(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2010/0149110 A1
`Gray
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Jun. 17, 2010
`
`US 2010O149110A1
`
`(54) ARCHITECTURE AND METHOD FOR
`MULT-ASPECT TOUCHSCREEN SCANNING
`
`(52) U.S. Cl. ........................................................ 345/173
`
`(75) Inventor:
`
`Patrick T. Gray, Cedar Park, TX
`(US)
`Correspondence Address:
`GARLICK HARRISON & MARKSON
`P.O. BOX16O727
`AUSTIN, TX 78716-0727 (US)
`
`(73) Assignee:
`
`Wacom Co., Ltd., Kita
`Saitama-Gun (JP)
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`12/333,473
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Dec. 12, 2008
`O
`O
`Publication Classification
`
`(51) Int. Cl.
`G06F 3/04
`
`(2006.01)
`
`
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`Architecture and method for multi-aspect touchscreen scan
`ning. This architectures employs a single type of circuitry
`capable to perform both signal generation and signal detec
`tion for performing both Zone scanning and cross point within
`a touchscreen to identify a user's interaction with the touch
`screen and to discriminate actual touch locations on the
`touchscreen (including multiple, concurrent user touch loca
`tions on the touchscreen). This signal generation/detection
`circuitry can be implemented multiple times within the archi
`tecture (e.g., one for providing/detecting signals of conduc
`tors aligned in a first direction across the touchscreen, and
`another for providing/detecting signals of conductors aligned
`in a second direction across the touchscreen). Moreover, a
`combination of both Zone scanning and cross point within the
`touchscreen allows for a very accurate discrimination
`between false/phantom touch locations and actual/real touch
`locations made by a user interacting with the touchscreen.
`
`Petitioner Samsung Ex-1041, 0001
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`Jun. 17, 2010 Sheet 22 of 23
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`Jun. 17, 2010 Sheet 23 of 23
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`Petitioner Samsung Ex-1041, 0024
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`

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`US 2010/O 14911.0 A1
`
`Jun. 17, 2010
`
`ARCHITECTURE AND METHOD FOR
`MULT-ASPECT TOUCHSCREEN SCANNING
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`1. Technical Field of the Invention
`0001
`0002 The invention relates generally to devices that
`include a man to machine interface (MMI) implemented
`using a touchscreen; and, more particularly, it relates to sys
`tems and methods for discriminating a user's interaction with
`Such touchscreens.
`0003 2. Description of Related Art
`0004 Touchscreen technology is relatively new in the
`world of displays for stationary and mobile devices. Tradi
`tionally, an underlying layer of lines that can sense a user's
`touch are arranged in a patterned manner and are monitored
`iteratively for a signal that suggests a coordinate of a point
`that is touched. Initial systems were designed to detect a
`single touch. A new emphasis, however, is to develop touch
`screen technology that can accurately detect multiple simul
`taneous touches. Some current technology for multi-finger
`touch works by charging and discharging a voltage on a row
`or column of a conductor and measuring a change in the
`charge when touched.
`0005. In discriminating between actual/real touch loca
`tions and false/phantom touch locations (e.g., a detected sig
`nal that does not correspond by an actual users touch) made
`by a user interacting with the touchscreen, the prior art does
`not provide an adequate solution. Moreover, those prior art
`solutions that do in fact try to address discriminating between
`false/phantom touch locations and actual/real touch locations
`oftentimes have a relatively significant amount of provi
`Sioned hardware components to try to address such issues.
`Clearly, certain design considerations within touchscreens
`and touchscreen systems include efforts to reduce costs, com
`plexity, size, etc. The prior art simply fails to provide an
`adequate and cost-effective solution to these many issues.
`
`BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`0006. The present invention is directed to apparatus and
`methods of operation that are further described in the follow
`ing Brief Description of the Several Views of the Drawings,
`the Detailed Description of the Invention, and the claims.
`Other features and advantages of the present invention will
`become apparent from the following detailed description of
`the invention made with reference to the accompanying draw
`1ngS.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL
`VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
`0007 FIG. 1A illustrates an embodiment of a handheld
`media unit.
`0008 FIG. 1B illustrates an embodiment of a computer.
`0009 FIG. 1C illustrates an embodiment of a wireless
`communication device.
`0010 FIG. 1D illustrates an embodiment of a personal
`digital assistant (PDA).
`0011
`FIG. 1E illustrates an embodiment of a laptop com
`puter.
`0012 FIG.1F illustrates an embodiment of a laptop com
`puter with an integrated touchscreen (e.g., a tablet) on the
`palm rest.
`0013 FIG. 1G illustrates an embodiment of an electronic
`tablet.
`
`0014 FIG. 2 illustrates an embodimentofa touchscreen in
`which Zone detection is performed to detect a user's interac
`tion with the touchscreen.
`0015 FIG. 3A illustrates an embodiment of placement of
`conductive patterns within a touchscreen.
`0016 FIG. 3B illustrates an alternative embodiment of
`placement of conductive patterns within a touchscreen.
`0017 FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of a pair of con
`ductors and associated signal responses from adjacent con
`ductors of a conductive pattern
`0018 FIG. 5 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a
`pair of conductors and associated signal responses from adja
`cent conductors of a conductive pattern.
`0019 FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of a signal detec
`tion module.
`0020 FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment of a method for
`determining an interpolated axial position.
`0021
`FIG. 8A is a functional block diagram of signal
`generation and detection circuitry for detecting touch on a
`touchscreen according to one embodiment of the invention.
`0022 FIG.8B is a signal diagram that illustrates operation
`of signal generation and detection circuitry for detecting
`touch on a touchscreen according to one embodiment of the
`invention.
`0023 FIG. 8C is a signal diagram that illustrates operation
`of signal generation and detection circuitry for detecting
`touch on a touchscreen according to one embodiment of the
`invention.
`0024 FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram of signal gen
`eration circuitry for detecting touch on a touchscreen accord
`ing to one embodiment of the invention that includes a plu
`rality of signal generation and detection blocks.
`0025 FIG. 10 illustrates an embodiment of a touchscreen
`in which Zone scanning for touch detection is performed to
`locate a user's interaction with the touchscreen for a multi
`point touch.
`0026 FIG. 11 illustrates an embodiment of a touchscreen
`in which cross point scanning is performed to locate a user's
`interaction with the touchscreen for a multi-point touch
`according to one embodiment of the invention.
`0027 FIG. 12 illustrates an embodiment of a touchscreen
`in which cross point scanning is performed to locate a user's
`interaction with the touchscreen for a multi-point touch
`according to one embodiment of the invention.
`0028 FIG. 13 is a functional block diagram of at least part
`of a grounding circuitry that grounds all conductors of the
`plurality of conductors except the first conductor to which the
`feedback signal is coupled according to one embodiment of
`the invention.
`0029 FIG. 14 is a functional block diagram of switching
`circuitry that may alternatively be used to effectuate appro
`priate selection/Switching of conductors to either a signal
`generation/detection circuitry or a ground potential level.
`0030 FIGS. 15A and 15B are exemplary diagrams of
`embodiments Switching circuitry.
`0031
`FIGS. 16 and 17 are functional diagrams of a system
`having row and column conductors that further illustrates
`operation according to one embodiment of the invention.
`0032 FIG. 18 is a functional diagram of a system having
`row and column conductors that further illustrates cross point
`Scanning.
`0033 FIG. 19 is a functional diagram that illustrates iden
`tified possible touch locations that includes actual or real
`touch locations as well as phantom or false touch locations.
`
`Petitioner Samsung Ex-1041, 0025
`
`

`

`US 2010/O 14911.0 A1
`
`Jun. 17, 2010
`
`0034 FIG. 20 is a functional diagram that illustrates pos
`sible multi-touch regions identified during Zone scanning for
`which cross point scanning may be performed.
`0035 FIG. 21 is a functional diagram that illustrates the
`detected signals for each of real/actual and phantom touch
`locations.
`0036 FIG.22A is a flow chart that illustrates a method for
`identifying touch locations for a multi-touch according to one
`embodiment of the invention.
`0037 FIG. 22B is a flow chart illustrating method for
`detecting at least one touch location of a touchscreen.
`0038 FIG. 23 is a flow chart illustrating a method for
`detecting at least one touch location of a touchscreen.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
`0039. Devices that include some form of man to machine
`interface (MMI) are employed in a wide variety of contexts.
`There are varieties of types of MMIs that allow a user to
`provide information to and retrieve information from a device
`(e.g., keyboard of a device Such as a computer, an interactive
`panel/touchscreen on any number of devices such as a self
`service gas pump, a self-service check in terminal at an air
`port, etc.). Some MMIs that are implemented using touch
`screens in which a user interacts with the touchscreen using a
`finger or some other implement (e.g., a stylus or other means
`by which a location on the touchscreen is selected by the user)
`are increasing in their prevalence. Any of a wide variety of
`devices may include a MMI having at least a portion of which
`is implemented with a touchscreen.
`0040. In such a touchscreen, a conductive pattern (that
`includes multiple conductors) is implemented within at least
`one layer of a touchscreen. The conductive pattern may be
`implemented using indium tin oxide (ITO) as may be depos
`ited on a Substrate composed of polyester or some other
`appropriate material.
`0041. In one embodiment, a plurality of first conductors is
`axially aligned in a first direction across the touchscreen, and
`a plurality of second conductors is aligned in a second direc
`tion across the touchscreen. The first and second conductors
`may be implemented to be orthogonal to one another (e.g.,
`first conductors in rows, and second conductors in columns,
`or vice versa), or some other arrangement may be employed
`(e.g., in which they are not orthogonal to one another). These
`first and second conductors may be disposed or arranged Such
`that they do not directly electrically couple to one another
`(e.g., using an air gap, a dielectric layer of any type including
`one that comprises a material Such as SiO, a polymer Sub
`strate, a bond material, etc.). They may be disposed on the
`same plane or layer or they may be disposed on different
`planes or layers.
`0042. To determine a location of a user's interaction with
`a touchscreen, a signal may be applied to one of the first or
`second conductors of the conductive pattern. Either that same
`signal may be monitored to help determine the location of a
`user's interaction with the touchscreen or a signal received
`from another conductor of the conductive pattern may be used
`to help determine the location of a user's interaction. In some
`embodiments, a combination of these two detection
`approaches may be employed.
`0043. In some embodiments, the first conductors are
`aligned in the first direction and are disposed on a first layer of
`a touchscreen (e.g., an upper and/or top layer), and the second
`conductors are aligned in the second direction and are dis
`posed on a second layer of a touchscreen (e.g., a lower and/or
`
`bottom layer). In such an embodiment, the respective spacing
`between the first conductors may be greater than the respec
`tive spacing between the second conductors. This may be
`achieved by aligning the first conductors apart from one
`another. It may also be achieved by having holes or windows
`within at least some of the first conductors to allow the cou
`pling of an energized signal via capacitance to the first con
`ductors at an intersection of at least one of the first conductors
`and at least one of the second conductors.
`0044. In addition, as one of the second conductors is ener
`gized or charged (e.g., with a signal), the other of the second
`conductors may be grounded making the second conductors
`to serve as an effective electromagnetic interference (EMI)
`shield limiting injected noise from any of a number of sources
`(e.g., the system, an LCD backlight, any noise source under
`and/or behind the touchscreen, etc.) from undesirably affect
`ing the first conductors. This effective solid back-layer of the
`conductive pattern (e.g., the second conductors) effectively
`shields the upper layer or layers from noises produced under
`or behind the touchscreen.
`0045. This EMI shield created by the plurality of second
`conductors on the second or bottom layer or plane may also
`operate to remove changes in any capacitive coupling due to
`the flexing of a Substrate of the touchscreen (e.g., Such as
`when the touchscreen gets bowed or bent a bit due to some
`stress such as a user's interaction with the touchscreen). This
`elimination and/or reduction of such effects can allow for a
`variety of substrates to be used within a touchscreen. In one
`instance, it particularly allows for the use of non-rigid mate
`rials within a touchscreen. As is known, the rigidity required
`within many touchscreens prohibits their implementation
`within certain applications.
`0046 FIG. 1A illustrates an embodiment of a handheld
`unit 101. A handheld media unit 101 to provide general stor
`age or storage of audio content Such as motion picture expert
`group (MPEG) audio layer 3 (MP3) files or Windows Media
`Architecture (WMA) files, video content such as MPEG4
`files for playback to a user, and/or any other type of informa
`tion that may be stored in a digital format. Historically, Such
`handheld media units were primarily employed for storage
`and playback of audio media; however, Such a handheld
`media unit 101 may be employed for storage and playback of
`virtual any media (e.g., audio media, video media, photo
`graphic media, etc.). Moreover, such a handheld media unit
`101 may also include other functionality Such as integrated
`communication circuitry for wired and wireless communica
`tions.
`0047. To allow a user to provide commands to and select
`certain functions via the touchscreen of the handheld media
`unit 101, the handheld media unit 101 includes at least one
`touchscreen. Certain selections on the touchscreen may be
`made by a user's finger or other bodily portion; alternatively,
`the handheld media unit 101 may include some user-provided
`implement (e.g., a stylus or other implement) that the user
`may employ to provide commands to and select certain func
`tions via the touchscreen of the handheld media unit 101.
`0048 FIG. 1B illustrates an embodiment of a computer
`102. The computer 102 can be a desktop computer, or an
`enterprise storage devices Such a server, of a host computer
`that is attached to a storage array Such as a redundant array of
`independent disks (RAID) array, storage router, edge router,
`storage switch, and/or storage director.
`0049. The actual monitor of the computer 102 may have
`touchscreen capability (or only a portion of the monitor may
`
`Petitioner Samsung Ex-1041, 0026
`
`

`

`US 2010/O 14911.0 A1
`
`Jun. 17, 2010
`
`have touchscreen capability). Alternatively, a peripheral
`device of the computer 102 (e.g., a keyboard or other periph
`eral device) may include a touchscreen disposed thereon. A
`user may provide commands to and select certain functions
`via the touchscreen of the computer 102. Certain selections
`on the touchscreen may be made by touching indicated areas
`of the touchscreen with a user's finger (or other bodily por
`tion), a user-provided implement (e.g., a stylus or other
`implement), etc., that the user may employ to provide com
`mands to and select certain functions via the touchscreen of
`the computer 102. Herein, all references to a user touching a
`touchscreen include all methods for touching the touch
`SCC.
`0050 FIG. 1C illustrates an embodiment of a wireless
`communication device 103. Wireless communication device
`103 is capable of communicating via a wireless network such
`as a cellular, personal communications service (PCS), general
`packet radio service (GPRS), global system for mobile com
`munications (GSM), and integrated digital enhanced network
`(iDEN) or other wireless communications network capable of
`sending and receiving wireless communications. Further,
`wireless communication device 103 is capable to communi
`cate via the Internetto access email, download content, access
`websites, and provide Steaming audio and/or video program
`ming. In this fashion, wireless communication device 103 can
`place and receive calls, text messages Such as emails, short
`message service (SMS) messages, pages and other data mes
`sages that can include attachments such as documents, audio
`files, video files, images, and other graphics.
`0051. The wireless communication device 103 includes a
`touchscreen that allows a user of the communication device
`103 to provide commands to and select certain functions of
`the communication device 103. A user may interact with the
`touchscreen of communication device 103 touching the
`touchscreen to provide commands and/or to select certain
`functions via the touchscreen of communication device 103.
`For example, a user may touch the touchscreen in a specified
`location to indicate selection or, alternatively, a user may
`touch the touchscreen in a specified manner to indicate a
`specified command (e.g., two rapid taps on the touchscreen).
`0052 FIG. 1D illustrates an embodiment of a personal
`digital assistant (PDA) 104. The PDA 104 includes a touch
`screen that allows a user of PDA 104 to provide commands to
`and select certain functions of the PDA 104. A user may
`interact with the touchscreen of PDA 104 touching the touch
`screen to provide commands and/or to select certain functions
`via the touchscreen of PDA 104. For example, a user may
`touch the touchscreen in a specified location to indicate selec
`tion or, alternatively, a user may touch the touchscreen in a
`specified manner to indicate a specified command.
`0053 FIG. 1E illustrates an embodiment of a laptop com
`puter 105. The actual monitor of the laptop computer 105 may
`have touchscreen capability (or only a portion of the monitor
`may have touchscreen capability). Alternatively, a peripheral
`device of the laptop computer 105 (e.g., an external keyboard
`or other peripheral device) may include a touchscreen
`thereon. A user may provide commands to and select certain
`functions via the touchscreen of the laptop computer 105. A
`user may interact with the touchscreen of laptop computer
`105 by touching the touchscreen to provide commands and/or
`to select certain functions via the touchscreen of laptop com
`puter 105. For example, a user may touch the touchscreen in
`a specified location to indicate selection or, alternatively, a
`
`user may touch the touchscreen in a specified manner to
`indicate a specified command.
`0054 FIG.1F illustrates an embodiment of a laptop com
`puter 106 with an integrated touchscreen (e.g., a tablet) on the
`palm rest. A user may provide commands to and select certain
`functions via the integrated touchscreen (e.g., tablet) of the
`laptop computer 106. A user may interact with the touch
`screen of laptop computer 106 by touching the touchscreen to
`provide commands and/or to select certain functions via the
`touchscreen of laptop computer 106. For example, a user may
`touch the touchscreen in a specified location to indicate selec
`tion or, alternatively, a user may touch the touchscreen in a
`specified manner to indicate a specified command via the
`integrated touchscreen (e.g., tablet) of the laptop computer
`106.
`0055 FIG. 1G illustrates an embodiment of an electronic
`tablet 107. The electronic tablet 107 includes a stylus that a
`user employs to provide commands to and select certain
`functions of the electronic tablet 107. The electronic tablet
`107 may also include capabilities to Support integrated com
`puting, data storage, etc. that allow the electronic tablet 107 to
`operate, at least in Some respects, like a computer or laptop
`computer. However, the electronic tablet 107 includes no
`integrated keyboard. It is noted, however, that a virtual key
`board may be displayed on the electronic tablet 107, and
`buttons thereof may be selected by the stylus that the user
`employs. Of course, it is noted that an alternative embodiment
`of such an electronic tablet may include no stylus and certain
`selections on such an electronic tablet may be made by a
`user's touch.
`0056. As can be seen, a wide variety of devices may
`employ a touchscreen to affect at least one part of an MMI
`thereto. There are various means by which a user's interaction
`with Such a touchscreen can be detected.
`0057 FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment 200 of a touch
`screen 201 in which Zone detection is performed to detect a
`user's interaction with the touchscreen. Generally, FIG. 2
`illustrates an embodiment 200 of a touchscreen in which Zone
`scanning or detection is performed to locate a user's interac
`tion with the touchscreen. In some embodiments, an active
`Surface area of the touchscreen covers a slightly smaller por
`tion of the touchscreen itself. For example, a border or perim
`eter around the active surface area of the touchscreen may be
`employed.
`0.058 A number of conductors forming rows and columns
`of a conductive pattern (e.g., indium tin oxide (ITO) as may be
`deposited on a Substrate composed of polyester or other mate
`rial) on one or more layers of the touchscreen. In some
`embodiments, a first portion of the conductive pattern (e.g.,
`the columns) is disposed on a first layer, and a second portion
`of the conductive pattern (e.g., the rows) is disposed on a
`second layer; the first and second layer may be separated by a
`dielectric material in some embodiments. Alternatively, the
`row and column oriented conductors may be disposed on the
`same layer and may utilize known techniques for connecting
`elements including traces, vias, bond wires, etc. to ensure that
`the first portion of conductive pattern (e.g., the columns) do
`not directly come into contact with the second portion of
`conductive pattern (e.g., the rows). While this and other
`embodiments depict rows and columns that are inherently
`perpendicular to one another, there may be other embodi
`ments in which a plurality of first conductors are aligned in a
`first direction and a plurality of second conductors are aligned
`in a second direction that is different to the first direction
`
`Petitioner Samsung Ex-1041, 0027
`
`

`

`US 2010/O 14911.0 A1
`
`Jun. 17, 2010
`
`wherein there is no particular requirements for the orientation
`of the first and second directions. In other words, the conduc
`tors need not necessarily be perpendicular to one another
`(though they may be perpendicular in one referred embodi
`ment). Moreover, the conductors need not be oriented in
`Vertical and horizontal axis though Such orientation is shown
`in the described embodiments.
`0059. As stated above, in some embodiments, an active
`surface area of the touchscreen 201a covers a slightly smaller
`portion of the touchscreen 200. For example, a border or
`perimeter around the active Surface area of the touchscreen
`201a may be employed.
`0060. This embodiment 200 includes a signal generation/
`detection module 210 is employed both to provide a signal to
`a particular row and to detect a change in the signal being
`provided to that particular row. The signal generation/detec
`tion module 210 operates cooperatively with a MUX 212 to
`apply a signal and detect that signal being applied to each of
`the rows and columns of the conductive pattern of the touch
`SCC.
`0061. When a user interacts with the touchscreen, an
`increased capacitance will be introduced corresponding to the
`location of the user's interaction. This increased capacitance
`introduces a reduced impedance path at the location of the
`user's interaction and will incur a change in the signal being
`provided to a particular row or column. By providing a signal
`to each of the rows and columns of the conductive pattern of
`the touchscreen and by detecting for any change in those
`Successively applied signals, then the location of the user's
`interaction with the touchscreen may be made.
`0062. Therefore, by detecting a change in a signal pro
`vided to a particular row and also by detecting a change in a
`signal provided to a particular column, an intersection of the
`identified row and column can provide a calculated estimate
`of the location of the user's interaction with the touchscreen.
`0063 For the Zone detection approach described above
`(and also for cross point detection approaches elsewhere
`herein), the application of signals need not be purely succes
`sive in nature. For example, a signal need not necessarily be
`applied to row 1, then to row 2, then to row 3, etc. Alterna
`tively, a signal may be applied to row 1, then to row 8, then to
`row 2, etc. In even another embodiments, a signal may be
`applied initially to every Nth row (where N is an integer), and
`then the signal may be applied to every row between 1 and
`N-1, then to rows N+1 to 2N-1, etc. A wide variety of
`scanning techniques may be performed in accordance with
`either of the cross point detection and the Zone detection
`approaches of the previous embodiments.
`0064. Thus, FIG. 2 exemplifies scanning methodologies
`that may be employed with the conductive patterns and
`embodiments of the invention. Generally speaking, the
`shapes, widths, etc. of the various conductors of a touch
`screen may be any desired shape, width, etc. without depart
`ing from the scope and spirit of the invention.
`0065 FIG. 3A illustrates an embodiment 300a of place
`ment of conductive patterns within a touchscreen. As may be
`seen, the top layer of first conductors (e.g., as disposed as a
`top layer of the touchscreen) may be directly touched by a
`user when interacting with the touchscreen. As may further be
`seen, a dielectric layer separates the first and second layers of
`conductors (plurality of first and second conductors, respec
`tively). The dielectric layer may be implemented any known
`
`dielectric including but not limited to air, semiconductor
`materials including SiO, polymer Substrate materials, bond
`materials, etc.
`0066 FIG. 3B illustrates an alternative embodiment 300b
`of placement of conductive patterns within a touchscreen.
`Specifically, an additional touchscreen Surface layer (e.g., a
`polymer layer, a protective layer, or otherwise) is disposed on
`top of the top layer of conductors such that a user does not
`directly touch the top layer of conductors. Any known mate
`rial for forming a touchscreen Surface that allows user inter
`action with the plurality of first and second conductors as
`described herein may be used.
`0067. Within prior art systems, prior art conductive pat
`terns as employed withina touchscreen are often composed of
`discrete diamond shaped touch areas that are connected
`together. A linear movement of a user's interaction with a
`touchscreen across the active area of the touchscreen with the
`prior art conductive patterns inherently introduces non-lin
`earity in the signal response of signals used to detect Such
`user's interaction. Ideally, the signal response would be as
`Smooth and linear as possible, but prior art conductive pat
`terns simply cannot provide for Such a smooth and linear
`response. Because larger the pitch typically exists between
`conductors within a prior art conductive pattern, the number
`of different pads below the contact point is reduced and thus
`provides a “stair step’ response in relation to the user's move
`ment or location identification. This further exacerbates the
`deleterious effects inherent to the prior art discrete diamond
`shaped patterns employed within prior art touchscreens. This
`“stair stepping of the output of a signal employed to detect
`Such a user's interaction with the touchscreen thus is a func
`tion, with prior art designs, of the size of the diamond shaped
`touch areas. Increasing touch area size to correspond with the
`increases in pitch also produces an energy non-uniformity
`(e.g., extending normal to the Surface of the touchscreen or in
`the Z-axis direction if the X and y axes are deemed to be the
`touchscreen Surface) between rows and columns that makes it
`more difficult to set touch/no-touch thresholds withina touch
`s