Patent ID: 8692794

Claim:
A processing system configured for capacitive sensing, said processing system comprising: transmitter circuitry configured to transmit during a first time period with a first transmitter path of a plurality of transmitter paths in an input device, wherein each transmitter path of said plurality of transmitter paths is configured for capacitive sensing; a first internal diagnostic mechanism comprising: a selectable leakage path, a buffered output coupled with said selectable leakage path and said first transmitter path, and a selectable diagnostic node coupled as an input select of said selectable leakage path, wherein said selectable leakage path is configured to be coupled with said transmitter circuitry to intentionally discharge a charged portion of said transmitter circuitry with which said selectable leakage path is coupled; and a determination module configured to determine when a discontinuity exists within said first transmitter path based on a discharge rate for said first transmitter path, wherein said discharge rate is acquired during a second time period via said selectable leakage path of said first internal diagnostic mechanism, wherein said second time period occurs after said first time period.