulty of fine adjustments. Addition
`ally, it is difficult to use a physical knob or dial with
`a great degree of accuracy, and the knob or dial
`inherently has inertia that may cause overshoot in
`large motions. The physical knobs or dials are often
`mechanically limited in range of rotation imposed by
`the construction or by the interactions of the knob or
`dial with nearby physical features.
`0019 g. Trackballs: These are similar to the physical
`knobs in that they have the disadvantages of being
`bulky and mechanically complex. The trackball is
`difficult to use with a great degree of accuracy, and
`the trackball inherently has inertia that may cause
`overshoot in large motions. Additionally, the track
`ball presents additional complexity in that it presents
`control of two dimensions of motion in a way that
`makes it difficult for users to limit their inputs to a
`Single dimension. Finally, the input is limited either
`by the construction of the trackball and its housing,
`or by natural limits on comfortable/practical finger
`motion, or both.
`
`Petitioner Exhibit 1005, Page 19
`
`

`

`US 2004/0252109 A1
`
`Dec. 16, 2004
`
`0020 h. Scroll Regions: These are limited by the
`physical limitation that a user's finger will eventually
`reach the end of the Scrolling region and the user will
`have to lift their finger, replace it on the Sensor inside
`the region, and continue the motion. The user must
`perform many repetitive motions of the same finger
`to Scroll long distances with a Scroll region.
`0021. The disadvantages of the prior art can be remedied
`by devising a user interface that enables Scrolling, Selecting,
`and varying controls over a long range of possible positions
`and values.
`
`SUMMARY
`0022. The drawbacks and disadvantages of the prior art
`are overcome by a closed-loop Sensor on a Solid-State object
`position detector.
`0023 The present disclosure discloses a solid-state object
`position detector. The Solid-state object position detector
`comprises a touch Sensor formed as a closed loop having a
`physical constraint formed on an upper Surface of the touch
`Sensor and coextensive with the closed loop. The touch
`Sensor is configured to Sense motion of an object proximate
`to the closed loop. The object position detector also com
`prises a processor coupled to the touch Sensor and is
`programmed to generate an action in response to the motion
`on the touch Sensor.
`0024. The present disclosure also discloses a Solid-state
`object position detector, comprising a two-dimensional
`touch Sensor having a tactile guide formed on an upper
`Surface of, and coextensive with, the two-dimensional touch
`Sensor. The two-dimensional touch Sensor is configured to
`Sense motion of an object proximate to the two-dimensional
`touch Sensor. The Solid-State object position detector also
`comprises a processor coupled to the two-dimensional touch
`Sensor and configured to report only one variable indicating
`the position, Such as the angular position, of an object
`proximate to the two-dimensional touch Sensor. The proces
`Sor is programmed to generate an action in response to the
`motion on the two-dimensional touch Sensor.
`0.025 The present disclosure also discloses a combina
`tion comprising a Solid-State object position detector, a
`pointing input device, and a processor. The Solid-State object
`position detector has a touch Sensor formed as a closed loop.
`The Solid-State object position detector has a tactile guide
`formed on an upper Surface of the touch Sensor and coex
`tensive with the closed loop. The touch Sensor is configured
`to Sense a first position of an object proximate to the closed
`loop. The pointing input device is disposed proximate to the
`Solid-State object position detector and is configured to Sense
`a first pointing input of a user. The processor is coupled to
`the Solid-State object position detector and to the pointing
`input device. The processor is programmed to generate at
`least one action in response to the first position and at least
`one action in response to the first pointing input. The
`pointing input device can be a mouse, a touchpad, a pointing
`Stick, a slider, a joystick, a touch Screen, a trackball or
`another Solid-State object position detector.
`0026. The present disclosure also discloses another
`embodiment of a combination comprising a Solid-State
`object position detector, a control input device, and a pro
`ceSSor. The Solid-state object position detector has a touch
`
`Sensor formed as a closed loop. The Solid-State object
`position detector has a tactile guide formed on an upper
`Surface of the touch Sensor and coextensive with the closed
`loop. The touch Sensor is configured to Sense a first position
`of an object proximate to the closed loop. The control-input
`device is disposed proximate to the Solid-State object posi
`tion detector and is configured to Sense a first control input
`of a user. The processor is coupled to the Solid-State object
`position detector and to the control input device. The pro
`ceSSor is programmed to generate at least one action in
`response to the first position and at least one action in
`response to the first control input. The control input device
`can be a button, a key, a touch Sensitive Zone, a Scrolling
`region, a Scroll wheel, a jog dial, a slider, a touch Screen, or
`another Solid-State object position detector.
`0027. The present disclosure also discloses a solid-state
`object position detector, comprising a touch Sensor having a
`first electrode and a plurality of Second electrodes disposed
`in a one-dimensional closed loop and proximate to the first
`electrode. The Solid-State object position detector also com
`prises a processor coupled to the touch Sensor. The processor
`generates an action in response to user input on the touch
`Sensor. The complexity of the Sensing circuitry used in the
`plurality of Second electrodes can be reduced, Such that
`when only relative positioning is necessary, at least two of
`the plurality of Second electrodes are electrically connected
`or wired together.
`0028. The present disclosure also discloses a combina
`tion comprising a Solid-state object position detector, a touch
`pad, and a processor. The Solid-state object position detector
`comprises a touch Sensor having a first electrode and a
`plurality of Second electrodes disposed in a one-dimensional
`closed loop and proximate to the first electrode. The touch
`pad has a plurality of X electrodes and a plurality of Y
`electrodes. The first electrode is electrically coupled to at
`least one of the plurality of X electrodes and the plurality of
`Y electrodes. The processor is coupled to the touch Sensor
`and to the input device. The processor generates an action in
`response to user input on at least one of the touch Sensor and
`the touch pad. The complexity of the Sensing circuitry used
`in the plurality of Second electrodes can be reduced, Such
`that when only relative positioning is necessary, at least two
`of the plurality of Second electrodes are electrically con
`nected or wired together.
`0029. The present disclosure also discloses a solid-state
`object position detector, comprising a touch Sensor having a
`plurality of interleaving electrodes disposed proximate to a
`one-dimensional closed loop; wherein each electrode is
`interdigitated with an adjacent neighboring electrode. The
`Solid-State object position detector also comprises a proces
`Sor coupled to the touch Sensor. The processor generates an
`action in response to user input on the touch Sensor.
`0030 The present disclosure also discloses a solid-state
`object position detector, comprising a touch Sensor having a
`plurality of Self-interpolating electrodes disposed proximate
`to a closed loop. The Solid-state object position detector also
`comprises a processor coupled to the touch Sensor. The
`processor generates an action in response to user input on the
`touch Sensor.
`0031. The present disclosure also discloses a method of
`calculating a position of an object on an object position
`detector comprising receiving positional data from the
`
`Petitioner Exhibit 1005, Page 20
`
`

`

`US 2004/0252109 A1
`
`Dec. 16, 2004
`
`object on a touch Sensor having a closed loop and interpo
`lating the positional data to determine a position of the
`object on the one-dimensional closed loop. The interpolating
`aspect of the method further includes performing a quadratic
`fitting algorithm, a centroid interpolation algorithm, a trigo
`nometric weighting algorithm, or a quasi-trigonometric
`weighting algorithm.
`0.032 The present disclosure also discloses a method of
`determining motion of an object on a touch Sensor of an
`object position detector. The method compriseS receiving
`data of a first position of the object on a closed loop on a
`touchSensor of the object position detector, receiving data of
`a Second position of the object on the closed loop, and
`calculating motion from the Second position and the first
`position. The method can further comprise determining if
`the motion is equal to or greater than a maximum angle and
`adjusting the motion based on whether the motion is equal
`or greater than the maximum angle. The method of adjusting
`the motion can be subtracting 360° from the motion. The
`method can further comprise determining if the motion is
`less than a minimum angle and adjusting the motion based
`on whether the motion is less than the minimum angle. The
`method of adjusting the motion can be adding 360 to the
`motion.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
`Referring now to the figures, wherein like elements
`0.033
`are numbered alike:
`0034 FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a solid-state
`closed-loop Sensor;
`0.035
`FIG. 2 illustrates a location of a closed-loop sensor
`on a laptop near a keyboard;
`0.036
`FIG. 3 illustrates a closed-loop sensor disposed on
`a conventional pointing device;
`0037 FIG. 4 illustrates wedge-shaped electrodes of a
`closed-loop Sensor;
`0.038
`FIG. 5 illustrates lightning-bolt-shaped electrodes
`of a closed-loop Sensor;
`0.039
`FIG. 6 illustrates triangle-shaped electrodes of a
`closed-loop Sensor;
`0040 FIG. 7 illustrates rectangular-shaped electrodes
`that may be used in a linear Section of a closed-loop Sensor;
`0041
`FIG. 8 illustrates rectangular-shaped electrodes
`that may be used in a rectangular-shaped closed-loop Sensor;
`0.042
`FIG. 9 illustrates another example of triangle
`shaped electrodes of a closed-loop Sensor;
`0.043
`FIG. 10 illustrates spiral-shaped electrodes of a
`closed-loop Sensor;
`0044 FIGS. 11 to 17 illustrate various shapes of the path
`utilized on a closed-loop Sensor;
`004.5 FIG. 18 illustrates a cross-sectional view of
`V-shaped depressed grooves that define the path on a closed
`loop Sensor;
`0.046
`FIG. 19 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a
`raised projection that defines the path on a closed-loop
`Sensor,
`
`0047 FIG. 20 illustrates a cross-sectional view of
`U-shaped depressed grooves that define the path on a
`closed-loop Sensor;
`0048 FIG.21 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a bezel
`that defines the path on a closed-loop Sensor;
`0049 FIGS. 22 and 23 illustrate the motions of an input
`object on a closed-loop Sensor and the effects on a host
`device;
`0050 FIG. 24 illustrates a motion on a closed-loop
`Sensor for navigating menus,
`0051 FIG. 25 illustrates a motion on a closed-loop
`Sensor for Vertically navigating menus using an additional
`key;
`0052 FIG. 26 illustrates a motion on a closed-loop
`Sensor for horizontally navigating within open menus,
`0053 FIG. 27 illustrates a motion on a closed-loop
`Sensor for a value Setting control;
`0054 FIG.28 illustrates a closed-loop sensor electrically
`connected to a touch pad;
`0055 FIG. 29 illustrates the potential electrical connec
`tions of two closed-loop Sensors to a touch pad;
`0056 FIG. 30 illustrates several closed-loop sensors
`electrically connected to a touch pad;
`0057 FIG. 31 illustrates two closed-loop sensors with
`indicator electrodes electrically connected to a touch pad;
`0058 FIG. 32 illustrates a graph of the signals from a
`closed-loop Sensor with an indicator electrode electrically
`connected to a touch pad;
`0059 FIG. 33 illustrates a top view of an exemplary
`closed-loop Sensor;
`0060 FIG. 34 illustrates a side view of the cross-section
`of the exemplary closed-loop sensor of FIG. 33;
`0061
`FIG. 35 illustrates the lightning-bolt-shaped elec
`trodes of an exemplary closed-loop Sensor having an interior
`opening and four exterior regions,
`0062 FIG. 36 illustrates a plurality of closed-loop sen
`Sors to vary the Settings of audio controls,
`0063 FIG. 37 illustrates two sets of two closed-loop
`Sensors formed concentrically about a Single origin for an
`audio System;
`0064 FIG. 38 illustrates four closed-loop sensors for an
`audio System formed in concentric circles about a single
`origin;
`0065 FIG. 39 is a flow chart of a method of calculating
`a position of an object on a closed-loop Sensor by perform
`ing a quadratic fitting algorithm;
`0066 FIG. 40 is a graph of the second quadratic fitting
`Step in which the three capacitance measurements from the
`three adjacent electrodes are fitted to an inverted parabola;
`0067 FIG. 41 is a flow chart of a method of calculating
`a position of an object on a closed-loop Sensor by perform
`ing a centroid interpolation algorithm;
`
`Petitioner Exhibit 1005, Page 21
`
`

`

`US 2004/0252109 A1
`
`Dec. 16, 2004
`
`0068 FIG. 42 is a flow chart of a method of calculating
`a position of an object on a closed-loop Sensor by perform
`ing a trigonometric weighting algorithm;
`0069 FIG. 43 is a flow chart of a method of calculating
`a position of an object on a closed-loop Sensor by perform
`ing a quasi-trigonometric Weighting algorithm;
`0070 FIG. 44 is a flow chart of a method of determining
`relative motion of an object on a closed-loop Sensor; and
`0071 FIG. 45 is a flow chart of a method of using the
`angular component to determine the Sign of the traversal
`along the closed-loop path.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`0.072 Those of ordinary skill in the art will realize that
`the following description of the present invention is illus
`trative only and not in any way limiting. Other embodiments
`of the present invention will readily Suggest themselves to
`Such skilled perSons.
`0073. An object position detector is disclosed comprising
`a touch (or proximity) sensor (or touch pad or touch Screen
`or tablet), Such as a capacitive, resistive, or inductive Sensor
`designed to Sense motions along a Substantially closed loop,
`and referred to herein as a closed-loop Sensor. This closed
`loop Sensor can be used to enhance the user interface of an
`information-processing device. A loop area on a closed-loop
`sensor can be defined by a tactile guide. Preferably, the
`closed-loop sensor is defined by a physical constraint. The
`position of an input object (or finger or pointer or pen or
`Stylus or implement) is measured along this loop. When the
`input object moves along this loop, a signal is generated that
`causes an action at the host device. For example, when the
`input object moves in the clockwise direction along this
`loop, a signal is generated that can cause the data, menu
`option, three dimensional model, or value of a Setting to
`traverse in a particular direction; and when the input object
`moves in the counter-clockwise direction, a signal is gen
`erated that can cause traversal in an opposite direction. This
`looping motion of the input object within the loop area need
`only be partially along the loop, or if the looping motion
`completes one or more loops, be approximate and notional.
`A strict loop can imply that the input object would eventu
`ally return to exactly the same position on the Sensor at Some
`point. However, the Sensor may report the input object's
`position with greater accuracy than the input object can
`actually repeatably indicate a position. Hence, enabling the
`Sensor to accept a close approximation to a loop as a
`completed loop is desirable.
`0.074. A closed-loop sensor can be physically designed or
`electrically laid out in Such a way as to naturally report in
`only one coordinate. This Single coordinate design, which
`will be referred to as “one-dimensional” within this docu
`ment, is one-dimensional in that the closed-loop Sensor
`inherently outputs information only in one variable; the
`closed-loop Sensor itself may physically span two or more
`dimensions. For example, a closed-loop Sensor can consist
`of a loop of capacitive electrodes arranged along the perim
`eter of a closed loop of any shape herein described. The
`absolute position of the input object on a one-dimensional
`closed-loop Sensor can be reported in a Single coordinate,
`Such as an angular (0) coordinate, and the relative positions
`(or motions) of the input object can be reported in the same
`(Such as angular) units as well.
`
`0075. The operation of the present invention with a host
`device is illustrated in the block diagram of FIG.1. A signal
`is generated at the closed-loop Sensor 10 and is then decoded
`by the closed-loop path decoder 12. A message is generated
`by the message generator 14 and the message is transmitted
`to the host device 16. The host device 16 then interprets the
`message and causes the appropriate action on a display (not
`shown).
`0076 The closed-loop sensor (or several closed-loop
`Sensors) can be disposed in any location that is convenient
`for its use with a host device, and optional other input
`devices. A host System can be a computer, a laptop or
`handheld computer, a keyboard, a pointing device, an input
`device, a game device, an audio or Video System, a thermo
`Stat, a knob or dial, a telephone, a cellular telephone, or any
`other similar device. For example, the closed-loop Sensor
`can be positioned on a laptop near the keyboard as illustrated
`in FIG. 2. The base 20 of the laptop is illustrated having a
`keyboard 22, a touch pad (or touch Screen) 24, and a
`closed-loop Sensor 26. Alternative positions include posi
`tioning the closed-loop Sensor on or connecting it to a
`conventional computer or keyboard. FIG. 3 illustrates the
`closed-loop Sensor 26 disposed on a conventional pointing
`device 28. Conventional pointing device 28 may have other
`features, Such as left click or right click buttons, which are
`not shown.
`0077. The closed-loop sensor of the present invention can
`also be implemented as a Stand-alone device, or as a separate
`device to be used with another pointing input device Such as
`a touchpad or a pointing Stick. The closed-loop Sensor of the
`present invention can either use its own resources, Such as
`a processor and Sensors, or share its resources with another
`device. The closed-loop Sensor can be a capacitive, resistive,
`or inductive touch or proximity (pen or Stylus) Sensor. A
`capacitive Sensor is preferred, and is illustrated herein.
`0078. The closed-loop sensor can be implemented as a
`Stand-alone Sensor, which can then be used as a replacement
`for one or more knobs, Sliders, or Switches on any piece of
`electronic equipment. In Some cases, it might be desirable to
`provide visual feedback indicating the “current Setting of
`the virtual knob, Such as a ring of light emitting diodes
`(LEDs) Surrounding the closed-loop region. An Etch-a-
`SketchTM type of electronic toy can be implemented using a
`Single position detector with two closed-loop Sensors or two
`position detectors with one closed-loop Sensor each. Many
`other toys and consumer appliances currently have knobs
`used in Similar ways that can benefit from the present
`invention.
`0079 The closed-loop sensor can have electrodes (or
`Sensor pads) that are of various shapes and designs (e.g., a
`Simple wedge or pie-shape, a lightning-bolt or ZigZag
`design, triangles, outward spirals, or the like) configured in
`a closed-loop path. A closed-loop Sensor 30 having wedge
`shaped electrodes is illustrated in FIG. 4, while a closed
`loop Sensor 34 having lightning-bolt-shaped electrodes is
`illustrated in FIG. 5. The sensor pattern can be designed so
`that it can have continuous interpolation between the elec
`trodes. The Sensor pattern can also be designed So that the
`electrodes interleave between each other to help spread the
`user's input signal over Several electrodes.
`0080 FIG. 4 illustrates the wedge- (or pie-) shaped
`electrodes in a closed-loop capacitive sensor 30. When an
`
`Petitioner Exhibit 1005, Page 22
`
`

`

`US 2004/0252109 A1
`
`Dec. 16, 2004
`
`input object (or finger or pointer or stylus or pen or imple
`ment) is over first electrode 31, only the first electrode 31
`Senses the largest change in capacitance. AS the input object
`moves clockwise toward electrodes 32 and 33, the signal
`registered by first electrode 31 gradually decreaseS as the
`Signal registered by the Second electrode 32 increases, as the
`input object continues to move further clockwise toward
`third electrode 33, the first electrode 31 signal drops off and
`the third electrode 33 Starts picking up the input object, and
`So on. By processing the electrode Signals in largely the
`Same way as for a Standard linear Sensor, and taking into
`account that there is no true beginning or end to the
`closed-loop Sensor, the object position detector having the
`wedge Sensor can interpolate the input object's position
`accurately.
`0.081
`FIG. 5 illustrates the lightning-bolt-shaped elec
`trodes in a closed-loop Sensor 34. The lightning-bolt design
`helps spread out the Signal associated with an input object
`acroSS many electrodes by interleaving adjacent electrodes.
`The Signals on a closed-loop Sensor with lightning-bolt
`shaped electrodes are spread out in Such a way that the
`electrode closest to the actual position of the input object has
`the largest Signal, the nearby electrodes have the next largest
`Signal, and the farther electrodes have Small or negligible
`Signals. However, comparing a lighting-bolt Sensor with a
`wedge Sensor with a similar size and number of electrodes,
`an input object on the lightning-bolt Sensor will typically
`couple to more electrodes than in the wedge Sensor. This
`means that the light