Patent ID: 7733333
Filing Date: 2010-06-08
Classification: H03K

Abstract:
1. A shared electrode pattern field effect touch sensor apparatus, comprising: a dielectric substrate; at least first and second spaced electrode patterns disposed on said substrate, each of said patterns having an inner electrode and an outer electrode, said inner electrode including a primary portion defining a primary sense area and at least one secondary portion, said secondary portions of said first and second patterns adjacently disposed and defining a secondary sense area; at least first and second integrated control circuits (ICCs) disposed on said substrate, each of said ICCs electrically coupled to a corresponding one of said patterns, said inner and outer electrodes arranged such that the presence of an object proximate one of said primary sense areas causes the corresponding one of said ICCs to output a touch signal, and the presence of an object proximate said secondary sense area causes each of said ICCs to output a touch signal; and a controller in communication with said first and second ICCs, said controller adapted to receive said touch signals and to output a control signal indicative of the presence at said controller of a touch signal output by said first ICC, a touch signal output by said second ICC or touch signals output by each of said first and second ICCs.