CAPACITIVE TOUCH DETECTORS

Abstract: A capacitive touch detector comprises means to improve selectivity - a narrow band buffer. Means for reducing the effect of noise comprise capacitive coupling of the buffer into the detector, which comprises a plurality of sensor pads of different inherent capacitances and means to approximate impedances which include said capacitances and are adapted to operate at respective frequencies to approximate the impedances. At least two multiplexers are arranged in series to lower capacitance loading of the sensor pads. A synchronous demodulator is arranged to be connected as a tracking filter to track the frequency of a capacitance-measuring signal from one to another of the sensor pads, possibly during a scan thereof. A controller is connected to a number of pads or capacitive sensing zones by way of buffered multiplexer chips and, shielded connectors and cables. The buffered multiplexer chips can be cascaded in series or wired in parallel and are driven from a level translator which can in its simplest form comprise a resistor and capacitor network but should preferably comprise active elements. This ensures that the base voltage on (the voltage first applied in a halfwave to) a sensor pad is also applied to its shield and various parts (e.g. power supply rails, control port, chip substrate) of its associated multiplexer/s. The signals derived from this electronic scanning array are then further processed by a signal processor incorporating a microprocessor. The improvements relate to obtaining and processing the signal both in the analogue and digital domains and allow more reliable touch detection, including interpolation methods.

Description: Capacitive Touch Detectors Field of the Invention The present invention relates to capacitive touch operated devices. Background to the Invention There has been general satisfaction with what has been provided heretofore in this field. However, we, as inventors of the present invention, have done considerable research and determined that there are a number of areas in which there could be substantial improvement. We have isolated the following areas in particular. 1 Sensitivity to radio interference 2 Sensitivity to static impulses 3 The inability to distinguish a large touch object al a great distance from a small touch object at a small distance. (For example, to distinguish the tip of a finger from the bulk of a human hand - known hereafter as the palm effect. 4 A generally low signal to noise ratio in the fundamental sensing, which tends to exhibit itself as slow response to a touch. 5 An inability to synthesise information from multiple sensors. A previous patent (Bach: GB 2,250,822 B = WO 90/14604) has described a method of creating a buffered sensor utilising a frequency variable Schmitt trigger based oscillator. This arrangement has certain advantages in its simplicity of construction but we have appreciated that it suffers from oscillator lockup if presented with interference near it.s frequency of operation (i.e. ii locks on to the interfering frequency), and that filtering is difficult to implemcni as the device works on a wideband FM principle and ils operating range is between lOO Hz and 500KHz. A previous patent (Pepper: USA 4,371 ,746) relates to a sensing surface and an adjacent buffered surface delecting a touch through a thin insulating layer of glass. This adjacent buffer driven in sympathy with the signal of interest has many advantages particularly when used to scan arrays of sensors. These two patents relate to improvements in construciion, electronic sensor technology, the algorithms employed in determining touch and some novel arrangements of sensors to create new forms of touch-operated media capable of being used in a variety of applications. A previous patent (Bach: GB 2,265,720 B = WO 92/08947) relates to a device for determining the presence and/or characteristics of an object or substance, and comprises capacitive means the capacitance of which is changed due to the presence and/or characteristics of the object or substance. The device also includes a circuit arrangement for detecting the change in capacitance, which includes a fixed frequency oscillator, the amplitude, output and/or phase of which is dependent on the change in capacitance. An application for a UK patent (Applicant, Moonstone Technology Ltd; Inventor, Tagg: GB 9410281.1 on 20 May 1994, published number *) has been made relating to a through glass audio device which can be used in conjunction with these improvements to generate an information system with audio and tactile feedback. The disclosure of the aforementioned patents and applications provides applications of, all possible combinations of features thereof with, and background explanation for, the present invention, and is accordingly hereby imported into the present specification. - . - Capacitive sensors can be constructed using the technology described by patent 2,250,822 B. However we have appreciated that these proposals suffer from a number of problems: particularly, static sensitivity and frequency lockup. Furthermore, we have appreciated that a means of multiplexing a number of channels is required without the multiplexing element reducing the sensitivity of the channel by loading it. Previous patent applications have described a way of organising a set of buffered multiplexers but we have appreciated that these proposals suffer from a number of inherent flaws including limited fan out (ability to drive many sensor pads or make connections thereto) and the incorrect driving of multiplexer chips which results in inconsistent performance from one component to the next. These effects are particularly pronounced when large pads need to be driven at the end of long, high capacitance wires. The present invention According to respective aspects of the present invention, there are provided detectors having the respective features defined in the accompanying claims. According to the present invention a controller is connected to a number of pads or capacitive sensing zones by way of buffered multiplexer chips and, shielded connectors and cables. The buffered multiplexer chips can be cascaded in series or wired in parallel and are driven from a level translator which can in its simplest form comprise a resistor and capacitor network but should preferably comprise active elements. This ensures that the base voltage on (the voltage first applied in a halfwave to) a sensor pad is also applied to its shield and various parts (e.g. power supply rails, control port, chip substrate) of its associated multiplexers. The signals derived from this electronic scanning array are then further processed by a signal processor incorporating a microprocessor. The improvements made which constitute this invention relate to obtaining and processing the signal both in the analogue and digital domains which allow more reliable touch detection. With prior keypads, each comprising an array of sensor pads, each sensor pad is capable of detecting the proximity of a finger in a continuously increasing manner, starting from say one inch (2cm) away all the way up to contact. For use as a keypad we currently set a simple "threshold level" so that when the finger is closer than a certain point a key-press is indicated. However, we also can use the detailed information from several sensor areas simultaneously to "interpolate" the position of a finger in two or three dimensions to a much finer resolution than, say, a 4 x 4 sensor pad matrix in a keypad. This is done in a digital manner but could be done in an analogue manner. There are a number of sensor array patterns which lend themselves to providing the opportunity to interpolate additional resolution between sensor pads. These fall into three main categories. 1. Single surface arrays of pads printed on one sensing layer where the pattern is fundamentally symmetrical. For example, square arrays of pads or hexagonal arrays of circles. 2. As above but where the array is asymmetrical such as the 'Backgammon grid'. 3. Dual surface sensors where two orthogonal arrays are printed on two different layers and sandwiched together. The lop layer must provide gaps through which the bottom sensor can see. A preferred embodiment of a construction method for an orthogonal screen is described with the aid of diagrams in Figures 23-24. We now describe the location geometry for a single surface symmetrical array. Simplified location geometry. See Figure 8. Since xa (offset) and s (sensor spacing) are known, using simple Pythagorean law and solving for xf (finger position horizontally) we have . a 2 - b 2 + s 2 xf - + xa 2s This form of calculation generalises into two dimensions. Using similar trigonometric principles, and assuming the thickness dimension ∑ (of e.g. glass, dielectric constant 4, assumed normalised to the corresponding thickness of air, dielectric constant 1, by a factor of Vi) is a constant we have for instance: b 2 — + s 2 ' xf = + xa 2s For a hexagonal array, e.g. see Figure 9, s a 2 - b 2 + s 2 no xf - cos 30 + xa 2s although this calculation can be done by several alternative methods. However, things are not that simple. The sensor response is not, in fact, linear with distance. It follows a law approximating to response = where 1 < n < 2 distance n or in more practical terms this can be considered as follows. Interpolation of touch position for capacitive sensor pads can be improved by calibration, by normalising/equalizing the capacitance detected from each sensor pad and/or by utilising a (third) dimension angled (e.g. perpendicular) to the area containing the sensor pads. Capacitance is related to the distance between finger (tip) and sensor pad by a non-linear equation: capacitance = k,— + k, l d - d 1 where a = effective area of fin er and d = distance from finger to sensor pad and may be determined on calibration by creating a digital "look-up" table (corresponding to a graph) by using a standard "finger tip" (a plate). In the equation, the dimension a is the area of a Hat plate having the same capacitance effect as the curved finger tip. This is then further complicated by the glass/air interface and the fact that human fingers are not uniformly spherical metal objects - they are possessed of variable shape, cross-section and conductivity. The resulting non-linear equation can be used to linearise the position of the finger or in a microprocessor the relinearisalion mapping can be stored as a lookup table in a digital memory, e.g. an EPROM or E 2 PROM, usually after calibration with a test "finger" (equivalent plate) in various positions when the keypad is in situ e.g. on a window. A preferred embodiment of an interpolation method is described with the aid of Figure 25, as applied to providing means for interpolation from an array of activated sensory elements (the said sensor pads). Palm rejection The grid of row and column wires is affected dramatically by the touch of a finger due to the capacitive snap effect as air is excluded from under the finger tip. However the palm and knuckles, even though they are a considerable distance from the finger tip, are large and will have some effects on the rows and columns of the grid. Unfortunately due to the asymmetric nature of the human hand the palm is generally offset from the centre of the finger lip and therefore introduce an error in the calculated position. In general, since the effect due to the finger tip is localised to two wires while the palm affects many wires at a distance a means of determining palm offset can be found by using more wires in the grid. A simple way of determining palm effect is look al the second adjacent wires i.e. two away from the most touched wire rather than one away from the most touched wire and calculating a linear interpolated position as described above. This method produces a new estimated point offset from the first adjacent point by an amount proportional to the palm effect. This offset can be multiplied by a known constant and used to correct the estimated position. In practice, this method suffers from noise as well as only being valid in the centre of the grid. There are however more generalisable solutions to this problem which are described below. Firstly, a solution of simultaneous equations:- In the linear interpolation problem above, two data points are used to find two unknowns namely in and c in a generalised y = mx + c description of a straight line. Once this straight line is known, a third data point x is introduced and solved for y. Increasing the number of unknowns by one. i.e. the palm offset, can be compensated for by increasing the number of data points and solving the appropriate simultaneous equations. Solving these in a general way on a small microprocessor is generally too time consuming. Secondly, one general solution to the above problem is not time consuming: that is to find the weighted mean (centre of gravity) of all the wires in the grid. This weighted mean can then be scaled to represent a position on the grid. Since this weighted mean is calculated using all of the wires on the grid it will be more affected by the palm than a method using only two or three wires on the grid. The difference in estimated position between the two methods is then a function of the effect due to the palm and can be applied to the less affected measure of position to more accurately locate the point of touch. . . , Y * (eachweight x itsvalue) weightedmean = -^ 5 (eachvalue) A preferred embodiment is explained below with the aid of diagrams in relation to Figure 26. Generalisation of the above Of course any part of the human anatomy or indeed any substance or object might be substituted for the human hand and these aforementioned methods applied to determine their position and or collision with a sensing plate. The methods described in this specification for finding a position are usually described for the X dimension using the columns in an X,Y grid. It is clear that by substituting rows for columns the position in Y can be determined. The description refers to a small (i.e. low cost) microprocessor but could be generalised to any form of digital logic, ASIC, neural network and so on, or a small portion of the duty cycle of a larger processing unit. Advantages of embodiments of the invention Because the shield is driven with a very high fidelity, long cables can be employed which have a high co-capacitance (between sensor pad and shield) without seriously degrading the signal. Well shielded wires can be employed which reduced emission and susceptibility to electrical interference. The buffering/bootstrapping of many parts of the multiplexer chip allows a large number of series or parallel multiplexers to be employed. Reduced static sensitivity can be achieved by a number of signal processing techniques in both the analogue and digital domains. Figure 5 shows some processing methods in the digital domain, while Figure 29 shows some techniques to remove static sensitivity in the analogue domain. Finally, techniques within the interpolation algorithm can be used to make the interpolation as a differential calculation that assists in the removal of common mode interference such as static impulses. Reduced frequency lockup when a high voltage interfering signal is present, such as near a monitor, is accomplished by running the detector circuit at a frequency which is not harmonically related to that of the noise source. A preferred embodiment of a dC/dT touch-down detection method, otherwise referred to as the 'snap effect' or the deltaT method, is described below with the aid of the diagrams in Figures 20-22. The benefits of the deltaT method are:- It is relatively immune to the absolute starting and finishing capacitance values and so needs little calibration. The touch point is generated by the change from the rapid increase in the capacitance of the finger as the soft tissues of the finger pad compress and slow speed of capacitance increase as the bony parts of the finger start to press. This change is similar for big and small hands and light and heavy touches, so the perceived touch point is similar for all users. In relation to Figure 25 there is described a method of linear interpolation for an orthogonal grid. The benefits of this method of linear interpolation are:- The interpolated position is derived by taking a proportion between two averages. Noise present on one line tends to be present on all lines. Therefore the proportional calculation being differential is immune to common mode noise. The use of averages in the proportional calculation helps smooth out any random error. The end points are defined by crossing points of actual data taken in real time rather than any pre -calibrated/stored value so variations in ambient conditions and the nature of the touch are taken into account in real time. Important Dimensions: In principle, pads can be of many different sizes and materials but it is important to bear certain fundamental physical limitations in mind with reference to pad size and cable length. This can be summarised in the general principle that the "obscuring" capacitance due to these must not outweigh that being measured and preferably should be much less. As disclosed herein, various means are used to back off or make ineffective such obscuring capacitance. Important dimensional considerations for an orthogonal touch screen are:- It is desirable to minimize the number of sensor zones but this would tend to force them to be as large as possible. However, if they are wider than approximately 2-3 average finger widths, interpolation data are seriously impaired as there ceases to be much change in data in the central region of the zone. Therefore, a sensing column designed to give information regarding the X position of a finger should be no wider than 30 mm. It.s length can be the appropriate dimension to the viewing area. The column and row areas should be separated by as small a distance as possible to reduce the shielding effect of one layer on another. However to small and the coupling capacitance between layers reduces independent orthogonal information. A separation of 0.25 mm has been found to be optimal. Applications of the Invention: The aforementioned improvements can be applied to a number of areas including: Capacitive pads connected to a controller by wires Keypads A major application of the invention is to a touch screen. Description of the Drawings The invention will now be further described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Figure 1 is a diagram of touch pad arrangement embodying the invention; Figure 2 is a diagram of electronic arrangement embodying the invention; Figure 3 is a diagram of touch arrangement embodying the invention; Figure 4 is a diagram of snap "effect" of capacitive touch-down detection embodying the invention; Figure 5 is a diagram of a static reduction algorithm embodying the invention; Figure 6 is a diagram of transparent pad construction embodying the invention; Figure 7 is a diagram of multiple sensor detection embodying the invention; Figure 8 is a diagram of simplified location geometry embodying the invention and showing mathematics o multiple sensors; Figure 9 is a diagram of hexagon grid embodying the invention; Figure 10 is a diagram of orthogonal wires embodying the invention; Figure 1 1 is a diagram of geometry of hexagon grid embodying the invention; Figure 12 is a diagram of transparent pad connection to multiplexer embodying the invention; Figure 13 is a diagram of shielding effect of buffer embodying the invention; Figure 14 is a diagram of touch process embodying the invention; Figure 15 is a diagram of field around sensor pad embodying the invention; Figure 16 is a diagram of use of sensor pad embodying the invention; Figure 17 is a diagram of charge -discharge cycle of sensor pad embodying the invention; Figure 18 is a diagram of impedance-matching circuit embodying the invention; Figure 19 is a diagram of response path upon use of a touch detector embodying the invention; u - Figure 20 is a graph of the capacitances versus lime seen by an array of sensing zones as a finger approaches and touches on one of the zones; Figure 21 is a as above but for the rate of change of capacitance; Figure 22 is a graph of the contents of the accumulators over time for the same touch as 21 & 20 above; Figure 23 is a general arrangement drawing for a touchscreen using orthogonal sensing elements on two surfaces; Figure 24 is a detail from one layer of the general arrangement drawing above; Figure 25 is a graph of the capacitance with time of a number of sensing zones as a finger is dragged across the screen; Figure 26 is a diagram of a finger and hand showing palm rejection; Figure 27 is a diagram of a single surface asymmetrical sensor arrangement 'backgammon grid'; Figure 28 is a drawing of an etch pattern more appropriate to the laser etching of glass sensors; and Figure 29 is a circuit diagram of the electronic components arranged around a buffer in order to reduce the effect of noise. Referring now to the Figures, the numeral references are individual to each Figure, so that the same reference in two different Figures does not denote any relationship between the items so referred to, unless this is specifically so slated. Figure 1 shows a series of backlightable pads [2], placed behind display artwork [1], which is mounted in a shop window. When a person touches the outside of the window [3] the change in capacitance of the pad is delected by ihe controller [4] and a relayed to the computer by way of a serial link [5 j. Figure 2 - shows the arrangement of the signal processing electronics. A control means [1] sets an oscillator [2] to oscillate at a frequency F. The frequency is fed to a Flip/flop [3] which divides the signal on alternate cycles thus generating a quadrature output. An optional phase delay [5] is introduced to the 90 degree signal. This matches the sensor RC circuit phase delay to optimise the synchronous demodulation. The original signal is connected to the sensor [13] via a high value resistor and one or more buffered multiplexers [ 10,11]. These multiplexers may be located in proximity to the control means or addressed via a remote logic [14]. The squarewave frequency signal charges and discharges the plate through the high value resistor. The signal seen on the other side of the resistor is approximately a sine wave except that the finite frequency response of the buffer [4] rounds the ends so that an almost sinusoidal signal is actually present. As the capacitance of the plate increases the peak of the triangle/sine wave signal decreases in amplitude. A one to one buffer [4] returns this amplitude variable signal to a cojacenl buffer thus removing unwanted stray capacitance from the measurements. The elements [6,7,8] form a standard synchronous demodulator which provides a demodulated output to a analogue to digital converter [9] which can be read my a microprocessor, not shown. Figure 3 - shows in schematic form the equipotential lines [2] formed when a earthed finger [ 1 ] approaches a sensor pad [3] in the presence of a cojacent buffer [5]. An insulating layer of finite thickness [4] separates sensors from the cojacent buffer plane. The diagram represents the lines of equal voltage at a given moment in time T. The degree to which the lines are compressed gives a graphical indication to the capacitance seen by each pad. Each pad, at positions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, is affected to some (usually different) degree by the finger placed at B. A soltware algorithm can make use of the adjacent pads to interpret information about the size and shape of a touching object. For example in the case of a drawing application a user could draw with their finger and rub out with the flat of their hand. Figure 4 shows a graph of two related variables: position/distance against time for a finger touching a hard surface and the capacitance of a sensor arrangement as it is touched by a finger. The normal capacitance of an untouched sensor rests at the baseline. Due to the buffer this baseline represents a very low capacitance. As the finger approaches the capacitance rises and due to the dielectric discontinuity at the glass the capacitance rises dramatically al the point of touch (giving the snap effect in the shaded region) as air is excluded from between the finger and the sensor and the finger flattens against the glass. Figure 6 - shows a novel construction for a transparent backlightable pad. The pad itself is simply constructed from a single sheet of glass with transparent conductive surfaces on lop and bottom [3]. It is desired to connect a piece of coaxial cable [5] to the glass but at the same time making one surface completely Jlat so that it can be placed behind and uniformly pressed up against a piece of translucent artwork. In order to do this a small notch [1 ] into which the centre wire will be placed is cut in the top surface of the glass at the edge. A "frit" pattern [2] is deposited across this notch which comprises a small and extremely thin section of silver-loaded paint. A solder bond can then be made in the notch [ 1] such that it is not higher than the surface of the glass. A solder joint is made for the braid [4] to the rear in the same way but omitting the notch. Figure 7 - shows schematically a finger about to touch a glass plate with a series of capacitive sensors on the underside. The distance between the finger and each sensor relates to the capacitance according to Gauss's law. Figure 8 - The capacitive analogue of the distance between several sensors can be ascertained and converted to distances a, b and c. Using standard trigonometrical calculations the position of the finger in the x and y planes can be determined. These calculations easily translate to three dimensions. Figure 9 - hows one of many possible arrangements of sensing elements. In this case in a hexagonal pattern of sensors each sensor connection back to one of the channel of multiplexer input. Many other shapes are possible, f r example, orthogonal patterns of squares or other shapes, crossing matrices of wires or any other three dimensional arrangement of sensors. Figure 10 - shows an array of orthogonal wires. Each wire is independently addressable through a multiplexer arrangement. The capacitance of each wire changes in the presence of a finger giving an X and Y co-ordinate for the touch point. Due to the buffer the field from each wire is linearised and background capacitance is removed. The removal of this background capacitance is of benefit as the subsequent detection of the finger has a far greater effect on the wire and also establishes the snap characteristic of touch detection. Figure 13 - The buffer has three shielding effects due to its low impedance output. 1. Because the buffer is interposed between the electronics and the sensor the sensor electronics are shielded against interference. 2. Because the buffer reduces the background capacitance the wanted ignal is larger than the general noise within the circuit therefore circuit noise has less of an effect on the signal. 3. It is believed that RF interference impinging on the sensor plane is shorted to earth by the buffer plane and therefore the maximum excursions of noise on the sensor plane are limited. The four contributors to the "Capacitive snap" effect. 1. The buffer increases overall sensitivity - subtracting the background capacitance. 2. The buffer increases local sensitivity by concentrating the field in a particular direction. However this effect is rather like a dipole as described in most physics books and at a great distance the sensor field spreads out uniformly. See Figure 14. 3. The dielectric discontinuity caused by the air glass interface and the fact that the dielectric of glass is approximately 4 limes that of air means that as the touch is made and the final millimetre of air is excluded from the gap the capacitance rises dramatically. In the case of a 4mm thickness of glass and a 1 mm air gap closing the last millimetre increases the capacitance by a factor of 2. 4. As the finger squashes on the glass the shape of the finger changes from that approximating a sphere to that approximating a Hat plane. This causes the capacitance to rise by another factor of 2. So, for objects a long way from the sensor (> 10 diameters of "lumped" sensor pad or longer than the linear dimension of a wire), the buffer field effectively wraps round and shields the sensor. For objects close to the sensor for an apparent movement of 1 mm the capacitance has risen by a factor of approximately 4. See Figures 15 and 16. A key difference between the GB 2,250,822 patent and this application relates to the use of different (but not variable) frequencies for each key. The impedance of the high value resistor and the impedance of the capacitor formed by one's hand and the glass need to be approximately equal for optimum touch detection. Since the impedance of a capacitor is frequency variable changing the frequency balances these two impedances. See Figures 17, 18, 19. Figure 20 shows a graph of a very slow touch. The X axis shows capacitance with low numbers indicating higher capacitance and the Y axis shows lime where each unit represents a time interval of approximately 12mS in which 16 elements are scanned sequentially. The lines on the graph represent the output of two sets of 8 scanning elements arranged orthogonally as described in relation to Figure 10 being scanned in quick succession. The graph is split into 3 portions [ 1 ], [2] & [3]. Portion 1 is the slow approach of the finger. Portion 2 represents the part of touch after the finger has touched down. Note the sudden change of slope between portions [1 ] & [2] which is the capacitive snap as the air is excluded from between fingertip and glass. The final portion [3] is the release of the finger. The most affected element and second most affected in the array are signified by the two lowest lines measured in the mid portion of the graph [2J. These two lines represent the X and Y sensing elements respectively. If touching on an intersection of two XY grids, these lines will be coincident, or almost so. However, if one line (e.g. X) is touched dead centre and one line (e.g Y) is touched off centre, then the dead centre line will be affected the most. This proportionality of effect is used to provide interpolation as explained later. Figure 21 shows the rale of change of capacitance with time, dC/dT on the same time scale as Figure 20. The numeral references correspond to those described above for Figure 20. It can be seen from ihis graph that simply attempting to locate the maximum rate of change indicated by the capacitive snap effect is not a very successful way of detecting touch down as the noise almost swamps any ab.solute measurements. Figure 22 shows the accumulator method in action. An accumulator is a memory element which holds the sum of the numbers input to it. While the rate of change of value of a particular wire is greater than a certain threshold this rate of change is added to its accumulator: portion [ 1] of the graph. When the rate of change drops below the threshold the accumulator is reset to zero: portion [2] of the graph. If the accumulator was greater than a certain level when it was reset to zero and it was the biggest accumulated value at that time then a touch down is reported, otherwise all accumulators continue to accumulate as before. If a second slightly higher threshold is exceeded then the delta values are weighted more greatly (typically doubled). Thus touch down is reported when: 1. The rate of change slows down (the finger is slopped by the glass.) 2. After there has been a substantial change in capacitance above the noise threshold. (The finger has moved in towards the glass rapidly.) 3. The wire which registered the sudden slow down registered the biggesl reading at that lime. Note the accumulator registers nothing for lift off and so contains no information relating to the release. Figure 23 shows the general arrangement of a touch screen formed from two sets of 8 orthogonal capacitive zones formed by etching a transparent conductive sheet. These zones are labelled 1 lo 8 and A to H in the Figure. The sheets are stacked in layers as follows: row layer [14], column layer [ 15], rear shield [16]. The layers are glued together with additional stiffening layers [ 17] and printed graphics layers [ 18]. Each capacitive sensor zone, for example the cross hatched zone marked [19], is formed from a number of thin strips shown al [12] &. 1 13] (approx 5mm wide) with gaps between (approx 5mm wide), electrically connected together at each side of the screen and then to wires [9] which are formed from conductive silver track and lead back to an edge connector. A 16 channel capacitance measuring device (not shown) is connected to the edge connector. Since the aspect ratio of a television set or computer monitor is 4:3, the column zones are divided into four strips and the rows into three strips. This division ratio maintains constructional symmetry. The columns and rows are on separate sheets of material [ 14] & [ 15] and stacked together. The main reason for .splitting the columns in thin strips is to provide gaps through which the row sensors can delect the finger. If the columns were not split up they would completely shield the rows and no information would be picked up. The rows are split simply to balance up the unetched area and therefore the capacitance of the rows and columns. Figure 24 shows the column layer alone. Figure 25 shows the data derived from a set of capacitive columns and used for applying linear interpolation. The graph represents the capacitance measured from a series of wires as a finger is moved from left to right across the screen. The X axis of the graph is time & distance, where each unit represents approximately 1/lOOth of a second or 0.25 mm. The Y axis gives a measure of the capacitance (measured by the 10 bit A/D converter of a microprocessor.) A series of 8 capacitive zones (columns) are represented as points upon the graph which form 'bell' curves as illustrated by [1 1] along with two averages [7] & [8] which form flattened bell curves. Each capacitive zone increases its response as the finger moves from near it on one side, to dead centre, to far away on the other side, in a curve [1-3] approximating an upturned bell curve as illustrated by [ 11]. Due to the arrangement of the zones in close proximity to each other, these bell curves overlap one another. At a particular moment in time, placing a vertical line through the graph (vertical lines [4-6] & [ 10]) gives the information known to the microprocessor al that time. Because the graph describes a finger swiped across the grid, each unit on the X axis not only represents a moment in time but also a distance The object is therefore to take a set of n data points (8 in this embodiment) at a moment in lime and determine where they must come from in terms of the distance across the grid. The graph can be a little misleading in that normally time and distance are not synonymous. In general the touch is at some random lime and we desire to determine the distance using only the 8 points from a particular slice of data. There are two broad methods of doing this: either a pattern match to the nearest candidate among stored data or a geometrical method. The pattern match requires either a large data set or a neural network style approach, both of which are successful but computationally expensive. If the geometry of the object and sensor array are simple, then the geometrical method lends itself to implementation on a small microprocessor. In the case of an outstretched inger and an orthogonal rectangular array, the geometry is relatively straightforward. The geometrical method lends itself to being effective with little or no user calibration, so that effectively it is a self-calibrating method. Since the effective calibration operates for each press, it is effectively a dynamic self-calibration. Take the existing graph as a representation of the effect on each wire at virtually every point across the grid. Now lake n points of data from a vertical line chosen at random, the sample line [ 10] for example. The position determination ##and interpolation is performed in X &. Y independently as follows. 1. The most pressed column [2] is found using the existing deltaT method (explained in relation to Figures 20-22). This places the touch al a position somewhere between positions [4] & [6], i.e when the value on wire [2] is largest. 2. The second most pressed column is then found by comparing the value on the wire adjacent to the most pressed column, i.e. the magnitude of the bell curves [1 ] & [3] at the iniersection with sample line [ 10]. This will put the touch point somewhere to the left or right of line [5]. In this example ihc point must be to the left as [1] is greater than [3] at the intersection with the sample line [ 10]. 3. The touch point is then known to be somewhere between the lines [4] and [5]. These are the crossing points of curves [1 ] & [2J and curves [1] & [3] respectively. We compute the average magnitude of curves [ 1 ] & [2], giving curve [8], and the average magnitude of curves [ 1] & [3], giving curve [9]. These curves are particularly useful because between the lines [4] &. [5] the value on curve [1 ] is greater than the average [8] and less than the average |9|. Also, at the line [4], the curve [1] is equal to curve [8] and at the line [5] the curve [ 1 ] is equal to curve [9]. 4. The proportion of curve [ 1 ] relative to the two average curves [8] & [9] is therefore some function of the distance between the two lines [4] & [5]. This function can be determined either experimentally, and then programmed into a look up table, or mathematically, and then applied to the raw data to compute the position. Al a first pass, a linear relationship generates a reasonable interpolation of position with some improvement generated by using a quadratic function or a series of straight line segments approximating a quadratic function. Figure 26 shows in plan and elevation a hand [4] with outstretched finger [5] on a touch screen [6] and the apparent positions calculated by two algorithms - geometric [2] and weighted mean [3]Wiιh the palm and knuckles a long distance back from the screen, both algorithms give similar touch coordinates near to point [ l]When significant palm effect is introduced (the hand brought very close to the screen as the screen is touched), the geometric algorithm moves about 5%, i.eto point [2]The cenlre- of-mass algorithm gives a bigger offset moving to point [3] for the same degree of palm introductionThus, by calculating the difference between these two calculated positions [2] & [3], an estimate of the true touch position [ 1 ] is obtained. Means effecting this calculation thus serve for palm rejection. Figure 27 is a diagram of a single surface asymmetrical sensor arrangement 'backgammon grid 'The single conductive surface represented by the rectangle is cut into a series of triangles by cut lines across the surfaceThus, the surface is cut into areas [ l-8]Position in X can be determined by considering sensor zones [ 1 -2], [3-4] etc as a single approximately rectangular zone and using interpolation as described before to determine positionPosilion in Y can be determined by comparing the effect between even numbered and odd numbered zonesErrors are introduced by the complex geometry of the grid and an iterative approach is required to find an accurate position on the grid. Figure 28 is a drawing showing a general arrangement for la.ser etching the coating from electrically conductive glass [ 1 ] to form the column layer as described in relation to Figure 24 without introducing unwanted capacitive couplingln the Figure 24 arrangement, the gaps in between lines were chemically etched to remove the entire material and provide holes for the rows to sense throughThe preferred glasses for construction are not easily chemically etched and so a laser is usedA la.ser is unable to remove large areas, being fundamentally designed to cut linesThe gaps between sensors are first cut away with long lines [2]Although this removes them from the general material of the front sensor it leaves long floating strips of material which lend to couple all the row sensors logelherThese rectangles are therefore further cut by making cross cuts [3]Thus, although the rows capacitively couple lo these small areas, Ihey do not then couple to other rows, and crosstalk is kept to an acceptable level. Figure 29 is the circuit diagram of an improved capacitance detection means more able to differentiate noiseA capacitive sensing plate [ 1 ] and buffer plate [2] are set to measure the capacitance of a fingerNoise sources VI, V2 & V3 impinge upon these plates erroneously triggering the detection meansA number of beneficial modifications have been made compared with the circuits disclosed in previous patents to limit the excursions of the circuit due to these noise sourcesD2,D3 & R3 form a clipping circuit which limits the voltage excursions on the buffer to one diode drop of the mean poin Thus the energy content of high voltage static spikes and monitor noise impinging upon the sensor or buffer are dramatically reducedResislors Rl & R3 provide a DC path through which static on the sensor plate 1 1 ] can be continuously discharged to ground OV regardless of the state of the switch Si In a scanning system, static charge building up on the sensor plate [1] which is able to overcome the bleed- off resistor Rl is connected into the buffer from time to time via a voltage controller switch SI which is an integral part of the multiplexer (mux)Capacitors Cl & C2 provide a block to this charge, thus avoiding any disturbance of the DC operating point of the buffer Xl ln this circuit, the buffer is capacitively coupled to the sensor plate [1] (and into the detector generally) and thus makes no attempt to follow any DC or low frequency excursion of the bufferThis makes the circuit intrinsically immune to noise away from the operating frequency. The main differences between these techniques and the prior art are:- Detecting and responding to touch using signal processing means so arranged as to differentiate between an unwanted signal and a touch caused by a user with output means so arranged as to give immediate video and/or audio tactile feedback. Said signal processing means comprising: a detector sensitive to changes in the capacitance of a sensor by detecting the current/voltage/phase change across an impedance connected to a varying signal , and the signal present on the sensor feed back through a finite frequency response buffer amplifier to one or more shield planes including the substrates of any chips within the sensing chain. Signal processing means so arranged as to differentiate between a deliberate touch and noise or an unwanted touch by reference to many sensors. Signal processing means so arranged as to differentiate between a deliberate touch and noise or an unwanted touch by reference lo the capacitive analogue of the distance, speed and acceleration of the touching object. Signal processing means so arranged as to immediately, within <50mS, indicate to the u.ser the detection of their touch via the Hashing or turning on of a light or similar optical change through the touch detection sensor. Artwork and detection means placed behind a window and so designed as to present the u.ser with one or more touch zones which are operable through that window and upon touching cause a reaction. One or more sensitive pads connected via shielding means to a control means which detects the touch of a human finger on the pad through that window and via the control means generates an electrical signal which can operate equipment. Same where the pad is made from transparent material so that the artwork can be backlit through the pad or so that an image can be seen through the pad. Same where the pad is made from a translucent and optionally coloured material that provides a degree of light diffusion such that the back light is evenly distributed across the artwork. Same where the pad is made from a grid or mesh of conductive elements such that it is partially transparent/translucent. Same where the controlling electronics is implemented by utilising a means of applying an o.scillating signal of a particular frequency onto a plate via a high value resistor and monitoring the signal alter the high value resistance with an amplifier and synchronous AM demodulator. Same where the amplifier means provides a buffering signal which varies in synchronisation with the sensor signal and is applied lo a number of guards. Same where the guard element includes a multiplexing element. Same where that multiplexing element is controlled by way of a level translator means such that the buffer is always operating within it design parameters. Same where a plurality of multiplexers is connected in series uch that each multiplexer is buffered. A system so arranged that multiplexers are controlled through a serial interface such that an interposed serial to parallel decoder determines which multiplexer line is connected to the sensor input. Same in which coaxial cable and coaxial connectors are used throughout to provide the shielded means of collecting signals from the sensors. Same where a high value resistor is placed from the sensor to a low impedance point in the circuit so that static accumulating on a sensor can find a path to ground. A means for detecting a touch on a surlace connected to a means of generating vibration on said surface such that that vibration provides tactile and optionally audio feedback. A plurality of capacitive proximity sensing elements connected to control means such that the position of a finger over a surface can be determined in 2 or more dimensions. Same arranged as an X, Y grid such that the intermediate position of a finger between two or more elements can be determined in the X and Y dimensions. Capacitive elements arranged as a "String of beads" such that each capacitive sensing element comprises of a pad connected to the previous pad by way of a resistor. A capacitive element where the capacitance and resistance are distributed rather than formed from lumped elements. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein a record is kept of the maximum sensed value of a press among the last n presses (the number n of presses being chosen for optional operating conditions, typically the last 128 presses) and this is used to alter dynamically the sensitivity to touch. Preferably, there is also a reset feature for this, so as to adapt the sensitivity lo each operator, for example automatic, e.gresponsive to an interval between presses longer than usual (or longer than a preset time), or a change in one or more characteristics of the press, e.gabsolule capacitance and/or geometrical area of effect of the press. Same where the rate of change (derivative) of the sensed value is used to determine the point of touch. (Uses the dielectric discontinuity theory.) A control means so programmed as to differentiate between a deliberate touch and an accidental touch or other interfering electrical signal using information from one or more untouched keys and the knowledge of the initial conditions of the system. A control means programmed to monitor the initial condition and sensitivity of each sen.sor and detect variations from those initial conditions by utilising a non-linear equation with reference to the initial conditions parameter and so normalising variations in sensitivity between differing sensor channels. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art, that features of the different embodiments disclosed herein may be omitted, selected, combined or exchanged and the invention is considered to extend lo any new and inventive feature or combination thus formed. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art, that features of the different embodiments disclosed herein and by importation from the aforementioned prior patents and application may be omitted, selected, combined or exchanged and the invention is considered to extend to any new and inventive combination thus formed.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A capacitive touch detector, characterised in that it comprises means lo improve selectivity. 2. A detector as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that it comprises a narrow band buffer. 3. A detector as claimed in claim 2, wherein means for reducing the effect of noise comprise capacitive coupling of the buffer into the detector. 4. A detector as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, characterised in that it comprises a plurality of sensor pads of different inherent capacitances and means to approximate impedances which include said capacitances. 5. A detector as claimed claim 4. characterised in that ii comprises circuitry comprising said impedances and adapted lo operate al respective frequencies to approximate ihe impedances. 6. A detecior as claimed in claim 4, characterised in thai said impedances comprise components having respective resistances to approximate the impedances. 7. A deleclor as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that it comprises a plurality of sen.sor pads and at least two multiplexers arranged in series to lower capacitance loading of the sensor pads. 8. A deleclor as claimed in any one of claims 1 lo 6, characterised in that it comprises a plurality of sensor pads and a synchronous demodulator arranged to be connected as a tracking filter to track the frequency of a capacitance-measuring signal from one to another of the sen.sor pads, possibly during a scan thereof. 9. A detector as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that it comprises means to improve the selectivity oi ' capacitances taken into account to determine touch detection. 10. A deleclor as claimed in any one of claims 1 lo 8, characterised in that it comprises a multiplexer and a buffer and means adapted to connect part of the multiplexer other than it.s channels to an output of the buffer. 11. A detector as claimed in claim 9, characterised in thai aid multiplexer pan comprises power supply rails of the multiplexer. 12. A detector as claimed in claim 9 or 10, characterised in that said multiplexer part comprises a control port of the multiplexer. 13. A detector as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 1 1. characierised in that said multiplexer part comprises a chip substrate of the multiplexer. 14. A deleclor as claimed in any one of claims 1 lo 12, characterised in that it comprises a sensor pad, a shield for the sensor pad and means to apply a frequency signal to ihe sen.sor pad for touch detection and apply to the shield a signal of substantially the same frequency, amplitude, phase and shape as the said frequency signal. 15. A detector as claimed in claim 13, characterised in that the shield signal applying means are adapted not lo control the d.c. level of the signal applied to the shield. 16. A detector as claimed in any one of claims 1 to J 3, characierised in lhat it comprises a sensor pad and means to charge the sensor pad and measure its charging rate. 17. A detector as claimed in claim 15. characterised in that the charging and measuring means arc adapted to charge the sensor pad with a constant current for a fixed time and measure the voltage achieved. 18. A detector as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 16, characterised in that it comprises means to recognise a time profile of capacitance change indicative of a touch to be detected. 19. A detector as claimed in any one of claims 1 lo 17, characterised in that it comprises means to delect a snap effect in a lime profile of capacitance change indicative of a touch lo be delected. 20. A deleclor as claimed in any one o claims 1 to 18, characterised in that it comprises means lo enhance a time profile of capacitance change indicative of a touch to be detected. 21. A detector as claimed in claim 19, characterised in that said enhancing means comprise means adapted to enhance a snap portion of said profile. 22. A detector as claimed in claim 19 or 20, characterised in thai said enhancing means comprise means adapted to correct a base line of said profile. 23. A deleclor as claimed in any one of claims 19 lo 21, characterised in that said enhancing means comprise means adapted lo correct the maximum amplitude of said profile. 24. A detector as claimed in any one of claims 1 lo 22, characterised in thai it comprises means to provide an adaptive pattern match to a lime profile of capacitance change indicative of a touch to be detected. 25. A detector as claimed in any one of claims 1 lo 23, characierised in that it comprises sen.sor pads and means which, upon the occurrence of signals indicative of - JJ - touch detection from a plurality of the sensor pads, produce a signal indicative of a touch position among ihe sensor pads. 26. A deleclor as claimed in claim 24, characterised in that it comprises means for serially scanning said sen.sor pads to obtain said signals indicative of touch detection. 27. A detector as claimed in claim 24 or 25, characterised in that it comprises means for normalising said signals indicative of touch detection and adding the normalised signals to obtain said signal indicative of a touch position. 28. A deleclor as claimed in any one of claims 1 lo 27, characterised in thai it comprises means for palm rejection. 29. A detector as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 28, characterised in that it comprises means for interpolation from an array of activated sensory elements to determine a mean position of touch. 30. A detector as claimed in claim 29, characterised in that the interpolation means are effectively self-calibrating. 31. A deleclor as claimed in claim 29 or 30, characierised in that the interpolation means are adapted lo effect interpolation by a geometrical method. 32. A detector as claimed in claim 1 and substantially according to any embodiment hereinbefore described. 33. A capacitive touch detector substantially according to any embodiment hereinbefore described. 34. A capacitive touch detector substantially according lo any embodiment hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Inventors: CAMPBELL ALASTAIR JAMES, TAGG JAMES PETER, CAMPBELL, ALASTAIR, JAMES, TAGG, JAMES, PETER
Applicants: CAMPBELL ALASTAIR JAMES, MOONSTONE TECHN LTD, TAGG JAMES PETER, CAMPBELL, ALASTAIR, JAMES, MOONSTONE TECHNOLOGY LIMITED, TAGG, JAMES, PETER
Application year: 1995
Main classification: G01V3
IPC codes: G01V3, H03K17