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`Application Data Sheet 37 CFR 1.76
`Application Number
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`Proximity Sensor
`
`Title of Invention
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`PTO/SB/14 (07-07)
`Approved for use through 06/30/2010. OMB 0651-0032
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office; U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
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`Title of Invention|Proximity Sensor
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`Application Data Sheet 37 CFR 1.76
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`20191
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`Title of the Invention
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`Proximity Sensor
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`PTO/SB/14 (07-07)
`Approved for use through 06/30/2010. OMB 0651-0032
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office; U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
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`Application Data Sheet 37 CFR 1.76
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`Title of Invention|Proximity Sensor
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`A capacitive touch sensor providing an automatic switch-off function for
`
`an apparatus in which the sensor is incorporated is provided. The sensor
`
`comprises a sensing element coupled to a capacitance measurement circuit for
`
`measuring the capacitance of the sensing element. A control circuit is operable
`
`to determine from the capacitance measurement whether an objectis in
`
`proximity with the sensor. The determined presence of an object may be used
`
`to toggle a function of the apparatus. Furthermore, when it is determined that
`
`an object has not been in proximity with the sensor for a predetermined time
`
`duration, an output signal for switching off the apparatus is provided. The
`
`predetermined time duration may be selected from a number of predefined
`
`time durations, or may be programmed using an resistor-capacitor network.
`
`Pulses may be applied to the control circuit to override features of the
`
`automatic switch-off functionality.
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`BACKGROUND ART
`
`[0001]
`
`This invention relates to proximity sensors. In particular, the invention
`
`relates to capacitive sensors for sensing the presence or touch of an object
`
`adjacent to a sensor.
`
`[0002] Capacitive position sensors have recently become increasingly
`
`common and accepted in human interfaces and for machine control. For
`
`example, in the fields of portable media players it is now quite common to find
`
`capacitive touch controls operable through glass or plastic panels. Some mobile
`
`(cellular) telephones are also starting to implement these kinds of interfaces.
`
`[0003] Many capacitive touch controls incorporated into consumer electronic
`
`devices for appliances provide audio and/or visual feedback to a user indicating
`
`whether a finger or other pointing object is present or approaches such touch
`
`controls. A capacitive sensing microprocessor may typically be comprised in
`
`touch-controlled devices which are arranged to provide an “on” output signal
`
`when a finger is adjacent to a sensor and an “off’ output signal when a finger is
`
`not adjacent to a sensor. The signals are sent to a device controller to
`
`implement a required function dependent on whether a user’s finger is in
`
`proximity with or touching an associated touch control.
`
`[0004]
`
`Some touch-controlled devices remain “on” or “active” despite the user
`
`having moved away from the device or a particular function no longer being
`
`required. This results in the device consuming a large amount of power which is
`
`not efficient.
`
`[0005] There is therefore a need for an improved capacitive touch sensor
`
`which can regulate power usage.
`
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`SUMMARYOF THE INVENTION
`
`[0006] According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a sensor
`
`for determining the presence of an object comprising: a sensing element; a
`
`capacitance measurement circuit operable to measure the capacitance of the
`
`sensing element; and a control circuit operable to determine whether an object
`
`is in proximity with the sensor based on a measurement of the capacitance of
`
`the sensing element, the control circuit further being operable to provide an
`
`output signal to control a function of an apparatus when it is determined that
`
`an object has not been in proximity with the sensor for a predetermined time
`
`duration.
`
`[0007]
`
`The control circuit may be configured so that the predetermined time
`
`duration is selectable from a number of different predefined time durations.
`
`[0008] The control circuit may include a time input terminal and the
`
`predetermined time duration may selectable from the number of different
`
`predefined time durations according to a voltage applied to the time input
`
`terminal.
`
`[0009]
`
`The control circuit may include a delay multiplier terminal and be
`
`configured so that a selected one of the number of different predefined time
`
`durations is multiplied by a multiplication factor according to a voltage applied
`
`to the delay multiplier terminal so as to provide the predetermined time
`
`duration.
`
`[0010]
`
`The control circuit may be configured so that the predetermined time
`
`duration is programmable by a user to provide a user-selected time duration.
`
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`[0011]
`
`The sensor may comprise a resistor-capacitor (RC) network coupled to
`
`the control circuit and the predetermined time duration may depend on atime
`
`constant of the RC network.
`
`[0012]
`
`The control circuit may include a delay multiplier terminal and be
`
`configured so that the user-selected time duration is multiplied by a
`
`multiplication factor according to a voltage applied to the delay multiplier
`
`terminal to provide the predetermined time duration.
`
`[0013]
`
`The control circuit may be configured such that the provision of the
`
`output signal to control a function of an apparatus after the predetermined
`
`time duration may be overridden so the output signal is not provided when it is
`
`determined that an object has not been in proximity with the sensor for a
`
`predetermined time duration. For example, the control circuit may be operable
`
`to receive an override pulse and on receipt of the override pulse to retrigger the
`
`predetermined time duration to so as to extend the time before the output
`
`signal to control a function of an apparatus is provided.
`
`[0014]
`
`The control circuit may be configured such that the provision of the
`
`output signal to control a function of an apparatus after the predetermined
`
`time duration may be overridden so the output signal is provided beforeit is
`
`determined that an object has not been in proximity with the sensor fora
`
`predetermined time duration. For example, the control circuit may be operable
`
`to receive an override pulse and on receipt of the override pulse to provide the
`
`output signal to control a function of an apparatus.
`
`[0015] The sensor may be configured to perform a recalibration when the
`
`sensor is powered up, when an object is determined to be in proximity with the
`
`sensor for more than a timer setting, and / or when an override is released.
`
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`[0016]
`
`The control circuit may be configured such that the output signal is
`
`toggled between a high state and a low state when an object is determined to
`
`be in proximity with the sensor.
`
`[0017]
`
`The function of an apparatus controlled by the output signal may be a
`
`switch-off function.
`
`[0018]
`
`The capacitance measurement circuit may employ bursts of charge-
`
`transfer cycles to acquire measurements.
`
`[0019] The capacitance measurement circuit may be configured to operate in
`
`one of more than one acquisition modes depending on the output signal, for
`
`example a low-power mode or a fast mode.
`
`[0020] The capacitance measurement circuit and the control circuit may be
`
`comprised in a general purpose microcontroller under firmware control.
`
`[0021]
`
`The capacitance measurement circuit and the control circuit may be
`
`comprised within a six-pin integrated circuit chip package, such as an SOT23-6.
`
`[0022] According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided
`
`apparatus comprising a sensor according to the first aspect of the invention.
`
`[0023] According to athird aspect of the invention there is provided a method
`
`for controlling a function of an apparatus comprising: determining whether an
`
`object is in proximity with a sensor based on a measurement of the capacitance
`
`of a sensing element and providing an output signal to control the function of
`
`the apparatus when it is determined that an object has not been in proximity
`
`with the sensor for a predetermined time duration.
`
`[0024] The function of the apparatus controlled by the output signal may bea
`
`switch-off function.
`
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`[0025] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is
`
`provided a sensor for determining the presence of an object comprising: a
`
`sensing element, a capacitance measurement circuit operable to measure the
`
`capacitance of the sensing element, and a control circuit operable to determine
`
`whether an object is in proximity with the sensor based on a measurement of
`
`the capacitance of the sensing element, the control circuit also being operable
`
`to provide an output signal to control a function of an apparatus based on an
`
`object not being in proximity with the sensor and the output signal being
`
`produced after a predetermined time duration.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0026]
`
`Fora better understanding of the invention and to show how the same
`
`may be carried into effect reference is now made by way of example to the
`
`accompanying drawings in which:
`
`[0027]
`
`Figure 1 schematically shows sense electrode connections for an
`
`example chip for implementing an auto-off function according to an
`
`embodiment of the invention;
`
`[0028]
`
`Figure 2 schematically represent an application of drift compensation
`
`in the chip of Figure 1;
`
`[0029]
`
`Figure 3 schematically shows a basic circuit configuration for
`
`providing a 15 minute auto switch-off function in an active high output
`
`implementation of an embodiment of the invention;
`
`[0030]
`
`Figure 4 schematically showsa series of fast mode bursts on the SNSK
`
`pin of the chip shownin Figure 1 when in an on condition;
`
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`[0031]
`
`Figure 5 schematically showsa series of low-power mode bursts and a
`
`switch to fast mode power bursts on the SNSK pin of the chip shownin Figure1
`
`when switching from an off condition to an on condition;
`
`[0032]
`
`Figure 6 schematically shows use of an output configuration resistor
`
`Rop to configure the chip of Figure 1 to have an active high or an active low
`
`output;
`
`[0033]
`
`Figure 7 schematically shows an example circuit configuration for the
`
`chip shown in Figure 1 with the output connected to a digital transistor;
`
`[0034]
`
`Figure 8 schematically shows an example circuit configuration for the
`
`chip shownin Figure 1 configured to provide a predefined auto-off delay;
`
`[0035]
`
`Figure 9 schematically shows an example circuit configuration for the
`
`chip shownin Figure 1 configured to provide a programmable auto-off delay;
`
`[0036]
`
`Figure 10 schematically shows an example pulse applied to the chip
`
`shown in Figure 1 to override an auto-off delay;
`
`[0037]
`
`Figure 11 schematically shows another example pulse applied to the
`
`chip shownin Figure 1 to override an auto-off delay;
`
`[0038]
`
`Figure 12 schematically shows example voltage levels for the chip
`
`shown in Figure 1
`
`in overriding of an auto-off delay;
`
`[0039]
`
`Figures 13 and 14 schematically show typical values of RC divisor K as
`
`a function of supply voltage VDD for the chip shownin Figure 1 with active high
`
`output and active low output respectively;
`
`[0040]
`
`Figure 15 schematically showstypical curves of auto-off delay asa
`
`function of timing resistor value for different capacitor values and different
`
`supply voltages for an active high output configuration;
`
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`[0041]
`
`Figure 16 schematically showstypical curves of auto-off delay asa
`
`function of timing resistor value for different capacitor values and different
`
`supply voltages for an active low output configuration;
`
`[0042]
`
`Figure 17 schematically shows an example application of the chip
`
`shown in Figure 1
`
`in an active low output configuration driving a PNP transistor
`
`with an auto-off time of 3.33 hours;
`
`[0043]
`
`Figure 18 schematically shows another example application of the
`
`chip shownin Figure 1
`
`in an active high output configuration driving a high
`
`impedance with an auto-off time of 135 seconds;
`
`[0044]
`
`Figure 19 schematically shows an implementation of the chip shownin
`
`Figure 1
`
`in an SOT23-6 package; and
`
`[0045]
`
`Figure 20 schematically shows a pin diagram for an implementation of
`
`the chip shownin Figure 1
`
`in an SOT23-6 package.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`[0046]
`
`In one example, an embodiment of the invention may be implemented
`
`in an integrated circuit chip providing a proximity sensor function. The
`
`integrated circuit chip may thus be incorporated into a device or apparatus to
`
`provide and control a proximity sensor functionality for the device / apparatus
`
`in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. For the purposes of
`
`explanation, a specific integrated circuit chip providing the functionality of an
`
`embodiment ofthe invention will be described further below. The chip will in
`
`places be referred to by product name QT102. However, it will be appreciated
`
`that the QT102 chip is merely a specific example application of an embodiment
`
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`of the invention. Other embodiments of the invention need not be implemented
`
`in a chip in this way, and furthermore, other embodiments of the invention may
`
`be provided in conjunction with all, some or none of the additional features of
`
`the QT102 chip described further below.
`
`[0047]
`
`Before turning specifically to the QT102 chip embodiment, a summary
`
`is provided.
`
`[0048]_It is known that a touch sensitive sensor may comprise a sensor
`
`element, such as an etched copper electrode mounted on a PCB substrate, and
`
`a control circuit for measuring a capacitance of the sensor element to a system
`
`reference potential. The sensor element may be referred to as a sense
`
`electrode. The capacitance of the sense electrode is affected by the presence of
`
`nearby objects, such as a pointing finger. Thus the measured capacitance of the
`
`sense electrode, and in particular changes in the measured capacitance, may be
`
`used to identify the presence of an object adjacent the sense electrode. The
`
`control circuit may be configured to provide an output signal, e.g. by setting an
`
`output logic level as high or low, indicating whether or not an object is deemed
`
`to be adjacent the sense electrode. A controller of a device in which the touch
`
`sensitive sensor is implemented may receive the output signal and act
`
`accordingly.
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`[0049] There are various known technologies for measuring capacitance of a
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`sense electrode in a capacitive touch sensor. Embodiments of the present
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`invention may be implemented in conjunction with any of these technologies /
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`measurement circuits. For example, the fundamental principles underlying the
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`capacitive sensors described in US 5,730,165, US 6,466,036 and US 6,452,514
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`could be used.
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`[0050]
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`In accordance with embodiments of the invention, the control circuit
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`of the sensor can determine whether an object or a user’s finger is no longer in
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`proximity with the sensor and based onapre-determined time duration, the
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`control circuit can produce an output signal automatically to prevent the
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`capacitance measurement circuit from continually measuring changes in
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`capacitance due to, for example, the perceived presence of an object in
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`proximity with the sensor.
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`[0051] Therefore, the control circuit is able to deactivate, turn-off, or power
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`downthe capacitance measurement circuit where an apparatus has
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`inadvertently been left on or with the erroneous perception that a user is still
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`present. This may, for example, be referred to as an “auto-off” feature. The
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`signal for preventing the capacitance measurementcircuit from continually
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`measuring changes in capacitance may be referred to as an auto-off signal. The
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`capacitance measurement circuit and the auto-off control circuit may be
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`comprised in a general-purpose microcontroller under firmware control, for
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`example, such as the QT102 chip described further below.
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`[0052] As described in Section 3.5 of the below numbered sections, and in
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`conjunction with the drawings, the control circuit of the sensor may be
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`implemented by different methods — for example, the auto-off signal output
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`may be produced automatically after different pre-determined time durations to
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`effect powering down the capacitance measurement circuit due to no presence
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`of the user; the control circuit may be programmed bya user So that it may
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`power downan apparatus based on a user-selected time duration; the control
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`circuit output signals may be overridden, for example, to extend time durations
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`before an apparatus is turned-off or to immediately turn-off an apparatus when
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`a user is no longer present.
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`[0053] The sensor of the invention may be useful in various applications, for
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`example in kitchen appliances, light switches, headsets, and other electronic
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`consumer devices. For example, a coffee machine incorporating a sensor of the
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`invention may be programmed to power-downafter a time period of, say, 30
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`minutes, where the coffee machine has been left on inadvertently. This will
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`beneficially conserve energy use and minimise the possibility of damage and/or
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`accidents caused by the coffee machine or glass container(s) overheating.
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`[0054] Aspects of the QT102 chip referred to above, and which incorporates
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`an embodiment of the invention, will now be described in the following
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`numbered sections.
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`[0055] The numbered sections may be considered to relate generally to
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`features of the QT102 chip as follows: Section 1
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`- Overview (including 1.1
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`Introduction, 1.2 Electrode Drive, 1.3 Sensitivity, 1.3.1 Introduction, 1.3.2
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`Increasing Sensitivity, 1.3.3 Decreasing Sensitivity, 1.4 Recalibration Timeout ,
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`1.5 Forced Sensor Recalibration, 1.6 Drift Compensation, 1.7 Response Time,
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`1.8 Spread Spectrum). Section 2 -Wiring and Parts (including 2.1 Application
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`Note, 2.2 Cs Sample Capacitor, 2.3 Rs Resistor, 2.4 Power Supply, PCB Layout,
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`2.5 Wiring). Section 3 - Operation (including 3.1 Acquisition Modes, 3.1.1
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`Introduction, 3.1.2 OUT Pin ‘On’ (Fast Mode), 3.1.3 OUT Pin ‘Off ’ (Low Power
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`Mode), 3.2 Signal Processing, 3.2.1 Detect Integrator, 3.2.2 Detect Threshold,
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`3.3 Output Polarity Selection, 3.4 Output Drive, 3.5 Auto Off Delay, 3.5.1
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`Introduction, 3.5.2 Auto Off - Predefined Delay, 3.5.3 Auto Off - User-
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`programmed Delay, 3.5.4 Auto Off - Overriding the Auto Off Delay, 3.5.5
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`Configuring the User-programmed Auto-off Delay, 3.6 Examples of Typical
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`Applications). Section 4 - Specifications (including 4.1 Absolute Maximum
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`Specifications, 4.2 Recommended Operating Conditions, 4.3 AC Specifications,
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`4.4 Signal Processing, 4.5 DC Specifications, 4.6 Mechanical Dimensions, 4.7
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`Moisture Sensitivity Level (MSL)).
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`1] Overview
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`1.1 Introduction
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`[0056] The QT102 is a single key device featuring a touch on / touch off
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`(toggle) output with a programmable auto switch-off capability.
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`[0057] The QT102 is a digital burst mode charge-transfer (QT) sensor
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`designed specifically for touch controls; it includes hardware and signal
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`processing functions to provide stable sensing under a wide variety of changing
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`conditions. In examples, low cost, non-critical components are employed for
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`configuring operation.
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`[0058] The QT102 employs bursts of charge-transfer cycles to acquire its
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`signal. Burst mode permits power consumption in the microampere range,
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`dramatically reduces radio frequency (RF) emissions, lowers susceptibility to
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`electromagnetic interference (EMI), and yet permits good response time.
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`Internally the signals are digitally processed to reject impulse noise, using a
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`‘consensus’ filter which in this example requires four consecutive confirmations
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`of a detection before the output is activated.
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`[0059] The QT switches and charge measurement hardwarefunctions areall
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`internal to the QT102.
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`1.2 Electrode Drive
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`[0060]
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`Figure 1 schematically shows the sense electrode connections (SNS,
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`SNSK) for the QT102.
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`[0061]
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`For improved noise immunity, it may be helpful if the electrode is only
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`connected to the SNSK pin.
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`[0062]
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`In examples the sample capacitor Cs may be much larger than the
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`load capacitance (Cx). E.g. typical values for Cx are 5 to 20pF while Cs is usually
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`1 or 2 to 50nF. (Note: Cx is not a physical discrete component on the PCB, it is
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`the capacitance of the touch electrode and wiring. It is shown in Figure 1 to aid
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`understanding of the equivalent circuit.)
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`[0063]
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`Increasing amounts of Cx destroy gain, therefore it is important to
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`limit the amount of load capacitance on both SNS terminals. This can be done,
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`for example, by minimizing trace lengths and widths and keeping these traces
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`away from power or ground traces or copper pours.
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`[0064] Thetraces and any components associated with SNS and SNSK will
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`become touch sensit