Reconfigurable receiver channel for sensing device

Abstract

A system and method for interference detection includes, in a first mode, coupling an input of a first receiver channel with an input of a second receiver channel. In the first mode, the first receiver channel generates a first output signal by mixing a first portion of a combined resultant signal with a first mixing signal having a first phase. The combined resultant signal is received simultaneously from a first sensor electrode and a second sensor electrode. Further, in the first mode, the second receiver channel generates a second output signal by mixing a second portion of the combined resultant signal with a second mixing signal having a second phase that is orthogonal to the first phase. The first portion of the combined resultant signal is different than the second portion of the combined resultant signal.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The disclosures herein generally relate to electronic devices, and more specifically to operational sensing devices. Background Technology

[0002] Input devices, including proximity sensor devices, can be used in a variety of electronic systems. A proximity sensor device may include a sensing area defined by a surface, within which the proximity sensor device determines the presence, position, force, and / or motion of one or more input objects. Proximity sensor devices can be used to provide interfaces for electronic systems. For example, proximity sensor devices can be used as input devices for larger computing systems, such as touchpads integrated into or peripheral to laptops, desktop computers, automotive multimedia systems, or Internet of Things (IoT) devices. Proximity sensor devices can also be used in smaller computing systems, such as touchscreens integrated into cellular phones. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In one embodiment, the processing system includes a first receiver channel, a second receiver channel, and a switching mechanism. In a first mode, the first receiver channel is configured to generate a first output signal by mixing a first portion of a combined result signal with a first mixed signal having a first phase. The combined result signal includes a first result signal received from a first sensor electrode and a second result signal received from a second sensor electrode. In the first mode, the second receiver channel is configured to generate a second output signal by mixing a second portion of the combined result signal with a second mixed signal having a second phase orthogonal to the first phase. The first portion of the combined result signal is different from the second portion of the combined result signal. The switching mechanism is coupled to the inputs of the first receiver channel and the second receiver channel. The switching mechanism is configured to couple the input of the first receiver channel to the input of the second receiver channel in response to the first receiver channel and the second receiver channel being in the first mode.

[0004] In one embodiment, the input device includes a plurality of sensor electrodes and a processing system. The plurality of sensor electrodes includes a first sensor electrode and a second sensor electrode. The processing system is coupled to the plurality of sensor electrodes and includes a first receiver channel, a second receiver channel, and a first switching mechanism. In a first mode, the first receiver channel is configured to generate a first output signal by mixing a first portion of a combined result signal with a first mixed signal having a first phase. The combined result signal includes a first result signal received from the first sensor electrode and a second result signal received from the second sensor electrode. The second receiver channel is configured, in the first mode, to generate a second output signal by mixing a second portion of the combined result signal with a second mixed signal having a second phase orthogonal to the first phase. The first portion of the combined result signal is different from the second portion of the combined result signal. The switching mechanism is coupled to the inputs of the first receiver channel and the second receiver channel and is configured to couple the input of the first receiver channel to the input of the second receiver channel in response to the first receiver channel and the second receiver channel being in the first mode.

[0005] In one embodiment, the method includes coupling an input of a first receiver channel to an input of a second receiver channel in a first mode. The method also includes generating a first output signal by mixing a first portion of the combined resulting signal with a first mixed signal having a first phase, using the first receiver channel and in the first mode. The combined resulting signal includes a first resulting signal received from a first sensor electrode and a second resulting signal received from a second sensor electrode. Furthermore, the method includes generating a second output signal by mixing a second portion of the combined resulting signal with a second mixed signal having a second phase orthogonal to the first phase, using the second receiver channel and in the first mode. The first portion of the combined resulting signal is different from the second portion of the combined resulting signal. Attached Figure Description

[0006] To enable a more detailed understanding of the foregoing features of this disclosure, a more specific description of the disclosure briefly outlined above can be obtained by referring to embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. However, it should be noted that the drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments only and should therefore not be considered as limiting the scope of the invention, as other equally effective embodiments are permissible with respect to this disclosure.

[0007] Figure 1 It is a schematic block diagram of an input device according to one or more embodiments.

[0008] Figure 2 An example input device according to one or more embodiments is illustrated.

[0009] Figure 3This is a schematic block diagram of a part of a processing system according to one or more embodiments.

[0010] Figure 4 This is a schematic block diagram of a part of a processing system according to one or more embodiments.

[0011] Figure 5 This is a schematic block diagram of a part of a processing system according to one or more embodiments.

[0012] Figure 6 This is a schematic block diagram of a part of a processing system according to one or more embodiments.

[0013] Figure 7 This is a schematic block diagram of a part of a processing system according to one or more embodiments.

[0014] Figure 8 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for operating a sensing device according to one or more embodiments.

[0015] To facilitate understanding, the same reference numerals are used where possible to designate common elements in the drawings. Elements disclosed in one embodiment are expected to be advantageously used in other embodiments without specific description. The drawings mentioned herein should not be construed as being drawn to scale unless specifically indicated. Furthermore, for clarity of presentation and explanation, the drawings are generally simplified and details or parts are omitted. The drawings and discussion are used to explain the principles discussed below, wherein the same reference numerals denote the same elements. Detailed Implementation

[0016] The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit this disclosure or its application and use. Furthermore, it is not intended to be bound by any express or implied theory set forth in the foregoing background, summary of the invention, or the following detailed description.

[0017] In many embodiments, the input device can utilize in-band and quadrature demodulation for interference detection. In-band and quadrature demodulation techniques for interference detection detect interference that is in phase with the sensed signal and interference that is 90 degrees out of phase with the sensed signal. In-band and quadrature demodulation can rely on the mapping of sensor electrodes, wherein in each set of M x N sensor electrodes, at least one sensor electrode is coupled to a receiver channel configured for in-band demodulation, and at least one sensor electrode is coupled to a receiver channel configured for quadrature demodulation. However, in-band and quadrature demodulation techniques that rely on such mapping may limit their applicability. For example, if the input device does not support the dependent mapping, the in-band and quadrature demodulation techniques may not acquire the necessary combination of the resulting signal used to detect interference. As will be described in more detail below, by selectively coupling receiver channels configured for in-band demodulation with receiver channels configured for quadrature demodulation, such that each receiver channel is connected to a common set of sensor electrodes, in-band and quadrature demodulation techniques can be applied to input devices with any mapping of sensor electrodes.

[0018] like Figure 1 The example input device 100 shown according to an embodiment of this disclosure can be configured to provide input to an electronic system (not shown). As used herein, the term "electronic system" broadly refers to any system capable of electronically processing information. Some non-limiting examples of electronic systems include personal computers of all sizes and shapes, such as desktop computers, laptop computers, netbook computers, tablet computers, web browsers, e-book readers, and personal digital assistants (PDAs). Additional example electronic systems include composite input devices, such as a physical keyboard that includes input device 100 and separate joysticks or push-button switches. Other example electronic systems include peripheral devices such as data input devices (e.g., remote controllers and mice) and data output devices (e.g., displays and printers). Other examples include remote terminals, kiosks, and video game consoles, such as video game consoles, portable gaming devices, etc. Other examples include communication devices (e.g., cellular phones, such as smartphones) and media devices (e.g., recorders, editors, and players, such as televisions, set-top boxes, music players, digital photo frames, and digital cameras). Furthermore, additional example electronic systems may include automotive multimedia centers (e.g., navigation devices, audio systems). In various embodiments, the electronic system may be an Internet of Things (IoT) device. For example, among other things, an IoT device may be an automated or intelligent home device (e.g., a consumer appliance, a security system, and / or a camera) or a manufacturing device.

[0019] In one or more embodiments, the electronic system may be a master or slave device of the input device. Furthermore, in various embodiments, the electronic system may also be referred to as an electronic device.

[0020] Input device 100 may be implemented as a physical part of an electronic system, or it may be physically separate from the electronic system. In one embodiment, the electronic system may be referred to as a host device. Depending on the situation, input device 100 may communicate with a portion of the electronic system using any one or more of the following: bus, network, and other wired or wireless interconnects. Examples of wired or wireless interconnects include I 2 C, SPI, PS / 2, Universal Serial Bus (USB), Bluetooth, RF, and infrared.

[0021] exist Figure 1 In this diagram, input device 100 is shown as a proximity sensor device configured to sense input provided by one or more input objects 140 in sensing area 120. Example input objects 140 include, for example... Figure 1 The finger and stylus shown are illustrated. Among other things, the exemplary proximity sensor device may be a touchpad, a touchscreen, or a touch sensor device.

[0022] Sensing area 120 encompasses any space above, around, within, and / or near input device 100, where input device 100 is capable of detecting user input, such as user input provided by one or more input objects 140. The size, shape, and location of a particular sensing area can vary considerably from embodiment to embodiment. In some embodiments, sensing area 120 extends from the surface of input device 100 into space in one or more directions until the signal-to-noise ratio prevents sufficiently accurate object detection. In various embodiments, the distance that sensing area 120 extends in a particular direction can be approximately less than one millimeter, several millimeters, several centimeters, or greater, and can vary significantly depending on the type of sensing technology used and the desired accuracy. Thus, sensed input in sensing area 120 can include: no contact with any surface of input device 100; contact with an input surface of input device 100 (e.g., a touch surface); contact with an input surface of input device 100 coupled with a certain amount of applied force or pressure; and / or two or more combinations thereof. In various embodiments, the input surface may be provided by the surface of a housing in which sensor electrodes (also referred to herein as sensing electrodes) reside, by a panel applied over the sensor electrodes or any housing, etc. In some embodiments, the sensing area 120 has a rectangular shape when projected onto the input surface of the input device 100.

[0023] Input device 100 can utilize any combination of sensor components and sensing technologies to detect user input in sensing area 120. Input device 100 includes one or more sensing elements for detecting user input. As several non-limiting examples, input device 100 may use capacitive, inverse dielectric, resistive, inductive, magnetic, acoustic, ultrasonic, and / or optical technologies.

[0024] Some implementations are configured to provide images spanning one-dimensional, two-dimensional, three-dimensional, or higher-dimensional spaces (e.g., images of capacitive signals). Some implementations are configured to provide projections of input along a specific axis or plane.

[0025] In some capacitive implementations of the input device 100, a voltage or current is applied to create an electric field. A nearby input object causes a change in the electric field, resulting in a detectable change in capacitive coupling that can be detected as a change in voltage, current, etc.

[0026] Some capacitive implementations utilize arrays or other regular or irregular patterns of capacitive sensing elements to create an electric field. In some capacitive implementations, separate sensing elements can be ohmically shorted together to form a larger sensor electrode. Some capacitive implementations utilize resistive sheets, which can be uniformly resistive.

[0027] Some capacitive implementations utilize a "self-capacitance" (also often referred to as "absolute capacitance") sensing method based on changes in capacitive coupling between the sensor electrodes and an input object (e.g., between system ground and free space coupled to the user). In various embodiments, the input object near the sensor electrodes alters the electric field near the sensor electrodes, thus changing the measured capacitive coupling. In one embodiment, the absolute capacitance sensing method operates by modulating the sensor electrodes relative to a reference voltage (e.g., system ground) and by detecting the capacitive coupling between the sensor electrodes and the input object. In some embodiments, the sensing element may be formed from a substantially transparent metal mesh (e.g., a reflective or absorptive metal film patterned to minimize visible transmission loss from display subpixels). Furthermore, the sensor electrodes may be disposed above the display of the display device. The sensing electrodes may be formed on a common substrate of the display device (e.g., on an encapsulation layer of a rigid or flexible organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display). An additional dielectric layer having vias for jumper layers may also be formed from a substantially transparent metal mesh material. Alternatively, the sensor may be patterned on a single metal mesh layer above the active region of the display, with intersections outside the active region. The jumpers in the jumper layer can be coupled to the electrodes of the first group and the cross-sensor electrodes of the second group. In one or more embodiments, the first and second groups can be axes orthogonal to each other. Furthermore, in various embodiments, the absolute capacitance measurement results can include a distribution of input object coupled along one axis and projected onto the other axis. In various embodiments, the modulated input object (e.g., a powered active stylus) can be received by the orthogonal electrode axis without modulating the corresponding electrode (e.g., relative to system ground). In such embodiments, the two axes can be sensed simultaneously and combined to estimate the stylus position.

[0028] Some capacitive implementations utilize a “mutual capacitance” (also often referred to as “transcapacitance”) sensing method based on changes in capacitive coupling between sensor electrodes. In various embodiments, an input object near the sensor electrodes alters the electric field between the sensor electrodes, thus changing the measured capacitive coupling. In one embodiment, the transcapacitance sensing method operates by detecting the capacitive coupling between one or more transmitter sensor electrodes (also referred to herein as “transmitter electrodes” or “transmitters”) and one or more receiver sensor electrodes (also referred to herein as “receiver electrodes” or “receivers”). Coupling can be reduced when an input object coupled to system ground approaches the sensor electrodes. The transmitter sensor electrodes may be modulated relative to a reference voltage (e.g., system ground) to transmit a transmitter signal. The receiver sensor electrodes may remain substantially constant relative to a reference voltage or be modulated relative to the transmitter sensor electrodes to facilitate the reception of a resulting signal. The resulting signal may include one or more effects corresponding to one or more transmitter signals and / or corresponding to one or more sources of environmental interference (e.g., other electromagnetic signals). The sensor electrodes may be dedicated transmitters or receivers, or may be configured to both transmit and receive.

[0029] exist Figure 1In this diagram, processing system 110 is shown as part of input device 100. Processing system 110 is configured to operate the hardware of input device 100 to detect input in sensing area 120. Processing system 110 includes part or all of one or more integrated circuit (IC) chips and / or other circuit components. For example, a processing system for a mutual capacitance sensor device may include transmitter circuitry configured to transmit signals using transmitter sensor electrodes, and / or receiver circuitry configured to receive signals using receiver sensor electrodes. In some embodiments, processing system 110 also includes electronically readable instructions, such as firmware code, software code, and / or the like. In some embodiments, components comprising processing system 110 are positioned together, such as near one or more sensing elements(s) of input device 100. In other embodiments, components of processing system 110 are physically separated from one or more components near one or more sensing elements(s) of input device 100 and from one or more components elsewhere. For example, input device 100 may be a peripheral device coupled to a desktop computer, and processing system 110 may include software configured to run on the central processing unit of the desktop computer and one or more ICs (with associated firmware in another embodiment) separate from the central processing unit. As another example, input device 100 may be physically integrated into a telephone, automotive multimedia system, or IoT device, and processing system 110 may include circuitry and firmware that are part of the main processor (e.g., a mobile device application processor or any other central processing unit) of the telephone, automotive multimedia system, or IoT device. In some embodiments, processing system 110 is dedicated to implementing input device 100. In other embodiments, processing system 110 also performs other user input functions, such as operating a display screen, measuring input force, measuring haptic switching states, driving haptic actuators, etc.

[0030] The processing system 110 can be implemented as a collection of modules that manipulate different functions of the processing system 110. Each module may include circuitry, firmware, software, or a combination thereof as part of the processing system 110. In various embodiments, different combinations of modules may be used. Example modules include a hardware operation module for operating hardware such as sensor electrodes and a display screen, a data processing module for processing data such as sensor signals and location information, and a reporting module for reporting information. Other example modules include a sensor operation module configured to operate one or more sensing elements to detect input, a recognition module configured to recognize gestures (such as pattern-changing gestures), and a pattern-changing module for changing operating modes.

[0031] In some embodiments, the processing system 110 responds directly to user input (or the absence of user input) in the sensing area 120 by inducing one or more actions. Example actions include changing operating modes and graphical user interface (GUI) actions such as cursor movement, selection, menu navigation, and other functions. In some embodiments, the processing system 110 provides information about the input (or the absence of input) to a portion of the electronic system (e.g., to a central processing unit of the electronic system separate from the processing system 110, if such a separate central processing unit exists). In some embodiments, a portion of the electronic system processes the information received from the processing system 110 to act on the user input, such as to facilitate a full range of actions, including mode-changing actions and GUI actions.

[0032] For example, in some embodiments, processing system 110 operates one or more sensing elements of input device 100 to generate an electrical signal indicating input (or the absence of input) in sensing area 120. Processing system 110 may perform any appropriate amount of processing on the electrical signal as it generates information for the electronic system. For example, processing system 110 may digitize an analog electrical signal obtained from sensor electrodes. As another example, processing system 110 may perform filtering or other signal conditioning. Filtering may include demodulating, sampling, weighting, and accumulating one or more analog or digital-converted signals at an appropriate sensing time (e.g., for Finite Impulse Response (FIR) digital filtering or Infinite Impulse Response (IIR) filtering). The sensing time may be relative to a display output period (e.g., a display line update period or a blanking period). As yet another example, processing system 110 may subtract or otherwise account for a baseline such that the information reflects the difference between the electrical signal from the user input and the baseline signal. The baseline may take into account display update signals (e.g., subpixel data signals, gate select and deselect signals, or transmit control signals), which are spatially filtered (e.g., demodulated and accumulated) and removed from the baseline sensed at lower spatial frequencies. Furthermore, the baseline may compensate for capacitive coupling between sensor electrodes and one or more nearby electrodes. Nearby electrodes may be display electrodes, unused sensor electrodes, and / or any nearby conductive objects. Alternatively, baseline compensation may be achieved using digital or analog means. As yet another example, processing system 110 may determine location information, recognize input as commands, identify handwriting, etc.

[0033] As used herein, “position information” broadly encompasses absolute position, relative position, velocity, acceleration, and other types of spatial information. Exemplary “zero-dimensional” position information includes near / far or contact / non-contact information. Exemplary “one-dimensional” position information includes position along an axis. Exemplary “two-dimensional” position information includes motion in a plane. Exemplary “three-dimensional” position information includes instantaneous or average velocity in space. Further examples include other representations of spatial information. Historical data regarding one or more types of position information can also be determined and / or stored, including, for example, historical data tracking position, motion, or instantaneous velocity over time.

[0034] In some embodiments, the input device 100 is implemented with additional input components operated by the processing system 110 or some other processing system. These additional input components can provide redundant functionality for input in the sensing area 120, or some other functionality. Figure 1 A button 130 is shown near the sensing area 120, which can be used to facilitate the selection of items using the input device 100. Other types of additional input components include sliders, balls, wheels, switches, etc. Conversely, in some embodiments, the input device 100 can be implemented without any other input components.

[0035] In some embodiments, input device 100 includes a touchscreen interface, and sensing area 120 at least partially overlaps with a display screen. For example, sensing area 120 may overlap with at least a portion of an active area of ​​the display screen (or display panel). The active area of ​​the display panel may correspond to a portion of the display panel in which an image is updated. In one or more embodiments, input device 100 may include substantially transparent sensor electrodes (e.g., indium tin oxide (ITO), metal mesh, etc.) covering the display screen and providing a touchscreen interface for associated electronic systems. The display panel may be any type of dynamic display capable of displaying a visual interface to a user and may include any type of light-emitting diode (LED), organic light-emitting diode (OLED), cathode ray tube (CRT), liquid crystal display (LCD), plasma, electroluminescent (EL), or other display technologies. Input device 100 and display panel may share physical components. For example, some embodiments may utilize some of the same electrical components for display and sensing. As another example, the display panel may be partially or entirely operated by processing system 110.

[0036] Figure 2 reflect Figure 1An example of an input device 100 is shown, and sensor electrodes 205 and processing system 110 are illustrated. Sensor electrodes 205 are configured to sense one or more input objects (e.g., input object 140) in sensing area 120. Each sensor electrode 205 may include one or more of the sensing elements described above. For clarity of illustration and description, Figure 2 The area of ​​sensor electrode 205 is presented in a simple rectangular pattern, and no other components connected to or within sensor electrode 205 are shown.

[0037] An exemplary pattern of sensor electrodes 205 includes sensor electrodes 205 arranged in X columns and Y rows in a common plane. X, Y An array of (collectively referred to as sensor electrodes 205) where X and Y are positive integers, but one of X and Y can be zero. It is contemplated that the pattern of the sensor electrodes 205 may include multiple sensor electrodes 205 with other configurations, such as polar arrays, repeating patterns, non-repeating patterns, non-uniform arrays, single rows or columns, or other suitable arrangements. Furthermore, as will be discussed in more detail below, the sensor electrodes 205 can be of any shape, such as circular, rectangular, rhomboid, star-shaped, square, non-convex, convex, non-concave, concave, etc. As shown here, the sensor electrodes 205 are coupled to the processing system 110 and used to determine the presence (or absence) and location information of an input object (e.g., input object 140) in the sensing area 120.

[0038] The sensor electrodes 205 are ohmically isolated from each other. That is, one or more insulators separate the sensor electrodes and prevent them from being electrically shorted to each other.

[0039] like Figure 2 As illustrated, the processing system 110 includes a sensor driver 204 and a determination module 206, and the processing system 110 is coupled to the sensor electrode 205 via a trace 240. The processing system 110 is configured to operate the sensor electrode 205 for capacitive sensing to detect the presence of one or more input objects (e.g., input object 140).

[0040] In one or more embodiments, sensor driver 204 operates one or more sensor electrodes 205 for absolute capacitive sensing to detect the presence of input object 140. For example, sensor driver 204 is configured to drive sensor electrodes 205 using trace 240 with an absolute capacitive sensing signal and acquire a result signal from the driven sensor electrodes 205. In such embodiments, the result signal includes an effect corresponding to the absolute capacitive sensing signal. The absolute capacitive sensing signal can be a varying voltage signal. For example, the absolute capacitive sensing signal can vary between two or more voltages. Additionally, the absolute capacitive sensing signal can be periodic or aperiodic. Furthermore, among other things, the absolute capacitive sensing signal can have one of a square wave, a sine wave, a trapezoidal wave, or a triangular wave. The frequency of the absolute capacitive sensing signal can be in the range of about 100 kHz to about 1 MHz. However, in other embodiments, frequencies less than 100 kHz or greater than 1 MHz can be used. Furthermore, the absolute sensing signal includes one or more sensing bursts in one or more sensing cycles. Each sensing burst can include a transition from a first voltage to a second voltage and from a second voltage to a first voltage. However, in other embodiments, each sensing burst may include transitions between more than two voltages.

[0041] In one or more embodiments, the sensor driver 204 is configured to operate the sensor electrodes 205 for absolute capacitive sensing by simultaneously driving two or more of the sensor electrodes 205 with absolute capacitive sensing signals. In such embodiments, a result signal can be acquired from each driven sensor electrode 205 simultaneously. In one embodiment, the sensor driver 204 drives a first or more of the sensor electrodes 205 with absolute capacitive sensing signals during a first time period and drives a second or more of the sensor electrodes with absolute capacitive sensing signals during a second time period. The first and second time periods may at least partially overlap or not overlap. In another embodiment, the sensor driver 204 simultaneously drives each of the sensor electrodes 205 during the same time period.

[0042] In another embodiment, sensor driver 204 operates sensor electrode 205 for transcapacitive sensing to detect the presence of input object 140. That is, sensor driver 204 can use a transcapacitive sensing signal to drive one or more first sensor electrodes 205 and use a second or more sensor electrodes 205 to receive a result signal. The result signal includes an effect corresponding to the transcapacitive sensing signal. The sensor electrode driven by the transcapacitive sensing signal is modulated relative to the sensor electrode receiving the result signal. In one embodiment, both the sensor electrode driven by the transcapacitive sensing signal and the sensor electrode receiving the result signal are modulated such that the sensor electrodes are modulated relative to each other. In another embodiment, a constant voltage signal is used to drive the receiver electrode, while the sensor electrode driven by the transcapacitive sensing signal is driven using the transcapacitive sensing signal.

[0043] The transcapacitive sensing signal can be a varying voltage signal. For example, the transcapacitive sensing signal can vary between two or more voltages. Additionally, the transcapacitive sensing signal can be periodic or aperiodic. Furthermore, among other things, the transcapacitive sensing signal can have one of a square wave, a sine wave, a trapezoidal wave, or a triangular wave. The frequency of the transcapacitive sensing signal can be in the range of about 100 kHz to about 1 MHz. However, in other embodiments, frequencies less than 100 kHz or greater than 1 MHz can be used. Furthermore, the transcapacitive sensing signal includes one or more sensing bursts within one or more sensing cycles. Each sensing burst can include a transition from a first voltage to a second voltage and from a second voltage to a first voltage. In embodiments employing a transcapacitive sensing signal having more than two voltages, each sensing burst can include more than two transitions. Furthermore, the transcapacitive sensing signal can be the same as or different from the absolute capacitive sensing signal.

[0044] In some embodiments, the sensor driver 204 operates the sensor electrode 205 for capacitive sensing by driving the sensor electrode 205 one at a time across the capacitive sensing signal. In such embodiments, the sensor driver 204 drives one sensor electrode 205 at a time using the capacitive sensing signal. Furthermore, the other sensor electrodes 205 may be driven using a substantially constant voltage.

[0045] Alternatively, the sensor driver 204 operates the sensor electrodes 205 for transcapacitive sensing by simultaneously driving multiple sensor electrodes 205 using transcapacitive sensing signals. In such an embodiment, the sensor electrodes 205 are driven using transcapacitive sensing signals simultaneously. In one embodiment, two or more of the sensor electrodes 205 may be driven simultaneously using the same transcapacitive sensing signal. Driving two or more sensor electrodes 205 using the same transcapacitive sensing signal effectively creates a substantially larger sensor electrode (e.g., ganging of sensor electrodes 205). In another embodiment, the sensor driver 204 may drive a first or more of the sensor electrodes 205 using a first transcapacitive sensing signal, and simultaneously drive a second or more of the sensor electrodes using a second transcapacitive sensing signal different from the first transcapacitive sensing signal. Furthermore, the first and second transcapacitive sensing signals may be based on different digital codes among a plurality of digital codes that enable independent determination of the combined effect on the resulting signals of the receiver electrodes.

[0046] In various embodiments, when one or more of the sensor electrodes 205 are driven by a transcapacitive sensing signal, a second or more sensor electrodes may be operated individually or in combination to obtain a result signal.

[0047] Sensor driver 204 can be configured to operate sensor electrode 205 for absolute capacitive sensing and / or operate sensor electrode 205 for transcapacitive sensing as described above. In one or more embodiments, sensor driver 204 is configured to switch between operating sensor electrode 205 for absolute capacitive sensing and operating sensor electrode 205 for transcapacitive sensing. Furthermore, in various embodiments, sensor driver 204 can be configured to selectively drive and receive a portion of sensor electrode 205. For example, the sensor electrode used to perform absolute capacitive sensing and / or transcapacitive sensing can be selected based on, but not limited to, an application running on a host processor, the state of the input device, the operating mode of the sensing device, and a determined location of the input device. The host processor can be a central processing unit or any other processor of an electronic device. In various embodiments, sensor driver 204 can operate the same sensor electrode for both absolute capacitive sensing and transcapacitive sensing. In one or more embodiments, sensor driver 204 operates different sensor electrodes for both absolute capacitive sensing and transcapacitive sensing.

[0048] Sensor driver 204 operates sensor electrodes 205 for absolute capacitive sensing and / or cross-capacitive sensing during a capacitive frame. For example, a capacitive frame may correspond to operating each sensor electrode 205 for absolute capacitive sensing. Alternatively, a capacitive frame may correspond to operating each sensor electrode 205 for cross-capacitive sensing. In another embodiment, a capacitive frame may correspond to operating each sensor electrode 205 for both absolute and cross-capacitive sensing.

[0049] In some embodiments, one or more of the sensor electrodes 205 include one or more display electrodes used in the display of the updated display screen. In one or more embodiments, among others, the display electrodes include one or more segments of a common voltage electrode (also referred to as a Vcom electrode), a source electrode, a gate electrode, an anode electrode, or a cathode electrode. These display electrodes may be disposed on a suitable display substrate. For example, in displays such as in-plane switching (IPS) and plane-to-line switching (PLS) OLEDs, the display electrodes may be disposed on a transparent substrate, such as a glass substrate, thin-film transistor (TFT) glass, or any other transparent material. In other embodiments, in displays such as patterned vertical alignment (PVA) and multi-domain vertical alignment (MVA), the display electrodes may be disposed on the bottom of a color filter glass. In such embodiments, the electrode used as both a sensor electrode and a display electrode may also be referred to as a combined electrode because it performs multiple functions.

[0050] Continue to refer to Figure 2 In various embodiments, the sensor driver 204 includes sensing circuitry configured to drive a cross-capacitive sensing signal and an absolute capacitive sensing signal onto sensor electrode 205 during the period in which input sensing is desired and to receive a result signal using sensor electrode 205.

[0051] For example, in one or more embodiments, the sensor driver 204 includes transmitter circuitry configured to drive a cross-capacitive sensing signal and / or an absolute capacitive sensing signal onto the sensor electrode 205 during the period in which input sensing is desired.

[0052] Additionally or alternatively, the sensor driver 204 includes receiver circuitry configured to utilize one or more received result signals from the sensor electrodes 205 when operating the sensor electrodes 205 for cross-capacitive sensing and / or absolute capacitive sensing. In one or more embodiments, the sensor module includes a plurality of receivers, wherein each receiver may be an analog front end (AFE). Each receiver may be coupled to one or more sensor electrodes 205, respectively.

[0053] In one or more embodiments, sensor driver 204 determines the position of an input object in sensing area 120 based on the received result signal. In one or more embodiments, sensor driver 204 provides a signal including information indicating the result signal to another module or processor, such as the determination module of processing system 110 or the processor of an electronic device (e.g., a host processor), for determining position information of input object 140 in sensing area 120. For example, in one embodiment, sensor driver 204 may provide a signal indicating the result signal to determination module 206.

[0054] In embodiments where sensor electrode 205 is operated for absolute capacitive sensing, determination module 206 determines a change in the absolute capacitance of sensor electrode 205 based on a result signal received by sensor driver 204. In embodiments where sensor electrode 205 is operated for transcapacitive sensing, determination module 206 determines a change in transcapacitance of sensor electrode 205 based on a result signal received by sensor driver 204. Determination module 206 may process the result signal or a signal based on the result signal to determine one or more capacitive images based on changes in absolute capacitive sensing and / or transcapacitive sensing. Furthermore, determination module 206 may determine position information of input object 140 based on one or more capacitive images or based on changes in absolute capacitance and / or transcapacitance.

[0055] In one or more embodiments, the processing system 110 includes a display driver that includes display driver circuitry configured to drive display electrodes to update the display. The display driver may include source driver circuitry configured to drive source electrodes of a display device for display updates. The display driver may be included in or separate from the sensor driver 204. In one embodiment, the processing system includes a first IC chip that includes at least a portion of the display driver and the sensor driver 204. In another embodiment, the processing system 110 includes a first integrated controller that includes the display driver and a second integrated controller that includes at least a portion of the sensor driver 204.

[0056] In one or more embodiments, capacitive or input sensing and display updates may occur during at least partially overlapping time periods. For example, display electrodes may also be driven for capacitive sensing while being driven for display updates. Alternatively, sensor electrodes 205 may be operated for both capacitive and / or absolute capacitive sensing, while display electrodes are driven for display updates. The overlapping capacitive sensing and display update periods may include modulating one or more reference voltages of the display device and / or modulating one or more display electrodes of the display during time periods that at least partially overlap with the time during which the sensor electrodes are configured for capacitive sensing. In another embodiment, capacitive sensing and display updates may occur during non-overlapping time periods (also referred to as non-display update periods). In various embodiments, non-display update periods may occur between display line update periods for two display lines of a display frame and may be at least as long as the display update periods in time. In such embodiments, non-display update periods may be referred to as long horizontal blanking periods, long h-blanking periods, or distributed blanking periods. In other embodiments, non-display update periods may include horizontal blanking periods and vertical blanking periods. The sensor driver 204 can be configured to drive the sensor electrodes for capacitive sensing during any one or more or any combination of different non-display update periods.

[0057] Figure 3 and Figure 4 The illustration shows a portion of the processing system 110 in two different operating modes. For example, in... Figure 3 In the diagram, processing system 110 is illustrated in a second mode, wherein receiver channels 310 and 320 are decoupled from each other. Furthermore, in... Figure 4 In the diagram, the processing system 110 is shown in a first mode, wherein receiver channels 310 and 320 are coupled to each other.

[0058] Figure 3 A portion of a processing system 110 according to one or more embodiments is illustrated. Specifically, Figure 3 The diagram illustrates receiver channels 310 and 320 and a switching mechanism 330. The switching mechanism 330 is coupled between the inputs of receiver channels 310 and 320. Although... Figure 3 The illustration shows two receiver channels and one switching mechanism, but in one or more embodiments, the processing system 110 may include more than two receiver channels and more than one switching mechanism. For example, the processing system 110 may include ten or more, or one hundred or more receiver channels. Furthermore, corresponding switching mechanisms are coupled to alternating pairs of receiver channels. For example, a first switching mechanism is coupled to a first receiver channel and a second receiver channel, and a second switching mechanism is coupled to a third receiver channel and a fourth receiver channel.

[0059] Receiver channel 310 includes an integrator 312, a mixer 314, a resistor 315, and an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) 316. In other embodiments, receiver channel 310 may include other components. For example, receiver channel 310 may include one or more filters and sample-and-hold circuitry. Receiver channel 310 is coupled to sensor electrode 205 via input terminal 340 of processing system 110. 1，2 .

[0060] Integrator 312 may include an amplifier and a current transmitter 313. In other embodiments, a feedback capacitor and a feedback reset switch or resistor may be included within integrator 312 instead of current transmitter 313. Furthermore, the inverting input of the amplifier of integrator 312 is coupled to a first terminal of resistor 315. The second terminal of resistor 315 is coupled to input terminal 340. The resistance value of resistor 315 may be in the range of approximately 100 ohms to approximately 10 kiloohms. In one embodiment, resistor 315, together with the capacitance of the associated sensor electrode 205, suppresses high-frequency interference (e.g., GSM, etc.). The non-inverting input of the amplifier of integrator 312 is configured to utilize a sensed signal (V... TX To drive and modulate sensor electrode 205 1，2 For example, in the second mode, the non-inverting input of the amplifier of integrator 312 is driven by the sensing signal to modulate sensor electrode 205. 1，2 Furthermore, in the second mode, the inverting input of the amplifier via the integrator 312 is drawn from the driven sensor electrode 205. 1，2 Receive result signal.

[0061] Mixer 314 is coupled to the output of integrator 312. In the second mode, mixer 314 is configured to mix the output signal of integrator 312 with the mixed signal S1. The output of mixer 314 is provided to ADC 316. The frequency and / or phase of the mixed signal S1 can be compared with the sensed signal (V). TX The frequency and / or phase are the same.

[0062] Receiver channel 320 includes an integrator 322, a mixer 324, a resistor 325, and an ADC 326. In other embodiments, receiver channel 320 may include other components. For example, receiver channel 320 may include one or more filters and sample-and-hold circuitry. Receiver channel 320 is coupled to sensor electrode 205 via input terminal 342 of processing system 110. 2，2 .

[0063] Integrator 322 includes an amplifier and a current transmitter 313. In other embodiments, a feedback capacitor and a feedback reset switch or resistor may be included within integrator 322 instead of current transmitter 323. Furthermore, the inverting input of the amplifier in integrator 322 is coupled to a first terminal of resistor 325. The second terminal of resistor 325 is coupled to input terminal 342. The resistance value of resistor 325 can be in the range of approximately 100 ohms to approximately 100 kiloohms. In one embodiment, resistor 315 is configured to handle high-frequency interference (e.g., GSM, etc.). The non-inverting input of the amplifier in integrator 322 is configured to utilize a sensed signal (V... TX To drive and modulate sensor electrode 205 2，2 For example, in the second mode, the non-inverting input of the amplifier of integrator 322 is driven by the sensing signal to modulate sensor electrode 205. 2，2 Furthermore, in the second mode, the inverting input of the amplifier via integrator 322 is drawn from the driven sensor electrode 205. 2，2 Receive result signal.

[0064] Mixer 324 is coupled to the output of integrator 322. In the second mode, mixer 324 is configured to mix the output signal of integrator 322 with the mixing signal S1. The output of mixer 324 is provided to ADC 326.

[0065] Switching mechanism 330 is coupled to the inputs of receiver channels 310 and 320. For example, switching mechanism 330 is coupled to receiver channel 310 between input terminal 340 and resistor 315 and to receiver channel 320 between input terminal 342 and resistor 325. Switching mechanism 330 may include one or more switches. As illustrated, switching mechanism 330 is switched off and decouples receiver channel 310 from receiver channel 320.

[0066] As discussed above, Figure 3 The second mode of the processing system 110 is illustrated. Furthermore, as discussed above, in the second mode, the switching mechanism 330 decouples the receiver channel 310 from the receiver channel 320. The second mode corresponds to the input sensing mode. For example, during the second mode, the sensor electrode 205... 1，2 and 205 2，2 Actively driven by sensing signals to detect sensor electrode 205 1，2 and 205 2，2 The change in absolute capacitance of each of them.

[0067] Figure 4The illustration shows a processing system 110 in a first mode according to one or more embodiments. In response to receiver channels 310 and 320 being in the first mode, a switching mechanism 330 couples the input of receiver channel 310 with the input of receiver channel 320. Therefore, the combined result signal includes signals from sensor electrode 205. 1，2 Received result signal and from sensor electrode 205 2，2 The received result signal is divided between receiver channels 310 and 320. The combined result signal includes signals from sensor electrode 205. 1，2 Received result signal and from sensor electrode 205 2，2 The received result signal. The combined result signal includes corresponding result signals received from two or more of the sensor electrodes 205. Alternatively, the combined result signal includes corresponding result signals received from three or more of the sensor electrodes 205.

[0068] The result signal received by each receiver channel 310 and 320 corresponds to the sensor electrode 205. 1，2 and 205 2，2 Approximately half of the total charge on the sensor electrode 205. The resulting signals received by each receiver channel 310 and 320 are identical and correspond to equal portions of the combined resulting signal. In other embodiments, the resulting signals received by each receiver channel 310 and 320 are different and correspond to different portions of the combined resulting signal. For example, the resulting signals received by each receiver channel 310 and 320 are different due to differences in circuit characteristics between receiver channels 310 and 320. The combined resulting signal corresponds to sensor electrode 205. 1，2 and 205 2，2 The combined charge on the receiver channel 310 and 320 can be divided between each receiver channel.

[0069] In the first mode, the non-inverting input of each amplifier in each integrator 312 and 322 is driven by a reference voltage Vref. The reference voltage is a DC voltage. For example, the reference voltage could be ground. In other embodiments, the reference voltage could be a DC voltage other than ground. Additionally, in the first mode, mixer 324 mixes the output of integrator 322 with a mixing signal S2. The mixing signal S2 may have a similar characteristic to the sensed signal (Vref). TX The mixed signal S2 has the same frequency as the sensing signal (V). Furthermore, the mixed signal S2 differs in phase from the sensing signal (V). TXFurthermore, the phase of the mixed signal S2 is different from the phase of the mixed signal S1. For example, the mixed signal S2 is orthogonal to the mixed signal S1 (e.g., out of phase by 90 degrees). Therefore, receiver channel 310 determines the in-phase component of the corresponding result signal, and receiver channel 320 determines the quadrature component of the corresponding result signal. The determination module 206 can use the in-phase and quadrature components to determine the measurement of interference. The measurement of interference may correspond to the measurement of the input object (e.g., input object 140) that is coupled with interference. Input object coupled interference corresponds to the interference coupled into the input device 100 when the input object is present in the sensing area (e.g., sensing area 120). Furthermore, the in-phase component can be used to determine the measurement of interference at the sensing signal frequency, and the quadrature component can be used to determine the measurement of interference that is out of phase by 90 degrees with the sensing signal frequency.

[0070] Figure 5 Another embodiment of the processing system 110 is illustrated. (As shown in the diagram...) Figure 3 Compared to the previous embodiment, in Figure 5 In this embodiment, each of receiver channels 310 and 320 is coupled to two or more sensor electrodes via switching mechanisms 360 and 370, respectively. Switching mechanism 360 selectively couples receiver channel 310 to input terminals 340a, 340b, and 340c. Input terminals 340a, 340b, and 340c are coupled to sensor electrode 205, respectively. 1，1 205 1，2 and 205 1，3 Furthermore, the switching mechanism 370 selectively couples the receiver channel 320 to input terminals 342a, 342b, and 342c. Input terminals 342a, 342b, and 342c are respectively coupled to sensor electrodes 205. 2，1 205 2，2 and 205 2，3 Switching mechanisms 360 and 370 may be included within processing system 110. Alternatively, switching mechanisms 360 and 370 may be external to processing system 110. In such an embodiment, receiver channels 310 and 320 are each coupled to one or more input terminals 340 and 342, and the input terminals 340 and 342 are coupled to switching mechanisms 360 and 370, respectively. Additionally, switching mechanisms 360 and 370 are coupled to sensor electrode 205 such that switching mechanisms 360 and 370 are disposed between sensor electrode 205 and input terminals 340, 342.

[0071] Switching mechanisms 360 and 370 may include one or more switches. In one embodiment, the number of switches in switching mechanisms 360 and 370 is at least as large as the number of sensor electrodes 205 coupled to each receiver channel 310, 320. In various embodiments, switching mechanisms 360 and 370 may include one or more multiplexers.

[0072] The switching mechanism 360 can switch the sensor electrodes 205 one at a time. 1，1 205 1，2 and 205 1，3 Coupled to receiver channel 310. Additionally, switching mechanism 360 can simultaneously connect sensor electrode 205. 1，1 205 1，2 and 205 1，3 Two or more of them are coupled to receiver channel 310. Furthermore, the switching mechanism 360 can simultaneously connect sensor electrodes 205. 1，1 205 1，2 and 205 1，3 Each of them is coupled to receiver channel 310. For example, in the second mode, the switching mechanism 360 switches the sensor electrodes 205 one at a time. 1，1 205 1，2 and 205 1，3 Coupled to receiver channel 310. Furthermore, during the first mode, the switching mechanism 360 simultaneously couples sensor electrode 205... 1，1 205 1，2 and 205 1，3 Coupled to receiver channel 310.

[0073] The switching mechanism 370 can switch the sensor electrodes 205 one at a time. 2，1 205 2，2 and 205 2，3 Coupled to receiver channel 320. Additionally, switching mechanism 370 can simultaneously connect sensor electrode 205. 2，1 205 2，2 and 205 2，3 Two or more of them are coupled to receiver channel 320. Furthermore, switching mechanism 370 can simultaneously connect sensor electrodes 205. 2，1 205 2，2 and 205 2，3 Each of them is coupled to receiver channel 320. For example, in the second mode, the switching mechanism 370 switches the sensor electrodes 205 one at a time. 2，1 205 2，2 and 205 2，3 Coupled to receiver channel 310. Furthermore, during the first mode, the switching mechanism 370 simultaneously couples sensor electrode 205...2，1 205 2，2 and 205 2，3 Coupled to receiver channel 310.

[0074] exist Figure 5 In this embodiment, the sensor electrodes coupled to each receiver channel 310 and 320 may correspond to different Figure 5 The orientation is illustrated in the diagram. For example, when each receiver channel is illustrated as being coupled to a sensor electrode in a common row, the receiver channel can be coupled to sensor electrodes in one or more rows and / or one or more columns. Furthermore, the receiver channel can be coupled to one or more sensor electrodes that are not adjacent to each other.

[0075] Figure 6 A processing system 602 coupled to a sensor electrode 605 according to one or more embodiments is illustrated. The processing system 602 is configured similarly to the processing system 110. For example, the processing system 602 is configured to operate the sensor electrode 605 for capacitive sensing. Furthermore, in one embodiment, the processing system 602 is configured to operate the sensor electrode for transcapacitive sensing. For example, during a second mode, receiver channels 610 and 620 may receive result signals from sensor electrodes 6051 and 6052, which include effects corresponding to transcapacitive sensing signals driven on sensor electrodes 6053 and 6054.

[0076] The processing system 602 includes a receiver channel 610, a receiver channel 620, and a switching mechanism 630. Receiver channels 610 and 620 are configured similarly to... Figure 3 Receiver channels 310 and 320. Furthermore, switching mechanism 630 couples the input of receiver channel 610 with the input of receiver channel 620.

[0077] Receiver channel 610 includes resistor 615, integrator 612, mixer 614, and ADC 616. Additionally, among other things, receiver channel 610 may additionally include one or more filters and sample-and-hold circuitry. Resistor 615 is configured as a resistor similar to resistor 315 and coupled to input terminal 640. Integrator 612 is coupled to resistor 615. Furthermore, integrator 612 is illustrated to include a feedback capacitor and a reset switch. However, in other embodiments, integrator 612 may be configured as an integrator similar to integrator 312, such that integrator 612 includes a current transmitter (e.g., current transmitter 313). Mixer 614 is coupled to the output of integrator 612 and is configured to mix the output signal of integrator 612 with a mixed signal having a mixed signal S1. In a first mode and a second mode, mixer 614 applies the mixed signal S1. The frequency and / or phase of the mixed signal S1 is the same as the frequency and / or phase of the sensing signal used for capacitive sensing. Therefore, in both the first and second modes, the output signal of mixer 614 is the in-band component of the corresponding result signal. ADC 616 is coupled to the output of mixer 614 and configured to generate a digital output signal based on the mixer output signal of mixer 614.

[0078] Receiver channel 620 includes resistor 625, integrator 622, mixer 624, and ADC 626. Additionally, among other things, receiver channel 620 may additionally include one or more filters and sample-and-hold circuitry. Resistor 625 is configured as a resistor similar to resistor 325 and coupled to input terminal 642. Integrator 622 is coupled to resistor 625. Furthermore, integrator 622 is illustrated to include a feedback capacitor and a reset switch. However, in other embodiments, integrator 622 may be configured as an integrator similar to integrator 322, such that integrator 622 includes a current transmitter (e.g., current transmitter 323). Mixer 624 is coupled to the output of integrator 622 and is configured to mix the output signal of integrator 622 with either a mixed signal S1 or a mixed signal S2. In a second mode, mixer 624 applies mixed signal S1, and in a first mode, mixer 624 applies mixed signal S2, which is orthogonal in phase to mixed signal S1. Therefore, in the second mode, the output signal of mixer 624 is the in-band component of the corresponding result signal, and in the first mode, the output signal of mixer 624 is the quadrature component of the corresponding result signal. ADC 626 is coupled to the output of mixer 624 and is configured to generate a digital output signal based on the mixer output signal of mixer 614.

[0079] Switching mechanism 630 is configured similarly to switching mechanism 330. For example, in the second mode, the switching mechanism decouples receiver channel 610 from receiver channel 620. In the first mode, switching mechanism 630 couples receiver channel 610 to receiver channel 620. In the first mode, the resulting signal from the combination of sensor electrodes 6051 and 6052 is output to receiver channels 610 and 620. (See reference...) Figure 4 As described, in the first mode, portions of the combined result signal received by receiver channel 610 and portions of the combined result signal received by receiver channel 620 may be the same or different from each other. For example, portions of the combined result signal may differ based on the circuit characteristics of receiver channels 610 and 620.

[0080] Figure 7 A portion of a processing system 702 according to one or more embodiments is illustrated. Processing system 702 is configured similarly to processing systems 110 and 602. Processing system 702 includes receiver channel 610, receiver channel 620, and switching mechanism 630. Furthermore, processing system 702 includes a switch 710 at the input of receiver channel 610, a switch 712 at the input of receiver channel 620, and a switch 716 between the outputs of integrators 612 and 622 and the inputs of mixers 614 and 624. Additionally, processing system 702 includes a switch 718 at the output of integrator 612 and a switch 720 at the output of integrator 622.

[0081] In the first mode, the switch of the switching mechanism 630 is closed; receiver channel 610 is coupled to receiver channel 620, and switch 716 is closed. Furthermore, switch 710 is closed and switch 712 is open. Additionally, switch 718 is closed and switch 720 is open. Therefore, integrator 622 can be bypassed, such that the integrated signal received by mixer 624 is provided by integrator 612.

[0082] Furthermore, in the first mode, mixer 614 applies a mixed signal S1 to the integrated signal output by integrator 612, and mixer 624 applies a mixed signal S2 having a phase orthogonal to the phase of the mixed signal S1. Additionally, in the first mode, the integrated signals provided to mixers 614 and 624 are the same.

[0083] In the second mode, the switch mechanism 630 is open; receiver channel 610 is decoupled from receiver channel 620, and switch 716 is opened. Furthermore, switches 710 and 712 are closed, such that the inputs of receiver channels 610 and 620 are coupled to input terminals 640 and 642, respectively. Additionally, switches 718 and 720 are closed. Moreover, mixers 614 and 624 apply the mixed signal S1 to the output signals of integrators 612 and 622, respectively.

[0084] In one or more embodiments, Figure 3 Processing system 110 can be replaced by processing system 602 or 710.

[0085] Figure 8 This is a flowchart of a method 800 for performing capacitive sensing according to one or more embodiments. At operation 810, in a first mode, the input of a first receiver channel is coupled to the input of a second receiver channel. For example, refer to... Figure 4 The switching mechanism 330 closes and couples the input of receiver channel 310 to the input of receiver channel 320. Therefore, the signal from sensor electrode 205... 1，2 and 205 2，2 The resulting signals are combined into a combined result signal. In other embodiments, such as Figure 5 As shown in the diagram, the combined result signal originates from sensor electrode 205. 1，1 205 1，2 205 1，3 205 2，1 205 2，2 and 205 2，3 The combined result signal is received. A portion of the combined result signal is received by each receiver channel 310 and 320. In one embodiment, the portion of the combined result signal received by each receiver channel 310 and 320 is the same. Alternatively, the portion of the combined result signal received by each receiver channel 310 and 320 may be different. For example, the portion of the combined result signal received by each receiver channel 310 and 320 may differ based on the circuit characteristics of each receiver channel 310 and 320. For example, in one embodiment, receiver channel 310 may receive a larger portion of the combined result signal than receiver channel 320. In another embodiment, receiver channel 320 may receive a larger portion of the combined result signal than receiver channel 310. Furthermore, when each receiver channel 310 and 320 receives different portions of the combined result signal, the sensor electrode 205 corresponding to the portion received by each receiver channel 310 and 320 is... 1，2 and 205 2，2 The amount of charge is different.

[0086] In the first mode, sensor electrode 205 is driven by a reference signal, such that the corresponding result signal includes the effects of interference. Interference can be coupled to sensor electrode 205 via input object 140. Sensor electrode 205 is driven by a reference signal. 1，2 and 205 2，2 It may include using a reference signal (e.g., Vref) to drive the non-inverting terminals of integrators 312 and 322.

[0087] At operation 820, a first output signal is generated in the receiver channel of the processing system during the first mode. For example, receiver channel 310 generates the first output signal by mixing a first portion of the combined result signal with a mixed signal S1. The first portion of the combined result signal is mixed with a sensing signal (V) TX Mixing signals S1 with the same phase and / or frequency generates an in-band component of a first portion of the combined result signal. Furthermore, a first output signal can be generated by mixer 314. For example, in one embodiment, integrator 312 generates a first integrated signal based on the first portion of the combined result signal. Mixer 314 mixes the first integrated signal with the mixed signal S1 to generate the first output signal.

[0088] At operation 830, a second output signal is generated when the receiver channel of the processing system is in the second mode. For example, receiver channel 320 generates the second output signal by mixing a second portion of the combined result signal with a mixed signal S2. The phase of mixed signal S2 is orthogonal to the phase of mixed signal S1. Mixing the second portion of the combined result signal with mixed signal S2 generates an orthogonal component of the combined result signal. Alternatively, the second output signal can be generated by mixer 324. For example, integrator 322 generates a second integrated signal based on the second portion of the combined result signal. Mixer 324 mixes the second integrated signal with mixed signal S2 to generate the second output signal.

[0089] At operation 840, interference information is determined. Determination module 206 determines the measurement result of the interference based on at least one of a first output signal and a second output signal. In one embodiment, determination module 206 determines the measurement result of the interference based on either the first or second output signal. In another embodiment, determination module 206 determines the measurement result of the interference based on both the first and second output signals. Determination module 206 receives a first output signal from receiver channel 310 and a second output signal from receiver channel 320. The first and second output signals may be processed by the ADC of each corresponding receiver channel before being transmitted to determination module 206. Determination module 206 determines the amplitude of the in-phase component of the combined result signal based on the first output signal, and determines the amplitude of the quadrature component of the combined result signal based on the second output signal. The amplitude of the in-phase component may correspond to the amplitude of the interference at the mixed signal S1, and the amplitude of the quadrature component may correspond to the amplitude of the interference at the mixed signal S2. In one embodiment, mixed signal S1 and mixed signal S2 are ninety degrees out of phase with each other. Furthermore, mixed signal S1 is phase and frequency-dependent with a sensing signal driven on the sensor electrodes (e.g., sensing signal V). TX Similarly, this can be used to perform absolute capacitive sensing or transcapacitive sensing. Therefore, the amplitude of the in-phase component corresponds to the amplitude of the interference at the sensed signal, and the amplitude of the quadrature component corresponds to the amplitude of the interference that is 90 degrees out of phase with the sensed signal.

[0090] The determining module 206 can modify the sensing signal used to perform capacitive sensing (e.g., absolute capacitive sensing or transcapacitive sensing). For example, the determining module 206 can provide instructions to change the sensing signal used to perform absolute capacitive sensing based on measurements of in-phase and / or quadrature components. Changing the sensing signal used for capacitive sensing includes switching from driving the sensor electrodes using a sensing signal having a first frequency to driving the sensor electrodes using a sensing signal having a second frequency different from the first frequency.

[0091] In one embodiment, the determining module 206 compares the amplitudes of the in-phase and / or quadrature components with an interference threshold to determine whether the interference threshold is exceeded. In response to determining that the amplitudes of the in-band components and / or quadrature components exceed the interference threshold, the determining module 206 provides an indication to the sensor driver 204 to switch to a sensing signal with a different frequency.

[0092] At operation 850, in the second mode, the input of the first receiver channel is decoupled from the input of the second receiver channel. For example, refer to... Figure 3 Disconnect the switch of the switching mechanism 330 to decouple the input of receiver channel 310 from the input of receiver channel 320.

[0093] At operation 860, a third output signal is generated. For example, refer to... Figure 3 The third output signal is generated by receiver channel 310 by mixing the third result signal with the mixed signal S1. 1，2 Receive. To receive the third result signal, the sensor electrode 205 is driven using a sensing signal. 1，2 For example, receiver channel 310 can use an absolute capacitive sensing signal to modulate sensor electrode 205. 1，2 And from sensor electrode 205 1，2 Receive the first result signal. Modulate sensor electrode 205. 1，2 This may include the non-inverting input of the integrator 312 of the modulated receiver channel 310. Alternatively, one or more sensor electrodes 205 may be driven using a transcapacitive sensing signal, and the receiver channel 310 may be driven from the sensor electrodes 205. 1，2 Receive the third result signal.

[0094] Receiver channel 310 includes an integrator 312 that integrates the third result signal to generate an integrated signal. Furthermore, mixer 314 mixes the integrated signal with a mixed signal S1 to generate a third output signal.

[0095] At operation 870, a fourth output signal is generated. For example, refer to... Figure 3 The fourth output signal is generated by receiver channel 320 by mixing the fourth result signal with the mixed signal S1. (From sensor electrode 205) 2，2 The fourth result signal is received. To receive the third result signal, the sensor electrode 205 is driven using a sensing signal. 2，2 For example, receiver channel 320 can use an absolute capacitive sensing signal to modulate sensor electrode 205. 2，2 And from sensor electrode 205 2，2 Receive the first result signal. Modulate sensor electrode 205. 2，2 This may include the non-inverting input of the integrator 322 of the modulated receiver channel 320. Alternatively, one or more sensor electrodes 205 may be driven using a transcapacitive sensing signal, and the receiver channel 320 may be driven from the sensor electrodes 205. 2，2 Receive the fourth result signal.

[0096] Receiver channel 320 includes an integrator 322 that integrates the fourth result signal to generate an integrated signal. Furthermore, mixer 324 mixes the integrated signal with a mixed signal S1 to generate a fourth output signal.

[0097] In one or more embodiments, the determination module 206 may determine position information based on a third output signal and a fourth output signal. The third and fourth output signals may be processed by the ADC of each corresponding receiver channel before being transmitted to the determination module 206. The determination module 206 baselines the third and fourth signals to generate corresponding baselined signals. The determination module 206 determines the sensor electrode 205 based on the baselined signals. 1，2 and 205 2，2 The measurement results of the capacitance change of each of the input objects are used. In addition, the determination module 206 compares the measurement results of the capacitance change with one or more thresholds to determine the location information of the input object (e.g., input object 140).

[0098] Therefore, the embodiments and examples set forth herein are presented in order to best explain embodiments according to the present technology and its particular applications, and thereby enable those skilled in the art to make and use this disclosure. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that the foregoing descriptions and examples are presented merely for illustrative and exemplary purposes. The descriptions set forth are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit this disclosure to the precise forms disclosed.

[0099] In view of the foregoing, the scope of this disclosure is defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A processing system, comprising: A sensor driver configured to drive a first receiver channel and a second receiver channel using a reference signal in a first mode; The first receiver channel is configured as follows: In the first mode, a first output signal is generated by mixing a first portion of the combined result signal with a first mixed signal having a first phase, wherein the combined result signal includes a first result signal received from a first sensor electrode and a second result signal received from a second sensor electrode. The second receiver channel is configured as follows: In the first mode, a second output signal is generated by mixing a second portion of the combined result signal with a second mixed signal having a second phase orthogonal to the first phase. as well as A switching mechanism, coupled to the inputs of the first receiver channel and the second receiver channel, is configured to: In response to the first receiver channel and the second receiver channel being in the first mode, the input of the first receiver channel is coupled to the input of the second receiver channel; as well as In response to the first receiver channel and the second receiver channel being in a second mode, the input of the first receiver channel is decoupled from the input of the second receiver channel. The sensor driver is configured to drive the first receiver channel and the second receiver channel in the second mode using a sensing signal that is different from the reference signal.

2. The processing system according to claim 1, wherein the first receiver channel and the second receiver channel are configured to simultaneously generate the first output signal and the second output signal.

3. The processing system according to claim 1, further comprising: The determination module is configured to determine the measurement result of the interference based on at least one of the first output signal and the second output signal.

4. The processing system of claim 1, wherein the first receiver channel, when in the second mode, is further configured to generate a third output signal by mixing a third result signal with the first mixed signal, the third result signal being received from the first sensor electrode, and the second receiver channel, when in the second mode, is further configured to generate a fourth output signal by mixing a fourth result signal with the first mixed signal, the fourth result signal being received from the second sensor electrode.

5. The processing system according to claim 4, further comprising: The determination module is configured to determine the position information of the input object based on at least one of the third output signal and the fourth output signal.

6. The processing system according to claim 1, wherein the first receiver channel comprises: A first resistor is coupled to a first input terminal of the processing system; A first integrator having an input coupled to the first resistor and configured to integrate the first portion of the combined result signal; as well as A first mixer, coupled to the output of the first integrator and configured to generate the first output signal. The second receiver channel includes: A second resistor is coupled to a second input terminal of the processing system; A second integrator, having an input coupled to the second resistor and configured to integrate the second portion of the combined result signal; and A second mixer, coupled to the output of the second integrator and configured to generate the second output signal, wherein the switching mechanism is coupled to the input of the first receiver channel between the first input terminal and the first resistor and to the input of the second receiver channel between the second input terminal and the second resistor.

7. The processing system according to claim 1, wherein the first portion of the combined result signal is greater than the second portion of the combined result signal, or the second portion of the combined result signal is greater than the first portion of the combined result signal.

8. An input device, comprising: Multiple sensor electrodes, including a first sensor electrode and a second sensor electrode; as well as A processing system coupled to the plurality of sensor electrodes, the processing system comprising: A sensor driver configured to drive a first receiver channel and a second receiver channel using a reference signal in a first mode; The first receiver channel is configured as follows: In the first mode, a first output signal is generated by mixing a first portion of the combined result signal with a first mixed signal having a first phase, wherein the combined result signal includes a first result signal received from the first sensor electrode and a second result signal received from the second sensor electrode. The second receiver channel is configured as follows: In the first mode, a second output signal is generated by mixing a second portion of the combined result signal with a second mixed signal having a second phase orthogonal to the first phase; and A first switching mechanism, coupled to the input of the first receiver channel and the input of the second receiver channel, is configured to: In response to the first receiver channel and the second receiver channel being in the first mode, the input of the first receiver channel is coupled to the input of the second receiver channel; and In response to the first receiver channel and the second receiver channel being in a second mode, the input of the first receiver channel is decoupled from the input of the second receiver channel. The sensor driver is configured to drive the first receiver channel and the second receiver channel in the second mode using a sensing signal that is different from the reference signal.

9. The input device of claim 8, wherein the first receiver channel and the second receiver channel are configured to simultaneously generate the first output signal and the second output signal.

10. The input device of claim 9, wherein the processing system is configured to determine a measurement result of interference based on at least one of the first output signal and the second output signal.

11. The input device of claim 8, wherein the first receiver channel, in the second mode, is further configured to generate a third output signal by mixing a third result signal with the first mixed signal, the third result signal being received from the first sensor electrode, and the second receiver channel, in the second mode, is further configured to generate a fourth output signal by mixing a fourth result signal with the first mixed signal, the fourth result signal being received from the second sensor electrode.

12. The input device of claim 11, wherein the processing system is configured to determine the position information of the input object based on at least one of the third output signal and the fourth output signal.

13. The input device of claim 8, wherein the first receiver channel comprises: A first resistor is coupled to a first input terminal of the processing system; A first integrator having an input coupled to the first resistor, the first integrator being configured to integrate the first portion of the combined result signal; as well as A first mixer, coupled to the output of the first integrator, is configured to generate the first output signal. The second receiver channel includes: A second resistor is coupled to a second input terminal of the processing system; A second integrator, having an input coupled to the second resistor, is configured to integrate the second portion of the combined result signal; and A second mixer, coupled to the output of the second integrator, is configured to generate the second output signal. The first switching mechanism is coupled to the input of the first receiver channel between the first input terminal and the first resistor, and is also coupled to the input of the second receiver channel between the second input terminal and the second resistor.

14. The input device of claim 8, wherein the processing system further comprises a second switching mechanism coupled between an input terminal of the processing system and the input of the first receiver channel, the second switching mechanism being configured to couple the input terminal to the input of the first receiver channel in response to the first receiver channel being in the first mode.

15. The input device of claim 8, wherein the first portion of the combined result signal is greater than the second portion of the combined result signal, or the second portion of the combined result signal is greater than the first portion of the combined result signal.

16. A method for capacitive sensing, the method comprising: In the first mode, the input of the first receiver channel is coupled to the input of the second receiver channel; In the first mode, the first receiver channel and the second receiver channel are driven using a reference signal; When the first receiver channel is in the first mode, a first output signal is generated by mixing a first portion of the combined result signal with a first mixed signal having a first phase, wherein the combined result signal includes a first result signal received from a first sensor electrode and a second result signal received from a second sensor electrode; A second output signal is generated by mixing a second portion of the combined result signal with a second mixed signal having a second phase orthogonal to the first mixed signal via the second receiver channel and in the first mode. In the second mode, the input of the first receiver channel is decoupled from the input of the second receiver channel; as well as In the second mode, the first receiver channel and the second receiver channel are driven using a sensing signal, which is different from the reference signal.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the first output signal and the second output signal are generated simultaneously.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising: The measurement result of the interference is determined based on at least one of the first output signal and the second output signal.

19. The method of claim 16, further comprising: In the second mode, a third output signal is generated by mixing the third result signal with the first mixed signal through the first receiver channel, wherein the third result signal is received from the first sensor electrode. In the second mode, a fourth output signal is generated by mixing the fourth result signal with the first mixed signal through the second receiver channel, wherein the fourth result signal is received from the second sensor electrode. as well as The location information of the input object is determined based on at least one of the third output signal and the fourth output signal.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein the first portion of the combined result signal is greater than the second portion of the combined result signal, or the second portion of the combined result signal is greater than the first portion of the combined result signal.

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