Cover layer detection for touch input devices

Abstract

The invention relates to overlay detection for a touch input device. A computing device and method for detecting and compensating for the presence of a cover layer on a touch input device is provided. A computing device includes: a processing device; a touch input device in electronic communication with the processing device; and a memory device in electronic communication with the processing device and having electronic instructions encoded thereon. The electronic instructions, when executed by the processing device, cause the processor to: receive a first signal obtained from the touch input device for a first duration, the first signal comprising a first signal pattern; receiving a second signal obtained from the touch input device for a second duration separated from the first duration, the second signal comprising a second signal pattern; determining a difference between the first signal pattern and the second signal pattern; and adjusting the touch input detection setting based on the difference.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the invention patent application with application date of March 2, 2023, application number 202310191349.7, and invention name “Covering layer detection for touch input device”. Technical Field

[0002] The described embodiments generally relate to apparatus, methods, and systems for controlling a touch input device. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention relate to detecting an overlay or screen protector on a touch input device and taking action to compensate for changes in usage of the computing device. Background Art

[0003] With the development of mobile communication technology, electronic devices (such as smart phones, wearable devices, tablet computers, laptop or notebook computers, vehicle interfaces, etc.) generally equipped with displays have been widely standardized and integrated into the daily lives of millions of users.

[0004] The display of the electronic device may be implemented with a touch screen display. In addition to its role as a display device, the touch screen display may also perform the role of an input device that receives manipulations from a user. The touch screen display is typically implemented with capacitive sensing capabilities, where electrodes beneath a cover glass material are used to sense changes in capacitance caused by the introduction of a user instrument (e.g., a finger or tool) to the surface of the cover glass.

[0005] Although touch screens provide an interface for users to engage, cover glass can be fragile and susceptible to cracking or scratching. In addition, the surface finish provided by the manufacturer of the cover glass may be different from the user's preferences, such as more gloss or less gloss than the user prefers. Some users also prefer different cover glass textures in order to use different types of tools on the display. Therefore, many users apply screen protectors to the cover glass to improve the durability, appearance, and functional properties of the cover glass. Screen protectors are generally made to cause minimal distortion to the image displayed by the display below, but they can alter the light of the display in a subtle but perceptible way.

[0006] Therefore, there is a constant need for improvements in display screen technology. Summary of the invention

[0007] One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a computing device, which includes: a processing device, which is in electronic communication with the following items: a first light sensor; a second light sensor; and a touch input device; and a memory device, which is in electronic communication with the processing device and has electronic instructions encoded thereon; wherein the electronic instructions, when executed by the processing device, cause a processor to: receive a first signal from the first light sensor; receive a second signal from the second light sensor; determine a difference between the first signal and the second signal; and adjust a touch input parameter of the touch input device based on the difference between the first signal and the second signal.

[0008] In some embodiments, adjusting the touch input parameter includes reducing a threshold parameter for detecting touch input at the touch input device, or includes increasing a threshold parameter for curve fitting of touch input at the touch input device.

[0009] In some embodiments, the electronic instructions further cause the processor to simultaneously obtain the first signal and the second signal from the first light sensor and the second light sensor, respectively.

[0010] In some embodiments, the difference between the first signal and the second signal comprises a difference in light intensity sensed by the first light sensor relative to the second light sensor.

[0011] In some embodiments, the difference between the first signal and the second signal comprises a difference in wavelength of light sensed by the first light sensor relative to the second light sensor.

[0012] In some embodiments, adjusting the touch input detection parameters includes increasing a sensitivity setting of the touch input device.

[0013] In some embodiments, the computing device also includes an overlay that is positioned over the touch input device and filters light sensed by the first light sensor differently than light sensed by the second light sensor.

[0014] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a computing device, which includes: a processing device; a touch input device, which is in electronic communication with the processing device; and a memory device, which is in electronic communication with the processing device and has electronic instructions encoded thereon; wherein the electronic instructions, when executed by the processing device, cause a processor to: receive a first signal obtained from the touch input device within a first duration, the first signal including a first signal pattern; receive a second signal obtained from the touch input device within a second duration separate from the first duration, the second signal including a second signal pattern; determine a difference between the first signal pattern and the second signal pattern; and adjust touch input detection settings based on the difference between the first signal pattern and the second signal pattern.

[0015] In some embodiments, the difference between the first signal pattern and the second signal pattern comprises an amplitude difference. The difference between the first signal pattern and the second signal pattern may also comprise a peak-to-peak distance difference or a spatial frequency difference between a portion of the first signal pattern and a portion of the second signal pattern.

[0016] In some embodiments, the touch input device includes a grid of sensor components having orthogonal principal axes, and wherein the first signal and the second signal are obtained via input provided to the touch input device along a path that is non-orthogonal to the principal axes of the grid of sensor components.

[0017] In some embodiments, adjusting the touch input detection setting includes changing an input interpretation algorithm.

[0018] Yet another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a computing device comprising: a processing device; a body having an outer surface; a touch input device in electronic communication with the processing device and configured to sense capacitive touch input through the outer surface; a sensor in electronic communication with the processing device and configured to sense through the outer surface; and a memory device in electronic communication with the processing device and having electronic instructions encoded thereon; wherein the electronic instructions, when executed by the processing device, cause a processor to: receive a first signal obtained from the sensor at a first time, the first signal having a first signal characteristic; receive a second signal obtained from the sensor at a second time separate from the first time, the second signal having a second signal characteristic; detect a difference between the first signal characteristic and the second signal characteristic; and adjust a touch input threshold of the touch input device based on the difference between the first signal characteristic and the second signal characteristic.

[0019] In some embodiments, the sensor includes an audio sensor, a light sensor, and / or a capacitive sensor separate from the touch input device.

[0020] In some embodiments, the difference in magnitude comprises a decrease in magnitude between the first signal and the second signal in response to substantially equal stimuli provided to the sensor at the first time and the second time.

[0021] In some embodiments, adjusting the touch input threshold includes increasing the sensitivity of the touch input device to detect capacitive touch input. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] The present disclosure will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like structural elements, and wherein:

[0023] Figure 1A A schematic diagram of a computing device, an input device, and corresponding sensor signals is shown.

[0024] Figure 1B Shows a cover or screen installed Figure 1A Schematic diagram of a computing device, input device, and corresponding sensor signals of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating a method for detecting an overlay and adjusting the way touch input is interpreted and used by a computing device.

[0026] Figure 3A A touch input device and a set of input traces are shown.

[0027] Figure 3B Shown based on Figure 3A A set of sensing paths for the input trace.

[0028] Figure 3C Shown based on Figure 3B A set of straight lines of the sensing path.

[0029] Figure 4A A touch input device and a set of input traces provided via an overlay are shown.

[0030] Figure 4B Shown based on Figure 4A A set of sensing paths for the input trace.

[0031] Figure 4C Shown based on Figure 4B A set of straight lines of the sensing path.

[0032] Figure 5 A diagram illustrating a process for detecting an overlay and adjusting the way touch input is interpreted and used by a computing device is shown.

[0033] Fig. 6AA computing device having multiple capacitive touch input devices and a controller in a housing is shown.

[0034] Figure 6B A computing device having multiple capacitive touch input devices and a controller in a housing is shown.

[0035] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional side view of a computing device at an outer corner of the housing and cover glass.

[0036] Figure 8 A diagram illustrating a process for detecting an overlay and adjusting the way touch input is interpreted and used by a computing device is shown.

[0037] Fig. 9 A diagram illustrating a process for detecting an overlay and adjusting the way touch input is interpreted and used by a computing device is shown.

[0038] Fig.10 A computer system is shown for implementing various aspects of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] Reference will now be made specifically to the representative embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the following description is not intended to limit the embodiments to a preferred embodiment. On the contrary, it is intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalent forms that may be included in the spirit and scope of the embodiments defined by the appended claims.

[0040] Although screen protectors generally provide improved comfort and durability for user devices, they may also interfere with the operation of the touch screens they are used to protect. For example, the material and thickness of the screen protectors may cause deformation or attenuation of the electric field emitted by the user instrument (e.g., a stylus tool or finger) and sensed by the electrical traces of the touch screen. This may negatively affect the performance of the touch screen by reducing the sensitivity, touch detection accuracy, and speed of the touch screen.

[0041] The present disclosure relates to systems, apparatus, and methods for detecting and compensating for the application of a screen protector to a touch screen device. A computing device having a touch screen device may include a processing device in communication with a sensor that is used in conjunction with the processing device to detect the presence of a screen protector applied to a cover glass of the touch screen and potentially detect physical characteristics of the screen protector (such as color or thickness). Upon detecting the screen protector, the processor may alter input settings that interpret signals of the touch screen to compensate for or reduce the negative effects of adding the screen protector to the device.

[0042] In some embodiments, a computing device may be configured to receive a first signal from a touch input device over time and may detect a first signal pattern in the first signal. The device may also receive a second signal from the touch input device over a second time and may detect a second signal pattern in the second signal. The device may then determine a difference between the first signal pattern and the second signal pattern and adjust the touch input settings of the device (e.g., a touch screen of the device) to limit the impact of a screen saver that causes the difference between the first signal pattern and the second signal pattern. Pattern differences may include, for example, changes in the average magnitude of a capacitive touch input over time or changes in the shape of a moving input detected by the touch screen. Thus, the output of the touch screen may be monitored over time and then used to determine that a user has applied a screen saver to the display and react to the change in the state of the device, such as by implementing different capacitive input detection processing algorithms, adjusting the color balance of the display's output, or curve fitting, filtering, interpolating, or otherwise smoothing the input. See, e.g. Figure 2 and their related descriptions in this article.

[0043] In some embodiments, a sensor that is separate from the touch screen input device (or is not originally primarily used for touch screen interaction) can be used to detect the presence of a screen protector. For example, a processor of a computing device can receive two separate signals from a sensor at different times, can measure and compare those signals, and in response, the processor can adjust the touch input or output settings of the touch input device based on the difference between the signals. In some cases, the sensor can be a light sensor (e.g., a camera or ambient light sensor), and the difference between the signals can include a difference in the intensity or wavelength / color balance of light provided to the sensor in response to the screen protector being applied to the sensor over time. Similarly, the sensor can include multiple light sensors, and the difference between the signals can include a difference in the sensed light intensity or color of light provided to one of the sensors compared to another sensor due to the screen protector being applied to one of the sensors (whether over time or based on simultaneous detection). In addition, the output from a microphone or other audio or pressure sensor can be used to determine whether the input provided to the sensor is muted, distorted, or attenuated because the sensor is covered by a screen protector (e.g., a port or microphone sensing hole on the surface of the covering computing device). In some embodiments, the sensor may include a capacitive sensor configured to be positioned near or around a primary touch sensor of a touch screen display, and the signal detected by the separate capacitive sensor may be used to determine the presence of a screen protector without requiring the touch screen display or interacting with the touch screen display to affect the signal. See, e.g. Figure 5 and Figure 8 and their related descriptions in this article.

[0044] These and other embodiments are discussed below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these drawings is for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limiting. In addition, as used herein, a system, method, article, component, feature, or sub-feature comprising at least one of a first option, a second option, or a third option should be understood to refer to a system, method, article, component, feature, or sub-feature comprising one of each listed option (e.g., only one first option, only one second option, only one third option), a plurality of a single listed option (e.g., two or more first options), two options simultaneously (e.g., one first option and one second option), or a combination thereof (e.g., two first options and one second option).

[0045] 1 shows a schematic representation of a computing device 100 of the present disclosure. The computing device 100 may include a housing 104 containing a display 102 and having a bezel 106 or frame portion adjacent to and / or surrounding the display 102.

[0046] The computing device 100 is shown as a tablet computing device. In some embodiments, the computing device 100 may include other types of computer interfaces, such as, for example, a touch screen positioned in a housing to function as a touchpad or trackpad, a personal computer (such as a laptop or computing notebook), an e-reader, a smart phone, a smart watch, a kiosk or other station interface, an electronic pen digitizer, related devices, and combinations thereof. The computing device 100 may include electronic computer components that communicate electronically with each other, such as, for example, in conjunction with a Fig.10 Computer system 1000 is discussed.

[0047] Housing 104 may include a rigid base structure for holding, protecting, and supporting other components of computing device 100. Housing 104 may include a conductive material, such as metal, to act as a reference ground for device 100. Housing 104 may be configured to be held by a user, a stand, or other support (e.g., a table) while operating device 100. User input provided by a user device to display 102 may be located on the side or back of housing 104 due to changes in the electrostatic charge of the user device and device 100 when providing input, based on whether the user is holding housing 104, whether housing 104 is mounted to a support, and a housing or covering.

[0048] Bezel 106 may include portions of device 100 proximate display 102 where no output (eg, a backlight for a liquid crystal display (LCD)) is provided. Figure 7106 and its related description below. The border 106 may have a width dimension extending from the side edge limit of the display to the outer edge or edge of the front face of the device 100 (e.g., the outer edge of the housing 104). In some embodiments, a single cover glass or other transparent panel may cover the display 102 and the border 106, wherein the display 102 is visible through the transparent panel. In some embodiments, a separate cover may be used over the display 102 compared to the border 106. As discussed in further detail below, sensors (e.g., 108, 110, 112) may be positioned at various locations around the display 102 in the border 106. See also FIG. 6A to FIG. 7 The sensors may include a camera 108 and one or more auxiliary sensors 110 , 112 , and may be positioned in the bezel 106 of the computing device 100 so as not to interfere with the operation, positioning, or shape of the display 102 .

[0049] The display 102 may operate as a touch input device, such as a capacitive touch screen display configured to sense changes in capacitance or voltage drop at one or more areas of its outer surface 114 caused, for example, by the presence of a user instrument (e.g., a hand 116, finger, tool, stylus 118, glove, or similar instrument) having an electrical charge or electric field sensed by the device. The display 102 may include an electrostatic arrangement or array of conductive traces (such as surface capacitance sensor and projected capacitance sensor traces) and may thereby detect the proximity and position of the user instrument relative to the outer surface 114. In an exemplary embodiment, the display 102 may include a transparent outer structure (e.g., cover glass), a transparent conductive layer separated by an insulating layer or separator beneath the outer structure, and a graphics display component (e.g., an LCD or electronic ink display and backlight) configured to generate an image and provide a backlight for the image generated in a manner that is visible through the transparent conductive layer. See also Figure 7 and their description hereinafter. The transparent conductive layers may each comprise a set of parallel conductive traces, wherein one layer has traces oriented perpendicular to the traces on another layer. See also Figure 3A and Figure 4A and its related description below. Thus, the location and magnitude of one or more voltage drops at one or more locations in the multiple layers may be detected and tracked by the touch screen controller. Thus, the display 102 may be a multi-touch device configured to sense multiple touches, gestures, tool inputs, and the like to receive input for the computing device 100.

[0050] The size, shape, electric field strength, and other physical and electrical characteristics of the input device may affect the signals detected by the display 102. For example, for a grid of conductive elements, multiple nearby elements may detect a change in voltage and / or a change in capacitance in response to the presence of an input device, and the signal generated by each element may vary based on the proximity of the element to the device. Thus, a sensor element centered exactly under a finger may detect a stronger signal than a sensor element spaced 10 millimeters from the center. Additionally, environmental effects (temperature, humidity, other nearby electronics, etc.), sensor tolerances, noise, and sensor errors may cause small variations in the signals of various sensor elements in the display 102 where the user device is used and in areas of the display 102 that are not intended to receive input.

[0051] The signals detected by the multiple capacitive sensing elements of the display 102 may be accumulated to form a distribution 120 of detected magnitudes across the locations of the sensor elements of the display 102. The display 102 and its capacitive sensor traces may generate many distributions (e.g., one distribution per x-axis or y-axis) to form a sensor information matrix representing the signals collected across the entire touch-sensitive area of ​​the display 102.

[0052] Each distribution 120 may have a maximum magnitude 122 (ie, maximum voltage drop, maximum capacitance, or maximum capacitance variation) and a shape profile (eg, width, standard deviation, and symmetry factor). One such distribution 120 may correspond to a value along an axis (eg, Figure 1A The x0 axis in the display 102 extends across the x-axis of the display 102 (e.g., along the x1 axis). A plurality of other similar distributions may correspond to lines extending across the display 102 (e.g., along the x1 axis) that are spaced apart across the display in another direction (e.g., spaced apart along the y0 axis). Similarly, the distribution may be sensed along a line at the y0 axis and along a line parallel to the y axis (e.g., y1 and y2). In some configurations, the distribution may be sensed simultaneously along multiple x-axes and y-axes. In addition, by referring to the values ​​of the parallel distributions along the vertical axis, the distribution along the vertical axis (e.g., along the y0 axis) may be determined using multiple parallel distributions (e.g., multiple distributions measured along the x0 axis, the x1 axis, and the x2 axis (and more)). Thus, multiple sensor signal distributions may be determined for multiple (e.g., all) conductive traces across the touch screen 102. The distributions may be provided collectively to a controller device to determine the size, quantity, and location of user devices based on the magnitude (e.g., 122), standard deviation, and other properties of each of these distributions.

[0053] As described above, the touch screen display 102 sensor signals may vary. Some common sources of variation are different input methods (e.g., finger versus stylus, whether the palm is touching the display, whether the user is simultaneously touching the device housing, etc.), environmental factors (e.g., humidity, temperature, nearby electronic devices that output electric fields, etc.), sensor tolerances, sensor errors, sensor validity drift (e.g., aging electronics), and related effects. In order to facilitate a more consistent user experience, the display 102 may be calibrated to distinguish between "signal" and "noise" signals sensed by the sensor elements. In some embodiments, the controller of the display 102 may implement a threshold sensor value below which the signal of the sensor element is ignored or otherwise not interpreted as user input. Figure 1A 124. Thus, the controller may ignore touch inputs provided to the display 102 that fail to produce a signal exceeding the threshold 124. In some embodiments, the calibration threshold 124 may be used to identify spaces between multiple simultaneous touches on the display 102. Controller instructions (e.g., software, firmware, or control hardware) may include implementation of touch detection and / or touch tracking algorithms that interpret signals from various distributions detected over time to convert the distributions into signals used by software of the computing device 100 to perform tasks (e.g., to execute user instructions in response to input or to display information to the user, such as by displaying the location of a touch or gesture).

[0054] Figure 1B A computing device 100 is shown having a material layer applied to an outer surface 114 where a touch sensor of a display 102 is located. The material layer may be a cover layer 126, such as, for example, a housing or a transparent or translucent screen protector. The cover layer 126 may be rigid or bendable, and may include polymers, ceramics, glass, or similar materials to prevent scratches, cracks, and other potential wear and damage to the outer surface 114 of the outer layer (e.g., cover glass) of the display 102. In some embodiments, the cover layer 126 has a texture different from the outer surface 114, thereby providing the computing device 100 with customization of the reflectivity, surface friction, and other properties of the contact surface to which the user input is provided. Generally speaking, the cover layer 126 can be removed from the outer surface 114 without damaging the outer surface 114. Therefore, the cover layer 126 can be configured to be temporarily mounted to the computing device 100. As used herein, a "cover layer" or "screen protector" is a thin transparent (or substantially transparent) film or sheet attached to the outer surface of a computing device in which a touch input is provided. Thus, the cover or screen is distinguished from a case or sleeve used to hold computing device 100 by its transparency, its thinness, and its adhesion to the surface through which capacitive touch input is provided and through which display (eg, LCD and backlight) is output.

[0055] The material, surface finish, and thickness of the cover layer 126 may interfere with (eg, attenuate or distort) the electric field transmitted from the user device to the sensor elements of the display 102. For example, Figure 1B As shown, sensor distribution 130 may have a different maximum magnitude 132, standard deviation, and other shape characteristics (compared to distribution 120) when provided with the same input. Such variations in distribution 130 may introduce uncertainty into the system regarding the location of the input. For example, Figure 1B As shown, the location of the input can be at position y0, y1, or y2 without significantly changing the magnitude of distribution 130. By comparison, the same positions y0, y1, and y2 of distribution 120 will cause more significant changes in magnitude, where y1 and y2 have lower magnitudes than y0. Therefore, the interference of cover layer 126 can reduce the magnitude of the signal sensed by the touch sensor of display 102, increase the standard deviation of the sensed distribution, and thus, reduce the certainty of the location of the input. In response, the performance of touch screen display 102 may be negatively affected, such as being negatively affected by detecting a touch at an incorrect location or not detecting a touch when applied. As discussed in further detail below, this may be particularly problematic for situations where subtle taps or subtle gesture inputs are provided (e.g., providing input that only spans a distance across a small subset of the touch sensor traces) and where the subtle input needs to be tracked and displayed to the user (e.g., when assuming that the application displays a straight line drawn on the display by a pointing user instrument).

[0056] In addition, the display screen 102 is typically configured with touch traces arranged in a grid, with the touch traces having traces parallel to the edges of the display 102 (e.g., along Figure 1A Each axis x in n and n A touch positioned substantially directly above a trace may result in a higher magnitude signal (e.g., Figure 1A to Figure 1B y0 in the trace grid). For at least this reason, the accuracy of user input position detection control instructions may be reduced for input applied between the traces, such as when the user provides input along a diagonal line (i.e., a line oriented at least in part at an angle relative to the major axis of the trace grid). The presence of overlay 126 may exacerbate this reduction in touch positioning accuracy. When a user instrument is used to "draw" a line on display 102, the straight and smooth input may cause its tracked position to have an increased spatial frequency or wave amplitude (i.e., may become more visually jittery or wavy) rather than following the relatively straight and smooth path intended by the user. See FIG. 3A to FIG. 4C and their related descriptions below.

[0057] Thus, embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to detecting an overlay (eg, 126 ) by using, at least in part, signals generated by a touch sensor of display 102 . Figure 2 A process flow diagram is shown that can be used to detect the presence of an overlay and adjust the manner in which the touch input is interpreted and used by the computing device to compensate for the presence of the overlay. As shown in block 202, a control method 200 for a computing device may include receiving a first signal. The first signal may be obtained from a touch input device over a first duration and may include a first signal pattern. For example, a controller (e.g., a processor, a processing device, a touch controller, a CPU, and other controllers) may receive a signal from a touch input device (e.g., a display 102 or more specifically a capacitive touch sensing component of the display 102). The signal may include a set of signals collected from the touch input device in response to user input over a first duration. In an exemplary embodiment, a set of sensed signals from a set of touch-sensitive traces of the display 102 may be collected as a set of aggregated distributions (e.g., 120) or individual magnitudes and locations sensed by the display 102 at a point in time or over a period of time. In a similar embodiment, a set of sensed signals from the traces may be collected as a set of distributions sensed over time or individual magnitudes and locations sensed over time.

[0058] The first duration of block 202 may include any predetermined minimum length of time, ranging, for example, from several minutes to a day or longer. In some embodiments, the first duration may include a sufficiently long time to track the characteristics of the first signal and determine baseline values ​​of the characteristics of the first signal, such as baseline average or median magnitude, average or median peak / maximum magnitude (e.g., 122), average or median standard deviation, and similar characteristics representing the underlying sensor data set. In some embodiments, the first duration may be defined after receiving the second signal in conjunction with block 204, as explained in further detail below.

[0059] The first signal pattern may include a cyclic shape, a standard deviation, a magnitude, and / or other values ​​of the first signal detected over time. For example, the first signal pattern may include an average or median peak magnitude that remains within a range of magnitudes during a first duration. Similarly, the first signal pattern may include an average standard deviation that remains within a range of standard deviations during the first duration. The range may have upper and lower limits, each of which is configured to represent expected limits (e.g., experimentally derived limits) of the tracked signal characteristics based on the type of operating computing device, the age of the device, the detected environmental conditions, and the number and nature of the detected touches (e.g., the total number of detected touches (total number of undetected touches), the number of detected multi-touches, the number of detected single touches, the number of detected palm touches, the frequency of touch detection and other touches) and / or the type of detected touches (e.g., gestures versus taps or finger touches versus stylus touches).

[0060] Using this information, the system can detect a first pattern in the information, and the first signal pattern can represent characteristics of the input that are expected to continue to be detected by the computing device over time. In other words, the signal pattern can be used to establish expected or predicted input characteristics (e.g., a distribution with maximum magnitudes within a particular range) of input of a particular nature (e.g., touch versus stylus input) in a time period after the first duration. The expected or predicted input characteristics can change over time as more data is collected from the sensor.

[0061] As shown in block 204, process 200 may also include receiving a second signal obtained from the touch input device during a second duration separate from the first duration. The second signal may include a second signal pattern. The second signal pattern may correspond to the first signal pattern but last for a second duration. For example, the second signal pattern may include an average peak magnitude of touch inputs provided to the touch input device during the second duration. Thus, after the first duration ends and the separate duration begins, the processor may receive one or more additional signals.

[0062] In some embodiments, the first duration is a predetermined length of time (e.g., a specific number of hours of use of the touch input device), in which case the second duration may begin at the end of the predetermined length of time and may extend beyond the end of the first duration. In some embodiments, the first duration and the second duration are separate parts of a larger time period. For example, data may be collected from the touch input device for a week, and Monday of that week may be defined as the first duration, and Wednesday may be defined as the second duration. Therefore, the first duration and the second duration do not necessarily need to be continuous and do not necessarily need to extend for equal durations. However, in an exemplary embodiment, the first duration and the second duration are continuous, and the time when the first duration ends and the second duration begins may be determined after the computing device controller records and analyzes all data for the first duration and the second duration (e.g., in conjunction with box 206).

[0063] In block 206, process 200 may include determining a difference between the first signal pattern and the second signal pattern. To do this, the processor may compare one or more representative values ​​in a first portion of the data recorded (e.g., in block 202) (e.g., the sensed average peak magnitude value) with a second portion of the data recorded (e.g., in block 204). The difference may be identified as a continued change in the representative value over time as input continues to be provided to the touch input device, and the change may exceed a minimum threshold change value that would correspond to an expected input change when the screen protector layer is not installed on the device. For example, the average / median / rolling average peak magnitude value (or standard deviation) may initially be detected as being within a range of values, but then suddenly change to being within a different range of values. Such a change in the expected peak magnitude value (or standard deviation) range may be detected in the execution of block 206 and may be used as an indicator of the installation of the screen protector / cover layer (e.g., 126) that suppresses the signal sensed by the touch input device when it is installed. The time at which the input characteristic changes its expected value range may be identified as the time at which the first duration ends and the second duration begins.

[0064] In another embodiment, determining the difference between the first signal pattern and the second signal pattern may include detecting the presence of the first signal pattern (determined in the execution of block 202) and detecting the presence of the second signal pattern (determined in the execution of block 204) in a block of the received input signal. For example, the first signal may include a set of diagonal line drawing inputs (see, e.g., Figure 3B and its description hereinafter), and the second signal may include a set of similar diagonal line drawing inputs with different characteristics (see e.g. Figure 4Band its description below). Block 206 may then determine whether those different characteristics indicate that an overlay is installed on the display, such as by determining whether an increase in the frequency or magnitude of certain wave patterns in the diagonal line drawing input exceeds a minimum expected change threshold (corresponding to when the overlay is not installed). Process 200 may then include reacting to the changed touch input device sensitivity and accuracy after or during the second duration. The second duration may be equal to the first duration, and may be shorter or longer than the first duration. In general, the second duration may be configured to have a minimum length to ensure that the change from the first signal pattern to the second signal pattern is maintained in a manner that indicates that the screen saver is always in place, rather than simply being an outlier change in the signal.

[0065] In another embodiment, a first signal pattern may be tracked over a first duration to determine an expected range of one or more input characteristics, as described above. The first duration may continue while the system waits for a significant change in the input characteristic. Thus, rather than collecting an extended amount of data to detect a change from the first signal pattern to the second signal pattern, or retroactively identifying the first duration and the second duration from a larger duration, the controller may detect the onset of a second signal pattern / second duration when a small number of input characteristic data points (e.g., immediately upon receipt of a single data point) appear outside the expected range of the input characteristic established over the first duration. Thus, when certain characteristics immediately indicate a change from an exposed external surface (e.g., at Figure 1A to the covered outer surface (e.g. Figure 1B When a change is made to the computing device, the computing device may quickly respond to the installation of the screen saver / overlay (eg, via execution of block 208).

[0066] Figure 2 It is also shown that process 200 may include adjusting input settings (e.g., touch input detection settings) in block 208 in response to determining a difference between modes in block 206. Adjusting input settings may include changing settings of a touch input device that receives sensed touch input. For example, a minimum touch threshold may be reduced (e.g., from 0 to 1) when a mode difference is determined. Figure 1A The threshold value 124 in the Figure 1B 134) to enable lower magnitude touches to be detected more consistently. In another example, block 208 may include changing a smoothing or interpolation setting of a touch input device for an input (e.g., a sliding input) provided to the touch input device. Control settings may be increased or decreased for curve fitting, filtering, jittering, spacing, drop-off, motion filtering, taper (e.g., pressure taper), color dynamics, bleed-through, flow, and / or other relevant characteristics of a sensed line or trace.

[0067] Other settings that may be adjusted may include screen input / output settings of the display 102, such as, for example, brightness settings, color output / temperature settings, input refresh rate, etc. Specifically, the detected presence of a screen saver / overlay may initiate changes in: (a) the color temperature of the display to correct for color filtering caused by the overlay; (b) the size of graphics or text on the display to correct for blur or haziness caused by the overlay (e.g., an increased visual size to reduce text kerning effects / blurred object edges); (c) the refresh rate at which the display receives input to collect more input data to correct for inaccuracies caused by the overlay; and / or (d) the brightness of the display to correct for dimming of the display caused by the overlay.

[0068] In another exemplary embodiment, the adjustment of the input settings may include providing a prompt or request to the user indicating that a screen saver / overlay may have been detected or requesting the user to confirm whether such an overlay has been installed. The user's response may be a trigger for the controller to implement a different touch input interpretation algorithm, screen sensitivity setting, color output setting, or other response described herein.

[0069] Thus, computing device 100 may change its operational settings from implementing a first touch input interpretation and / or control algorithm configured to sense and interpret input without an overlay to implementing a second touch input interpretation and / or control algorithm configured to sense and interpret input provided through overlay 126. Thus, while the accuracy of identification of detected input may be reduced, the visual representation of the detected input may be simplified, straightened, smoothed, or otherwise “cleaned up” to compensate for or mask detrimental effects caused by the overlay.

[0070] FIG. 3A to FIG. 3C and FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C An exemplary implementation of process 200 as applied to a touch screen input device is shown. Touch input device 300 (e.g., display 102) may include a first array of lateral sensor traces 302 extending parallel to each other along a first direction of a plane defined by touch input device 300. Touch input device 300 may also include a second array of lateral sensor traces 304 extending parallel to each other at a different depth layer of device 300 relative to the first array. Thus, the first array and the second array may be spaced apart from each other at different depth layers of device 300, yet may form a grid of vertically overlapping traces when viewed perpendicular to a major plane of device 300, such as Figure 3A shown. Figure 3A and Figure 4A The grid is shown extending along only a portion of the display plane, but the grid may extend across the entire surface of the display plane.

[0071] Input traces 306, 308 may be applied to the touch input device 300 by a user instrument. A set of aligned input traces 306 extend parallel to one of the transverse sensor traces (i.e., 304) in the transverse sensor trace array, and a set of diagonal or angled input traces 308 extend at a diagonal or angle that is not parallel to the transverse sensor trace array. In the absence of a screen protector or other covering layer applied to the touch input device 300, the touch input device 300 may be configured as shown in FIG. Figure 3B The position of the user instrument is shown being tracked, with a first set of sensing paths 310 corresponding to the sensed position of the user instrument when the alignment input trace 306 is applied to the touch input device 300. A second set of sensing paths 312 corresponds to the sensed position of the user instrument when the angled input trace 308 is applied.

[0072] The sensing paths 310, 312 may have a spatial frequency, such as a wavelength-like frequency, at which the path 310 deviates from a center line or curves. Figure 3B , exemplary peak-to-peak distances 314 and 316 of spatial frequencies are indicated in FIG. Paths 310, 312 may also have a magnitude or amplitude off the center line or curve that is a maximum (or peak-to-peak amplitude) at the peak off the center line or curve. Sensing paths 310, 312 have wave-like cyclical properties due in part to the nature of touch input device 300 having a grid configuration of sensor traces 302, 304. The accuracy of detection of the user instrument increases when the user instrument overlaps a trace or is near an intersection of multiple traces, and the accuracy decreases between traces. Thus, the peak-to-peak distance 314 of a path 310 that is substantially parallel to trace 302 may correspond to the distance between perpendicular traces 304. The peak-to-peak distance 316 of an angled path 312 may correspond to the diagonal distance between traces 302, 304. Thus, distance 314 may be less than distance 316 due to the smaller and larger distances spanned by traces 306, 308, respectively, between traces 302, 304. Similarly, the corresponding "frequency" signal pattern for sense path 310 may be higher than sense path 312. Furthermore, in either case (input 306 or 308), the amplitude variation relative to a centerline or curve through sense paths 310, 312 may be expected to be less than a maximum value. Figure 3C As shown, the touch input device 300 in conjunction with a controller or processor may implement an input interpretation or filtering algorithm to filter, interpolate, curve fit, or otherwise smooth the sensing paths 310, 312 into straight lines (or at least straighter lines) 318, 320. Thus, although the sensing paths 310, 312 are not as straight as the input traces 306, 308, the lines 318, 320 displayed to the user may be corrected to look substantially the same as the input traces 306, 308.

[0073] like Figure 4AAs shown, an overlay 400 (e.g., 126) may be applied to the touch input device 300 when input traces 306, 308 are applied. The presence of the overlay 400 may affect the accuracy of the sensing paths 410, 412. Thus, the peak-to-peak distances 414, 416 may be larger in magnitude and / or less consistent in magnitude than the distances 314, 316. The amplitudes of the sensing patterns in the paths 410, 412 may also be increased or less consistent relative to the amplitudes of the paths 310, 312. Thus, applying the same input interpretation or filtering algorithm to the paths 310, 312 will not necessarily (or will not consistently) produce a smooth or straight line like the lines 318, 320. Instead, a different, potentially more powerful input interpretation or filtering algorithm may be implemented to filter, interpolate, curve fit, or otherwise smooth the sensing paths 410, 412 to produce straight lines (or at least straighter lines) 418, 420. For example, compared to the input interpretation or filtering algorithm used for FIG. 3B to FIG. 3C Compared with the algorithm used FIG. 4B to FIG. 4C The new algorithm may more aggressively convert the input curve into a line by treating large deviations (e.g., along 412) as part of a straight or smooth trajectory rather than a zigzag or undulating line intentionally drawn by the user's instrument. Alternatively, the new algorithm may use a larger amount of sample input data when stabilizing or curve fitting the input compared to other algorithms.

[0074] The above process 200 can be used to trigger a transition between implementing an input interpretation or filtering algorithm for generating lines 318, 320 and an algorithm for generating lines 418, 420. Specifically, a controller can receive a first signal (e.g., paths 310, 312 and additional quantities considered necessary to calibrate the touch input device 300) during a first duration, and the controller can detect a first pattern. The first pattern can include a set of peak-to-peak distances 314, 316, a set of amplitudes in the sensing paths 310, 312, and / or quantities derived based on those values ​​(e.g., standard deviation). During a second duration, the controller can detect a second pattern in a second signal from the touch input device 300 (e.g., peak-to-peak distances 414, 416, amplitudes in paths 410, 412, and / or derived quantities). Pattern differences can be detected (e.g., peak-to-peak distances 414, 416 or waveform amplitudes exceeding a threshold limit), and in response, the controller can adjust input detection settings by changing from a first input interpretation or filtering algorithm to a second algorithm.

[0075] In some embodiments, when comparing sensed input paths that are non-orthogonal (e.g., angled) relative to the sensor trace grid axis, differences in the first signal pattern and the second signal pattern may be more easily detected and amplified due to the increased accuracy degradation caused by the presence of the overlay 400 combined with the increased distance between the traces when moving off-axis between the traces. Thus, in some cases, the controller / processor may specifically search for first and second signal patterns in the input paths 312, 412 that follow routes that are primarily non-orthogonally oriented relative to the sensor trace grid. Signal patterns in the parallel input paths 310, 410 may be ignored or de-prioritized compared to non-orthogonal paths. Prioritizing non-orthogonal paths in this manner may improve the accuracy of detection of the overlay 400 in a device 300 having sensor traces in a grid configuration.

[0076] Reference again Figure 1A , the computing device 100 may include sensors 108, 110, 112 that may be used to help detect the cover layer 126 on the display 102. These sensors 108, 110, 112 may be configured to receive signals through the outer surface 114 for providing input to the display 102. Therefore, the signals sensed by one or more sensors 108, 110, 112 may be affected by the installation of the cover layer 126, as explained in further detail below.

[0077] In some embodiments, a single sensor (i.e., one of sensors 108, 110, 112) can be configured to detect a cover layer on outer surface 114. For example, the single sensor can be sensor 112, which is typically exposed when cover layer 126 is not installed, but is typically covered by cover layer 126 after layer 126 is installed. Thus, sensor 112 can be advantageously positioned in a portion of bezel 106 that is typically protected by cover layer 126 (such as a portion of bezel 106 that is immediately adjacent to the perimeter of display 102). The single sensor can be configured to perform Figure 5 The processor or controller of the illustrated process 500 is in electronic communication. In block 502, the controller may receive a first signal obtained from a sensor at a first time, and the first signal may include a first signal characteristic.

[0078] The signal and characteristics may depend on the type of sensor used. For example, the sensor 112 may include a microphone or other audio or sound sensor, in which case the first signal characteristics may include amplitude, spectrum, or other relevant properties of the sound, where the characteristics may be affected by the cover layer at least partially covering or obstructing the sound sensor at the outer surface 114.

[0079] In another example, the sensor 112 may include a light sensor, such as a camera sensor or an ambient light sensor (ALS). Thus, the first signal characteristic may include a color spectrum, color value, brightness, contrast, saturation, focus / blur heuristics, wavelength, or other relevant image or light properties measured from light 119 (e.g., a light source such as the sun, a light bulb, etc., or light reflected from a surface) sensed by the sensor 112 and affected by the presence of the cover layer 126 (when it is installed).

[0080] In yet another example, the sensor 112 may include a touch sensor (e.g., a capacitive sensor, a capacitive touch pad, a pressure sensor, a capacitive touch trace, etc.), in which case the first signal characteristic may include an average magnitude, a peak magnitude, a rate of magnitude change, a standard deviation, or the like as described above in conjunction with block 502 and Figure 1A and Figure 1B In this embodiment, the touch sensor will be separate or distinct from the touch sensor used for the touch screen display 102 but will still be accessible or interactive through the outer surface 114. See, e.g., elsewhere herein Fig. 6A , Figure 6B and Figure 7 Description.

[0081] In yet another example, sensor 112 (or another sensor 110) may include a temperature sensor (e.g., a thermometer, a thermocouple, an infrared / laser / other radiation-based thermometer, or a related device), in which case the signal characteristics may include an average temperature, a rate of change of temperature, a maximum temperature, or the like. Application of the covering may potentially insulate or otherwise alter the level of heat transferred to the temperature sensor, and changes in temperature readings (e.g., during Figure 2 and Figure 5 or other processes described herein) to detect the presence of the cover on the computing device 100. In some embodiments, the temperature sensor need not be exposed to the same external surface as the surface to which the cover is applied to generate a signal indicating that the cover is installed on the device. In other words, the temperature sensor can be positioned within the housing of the computing device and / or behind / below the touch sensor (e.g., display 102) relative to the cover or external surface and still detect the presence of the cover by virtue of detecting changes in temperature or heat transfer caused by the insulation of the cover.

[0082] In block 504, process 500 includes receiving a second signal from the sensor at a second time, wherein the second signal has a second signal characteristic. For example, sensor 112 may provide another signal at a different time. The processor or controller may be configured to use the second signal to determine whether a covering layer has been added to (or removed from) outer surface 114, as explained below. Generally speaking, the first signal characteristic and the second signal characteristic have the same characteristic type, such as both are amplitude, wavelength, spectrum, etc., so that they can be directly compared to each other.

[0083] In box 506, process 500 includes detecting the difference between the first signal characteristic and the second signal characteristic. The difference can be detected by directly comparing one signal characteristic with another signal characteristic, such as by detecting that the amplitude of one signal is higher or lower than the amplitude of another signal, detecting that the color temperature changes from one level to another level, certain audio frequencies are filtered or attenuated between two signals, etc. For any type of sensor 112, in some embodiments, the first signal characteristic and the second signal characteristic can be the average or median value found in the signal. Therefore, when comparing the signal characteristics in box 506 and detecting the characteristic difference, the average or other representative value of the first group of signals collected in the first time period or duration can be compared with another representative value of the second group of signals collected in the second time period or duration. In this case, detecting the difference between the first signal and the second signal may include detecting the representative value difference. This can help limit the fluctuation of the signal sensed by the sensor 112 over time and the true and false recognition caused by various environmental and input conditions that affect the sensor that are not caused by the introduction of the cover layer.

[0084] Detecting the difference in block 506 may include determining that the difference between the first signal characteristic and the second signal characteristic exceeds a threshold minimum value. The threshold minimum value may be based on an empirically or theoretically determined sound, light, or touch / capacitive interference profile and applied to a data set (such as the first signal characteristic and the second signal characteristic). In other words, the threshold minimum value may be determined based on how the sensor is expected to behave differently in response to being covered by the cover layer 126 (or exposed from below). For example, a sound profile may be formed for a microphone in which the cover layer applied to the outer surface 114 filters out or attenuates specific high frequencies in the output of the microphone signal, and the sound profile may be compared to the second signal and its frequency characteristics to determine whether the same or substantially the same high frequencies are filtered out or attenuated compared to the first signal and its frequency characteristics. If the high frequency sound is sufficiently filtered (e.g., filtered by more than a standard deviation amount in an exposed device), the controller may increase its confidence that the cover layer 126 has been applied to the computing device 100. In another example, specific wavelengths of light sensed by an ambient light sensor or camera sensor may be filtered or attenuated by the presence of the overlay, so detecting a difference between signal characteristics may include detecting that the intensity of those specific wavelengths is found to be below an expected minimum for an exposed device.

[0085] When a sufficiently significant difference is detected between the first signal characteristic and the second signal characteristic, the controller may presumably determine that the overlay is present on the outer surface 114 and on the display 102, since presumably the overlay will be applied not only to the bezel 106 or the sensor 112. In box 508, process 500 may also include adjusting a touch input threshold of the touch input device based on the difference between the first signal characteristic and the second signal characteristic. Adjusting the touch input threshold may include changing a setting that compensates for the effects introduced by the installation of the overlay. For example, adjusting the touch input threshold may include lowering a sensitivity threshold of the touch screen (e.g., from threshold 124 to threshold 134), increasing a polling or sensing frequency of the touch controller, or taking other actions described elsewhere herein.

[0086] In some embodiments, instead of (or in addition to) adjusting the touch input threshold in block 508, the controller may change an output setting of a touch input device or an input setting of a sensor. For example, the controller may increase the display brightness from a lower level at which input for the first signal is received to a higher level after detecting a difference between the first signal characteristic and the second signal characteristic. Similar adjustments may be made to sensors or other input / output devices of computing device 100 to counteract the effects of the overlay, such as, for example, adjusting the color balance of a display or muting a microphone that has been covered and is therefore unsuitable for receiving audio input.

[0087] Fig. 6AAn exemplary embodiment of a computing device 600 (which may be an embodiment of computing device 100) is shown in which a housing 602 contains a first capacitive touch input device 604 and a second capacitive touch input device 606. The first device 604 may be a primary input device for the computing device 600 (e.g., display 102), and the second device 606 may be a secondary or auxiliary input device. Both input devices 604, 606 may be configured to be at least partially (e.g., completely) covered by a cover layer when the cover layer is applied to the computing device 600 in a manner sufficient to affect the capacitive sensing capability or sensitivity of the input devices in the covered area. The second device 606 may be configured to be at least partially (e.g., completely) covered by a cover layer when the cover layer is applied to the computing device 600 in a manner sufficient to affect the capacitive sensing capability or sensitivity of the input devices in the covered area. Figure 5 The process 500 of FIG. 500 is used as a sensor 112. The two input devices 604, 606 can be electrically connected to a controller 608 (e.g., a processor, a touch controller, or the like), thereby allowing their signals to be distinguished from each other by the controller 608. An air gap or other insulator 610 can be positioned between the input devices 604, 606 to electrically isolate them from each other, thereby reducing or eliminating capacitance changes in one input device (e.g., 606) caused by a user's interaction with another device (e.g., 604). Alternatively, the gap or insulator can be omitted, and the auxiliary device 606 can include a portion of the main input device 604 dedicated to screen protector detection.

[0088] In some cases, using a single capacitive input device (e.g., display 102) to receive input from a user and detect the presence of an overlay / screen protector may cause uncertainty and false positives / false negatives due to the fluctuating effects of user input (e.g., from different users, different user devices, etc.) and environmental factors. By using two separate capacitive input devices 604, 606, the impact of the user's input is less significant because the user may not primarily contact or use the second device 606 to provide input. Therefore, the fluctuations in the sensed capacitive signal generated by the second device 606 can be more reliably used to detect whether an overlay / screen protector has been installed than the signal from the first device 604. The limited number of user interactions with the second device 606 can ensure that the baseline sensor data collected from the second device 606 (e.g., the first signal data in box 502 and the second signal data in box 504) is more consistent, and therefore, can more clearly distinguish when a screen protector is present and when the screen protector is not present.

[0089] Figure 6B Shown with Fig. 6AA similar embodiment, but wherein the primary input device 612 is supplemented with a second input device 614 and a third input device 616 that are formed as smaller "patches" or areas of reduced size relative to the primary input device. The primary device 612 is electrically connected to the controller 608 independently of the second device 614 and the third device 616, which may each be electrically connected to the controller 608 independently or may share a connection. Like the input device 606, the second device 614 and the third device 616 may be arranged in a bezel or similar area of ​​the computing device that is configured to be exposed when the cover is not installed but covered after such installation. However, unlike the input device 606, the second device 614 and the third device 616 may be smaller and more compact. In addition, they can be sized and positioned on the computing device so as to be in a position that is not typically held by the user's hand, such as along the edge 618, 620 where the user may be less likely to grasp the device, thereby further limiting the user's impact on the input devices 614, 616 relative to the impact of the screen protector (or in the absence of the screen protector). In some embodiments, the input devices 614, 616 can be sized and positioned on the computing device so that a typical human hand is not large enough to grasp the device and completely cover one or both of the input devices 614, 616. Thus, if one input device 614 / 616 is used, the size of the device can be set so that a single hand cannot cover the entire surface area (e.g., in a manner that mimics the complete coverage of a cover), and if more than one input device 614, 616 is used, they can be sufficiently spaced apart to avoid simultaneous hand obstruction. In addition, the input devices 614, 616 can be advantageously placed away from the corners of the housing to allow the housing to be structurally strengthened in those areas without having to make room for the input devices 614, 616.

[0090] In some embodiments, the primary input device 612 may be a touch screen display or touch pad similar to the display 102 or input device 604, where its entire capacitive sensitive area is also used for display purposes. Additionally, in some embodiments, the input device 612 may have different sections or segments that are configured to sense whether an overlay has been placed in place on the device. At least one of these segments may be capacitively sensitive and not part of the output / display. For example, in Figure 6BIn the example shown, the input device 612 may have three adjacent sensing areas 622, 624, 626. The first area 622 may be capacitance sensitive, and need not be the area through which the display is provided (i.e., it does not overlap with the LCD, backlight, and related components). The second area 624 and the third area 626 may be capacitance sensitive and display areas. All three areas 622, 624, 626 may be interconnected as part of a single touch sensor device 612, but these areas may be used for different purposes. Area 624 may be used as the main area for interaction with the user, which is similar to the input device 604. Area 622 may be used similarly to input devices 606, 614, or 616, where the capacitance sensed in area 622 is not expected to be affected by user interaction, at least in part due to the lack of display in area 622. Thus, the capacitive sensing area of ​​device 612 may extend to a portion of the bezel or other non-display area that will be covered by the screen protector, and the signal from the additional sensing area may be better suited for detecting the screen protector than the signal from the area with which the user regularly interacts (and thus regularly causes fluctuations in the sensed capacitance). In some embodiments, area 626 is used as an extension of area 624. However, in some embodiments, controller 608 may prioritize or give additional weight to area 626 used to detect the presence of the cover layer compared to area 624. For example, when the controller is determining whether the cover layer is attached to the outer surface, the controller may only use data from area 626 as a sensor in process 500, or may prioritize data from area 626 over data from area 624 when identifying signal characteristics (e.g., boxes 502, 504) or detecting differences between signal characteristics (e.g., boxes 506). As a result of detecting sensor data indicating a cover layer, the touch input threshold may be adjusted for one or more areas 622, 624, 626 (e.g., in box 508).

[0091] Figure 7An exemplary cross section of a computing device 700 (which may be computing device 100, 600, etc.) is shown, which shows how components are positioned in a touch input device and housing assembly. Housing 702 of computing device 700 may include an interior cavity 704, an exterior surface 706, and a shelf or bezel support portion 708 therebetween. Display assembly 710 may be positioned in cavity 704, the display assembly may include cover glass 712, a first touch trace layer 714, an insulator layer 715, a second touch trace layer 716, and an output display 718 (e.g., LCD and backlight). Cover glass 712 may include glass, a polymer, or another transparent or translucent material. Cover glass 712 may be attached to support portion 708 of housing 702 by an adhesive or bonding agent such as pressure sensitive adhesive 720. Trace layers 714, 716 may include a plurality of sensor traces (e.g., 302, 304) to sense a user device at or near cover glass 712.

[0092] In some embodiments, specific touch traces 722, 724 of the first trace layer 714 and the second trace layer 716 can be used to detect the cover layer on the cover glass 712. Therefore, if the display 718 is configured to output information through traces, these traces 722, 724 can be used as a sensor area similar to area 626, or if the display 718 does not output information through traces, these traces can be used as a sensor area similar to area 622. Therefore, the traces 722, 724 are an integral part of the display assembly 710 and are positioned inside the edge of the cover glass 712 and within the cavity 704 of the housing 702. This configuration can help minimize the overall touch sensor perimeter / area and minimize the size of the device bezel and housing.

[0093] In some embodiments, touch traces 726, 728 can be positioned in a bezel portion 730 of cover glass 712 and / or between cover glass 712 and a shelf or bezel support portion 708 of housing 702. Thus, touch traces 726, 728 are separate from display assembly 710, similar to input devices 606, 614, and 616. In computing device 700, traces 726, 728 can be positioned on a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) 720, a flexible printed circuit, or positioned on PSA 720. Figure 7720 is located in the other trace carrier board structure at the location of the display assembly 710. In other words, element 720 may include a flexible printed circuit or other trace carrier board structure. If a flexible printed circuit or other trace carrier board structure is used, it may include adhesive layers on its top and bottom surfaces to serve a coupling function similar to PSA 720 by holding the cover glass 712 and the housing 702 / frame support portion 708 to each other. In any case, PSA 720, flexible printed circuit or other trace carrier board structure can reduce the number of parts in the assembly and allow additional lateral separation between the capacitive sensing elements of the display assembly 710 and the touch traces 726, 728 in the frame portion 730. These configurations can also help isolate the signals of the traces 726, 728 from the signals of the trace layers 714, 716. The use of a flexible printed circuit or other trace carrier board structure containing the touch traces 726, 728 can be beneficial to help control the trace width and the relative position of the touch traces 726, 728 and the housing 702, because the traces are precisely printed onto the circuit substrate and are therefore more fixed in shape than a relatively more flexible portion of the PSA. The flexible printed circuit or other trace carrier board structure configuration can also facilitate manufacturing by ensuring that the touch traces 726, 728 are fixed to the substrate, which can be more easily placed on the housing 702 or cover glass 712 than placing the traces in or on the PSA body. A pair of inner touch traces 722, 724 and the touch traces 726, 728 can be optional.

[0094] In some embodiments, touch traces 722 and 726 can be capacitive sensor electrodes and touch traces 724 and 728 can be driven shields or dedicated sensor ground elements. When traces 724 and 728 are used as driven shields, trace 728 can be used to compensate for grounded metal in the shelf or bezel support portion 708 and housing 702 to improve the sensing capabilities of trace 726 as a capacitive sensor electrode or reduce the driving and sensing capability requirements of touch controller 608. Traces 722, 724, 726, 728 can be connected to an existing touch controller 608 for touch traces in layers 714 and 716 or to a separate and dedicated capacitive sensing integrated circuit specifically for detecting the overlay layer, similar to incorporating Fig. 6A and Figure 6B Parts discussed.

[0095] Reference again Figure 1A to Figure 1BIn some embodiments, a plurality of non-touch sensitive or non-capacitive sensitive sensors may be used to help detect a cover layer on the outer surface 114. For example, outputs from a plurality of light sensors or audio sensors may be tracked and compared to determine whether a cover layer is positioned on one or more of them. In the computing device 100, two ambient light sensors 110, 112 may be included at different locations to sense light passing through the outer surface 114. Preferably, the sensors 110, 112 may be positioned on the device 100 in a manner that limits the possibility that one or both of them will be blocked by the user's hand or other common obstructions (such as a housing or keyboard). In addition, one of the sensors 110 may be positioned in an area of ​​the outer surface 114 that is unlikely or cannot be covered by a screen protector, and the other sensor 112 may be positioned at a location where it is likely to be covered by a screen protector. For example, the sensor 110 may be positioned adjacent to the camera 108 (and potentially other sensors), facing through the outer surface 114 (e.g., on the same side of the device as the camera 108, within a sensor component containing the camera 108, etc.). Users generally do not want to cover the camera 108 with a film or cover to maintain the clarity of the camera, and therefore, the sensor 110 is not covered due to its proximity to the camera 108. In contrast, another sensor 112 can be located away from the camera 108 (e.g., along a different edge of the display 102), and can be located at a location where it is likely to be covered by a cover (e.g., adjacent to an edge of the display 102). In addition, in some embodiments, the camera 108 itself can be used as the first light sensor instead of the sensor 110.

[0096] Therefore, the controller of the computing device 100 may be used to implement the method 800, such as Figure 8 The method 800 may include receiving a first signal from a first sensor (e.g., 108 and / or 110) in block 802, receiving a second signal from a second sensor (e.g., 112) in block 804, determining a difference between the first signal and the second signal in block 806, and adjusting a touch input parameter of a touch input device (e.g., 102) based on the difference between the first signal and the second signal received in blocks 802 and 804 in block 808.

[0097] Receiving the first signal and the second signal from the first sensor and the second sensor, respectively, in blocks 802 and 804 may include receiving the signals from each sensor simultaneously. For example, the sensors 110, 112 may simultaneously generate signals indicative of ambient light intensity or color. The sensors 110, 112 may be configured to measure or detect light from a common light source (such as a light source that simultaneously emits light to both sensors 110, 112 from substantially equal distances and at substantially equal angles of incidence without substantial obstruction, etc.). Thus, similar / comparable amounts and colors of light may be provided to two locations on the computing device 100 corresponding to the locations of the sensors 110, 112. Thus, when comparing the first signal and the second signal in block 806, the controller / processor may perform a uniform comparison between the signals to determine differences that may be caused by the presence of a cover layer rather than differences caused by other types of obstructions, changes in light incidence, or other factors.

[0098] Determining the difference between the signals in block 806 may include detecting a color shift (e.g., a difference in color balance, hue, saturation, color scale, wavelength filtering, or similar light properties) between the signals obtained via the two sensors 110, 112. The presence of the overlay on one sensor (e.g., 110) may filter or alter the light (or certain wavelengths of light) received by that sensor compared to an exposed sensor (e.g., 112). Baseline levels of variation in light intensity, color shift, etc. may be established for each sensor using empirical or theoretical data, such that variations beyond those levels of variation may be used as indicators of the presence of the overlay 126. For example, if Figure 1A and Figure 1B As shown, when the sensor is exposed, light 140 of a first wavelength may be measured by the sensor (e.g., 112), and when the sensor is covered by the cover layer 126, light 142 of a second wavelength may be measured. The wavelength difference may indicate light filtering (e.g., blue shift) caused by the cover layer 126. For embodiments where the sensors 110, 112 are microphones or similar audio sensors, similar empirical or theoretical data may be used to establish a baseline change level for audio signal differences, or for embodiments where the sensors 110, 112 are capacitive touch sensors, similar empirical or theoretical data may be used to establish a baseline change level for capacitance differences. The controller may identify that an overlay is installed when it is identified that the difference between the first signal and the second signal exceeds a threshold or is outside a predetermined range of expected values ​​for a sufficient amount of time, or may use another difference identification method disclosed herein to identify that an overlay is installed.

[0099] Adjusting the touch input parameters in block 808 may include increasing or decreasing a threshold parameter for detecting a touch input at the touch input device, such as by adjusting a minimum sensor output amplitude threshold 124, 134 (e.g., a sensed voltage drop or capacitance change) at which a touch input may be registered. In some embodiments, adjusting the touch input parameters may include increasing a threshold parameter for filtering a touch input or a group of touch inputs at the touch input device. For example, the controller may smooth or otherwise adjust the manner in which an input tap or gesture is displayed to a user (e.g., such as in conjunction with a touch input). FIG. 3A to FIG. 4C ), or smoothing or otherwise adjusting the way an input tap or gesture has its location or strength registered by a touch controller. Adjusting touch input detection parameters can increase the sensitivity of a touch input device to offset the dulling effects of increasing distance and introducing additional (e.g., insulator) material between the touch trace and the user instrument.

[0100] In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a method may be implemented that includes combining various methods discussed elsewhere herein to generate a confidence or probability measure as to whether a cover / screen protector is in a proper location on an outer surface of a device. When using some of the embodiments described elsewhere herein, a probability or likelihood that the cover / screen protector is installed in a proper location may be generated. The probability or likelihood is typically not a 100% confidence level because, without receiving a separate confirmation that the screen protector is in a proper location (e.g., a confirmation provided by a user), the sensors and touch input devices of the present disclosure typically determine that a screen protector is likely to be installed based solely on available sensor data collected over time (e.g., using the above-described devices and methods).

[0101] Thus, one aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method for determining whether to control or compensate for the presence of an overlay / screen based on a determined likelihood or probability that the overlay is in place. Fig. 9An embodiment of method 900 is shown, including using a first sensor to determine the likelihood of detecting an indicator of an overlay or screen saver. As shown in block 902, method 900 may include using at least one first sensor to determine a first probability that an overlay is installed. To this end, a controller or processor may use one of the methods described elsewhere herein (or a portion thereof) to detect an overlay using a first sensor. For example, the first sensor may include at least one of the following items: display 102 (i.e., a touch sensor feature of display 102), a light sensor (e.g., 108, 110, 112), an audio sensor (e.g., a microphone), and a non-display capacitive sensor (e.g., 606, 614, 616, 622). Depending on the type of first sensor used and the method used with the sensor to detect the overlay, the probability or likelihood that the overlay is installed may be assigned. For example, if the difference between the modes is detected using the method described in conjunction with blocks 202 to 206, the numerical value representing the difference between the modes may be associated with the probability that the overlay is in place. In other words, a small difference between two modes may be associated with a lower probability that the overlay is installed, and a large difference in the mode may be associated with an upper probability. In some embodiments, the relationship between the pattern differences may be a linear relationship, and in some embodiments, the relationship may be a non-linear (e.g., exponential) relationship, depending on the type of sensors used, their sensitivity, whether there are certain turning points (above or below which the probability of the overlay being installed becomes more or less likely), and similar factors. Likewise, the first probability may be assigned based on the difference between the characteristic (as determined in conjunction with block 506) or the signal (as determined in conjunction with block 806).

[0102] In block 904, a second test or method may be used to attempt to detect the overlay and determine a second probability that the overlay is in place. The second sensor may be a different sensor structure used than the first sensor (e.g., using display 102 versus using light sensors 110, 112), or the second sensor may be the same sensor structure as the first sensor but used in a different manner or for a different detection method. For example, different portions of sensor 612 (e.g., 622, 624, 626) may be used for different attempts to detect an overlay, or different detection methods may be implemented using the same sensor 612 (e.g., detecting a change in voltage drop / capacitance value versus detecting a change in the standard deviation of the voltage drop / capacitance measurement).

[0103] In box 906, the controller may combine the first probability and the second probability to produce a combined probability or total probability that the overlay is installed on the computing device. For example, the controller may find the average of the first two probabilities and assign the average as the total probability. In another example, a weighted average may be used, where the method or sensor used to determine each of the first probability and the second probability may be given a weighted value that makes the method or sensor more or less significant in finding the total probability. In some embodiments, certain methods and sensors may be given greater weight. For example, a method using signals from a pair of light sensors (e.g., 110, 112) may be given greater weight than a method using only display 102. Methods of detecting patterns in sensory inputs (e.g., such as combining FIG. 3A to FIG. 4C The method of detecting a change in the magnitude of a voltage drop or a change in the magnitude of a capacitance change (e.g., as combined with Figure 1A and Figure 1B The above) may be given less weight.

[0104] In block 908, the controller may adjust the touch input parameters or change the algorithm from one setting to another. This block may be performed using any of the operations described elsewhere herein when an overlay has been detected on the computing device. Using multiple methods together and comparing their results may provide a more comprehensive and accurate reading of whether the overlay is in place, so that alternative algorithms and touch input parameters may be implemented or adjusted (as indicated by block 908) without unnecessarily affecting touch screen performance due to the detection of false positives or false negatives.

[0105] Fig.10 A high-level block diagram of a computer system 1000 that can be used to implement embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. In various embodiments, the computer system 1000 may include Fig.10 Various sets and subsets of components are shown. Thus, Fig.10 The various components shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 can be included in various combinations and subsets of the operations and functions performed by the system 1000 in different embodiments. For example, the computer system 1000 can be the computer system described above in conjunction with FIG. Fig. 6A , Figure 6B and Figure 7 Portions of the described computing devices 100, 600, 700. It should be noted that when described or recited herein, the use of articles such as "a" or "an" are not to be construed as limited to only one, but are intended to mean one or more, unless specifically stated otherwise herein.

[0106] Computer system 1000 may include a central processing unit (CPU) or processor 1002 connected via bus 1004 for electrical communication with memory device 1006, power supply 1008, electronic storage device 1010, network interface 1012, input device adapter 1016, and output device adapter 1020. For example, one or more of these components may be connected to each other via a substrate (e.g., a printed circuit board or other substrate) supporting bus 1004 and other electrical connectors that provide electrical communication between the components. Bus 1004 may include a communication mechanism for transmitting information between the components of system 1000.

[0107] The processor 1002 may be a microprocessor or similar device configured to receive and execute an instruction set 1024 stored by the memory 1006. The memory 1006 may be referred to as a main memory, such as a random access memory (RAM) or another dynamic electronic storage device for storing information and instructions to be executed by the processor 1002. The memory 1006 may also be used to store temporary variables or other intermediate information during the execution of instructions executed by the processor 1002. The processor 1002 may include one or more processors or controllers, such as, for example, a CPU typically used in the computing device 100 and a touch controller or similar sensor or I / O interface for controlling and receiving signals from the display 102 and any other sensors (e.g., 108, 110, 112, 606, 614, 616) being used. The power supply 1008 may include a power supply capable of providing power to the processor 1002 and other components connected to the bus 1004, such as a connection to a utility grid or a battery system.

[0108] The storage device 1010 may include a read-only memory (ROM) or another type of static storage device coupled to the bus 1004 for storing static or long-term (i.e., non-dynamic) information and instructions for the processor 1002. For example, the storage device 1010 may include a magnetic or optical disk (e.g., a hard disk drive (HDD)), a solid-state memory (e.g., a solid-state drive (SSD)), or the like.

[0109] Instructions 1024 may include information for performing processes and methods using components of system 1000. Such processes and methods may include, for example, methods described in conjunction with other embodiments elsewhere herein, including, for example, in conjunction with Figure 2 , Figure 5 , Figure 8 and Fig. 9 Describe the method and process.

[0110] The network interface 1012 may include an adapter for connecting the system 1000 to external devices via a wired or wireless connection. For example, the network interface 1012 may provide a connection to a computer network 1026, such as a cellular network, the Internet, a local area network (LAN), a separate device capable of wirelessly communicating with the network interface 1012, other external devices or network locations, and combinations thereof. In an exemplary embodiment, the network interface 1012 is a wireless networking adapter that is configured to connect to another device having interface capabilities using the same protocol via WI-FI(R), Bluetooth(R), BLE, Bluetooth mesh, or a related wireless communication protocol. In some embodiments, a network device or a group of network devices in the network 1026 may be considered to be part of the system 1000. In some cases, a network device may be considered to be connected to the system 1000, but not part of it.

[0111] The input device adapter 1016 can be configured to provide the system 1000 with connections to various input devices, such as, for example, a touch input device 1013 (e.g., display 102, 300, 604 or 612, or display assembly 710), a keyboard 1014 or other peripheral input device, one or more sensors 1028 (e.g., 108, 110, 112, 606, 614, 616, 722, 724, 726, 728), related devices, and combinations thereof. In an exemplary embodiment, the input device adapter 1016 is connected to the touch input device 300 and its traces 302, 304 to detect the location of a touch or gesture on the display. In some configurations, the input device adapter 1016 may include the above-mentioned touch controller or a similar interface controller. The sensor 1028 can be used to detect physical phenomena (e.g., light, sound, electric field, force, vibration, etc.) near the computer system 1000 and convert these phenomena into electrical signals. A keyboard 1014 or another input device (e.g., buttons or switches) can be used to provide user input, such as input regarding settings of the system 1000. In some embodiments, an input device adapter 1016 can be connected to a stylus (e.g., 118) or other input tool via a wired connection or a wireless connection (e.g., via the network interface 1012) to receive input via the touch input device 1013 and via the tool.

[0112] The output device adapter 1020 may be configured to provide the system 1000 with the ability to output information to a user, such as by providing visual output using one or more displays 1032, providing auditory output using one or more speakers 1035, or by providing tactile feedback sensed by touch via one or more tactile feedback devices 1037. Other output devices may also be used. The processor 1002 may be configured to control the output device adapter 1020 to provide information to the user via an output device connected to the adapter 1020. In some embodiments, the processor 1002 and / or the output device adapter 1020 may be configured to filter, curve fit, interpolate, or smooth input provided to the touch input device 1013 based on whether an overlay is detected, such as in conjunction with FIG. 3A to FIG. 4C discussed.

[0113] To the extent applicable to the present technology, the collection and use of data obtained from various sources can be used to improve the delivery of inspirational content or any other content that may be of interest to users. The present disclosure contemplates that in some instances, such collected data may include personal information data that uniquely identifies or can be used to contact or locate a specific person. Such personal information data may include demographic data, location-based data, phone numbers, email addresses, TWITTER ® ID, home address, data or records related to the user’s health or fitness level (e.g., vital sign measurements, medication information, exercise information), date of birth, or any other identifying or personal information.

[0114] The present disclosure recognizes that the use of such personal information data in the present invention technology can be used to benefit users. For example, the personal information data can be used to deliver targeted content that users are more interested in. Therefore, the use of such personal information data enables users to have planned control over the content delivered. In addition, the present disclosure also anticipates other uses of personal information data that benefit users. For example, health and fitness data can be used to provide insights into the user's overall health status, or can be used as positive feedback for individuals who use technology to pursue health goals.

[0115] This disclosure envisions that entities responsible for collecting, analyzing, disclosing, transmitting, storing or otherwise using such personal information data will comply with established privacy policies and / or privacy practices. Specifically, such entities should implement and adhere to privacy policies and practices that are recognized as meeting or exceeding industry or government requirements for maintaining the privacy and security of personal information data. Such policies should be easily accessible to users and should be updated as the collection and / or use of data changes. Personal information from users should be collected for legitimate and reasonable purposes of the entity and not shared or sold outside of these legitimate uses. In addition, such collection / sharing should be performed after receiving informed consent from the user. In addition, such entities should consider taking any necessary steps to safeguard and protect access to such personal information data and ensure that others who have access to personal information data comply with their privacy policies and processes. In addition, such entities may subject themselves to third-party assessments to demonstrate their compliance with widely accepted privacy policies and practices. In addition, policies and practices should be adjusted to specific types of personal information data collected and / or accessed, and to applicable laws and standards including specific considerations of jurisdiction. For example, in the United States, the collection or access of certain health data may be governed by federal and / or state laws, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), while health data in other countries may be subject to other regulations and policies and should be handled accordingly. Therefore, different privacy practices should be maintained in each country for different types of personal data.

[0116] Regardless of the foregoing, the present disclosure also contemplates implementation schemes in which users selectively block the use or access of personal information data. That is, the present disclosure contemplates that hardware elements and / or software elements may be provided to prevent or block access to such personal information data. For example, with respect to an advertising delivery service, the technology of the present invention may be configured to allow a user to choose to "opt in" or "opt out" at any time during or after registration for the service to participate in the collection of personal information data. In another example, a user may choose not to provide emotion-related data for a target content delivery service. In another example, a user may choose to limit the length of time that emotion-related data is retained, or to completely prohibit the development of basic emotional conditions. In addition to providing "opt-in" and "opt-out" options, the present disclosure also contemplates providing notifications related to access or use of personal information. For example, a user may be notified that their personal information data will be accessed when downloading an application, and then the user may be reminded again just before the personal information data is accessed by the application.

[0117] Furthermore, it is an object of the present disclosure that personal information data should be managed and processed to minimize the risk of unintentional or unauthorized access or use. Risks can be minimized by limiting data collection and deleting data once it is no longer needed. Additionally, and when applicable, including in certain health-related applications, data de-identification can be used to protect the privacy of users. De-identification can be facilitated by removing specific identifiers (e.g., date of birth, etc.), controlling the amount or specificity of stored data (e.g., collecting location data at a city level rather than an address level), controlling how data is stored (e.g., aggregating data across users), and / or other methods, where appropriate.

[0118] Thus, while the present disclosure broadly covers the use of personal information data to implement one or more of the various disclosed embodiments, the present disclosure also contemplates that various embodiments may also be implemented without access to such personal information data. That is, various embodiments of the present technology will not fail to function properly due to the lack of all or a portion of such personal information data. For example, content may be selected and delivered to a user by inferring preferences based on non-personal information data or an absolute minimum amount of personal information, such as content requested by a device associated with the user, other non-personal information available to a content delivery service, or publicly available information.

[0119] For the purpose of illustration, the foregoing description uses specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details are not required in order to practice the embodiments. Therefore, for the purpose of illustration and description, the foregoing description of the specific embodiments described herein is presented. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise form disclosed. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that, in view of the above teachings, many modifications and variations are feasible.

Claims

1. A computing device, comprising: shell; a first capacitive touch input device disposed in the housing; a second capacitive touch input device disposed within the housing; a processor in electronic communication with the first capacitive touch input device and the second capacitive touch input device; a memory device in electronic communication with the processor and storing electronic instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to: identifying a change in a first capacitance signal from the first capacitive touch input device; identifying a change in a second capacitance signal from the second capacitive touch input device; as well as Based on the first capacitance signal change and the second capacitance signal change, it is determined that a cover layer at least partially covers the first capacitive touch input device and the second capacitive touch input device. 2 . The computing device of claim 1 , wherein the second capacitive touch input device is a capacitive sensor.

3. The computing device of claim 2, wherein the capacitive sensor is located outside of a display area. 4 . The computing device of claim 1 , wherein the first capacitive touch input device is a touch display. 5 . The computing device of claim 4 , further comprising a third capacitive touch input device located outside of a display area of ​​the touch display.

6. The computing device of claim 4, wherein the touch display comprises a plurality of adjacent capacitive sensing areas.

7. The computing device of claim 6, wherein: A first sensing area of ​​the plurality of adjacent capacitive sensing areas includes a non-display area of ​​the touch display; and The second sensing area and the third sensing area of ​​the plurality of adjacent capacitive sensing areas include a display area of ​​the touch display.

8. The computing device of claim 6, wherein a capacitive signal from at least one of the plurality of adjacent capacitive sensing regions is weighted or prioritized differently than capacitive signals from other capacitive sensing regions of the plurality of adjacent capacitive sensing regions.

9. The computing device of claim 6 further stores electronic instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to adjust a touch input threshold for one or more of the plurality of adjacent capacitive sensing areas in response to determining the presence of the covering layer.

10. The computing device of claim 1, wherein the first capacitive touch input device and the second capacitive touch input device are electrically isolated from each other.

11. A computing device, the computing device comprising: a housing defining an interior cavity and an exterior surface; a capacitive sensor located between the inner cavity and the outer surface; a display positioned within the cavity; a processor in electronic communication with the display and the capacitive sensor; a memory device in electronic communication with the processor and storing electronic instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to: identifying a first baseline capacitive signal from the display; identifying a second baseline capacitance signal from the capacitance sensor; identifying signal fluctuations only in the first baseline capacitance signal; as well as A determination is made based on the signal fluctuation that a user input is applied to a display region overlapping the display.

12. The computing device of claim 11, further comprising an insulator positioned between the display and the capacitive sensor.

13. The computing device of claim 12, wherein the insulator comprises an air gap.

14. The computing device of claim 11, wherein the capacitive sensor is located on a housing shelf separate from the display.

15. The computing device of claim 11, wherein the capacitive sensor is located at a bezel area, and the computing device further comprises a cover glass over both the display and the bezel area.

16. The computing device of claim 11, wherein the capacitive sensor comprises a first trace coupled to the housing, the first trace compensating for grounded metal in the housing when driven.

17. The computing device of claim 16, wherein the capacitive sensor comprises a second trace coupled to the cover glass, the second trace being a capacitive sensor electrode located above the first trace.

18. The computing device of claim 11, further comprising a display assembly portion located above the display, the display assembly portion comprising: Covering glass layer; a first touch trace layer; a second touch trace layer; and An insulator layer is located between the first touch trace layer and the second touch trace layer.

19. The computing device of claim 11, further storing electronic instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to identify additional signal fluctuations in both the first baseline capacitance signal and the second baseline capacitance signal.

20. The computing device of claim 19, further storing electronic instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to determine that an overlay at least partially covers the display and the capacitive sensor based on the additional signal fluctuations.

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