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
`Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection ofinformation unless it contains a valid OMB control number.
`
`
` Attorney Docket Number
`Application Data Sheet 37 CFR 1.76
`
`Application Number
`
`Title of Invention|Proximity Sensor
`
`The application data sheetis part of the provisional or nonprovisional application for which it is being submitted. The following form contains the
`bibliographic data arranged in a format specified by the United States Patent and Trademark Office as outlined in 37 CFR 1.76.
`This document may be completed electrcnically and submitted to the Office in electronic format using the Electronic Filing System (EFS) or the
`document may beprinted and included in a paper filed application.
`
`Secrecy Order 37 CFR 5.2
`
`Portions or all of the application associated with this Application Data Sheet may fall under a Secrecy Order pursuantto
`37 CFR 5.2 (Paper filers only. Applications that fall under Secrecy Order may notbefiled electronically.)
`
`Applicant Information:
`
`Applicant 1
`
`
`Applicant Authority @)!nventor|(Legal Representative under 35 U.S.C. 117 | Party ofInterest under 35 U.S.C. 118
`Prefix) Given Name Suffix Middle Name Family Name
`
`
`
`
`Harald
`
`Philipp
`
`Residence Information (Select One) () US Residency
`
`(@) NonUS Residency
`
`(©) Active US Military Service
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Citizenship under 37 CFR 1.41(b)i
`
`Mailing Address of Applicant:
`Address1
`QRGLimited
`
`
`
`Address 2
`1 Mitchell Point, Ensign Way
`
`|
`| State/Province
`| Hamble, Hampshire
`City
`
`Postal Code Countryi|GBS031 4RF
`
`
`
`Applicant 2
`
`
`
`Applicant Authority (#)Inventor|()Legal Representative under 35 U.S.C. 117 (Party ofInterest under 35 U.S.C. 118
`Prefix| Given Name
`Middle Name
`Family Name
`Suffix
`Kevin
`Snoad
`
`
`Residence Information (Select One) ©) US Residency
`@) NonUSResidency
`() Active US Military Service
`
`
`City | Chicester Country Of Residencei|GB
`
`Citizenship under 37 CFR 1.41{b)i GB
`
`Mailing Address of Applicant:
`Address 1
`QRGLimited
`
`Address 2
`
`1 Mitchell Point, Ensign Way
`
`Hamble, Hampshire
`City
`Postal Code
`S031 4RF
`
`State/Province
`GB
`
`Inventor Information blocks may be
`Inventors Must Be Listed - Additional
`All
`generated within this form by selecting the Add button.
`
`CorrespondenceInformation:
`
`
`Enter either Customer Number or complete the CorrespondenceInformation section below.
`For further information see 37 CFR 1.33(a).
`
`[| An Addressis being provided for the correspondenceInformation of this application.
`EFS Web 2.2.2
`
`Petitioner STMICROELECTRONICS, INC.,
`Ex. 1022, IPR2021-01160
`Page 1 of 342
`
`Petitioner STMICROELECTRONICS, INC.,
`Ex. 1022, IPR2021-01160
`Page 1 of 342
`
`

`

`Suggested Technology Center (if any}
`
`
`
`
`Total Number of Drawing Sheets(if any) Suggested Figure for Publication (if any}|17 10
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`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
`Underthe Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless it contains a valid OMB control number.
`
`
`
`Attorney Docket Number|QAP
`Application Data Sheet 37 CFR 1.76
`—
`Application Number
`
`Title of Invention|Proximity Sensor
`
`
`
`Customer Number
`20191
`
`
`
`Email Address
`dak@patent-faq.com
`
`Application Information:
`
`
`Title of the Invention
`Proximity Sensor
`
`
`Attorney Docket Number! QAP
`Small Entity Status Claimed
`[_|
`
`
`
`Application Type
`Nonprovisional
`
`
`Subject Matter
`Utility
`
`
`
`Suggested Class(if any) Sub Class(if any)
`
`Publication Information:
`
`[|] Request Early Publication (Fee required at time of Request 37 CFR 1.219)
`
`Request Not to Publish. | hereby request that the attached application not be published under 35 U.S.
`[] ©. 122(b) and certify that the invention disclosed in the attached application has not and will not be the subject of
`an application filed in another country, or under a multilateral international agreement, that requires publication at
`eighteen months afterfiling.
`
`Representative Information:
`
`Representative information should be provided for all practitioners having a power of attorney in the application. Providing
`this information in the Application Data Sheet does not constitute a power of attorney in the application (see 37 CFR 1.32).
`
`
`
`
`
`Enter the Representative Name_sectioneither Customer Number or complete below. If both sections
`
`
`are completed the Customer Numberwill be used for the Representative Information during processing.
`
`
`
`
`Please Select One: ©) US Patent Practitioner|CQ) Limited Recognition (37 CFR 11.9)() Customer Number
`
`
`Customer Number
`20191
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Domestic Benefit/National Stage Information:
`This section allows for the applicant to either claim benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e}, 120, 121, or 365(c) or indicate National Stage
`entry from a PCT application. Providing this information in the application data sheet constitutes the specific reference required by
`35 U.S.C. 119{e) or 120, and 37 CFR 1.78{a)(2) or CFR 1.78(a)(4), and need not otherwise be madepart of the specification.
`
`Prior Application Status
`
`
`
`Filing Date (YYYY-MM-DD)
`
`
`
`
`2007-07-26
`60952053
`non provisional of
`
`
`
`Additional Domestic Benefit/National Stage Data may be generated within this form
`by selecting the Add button.
`
`
`
`An
`
`Application Number
`
`Continuity Type
`
`Prior Application Number
`
`Foreign Priority Information:
`EFS Web 2.2.2
`
`Petitioner STMICROELECTRONICS, INC.,
`Ex. 1022, IPR2021-01160
`Page 2 of 342
`
`Petitioner STMICROELECTRONICS, INC.,
`Ex. 1022, IPR2021-01160
`Page 2 of 342
`
`

`

`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
`Underthe Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless it contains a valid OMB control number.
`
`Attorney Docket Number|QAP
`
`Application Data Sheet 37 CFR 1.76
`—
`Application Number
`
`Title of Invention|Proximity Sensor
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`© Yes @ No
`
`
`
`
`
`This section allows for the applicant to claim benefit of foreign priority and to identify any prior foreign application for which priority is
`not claimed. Providing this information in the application data sheet constitutes the claim for priority as required by 35 U.S.C. 119(b)
`and 37 CFR 1.55(a).
`
`Application Number
`Country |
`Parent Filing Date (YYYY-MM-DD}
`Priority Claimed
`
`
`
`Additional Foreign Priority Data may be generated within this form by selecting the
`Addbutton.
`
`Assignee Information:
`Providing this information in the application data sheet does not substitute for compliance with any requirementof part 3 of Title 37
`of the CFR to have an assignment recordedin the Office.
`
`
`Add
`
`Assignee1
`
`If the Assignee is an Organization check here.
`
`
`Organization Name
`QRGLimited
`Mailing Address Information:
`
`Rothman Pantall & Co.
`Address 1
`
`10 Romsey Road
`
`
`Eastleigh, Hampshire
`State/Province
`S050 9AL
`Postal Code
`
`
`
`Phone Number
`Fax Number
`
`Address 2
`
`City
`
`Email Address
`
`Additional Assignee Data may be generated within this form by selecting the Add
`button.
`
`Add
`
`Signature:
`A signature of the applicant or representative is required in accordance with 37 CFR 1.33 and 10.18. Please see 37
`CFR 1.4(d)} for the form of the signature.
`
`
`
`
`2008-07-25
`Date (YYYY-MM-DD)|
`|/David A Kiewit/
`Signature
`
`
`
`First Name|David LastName|Kiewit Registration Number|34640
`
`This collection of information is required by 37 CFR 1.76. The information is required to obtain or retain a benefit by the public which
`is to file (and by the USPTC to process) an application. Confidentiality is governed by 35 U.S.C. 122 and 37 CFR 1.14. This
`collection is estimated to take 23 minutes to complete, including gathering, preparing, and submitting the completed application data
`sheet form to the USPTO. Time will vary depending upon the individual case. Any comments on the amountof time you require to
`complete this form and/or suggestions for reducing this burden, should be sent to the Chief Information Officer, U.S. Patent and
`Trademark Office, U.S. Department of Commerce, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, VA 22313-1450. DO NOT SEND FEES OR
`COMPLETED FORMS TO THIS ADDRESS. SEND TO: Commissionerfor Patents, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, VA 22313-1450.
`
`EFS Web 2.2.2
`
`Petitioner STMICROELECTRONICS, INC.,
`Ex. 1022, IPR2021-01160
`Page 3 of 342
`
`Petitioner STMICROELECTRONICS, INC.,
`Ex. 1022, IPR2021-01160
`Page 3 of 342
`
`

`

`Privacy Act Statement
`
`The Privacy Act of 1974 (P.L. 93-579) requires that you be given certain information in connection with your submission of the attached form related to
`a patent application or patent. Accordingly, pursuant to the requirements of the Act, please be advised that:
`(1) the general authority for the collection
`of this information is 35 U.S.C. 2(b)(2}; (2) furnishing of the information solicited is voluntary; and (3) the principal purpose for which the information is
`used by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office is to process and/or examine your submission related to a patent application or patent.
`If you do not
`furnish the requested information, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office may not be able to process and/or examine your submission, which may
`result in termination of proceedings or abandcnmentof the application or expiration of the patent.
`
`The information provided by youin this form will be subject to the following routine uses:
`
`1.
`
`2.
`
`3.
`
`4.
`
`5.
`
`6.
`
`7.
`
`8.
`
`9.
`
`The information on this form will be treated confidentially to the extent allowed under the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552)
`and the Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552a). Records from this system of records may be disclosed to the Department of Justice to determine
`whether the Freedom ofInformation Act requires disclosure of these records.
`
`A record from this system of records may be disclosed, as a routine use, in the course of presenting evidence to a court, magistrate, or
`administrative tribunal, including disclosures to opposing counsel in the course of settlement negotiations.
`
`A record in this system of records may be disclosed, as a routine use, to a Member of Congress submitting a request involving an
`individual, to whom the record pertains, when the individual has requested assistance from the Memberwith respect to the subject matter of
`the record.
`
`A record in this system of records may be disclosed, as a routine use, to a contractor of the Agency having need for the information in
`order to perform a contract. Recipients of information shall be required to comply with the requirements of the Privacy Act of 1974, as
`amended, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(m).
`
`A record related to an International Application filed under the Patent Cooperation Treaty in this system of records may be disclosed,
`as a routine use, to the International Bureau of the World Intellectual Property Organization, pursuant to the Patent Cooperation Treaty.
`
`A record in this system of records may be disclosed, as a routine use, to another federal agency for purposes of National Security
`review (35 U.S.C. 181) and for review pursuant to the Atomic Energy Act (42 U.S.C. 218(c)).
`
`A record from this system of records may be disclosed, as a routine use, to the Administrator, General Services, or his/her designee,
`during an inspection of records conducted by GSAas part of that agency’s responsibility to recommend improvementsin records
`management practices and programs, under authority of 44 U.S.C. 2804 and 2906. Such disclosure shall be made in accordance with the
`GSAregulations governing inspection of records for this purpose, and anyotherrelevant{i.e., GSA cr Commerce) directive. Such
`disclosure shall not be used to make determinations abcutindividuals.
`
`A record from this system of records may be disclosed, as a routine use, to the public after either publication of the application pursuan
`to 35 U.S.C. 122(b) or issuance of a patent pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 151. Further, a record may be disclosed, subject to the limitations of 37
`CFR 1.14, as a routine use, to the public if the record wasfiled in an application which became abandonedorin which the proceedings were
`terminated and which application is referenced by either a published application, an application open to public inspections or an issued
`patent.
`
`A record from this system of records may be disclosed, as a routine use, to a Federal, State, or local law enforcement agency,if the
`USPTO becomes aware of a violation or potential violation of law or regulation.
`
`
`
`
`
`EFS Web 2.2.2
`
`Petitioner STMICROELECTRONICS, INC.,
`Ex. 1022, IPR2021-01160
`Page 4 of 342
`
`Petitioner STMICROELECTRONICS, INC.,
`Ex. 1022, IPR2021-01160
`Page 4 of 342
`
`

`

`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 measurementcircuit 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.
`
`Petitioner STMICROELECTRONICS, INC.,
`Ex. 1022, IPR2021-01160
`Page 5 of 342
`
`Petitioner STMICROELECTRONICS, INC.,
`Ex. 1022, IPR2021-01160
`Page 5 of 342
`
`

`

`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.
`
`Petitioner STMICROELECTRONICS, INC.,
`Ex. 1022, IPR2021-01160
`Page 6 of 342
`
`Petitioner STMICROELECTRONICS, INC.,
`Ex. 1022, IPR2021-01160
`Page 6 of 342
`
`

`

`SUMMARY OF 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.
`
`Petitioner STMICROELECTRONICS, INC.,
`Ex. 1022, IPR2021-01160
`Page 7 of 342
`
`Petitioner STMICROELECTRONICS, INC.,
`Ex. 1022, IPR2021-01160
`Page 7 of 342
`
`

`

`[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 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 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.
`
`Petitioner STMICROELECTRONICS, INC.,
`Ex. 1022, IPR2021-01160
`Page 8 of 342
`
`Petitioner STMICROELECTRONICS, INC.,
`Ex. 1022, IPR2021-01160
`Page 8 of 342
`
`

`

`[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 measurementcircuit 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 measurementcircuit 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 a third 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 be a
`
`switch-off function.
`
`Petitioner STMICROELECTRONICS, INC.,
`Ex. 1022, IPR2021-01160
`Page 9 of 342
`
`Petitioner STMICROELECTRONICS, INC.,
`Ex. 1022, IPR2021-01160
`Page 9 of 342
`
`

`

`[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]
`
`For a 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 shown in Figure 1 when in an on condition;
`
`Petitioner STMICROELECTRONICS, INC.,
`Ex. 1022, IPR2021-01160
`Page 10 of 342
`
`Petitioner STMICROELECTRONICS, INC.,
`Ex. 1022, IPR2021-01160
`Page 10 of 342
`
`

`

`[0031]
`
`Figure 5 schematically shows a series of low-power mode bursts and a
`
`switch to fast mode power bursts on the SNSK pin of the chip shown in Figure 1
`
`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 shownin Figure 1 with the output connected to a digital transistor;
`
`[0034]
`
`Figure 8 schematically shows an example circuit configuration for the
`
`chip shown in 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
`
`shownin Figure | 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
`
`shownin 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 delayasa
`
`function of timing resistor value for different capacitor values and different
`
`supply voltages for an active high output configuration;
`
`Petitioner STMICROELECTRONICS, INC.,
`Ex. 1022, IPR2021-01160
`Page 11 of 342
`
`Petitioner STMICROELECTRONICS, INC.,
`Ex. 1022, IPR2021-01160
`Page 11 of 342
`
`

`

`[0041]
`
`Figure 16 schematically showstypical curves of auto-off delayasa
`
`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
`
`shownin 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 shown in 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 of the 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
`
`Petitioner STMICROELECTRONICS, INC.,
`Ex. 1022, IPR2021-01160
`Page 12 of 342
`
`Petitioner STMICROELECTRONICS, INC.,
`Ex. 1022, IPR2021-01160
`Page 12 of 342
`
`

`

`of the invention. Other embodiments of the invention need not be implemented
`
`ina 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.
`
`[0049] There are various known technologies for measuring capacitance of a
`
`sense electrode in a capacitive touch sensor. Embodiments of the present
`
`invention may be implemented in conjunction with any of these technologies /
`
`measurement circuits. For example, the fundamental principles underlying the
`
`capacitive sensors described in US 5,730,165, US 6,466,036 and US 6,452,514
`
`could be used.
`
`[0050]
`
`In accordance with embodiments of the invention, the control circuit
`
`of the sensor can determine whether an object or a user’s finger is no longer in
`
`proximity with the sensor and based onapre-determined time duration, the
`
`Petitioner STMICROELECTRONICS, INC.,
`Ex. 1022, IPR2021-01160
`Page 13 of 342
`
`Petitioner STMICROELECTRONICS, INC.,
`Ex. 1022, IPR2021-01160
`Page 13 of 342
`
`

`

`control circuit can produce an output signal automatically to prevent the
`
`capacitance measurement circuit from continually measuring changes in
`
`capacitance due to, for example, the perceived presence of an object in
`
`proximity with the sensor.
`
`[0051] Therefore, the control circuit is able to deactivate, turn-off, or power
`
`downthe capacitance measurement circuit where an apparatus has
`
`inadvertently been left on or with the erroneous perception that a user is still
`
`present. This may, for example, be referred to as an “auto-off” feature. The
`
`signal for preventing the capacitance measurement circuit from continually
`
`measuring changes in capacitance may be referred to as an auto-off signal. The
`
`capacitance measurement circuit and the auto-off control circuit may be
`
`comprised in a general-purpose microcontroller under firmware control, for
`
`example, such as the QT102 chip described further below.
`
`[0052] As described in Section 3.5 of the below numbered sections, and in
`
`conjunction with the drawings, the control circuit of the sensor may be
`
`implemented by different methods — for example, the auto-off signal output
`
`may be produced automatically after different pre-determined time durations to
`
`effect powering down the capacitance measurement circuit due to no presence
`
`of the user; the control circuit may be programmed by a user so that it may
`
`power down an apparatus based on a user-selected time duration; the control
`
`circuit output signals may be overridden, for example, to extend time durations
`
`before an apparatus is turned-off or to immediately turn-off an apparatus when
`
`a user is no longer present.
`
`[0053]
`
`The sensor of the invention may be useful in various applications, for
`
`example in kitchen appliances, light switches, headsets, and other electronic
`
`consumer devices. For example, a coffee machine incorporating a sensor of the
`
`invention may be programmed to power-downafter a time period of, say, 30
`
`minutes, where the coffee machine has been left on inadvertently. This will
`
`Petitioner STMICROELECTRONICS, INC.,
`Ex. 1022, IPR2021-01160
`Page 14 of 342
`
`Petitioner STMICROELECTRONICS, INC.,
`Ex. 1022, IPR2021-01160
`Page 14 of 342
`
`

`

`beneficially conserve energy use and minimise the possibility of damage and/or
`
`accidents caused by the coffee machine or glass container(s) overheating.
`
`[0054] Aspects of the QT102 chip referred to above, and which incorporates
`
`an embodiment of the invention, will now be described in the following
`
`numbered sections.
`
`[0055]
`
`The numbered sections may be considered to relate generally to
`
`features of the QT102 chip as follows: Section 1
`
`- Overview (including 1.1
`
`Introduction, 1.2 Electrode Drive, 1.3 Sensitivity, 1.3.1 Introduction, 1.3.2
`
`Increasing Sensitivity, 1.3.3 Decreasing Sensitivity, 1.4 Recalibration Timeout ,
`
`1.5 Forced Sensor Recalibration, 1.6 Drift Compensation, 1.7 Response Time,
`
`1.8 Spread Spectrum). Section 2 -Wiring and Parts (including 2.1 Application
`
`Note, 2.2 Cs Sample Capacitor, 2.3 Rs Resistor, 2.4 Power Supply, PCB Layout,
`
`2.5 Wiring). Section 3 - Operation (including 3.1 Acquisition Modes, 3.1.1
`
`Introduction, 3.1.2 OUT Pin ‘On’ (Fast Mode), 3.1.3 OUT Pin ‘Off ’ (Low Power
`
`Mode), 3.2 Signal Processing, 3.2.1 Detect Integrator, 3.2.2 Detect Threshold,
`
`3.3 Output Polarity Selection, 3.4 Output Drive, 3.5 Auto Off Delay, 3.5.1
`
`Introduction, 3.5.2 Auto Off - Predefined Delay, 3.5.3 Auto Off - User-
`
`programmed Delay, 3.5.4 Auto Off - Overriding the Auto Off Delay, 3.5.5
`
`Configuring the User-programmed Auto-off Delay, 3.6 Examples of Typical
`
`Applications). Section 4 - Specifications (including 4.1 Absolute Maximum
`
`Specifications, 4.2 Recommended Operating Conditions, 4.3 AC Specifications,
`
`4.4 Signal Processing, 4.5 DC Specifications, 4.6 Mechanical Dimensions, 4.7
`
`Moisture Sensitivity Level (MSL)).
`
`1] Overview
`
`Petitioner STMICROELECTRONICS, INC.,
`Ex. 1022, IPR2021-01160
`Page 15 of 342
`
`Petitioner STMICROELECTRONICS, INC.,
`Ex. 1022, IPR2021-01160
`Page 15 of 342
`
`

`

`1.1 Introduction
`
`[0056]
`
`The QT102 is a single key device featuring a touch on / touch off
`
`(toggle) output with a programmable auto switch-off capability.
`
`[0057]
`
`The QT102 is