Response to typed input

Abstract

The invention relates to a capacitor module, which may include: a set of electrodes; a controller in communication with the set of electrodes; and a memory in communication with the processor. The memory may include programming instructions that, when executed, cause the controller to: receive a keyed input; performing a capacitance measurement in response to receiving the keyed input; storing an attribute associated with the capacitance measurement; and determine an input type of a subsequent user input on the set of electrodes based at least in part on the stored attributes.

Description

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This application is a partial continuation of U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 809,924, filed August 20, 2024, entitled “Determining Non-Prompt Input”. The entire contents of U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 809,924 are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This disclosure generally relates to systems and methods for enhancing the accuracy of touch input in capacitive touch devices. Specifically, this disclosure relates to systems and methods for improving palm rejection prevention and distinguishing between intentional and unintentional touch input. Background Technology

[0004] Touchpads are frequently integrated into laptops and other devices to provide a mechanism for input. One problem with capacitive touch input devices is accidental touches, particularly touches from the palm, causing unintentional activation. This can happen when the device mistakenly interprets a palm resting on the touch surface as intentional input. Such accidental touches can lead to unintended actions, frustrating the user and degrading the overall user experience.

[0005] Existing methods for preventing accidental hand touches often rely on processing steps such as ignoring large touch areas or ignoring input detected near the edges of the touch surface. While these methods can reduce the frequency of accidental touches, they are not always effective, especially in complex usage scenarios. Furthermore, these methods may fail to accurately distinguish between intentional and unintentional touches, leading to missed inputs or false activations.

[0006] Examples of preventing accidental palm touches are disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 11,886,699 granted to Wayne Carl Westerman. It discloses a method for selectively rejecting touch contacts in the edge area of ​​a touch sensor panel. Furthermore, by setting certain exceptions for excluding edge contacts, the functionality of the touch sensor panel can be maximized. Contacts within the peripheral edge band of the touch sensor panel can be ignored. However, if the contact within the edge band moves beyond a threshold distance or speed, it can be recognized as part of a gesture. To accommodate different finger sizes, the size of the edge band can be modified based on the recognition of a finger or thumb. Additionally, if a contact in the central area of ​​the touch sensor panel follows the movement of a contact within the edge band, the contact within the edge band can be recognized as part of a gesture.

[0007] Another example of palm-touch prevention is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 6,246,395 to Gregg S. Goyins et al. This reference discloses a method and apparatus for classifying substantially simultaneous inputs on a touchscreen. The method is described within the scope of a computer device having a display screen adapted to receive touchscreen input. First, the display screen is divided into multiple sectors. Next, the sectors are scanned sequentially to acquire inputs. When multiple substantially simultaneous inputs are sensed in each sector, the sector location of each input is determined. Then, each received input is assigned a unique value, the assigned value corresponding to the temporal order of the individual inputs based on the sequential scanning of the sectors at the time of the input. The apparatus includes a display screen adapted to receive touchscreen input. A touchscreen driver / sensor is provided to divide the display screen into multiple sectors and sense inputs in each sector. A sequence counter is used to actuate the driver / sensor to sequentially scan the display screen sectors at predetermined intervals to acquire inputs and assign a unique value to each received input.

[0008] Examples of touch type classification are disclosed in US Patent No. 11,175,698 granted to Christopher Harrison. This reference provides a method for sensing touch input to a digital device, comprising the steps of: sensing a sound / vibration signal generated by a touch; digitally processing the sensed sound / vibration signal; and determining the touch device type and touch intensity that generated the touch based on characteristics of the processed sound / vibration signal, wherein the characteristics include at least one of the following characteristics of the sound / vibration signal in the time domain: maximum amplitude, average amplitude, average frequency, mean, standard deviation, standard deviation normalized to total amplitude, variance, skewness, kurtosis, sum, absolute sum, root mean square (RMS), crest factor, dispersion, entropy, The above-mentioned characteristics are calculated from the power sum, centroid, coefficient of variation, cross-correlation, zero-crossing rate, seasonality, DC bias, or first, second, third, or higher derivatives of the sound / vibration signal; and the following characteristics of the sound / vibration signal in the frequency domain: spectral centroid, spectral density, spherical harmonic function, total average spectral energy, bandwidth energy ratio per octave, logarithmic bandwidth ratio, cepstral coefficients based on linear prediction (LPCC), perceptual linear prediction (PLP) cepstral coefficients, Mel-frequency cepstral coefficients, frequency topology, or first, second, third, or higher derivatives of the frequency domain representation of the sound / vibration signal. A device for sensing touch input is also provided.

[0009] All publicly available content from each of these documents is incorporated into this paper by reference. Summary of the Invention

[0010] The capacitor module may include: a set of electrodes; a controller communicating with the set of electrodes; and a memory communicating with a processor. The memory may include programming instructions that, when executed, cause the controller to: receive typed input; perform a capacitance measurement in response to receiving the typed input; store attributes associated with the capacitance measurement value; and determine the input type of subsequent user input on the set of electrodes, at least in part based on the stored attributes.

[0011] When the programming instructions are executed, the controller can further: acquire subsequent attributes from subsequent inputs detected on a set of electrodes; compare the subsequent attributes with stored attributes; and determine, based on the comparison result of the subsequent attributes and stored attributes, that the subsequent input may be a palm input.

[0012] When the programming instructions are executed, the controller can be further configured to ignore subsequent inputs in response to determining that the subsequent input is a palm input.

[0013] When the programming instructions are executed, the controller can further cause the controller to cancel subsequent input in response to determining that the subsequent input is a palm input.

[0014] When the programming instructions are executed, the controller may further disable at least a portion of the capacitive sensors in response to determining that a subsequent input is a palm input.

[0015] When the programming instructions are executed, the controller can further: acquire subsequent attributes from subsequent inputs detected on a set of electrodes; compare the subsequent attributes with stored attributes; and determine, based on the comparison result of the subsequent attributes and stored attributes, that the subsequent input may be a finger input.

[0016] The input type can be finger input.

[0017] The input type can be palm input.

[0018] The input type can be approximate input.

[0019] Typed input can come from the keyboard, which communicates with the controller.

[0020] Input can come from virtual buttons located near the set of electrodes that communicate with the controller.

[0021] The attribute can be the length of the capacitance image.

[0022] The attribute can be the width of the capacitive image.

[0023] The attribute can be the surface area of ​​the capacitance image.

[0024] The attribute can be the capacitance signal strength.

[0025] It can be a capacitor image shape.

[0026] The attribute can be the direction of motion of the capacitive image.

[0027] The attribute can be the capacitive image motion mode.

[0028] When the programming instructions are executed, the controller may further cause the controller to: receive a second input; perform a second capacitance measurement in response to receiving the second input; determine a second attribute of the second capacitance measurement; and modify the stored attribute based at least in part on the second attribute.

[0029] A method for determining the type of input on a capacitor module may include: receiving a keyed input; performing a capacitance measurement in response to receiving the keyed input; storing attributes associated with the capacitance measurement value; and determining the type of subsequent user input on a set of electrodes based at least in part on the stored attributes.

[0030] A computer program product for determining user input on a capacitor module may include a non-transient computer-readable medium storing instructions executable by a controller to: receive typed input; perform a capacitance measurement in response to receiving the typed input; store attributes associated with the capacitance measurement value; and determine the input type of subsequent user input on a set of electrodes, at least in part based on the stored attributes. Attached Figure Description

[0031] Figure 1 An example of an electronic device according to this disclosure is shown.

[0032] Figure 2 An example of a substrate having a first set of electrodes and a second set of electrodes according to the present disclosure is shown.

[0033] Figure 3 An example of a touchpad according to this disclosure is shown.

[0034] Figure 4 An example of a touchscreen according to this disclosure is shown.

[0035] Figure 5 An example of a capacitor module according to this disclosure is shown.

[0036] Figure 6 An example of providing user input according to this disclosure is shown.

[0037] Figure 7 An example of a measurement according to this disclosure is shown.

[0038] Figure 8 An example of a measurement according to this disclosure is shown.

[0039] Figure 9 An example of the region of a capacitive sensor according to this disclosure is shown.

[0040] Figure 10 An example of the region of a capacitive sensor according to this disclosure is shown.

[0041] Figure 11 An example of a capacitance image according to this disclosure is shown.

[0042] Figure 12 An example of providing typed input according to this disclosure is shown.

[0043] Figure 13 An example of a measurement according to this disclosure is shown.

[0044] Figure 14 An example of a measurement according to this disclosure is shown.

[0045] Figure 15 Examples of providing keyed input and capacitive input according to this disclosure are shown.

[0046] Figure 16 An example of a measurement according to this disclosure is shown.

[0047] Figure 17 An example of a measurement according to this disclosure is shown.

[0048] Figure 18 An example of providing typed input according to this disclosure is shown.

[0049] Figure 19A An example of a capacitance image according to this disclosure is shown.

[0050] Figure 19B An example of a capacitance image according to this disclosure is shown.

[0051] Figure 19C An example of a capacitance image according to this disclosure is shown.

[0052] Figure 20 An example of an electronic device according to this disclosure is shown.

[0053] Figure 21 An example of an input classification method according to this disclosure is shown.

[0054] Figure 22 An example of a response typing input method according to this disclosure is shown.

[0055] Figure 23 An example of a response typing input method according to this disclosure is shown.

[0056] Figure 24 An example of a method for inputting responses according to this disclosure is shown.

[0057] While this disclosure may have various modifications and substitutions, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the accompanying drawings and will be described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that this disclosure is not intended to limit it to the specific forms disclosed. Rather, this disclosure is intended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and substitutions falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Detailed Implementation

[0058] This specification provides examples but is not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention. Rather, the following description will provide those skilled in the art with an advantageous description for implementing embodiments of the invention. Various changes can be made to the function and arrangement of the elements.

[0059] Therefore, various embodiments may omit, substitute, or add various procedures or components as appropriate. For example, it should be understood that these methods may be performed in a different order than described, and various steps may be added, omitted, or combined. Furthermore, aspects and elements described with respect to certain embodiments may be combined in various other embodiments. It should also be understood that the following systems, methods, apparatuses, and software may be individually or collectively components of a larger system, wherein the application of other procedures may take precedence over or otherwise modify the application of these components.

[0060] For the purposes of this disclosure, the term "aligned" generally refers to parallel, substantially parallel, or forming an angle of less than 35.0 degrees. For the purposes of this disclosure, the term "lateral" generally refers to perpendicular, substantially perpendicular, or forming an angle between 55.0 and 125.0 degrees. For the purposes of this disclosure, the term "length" generally refers to the longest dimension of the object. For the purposes of this disclosure, the term "width" generally refers to the dimension of the object from one side to the other, and may refer to a measurement perpendicular to the length of the object and spanning the object.

[0061] For the purposes of this disclosure, the term "electrode" generally refers to a portion of an electrical conductor used for measurement, while the terms "path" and "trace" generally refer to portions of an electrical conductor not used for measurement. For the purposes of this disclosure, referring to a circuit, the term "line" generally refers to a combination of an electrode and a portion of a "path" or "trace" of an electrical conductor. For the purposes of this disclosure, the term "Tx" generally refers to a transmitting line, electrode, or a portion of a transmitting line or electrode, and the term "Rx" generally refers to a sensing line, electrode, or a portion of a sensing line or electrode.

[0062] For the purposes of this disclosure, the term "electronic device" generally refers to a device that can be transported and includes a battery and electronic components. Examples may include laptops, desktop computers, mobile phones, tablet computers, personal digital devices, watches, game controllers, gaming wearables, wearable devices, measuring devices, wall detectors, automation devices, security devices, displays, computer mice, vehicles, infotainment systems, audio systems, control panels, other types of devices, motion tracking devices, tracking devices, card readers, point-of-sale stations, kiosks, buttons, sliders, or combinations thereof.

[0063] It should be understood that the terms "capacitive module," "touchpad," and "touch sensor" used herein are interchangeable with "capacitive touch sensor," "capacitive sensor," "capacitive sensor," "capacitive touch and proximity sensor," "proximity sensor," "touch and proximity sensor," "touch panel," "touchpad," "touchpad," and "touchscreen." Capacitive modules can be integrated into electronic devices.

[0064] It should also be understood that, as used herein, the terms “vertical,” “horizontal,” “lateral,” “up,” “down,” “left,” “right,” “inner,” “outer,” etc., can refer to the relative orientation or position of features in the disclosed devices and / or components shown in the figures. For example, “up” or “topmost” can refer to a feature that is closer to the top of the page than another feature. However, these terms should be interpreted broadly to include devices and / or components with other orientations, such as inverted or tilted orientations, where top / bottom, above / below, above / below, up / down, and left / right can be interchanged according to orientation.

[0065] In some cases, the capacitor module is located within a housing. The capacitor module can be located below the housing and capable of detecting objects outside the housing. In an example where the capacitor module can detect capacitance changes through the housing, the housing is a capacitive reference surface. For example, the capacitor module can be disposed within a cavity formed by the keyboard housing of a computer, such as a laptop or other type of computing device, and the sensor can be disposed below the surface of the keyboard housing. In such an example, the keyboard housing adjacent to the capacitor module is a capacitive reference surface. In some examples, an opening can be formed in the housing, and a cover layer can be positioned within the opening. In this example, the cover layer is a capacitive reference surface. In such an example, the capacitor module can be positioned adjacent to the back side of the cover layer, and the capacitor module can sense the presence of an object by the thickness of the cover layer. For the purposes of this disclosure, the term "reference surface" can generally refer to a surface through which a pressure sensor, capacitive sensor, or other type of sensor is positioned to sense pressure, presence, position, touch, proximity, capacitance, magnetic properties, electrical properties, other types of properties, or other characteristics or combinations thereof indicating input. For example, the reference surface can be a housing, a cover layer, or other type of surface through which input is sensed. In some examples, the reference surface does not have a moving portion. In some examples, the reference surface may be made of any suitable type of material, including but not limited to plastics, glass, dielectric materials, metals, other types of materials, or combinations thereof.

[0066] For the purposes of this disclosure, the term "display" can generally refer to a display or screen that is not shown in the same area as the capacitive reference surface. In some cases, the display is integrated into a laptop computer, with the keyboard located between the display and the capacitive reference surface. In some examples where the capacitive reference surface is integrated into the laptop computer, the capacitive reference surface may be part of a touchpad. Pressure sensors may be integrated into the stack that constitutes the capacitive module. However, in some cases, pressure sensors may be located in other parts of the laptop computer, such as under the keyboard housing but outside the area used for sensing touch input, on the side of the laptop computer, above the keyboard, on the side of the keyboard, at another location on the laptop computer, or at other locations. In examples where these elements are integrated into the laptop computer, the display may be pivotally connected to the keyboard housing. The display may be a digital screen, a touchscreen, other types of screens, or a combination thereof. In some cases, the display is located on the same device as the device where the capacitive reference surface is located, while in other examples, the display is located on a different device than the device where the capacitive reference surface is located. For example, the display may be projected onto a different surface such as a wall or a projection screen. In some examples, the reference surface may be located on an input or game controller, and the display may be located on a wearable device such as a virtual reality or augmented reality screen. In some cases, the reference surface and the display are located on the same surface, but at different positions on that surface. In other examples, the reference surface and the display may be integrated into the same device, but located on different surfaces. In some cases, the reference surface and the display may be oriented at different angular directions relative to each other.

[0067] For the purposes of this disclosure, the term "dimensional attribute" generally refers to the dimension of a measured object (e.g., a finger, thumb, palm, stylus, etc.). In some examples, a dimensional attribute may include length, width, surface area, distance between features of the object, diagonal measurement of the object, diagonal measurement of a feature of the object, curvature of an object's edge, length of an object's edge, cross-section of the object, cross-section of a portion of the object, cross-section of a feature of the object, length of a feature of the object, length of the object's central axis, angular orientation of the object's central axis, position of the central axis of a feature of the object, angular orientation of a feature of the object, other dimensions, or combinations thereof. Features of the object may include protrusions of the object, discontinuities of the object, appendages of the object, other features, or combinations thereof. A dimensional attribute may be a finger dimensional attribute, a thumb dimensional attribute, a palm dimensional attribute, a stylus dimensional attribute, a proximity dimensional attribute, other types of dimensional attributes, or combinations thereof.

[0068] For the purposes of this disclosure, the term "motion attribute" generally refers to the motion of a measured object (e.g., a finger, thumb, palm, stylus, etc.). In some examples, motion attributes may include the distance the object moves, the object's rotation, the angular distance of the object's rotation, the object's nutation, the object's direction of motion, the object's motion pattern, the object's motion speed, the object's initial motion speed, the object's sustained speed (i.e., the speed after the initial speed), the object's rolling pattern, the object's motion duration, the number of motion cycles of the object within a predetermined time period, the sliding distance, the sliding speed, the sliding angle, the number of sliding cycles, the sliding rotation, the object's oscillation, the change in the object's oscillation, the object's stability, the object's stationary position, the duration of the object's stationary position, the rolling distance, the rolling speed, the rolling angle, the number of rolling cycles, the rolling rotation, the curvature of the motion, the trajectory of the motion, the position of the motion, the zoom distance, the zoom speed, the zoom speed, the zoom pinch angle, the number of zoom cycles, the zoom pinch rotation, and the zoom... The properties of motion include: curvature of motion, trajectory of scaling motion, position of scaling motion, velocity differences between different parts of an object, angular velocity differences between different parts of an object, rotational differences between different parts of an object, distal velocity of an object, proximal velocity of an object, rotational speed of an object, shape formed by object motion, straightness of lines formed by motion, changes in object length, changes in object width, changes in object rotation, changes in object surface area, changes in object size, changes in object shape, changes in object edge curvature, changes in the position of the object's central axis, changes in the position of the central axis of an object's features, changes in the orientation of an object or feature, frequency of positional changes of an object or feature, frequency of motion of an object or feature, changes in the relative angular positions between object features, changes in the relative angular positions between the central axes of object features, other types of motion properties, or combinations thereof. Motion properties can be finger motion properties, thumb motion properties, palm motion properties, stylus motion properties, proximity motion properties, motion differences between different parts of an object, relative motion, absolute motion, other types of motion properties, acceleration properties, or combinations thereof.

[0069] For the purposes of this disclosure, the term "signal attribute" generally refers to the signal of a capacitance measurement. In some examples, signal attributes may include signal strength, signal duration, signal amplitude, noise associated with the signal, noise patterns accompanying the signal, interference with the signal, interference patterns associated with the signal, signal resonance, signal frequency, signal polarity, signal reflection, signal voltage, signal strength variation over time, signal frequency variation over time, signal amplitude variation over time, signal polarity variation over time, other variations of the signal over time, signal peak value, signal edge, processed signal attribute, analog signal attribute, other signal attributes, or combinations thereof.

[0070] For the purposes of this disclosure, the term "image attribute" generally refers to an image of a measured object (e.g., a finger, thumb, palm, stylus, etc.). In some examples, image attributes may include image length, image width, image surface area, distance between image features, image interpolation, image splines, spline shape, spline curvature, number of nodes in a spline, relative angles between different parts of a spline, distance between spline nodes, image edge attributes, image centroid, distance between image edges and image centroid, signal intensity variation on the image, edge location, image corner location, length of linear portion of image edge, location of linear portion of image edge, image symmetry, image asymmetry, dimension of image asymmetry, repetition pattern in the image, dimension of image segmentation, image contour, a portion of image contour, derivative of image contour or a portion of image contour, number of features of interest identified in the image, spacing pattern of image features, spacing distance of image features, image density, other image attributes, or combinations thereof.

[0071] For the purposes of this disclosure, the term "keying prompt" generally refers to a prompt to press one or more keys associated with an electronic device having an integrated capacitive module. In some examples, the key is a slider, a mechanical switch key, a virtual key, a key integrated into a touchpad, a key integrated into a touchscreen, a key integrated into a touch surface, or a combination thereof. A prompt may include requesting the pressing of a specific key, a single key, multiple keys simultaneously, multiple keys in a specific order, or a combination thereof, or hovering over a specific key, a single key, multiple keys simultaneously, multiple keys in a specific order, or a combination thereof. A prompt may include prompting the user to type a specific alphanumeric character, a specific word or phrase, a specific code, or a combination thereof. A prompt may include prompting the user to type a series of keys, which generally relate to typing with both hands, typing with one hand, typing on the right side of the keyboard, typing on the left side of the keyboard, typing in the central area of ​​the keyboard, or a combination thereof.

[0072] For the purposes of this disclosure, the term "typing attribute" generally refers to dimensional attributes, motion attributes, signal attributes, image attributes, proximity attributes, processed attributes, raw data attributes, other types of attributes, or combinations thereof. In some cases, typing prompts may allow a user to bring their hand, palm, thumb, and / or fingers close to a capacitive sensor. In such examples, the system can recognize combinations of palm, fingers, and thumb that may be hovering above, placed on, touching, located beside, or combined on a capacitive reference surface. Typing actions can also cause multiple simultaneous or overlapping movements of the fingers, thumb, and palm. Therefore, typing attributes can include aspects of attributes derived from the fingers, thumb, and palm.

[0073] For the purposes of this disclosure, the term "finger input" generally refers to touching a reference surface of an input device with a finger and / or hovering a finger over the input device. Stored attributes associated with finger attributes may include signal strength, multiple capacitive signal strengths at selected locations corresponding to finger shape, finger length, finger width, multiple finger widths along the finger length, finger shape, surface area associated with the finger, finger size, other dimensions of the finger shape, dimensional attributes associated with the finger, motion attributes associated with the finger, signal attributes associated with the finger, image attributes associated with the finger, other attributes associated with finger input, or combinations thereof.

[0074] For the purposes of this disclosure, the term "palm input" generally refers to touching a reference surface of the input device with the palm of a user's hand or hovering the palm over the input device. Storage attributes associated with palm input may include capacitive signal strength, multiple capacitive signal strengths at selected locations corresponding to the shape of the palm, palm length, palm width, multiple palm widths along the palm length, multiple palm lengths along the palm width, palm shape, surface area associated with the palm, palm size, position of one or more fingers and / or the thumb extending from the palm, other dimensions of the palm shape, dimensional attributes associated with the palm, motion attributes associated with the palm, signal attributes associated with the palm, image attributes associated with the palm, other attributes associated with palm input, or combinations thereof.

[0075] For the purposes of this disclosure, the term "thumb input" generally refers to touching a reference surface of an input device with the thumb or hovering the thumb over the input device. Thumb input may include capacitive signal strength, multiple capacitive signal strengths at selected locations corresponding to the thumb shape, thumb length, thumb width, multiple thumb widths along the thumb length, thumb shape, surface area associated with the thumb, thumb size, other dimensions of the thumb shape, dimensional attributes associated with the thumb, motion attributes associated with the thumb, signal attributes associated with the thumb, image attributes associated with the thumb, other attributes associated with thumb input, or combinations thereof.

[0076] For the purposes of this disclosure, the term "proximity input" generally refers to hovering a detectable object over a reference surface of an input device. For example, proximity thumb input may include hovering a thumb over a reference surface of an input device without touching the input device. For example, proximity palm input may include hovering a palm over a reference surface of an input device without touching the input device. For example, proximity finger input may include hovering a finger over a reference surface of an input device without touching the input device.

[0077] For the purposes of this disclosure, the term "signal attribute" generally refers to capacitive signal strength, multiple capacitive signal strengths at a selected location corresponding to an input proximity shape, proximity shape length, proximity shape width, multiple widths along the proximity shape length, proximity shape, surface area associated with the proximity shape, proximity shape size, dimensional attribute associated with a proximity object, motion attribute associated with a proximity object, signal attribute associated with a proximity object, image attribute associated with a proximity object, other attribute associated with the proximity input, or combinations thereof.

[0078] In some cases, raw data from the input can be stored as attributes. In other examples, attributes may include processed data. In some examples, processed attributes may include average length, median length, maximum length, minimum length, length within a first standard deviation, average width, median width, maximum width, minimum width, width within a first standard deviation, average surface area, median surface area, maximum surface area, minimum surface area, surface area within a first standard deviation, average capacitance signal strength, median capacitance signal strength, maximum capacitance signal strength, minimum capacitance signal strength, capacitance signal strength within a first standard deviation, average size, median capacitance signal strength, maximum size, minimum size, size within a first standard deviation, other processed attributes, or combinations thereof. In some cases, both raw and processed attributes may be stored and / or used for comparison with unprompted user input. Where capacitive reference surfaces are significantly different from the keyboard and spaced at a distance, assuming the user is typing and does not intend to provide touch or proximity input via a capacitive sensor, typing attributes may be associated with unintentional user input. In other examples, such as when buttons are integrated into a capacitive reference surface, the system can determine that keystroke input is intentional, but palm input is unintentional. In this case, the system can distinguish between intentional and unintentional inputs. In such situations, it's possible that some intentional and unintentional inputs are provided to the system simultaneously or within overlapping timeframes.

[0079] Figure 1 An example of an electronic device 100 is shown. In this example, the electronic device is a laptop computer. In the example shown, the electronic device 100 includes input components such as a keyboard 102 and a capacitive module such as a touchpad 104 integrated into a housing 103. The electronic device 100 also includes a display 106. Programs operated by the electronic device 100 can be displayed on the display 106 and controlled by a sequence of instructions provided by the user via the keyboard 102 and / or via the touchpad 104. An internal battery (not shown) can be used to power the operation of the electronic device 100.

[0080] Keyboard 102 includes an arrangement of keys 108 that can be individually selected when a user presses a key with sufficient force to press the key 108 against a switch located below keyboard 102. In response to selecting key 108, a program can receive instructions on how to operate, such as a word processing program determining which types of text to process. The user can use touchpad 104 to give different types of instructions to programs operating on computing device 100. For example, the cursor displayed on display 106 can be controlled via touchpad 104. The user can control the cursor's position by sliding their hand along the surface of touchpad 104. In some cases, the user can move the cursor to or near an object on the display of the computing device and give a command to select that object via touchpad 104. For example, the user can provide the instruction to select an object by tapping the surface of touchpad 104 once or multiple times.

[0081] Touchpad 104 is a stacked capacitor module comprising a layer disposed beneath the keyboard housing, beneath a cover layer adapted to an opening in the keyboard housing, or beneath another capacitive reference surface. In some examples, the capacitor module is located in an area of ​​the keyboard surface where a user's palm can rest while typing. The capacitor module may include a substrate such as a printed circuit board or other type of substrate. One of the layers of the capacitor module may include a sensor layer comprising a first set of electrodes oriented in a first direction and a second set of electrodes oriented in a second direction transverse to the first direction. These electrodes may be spaced apart and / or electrically isolated from each other. Electrical isolation can be achieved by depositing at least a portion of the electrodes on different sides of the same substrate or by providing a dedicated substrate for each set of electrodes. Capacitance can be measured at the overlapping intersections between different sets of electrodes. However, the capacitance between the electrodes may change when an object with a dielectric value different from that of the surrounding air (e.g., a finger, stylus, etc.) approaches the intersection between the electrodes. This change in capacitance and the relative position of the object with respect to the capacitor module can be calculated to determine the location where the user is touching or hovering the object within the detection range of the capacitor module. In some examples, the first and second sets of electrodes are equidistant from each other. Therefore, in these examples, the sensitivity of the capacitor module is the same in both directions. However, in other examples, the distance between the electrodes can be non-equidistant to provide greater sensitivity for movement in certain directions.

[0082] In some cases, the display 106 is mechanically separate and movable relative to the keyboard via a connecting mechanism 114. In these examples, the display 106 and the keyboard 102 can be interconnected and movable relative to each other. The display 106 can be movable relative to the keyboard 102 within a range of 0 degrees to 180 degrees or greater. In some examples, when the display 106 is in the closed position, it can fold onto the upper surface of the keyboard 102, and when the display 106 is in the operating position, it can fold open from the keyboard 102. In some examples, when in use by the user, the display 106 can be oriented at an angle between 35 degrees and 135 degrees relative to the keyboard 102. However, in these examples, the display 106 can be positioned at any angle desired by the user.

[0083] In some examples, display 106 may be a non-touch-sensitive display. However, in other examples, at least a portion of display 106 is touch-sensitive. In these examples, the touch-sensitive display may also include a capacitive module located behind the outer surface of display 106. When a user's finger or other object approaches the touch-sensitive screen, the capacitive module can detect changes in capacitance as input from the user.

[0084] Although Figure 1 The example shown depicts an electronic device as a laptop computer, but capacitive sensors and touch surfaces can be integrated into any suitable device. The non-exhaustive list of devices includes, but is not limited to, desktop computers, monitors, screens, kiosks, computing devices, tablet computers, smartphones, position sensors, card reader sensors, other types of electronic devices, other types of devices, or combinations thereof.

[0085] Figure 2 An example of a portion of a capacitance module 200 is shown. In this example, the capacitance module 200 may include a substrate 202, a first set of electrodes 204, and a second set of electrodes 206. The first set of electrodes 204 and the second set of electrodes 206 may be oriented laterally to each other. Furthermore, the first set of electrodes 204 and the second set of electrodes 206 may be electrically isolated from each other so that the electrodes do not short-circuit with each other. However, capacitance can be measured where the electrodes from the first set of electrodes 204 and the second set of electrodes 206 overlap. The capacitance module 200 may include one or more electrodes from the first set of electrodes 204 or the second set of electrodes 206. Such a substrate 202 and set of electrodes can be integrated into a touchscreen, touchpad, position sensor, game controller, button, and / or detection circuitry.

[0086] In some examples, the capacitor module 200 is a mutual capacitance sensing device. In such examples, the substrate 202 has a set of row electrodes 204 and a set of column electrodes 206 defining the touch / proximity sensitive area of ​​the component. In some cases, the component is configured as a rectangular grid consisting of an appropriate number of electrodes (e.g., 8x6, 16x12, 9x15, etc.).

[0087] like Figure 2 As shown, the capacitor module 200 includes a touch controller 208. The touch controller 208 may include at least one of a central processing unit (CPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), an analog front-end (AFE) including amplifiers, a peripheral interface controller (PIC), other types of microprocessors, and / or combinations thereof, and may be implemented by suitable circuitry, hardware, firmware, and / or software as an integrated circuit, a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a combination of logic gates, other types of digital or analog electrical design components, or combinations thereof, to select from available operating modes.

[0088] In some cases, the touch controller 208 includes at least one multiplexing circuit to select which of the electrode groups 204, 206 is used as both the driving electrode and the sensing electrode. The driving electrodes can be driven one at a time sequentially, randomly, or simultaneously in an coded mode. Other configurations, such as a self-capacitance mode for simultaneously driving and sensing electrodes, are also possible. The electrodes can also be arranged in a non-rectangular array, such as a radial pattern, a linear series, etc. A shielding layer can be provided beneath the electrodes (see [link to documentation]). Figure 3 This reduces noise or other interference. The shielding layer can extend beyond the electrode grid. Other configurations are also possible.

[0089] In some cases, measurements are not performed using a fixed reference point. The touch controller 208 can generate signals that are sent directly to the first set of electrodes 204 or the second set of electrodes 206 in various modes.

[0090] In some cases, the component does not rely on absolute capacitance measurements to determine the position of a finger (or stylus, pointer, or other object) on the surface of the capacitive module 200. The capacitive module 200 can measure charge imbalances on the electrodes that serve as sensing electrodes; in some examples, the sensing electrodes can be any of the electrodes specified in the group electrodes 204, 206, or in other examples, dedicated sensing electrodes. When there is no pointing object on or near the capacitive module 200, the touch controller 208 can be in a balanced state, and there is no signal on the sensing electrodes. When a finger or other pointing object creates an imbalance due to capacitive coupling, changes in capacitance can occur at the intersections between the group electrodes 204, 206 that constitute the touch / proximity sensitive area. In some cases, changes in capacitance are measured. However, in alternative examples, absolute capacitance values ​​can be measured.

[0091] Although this example is described as a capacitor module 200 having the flexibility to switch between groups of electrodes 204, 206 between sensing and transmitting electrodes, in other examples, each group of electrodes is dedicated to either transmitting or sensing functions.

[0092] Figure 3 An example of a substrate 202 having a first set of electrodes 204 and a second set of electrodes 206 deposited on a substrate 202 and integrated into a capacitor module is shown. The first set of electrodes 204 and the second set of electrodes 206 may be spaced apart from each other and electrically isolated from each other. Figure 3 In the example shown, a first set of electrodes 204 is deposited on a first side of a substrate 202, and a second set of electrodes 206 is deposited on a second side of the substrate 202, wherein the second side is opposite to the first side and spaced apart by the thickness of the substrate 202. The substrate may be made of an electrically insulating material to prevent the first set of electrodes 204 and the second set of electrodes 206 from short-circuiting with each other. Figure 2 As shown, the first set of electrodes 204 and the second set of electrodes 206 can be oriented laterally to each other. Capacitance measurements can be performed at the intersections where the electrodes from the first set of electrodes 204 and the second set of electrodes 206 overlap. In some examples, a voltage can be applied to the transmitting electrode, and the voltage of the sensing electrode overlapping with the transmitting electrode can be measured. The voltage from the sensing electrode can be used to determine the capacitance at the intersection where the sensing electrode and the transmitting electrode overlap.

[0093] A cross-section of the capacitor module is shown. Figure 3In this example, substrate 202 may be located between capacitive reference surface 212 and shielding portion 214. Capacitive reference surface 212 may be a covering placed above a first side of substrate 202 and allowing at least partial passage of an electric field. When a user's finger or stylus approaches capacitive reference surface 212, the presence of the finger or stylus can affect the electric field on substrate 202. In the presence of a finger or stylus, the voltage measured from the sensing electrodes may differ from the voltage when the finger or stylus is absent. Therefore, changes in capacitance can be measured.

[0094] The shielding portion 214 may be a conductive layer that shields against electrical noise from internal components of the electronic device. This shielding portion can prevent the influence of electric fields on the substrate 202. In some cases, the shielding portion is a conductive solid material. In other cases, the shielding portion has a substrate and a conductive material disposed on at least one substrate. In another example, the shielding portion is a functional layer in a touchpad and also shields the electrodes from electrical interference noise. For example, in some examples, a pixel layer in a display application can form an image visible through a capacitive reference surface, but also shield the electrodes from electrical noise.

[0095] The voltage applied to the emitting electrode can be transmitted from the touch controller 208 to the appropriate group electrode via electrical connection 216. The voltage applied to the sensing electrode by the electric field generated from the emitting electrode can be detected via electrical connection 218 from the sensing electrode to the touch controller 208.

[0096] Although Figure 3 An example is shown with two sets of electrodes deposited on a substrate, one set of electrodes deposited on the first side and the second set of electrodes deposited on the second side, but in other examples, each set of electrodes may be deposited on its own dedicated substrate.

[0097] Furthermore, although the above examples describe a touchpad with a first set of electrodes and a second set of electrodes, in some examples, the capacitive module has a single set of electrodes. In such examples, the electrodes of the sensor layer can serve as both transmitting and receiving electrodes. In some cases, a voltage can be applied to the electrodes for a period of time, which changes the capacitance around the electrodes. At the end of this period, the applied voltage is interrupted. The voltage from the same electrode can then be measured to determine the capacitance. If there is no object (e.g., a finger, stylus, etc.) on or near the capacitive reference surface, the measured voltage of the electrode after the voltage interruption can be at a value consistent with the baseline capacitance. However, if an object is touching or near the capacitive reference surface, the measured voltage can indicate the change in capacitance relative to the baseline capacitance.

[0098] In some examples, the capacitor module has a first set of electrodes and a second set of electrodes, and communicates with a controller that is configured to perform mutual capacitance measurements (e.g., capacitance measurements using the first and second sets of electrodes) or self-capacitance measurements (e.g., capacitance measurements using only one set of electrodes).

[0099] Figure 4 An example of a capacitive module integrated into a touchscreen is shown. In this example, the substrate 202, electrode groups 204, 206, and electrical connections 216, 218 can be similarly combined. Figure 3 The described layout. Figure 4 In this example, shielding portion 214 is located between substrate 202 and display layer 400. Display layer 400 may be a pixel layer or diode that emits light to generate an image. The display layer may be a liquid crystal display, a light-emitting diode display, an organic light-emitting diode display, an electroluminescent display, a quantum dot light-emitting diode display, an incandescent filament display, a vacuum fluorescent display, a cathode gas display, other types of displays, or combinations thereof. In this example, shielding portion 214, substrate 202, and capacitive reference surface 212 may all be at least partially optically transparent, such that the image displayed in the display layer is visible to the user through capacitive reference surface 212. Such a touchscreen may be included in monitors, display assemblies, laptops, mobile phones, mobile devices, electronic tablets, dashboards, display panels, infotainment devices, other types of electronic devices, or combinations thereof.

[0100] Figure 5 An example of a capacitor module 500 is shown. In this example, the capacitor module 500 is a three-layer stack, including a sensor layer 502, a shielding layer 504, and a component layer 506. Although the capacitor module 500 in this example includes three layers, in other examples, the capacitor module may include a different number of layers. For example, the capacitor module may include four, five, or different numbers of layers.

[0101] Sensor layer 502 may include a first set of electrodes 508 and a second set of electrodes 510, which can be used to detect and / or measure changes in capacitance in a capacitor circuit. While this example shows a sensor layer 502 with two sets of electrodes, in other examples, a sensor layer may include one set of electrodes, three sets of electrodes, or different numbers of sets of electrodes. While this example shows a single sensor layer 502, in other examples, a capacitor module may include multiple sensor layers.

[0102] The first set of electrodes 508 and the second set of electrodes 510 can operate using mutual capacitance, self-capacitance, or a combination thereof. In an example where the sensor layer includes only a single set of electrodes, that single set of electrodes can operate using self-capacitance. In other examples, the first set of electrodes and the second set of electrodes are located on different layers.

[0103] The shielding layer 504 is located within the capacitor module 500, adjacent to the sensor layer 502. In other examples, the shielding layer may be located at a different position relative to other layers in the stack.

[0104] The shielding layer 504 may include materials that block or reduce electromagnetic and / or electrical interference. In some examples, the shielding layer may be made of conductive materials such as copper, aluminum, silver, or combinations thereof. In other examples, the shielding layer may be a composite material such as plastic, glass, other composite structures, or combinations thereof. In still other examples, the shielding layer may be a shielding material coating applied to a substrate, such as indium tin oxide (ITO), graphene, conductive polymers, other coatings, or combinations thereof. In some cases, the material of the shielding layer may be a magnetic material such as iron, ferrite, other metals, their composites, their alloys, their mixtures, or combinations thereof.

[0105] In this example, shielding layer 504 is located between sensor layer 502 and component layer 506. Shielding layer 504 can help prevent electromagnetic interference from external sources such as component 518 or capacitor module on component layer 506 from interfering with the first set of electrodes 508 and / or the second set of electrodes 510 on sensor layer 502.

[0106] Shielding sensor layer 502 with shielding layer 504 can improve the accuracy and stability of capacitance measurements taken by the first set of electrodes 508 and the second set of electrodes 510. Shielding sensor layer 502 can also reduce noise, which can improve the sensitivity and accuracy of user input on capacitance module 500. Shielding layer 504 can be positioned to block interference from batteries, power supplies, storage resources, processing resources, electronic components, other components, or combinations thereof that may be located within the cavity of the electronic device.

[0107] In this example, component layer 506 is adjacent to shielding layer 504. In other examples, the component layer may be located at a different position relative to other layers in the stack or components of capacitor modules. Component layer 506 includes component 512.

[0108] Component layer 506 may include components 512 that contribute to the functionality of capacitor module 500. Components on the component layer may include central processing unit (CPU), microcontroller, operational amplifier, memory unit, field-programmable gate array (FPGA), graphics processing unit (GPU), interface controller, power management integrated circuit, processing resources, antenna, other types of components, or combinations thereof.

[0109] Figure 6An example of providing typing input according to this disclosure is shown. In this example, a user is providing typing input to an electronic device 600, which has a mechanical switch keyboard 602 that is separate from and spaced apart from a touchpad 604. The touchpad 604 is an input device that includes a capacitive module that can sense when a user touches the surface of the touchpad, and can perform proximity measurement when the user's hand 606, finger 608, thumb 610, and / or palm 612 hovers over the surface of the touchpad without making contact with it.

[0110] In some examples, when the user selects key 614 on keyboard 602, a message is sent to the controller of the capacitor module. This message may be sent in response to selecting a specific key or typing a specific word or phrase. In some cases, a message is sent in response to selecting any key.

[0111] A message is sent each time any key is selected, a specific key is selected, or a specific word or phrase is entered. In other examples, there may be a predetermined wait time between sending the first message in response to input and sending the second message in response to input. In still other examples, the message may be used after a predetermined number of inputs. For example, the message may be sent in response to every tenth key selection, word typing, or phrase typing.

[0112] This message can indicate that the keyboard is being used. In some cases, the message only indicates that the keyboard is being used in general. In other examples, a specific key is selected and sent to the controller. In some cases, a specific phrase is sent to the controller.

[0113] Upon receiving input, the controller can cause the capacitance module to perform measurements. The measured values ​​can reflect the capacitance signal of the portion of the user's hand directly above or near the touchpad. In some cases, the portion of the user's hand directly above the keyboard 602, rather than the touchpad, is not reflected in the measured values. The measured values ​​may include data showing the capacitance signal strength at various locations on the touchpad. The measured data can be used to construct an image of the user's hand and / or fingers.

[0114] It is possible to collect and store at least one attribute from raw measurement data or from processed data derived from raw data. Stored attributes may include dimension attributes, motion attributes, signal attributes, image attributes, raw data attributes, processed data attributes, other types of attributes, or combinations thereof.

[0115] During the initial measurement, the stored attributes can be baseline attributes. In some cases, when an object is detected above a set of electrodes on a capacitor module, object attributes can be derived from the measurements taken when the object was detected. These object attributes can be compared to baseline attributes. In some cases, if the baseline attributes match the object attributes, the system can determine that the user is typing on the keyboard. In other cases, if the object attributes are similar to the baseline attributes, the system can determine that the user is typing on the keyboard.

[0116] In some cases, subsequent typing measurements can be performed using a capacitive module during subsequent typing input. Subsequent typing attributes can be obtained, at least in part, based on these measurements. These attributes can be used to optimize stored attributes, resulting in at least one optimized stored attribute. In some cases, object attributes are compared with the optimized attributes. If the object attribute matches or is similar to the optimized stored attribute, the system can determine that the user is using keyboard typing, making unintentional input, experiencing a false alarm, using palm input, or making other specific user input, or a combination thereof. In other examples, if the object attribute is within one standard deviation of the optimized stored attribute, the system can determine that the user is using keyboard typing, making unintentional input, experiencing a false alarm, using palm input, or making other specific user input, or a combination thereof.

[0117] In some cases, the system can determine that the signal measured by the capacitive sensor when the user types is palm input, palm touch input, palm proximity input, partial palm input, or a combination thereof. In this case, the system can determine that the attributes acquired when the user types reflect unintentional input. For example, these inputs may occur when the user places their palm on a portion of the touchpad while typing, or when a portion of the user's palm hovers over a portion of the touchpad while typing. Therefore, the system can associate one or more stored attributes with the user's unintentional input. In response, the system can cancel subsequent user input on the touchpad, ignore subsequent user input, disable at least a portion of the capacitive touchpad, perform other responses, or combinations thereof.

[0118] For example, different users have different hand, finger, thumb, and palm sizes. When a user intentionally inputs near the edge of the touchpad with a large finger or thumb, it may resemble part of another user's palm from the perspective of capacitive signal strength and / or dimensions. Therefore, it is difficult to provide the controller with a manufacturer-defined baseline dimension and finger characteristics to distinguish one user's palm from another user's fingers used at the touchpad edge. However, when two users are typing, they typically place their hands near the edge in their own unique ways. For example, a user may place their palm directly on and in contact with a part of the touchpad, hover their palm over the touchpad, move their thumb in a unique way, move their fingers in a unique way while typing, or a combination of these. A user's unique hand placement, unique hand movements, unique size, and unique shape can all be used to identify attributes that can be associated with a user's typing and / or touch patterns.

[0119] In some examples, at least one storage attribute may be associated with the location of the capacitive module and / or the touchpad. In the illustrated figures, a first horizontal position is marked with a first dashed line L1, and a second horizontal position is marked with a second dashed line L2. In the illustrated example, the user's fingertip hovers above the first horizontal position L1 while the user is typing, and the user's palm hovers above the second horizontal position L2 while the user is typing.

[0120] Figures 7-8 An example of capacitance measurement along the first horizontal position L1 and the second horizontal position L2 is shown. Figure 7 An example of capacitance measurement is shown along a first horizontal position L1, which is close to the side of the touchpad near the keyboard. Figure 8 An example of capacitance measurement is shown along a second horizontal position L2, which is closer to the touchpad side away from the keyboard. The Y-axis schematically represents the capacitance signal strength, and the X-axis schematically represents the position along the width of the touchpad.

[0121] Capacitive signal strength can be categorized into multiple ranges associated with the input type. For example, signal strength may include a noise range 700, a proximity range 702, a finger touch range 704, a palm touch range 706, other ranges, and / or combinations thereof. In some cases, a proximity threshold 708 separates the noise range from the proximity range, a finger touch threshold 710 separates the finger touch range from the proximity range, and a palm touch threshold 712 separates the palm touch range from the finger touch range. In some cases, these thresholds are set by the manufacturer, derived from capacitance measurements, modified based on capacitance measurements, provided from other sources, or a combination thereof.

[0122] The first capacitance measurement performed at the first moment when the user types is represented by line 714. In this example, multiple capacitance measurements are performed when the user types. The second capacitance measurement performed at a second moment after the first moment when the user types is represented by line 716. Although the example shown only illustrates two measurements performed when the user types, any number of measurements can be performed when the user types. Measurement values ​​may differ at different locations along the horizontal dimension of the touchpad. This difference between measurements can reflect the position of the user's hand, fingers, thumb, and palm above different parts of the touchpad. Variations in capacitance signal strength at different times and at different locations along the horizontal dimension can be a property associated with user typing. In some cases, variations in measurement values ​​over a predetermined time period can also be a property associated with user typing.

[0123] Different measurements along the horizontal dimension may have different values. For example, the first proximity region 718 may include capacitance signal strength values ​​within the proximity range, the noise region 720 may correspond to capacitance signal strength values ​​within the noise range, and the second proximity region 722 may have capacitance signal strength values ​​within the proximity range. In this case, the portion of the measurement value having the value within the noise region 720 lies between the portions of the measurement value having the value within the proximity regions 718 and 722. In this case, the measurement value associated with proximity regions 718 and 722 reflects the position of the user's finger hovering over the touchpad portion along position L1. The measurement value associated with noise region 720 reflects the position between the finger that is part of the user's first hand and the finger that is part of the user's second hand.

[0124] The slope of line 714 can be used to identify transition areas. For example, a downward slope from the first proximity region 718 to the noise region 720 can indicate a first proximity boundary region 724, which reflects the edge of the area where the user's hand or finger hovers over the touchpad. In some cases, an upward slope from the noise region 720 to the second proximity region 722 can indicate a second proximity boundary region 726, which reflects the edge of the area where the user's hand or finger hovers over the touchpad. These variations in the slope of line 714 can differ from the variations in the slope of line 716. In this case, the boundary region can be the area where the user places the edge of their hand. For example, a particular user might typically place their hand in a way that the edges of their fingers are frequently located within the identified proximity boundary region. This feature can be stored as an attribute to help determine when a user is typing, placing their hand on the touchpad, making unintentional input, identifying other situations, or combinations thereof. Figure 7 In the example shown, the first proximity boundary region 724 is smaller than the second proximity boundary region 726, which indicates that the movement of the right edge of the user's hand may be greater than the movement of their left hand when typing.

[0125] In this example, measurements along location L1 may include peak location, valley location, slope location, positive slope, negative slope, different slope angles, maximum value, minimum value, median value, average value, derived value, weighted value, distance between peaks, distance between valleys, slope difference, maximum distance, minimum distance, median distance, average distance, derived distance, weighted distance, other features, or combinations thereof. Each of these features may be a stored attribute.

[0126] Figure 8 An example of capacitance measurement along a second horizontal position L2 is shown. In this example, the first measurement at position L2, also performed at a first time, is represented by line 800. The second measurement at position L2, also performed at a second time, is represented by line 802. Although the measurements along positions L1 and L2 are performed simultaneously, the measurement along position L1 may use different sensing electrodes than the measurement along position L2, and the capacitance signal strength values ​​may differ. Figure 8 In the example shown, the values ​​presented by the first and third parts of lines 800 and 802 are higher than... Figure 7 The first and third portions of lines 714 and 716. When the user types, position L2 crosses the user's palm, so the high capacitance signal strength values ​​of the first and third portions are within the palm's touch range. When the user types, the second portions of lines 800 and 802 cross the area where the thumb is located. In this example, lines 800 and 802 indicate that the user's thumb is aligned with the capacitance signal strength values ​​within the proximity range, meaning that when the user types, their thumb is held above the touchpad within the second portion.

[0127] The slope of line 800 can be used to identify transition areas. For example, a downward slope from the first palm touch area 804 to the proximity area 806 can indicate the first palm boundary area 808, which reflects the edge of the area where the user's palm rests on the touchpad. In some cases, an upward slope from the proximity area 806 to the second palm touch area 810 can indicate the second palm boundary area 812, which reflects the edge of the user's palm resting on the touchpad. These variations in the slope of line 800 can differ from the variations in the slope of line 802. In such cases, palm boundary areas typical of a general user or a specific user can be identified. For example, a specific user might typically position their palm so that the edges of their fingers are frequently within the identified palm boundary areas 808, 812.

[0128] While the examples shown indicate that the user has their palm resting on the touchpad, in some cases, the user may hover their palm over the touchpad. Furthermore, in other examples, the user may place one palm on the touchpad while hovering the other palm over it while typing. In some cases, the user may place at least one thumb on the touchpad, or hover at least one thumb over it.

[0129] The system can analyze the data provided through measurements to determine the boundaries of a user's palm, fingers, thumb, and / or other features as the user types. In some examples, the system can analyze the data from the measurements to determine which capacitance signal strength values ​​represent a particular user's noise range, proximity range, finger touch range, palm touch range, finger proximity range, palm proximity range, thumb touch range, thumb proximity range, other ranges for a particular user, or combinations thereof.

[0130] For example, in response to receiving typed input, the controller's programming instructions can cause the capacitive sensor to take measurements. The obtained measurements can include high capacitive signal strength values ​​in the far corner region of the touchpad. In some cases, the far region can include areas of the touchpad far from the keyboard, as opposed to the near region near the keyboard. Based on the high capacitive signal strength value and the probability that the user's palm might be located in such a corner of the touchpad, the system can determine that the high capacitive signal strength value reflects either a palm proximity value or a palm touch value. Therefore, the system can narrow the range of capacitive signal strength values. Additionally, the system can continuously measure while the user is typing and continue measuring for a short period after receiving typed input. This allows the system to obtain a wide range of values ​​in specific far corner regions of the touchpad. The system can determine that if these capacitive signal strength values ​​fluctuate significantly, higher capacitive signal strength values ​​may fall within the palm touch range, while lower capacitive signal strength values ​​may fall within the palm proximity range. In some cases, if the system may observe the palm lifting off the touchpad at the end of typing, the system can determine that the obtained range of capacitive signal strength values ​​falls within the palm proximity range. Similar or different protocols can be used to determine which capacitive signal strength values ​​might be associated with these different ranges.

[0131] The similarity between the values ​​of lines 800 and 802 is higher than that of each other. Figure 7 The lines 714 and 716 shown may indicate that the user's palm movement is less than the movement of the base of their fingers when typing.

[0132] In some cases, the features and attributes identified in a measurement may reflect typical measurement values ​​as a general user types. However, in some examples, the identified features and attributes may be specific to a particular user. Although these examples only show measurements taken along the horizontal dimension at locations L1 and L2, measurements may be taken at more or fewer locations than shown. For example, measurements may be recorded at each sensing electrode of a capacitive sensor. In some examples, vertically oriented electrodes may be used for measurement. In some cases, at least some of the horizontally oriented electrodes and some of the vertically oriented electrodes are used for measurement.

[0133] Figure 9 It can be shown that it can be based on Figure 7 and Figure 8 The diagram illustrates an example of a region configured with measurement data for a capacitive sensor. Each of these regions can be analyzed based on measurements taken when the user types, using customized algorithms, assumptions, and / or conditions. For example, if a subsequent capacitive signal strength value similar to the value measured when typing is measured in the far corner region 900 of touchpad 902, the system can determine that the subsequent measurement reflects a palm on the touchpad. This conclusion can be reached even when the controller does not receive keyboard input. The system can assign noise thresholds, proximity thresholds, touch thresholds, palm touch thresholds, palm proximity thresholds, thumb touch thresholds, thumb proximity thresholds, finger touch thresholds, finger proximity thresholds, other thresholds, or combinations thereof. The system can assign palm regions, thumb regions, noise regions, proximity boundary regions, touch boundary regions, palm edge regions, thumb edge regions, finger edge regions, other regions, or combinations thereof. When the properties of subsequent measurements match the properties of these regions, the system can classify the type of input received from the user. Such classification can help determine the type of command matching the user's intent, the type of gesture the user intends to make, whether the input is intentional, whether the input is unintentional, to make other decisions, or combinations thereof.

[0134] In some cases, because the system determines the frequency of user input types within these regions, input measurements in these regions may be analyzed differently than those in other regions. For example, each of these regions may operate based on customized algorithms, hypotheses, and / or conditions. For instance, region 904 may frequently receive palm input, while region 906 may frequently receive noise input. Therefore, the algorithms, hypotheses, and / or conditions can be customized accordingly. In some cases, if the proportion of input in a particular region is high, high-precision analysis may not be necessary. However, in other regions where more diverse inputs are frequently identified, the algorithms, hypotheses, and conditions may differ to make more nuanced decisions.

[0135] Figure 10It can be shown that it can be based on Figure 7 and Figure 8 The data shown is an example of the regions configured for the capacitive sensor 1000. Each of these regions can be analyzed based on measurements taken as the user types, using customized algorithms, assumptions, and / or conditions. These regions may be more than... Figure 9 The identified areas are more customized. In this example, only specific portions of the touchpad are assigned areas. Furthermore, at least some of these areas are asymmetrical, non-uniform, and / or customized. In the illustrated example, these areas may include a palm area 1002 and a proximity area 1004.

[0136] Figure 11 Showing based on Figure 7 and Figure 8 An example of an image 1100 derived from capacitance signal strength data. In this example, darker areas 1102 represent higher capacitance signal strength values ​​associated with the palm, brighter areas 1104 represent lower capacitance signal strength values ​​associated with nearby fingers and / or thumbs, and white areas 1106 represent capacitance signal strength values ​​associated with noise. In some cases, boundaries 1108 around each area can be calculated.

[0137] In some examples, the dimensions of the image can be determined and stored as attributes. In this example, the first dimension 1110 could be the length of a hand, the second dimension 1112 could be the width of a hand, and the third dimension 1114 could be the diagonal dimension of the hand region. In some examples, dimension 1116 could represent the length of a finger, dimension 1118 could represent the width of a finger, and dimension 1120 could represent the distance between features of objects shown in the image at a first vertical position. Dimension 1122 could represent the distance between features of objects shown in the image at a second vertical position. Dimension 1124 could represent the distance between a first feature in the image and the edge 1126 of the capacitive sensor, and dimension 1128 could represent the distance between a second feature in the image and the edge 1126 of the capacitive sensor. Dimension 1130 could represent the distance between edge 1126 and boundary curvature 1132.

[0138] In some cases, images can be generated from measurements taken at different times. By comparing different images at different times, it is possible to observe features in the images shifting over time, oscillating over time, exhibiting shifting patterns over time, rotating over time, shrinking over time, expanding over time, deforming over time, undergoing other changes over time, or combinations thereof. In some cases, the distance moved can be stored as a shift dimension 1134. Other shift dimensions of the image changing over time can also be stored, including distance measurements, velocity measurements, area change measurements, angle change measurements, rotation measurements, other shift measurements, or combinations thereof.

[0139] These types of dimensional measurements, motion measurements, image measurements, and other types of measurements can all be stored as storage attributes.

[0140] Figure 12 An example is shown of providing typing input to a keyboard 1202 via a single hand 1200, where the keyboard 1202 is located near a capacitive user interface 1204. This can be compared with... Figure 12 The corresponding descriptive capacitance measurement is entered into the input field. Figure 13 and Figure 14 As shown.

[0141] Figure 13 This illustrates an example of capacitance measurement at position L1 where the user's finger passes through. Line 1300 represents the first measurement taken at a first time, and line 1302 represents the second measurement taken at a second time. The first portion of the capacitance measurement corresponds to noise region 1304, where the capacitance signal strength is within noise range 1306. The second portion of the capacitance measurement corresponds to proximity region 1308, where the capacitance signal strength is within proximity range 1310. Due to the difference between the different times the measurements were taken, proximity boundary region 1312 can be identified, which is the location where the edge of proximity region 1308 most frequently occurs. In this example, the measured capacitance value does not reach the finger touch range 1314 or the palm touch range 1316.

[0142] Figure 14 This shows an example of capacitance measurement at position L2, which crosses the user's palm. Line 1400 represents... Figure 13 The first measurement was taken simultaneously with line 1300, and line 1402 represents the measurement taken at the same time as line 1300. Figure 13 The second measurement was performed simultaneously on line 1302.

[0143] The first part of the capacitance measurement corresponds to the noise region 1404, where the capacitance signal strength is within the noise range 1306. The second part of the capacitance measurement corresponds to the proximity region 1406, where the capacitance signal strength is within the proximity range 1314. This region can represent the position where the user's thumb hovers over the touchpad when typing. Due to the differences between different measurement times, the proximity boundary region 1408, i.e., the position where the edge of the proximity region 1406 most frequently occurs, can be identified. The third part of the capacitance measurement corresponds to the palm region 1410, where the capacitance signal strength is within the palm touch range 1316. Due to the differences between different measurement times, the palm boundary region 1412, i.e., the position where the edge of the palm region 1410 most frequently occurs, can be identified.

[0144] Figure 15This illustrates an example of providing typing input to the keyboard 1502 using one hand 1500, while simultaneously providing touch input to a capacitive input device 1504 adjacent to the keyboard 1502 using the other hand 1506. This can be compared with... Figure 15 The corresponding descriptive capacitance measurement is entered into the input field. Figure 16 and Figure 17 As shown.

[0145] Figure 16 This illustrates an example of capacitance measurement at position L1, where a finger and thumb hover over the touchpad as the user types. Line 1600 represents the first measurement taken at the first moment, and line 1602 represents the second measurement taken at the second moment.

[0146] The first portion of the capacitance measurement corresponds to a first noise region 1604, where the capacitance signal strength is within the noise range 1606. The second portion of the capacitance measurement corresponds to a first proximity region 1608, where the capacitance signal strength is within the proximity range 1610. This first proximity region 1608 corresponds to the area where the user's thumb hovers over the touchpad when typing on the keyboard. Due to the differences between different measurement times, a first proximity boundary region 1612 can be identified, which is the location where the first edge of the first proximity region 1608 most frequently occurs.

[0147] The third part of the capacitance measurement corresponds to the second noise region 1613, where the capacitance signal strength is within the noise range 1606. This second noise region 1613 can correspond to the area between the user's thumb and finger hovering over the touchpad when typing. Due to the differences between different times the measurement is performed, the second proximity boundary region 1614 can be identified, which is the location where the second edge of the first proximity region 1608 most frequently occurs.

[0148] The fourth part of the capacitance measurement corresponds to the second proximity region 1616, where the capacitance signal strength is within the proximity range 1610. Due to the differences between the different times the measurement is performed, a third proximity boundary region 1618 can be identified, which is the location where the edge of the second proximity region 1616 most frequently occurs. In this example, the measured capacitance value does not reach the finger touch range 1620 or the palm touch range 1622.

[0149] Figure 17 This illustration shows an example of capacitance measurement at position L2 of the user's hand touching the touchpad while typing, with the finger passing through the touchpad to directly input the data and the palm touching the touchpad. Line 1700 represents the first measurement taken at a first time, and line 1702 represents the second measurement taken at a second time.

[0150] The first part of the capacitance measurement corresponds to the first noise region 1704, where the capacitance signal strength is within the noise range 1606. The second part of the capacitance measurement corresponds to the finger-touched area 1706, where the capacitance signal strength is within the finger-touched range 1620. This finger-touched area 1706 corresponds to the area where a user's finger touches the touchpad when typing on the keyboard with their other hand. Due to the differences between different measurement times, the first finger boundary region 1708, i.e., the location where the first edge of the finger-touched area most frequently occurs, can be identified.

[0151] The third part of the capacitance measurement corresponds to the second noise region 1710, where the capacitance signal strength is within the noise range 1606. This second noise region 1710 can correspond to the area between the position where the user's finger touches the touchpad and the position where the palm touches the touchpad when typing. Due to the differences between different measurement times, the second finger boundary region 1712 can be identified, that is, the position where the second edge of the finger region most frequently occurs.

[0152] The fourth part of the capacitance measurement corresponds to the palm region 1714, where the capacitance signal strength is within the palm touch area 1322. Due to the differences between different measurement times, the palm boundary region 1716, i.e., the location where the edge of the palm region 1714 most frequently appears, can be identified.

[0153] Figure 18 An example is shown where a user touches a virtual key 1800 on the virtual keyboard 1802. Capacitance measurements can be performed as described above to generate an image of the finger touching the virtual keyboard.

[0154] Figures 19A-19C This shows the effect of a finger gradually approaching and touching the touchpad. Figure 18 Examples of images obtained from capacitance measurements performed over time in the illustrated embodiments. In these examples, darker colored areas may represent higher capacitance signal strength values ​​than lighter colored areas.

[0155] Figure 19AThis illustration shows an example of a finger approaching the touchpad before touching its surface. In this example, capacitance measurements within the proximity range can be used to construct a shape 1900 near the finger. Image dimensions can be recorded based on this image, and these dimensions can become stored attributes. In this example, the width 1902 of the shape, the length 1904 of the shape, the distance 1906 from the far edge of the touchpad to shape 1900, or a combination thereof, can be recorded. In some cases, the far edge of the touchpad can refer to the edge of the touchpad furthest from the electronic device display, the edge of the virtual keyboard closest to the user, or a combination thereof. In some cases, the near edge of the touchpad can refer to the edge of the touchpad closest to the electronic device display, the edge of the virtual keyboard furthest from the user, or a combination thereof.

[0156] Other image dimensions can also be recorded. For example, a non-exhaustive list of other dimensions that can be recorded includes, but is not limited to: distance to the near edge of the touchpad, distance to other edges of the touchpad, surface area of ​​the shape, shape classification, shape spline, curvature of a portion of the shape, relative position of the corner points of the shape, centroid of the shape, central axis of the shape, angle of the central axis of the shape, other dimensions of the shape, or combinations thereof.

[0157] Figure 19B This illustrates an example where a finger continues to approach the touchpad and makes slight contact with the touchpad surface at the fingertip. In this example, the first portion 1908 of shape 1900 is within the approach range, and the second portion 1910 of shape 1900 is within the finger's touch range. These capacitance measurements can be used to modify the shape 1900 approaching the finger. Image dimensions can be recorded based on this image, and these image dimensions can become stored attributes. In this example, the width 1902 of the shape, the length 1904 of the shape, and the distance 1906 to the far edge of the touchpad are... Figure 19A The image was constructed differently compared to the previous version. Additionally, the length, width, and other dimensions of the area within the finger's touch range can also be recorded.

[0158] New dimensions can be recorded as stored attributes. In some cases, stored attributes can be referenced. Figure 19A Image measurement time and Figure 19B The time difference between image measurement times. Changes in dimension can be used to determine the motion properties of an image. These motion properties can also be stored properties.

[0159] Figure 19CA further example is shown where a fingertip contacts the touchpad surface. In this example, some capacitance measurements are within the near range, and some are within the finger's touch range. These capacitance measurements can be used to further modify the finger's shape 1900. The changed image dimensions and corresponding motion dimensions can be recorded and stored as attributes.

[0160] Figure 20 An example of an electronic device 2000 that can utilize the principles described in this disclosure is shown. In this example, the electronic device 2000 includes a touchscreen 2002 with a virtual keyboard 2004 integrated.

[0161] Figure 21 An example of method 2100 for responding to typed input is shown. Method 2100 can be based on a reference... Figure 1-20 The method is performed by describing the device, module, and principle. In this example, method 2100 includes receiving 2102 typed input; performing 2104 capacitance measurement in response to receiving the typed input; storing 2106 attributes associated with the capacitance measurement value; and determining 2108 the input type of subsequent user input on a set of electrodes, at least in part based on the stored attributes.

[0162] Figure 22 An example of a method 2200 for responding to typed input is shown. This method 2200 can be based on a reference... Figure 1-21 The method is performed by describing the device, module, and principle. In this example, method 2200 includes obtaining 2202 subsequent attributes from subsequent inputs detected on a set of electrodes; comparing the subsequent attributes with stored attributes 2204; and determining 2206 that the subsequent input is a palm input based on the comparison result of the subsequent attributes and the stored attributes.

[0163] Figure 23 An example of a method 2300 for responding to typed input is shown. Method 2300 can be based on a reference... Figure 1-22 The method is performed by describing the device, module, and principle. In this example, method 2300 includes obtaining 2302 subsequent attributes from subsequent input detected on a set of electrodes; comparing the subsequent attributes with stored attributes 2304; and determining 2306 that the subsequent input is a finger input based on the comparison result of the subsequent attributes and the stored attributes.

[0164] Figure 24 An example of a method 2400 for responding to typed input is shown. Method 2400 can be based on a reference... Figure 1-21The method is performed by describing the device, module, and principle. In this example, method 2400 includes receiving 2402 typed input; performing 2404 capacitance measurement in response to receiving the typed input; storing 2406 attributes associated with the capacitance measurement value; and determining 2408 whether the subsequent user input is unintentional based at least in part on analyzing subsequent attributes of subsequent user input with the stored attributes.

[0165] When a user performs a keystroke, the input device can perform multiple capacitance measurements to capture dynamic capacitance changes associated with that keystroke. These measurements can include attributes such as speed, direction, pressure, touch surface area, or combinations thereof.

[0166] For example, when a user performs typing input, the input device can record the initial touch point position, the path of the moving object during the measurement, and the final touch point position. This data helps the input device form a more comprehensive reference dataset. In some cases, the user's fingers, palm, thumb, etc., may slide or rotate while typing. Therefore, parts of the user's fingers, thumb, palm, etc., may move from a first position to a second position while typing.

[0167] In some cases, in response to determining that the input is intentional user input, the system may move the cursor or respond to the user's intentional input. In some cases, finger input and thumb input can be classified as intentional input. In some cases, proximity input can be classified as intentional input. In some cases, proximity input can be identified as intentional input if a proximity attribute is also recognized. For example, proximity input that includes attributes associated with a specific gesture can be identified as intentional user input. In some cases, palm input can be identified as intentional input if a palm attribute is also recognized. For example, palm input that includes attributes associated with a specific movement recognized as a gesture can be identified as intentional user input.

[0168] In some cases, in response to determining that an input is unintentional user input, the system may ignore the input, reject the input, disable the capacitive sensor for a predetermined time, disable a portion of the capacitive sensor for a predetermined time, change the sensitivity threshold, distrust the user input, send a message to the user, provide an audible alarm, provide other responses, or a combination thereof. In some cases, any palm input can be identified as unintentional user input. In some cases, proximity input can be identified as unintentional user input. In some cases, a combination of proximity input followed by finger or thumb input can be classified as part of intentional user input.

[0169] In some cases, finger input and thumb input can be classified as intentional input. In some cases, proximity input can be classified as intentional input. In some cases, proximity input can be identified as intentional input if a proximity attribute is also identified. For example, proximity input that includes attributes associated with a specific gesture can be identified as intentional user input. In some cases, palm input can be identified as intentional input if a palm attribute is also identified. For example, palm input that includes attributes associated with a specific movement identified as a gesture can be identified as intentional user input.

[0170] During the determination and storage of attributes, the capacitance module can train a machine learning model based on the measurements collected during this process. During operation, inputs to the capacitance module can be fed to the machine learning model, and the input can be classified, at least in part, based on the model's output.

[0171] Machine learning models can be k-nearest neighbors, logistic regression, decision tree, random forest, gradient boosting machine, support vector machine, neural network, other machine learning models, or combinations thereof.

[0172] In some examples, machine learning models can be trained and stored on processing resources and memory belonging to the capacitor module itself. In other examples, machine learning models can be trained and stored on device resources belonging to the means of electronically communicating with the capacitor module.

[0173] The capacitive module can initiate the calibration process when a user sets up a profile associated with an electronic device. In some examples, the calibration process can be initiated in response to a user request. For example, the system may request the user to type a phrase, type a specific phrase, select a specific keyboard key, type a specific keyboard key sequence, perform other tasks, or combinations thereof. In some examples, the calibration process can be initiated in response to event-based triggers, such as turning on the electronic device, updating software, changing settings associated with the input device, program requests, user requests, opening a program with the electronic device, updating user profiles, other event-based triggers, or combinations thereof. In some examples, the calibration process can be initiated repeatedly based on recurrence.

[0174] In cases of repeated calibration processes, the dataset collected from a previous calibration process can be replaced by the dataset from the most recent calibration. However, in other examples, the dataset from the most recent calibration can be used to update or refine processed stored properties. In other examples, stored properties may include properties from multiple calibrations.

[0175] In some examples, each unique user of an electronic device can have their own profile. In such examples, each profile can be associated with a unique dataset containing stored attributes unique to each user.

[0176] In some examples, the system can introduce noise into the system as the user types to determine the type input when the user types and noise is introduced into the system. In this way, the system can identify typing patterns when noise is introduced. Noise can be introduced by antennas, near-field antennas, Wi-Fi antennas, Bluetooth antennas, haptic devices, speakers, non-capacitive mechanisms, light-emitting diodes, light sources, optical devices, vibration devices, radar devices, ultrasonic devices, other types of devices, or combinations thereof. In some cases, the generated noise can affect capacitance measurements. The system can store attributes specific to when the noise introduction mechanism is activated. When classifying the type of non-cue input, the system can refer to the stored attributes by comparing recorded capacitance measurements with attributes acquired when the noise introduction mechanism is activated and when the noise introduction mechanism is not activated.

[0177] For example, while the system records capacitance measurements as the user types, it can also activate the antenna, which may introduce electromagnetic noise into the environment surrounding the capacitance module. The antenna signal may or may not affect the capacitance measurements. The system can record at least one attribute of the input before the antenna is introduced and store at least another attribute when the antenna is introduced. The system can store input attributes that differ from non-antenna input attributes.

[0178] The system can store a non-exhaustive list of attributes, including but not limited to: antenna finger attributes, antenna palm attributes, antenna thumb attributes, antenna stylus attributes, antenna proximity attributes, antenna corner attributes, antenna center area attributes, antenna typing attributes, antenna wet finger attributes, antenna wet palm attributes, antenna wet thumb attributes, antenna wet stylus attributes, antenna wet proximity attributes, antenna wet corner attributes, antenna wet center area attributes, antenna wet typing attributes, non-antenna finger attributes, non-antenna palm attributes, non-antenna thumb attributes, non-antenna stylus attributes, non-antenna proximity attributes, non-antenna corner attributes, non-antenna center area attributes, non-antenna typing attributes, non-antenna wet finger attributes, non-antenna wet palm attributes, non-antenna wet thumb attributes, non-antenna wet stylus attributes, non-antenna wet proximity attributes, non-antenna wet corner attributes, non-antenna wet center area attributes, non-antenna wet typing attributes, other antenna attributes, other non-antenna attributes, other non-antenna wet attributes, other antenna wet attributes, or combinations thereof.

[0179] In some cases, the system may prompt the user to type input when: wearing gloves, when there is water on the input device, wearing a ring, wearing a watch, wearing a bracelet, wearing a metal object, sitting in a chair, standing, using headphones or other wearable devices, performing a task that the user frequently performs when providing user input to the user device, or a combination thereof. In some cases, rings, jewelry, watches, etc., may affect the capacitance signal. In other examples, wearing gloves may also weaken the capacitance signal. Some electronic devices worn by the user may exert electronic frequencies on the user, which may be picked up in capacitance measurements. For example, some wearable devices, pacemakers, and other medical devices may exert frequencies that can be conducted through the user's body and detected by capacitance sensors. Such frequencies may affect the corresponding storage properties.

[0180] Typing prompts may prompt a user to type a specific phrase on a keyboard integrated into an electronic device. In some cases, the prompt may prompt the user to type a specific key or key sequence. This key or key sequence may be located on the right, left, or a combination of both of the keyboard. In some cases, the user can provide the prompted input with one hand, or the user may need to use both hands for comfortable input. In some cases, the prompt may prompt the user to select a virtual key integrated into a touchscreen, touchpad, or other user input device.

[0181] In some examples, the user is not prompted to type, but the system recognizes that the user is typing because the controller receives communication from the keyboard. For example, the keyboard may indicate a specific key the user is selecting, a phrase or word the user is typing, a sequence of keys the user is selecting, a keyboard area the user is typing on, or simply indicate that the user is using the keyboard or a combination thereof. Based on this unprompted input, the controller can calibrate the system and / or determine at least one stored attribute.

[0182] When providing typing input, users may or may not place their hands on the touchpad or touchscreen. In some cases, users may have a habit of lifting their hands off the touchpad while typing. In other cases, users may have a habit of resting their hands on the edge of the touchpad while typing. In still other cases, users may have a habit of resting their hands on areas not limited to the edge of the touchpad while typing. In yet another example, users may have a habit of placing their hands outside the surface area of ​​the touchpad while typing. Recorded capacitance measurements and therefore stored properties can reflect these typing habits of the user.

[0183] The system may include a method that records a capacitance measurement value from unprompted user input, compares the unprompted capacitance measurement value with a stored capacitance attribute, and modifies the stored capacitance attribute based on the unprompted capacitance measurement value.

[0184] The stored capacitance attribute can be any suitable type of attribute as described above. In some examples, based on the comparison results, it can be determined that the non-prompt user input has features that match the stored attribute, are similar to the stored attribute, are within the standard deviation range of the stored attribute, or a combination thereof. This comparison can classify the non-prompt user input into a specific type of user input. The non-exhaustive list of user input types includes, but is not limited to: intentional input, accidental input, palm input, finger input, thumb input, stylus input, wet input, glove input, proximity input, other types of input, or combinations thereof.

[0185] In some cases, stored capacitance properties can be modified based on a single unhinted capacitance measurement. In other examples, multiple unhinted capacitance measurements can be collected and / or analyzed to determine a composite unhinted property. This unhinted property can be compared to a stored capacitance property. If the stored capacitance property differs from the unhinted property, the unhinted property can be used to modify the stored capacitance property.

[0186] It should be noted that the methods, systems, and apparatus described above are merely examples. It must be emphasized that various processes or components can be appropriately omitted, substituted, or added in various embodiments. For example, it should be understood that in alternative embodiments, the methods can be performed in a different order than described, and various steps can be added, omitted, or combined. Furthermore, features described with respect to certain embodiments can be combined in various other embodiments. Different aspects and elements of the embodiments can be combined in a similar manner. Additionally, it must be emphasized that technology is constantly evolving; therefore, many elements are exemplary in nature and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention.

[0187] Specific details are set forth in this specification to provide a full understanding of the embodiments. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments can be practiced without these specific details. For example, well-known circuits, processes, algorithms, structures, and techniques are shown without unnecessary detail to avoid obscuring the embodiments.

[0188] Additionally, it should be noted that embodiments can be described as processes shown as flowcharts or block diagrams. While each embodiment may be described as a sequential process, many operations can be performed in parallel or simultaneously. Furthermore, the order of operations can be rearranged. The process may have additional steps not included in the figures.

[0189] After describing several embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that various modifications, substitutions, and equivalents can be used without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, the above-described elements may simply be components of a larger system, where other rules may take precedence over or otherwise modify the application of the invention. Furthermore, multiple steps may be performed before, during, or after considering the above-described elements. Therefore, the foregoing description should not be considered as limiting the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A capacitor module, comprising: A set of electrodes; The controller communicates with the set of electrodes; Memory, which communicates with the processor. The memory includes programming instructions, which, when executed, cause the controller to: Receive typed input; Capacitance measurement is performed in response to receiving the input; Stores attributes associated with capacitance measurements; and The input type of subsequent user input on the set of electrodes is determined, at least in part, based on storage attributes.

2. The capacitor module according to claim 1, wherein, When the programming instructions are executed, they further cause the controller to: Obtain subsequent attributes from subsequent inputs detected on the set of electrodes; Compare the subsequent attribute with the stored attribute; and Based on the comparison result between the subsequent attribute and the stored attribute, it is determined that the subsequent input is a palm input.

3. The capacitor module according to claim 2, wherein, When the programming instructions are executed, they further cause the controller to: In response to determining that the subsequent input is a palm input, the subsequent input is ignored.

4. The capacitor module according to claim 2, wherein, When the programming instructions are executed, they further cause the controller to: The subsequent input is cancelled in response to determining that the subsequent input is a palm input.

5. The capacitor module according to claim 2, wherein, When the programming instructions are executed, they further cause the controller to: At least a portion of the capacitive sensor is disabled in response to determining that the subsequent input is a palm input.

6. The capacitor module according to claim 1, wherein, When the programming instructions are executed, they further cause the controller to: Obtain subsequent attributes from subsequent inputs detected on the set of electrodes; Compare the subsequent attribute with the stored attribute; and Based on the comparison result between the subsequent attribute and the stored attribute, it is determined that the subsequent input is finger input.

7. The capacitor module according to claim 1, wherein, The input type is finger input.

8. The capacitor module according to claim 1, wherein, The input type is palm input.

9. The capacitor module according to claim 1, wherein, The input type is proximity input.

10. The capacitor module according to claim 1, wherein, The typed input comes from a keyboard that communicates with the controller.

11. The capacitor module according to claim 1, wherein, The key input comes from virtual buttons located near the set of electrodes and communicating with the controller.

12. The capacitor module according to claim 1, wherein, The attribute is the capacitance image dimension.

13. The capacitor module according to claim 1, wherein, The attribute mentioned is the surface area of ​​the capacitance image.

14. The capacitor module according to claim 1, wherein, The attribute mentioned is the capacitance signal strength.

15. The capacitor module according to claim 1, wherein, The attribute is the shape of the capacitance image.

16. The capacitor module according to claim 1, wherein, The attribute is the direction of motion of the capacitance image.

17. The capacitor module according to claim 1, wherein, The attribute is the capacitive image motion pattern.

18. The capacitor module according to claim 1, wherein, When the programming instructions are executed, they further cause the controller to: Receive the second key input; A second capacitance measurement is performed in response to receiving the second key input; Determine the second property of the second capacitance measurement; and The storage attribute is modified at least in part based on the second attribute.

19. A method for determining the input type on a capacitor module, comprising: Receive typed input; Capacitance measurement is performed in response to receiving the input; Stores attributes associated with capacitance measurements; as well as The input type of subsequent user input on a set of electrodes is determined, at least in part, based on storage attributes.

20. A computer program product for determining user input on a capacitor module, the computer program product comprising a non-transient computer-readable medium storing instructions executable by a controller to: Receive typed input; Capacitance measurement is performed in response to receiving the input; Stores attributes associated with capacitance measurements; and The input type of subsequent user input on a set of electrodes is determined, at least in part, based on storage attributes.

Images