Touch sensor detector system and method

Abstract

A touch sensor detector system and method incorporating an interpolated sensor array is disclosed. The system and method utilize a touch sensor array (TSA) configured to detect proximity/contact/pressure (PCP) via a variable impedance array (VIA) electrically coupling interlinked impedance columns (IIC) coupled to an array column driver (ACD), and interlinked impedance rows (IIR) coupled to an array row sensor (ARS). The ACD is configured to select the IIC based on a column switching register (CSR) and electrically drive the IIC using a column driving source (CDS). The VIA conveys current from the driven IIC to the IIC sensed by the ARS. The ARS selects the IIR within the TSA and electrically senses the IIR state based on a row switching register (RSR). Interpolation of ARS sensed current/voltage allows accurate detection of TSA PCP and/or spatial location.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method, comprising:
 connecting an AC signal source to a sensing area via a control circuit based on a switch being in a first position and a DC voltage source to the sensing area to the control circuit based on the switch being in a second position, the sensing area comprises respective sensing elements of a grid of sensing elements that are connected between respective row electrodes of a group of row electrodes and respective column electrodes of a group of column electrodes,   based on the switch being in the first position, performing a first scan of a sensor that measures capacitive coupling caused by a force applied to the sensing area; and   based on the switch being in the second position, performing a second scan that measures the force applied to the sensing area.