Capacitive communication channel for auxiliary device

Abstract

To provide a capacitive input device having a capacitive communication channel between an auxiliary device and the capacitive input device, and capable of providing for a lower latency, faster update rates, lower power consumption and lower cost for the auxiliary device.SOLUTION: A capacitive input device 200 includes sensing electrodes 210 configured to form a capacitive coupling with auxiliary device electrodes 208 of an attached auxiliary device. The auxiliary device electrodes 208 transmit data signals to the sensing electrodes via the capacitive coupling.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. Patent Application No. 63 / 211,339, filed on Jun. 16, 2021, and claims the benefit of 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Patent Application No. 63 / 211,339. U.S. Patent Application No. 63 / 211,339 is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0002] The present invention relates generally to a communication channel between an auxiliary device and an input device.

Background Art

[0003] Input devices, such as proximity sensor devices (e.g., touch pads or touch sensor devices), are widely used in various electronic systems. Proximity sensor devices may have a detection area, often delimited by a surface, in which the proximity sensor device identifies the presence, position, and / or movement of one or more input objects. Proximity sensor devices may be used to provide an interface to an electronic system. For example, proximity sensor devices may be used as input devices (e.g., touch screens or touch pads for mobile phones, televisions, personal computers, automobiles, etc.) for various computing systems.

Summary of the Invention

[0004] Generally, in one aspect, one or more embodiments relate to a capacitive input device comprising a sensing electrode configured to form a capacitive coupling with an auxiliary electrode of an attachment auxiliary device. The auxiliary electrode transmits a data signal to the sensing electrode via the capacitive coupling. The capacitive input device also comprises a processing circuit configured to decode the data signal received via the capacitive coupling to obtain decoded data.

[0005] In general, in one aspect, one or more embodiments relate to a system comprising: an auxiliary device including an input element configured to receive input from a user; a processing component coupled to the input element and configured to process the input to obtain data; and a port circuit unit coupled to the processing component and having an auxiliary device electrode configured to form a first capacitive coupling with a sensing electrode of a mounted capacitive input device. The port circuit unit is configured to drive the auxiliary device electrode with a data signal encoded from the data received as input to the input element.

[0006] In general, in one aspect, one or more embodiments relate to a method comprising: attaching an auxiliary device to a capacitive input device; receiving input from input elements of the auxiliary device by the capacitive input device; and generating a data signal from the input. The method further comprises transmitting a first data signal via a first capacitive coupling between a first plurality of auxiliary device electrodes on the first auxiliary device and a first plurality of sensor electrodes on the capacitive input device.

[0007] Other aspects of the present invention will be apparent from the following description and the appended claims. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] Exemplary embodiments will be described in conjunction with the attached drawings. In the attached drawings, similar markings refer to similar elements.

[0009] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary system including a capacitive input device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0010] [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a block diagram of a system having a capacitive communication channel for an auxiliary device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0011] [Figure 3]Figure 3 is a block diagram of a system illustrating a first sensing electrode having a capacitive communication channel for an auxiliary device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0012] [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a block diagram of a system illustrating a second sensing electrode having a capacitive communication channel for an auxiliary device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0013] [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows exemplary communication channels for operation in touch mode and auxiliary device mode according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0014] [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows an example of a system comprising two auxiliary devices according to one or more embodiments.

[0015] [Figure 7] Figure 7 shows an example of a capacitive communication channel equipped with a gaming controller, according to one or more embodiments.

[0016] [Figure 8] Figure 8 shows an example of a communication timing diagram that can be modified to operate a capacitive communication channel according to one or more embodiments.

[0017] [Figure 9] Figure 9 shows an example of a modified communication timing diagram for operating a capacitive communication channel according to one or more embodiments. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0018] The following detailed description of the invention is essentially illustrative and is not intended to limit the present invention or its applications or uses. Furthermore, it is not intended to be bound by the express or implied theories presented in the technical field, background art, brief abstract, or the detailed description of the invention described below.

[0019] In the following detailed description of the embodiments, numerous specific details are presented in order to provide a deeper understanding of the disclosed technology. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the disclosed technology may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known mechanisms are not described in detail to avoid unnecessarily complicating the description.

[0020] Throughout the application, ordinal numbers (e.g., first, second, third, etc.) may be used as adjectives for elements (i.e., any noun in the application). The use of ordinal numbers does not imply or create a particular ordering of the elements, nor does it limit any element to being a single element, unless explicitly disclosed by the use of terms such as "before," "after," "single," or other similar terms. Rather, the use of ordinal numbers is for the purpose of distinguishing elements from one another. As an example, a first element is distinct from a second element, the first element encompasses more than one element, and may follow (or precede) the second element in the ordering of the elements.

[0021] Various embodiments of the present invention provide capacitive input devices and methods that promote improved usability. In particular, one or more embodiments are directed to capacitive communication channels for auxiliary devices. In one or more embodiments, the auxiliary device is attached to the capacitive input device and remains stationary and adjacent to one or more sensing electrodes of the capacitive input device for the entire usage time of the auxiliary device.

[0022] When the auxiliary device is attached, the communication between the auxiliary device and the capacitive input device is independent of movement (e.g., a change in the position of the auxiliary device relative to the capacitive input device). Instead, the communication is performed by changing a signal capacitively transmitted between the auxiliary device electrode of the auxiliary device and the sensing electrode of the capacitive input device. That is, for transmission from the auxiliary device to the capacitive input device, the auxiliary device changes the signal on the auxiliary device transmitter electrode according to the data being transmitted. The receiver electrode of the capacitive input device receives a derived data signal affected by the changed signal. Conversely, for transmission from the capacitive input device to the auxiliary device, the capacitive input device changes the signal on the transmitter electrode of the capacitive input device according to the data being transmitted. The receiver electrode of the auxiliary device receives a derived data signal affected by the changed signal.

[0023] Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary capacitive input device (100) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The capacitive input device (100) may be configured to provide an input to an electronic system (not shown for simplicity). The term "electronic system" broadly refers to any system capable of electronically processing information. Some non-limiting examples of electronic systems include personal computers of any size and shape such as desktop computers, laptop computers, netbook computers, tablets, web browsers, e-book readers, mobile phones. Other examples include automotive user interfaces configured to provide user interface capabilities to a driver. Additionally, the electronic system can be a host or slave to the capacitive input device.

[0024] The capacitive input device (100) may be implemented as a physical part of the electronic system. Alternatively, the capacitive input device (100) may be physically separated from the electronic system. The capacitive input device (100) may be coupled to (and communicate with) the components of the electronic system using various wired or wireless internal connection and communication technologies.

[0025] In the example in Figure 1, the capacitive input device (100) may correspond to a proximity sensor device (such as a touchscreen or any other touch sensor device) configured to detect input provided by one or more input objects (140) in a sensing area (120). Exemplary input objects include fingers and styluses. An example of a stylus is an active pen. The active pen moves across the sensing area, detects its position, and transmits a transmitter signal used to determine additional information. An example of an active pen is a USI pen (e.g., a USI stylus). Generally, USI (Universal Stylus Initiative) defines standards for interoperable communication between touch-enabled devices such as tablets and phones and pens.

[0026] Continuing with Figure 1, the detection area (120) may encompass any space above, around, inside, and / or near the capacitive input device (100) where the capacitive input device (100) can detect user input (provided, for example, by one or more input objects (140)). The specific size, shape, and location of the detection area may vary depending on the actual implementation.

[0027] In some embodiments, the sensing area (120) extends in one or more directions from the surface of the capacitive input device (100) into space until, for example, the signal-to-noise ratio falls below a threshold suitable for object detection. For example, the distance over which this sensing area (120) extends in a particular direction may vary in various embodiments, depending on the type of detection technique used and / or the desired accuracy, and may be on the order of less than one millimeter, on the order of millimeters, on the order of centimeters, or longer. In some embodiments, the sensing area (120) detects inputs that are not physically in contact with any surface of the capacitive input device (100), inputs that are in contact with the input surface of the capacitive input device (100) (e.g., the touch surface), inputs that are in contact with the input surface of the capacitive input device (100) with some applied force or pressure, and combinations thereof.

[0028] In various embodiments, the input surface may be provided by the surface of the housing of a capacitive input device (100) on which the sensor electrodes are provided, or by a face sheet or an arbitrary casing provided above the sensor electrodes. In some embodiments, the detection area (120) has a rectangular shape when projected onto the input surface of the capacitive input device (100).

[0029] In some embodiments, a capacitive input device (100) may use capacitive sensing techniques to detect user input. For example, a sensing region (120) takes one or more capacitive sensing elements (e.g., sensor electrodes) as input and generates an electric field. The capacitive input device (100) may detect the input based on a change in the capacitance of the sensor electrodes. More specifically, an object in contact with (or near) the electric field may cause a change in voltage and / or current at the sensor electrodes. Such a change in voltage and / or current may be detected as a “signal” indicating user input. The sensor electrodes may be arranged in an array of capacitive sensing elements or in other regular or irregular patterns to generate an electric field. In some implementations, several sensing elements may be ohmic short-circuited to form a larger sensor electrode. Some capacitive sensing techniques may use a resistance sheet that provides a uniform resistance layer.

[0030] Transformer capacitance detection detects changes in the capacitive coupling between sensor electrodes. For example, an input object (140) near the sensor electrodes can change the electric field between the sensor electrodes and, therefore, change the measured capacitive coupling of the sensor electrodes. In some embodiments, a capacitive input device (100) performs transformer capacitance detection by detecting the capacitive coupling between one or more transmitter sensor electrodes (also referred to as "transmitter electrodes" or "transmitters") and one or more receiver sensor electrodes (also referred to as "receiver electrodes" or "receivers"). A signal on the transmitter sensor electrodes may be modulated with respect to a reference voltage (e.g., system ground) to transmit a transmitter signal, while the receiver sensor electrodes may be held at a substantially constant voltage with respect to the reference voltage to receive a derived signal. The reference voltage may be a substantially constant voltage and may be system ground. The derived signal may be affected by interference from the environment (e.g., other electromagnetic signals) along with input objects in contact with or near the sensor electrodes. The sensor electrodes may be dedicated transmitters or receivers and may be configured to both transmit and receive. Measurement values ​​obtained using the mutual capacitance detection method are sometimes called mutual capacitance measurements.

[0031] Furthermore, the sensor electrodes may have different shapes and / or sizes. The same shape and size of sensor electrodes may or may not be within the same group. For example, in some embodiments, the receiver electrodes may have the same shape and / or size, while in other embodiments, the receiver electrodes may have different shapes and / or sizes.

[0032] The processing system (110) may be configured to activate the hardware of a capacitive input device (100) to detect an input in the sensing area (120). The processing system (110) may include one or more integrated circuits (ICs) and / or other circuit components and some or all of the firmware. In some embodiments, the processing system (110) may include a processing circuit section (150) configured to determine the time that at least one input object (140) is in the sensing area (120), determine whether the input object (140) is a stylus, determine the signal-to-noise ratio, determine the position information of the input object (140), identify a gesture, determine an action to be performed based on the gesture, gesture or other information, and / or perform other actions. In some embodiments, the processing system (110) may include a sensor circuit section (160) configured to transmit a transmitter signal and drive a sensing element to receive a derived signal. In some embodiments, the sensor circuit section (160) may include a sensor circuit section coupled to a sensor electrode.

[0033] In some embodiments, the capacitive input device (100) includes a touchscreen interface, and the sensing area (120) overlaps at least a portion of the active area of ​​the display screen. For example, the capacitive input device (100) may include a substantially transparent sensor electrode that overlaps the display screen, providing a touchscreen interface to the associated electronic system. The display screen may be any type of dynamic display capable of displaying a visual interface to the user. The capacitive input device (100) and the display screen may share physical elements. For example, in some embodiments, the same electrical components may be used for display and sensing. In various embodiments, one or more display electrodes of the display device may be configured to be suitable for both display updates and input sensing. In another example, the display screen may be operated partially or entirely by a processing system (110).

[0034] Figure 1 illustrates the arrangement of components, but other arrangements may be used without departing from the scope of this disclosure. For example, various components may be combined to form a single component. In other examples, a function performed by a single component may be performed by two or more components.

[0035] Figures 2, 3, and 4 illustrate an exemplary capacitive input device having a capacitive communication channel for an auxiliary device. The capacitive communication channel is a communication channel through which a data signal is transmitted by changing the electric field on one set of electrodes and detecting a change in capacitance on the other set of electrodes. In this application, the set of electrodes refers to a sensing electrode on the input device and an auxiliary device electrode on the auxiliary device.

[0036] In this example, the capacitive input device (200) is a portable device such as a mobile phone or tablet equipped with a touchscreen (not shown). Other capacitive input devices may be similarly configured to perform capacitive communication with auxiliary devices.

[0037] In this example, the capacitive input device (200) includes a sensing electrode (210) shown as a grid in Figure 2. The capacitive sensing electrode is the sensing electrode described above with reference to Figure 1. In Figure 2, the capacitive sensing electrode is shown as a grid, but any arrangement, size, shape, and type of capacitive sensing electrode can be used. For example, the sensing electrode may be arranged in a sensing pattern having individual sensor electrodes at each intersection of the grid, rather than being a matrix of sensing electrodes. In another example, the sensing electrode may be arranged in a single electrode layer.

[0038] A capacitive input device (200) is configured to be capacitively coupled to an auxiliary device (202). Furthermore, the capacitive input device may be physically attached to the auxiliary device so as to be stationary relative to the auxiliary device during use of the capacitive input device. Thus, with respect to the auxiliary device, the capacitive input device is a mounted capacitive input device, and with respect to the capacitive input device, the auxiliary device is a mounted auxiliary device. In one or more embodiments, the attachment is temporary, such that the end user may separate the auxiliary device from the capacitive input device. Furthermore, the attachment may be performed using a connection mechanism. The connection mechanism may be a mechanical holder (e.g., a harness, clip, strap or other type of mechanical connection), a magnetic one (e.g., magnets of opposite polarity), or other connection mechanism. The holder may be, for example, by wrapping the auxiliary device around the capacitive input device, or it may be a claw or other mechanism. For example, the auxiliary device may be a smart cover for the capacitive input device. In such an example, the auxiliary device may at least partially enclose the capacitive input device, and the holder is a mechanism that holds the auxiliary device in the wrapped state. Furthermore, the connection mechanism may be configured to hold the auxiliary device (202) stationary relative to the capacitive input device (200). In this way, the auxiliary device (202) remains in a fixed position when used with the capacitive input device.

[0039] Auxiliary device (202) is an input device configured to detect user input. Auxiliary device (202) may include an input element (not shown) for detecting input. An input element is a physical mechanism for receiving input. Exemplary input elements include buttons, joysticks, wheels, dials, a set of directional buttons, a payment card slot, a near-field communication port for payment, a touchscreen, capacitive or resistive electrodes, and other types of physical mechanisms.

[0040] Examples of auxiliary devices include game controllers, dials on the front of capacitive input devices, cases for capacitive input devices that extend the functionality of capacitive input devices, payment devices, and other types of auxiliary devices for receiving input. An auxiliary device may also be a smartphone extension that converts a smartphone into a flip phone. Another example is a smart cover for a mobile device that adds buttons to a mobile device to create additional methods for the user to communicate with the mobile device.

[0041] In one or more embodiments, the auxiliary device (202) includes an auxiliary device communication port (204). The auxiliary device communication port (204) is a communication port for capacitive communication. The auxiliary device (202) may also have other ports for electromagnetic communication, such as wireless-based communication or wired ports. The auxiliary device communication port (204) includes a port circuit (206) and an auxiliary device electrode (208). The port circuit (206) is a circuit configured to encode data from the input elements of the auxiliary device (202) into signals for capacitive communication. The data in the data stream may include binary data (e.g., switch open / closed) and digitized measurements (e.g., force / pressure). The port circuit (206) is further configured to transmit the signals on the auxiliary device electrode (208).

[0042] On the receiving side, the port circuit (206) has the function of receiving the derived signal via the auxiliary device electrode (208) and decoding the derived signal. The derived signal originates from the transmitter signal on the transmitter electrode of the capacitive input device (200). The port circuit (206) may further be configured to transmit the decoded signal to the processor of the auxiliary device (202).

[0043] The auxiliary device electrode (208) may have the same function as the detection electrode described above, with reference to Figure 1. Specifically, the auxiliary device electrode may be both a receiver electrode and a transmitter electrode. The same auxiliary device electrode may serve as both the receiver electrode and the transmitter electrode. Alternatively, a subset of a dedicated auxiliary device electrode may be the receiver electrode, and another dedicated subset may be the transmitter electrode.

[0044] Various techniques can be used by capacitive input devices and auxiliary devices to encode data into a capacitively transmittable signal. The capacitive input devices and auxiliary devices have predefined techniques for encoding data, and in one or more embodiments, the same technique is used. These techniques may include, for example, two-phase phase modulation (BPSK), amplitude modulation, phase modulation, and / or frequency modulation.

[0045] As illustrated by the definition of coordinates (212), a capacitive input device has a secondary coordinate axis and a primary coordinate axis. The length along the secondary coordinate axis of the capacitive input device is shorter than the length along the primary coordinate axis of the capacitive input device. Furthermore, the primary and secondary coordinate axes are perpendicular to each other and parallel to the input surface of the capacitive input device. For example, the primary and secondary coordinate axes are aligned with the sides of the display screen.

[0046] Different capacitive couplings may be used between the auxiliary device (202) and the capacitive input device (200). Figures 3 and 4 illustrate different configurations, each having a different capacitive coupling (indicated by dashed lines in Figures 2, 3, and 4). In the configuration of Figure 3, the auxiliary device communication port (204) has an auxiliary device electrode (208) that capacitively couples to a sensing electrode aligned perpendicularly to the side adjacent to the auxiliary device (202). The mounting auxiliary device is mounted to the side of the capacitive input device along the sub-coordinate axis, and the sensing electrode and the auxiliary device electrode are perpendicular to the sub-coordinate axis. More generally, the auxiliary device electrode is perpendicular to the side of the capacitive input device to which the auxiliary device is mounted.

[0047] In the configuration shown in Figure 4, the auxiliary device communication port (204) has an auxiliary device electrode (208) which capacitively couples to at least one sensing electrode arranged parallel to the adjacent side of the auxiliary device (202). The mounting auxiliary device is mounted on the side of the capacitive input device along the sub-coordinate axis, and the sensing electrode and the auxiliary device electrode are parallel to the sub-coordinate axis. More generally, the auxiliary device electrode is parallel to the side of the capacitive input device to which the auxiliary device is mounted.

[0048] The difference between the configurations in Figures 3 and 4 lies in the amount of capacitive coupling with respect to throughput between the auxiliary device electrodes of the auxiliary device (202) and the sensing electrodes of the capacitive input device (200). In Figure 3, more sensing electrodes are adjacent to the auxiliary device, so there are more communication channels between the capacitive input device and the port circuit section (206). Therefore, the configuration in Figure 3 allows for greater data throughput compared to Figure 4. In Figure 4, fewer sensing electrodes are adjacent, but larger portions of each sensing electrode are adjacent. Therefore, in Figure 4, there is greater capacitive coupling between the electrodes compared to Figure 3. Thus, the configuration in Figure 3 may enable a larger data bandwidth (for example, to increase the responsiveness of the user interface of an electronic system), while the configuration in Figure 4 may allow for an increased gap between the auxiliary device electrodes and the sensing electrodes. For example, Figure 3 may allow for a gap of about 2-3 millimeters or even more than 10 millimeters between the electrodes, while Figure 4 may, in one or more embodiments, allow for a gap of 10-15 millimeters. Other gaps may also be possible, without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

[0049] Figures 2-4 illustrate that the short side of the capacitive input device (200) is adjacent to the auxiliary device (202), but the long side, front, and back of the capacitive input device (200) may also be adjacent to the auxiliary device (202). In each configuration, at least one sensing electrode of the capacitive input device (200) is adjacent to at least one auxiliary device electrode (208) of the auxiliary device. For example, if on the back surface, the sensing electrode may be a floating electrode, a zero-dimensional button electrode, a fingerprint sensor, or other configuration.

[0050] In one or more embodiments, the capacitive input device has the ability to operate in one of two modes: touch detection mode and auxiliary device mode. In touch detection mode, the capacitive input device performs proximity detection (e.g., detection of an input object in the detection area). In auxiliary device mode, the capacitive input device performs capacitive communication with an auxiliary device. The differences between these two modes are as follows.

[0051] In touch detection mode, the derived signal reflects the position of the input object in the detection area. The derived signal is acquired to identify the position of the input object. Various filtering processes are performed on the derived signal to remove noise. The position of the input object may be determined based on the peaks of the derived signals from different sensor electrodes.

[0052] In auxiliary device mode, the auxiliary device does not move. Therefore, the derived signal consists only of encoded data and noise at specific electrodes, because there is no signal generated by the movement of the auxiliary device. By filtering to remove the effects of the noise, the encoded data is decoded to obtain the data. This data may then be passed to an electronic system to perform derived operations.

[0053] Another difference between the different modes is whether the transmitter signal is known to the input device. Capacitive input devices may identify auxiliary devices through the protocol. As illustrated in Figure 5, in touch detection mode (502), the transmitter signal is sent separately to the mixer (510) via wiring (508) (not explicitly shown) and also to the transmitter electrode Tx (504) of the touchscreen (506). The receiver electrode Rx (512) receives the derived signal via capacitive coupling (514) and transmits the derived signal to the mixer (510). The mixer (510) demodulates the derived signal using the transmitted signal and sends the result to the analog-to-digital converter (ADC in Figure 5).

[0054] In auxiliary device mode (516), the transmitter electrode (504) is not used to receive the signal. Rather, in auxiliary device mode (516), the auxiliary device (518) has a transmitter electrode Tx (520) that is in close proximity to the receiver electrode (512) of the touchscreen (506). This proximity creates capacitive coupling (524) between the transmitter electrode (520) and the receiver electrode (512). The receiver electrode (512) is coupled to the mixer (510), which passes the derived signal to the mixer (510). However, the transmitter signal (526) is unknown to the mixer (510). Therefore, the mixer (510) performs in-phase orthogonal (I / Q) demodulation on the derived signal.

[0055] Various techniques can be used to perform mode switching. In some embodiments, switching between modes is performed by the capacitive input device periodically sending a signal to detect an auxiliary device. The capacitive input device may switch to auxiliary device mode when the auxiliary device responds. Once in auxiliary device mode, the capacitive input device may periodically switch between touch mode and auxiliary device mode to receive data from the auxiliary device and detect touch input. The switching may be within a predetermined number of microseconds so as not to be noticed by the user.

[0056] Another example is that when a capacitive input device switches to auxiliary device mode, it may remain in auxiliary device mode for a certain threshold time until the auxiliary device stops transmitting, or until a command is received via data on the capacitive communication channel to perform the switch. Other techniques may be used to perform the mode switch, without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

[0057] Figures 6 and 7 illustrate an example of using a capacitive communication channel for two auxiliary devices. As illustrated in Figure 6, the sensing electrode (600) may communicate with two auxiliary devices (e.g., device X (602) and device Y (604)). Communication with device X (602) uses the configuration shown in Figure 3, while communication with device Y (604) uses the configuration shown in Figure 4. Specifically, the left auxiliary device electrode (606) is configured to have the maximum bandwidth by designing eight auxiliary device electrodes to couple with eight long sensing electrodes (600) on the main coordinate axis. The coupling of the left auxiliary device electrode (606) requires a higher voltage so that the signal-to-noise ratio is equivalent to that of the right auxiliary device electrode (608), which is optimized for low power. The right auxiliary device electrode (608) has a very large surface area for coupling and may therefore be able to operate with a single 1.5V power supply, for example. Furthermore, on the right side, one of the sub-coordinate axis sensing electrodes (600) is coupled to both the Tx and Rx portions of the auxiliary device electrode (608). When the portable device is transmitting with the right-side sensing electrode (600), both portions of the auxiliary device electrode (608) are driven. In the coupling region on the right side, the auxiliary device (i.e., the Y device (604)) has two electrodes that can be dynamically configured by the auxiliary device as any combination of receiver and transmitter.

[0058] An example from Figure 6 is illustrated in Figure 7. In Figure 7, a system with two auxiliary devices is a gaming controller (700) for use with a portable device. As indicated by the white outline (702), the portable device may be a mobile phone with a touchscreen. A harness (704) that secures and holds the gaming controller is a cradle for the gaming controller for the portable device. The portable device runs and displays games that the user may play using the gaming controller. Communication between the portable device and the gaming controller is achieved by a capacitive communication channel, as illustrated in Figure 6. In a multi-channel configuration, the portable device appears more responsive. When using a game controller, the user generally places their hands on either side of the gaming controller. However, the user may switch by touching the touchscreen. In such a scenario, the capacitive portable device switches to touchscreen mode. By using capacitive communication, the ports on the portable device and the gaming controller can be used for other purposes, such as connecting to audio input / output devices.

[0059] For a game console (700), the game console's centralized controller may combine user inputs from both sides into a single payload. The payload may be transmitted over a single capacitive coupling link. If two or more auxiliary devices are connected, these two or more devices may be paired with separate electrodes. Other techniques may be used, without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

[0060] Another aspect of the present invention is the management of frame allocation for capacitive sensing frames of a capacitive input device. As discussed above, the capacitive input device can operate in auxiliary device mode, touchscreen mode, or combination mode. In auxiliary device mode, frame allocation is optimized to increase the sampling rate and reduce the latency of data from the auxiliary device. While in auxiliary device mode, the capacitive input device operates in sleep mode to check for nearby input objects in the sensing area at a low frequency. If a nearby input object is detected, the capacitive input device switches to touchscreen mode. Touchscreen mode prioritizes finger scanning. The system will also support conventional USI pens. Combination mode refers to repeatedly switching between auxiliary device mode and touchscreen mode within a single frame.

[0061] Figure 8 shows an example of a communication timing diagram (800) that can be modified to operate a capacitive communication channel according to one or more embodiments.

[0062] Communication with the auxiliary device can be initiated as follows: During touchscreen mode, the capacitive input device periodically transmits beacon signals (shown as beacon N and beacon N+1 in Figure 8). If there is no response, the capacitive input device continues performing detection based on touchscreen mode. Detection based on touchscreen mode means that the detection circuit drives at least a portion of the detection electrodes with the detection signal and receives derived signals resulting from the detection signal and the capacitive coupling between the detection electrodes. The derived signals may be modified detection signals based on noise and input objects present in the detection area. From these derived signals, the location information of any present input objects can be identified.

[0063] Returning to Figure 8 and the beacon signal, if an auxiliary device exists, the auxiliary device responds to the beacon signal and the capacitive input device with an auxiliary device acknowledgment. The auxiliary device acknowledgment may include identification information (e.g., a device code that uniquely identifies the type of auxiliary device, such as a product code). The capacitive input device may then use this identification information to collect device information for the auxiliary device. The device information may include information for decoding the data received from the auxiliary device, the number and type of input elements, etc. At this stage, the input device is configured to receive and decode data from the auxiliary device. The auxiliary device receives input from the user via its input elements, processes the input to obtain data, and encodes the data into a data signal for transmission to the capacitive input device. The capacitive input device receives the auxiliary device data as a data signal for a time (802), decodes the data to obtain the decoded data. A tail time may be added to the end of time (802) to allow the capacitive input device to complete receiving the encoded data. Since the auxiliary device is temporarily attached and can be removed at any time, the capacitive input device may periodically transmit a beacon signal at a predetermined frequency to start processing anew. This processing may be repeated for beacon N+1 regardless of whether the auxiliary device has been removed or not in order to continue communication. Although not shown, communication may be bidirectional by adding information to the beacon signal or by adding time periods to the timing diagram, although not shown.

[0064] Figure 9 shows an example of a communication timing diagram (900) modified to operate a capacitive communication channel according to one or more embodiments. In the timing diagram of Figure 9, data packets alternate with touch detection during time (902). Specifically, the driving of the transmit sensing electrode of the capacitive input device and the reception of derived signals alternate with the reception of data signals from the auxiliary device. Therefore, using the configuration in Figure 9, the user can use touch input simultaneously with the auxiliary device. In this example, the capacitive input device switches modes during a single frame.

[0065] The choice between using the timing diagrams in Figure 8 and Figure 9 is predetermined between the capacitive input device and the auxiliary device. One way to initiate communication between the auxiliary device and the capacitive input device is to use the Universal Stylus Initiative (USI) standard for the auxiliary device as well.

[0066] In some embodiments, the portable device is stationary relative to the capacitive input device, so the beacon may be ignored or used only periodically.

[0067] By using capacitive communication channels, auxiliary devices such as gaming consoles attached to smartphones can be made low-latency, high-refresh-rate, low-power, and low-cost. A touch controller may interact with the auxiliary device via the capacitive channel to transfer user interactions to the host processor and application. Furthermore, one or more embodiments may use time slicing for communication modes including capacitive communication. For example, one or more embodiments may be used when the capacitive input device does not have a physical port (e.g., a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port). Furthermore, one or more embodiments may be used to replace and / or complement Bluetooth connectivity (Bluetooth is a registered trademark).

[0068] Thus, the embodiments and examples presented in this paper are intended to best illustrate various embodiments and specific applications, thereby enabling those skilled in the art to construct and use the invention. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that the above description and examples are provided for illustrative purposes only. The description provided is not intended to be exclusive, nor is it intended to limit the invention to the disclosed forms themselves.

Claims

1. a first plurality of sensing electrodes configured to form a first capacitive coupling with a first plurality of auxiliary device electrodes of a first mounting auxiliary device, the first plurality of auxiliary device electrodes transmitting data signals to the first plurality of sensing electrodes via the first capacitive coupling; a processing circuit configured to decode the data signal received via the first capacitive coupling to obtain decoded data; Equipped Capacitive input device.

2. the first plurality of sensing electrodes extend along a direction perpendicular to a side of the capacitive input device adjacent to the first mounting assistant device; 2. The capacitive input device of claim 1.

3. the first plurality of sensing electrodes extend along a direction parallel to a side of the capacitive input device adjacent to the first mounting assistant device; 2. The capacitive input device of claim 1.

4. further comprising a second plurality of sensing electrodes different from the first plurality of sensing electrodes; The second plurality of sensing electrodes are configured to form a second capacitive coupling with a second plurality of auxiliary device electrodes of a second mounting auxiliary device.

2. The capacitive input device of claim 1.

5. a first input element configured to receive a first input from a user; a first processing component coupled to the first input element and configured to process the first input to obtain first data; a first port circuitry coupled to the first processing component, the first port circuitry comprising a first plurality of auxiliary device electrodes configured to form a first capacitive coupling with a first plurality of sensing electrodes of an attached capacitive input device; a first auxiliary device comprising: the first port circuitry is configured to drive the first plurality of auxiliary device electrodes with a first data signal that encodes the first data. system.

6. a second input element configured to receive a second input from the user; a second processing component coupled to the second input element and configured to process the second input to obtain second data; second port circuitry coupled to the second processing component and comprising a second plurality of auxiliary device electrodes configured to form a second capacitive coupling with a second plurality of sensing electrodes of the attached capacitive input device; and a second auxiliary device comprising: the second port circuitry is configured to drive the second plurality of auxiliary device electrodes with a second data signal encoding the second data; the first plurality of sensing electrodes and the second plurality of sensing electrodes are different electrodes; The system of claim 5.

7. and a harness for coupling the first auxiliary device and the second auxiliary device to two sides of the mounted capacitive input device. The system of claim 5.

8. Attaching a first auxiliary device to the capacitive input device; receiving, by the capacitive input device, a first input from a first input element of the first auxiliary device; generating a first data signal from the first input; transmitting a first data signal via a first capacitive coupling between a first plurality of auxiliary device electrodes on the first auxiliary device and a first plurality of sensing electrodes on the capacitive input device; Includes method.

9. receiving a beacon signal from the capacitive input device; responding to said beacon signal with an auxiliary device acknowledgment; Further comprising: The method according to claim 8.

10. Attaching a second auxiliary device to the capacitive input device; receiving, by the capacitive input device, a second input from a second input element of the second auxiliary device; generating a second data signal from the second input; transmitting second data signals via a second capacitive coupling between a second plurality of auxiliary device electrodes on the second auxiliary device and a second plurality of sensing electrodes on the capacitive input device; Further includes The method according to claim 8.

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