Shaped capacitive touch sensor, devices, and methods of use

Abstract

Touch sensors and associated systems and methods are disclosed. The amount of skin of a user's finger that touches the touch sensor changes in relation to the intensity or pressure applied by the finger. A variable control signal is generated proportional to the pressure applied to the touch sensor.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A touch sensor, comprising:
 a conductive layer;   a non-conductive layer, the non-conductive layer comprising a plurality of undulations defining a plurality of crests and a plurality depressions; and   a detector circuit, the detector circuit configured to receive a return signal from the conductive layer, the return signal varying based on a pressure level exerted on the plurality of undulations.   
     
     
         2 . The touch sensor of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of crests and the plurality of depressions collectively define a surface area and wherein the return signal varies in relation to an amount of the surface area that is touched. 
     
     
         3 . The touch sensor of  claim 1 , further comprising a conductor coupled to the conductive layer and configured to energize the conductive layer with a supply signal. 
     
     
         4 . The touch sensor of  claim 3 , wherein the supply signal is a radio wave. 
     
     
         5 . The touch sensor of  claim 4 , wherein the radio wave has a frequency of approximately 120 kHz. 
     
     
         6 . The touch sensor of  claim 1 , wherein the non-conductive layer is an epoxy. 
     
     
         7 . The touch sensor of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of undulations comprises a plurality of substantially parallel ridges, wherein each ridge is separated from an adjacent ridge by about ⅛ inches. 
     
     
         8 . The touch sensor of  claim 1 , wherein the conductive layer comprises a silver conductive paint. 
     
     
         9 . A control device, comprising:
 a controller having an outer surface;   a touchpad positioned proximate the outer surface, wherein touchpad comprises a set of undulations, wherein the set of undulations define a plurality of crests and a plurality depressions, wherein the plurality of crests and the plurality depressions collectively define a surface area;   the touchpad comprising a first conductive layer energizable by a first supply signal; and   a detector circuit, the detector circuit configured to receive a return signal from the touchpad, wherein the return signal varies in relation to a force exerted on the touchpad.   
     
     
         10 . The control device of  claim 9 , wherein the controller is selected from the group consisting of one of an orb, a joystick, and a cylindrical object. 
     
     
         11 . The control device of  claim 9 , further comprising a plurality of touchpads positioned proximate the outer surface. 
     
     
         12 . The control device of  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of touchpads comprises a first and a second touchpad, wherein the first touchpad is positioned on the controller to be touched by a first fingertip and the second touchpad is positioned on the controller to be touched by a second fingertip. 
     
     
         13 . The control device of  claim 9 , further comprising a communications interface coupled to the detector circuit. 
     
     
         14 . The control device of  claim 14 , wherein the communications interface is selected from the group consisting of a wired interface and a wireless interface. 
     
     
         15 . The control device of  claim 9 , wherein the set of undulations comprises a plurality of uniform ridges. 
     
     
         16 . A method, comprising:
 when a touch sensor device comprising a touch sensitive sensor is being held by a user in a first state of contact, determining a first capacitance measurement of the touch sensitive sensor, the touch sensitive sensor comprising a plurality of undulations defining a plurality of crests and a plurality depressions, wherein the plurality of crests and the plurality of depressions collectively define a surface area; and   when the touch sensor device is being held by the user in a second state of contact, determining a second capacitance measurement of the touch sensitive sensor, wherein a pressure exerted on the surface area in the second state of contact is greater than a pressure exerted on the surface area in the first state of contact.   
     
     
         17 . A method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 when the touch sensor device is being held by the user in a third state of contact, determining a third capacitance measurement, wherein a pressure exerted on the surface area in the third state of contact is greater than the pressure exerted on the surface area in the first state of contact and less than the amount pressure exerted on the surface area in the second state of contact; and   outputting a command signal based on the third capacitance measurement.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the touch sensor device is selected from the group consisting of an orb, a joystick, and a cylindrical object. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein each of the plurality of crests has a height. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the height is about ⅛″.