Patent ID: 8415960
Filing Date: 2013-04-09
Classification: B60K,G06F

Abstract:
1. A capacitance sensing apparatus for use in a position sensing apparatus comprising: a first set of electrodes; a second set of electrodes; a capacitance sensing circuit arranged to determine, in use in a normal operating mode, the capacitance between each pairing of electrodes comprising one electrode from the first set of electrodes and one electrode from the second set of electrodes; at least one group switch arranged to selectively electrically connect together groups of said electrodes within said sets of electrodes to provide a low resolution operating mode of the apparatus with said capacitance sensing circuit arranged to determine the capacitance between each pairing of groups of electrodes in one set of electrodes and said electrodes of said other set of electrodes, and a control circuit arranged to switch the apparatus in use between its different resolution states, said control circuit being arranged so that, in use, the state of the apparatus is switched depending on information relating to the distance of an object from the apparatus.