Scrolling input arrangements using capacitive sensors on a flexible membrane

[0001] This application is a Continuation of application Ser. No. 11/355,022, filed Feb. 14, 2006, which claims priority under the provisions of 35 USC 119 based upon U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/714,609, filed on Sep. 6, 2005.

[0002] As modern electronic devices have continued to evolve, size reduction has become a preeminent design consideration. Indeed, shrinking device profiles have made pocket electronics possible while preserving robust processing capability. Much progress has been made in shrinking electronic components like integrated circuits. However, mechanical support systems have sometimes lagged behind electronic advances. At least one reason for this lag is that many mechanical structures are limited by strength to weight considerations. Thus, while a miniaturized circuit may consume ever shrinking profiles, a mechanical structure may be limited to a minimum size in order to achieve structural stability. In some examples, structural stability may include unwanted inefficiencies.

[0003] For example, FIG. 1 is an illustrative cross-sectional representation of a scrolling device portion 100. Embodiments of this device are described in detail in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/188,182 entitled, “TOUCH PAD HANDHELD DEVICE,” and in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/643,256 entitled, “MOVABLE TOUCH PAD WITH ADDED FUNCTIONALITY,” which are hereby incorporated by reference. Scrolling device portion 100 includes a cover 104 that provides a protection for the device. An adhesive layer 108 mechanically couples cover 104 with printed circuit board (PCB) 112. PCB 112 may provide structural support for electronic components like, for example, a capacitive sensor (not shown), an integrated circuit 128, a switch 120 and a connection pad 116. PCB's 112 structural rigidity provides at least some durability to the device, but its use is not without some inherent disadvantages.

[0004] For example, PCB's may be limited to a minimum thickness. Minimum thickness is due to structural requirements that may, in some examples, be unavoidable. Further, because a PCB is rigid, applications may, in some examples, require that features like integrated circuit 128, switch 120, and connection pad 116 be co-located with the PCB. Co-location requirements may add to the device stack height further limiting size reductions. Still further, co-location of associated electronic components, like a switch, for example, may ultimately lead to device failure due to cracked soldering or components as a result of stresses imparted on the PCB during switch cycling. Still further, PCB rigidity may result in some loss of tactile responsiveness of an electronic component like a switch, for example. Therefore scrolling input arrangements using capacitive sensors on a flexible membrane are presented herein.

[0005] As may also be appreciated, capacitive sensors such as those described above generally may respond undesirably in rapidly changing temperature conditions. For example, in a rapidly heating environment, both the environment as well as an input pointer such as a finger may cause an increase in capacitance signals on sensors. In current designs, if recalibration is conducted while a finger is present, the unit may “calibrate out” the finger. Thus, either the unit remains with an incorrect calibration or it does not respond to the finger. Thus, methods of calibrating a plurality of capacitive sensors in response to rapidly changing positive temperature gradients are presented herein.

[0006] The following presents a simplified summary of some embodiments of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify key/critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some embodiments of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented below.

[0007] Scrolling input arrangements are presented including: a flexible membrane; a number of capacitive sensors mechanically integrated with the flexible membrane, the capacitive sensors radially disposed with respect to a first axis that is perpendicular with respect to the flexible membrane; an integrated circuit mechanically coupled with the flexible membrane and electronically coupled with the capacitive sensors, the integrated circuit configured to process a number of electronic signals from the capacitive sensors to provide a scrolling function; and a connection region on the flexible membrane for electronically coupling the scrolling input arrangement with an electronic device. In some embodiments, the capacitive sensors are configured with a plate element having a first surface area and a trace element having a second surface area such that the first surface area and second surface area comprise a sensor surface area, wherein the sensor surface areas for the capacitive sensors is substantially equal in size. In some embodiments, the integrated circuit includes logic for calibrating the plurality of capacitive sensors in response to a changing positive temperature gradient. In some embodiments, the changing positive temperature gradient is approximately 4° C./ms within a range of approximately 0° C. to 60° C. In some embodiments, the arrangement further includes: a number of switches mechanically integrated with the flexible membrane, the switches configured for providing a number of selection functions wherein at least one of the switches is approximately co-located with the first axis.

[0008] In other embodiments, low-profile scrolling input assemblies are presented including: a scrolling input arrangement for providing a scrolling function, the scrolling input arrangement having a top surface and a bottom surface, the scrolling input arrangement including, a flexible membrane; a number of capacitive sensors mechanically integrated with the flexible membrane, the capacitive sensors radially disposed with respect to a first axis that is perpendicular with respect to the flexible membrane; an integrated circuit mechanically coupled with the flexible membrane, the integrated circuit electronically coupled with the capacitive sensors, the integrated circuit configured to process a plurality of electronic signals from the capacitive sensors to provide a scrolling function; a connection region on the flexible membrane for electronically coupling the integrated circuit with a device; a backing plate for providing mechanical support for the scrolling input arrangement, the backing plate mechanically coupled with the bottom surface; and a cover plate for providing protecting the top surface, the cover plate configured to provide a low-friction surface to receive a user input. In some embodiments, assemblies further include: a number of switches mechanically integrated with the flexible membrane, the switches configured for providing a number of selection functions. In some embodiments, the backing plate further includes a number of actuator nubs for actuating the switches. In some embodiments, assemblies further include a number of anti-rotation elements for securing the assembly against a rotational force.

[0009] In other embodiments, methods of calibrating a number of capacitive sensors in response to a changing positive temperature gradient are presented including: establishing a baseline, the baseline comprising a first minimum function of a signal from each of the plurality of capacitive sensors; scanning the plurality capacitive sensors; and if more than eight of the plurality of capacitive sensors exceeds a threshold value, determining a thermal drift of the plurality of capacitive sensors, the thermal drift corresponding to a second minimum function of a signal from each of the capacitive sensors, and for each of the capacitive sensors, calculating an updated baseline based on the baseline and the thermal drift such that the capacitive sensors are calibrated. In some embodiments, the threshold value is selected to avoid a noise floor of the capacitive sensors. In some embodiments, scanning the capacitive sensors frequency is conducted at a frequency of approximately three megahertz.

[0010] The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:

[0011] FIG. 1 is an illustrative cross-sectional representation of a scrolling device portion;

[0012] FIG. 2 is an illustrative representation of a scrolling input arrangement in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0013] FIG. 3 is an illustrative representation in exploded as well as cross-section views of a scrolling input assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0014] FIG. 4 is an illustrative representation of a scrolling input arrangement in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0015] FIG. 5 is an illustrative representation in exploded as well as cross-section views of a scrolling input assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0016] FIG. 6 is an illustrative flowchart of a method of calibrating a plurality of capacitive sensors in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to a few embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well known process steps and/or structures have not been described in detail in order to not unnecessarily obscure the present invention.

[0018] Various embodiments are described hereinbelow, including methods and techniques. It should be kept in mind that the invention might also cover articles of manufacture that includes a computer readable medium on which computer-readable instructions for carrying out embodiments of the inventive technique are stored. The computer readable medium may include, for example, semiconductor, magnetic, opto-magnetic, optical, or other forms of computer readable medium for storing computer readable code. Further, the invention may also cover apparatuses for practicing embodiments of the invention. Such apparatus may include circuits, dedicated and/or programmable, to carry out tasks pertaining to embodiments of the invention. Examples of such apparatus include a general-purpose computer and/or a dedicated computing device when appropriately programmed and may include a combination of a computer/computing device and dedicated/programmable circuits adapted for the various tasks pertaining to embodiments of the invention.

[0019] FIG. 2 is an illustrative representation of a scrolling input arrangement 200 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In particular, scrolling input arrangement 200 includes a flexible membrane 204. In some embodiments, flexible membrane 204 is a polyimide film. Flexible membrane 204 provides distinct advantages over prior solutions. For example, flexible membrane 204 provides a reduction in thickness over printed circuit boards (PCB) while still providing adequate structure for electronic components. In some embodiments, flexible membrane 204 may have a thickness of approximately 0.21 millimeters where typical PCB applications have a thickness of approximately 0.50 millimeters. Flexible membrane 204 provides further advantage by allowing associated electronic components and connectors to be disposed away from an arrangement stack comprised of capacitive elements. Allowing associated electronic components and connectors to be disposed away from an arrangement stack may thus provide a thinner cross-sectional profile of scrolling input arrangement 200 as well as provide mechanical shock insulation for associated electronic components. In this manner, a smaller, more durable arrangement may be realized.

[0020] In some instances, flexible membrane 204 may provide for increased tactile feedback efficiency. Tactile feedback efficiency is a measurement of a user's ability to discern a tactile change. Thus, when tactile feedback efficiency is high, a user is more readily able to discern a tactile change. In one example, a switch or plurality of switches may be co-located with flexible membrane 204. When those switches are actuated, a user may more readily discern a tactile change (e.g. a “click”) over prior art solutions because of flexible membrane's 204 physical properties. As a further advantage, tactile specificity may result because of flexible membrane's 204 physical properties. That is, because of flexible membrane's 204 elasticity, unintentional actuation of switches may be reduced or avoided altogether. This may allow for more switches to be placed closer together while avoiding inadvertent actuation of neighboring switches.

[0021] As can be appreciated, flexible membrane 204 may be cut or formed into any number of shapes in accordance with user preferences. The illustrated shape is provided for clarity and should not be construed as limiting. Mechanically integrated with flexible membrane 204 are a variety of electronic components. Mechanical integration of capacitive sensors, for example, may be accomplished by gluing, bonding, molding, or any other method known in the art without departing from the present invention. A number of capacitive sensors 208 may be radially disposed with respect to axis 202, which is perpendicular with respect to flexible membrane 204. Capacitive sensors 208 may also be mechanically integrated with top surface of flexible membrane 204. In some embodiments, 16 capacitive sensors are utilized. Capacitive sensors 208 may be mechanically integrated with flexible membrane 204 in any manner well-known in the art. Each capacitive sensor includes a plate element 210 and a trace element (not shown). A plate element is one plate in a capacitor and is mechanically integrated with flexible membrane 204. Trace elements (not shown) may also be mechanically integrated with flexible membrane 204. Trace elements provide for electronic communication between capacitive sensors 208 and integrated circuit (IC) region 212. An IC provides processing capability for capacitive sensors 208. IC processing will be discussed in further detail below for FIG. 6. Any number of IC's may be mechanically coupled with flexible membrane 204 without departing from the present invention. Mechanical coupling of integrated circuits, for example, may be accomplished by gluing, bonding, molding, or any other method known in the art without departing from the present invention.

[0022] As can be appreciated, for each capacitive sensor, the sum of the surface area of its corresponding plate element and the surface area of its corresponding trace element is the sensor surface area. In some embodiments, the sensor surface area for all capacitive sensors is substantially equal in size. Thus, where a longer trace element is required due to location constraints, a corresponding smaller surface area of the plate element results. Thus, plate elements may not match exactly in some embodiments. At least one reason for matching sensor surface areas is so that sensing will be uniform across the arrangement. As can be appreciated, where matching sensor surface areas is not practicable, adjustments for each sensor may be made algorithmically thus calibrating each sensor to its particular configuration.

[0023] Scrolling input arrangement 200 may further include ground pad 220 for electronically connecting with a ground source. Ground shielding 232 may be incorporated in some embodiments to provide for electronic isolation of capacitive sensors 208. Ground shielding may be mechanically integrated with flexible membrane 204 in any manner well-known in the art. A connection region 216 may be utilized for electronically coupling the arrangement 200 with an associated electronic device. In some examples, the electronic device is an IPOD™. Any number of connectors may be mechanically integrated with flexible membrane 204 without departing from the present invention.

[0024] Still further, in some embodiments, flexible membrane 204 may be configured with anti-rotation elements 228. Anti-rotation elements provide rotational stability for flexible membrane 204. In this example, anti-rotation elements are embodied as cut-outs that mate with a matching surface. In other embodiments, through holes 224 may be provided to allow actuator nubs disposed on one side of scrolling input arrangement 200 to reach electronic elements disposed on an opposite side of scrolling input arrangement 200. As can be appreciated, anti-rotation elements and through holes may be configured in any manner in accordance with user preferences without departing from the present invention.

[0025] FIG. 3 is an illustrative representation in exploded as well as cross-section views of a scrolling input assembly 300 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Scrolling input assembly 300 includes a scrolling input arrangement 312 such as those described above for FIG. 2. Scrolling input assembly 300 further includes cover plate 304. Cover plate 304 may provide protection for the top surface of scrolling input arrangement 312. Cover plate 304 may also provide a low-friction surface to receive user input from, for example, a finger or stylus. Referring to cross-sectional illustration, cover plate 304 may be configured with an actuator nub 316 for actuating a switch 318. Switch 318 may be electronically coupled with a processor or IC to provide selection functions individually or in combination. As can be appreciated, through holes 311 (see also FIG. 2) provide access for actuator nub 318. Cover plate 304 may be composed of any suitable material that does not interfere with capacitive sensing. In some embodiments thermoplastic is utilized to create a cover plate. It should be noted that the figures provided herein are for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed to provide precise dimensions.

[0026] In some embodiments, scrolling input assembly 300 may include a center button 308 that may actuate switch 310. Switch 310 may be electronically coupled with a processor or IC to provide selection functions. Backing plate 314 may be mechanically coupled with the bottom surface of scrolling input arrangement 312 to provide structural support. Backing plate 314 may also provide a grounding surface in some embodiments.

[0027] FIG. 4 is an illustrative representation of a scrolling input arrangement 400 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In particular, scrolling input arrangement 400 includes a flexible membrane 404. In some embodiments, flexible membrane 404 is a polyimide film. Flexible membrane 404 provides distinct advantages over prior solutions. For example, flexible membrane 404 provides a reduction in thickness over printed circuit boards (PCB) while still providing adequate structure for electronic components. In some embodiments, flexible membrane 404 may have a thickness of approximately 0.21 millimeters where typical PCB applications have a thickness of approximately 0.50 millimeters. Flexible membrane 404 provides further advantage by allowing associated electronic components and connectors to be disposed away from an arrangement stack comprised of capacitive elements. Allowing associated electronic components and connectors to be disposed away from an arrangement stack may thus provide a thinner cross-sectional profile of scrolling input arrangement 400 as well as provide mechanical shock insulation for associated electronic components. In this manner, a smaller, more durable arrangement may be realized.

[0028] In some instances, flexible membrane 404 may provide for increased tactile feedback efficiency. Tactile feedback efficiency is a measurement of a user's ability to discern a tactile change. Thus, when tactile feedback efficiency is high, a user is more readily able to discern a tactile change. In one embodiment, switch 420 may be mechanically integrated with flexible membrane 404. When switch 420 actuated, a user may more readily discern a tactile change (e.g. a “click”) over prior art solutions because of flexible membrane's 404 physical properties. As a further advantage, tactile specificity may result because of flexible membrane's 404 physical properties. That is, because of flexible membrane's 404 elasticity, unintentional actuation of switches may be reduced or avoided altogether. This may allow for more switches to be placed closer together while avoiding inadvertent actuation of neighboring switches. In other embodiments, a flexible membrane 404 may include a center region 424 for mechanically integrating center switch 428 such that the center switch is approximately co-located with axis 402. As noted above for FIG. 2, electronic components (e.g. switches) need not be co-located with capacitive sensors. In some embodiments, however, some advantages may be realized by co-locating some electronic components with capacitive sensors such as ease of manufacture or assembly.

[0029] As can be appreciated, flexible membrane 404 may be cut or formed into any number of shapes in accordance with user preferences. The illustrated shape is provided for clarity and should not be construed as limiting. Mechanically integrated with flexible membrane 404 are a variety of electronic components. A number of capacitive sensors 408 may be radially disposed with respect to axis 402 and mechanically integrated with top surface of flexible membrane 404. In some embodiments, 16 capacitive sensors are utilized. Capacitive sensors 408 may be mechanically integrated with flexible membrane 404 in any manner well-known in the art. Each capacitive sensor includes a plate element 410 and a trace element (not shown). A plate element is one plate in a capacitor and is mechanically integrated with flexible membrane 404. Trace elements (not shown) may also be mechanically integrated with flexible membrane 404. Trace elements provide for electronic communication between capacitive sensors 408 and integrated circuit (IC) region 412. An IC provides processing capability for capacitive sensors 408. IC processing will be discussed in further detail below for FIG. 6. Any number of IC's may be mechanically integrated with flexible membrane 404 without departing from the present invention.

[0030] As can be appreciated, for each capacitive sensor, the sum of the surface area of its corresponding plate element and the surface area of its corresponding trace element is the sensor surface area. In some embodiments, the sensor surface area for all capacitive sensors is equivalent. Thus, where a longer trace element is required due to location constraints, a corresponding smaller surface area of the plate element results. Thus, plate elements may not match exactly in some embodiments. At least one reason for matching sensor surface areas is so that sensing will be uniform across the arrangement. As can be appreciated, where matching sensor surface areas is not practicable, adjustments for each sensor may be made algorithmically thus calibrating each sensor to its particular configuration.

[0031] Finally, a connection region 416 may be utilized for electronically coupling the arrangement 400 with an associated electronic device. In some examples, the electronic device is an IPOD™. Any number of connectors may be mechanically integrated with flexible membrane 404 without departing from the present invention.

[0032] FIG. 5 is an illustrative representation in exploded as well as cross-section views of a scrolling input assembly 500 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Scrolling input assembly 500 includes a scrolling input arrangement 512 such as those described above for FIG. 4. Scrolling input assembly 500 further includes cover plate 504. Cover plate 504 may provide protection for the top surface of scrolling input arrangement 512. Cover plate 504 may also provide a low-friction surface to receive user input from, for example, a finger or stylus. Cover plate 504 may be composed of any suitable material that does not interfere with capacitive sensing. In some embodiments thermoplastic is utilized to create a cover plate. It should be noted that the figures provided herein are for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed to provide precise dimensions.

[0033] In some embodiments, scrolling input assembly 500 may include a center button 508 that may actuate switch 510 on scrolling arrangement 512. Switch 510 may be electronically coupled with a processor or IC to provide selection functions. Backing plate 514 may be mechanically coupled with the bottom surface of scrolling input arrangement 512 to provide structural support. Backing plate 514 may also provide a grounding surface in some embodiments. In still other embodiments, grounding plate 514 may be configured with actuator nub 516 for actuating switch 520 on scrolling input arrangement 512. In some embodiments, actuator nub 516 may be co-compression molded.

[0034] FIG. 6 is an illustrative flowchart of a method of calibrating a plurality of capacitive sensors in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As noted above, current designs may fail to properly calibrate in environments experiencing rapid temperatures changes. In one example, embodiments may be configured to respond to a temperature change of approximately 4° C./ms within a range of approximately 0° C. to 60° C. Thus, at a first step 604, a baseline is established. A baseline may be established by assuming a current baseline and then scanning a plurality of capacitive sensors and tracking a lower edge of that scan to find a current sample. A minimum function of the current sample and the current baseline will provide a new current baseline for use with methods described herein.

[0035] At a next step 608, capacitive sensors are scanned. As can be appreciated, responsiveness of a system is determined at least in part by the frequency with which samples are taken. For example, if a capacitive sensor is scanned more often, then the accuracy of the sample is likely to be much higher than if the capacitive sensor is scanned less often. Processing power and power consumption are two factors which account for a selection of sample frequency. In some embodiments described herein capacitive sensors are scanned at a frequency of approximately three megahertz. Once capacitive sensors are scanned at a step 608, the method determines whether more than eight capacitive sensors have a count change greater than two. The selection of number of capacitive sensors corresponds to a likely change in sensor not attributable to a finger. That is, it is assumed, in this example, that a finger generally covers no more than eight capacitive sensors at any one time. In this manner, the method is determining whether a change in sensor is attributable to a change in ambient. A change in counts corresponds to a change in temperature. The selection of how many counts (i.e. threshold value) corresponds to a count high enough to avoid the noise floor of the sensor while still providing a count responsive to rapid changes. As can be appreciated by one skilled in the art, a noise floor of a sensor is generally sensor dependent. That is, for any given sensor, a noise floor may be specified by the manufacturer in accordance with manufacturing parameters. Thus, when more than eight capacitive sensors are scanned that have a count change greater than two, the method then calculates thermal drift at a step 616.

[0036] Thermal drift corresponds to a change in baseline attributable to change in ambient temperature. In one embodiment, thermal drift is a minimum function of the signals of all capacitive sensors. Once thermal drift is found, that value is added to each capacitive sensor signal value at a step 620 thus creating a new baseline for each capacitive sensor signal value. The method continues to a step 624 continuing to a step 608 to scan all capacitive sensors. If the method, at a step 612 determines that eight or more capacitive sensors do not have a count change greater than two, the method continues to a step 624 continuing to a step 608 to scan all capacitive sensors.

[0037] While this invention has been described in terms of several embodiments, there are alterations, permutations, and equivalents, which fall within the scope of this invention. It should also be noted that there are many alternative ways of implementing the methods and apparatuses of the present invention. For example, although embodiments described herein provide for 16 capacitive sensors, more or fewer sensors may be utilized depending on user preferences and system requirements without departing from the present invention. Further, while scanning frequency has been described as approximately three megahertz, higher and lower frequencies may be employed without departing from the present invention. It is therefore intended that the following appended claims be interpreted as including all such alterations, permutations, and equivalents as fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.