TouchNetix Limited

United Kingdom

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Date
2024 March 1
2024 (YTD) 1
2023 2
2022 2
2021 3
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IPC Class
G06F 3/044 - Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means by capacitive means 13
G06F 3/041 - Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means 11
G01D 5/241 - Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable using electric or magnetic means influencing the magnitude of a current or voltage by varying capacitance by relative movement of capacitor electrodes 4
H03K 17/975 - Switches controlled by moving an element forming part of the switch using a capacitive movable element 2
G01B 7/00 - Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of electric or magnetic techniques 1
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Status
Pending 3
Registered / In Force 13
Found results for  patents

1.

TOUCH-SENSITIVE APPARATUS AND METHOD

      
Application Number 18261541
Status Pending
Filing Date 2022-01-10
First Publication Date 2024-03-14
Owner TouchNetix Limited (United Kingdom)
Inventor
  • Myren, Steinar
  • Roberts, Stephen William
  • Pedersen, Trond Jarle

Abstract

Described is a touch-sensitive apparatus, including: a plurality of electrodes comprising at least a first electrode and a second electrode; drive circuitry configured to generate a drive signal for driving one or more of the plurality of electrodes; a differential output element comprising a first input and a second input configured to couple to each of the first electrode and second electrode and configured to output a signal indicative of the differential between signals input to the differential output element at the first input and the second input; switching circuitry configured to couple the first electrode to either of the first input or second input of the differential output element and to couple the second electrode to either of the first input or second input of the differential output element; and processing circuitry.

IPC Classes  ?

  • G06F 3/041 - Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means

2.

DISPLACEMENT SENSING APPARATUS

      
Application Number 18044281
Status Pending
Filing Date 2021-08-24
First Publication Date 2023-10-19
Owner TouchNetix Limited (United Kingdom)
Inventor Money, Robert

Abstract

Disclosed a sensing apparatus having a frame element and a displaceable element mounted relative to the frame element. The sensing apparatus comprises a plurality of displacement sensor elements each configured to provide a displacement sensor output signal indicative of a displacement between the frame element and the displaceable element, wherein the plurality of displacement sensor elements are arranged at different spatial locations relative to the displaceable element and configured to provide a displacement sensor output signal indicative of a displacement between the frame element and the displaceable element at the respective spatial location. The sensing apparatus further comprises processing circuitry configured to obtain the displacement sensor output signals from the plurality of displacement sensor elements and determine whether displacement of the displaceable element is a valid displacement by comparing at least the ratio between the displacement sensor output signals to one or more expected ratios vance.

IPC Classes  ?

  • G06F 3/044 - Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means by capacitive means

3.

CIRCUITRY FOR TOUCH-SENSITIVE APPARATUS AND METHOD

      
Application Number 17995513
Status Pending
Filing Date 2021-03-29
First Publication Date 2023-06-08
Owner TouchNetix Limited (United Kingdom)
Inventor
  • Roberts, Stephen William
  • Sleeman, Peter Timothy

Abstract

Disclosed is circuitry for calculating the magnitude of a received signal from an electrode of a capacitive touch sensitive apparatus. The circuitry includes a first digital signal generating module configured to generate a first digital signal, the first digital signal representing a sinusoidal wave having a first frequency, and a second digital signal generating module configured to generate a second digital signal, the second digital signal representing a sinusoidal wave having the first frequency, wherein the second digital signal is orthogonal to the first digital signal. The circuitry also includes a sensing module for coupling to an electrode array, the sensing module configured to receive the first digital signal, provide a driving signal to at least one electrode of the electrode array based on the first digital signal, and output a received digital signal, wherein the received digital signal is indicative of a capacitive coupling experienced by the at least one electrode. The circuitry includes a first multiplier module configured to receive the first digital signal and the received digital signal and multiply the two digital signals together; a second multiplier module configured to receive the second digital signal and the received digital signal and multiply the two digital signals together; and a signal magnitude calculating module configured to calculate the magnitude of the received digital signal based on the output from the first multiplier module and the second multiplier module. Also disclosed is a touch sensitive apparatus including the circuitry and a method for calculating the magnitude of a received signal from an electrode of a capacitive touch sensitive apparatus.

IPC Classes  ?

  • G06F 3/041 - Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
  • G06F 3/044 - Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means by capacitive means

4.

Touch-sensitive apparatus and method

      
Application Number 17615672
Grant Number 11726609
Status In Force
Filing Date 2020-06-08
First Publication Date 2022-07-28
Grant Date 2023-08-15
Owner TouchNetix Limited (United Kingdom)
Inventor
  • Sleeman, Peter Timothy
  • Roberts, Stephen William

Abstract

A touch-sensitive apparatus, the apparatus comprising: a touch-sensitive element comprising an array of electrodes having a first electrode and a second electrode, the second electrode spatially intersecting the first electrode at an intersection point; and measurement circuitry configured to: measure the mutual capacitance at the intersection point of the first and second electrodes; measure the self-capacitance of the first electrode, and measure the self-capacitance of the second electrode; and processing circuitry configured to: determine the presence of a touch on the touch-sensitive element on the basis of a comparison of the measured mutual capacitance at the intersection point to a first threshold and on the basis of a combination of the measured self-capacitance of the first electrode and the measured self-capacitance of the second electrode being greater than or equal to a second threshold.

IPC Classes  ?

  • G06F 3/041 - Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
  • G06F 3/044 - Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means by capacitive means
  • G06F 3/047 - Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means using sets of wires, e.g. crossed wires

5.

Mutual capacitive touch-sensitive apparatus and method applying inverse signals to electrodes

      
Application Number 17615671
Grant Number 11899876
Status In Force
Filing Date 2020-06-08
First Publication Date 2022-07-21
Grant Date 2024-02-13
Owner TouchNetix Limited (United Kingdom)
Inventor
  • Sleeman, Peter Timothy
  • Roberts, Stephen William

Abstract

A touch-sensitive apparatus includes drive electrodes, comprising at least first and second electrodes; a receiver electrode; drive circuitry configured to generate first and second time-varying voltage signals, wherein the time-varying voltage signals are the inverse of one another; and control circuitry that performs a first measurement on the receiver electrode during a first time period, wherein the control circuitry supplies at least one of the time-varying voltage signals to the drive electrodes during the first time period; and perform a second measurement on the at least one receiver electrode during a second time period, wherein the control circuitry is configured to supply at least one of the time-varying voltage signals to the drive electrodes during the second time period; and determine a resultant signal corresponding to the mutual capacitance between the first electrode and the receiver electrode based on both the first measurement and the second measurement.

IPC Classes  ?

  • G06F 3/041 - Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
  • G06F 3/044 - Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means by capacitive means

6.

Displacement sensing

      
Application Number 17058477
Grant Number 11561111
Status In Force
Filing Date 2019-05-28
First Publication Date 2021-07-01
Grant Date 2023-01-24
Owner TouchNetix Limited (United Kingdom)
Inventor Roberts, Stephen William

Abstract

A sensing apparatus comprising a displacement sensor element arranged to sense a separation between a first element (2) and a second element (3) movably mounted with respect to the first element; an acceleration sensor element configured to sense an acceleration associated with the first element; displacement measurement circuitry (4A) configured to make a measurement indicative of separation on the basis of the sensed separation; acceleration measurement circuitry (4C) configured to make a measurement of acceleration on the basis of the sensed acceleration; and a processing element (4D) configured to output a signal to indicate there is determined to be a change in the separation of the second element relative to the first element on the basis of the measurement indicative of separation and the measurement of acceleration.

IPC Classes  ?

  • G01D 3/036 - Measuring arrangements with provision for the special purposes referred to in the subgroups of this group mitigating undesired influences, e.g. temperature, pressure on measuring arrangements themselves
  • G01D 5/241 - Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable using electric or magnetic means influencing the magnitude of a current or voltage by varying capacitance by relative movement of capacitor electrodes
  • G06F 3/041 - Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
  • H03K 17/96 - Touch switches

7.

Displacement sensing

      
Application Number 16640124
Grant Number 11755166
Status In Force
Filing Date 2018-08-29
First Publication Date 2021-06-24
Grant Date 2023-09-12
Owner TouchNetix Limited (United Kingdom)
Inventor
  • Sleeman, Peter Timothy
  • Money, Robert

Abstract

A sensing apparatus comprising: a displacement sensor comprising capacitance measurement circuitry configured to provide a displacement sensor output signal indicative of a separation between a frame element and a displacement element movably mounted with respect to the frame element; a touch sensor comprising measurement circuitry configured to provide a touch sensor output signal indicative of when an object is determined to be touching the displacement element; and a processing element configured to output a displacement detection signal to indicate there is determined to be a displacement of the displacement element relative to the frame element in response to determining the touch sensor output signal indicates an object is touching the displacement element and a difference between the displacement sensor output signal and a baseline displacement sensor output signal exceeds a threshold value, wherein the baseline displacement sensor output signal is determined from the displacement sensor output signal in a time period determined from when the touch sensor output signal initially indicates the object is touching the displacement element.

IPC Classes  ?

  • G06F 3/044 - Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means by capacitive means
  • G01L 1/14 - Measuring force or stress, in general by measuring variations in capacitance or inductance of electrical elements, e.g. by measuring variations of frequency of electrical oscillators
  • H03K 17/975 - Switches controlled by moving an element forming part of the switch using a capacitive movable element

8.

Capacitive sensing

      
Application Number 16960944
Grant Number 11841249
Status In Force
Filing Date 2018-11-20
First Publication Date 2021-03-18
Grant Date 2023-12-12
Owner TouchNetix Limited (United Kingdom)
Inventor
  • Money, Robert
  • Sleeman, Peter Timothy

Abstract

A displacement sensor comprising: a first electrode and a second electrode displaceably mounted relative to the first electrode; capacitance measurement circuitry configured to make measurements of a capacitance associated with the first and second electrodes and to generate analogue capacitance measurement signals in response thereto; compensation circuitry configured to generate a compensated analogue capacitance measurement signal by reducing a magnitude of a current analogue capacitance measurement signal by an amount indicated by a compensation signal derived from at least one previous analogue capacitance measurement signal; and processing circuitry configured to digitise the compensated analogue capacitance measurement signal and to determine if there is a displacement of the second electrode relative to the first electrode based on the compensated analogue capacitance measurement signal.

IPC Classes  ?

  • G01D 5/24 - Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable using electric or magnetic means influencing the magnitude of a current or voltage by varying capacitance
  • G01D 5/241 - Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable using electric or magnetic means influencing the magnitude of a current or voltage by varying capacitance by relative movement of capacitor electrodes
  • G06F 3/041 - Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
  • G06F 3/044 - Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means by capacitive means

9.

Sensing apparatus

      
Application Number 16478927
Grant Number 10871864
Status In Force
Filing Date 2017-09-28
First Publication Date 2019-12-26
Grant Date 2020-12-22
Owner TouchNetix Limited (United Kingdom)
Inventor Hristov, Luben

Abstract

A sensing apparatus for determining relative amounts of force applied to a sensing surface at a plurality of locations, the sensing apparatus comprising: a capacitive sensor element comprising the sensing surface, wherein the capacitive sensor element is moveably mounted; a displacement sensor element for detecting changes in the displacement of the capacitive sensor element; capacitive sensing circuitry coupled to the capacitive sensor element and configured to determine locations for a plurality of objects capacitively coupled to the sensing surface; displacement sensing circuitry coupled to the displacement sensor element and configured to determine changes in the displacement of the capacitive sensor element at a plurality of different locations; and processing circuitry configured to determine a location at which a net displacement load acts on the sensing surface from the determined changes in displacement of the sensor element, and to establish relative amounts of the net displacement load on the determined locations.

IPC Classes  ?

  • G06F 3/044 - Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means by capacitive means
  • G06F 3/041 - Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means

10.

Force and position determination based on capacitive sensing

      
Application Number 16339619
Grant Number 10963090
Status In Force
Filing Date 2017-10-02
First Publication Date 2019-08-22
Grant Date 2021-03-30
Owner TouchNetix Limited (United Kingdom)
Inventor
  • Sleeman, Peter Timothy
  • Hristov, Luben

Abstract

A sensing apparatus including a frame; a capacitive sensor comprising a sensing surface moveably mounted relative to the frame and configured to measure, as a function of time, characteristics of capacitive couplings between the sensing surface and a plurality of objects at different locations over the sensing surface; a displacement sensor configured to detect when there is a displacement of the sensing surface relative to the frame due to a displacement load applied to the sensing surface by one of the objects; and a processing element configured to identify which of the objects applied the displacement load based on changes in the measured characteristics of the capacitive couplings for the respective objects during a time period around when the displacement of the sensing surface is detected.

IPC Classes  ?

  • G06F 3/041 - Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
  • G06F 3/044 - Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means by capacitive means

11.

Capacitive sensor apparatus and methods

      
Application Number 15768046
Grant Number 10684732
Status In Force
Filing Date 2016-10-07
First Publication Date 2018-11-01
Grant Date 2020-06-16
Owner TouchNetix Limited (United Kingdom)
Inventor
  • Roberts, Stephen William
  • Sleeman, Peter Timothy

Abstract

The touch panel module comprises a touch panel sensor element and a touch panel controller for measuring changes in capacitance associated with one or more sensor electrodes comprising the touch panel sensor element and generating corresponding touch panel output signalling is communicated to the host controller. The capacitance measurement circuit comprises a capacitance measurement channel coupled to a power supply line for the touch panel module, e.g., a ground for the touch panel module, and is configured to measure a capacitance associated with the touch panel module circuitry coupled to this power supply line and to generate corresponding capacitance measurement circuit output signalling for communication to the host controller. The touch panel power supply at the touch panel module is galvanically isolated from the capacitance measurement circuit power supply at the capacitance measurement circuit. Thus, the touch panel module may operate in a broadly conventional manner, whilst the capacitance measurement circuit simultaneously, or in a time multiplexed manner, measures a capacitance associated with the overall circuitry of the touch panel module, thereby providing a relatively sensitive proximity sensor.

IPC Classes  ?

  • G06F 3/044 - Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means by capacitive means
  • G06F 3/041 - Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means

12.

Displacement sensing apparatus and methods

      
Application Number 15542456
Grant Number 10605628
Status In Force
Filing Date 2016-01-04
First Publication Date 2018-09-27
Grant Date 2020-03-31
Owner TouchNetix Limited (United Kingdom)
Inventor
  • Sleeman, Peter Timothy
  • Roberts, Stephen William

Abstract

A displacement sensor for sensing a change in separation between a first element and a second element along a displacement direction. The sensor comprises a reference electrode mounted to the second element in the form of a conductive trace on a surface of the second element facing the first element. A deformable electrode, e.g. a conductive elastomeric material, is arranged between the first element and the second element so as to overlie the reference electrode. The deformable electrode has a contact surface facing the reference electrode and insulated therefrom. At least part of the contact surface is inclined relative to an opposing surface of the reference electrode such that when the deformable electrode is compressed along the displacement direction there is a reduction in volume between the contact surface and the opposing surface of the reference electrode, thereby changing the capacitive coupling between them. The sensor further comprises a controller element configured to measure a characteristic of the capacitive coupling between the reference electrode and the deformable electrode and to determine if a change in separation between the first element and the second element has occurred be determining if there is a change in the characteristic of capacitive coupling between the reference electrode and the deformable electrode.

IPC Classes  ?

  • G01D 5/241 - Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable using electric or magnetic means influencing the magnitude of a current or voltage by varying capacitance by relative movement of capacitor electrodes

13.

Capacitive sensing apparatus and methods

      
Application Number 15578268
Grant Number 10503329
Status In Force
Filing Date 2016-06-30
First Publication Date 2018-06-07
Grant Date 2019-12-10
Owner TouchNetix Limited (United Kingdom)
Inventor
  • Sleeman, Peter Timothy
  • Roberts, Stephen William
  • Ard, Christopher Kyle

Abstract

A capacitive sensor comprising: a first electrode; a displacement element moveably mounted relative to the first electrode; and a second electrode coupled to the displacement element so that displacement of the displacement element along a displacement direction changes a separation between the first electrode and the second electrode; and a controller element configured to selectively operate in a displacement sensing mode and in a proximity sensing mode, wherein in the displacement sensing mode, the controller element is configured to electrically couple the second electrode to a reference potential and to electrically couple the first electrode to capacitance measurement circuitry to measure a capacitance characteristic of the first electrode to determine a displacement of the displacement element relative to the reference electrode; and in the proximity sensing mode, the controller element is configured to electrically couple the second electrode to capacitance measurement circuitry to measure a capacitance characteristic associated with the second electrode to detect the presence of an object in proximity to the second electrode; and in the displacement sensing mode, the controller element is configured to electrically couple the second electrode to a reference potential signal.

IPC Classes  ?

  • G06F 3/041 - Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
  • G06F 3/044 - Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means by capacitive means
  • G01D 5/241 - Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable using electric or magnetic means influencing the magnitude of a current or voltage by varying capacitance by relative movement of capacitor electrodes
  • H03K 17/975 - Switches controlled by moving an element forming part of the switch using a capacitive movable element
  • H03H 3/08 - Apparatus or processes specially adapted for the manufacture of impedance networks, resonating circuits, resonators for the manufacture of electromechanical resonators or networks for the manufacture of resonators or networks using surface acoustic waves

14.

Touch sensors

      
Application Number 15503061
Grant Number 10558305
Status In Force
Filing Date 2015-08-13
First Publication Date 2017-08-10
Grant Date 2020-02-11
Owner TouchNetix Limited (United Kingdom)
Inventor Roberts, Stephen William

Abstract

A touch sensor comprises a sensor element for sensing the position of an object over a display screen in a first direction and in a second direction. The sensor element comprises a substrate having an electrode pattern disposed thereon to define an array of sensor nodes. The electrode pattern comprises a plurality of conductors arranged to follow portion of a network of lines extending generally in the first direction, wherein each of the lines follows a zigzag (saw-tooth) pattern comprising an alternating series of first line segments arranged at a first angle to the first direction and second line segments arranged at a second angle to the first direction, and wherein respective ones of the first line segments in each line are co-linear with respective ones of the first line segments in an adjacent line. Such a configuration leads to a reduced visibility of the conductors overlying the display screen.

IPC Classes  ?

  • G06F 3/044 - Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means by capacitive means

15.

Touch sensors and touch sensing methods

      
Application Number 14432231
Grant Number 09652093
Status In Force
Filing Date 2013-10-08
First Publication Date 2015-08-27
Grant Date 2017-05-16
Owner TouchNetix Limited (United Kingdom)
Inventor
  • Roberts, Stephen William
  • Sleeman, Peter Timothy
  • Ard, Christopher Kyle

Abstract

A touch-sensitive position sensor is disclosed. The sensor comprises an array of first electrodes and an array of second electrodes arranged to cross one another in a pattern to define a sensing surface. The sensing surface has a rectangular shape which is formed into a cylinder such that first and second opposing edges of the sensing surface are adjacent one another. A controller is coupled to respective ones of the first electrodes and the second electrodes and arranged to measure changes in an electrical parameter, e.g. capacitance or resistance, associated with the first and second electrodes caused by the presence of the object adjacent the sensing surface. The controller is further operable to determine a reported position for the object from these measurements in a coordinate system defined relative to the electrodes. At least some of the electrodes are arranged to follow paths which are non-linear within the sensing surface such that object positions along a straight line between the first and second opposing edges on the sensing surface correspond with reported positions along a closed curve in the coordinate system defined relative to the electrodes. Thus, a continuous movement around a circumference of the cylindrical sensing surface is reported as a continuous movement around a closed path in the coordinate system defined relative to the electrodes.

IPC Classes  ?

  • G06F 3/044 - Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means by capacitive means
  • G06F 3/041 - Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means

16.

Touch sensor for non-uniform panels

      
Application Number 14378471
Grant Number 09612101
Status In Force
Filing Date 2013-02-11
First Publication Date 2015-01-29
Grant Date 2017-04-04
Owner TouchNetix Limited (United Kingdom)
Inventor Sleeman, Peter

Abstract

A two-dimensional capacitive touch sensor having a cover layer of varying thickness arranged on top of its electrode structure. An array of sensing nodes is formed between edge portions of the receiver electrodes and adjacent portions of the transmitter electrodes. To compensate for the varying thickness of the cover layer, the length of the edge portions per sensing node is varied to equalize node sensitivity across the sensor and thus suppress the systematic variation in node sensitivity which would otherwise arise as a result of the varying thickness of the cover layer.

IPC Classes  ?

  • G01B 7/00 - Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of electric or magnetic techniques
  • G06F 3/044 - Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means by capacitive means
  • G01B 7/14 - Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of electric or magnetic techniques for measuring distance or clearance between spaced objects or spaced apertures