This application is related to commonly assigned, co-pending patent application Ser. No. 12/167,552, filed on Jul. 3, 2008, entitled “Method For Normalizing Signal From A High-Impedance Array of Capacitive Sensors,” and hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
This application is related to commonly assigned, co-pending patent application Ser. No. 12/167,494, filed on Jul. 3, 2008, entitled “Method For Improving Scan Time And Sensitivity In Touch Sensitive User Interface Device,” and hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to capacitive sensor arrays.
As computing technology has developed, user interface devices have advanced correspondingly. User interfaces have become increasingly significant in the usability of a computing device.
One particular user interface becoming increasingly popular is the touch screen or track pad which uses an array of capacitive sensors using high impedance capacitance substrates. The current, based on the change of the capacitance at the intersection of a row and a column of the array, which varies depending on the presence or absence of a touch, e.g., a finger, etc., is measured.
Row and/or columns are scanned sequentially and independently, one by one across the array by a microprocessor. The microprocessor may start by measuring the capacitance at a first column and a first row, then measure the capacitance for the intersection of the first column and a second row, and then measure each subsequent intersection in the capacitive sensor array. Thus, if there are 10 rows and 10 columns, a total of 100 measurements of capacitance may be obtained and stored by microprocessor. Based on the measurements, a centroid corresponding to the finger location is then determined by the microprocessor.
The measuring of each intersection of each row and column may result in the measurements being subject to variations in the physical properties of the sensor array. For example, temperature changes can increase or decrease the capacitance.
Further, measuring capacitance means that the measured range includes the absolute value of the capacitance. For example, if the capacitance is 8 picofarads (pF) without a finger present and a capacitance of 8.1 pF indicates a touch, the measurement circuit may be calibrated to measure a range of 1 to 10 pF for instance while the dynamic range is only 0.1, this leads to low resolution. The centering of the measurement window by using current compensation may avoid this low resolution. The current compensation involves using a current source to balance out or subtract the base capacitance. The current source is used to provide a current based on the baseline capacitance and thereby subtract out the baseline capacitance from capacitance measurements. The microprocessor accesses and loads the baseline values into a programmable current source before each measurement of each row and column intersection. This current compensation uses extra hardware which increases costs and is slower as additional operations and settling times increase the time for each scan.
Thus, capacitive sensor systems may be susceptible to capacitive variations and utilize absolute value capacitive measurements resulting in less accurate position information.
Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention are directed to a system and method for determining position information e.g., with respect to a touch sensitive array. Position information is determined based on differential capacitance measurements in one embodiment. The differential capacitance measurements may be with respect to adjacent rows and/or columns of the array and are substantially immune to variations (e.g., temperature changes, dielectric changes, etc.) of a capacitive sensor array. The differential capacitive measurements further facilitate increased resolution and require fewer measurements thereby making scans employing a capacitive sensor array faster and more precise.
More specifically, an embodiment of the present invention is directed to a method for determining position information. The method includes selecting a column, a first row, and a second row of a capacitive sensor array. The first row and second row intersect with the column of the capacitive sensor array. Further, the first and second row may be selected as an adjacent pair or a distant pair (e.g., separated by at least one other row). The method further includes measuring a differential capacitance between the first row and the second row and utilizing the differential capacitance in determining a location of an object proximate to the capacitive sensor array. The location of the object may be determined by computing capacitance values for each row and column intersection based on the differential capacitance measurements.
Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to a circuit or electronic system for determining position information. The system includes a sensor array controller for selecting each of a plurality of rows and each of a plurality of columns for measuring a differential capacitance. The differential capacitance may include the difference in capacitance between two adjacent rows and thus variations (e.g., temperature effects, dielectric variations, etc.) in the capacitive sensor array may be substantially removed. The capacitive sensor array is operable to be controlled by the sensor array controller for detecting a presence of an object proximate to the sensor array. The system further includes a data storage module for storing a plurality of differential capacitive measurements and a data processing module for processing the plurality of differential capacitive measurements to determine the position of an object proximate to a capacitive sensor array.
In one embodiment, the circuit for measuring the capacitance across two rows or columns is differential in nature thereby leading to a direct differential measurement which is supplied to a processor for position determination. By eliminating the base capacitance of the array in this fashion, more resolution applied via the capacitive sensor to the expected dynamic range for a touch. In another embodiment, however, absolute capacitance measurements can be taken and supplied to the processor which computes the different values via software.
In this fashion, embodiments of the present invention facilitate more precise capacitance measurements and therefore more accurate object location detection. Embodiments of the present invention further facilitate simplified capacitive sensor array systems by removing the necessity for current compensation circuitry. Moreover, embodiments of the present invention allow more frequent scans by reducing the number of measurements performed for each column.
Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the claimed subject matter, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the invention will be described in conjunction with embodiments, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the claimed subject matter to these embodiments. On the contrary, the claimed subject matter is intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter as defined by the claims. Furthermore, in the detailed description of the present invention, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the claimed subject matter. However, it will be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art that the claimed subject matter may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well known methods, procedures, components, and circuits have not been described in detail as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the claimed subject matter.
Further, systems 100, 300, and 500 include components or modules that, in various embodiments, are carried out by software, e.g., a processor under the control of computer-readable and computer-executable instructions. The computer-readable and computer-executable instructions reside, for example, in data storage features such as computer usable memory, removable storage, and/or non-removable storage. The computer-readable and computer-executable instructions are used to control or operate in conjunction with, for example, a processing unit. It should be appreciated that the aforementioned components of systems 100, 300, and 500 can be implemented in hardware or software or in a combination of both.
Clock source 102 is coupled to buffer 142, inverter 140, and current sampler 116. Buffer 142 is coupled to row multiplexer 104. Inverter 140 is coupled to row multiplexer 130. Row multiplexers 104 and 130 thus receive clock signals. The selection of rows and columns via row multiplexers 130 and 104 and column multiplexers 106 and 132 allows current sampler 116 to measure a differential current between two rows of a capacitive sensor array. It is appreciated that clock source 102, buffer 142, and inverter 140 may be interchanged with a component having an inverting and non-inverting stage. It is further appreciated that the coupling of current sampler 116 and clock source 102 may be optional or current sampler 116 may be coupled to a microprocessor (e.g., microprocessor 122) or some external control.
In one embodiment, current sampler 116 provides synchronous rectification which is represented by a switch which becomes closed only on the positive transition of a clock signal from clock source 102. Current sampler 116 may be a switching circuit. Current to voltage converter 118 converts the measured current to a voltage for input to ADC 120. ADC 120 converts the analog voltage to a digital signal for input to microprocessor 122.
Microprocessor 122 controls row multiplexers 104 and 130 and column multiplexers 106 and 132, sets conversion times and collects the data from the capacitive sensor array. Microprocessor 122 may utilize column multiplexers 106 and 132 to select a single column of capacitive sensor array (e.g., an indium tin oxide (ITO) sensor array) and utilizes row multiplexers 104 and 130 to select a pair of rows. Of course the role of columns and rows can be switched in accordance with embodiments of the present invention and any discursion herein regarding a particular scan order is merely a convenience for illustration. The selection of two different rows in combination with the clock signal and inverted clock signal (e.g., via inverter 140) allows current to flow in opposite directions though measurement capacitors 112 and 124. The opposite current flow results in a current difference flowing into current sampler 116. That is, current sampler 116 receives the summation of the currents (e.g., in opposite directions) or a differential current. This differential current reflects the difference in the capacitance of measurement capacitors 112 and 124. For example, if the capacitance of capacitor 112 is greater than the capacitance of capacitor 124, there may be a net positive current remaining and measured by the current sampler 116.
The differential current measured is independent of physical variations on the capacitive sensor array that are common to both measured capacitors. For example, a temperature variation which uniformly impacts the capacitive sensor arrays may be substantially cancelled because both measurements capacitors 112 and 124 may be affected by the temperature change which thereby may be subtracted out. Similarly, other physical variations (e.g., dielectric changes, changes in pressure, etc.) that impact the array in general are substantially removed from the differential current measurements.
The measuring of differential currents thereby reduces the corresponding dynamic range of the measurement chain. Due to the differential nature of the current measurements only the differences are measured which means the total dynamic range of the measurement circuit may be much smaller and more finely tuned to the range of expected capacitance variations of a touch. That is, embodiments of the present invention provide for zero current centered measurements. For example, where the difference in capacitance (as measured based on the current) is 0.1 pF to register a touch instead of an absolute measurement of 8.1 pF, the dynamic range can be tuned to measure small variations (e.g., a range of 0-0.5 pF instead of 0-10 pF). It is appreciated that the differential measurements of embodiments of the present invention thereby remove the necessity of a current source and additional circuitry for providing current compensation. Embodiments of the present invention may thus be simpler and more reliable with increase resolution.
Further, the more finely tuned dynamic range facilitates much higher resolution. For example, if ADC 120 has 10 output bits for communicating a value to microprocessor, with embodiments of the present invention the 10 bits may be used to communicate values with a range of 1 pF instead of a range of 5 or 10 pF. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention facilitate increased accuracy and resolution of measurements.
In one embodiment, the pairs of rows may be adjacent as microprocessor 122 goes through each column of a capacitive sensor array. That is, microprocessor 122 may select pairs of adjacent rows for making differential measurements. For example, microprocessor 122 may select column C0, then obtain differential measurements between rows R0 and R1, then R1 and R2, the R2 and R3, all the way up to R(N−1) and R(N).
However, row measurements may not necessarily be across adjacent rows. In another embodiment, the pairs of rows may be distant (e.g., separated by at least one other row) as microprocessor 122 goes through each column of a capacitive sensor array. That is, microprocessor 122 may select a first row and measure a differential capacitance between the first row and each of the other rows of the capacitive sensor array for each column. For example, microprocessor may select column C0, then get differential measurements between row R0 and R1, then rows R0 and R2, then rows R0 and R3, all the way up to rows R0 and RN. Embodiments of the present invention may further include an extra row and column to be used as a control (e.g., baseline) for differential measurements, e.g., a dummy row.
The scanning of the rows in pairs results in N−1 measurements per each column in a capacitive sensory array having N rows. That is, the scanning of the rows in pairs means that one less measurement is made per column, which decreases the time to scan the capacitive sensor array. For example, where a capacitive sensor array has 10 rows and 10 columns, 9 differential measurements for each of the 10 columns will be made. This results in a total of 90 (e.g., 9 differential measurements×10 columns) differential measurements being made. It is appreciated that a measurement for each row and column intersection would result in 100 measurements (e.g., 10 rows×10 columns). More generally, a capacitive sensor array with N row and M columns will have N−1 measurements per column and N−1×M measurements in total in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.
Microprocessor 122 further analyzes the data from the capacitive sensor array. Based on the differential current measurements and corresponding differential capacitance values, microprocessor 122 can determine the centroid of an object relative to the capacitive sensor array. In one embodiment, microprocessor 122 integrates the differential capacitive values going down each column to create a curve of the total capacitance at each row and column intersection (e.g., See
As described herein, scanning of capacitive sensor array 275 may be based on differential measurements of adjacent pairs. For example, column C0282 may be selected and differential measurements may be made with row R0280 and row R1278, then row R1278 and row R2284, then row R2284 and row R3286, all the way up to row R(N−1) 288 and row RN 290. As discussed herein, the role of the columns and rows can be reversed in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.
As described herein, scanning of capacitive sensor array 275 may also be based on differential measurements of distant pairs (e.g., separated by at least one other row). For example, column C0282 may be selected and differential measurements may be made with row R0280 and row R1278, then row R0280 and row R2284, then row R0280 and row R3286, all the way up to row R0280 and row RN 290.
System 300 operates in a substantially similar manner to system 100. Switches 342, 344, and 350 are coupled to clock1370. Switches 340, 346, and 348 are coupled to clock2372. It is appreciated that clock1370 and clock2372 may be inverses of each other. Row multiplexers 330 and 304 and column multiplexers 306 and 332 may be controlled by a microprocessor (e.g., microprocessor 122).
Amplifier 310 in combination with switches 348 and 350 acts a current sampler (e.g., current sampler 116) to sample differential current from measurement capacitors 312 and 324. The differential current measurement signal then passes to capacitor 352, resistor 354, and amplifier 358. Amplifier 358 has reference voltage (Vref) 358 as an input. The combination of capacitor 352, resistor 354, and amplifier 358 acts to convert the current to a voltage for input to ADC 360. ADC 360 may then convert the voltage to a digital signal for input to a microprocessor (e.g., microprocessor 122).
Where
is the differential capacitance measured at each row and column intersection for the given column and reported to the processor. The function ƒ(p) is the summation of each
which results in the capacitance values as depicted by line 412. The function ƒ(p) may correspond to the capacitance values for a single column. The summation or integration may be performed by a processor (e.g., processor 122). Further, the processor detects a touch position by analyzing the curve of the function ƒ(p).
Regions 402 and 410 corresponds to areas where the differential capacitive measurements have minimal to zero difference and may correspond to row and column intersections where an object (e.g., finger) is not present.
Region 406 corresponds to an area where the capacitance on each measurement capacitor (e.g., measurement capacitors 112 and 124) is substantially similar where there is no object nearby and thus the differential capacitance is minimal or zero. Region 406 may correspond to the centroid where an object is present over or on top of a capacitive sensor array (e.g., capacitive sensor array 275). Region 404 corresponds to locations where the differential capacitance is increasing (e.g., the row and column intersections on the edge of an object).
Region 408 corresponds to locations where the differential capacitance is decreasing (e.g., the row and column intersections on the edge of an object). It is appreciated that the increasing or decreasing nature of the differential capacitive values may be based on the selection of current flow (e.g., as depicted in
Sensor array controller 502 selects each of a plurality of rows and each of a plurality of columns for measuring a differential capacitance. Sensor array controller 502 includes row selector 504 and column selector 506. Sensor array controller 502 may use the column selector 506 to select each column of capacitive sensor array and use row selector 504 to select pairs of row for measuring differential capacitances. It is appreciated that embodiments of the present invention may also select a row and pairs of columns.
As described herein, the differential capacitance may be measured by a pair of adjacent rows or a pair of distant rows (e.g., rows separated by at least one other row). For example, differential capacitances may be measured for row 0 and row 1, row 1 and row 2, and so on in adjacent pairs until row N−1 and row N for a capacitive sensor array having N rows. As another example, differential capacitances may be measured for row 0 and row 1, row 0 and row 2, and so on with row 0 being paired with successive rows until row 0 is paired with row N for a capacitive sensory array having N rows. As described herein, the measuring of differential capacitances for pairs of rows allows sensor array controller to make N−1 measurements per column for a capacitive sensor array having N rows.
Further, as described herein, the differential measurements performed by embodiments resulting the capacitance measurements being substantially immune to common mode variations in the capacitive sensor array. The differential measurements facilitate increased resolution as the range of measurement can be calibrated accordingly to the capacitance change instead of the absolute capacitance value.
Data storage module 510 stores a plurality of differential capacitive measurements. As described herein, a plurality of differential capacitive measurements may be made for each pair of rows in a capacitive sensor array.
Data processing module 508 processes a plurality of differential capacitive measurements to determine the position of an object proximate to a capacitive sensor array. As described herein, data processing module 508 may be operable to compute capacitance values for each row and column intersection of the capacitive sensor array based on the differential capacitance measurements.
With reference to
In particular,
At block 602, a column of a capacitive sensor array is selected. At block 604, a first row of the capacitive sensor array is selected. At block 606, a second row of the capacitive sensor array is selected. The first row and the second row intersect with the selected column of the capacitive sensor array. In one embodiment, the first row and the second row are adjacent. In another embodiment, the first and second row may be distant from one another (e.g., separated by at least one other row).
At block 608, a differential capacitance between the first row and the second row is measured. As described herein, the differential capacitance is independent of variations in the capacitive sensor array. Further, the differential capacitance facilitates increased resolution as the measurements are zero centered. The measuring of the differential capacitances facilitates quicker scans because the differential measurements are performed N−1 times per column for a capacitive sensor array comprising N rows.
At block 610, a check is performed to determine if the differential measurements have been performed for all rows. If there are rows remaining in a column to be measured block 604 is performed. If there are no more rows remaining, block 612 may be performed.
At block 612, a check is performed to determine if the differential measurements have been performed for all columns. If there are columns remaining to be measured block 602 is performed. If there are no more columns remaining to be measured, block 614 may be performed.
At block 614, the differential capacitance is utilized in determining a location of an object proximate to the capacitive sensor array. As described herein, the differential capacitances are operable to be used to compute capacitance values for each row and column intersection of the capacitive sensor array (e.g.,
Thus, embodiments of the present invention facilitate more accurate capacitance measurements which are immune to capacitive sensor variations (e.g., temperature changes, dielectric property changes, etc.). Embodiments of the present invention further provide increased resolution and zero centered measurements thereby making current compensation circuitry unnecessary for tuning the dynamic range of the measurements. The measuring of differential capacitances by embodiments of the present invention allows for faster scanning of a capacitive sensor array by performing one less measurement per column.
Embodiments of the present invention are thus described. While the present disclosure has been described in particular embodiments, it should be appreciated that the present disclosure should not be construed as limited by such embodiments, but rather construed according to the below claims.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
3660801 | Paulfus | May 1972 | A |
3921167 | Fox | Nov 1975 | A |
3979745 | Bishop | Sep 1976 | A |
4039940 | Butler et al. | Aug 1977 | A |
4090092 | Serrano | May 1978 | A |
4103252 | Bobick | Jul 1978 | A |
4113378 | Wirtz | Sep 1978 | A |
4145748 | Eichelberger et al. | Mar 1979 | A |
4193063 | Hitt et al. | Mar 1980 | A |
4238711 | Wallot | Dec 1980 | A |
4264903 | Bigelow | Apr 1981 | A |
4266144 | Bristol | May 1981 | A |
4283713 | Philipp | Aug 1981 | A |
4292604 | Embree et al. | Sep 1981 | A |
4293734 | Pepper, Jr. | Oct 1981 | A |
4305135 | Dahl et al. | Dec 1981 | A |
4438404 | Philipp | Mar 1984 | A |
4475151 | Philipp | Oct 1984 | A |
4497575 | Philipp | Feb 1985 | A |
4558274 | Carusillo | Dec 1985 | A |
4586260 | Baxter et al. | May 1986 | A |
4614937 | Poujois | Sep 1986 | A |
4728932 | Atherton | Mar 1988 | A |
4736097 | Philipp | Apr 1988 | A |
4736191 | Matzke et al. | Apr 1988 | A |
4742331 | Barrow et al. | May 1988 | A |
4772983 | Kerber et al. | Sep 1988 | A |
4773024 | Faggin et al. | Sep 1988 | A |
4802103 | Faggin et al. | Jan 1989 | A |
4825147 | Cook et al. | Apr 1989 | A |
4831325 | Watson, Jr. | May 1989 | A |
4876534 | Mead et al. | Oct 1989 | A |
4878013 | Andermo | Oct 1989 | A |
4879461 | Philipp | Nov 1989 | A |
4879505 | Barrow et al. | Nov 1989 | A |
4879508 | Andermo | Nov 1989 | A |
4920399 | Hall | Apr 1990 | A |
4935702 | Mead et al. | Jun 1990 | A |
4940980 | Tice | Jul 1990 | A |
4953928 | Anderson et al. | Sep 1990 | A |
4962342 | Mead et al. | Oct 1990 | A |
4977480 | Nishihara | Dec 1990 | A |
5008497 | Asher | Apr 1991 | A |
5049758 | Mead et al. | Sep 1991 | A |
5055827 | Philipp | Oct 1991 | A |
5059920 | Anderson et al. | Oct 1991 | A |
5068622 | Mead et al. | Nov 1991 | A |
5073759 | Mead et al. | Dec 1991 | A |
5083044 | Mead et al. | Jan 1992 | A |
5095284 | Mead | Mar 1992 | A |
5097305 | Mead et al. | Mar 1992 | A |
5107149 | Platt et al. | Apr 1992 | A |
5109261 | Mead et al. | Apr 1992 | A |
5119038 | Anderson et al. | Jun 1992 | A |
5120996 | Mead et al. | Jun 1992 | A |
5122800 | Philipp | Jun 1992 | A |
5126685 | Platt et al. | Jun 1992 | A |
5146106 | Anderson et al. | Sep 1992 | A |
5160899 | Anderson et al. | Nov 1992 | A |
5165054 | Platt et al. | Nov 1992 | A |
5166562 | Allen et al. | Nov 1992 | A |
5204549 | Platt et al. | Apr 1993 | A |
5214388 | Vranish et al. | May 1993 | A |
5237879 | Speeter | Aug 1993 | A |
5243554 | Allen et al. | Sep 1993 | A |
5248873 | Allen et al. | Sep 1993 | A |
5260592 | Mead et al. | Nov 1993 | A |
5270963 | Allen et al. | Dec 1993 | A |
5276407 | Mead et al. | Jan 1994 | A |
5281862 | Ma | Jan 1994 | A |
5289023 | Mead | Feb 1994 | A |
5294889 | Heep et al. | Mar 1994 | A |
5303329 | Mead et al. | Apr 1994 | A |
5305017 | Gerpheide | Apr 1994 | A |
5323158 | Ferguson, Jr. | Jun 1994 | A |
5324958 | Mead et al. | Jun 1994 | A |
5331215 | Allen et al. | Jul 1994 | A |
5336936 | Allen et al. | Aug 1994 | A |
5339213 | O'Callaghan | Aug 1994 | A |
5349303 | Gerpheide | Sep 1994 | A |
5373245 | Vranish et al. | Dec 1994 | A |
5374787 | Miller et al. | Dec 1994 | A |
5381515 | Platt et al. | Jan 1995 | A |
5384467 | Plimon et al. | Jan 1995 | A |
5386219 | Greanias et al. | Jan 1995 | A |
5408194 | Steinbach et al. | Apr 1995 | A |
5412387 | Vincelette et al. | May 1995 | A |
5424756 | Ho et al. | Jun 1995 | A |
5461321 | Sanders et al. | Oct 1995 | A |
5479103 | Kernahan et al. | Dec 1995 | A |
5488204 | Mead et al. | Jan 1996 | A |
5495077 | Miller et al. | Feb 1996 | A |
5518078 | Tsujioka et al. | May 1996 | A |
5525980 | Jahier et al. | Jun 1996 | A |
5541580 | Gerston et al. | Jul 1996 | A |
5541878 | Lemoncheck et al. | Jul 1996 | A |
5543588 | Bisset et al. | Aug 1996 | A |
5543590 | Gillespie et al. | Aug 1996 | A |
5543591 | Gillespie et al. | Aug 1996 | A |
5555907 | Philipp | Sep 1996 | A |
5565658 | Gerpheide et al. | Oct 1996 | A |
5566702 | Philipp | Oct 1996 | A |
5572205 | Caldwell et al. | Nov 1996 | A |
5589856 | Stein et al. | Dec 1996 | A |
5629891 | Lemoncheck et al. | May 1997 | A |
5648642 | Miller et al. | Jul 1997 | A |
5650597 | Redmayne | Jul 1997 | A |
5670915 | Cooper et al. | Sep 1997 | A |
5672959 | Der | Sep 1997 | A |
5680070 | Anderson et al. | Oct 1997 | A |
5682032 | Philipp | Oct 1997 | A |
5684487 | Timko | Nov 1997 | A |
5694063 | Burlison et al. | Dec 1997 | A |
5730165 | Philipp | Mar 1998 | A |
5748185 | Stephan et al. | May 1998 | A |
5757368 | Gerpheide et al. | May 1998 | A |
5760852 | Wu et al. | Jun 1998 | A |
5763909 | Mead et al. | Jun 1998 | A |
5763924 | Lum et al. | Jun 1998 | A |
5767457 | Gerpheide et al. | Jun 1998 | A |
5796183 | Hourmand | Aug 1998 | A |
5801340 | Peter | Sep 1998 | A |
5812698 | Platt et al. | Sep 1998 | A |
5841078 | Miller et al. | Nov 1998 | A |
5844256 | Higashino | Dec 1998 | A |
5844265 | Mead et al. | Dec 1998 | A |
5854625 | Frisch et al. | Dec 1998 | A |
5861583 | Schediwy et al. | Jan 1999 | A |
5861875 | Gerpheide | Jan 1999 | A |
5864242 | Allen et al. | Jan 1999 | A |
5864392 | Winklhofer et al. | Jan 1999 | A |
5880411 | Gillespie et al. | Mar 1999 | A |
5889236 | Gillespie et al. | Mar 1999 | A |
5905489 | Takahama et al. | May 1999 | A |
5914465 | Allen et al. | Jun 1999 | A |
5914708 | Lagrange et al. | Jun 1999 | A |
5920309 | Bisset et al. | Jul 1999 | A |
5920310 | Faggin et al. | Jul 1999 | A |
5926566 | Wang et al. | Jul 1999 | A |
5942733 | Allen et al. | Aug 1999 | A |
5943052 | Allen et al. | Aug 1999 | A |
5969513 | Clark | Oct 1999 | A |
6023422 | Allen et al. | Feb 2000 | A |
6028271 | Gillespie et al. | Feb 2000 | A |
6028959 | Wang et al. | Feb 2000 | A |
6037929 | Ogura et al. | Mar 2000 | A |
6037930 | Wolfe et al. | Mar 2000 | A |
6060957 | Kodrnja et al. | May 2000 | A |
6067019 | Scott | May 2000 | A |
6097432 | Mead et al. | Aug 2000 | A |
6145850 | Rehm | Nov 2000 | A |
6148104 | Wang et al. | Nov 2000 | A |
6184871 | Teres et al. | Feb 2001 | B1 |
6185450 | Seguine et al. | Feb 2001 | B1 |
6188228 | Philipp | Feb 2001 | B1 |
6188391 | Seely et al. | Feb 2001 | B1 |
6191723 | Lewis | Feb 2001 | B1 |
6222528 | Gerpheide et al. | Apr 2001 | B1 |
6239389 | Allen et al. | May 2001 | B1 |
6249447 | Boylan et al. | Jun 2001 | B1 |
6262717 | Donohue et al. | Jul 2001 | B1 |
6271719 | Sevastopoulos | Aug 2001 | B1 |
6271720 | Sevastopoulos | Aug 2001 | B1 |
6271835 | Hoeksma | Aug 2001 | B1 |
6278283 | Tsugai | Aug 2001 | B1 |
6280391 | Olson et al. | Aug 2001 | B1 |
6288707 | Philipp | Sep 2001 | B1 |
6295052 | Kato et al. | Sep 2001 | B1 |
6304014 | England et al. | Oct 2001 | B1 |
6320184 | Winklhofer et al. | Nov 2001 | B1 |
6323846 | Westerman et al. | Nov 2001 | B1 |
6326859 | Goldman et al. | Dec 2001 | B1 |
6342817 | Crofts et al. | Jan 2002 | B1 |
6344773 | Sevastopoulos et al. | Feb 2002 | B1 |
6353200 | Schwankhart | Mar 2002 | B1 |
6366099 | Reddi | Apr 2002 | B1 |
6377009 | Philipp | Apr 2002 | B1 |
6377129 | Rhee et al. | Apr 2002 | B1 |
6380929 | Platt | Apr 2002 | B1 |
6380931 | Gillespie et al. | Apr 2002 | B1 |
6400217 | Bhandari | Jun 2002 | B1 |
6414671 | Gillespie et al. | Jul 2002 | B1 |
6424338 | Anderson | Jul 2002 | B1 |
6430305 | Decker | Aug 2002 | B1 |
6441073 | Tanaka et al. | Aug 2002 | B1 |
6441682 | Vinn et al. | Aug 2002 | B1 |
6445257 | Cox et al. | Sep 2002 | B1 |
6448911 | Somayajula | Sep 2002 | B1 |
6452514 | Philipp | Sep 2002 | B1 |
6457355 | Philipp | Oct 2002 | B1 |
6459321 | Belch | Oct 2002 | B1 |
6466036 | Philipp | Oct 2002 | B1 |
6473069 | Gerpheide | Oct 2002 | B1 |
6476798 | Bertram et al. | Nov 2002 | B1 |
6489899 | Ely et al. | Dec 2002 | B1 |
6490203 | Tang | Dec 2002 | B1 |
6498720 | Glad | Dec 2002 | B2 |
6499359 | Washeleski et al. | Dec 2002 | B1 |
6522083 | Roach | Feb 2003 | B1 |
6522128 | Ely et al. | Feb 2003 | B1 |
6522187 | Sousa | Feb 2003 | B1 |
6523416 | Takagi et al. | Feb 2003 | B2 |
6529015 | Nonoyama et al. | Mar 2003 | B2 |
6534970 | Ely et al. | Mar 2003 | B1 |
6535200 | Philipp | Mar 2003 | B2 |
6570557 | Westerman et al. | May 2003 | B1 |
6574095 | Suzuki | Jun 2003 | B2 |
6577140 | Wenman | Jun 2003 | B1 |
6583632 | Von Basse et al. | Jun 2003 | B2 |
6587093 | Shaw et al. | Jul 2003 | B1 |
6597347 | Yasutake | Jul 2003 | B1 |
6610936 | Gillespie et al. | Aug 2003 | B2 |
6614313 | Crofts et al. | Sep 2003 | B2 |
6624640 | Lund et al. | Sep 2003 | B2 |
6639586 | Gerpheide | Oct 2003 | B2 |
6642857 | Schediwy et al. | Nov 2003 | B1 |
6649924 | Philipp et al. | Nov 2003 | B1 |
6667740 | Ely et al. | Dec 2003 | B2 |
6673308 | Hino et al. | Jan 2004 | B2 |
6677758 | Maki et al. | Jan 2004 | B2 |
6677932 | Westerman | Jan 2004 | B1 |
6680731 | Gerpheide et al. | Jan 2004 | B2 |
6683462 | Shimizu | Jan 2004 | B2 |
6690066 | Lin et al. | Feb 2004 | B1 |
6704005 | Kato et al. | Mar 2004 | B2 |
6705511 | Dames et al. | Mar 2004 | B1 |
6714817 | Daynes et al. | Mar 2004 | B2 |
6720777 | Wang | Apr 2004 | B2 |
6730863 | Gerpheide et al. | May 2004 | B1 |
6731121 | Hsu et al. | May 2004 | B1 |
6744258 | Ishio et al. | Jun 2004 | B2 |
6750852 | Gillespie et al. | Jun 2004 | B2 |
6768420 | McCarthy et al. | Jul 2004 | B2 |
6774644 | Eberlein | Aug 2004 | B2 |
6781577 | Shigetaka | Aug 2004 | B2 |
6788221 | Ely et al. | Sep 2004 | B1 |
6788521 | Nishi | Sep 2004 | B2 |
6798218 | Kasperkovitz | Sep 2004 | B2 |
6806693 | Bron | Oct 2004 | B1 |
6809275 | Cheng et al. | Oct 2004 | B1 |
6810442 | Lin et al. | Oct 2004 | B1 |
6825673 | Yamaoka | Nov 2004 | B1 |
6825890 | Matsufusa | Nov 2004 | B2 |
6829727 | Pawloski | Dec 2004 | B1 |
6838887 | Denen et al. | Jan 2005 | B2 |
6856433 | Hatano et al. | Feb 2005 | B2 |
6859159 | Michalski | Feb 2005 | B2 |
6861961 | Sandbach et al. | Mar 2005 | B2 |
6873203 | Latham et al. | Mar 2005 | B1 |
6879215 | Roach | Apr 2005 | B1 |
6882338 | Flowers | Apr 2005 | B2 |
6888536 | Westerman et al. | May 2005 | B2 |
6888538 | Ely et al. | May 2005 | B2 |
6891531 | Lin | May 2005 | B2 |
6893724 | Lin et al. | May 2005 | B2 |
6897673 | Savage et al. | May 2005 | B2 |
6903402 | Miyazawa | Jun 2005 | B2 |
6904570 | Foote et al. | Jun 2005 | B2 |
6914547 | Swaroop et al. | Jul 2005 | B1 |
6933873 | Horsley et al. | Aug 2005 | B1 |
6940291 | Ozick | Sep 2005 | B1 |
6946853 | Gifford et al. | Sep 2005 | B2 |
6949811 | Miyazawa | Sep 2005 | B2 |
6949937 | Knoedgen | Sep 2005 | B2 |
6958594 | Redl et al. | Oct 2005 | B2 |
6969978 | Dening | Nov 2005 | B2 |
6970120 | Bjornsen | Nov 2005 | B1 |
6970126 | O'Dowd et al. | Nov 2005 | B1 |
6975123 | Malang et al. | Dec 2005 | B1 |
6993607 | Philipp | Jan 2006 | B2 |
6999009 | Monney | Feb 2006 | B2 |
7002557 | Iizuka et al. | Feb 2006 | B2 |
7006078 | Kim | Feb 2006 | B2 |
7006938 | Laraia et al. | Feb 2006 | B2 |
7030782 | Ely et al. | Apr 2006 | B2 |
7030860 | Hsu et al. | Apr 2006 | B1 |
7031886 | Hargreaves | Apr 2006 | B1 |
7032051 | Reay et al. | Apr 2006 | B2 |
7046230 | Zadesky et al. | May 2006 | B2 |
7068039 | Parker | Jun 2006 | B2 |
7075316 | Umeda et al. | Jul 2006 | B2 |
7075864 | Kakitsuka et al. | Jul 2006 | B2 |
7078916 | Denison | Jul 2006 | B2 |
7098675 | Inaba et al. | Aug 2006 | B2 |
7109978 | Gillespie et al. | Sep 2006 | B2 |
7119550 | Kitano et al. | Oct 2006 | B2 |
7129714 | Baxter | Oct 2006 | B2 |
7129935 | Mackey | Oct 2006 | B2 |
7133140 | Lukacs et al. | Nov 2006 | B2 |
7133793 | Ely et al. | Nov 2006 | B2 |
7136051 | Hein et al. | Nov 2006 | B2 |
7141968 | Hibbs et al. | Nov 2006 | B2 |
7141987 | Hibbs et al. | Nov 2006 | B2 |
7148704 | Philipp | Dec 2006 | B2 |
7151276 | Gerlach et al. | Dec 2006 | B2 |
7151528 | Taylor et al. | Dec 2006 | B2 |
7158056 | Wright et al. | Jan 2007 | B2 |
7158125 | Sinclair et al. | Jan 2007 | B2 |
7202655 | Itoh | Apr 2007 | B2 |
7202857 | Hinckley et al. | Apr 2007 | B2 |
7205777 | Schulz et al. | Apr 2007 | B2 |
7212189 | Shaw et al | May 2007 | B2 |
7224591 | Kaishita et al. | May 2007 | B2 |
7225090 | Coley | May 2007 | B2 |
7233508 | Itoh | Jun 2007 | B2 |
7235983 | O'Dowd et al. | Jun 2007 | B2 |
7245131 | Kurachi et al. | Jul 2007 | B2 |
7253643 | Seguine | Aug 2007 | B1 |
7254775 | Geaghan et al. | Aug 2007 | B2 |
7256588 | Howard et al. | Aug 2007 | B2 |
7262609 | Reynolds | Aug 2007 | B2 |
7271608 | Vermeire et al. | Sep 2007 | B1 |
7288946 | Hargreaves et al. | Oct 2007 | B2 |
7288977 | Stanley | Oct 2007 | B2 |
7298124 | Kan et al. | Nov 2007 | B2 |
7301350 | Hargreaves et al. | Nov 2007 | B2 |
7307485 | Snyder et al. | Dec 2007 | B1 |
7312616 | Snyder | Dec 2007 | B2 |
7323879 | Kuo et al. | Jan 2008 | B2 |
7323886 | Lee | Jan 2008 | B2 |
7333090 | Tanaka et al. | Feb 2008 | B2 |
7339580 | Westerman et al. | Mar 2008 | B2 |
7359816 | Kumar et al. | Apr 2008 | B2 |
7375535 | Kutz et al. | May 2008 | B1 |
7381031 | Kawaguchi et al. | Jun 2008 | B2 |
7392431 | Swoboda | Jun 2008 | B2 |
7417411 | Hoffman et al. | Aug 2008 | B2 |
7417441 | Reynolds | Aug 2008 | B2 |
7423437 | Hargreaves et al. | Sep 2008 | B2 |
7439962 | Reynolds et al. | Oct 2008 | B2 |
7449895 | Ely et al. | Nov 2008 | B2 |
7450113 | Gillespie et al. | Nov 2008 | B2 |
7451050 | Hargreaves | Nov 2008 | B2 |
7453270 | Hargreaves et al. | Nov 2008 | B2 |
7453279 | Corbin, Jr. et al. | Nov 2008 | B2 |
7466307 | Trent, Jr. et al. | Dec 2008 | B2 |
7479788 | Bolender et al. | Jan 2009 | B2 |
7495659 | Marriott et al. | Feb 2009 | B2 |
7499040 | Zadesky et al. | Mar 2009 | B2 |
7504833 | Seguine | Mar 2009 | B1 |
7515140 | Philipp | Apr 2009 | B2 |
7521941 | Ely et al. | Apr 2009 | B2 |
RE40867 | Binstead | Aug 2009 | E |
7598822 | Rajagopal et al. | Oct 2009 | B2 |
7663607 | Hotelling et al. | Feb 2010 | B2 |
7667468 | Anderson | Feb 2010 | B1 |
7683641 | Hargreaves et al. | Mar 2010 | B2 |
7804307 | Bokma et al. | Sep 2010 | B1 |
7812829 | Gillespie et al. | Oct 2010 | B2 |
7821274 | Philipp | Oct 2010 | B2 |
7911456 | Gillespie et al. | Mar 2011 | B2 |
7932897 | Elias et al. | Apr 2011 | B2 |
8040142 | Bokma et al. | Oct 2011 | B1 |
8040321 | Peng et al. | Oct 2011 | B2 |
8054299 | Krah | Nov 2011 | B2 |
8068097 | Guanghai | Nov 2011 | B2 |
8072429 | Grivna | Dec 2011 | B2 |
8082566 | Stallings | Dec 2011 | B2 |
8089288 | Maharita | Jan 2012 | B1 |
8089289 | Kremin et al. | Jan 2012 | B1 |
8093914 | Maharyta | Jan 2012 | B2 |
8094128 | Vu et al. | Jan 2012 | B2 |
8169238 | Maharyta et al. | May 2012 | B1 |
20010012667 | Ma et al. | Aug 2001 | A1 |
20020000978 | Gerpheide | Jan 2002 | A1 |
20020063688 | Shaw et al. | May 2002 | A1 |
20020067348 | Masters et al. | Jun 2002 | A1 |
20020109035 | Denen et al. | Aug 2002 | A1 |
20020136372 | Bozorgui-Nesbat | Sep 2002 | A1 |
20020140440 | Haase | Oct 2002 | A1 |
20020191029 | Gillespie et al. | Dec 2002 | A1 |
20030014239 | Ichbiah et al. | Jan 2003 | A1 |
20030025679 | Taylor et al. | Feb 2003 | A1 |
20030062889 | Ely et al. | Apr 2003 | A1 |
20030063073 | Geaghan et al. | Apr 2003 | A1 |
20030063428 | Nishi | Apr 2003 | A1 |
20030076306 | Zadesky et al. | Apr 2003 | A1 |
20030080755 | Kobayashi | May 2003 | A1 |
20030091220 | Sato et al. | May 2003 | A1 |
20030098858 | Perski et al. | May 2003 | A1 |
20030156098 | Shaw et al. | Aug 2003 | A1 |
20030160808 | Foote et al. | Aug 2003 | A1 |
20030178675 | Nishizaka et al. | Sep 2003 | A1 |
20030183864 | Miyazawa | Oct 2003 | A1 |
20030183884 | Miyazawa | Oct 2003 | A1 |
20030184315 | Eberlein | Oct 2003 | A1 |
20030189419 | Maki et al. | Oct 2003 | A1 |
20030230438 | Keefer et al. | Dec 2003 | A1 |
20030232507 | Chen | Dec 2003 | A1 |
20040041798 | Kim | Mar 2004 | A1 |
20040068409 | Tanaka et al. | Apr 2004 | A1 |
20040082198 | Nakamura et al. | Apr 2004 | A1 |
20040169594 | Ely et al. | Sep 2004 | A1 |
20040178989 | Shahoian et al. | Sep 2004 | A1 |
20040178997 | Gillespie et al. | Sep 2004 | A1 |
20040183560 | Savage et al. | Sep 2004 | A1 |
20040217945 | Miyamoto et al. | Nov 2004 | A1 |
20040239616 | Collins | Dec 2004 | A1 |
20040239650 | Mackey | Dec 2004 | A1 |
20040252109 | Trent et al. | Dec 2004 | A1 |
20040263864 | Lukacs et al. | Dec 2004 | A1 |
20050021269 | Ely et al. | Jan 2005 | A1 |
20050024341 | Gillespie et al. | Feb 2005 | A1 |
20050031175 | Hara et al. | Feb 2005 | A1 |
20050062732 | Sinclair et al. | Mar 2005 | A1 |
20050073302 | Hibbs et al. | Apr 2005 | A1 |
20050073322 | Hibbs et al. | Apr 2005 | A1 |
20050083110 | Latham, II et al. | Apr 2005 | A1 |
20050099188 | Baxter | May 2005 | A1 |
20050159126 | Wang | Jul 2005 | A1 |
20050169768 | Kawaguchi et al. | Aug 2005 | A1 |
20050179668 | Edwards | Aug 2005 | A1 |
20050270273 | Marten | Dec 2005 | A1 |
20050275382 | Stessman et al. | Dec 2005 | A1 |
20050280639 | Taylor et al. | Dec 2005 | A1 |
20050283330 | Laraia et al. | Dec 2005 | A1 |
20060022660 | Itoh | Feb 2006 | A1 |
20060026535 | Hotelling et al. | Feb 2006 | A1 |
20060032680 | Elias et al. | Feb 2006 | A1 |
20060033508 | Lee | Feb 2006 | A1 |
20060033724 | Chaudhri et al. | Feb 2006 | A1 |
20060038793 | Philipp | Feb 2006 | A1 |
20060049834 | Umeda | Mar 2006 | A1 |
20060053387 | Ording | Mar 2006 | A1 |
20060066582 | Lyon et al. | Mar 2006 | A1 |
20060066585 | Lin | Mar 2006 | A1 |
20060097991 | Hotelling et al. | May 2006 | A1 |
20060097992 | Gitzinger et al. | May 2006 | A1 |
20060108349 | Finley et al. | May 2006 | A1 |
20060113974 | Kan et al. | Jun 2006 | A1 |
20060114247 | Brown | Jun 2006 | A1 |
20060139469 | Yokota et al. | Jun 2006 | A1 |
20060152739 | Silvestre | Jul 2006 | A1 |
20060164142 | Stanley | Jul 2006 | A1 |
20060172767 | Cathey et al. | Aug 2006 | A1 |
20060176718 | Itoh | Aug 2006 | A1 |
20060187214 | Gillespie et al. | Aug 2006 | A1 |
20060193156 | Kaishita et al. | Aug 2006 | A1 |
20060197750 | Kerr et al. | Sep 2006 | A1 |
20060197752 | Hurst et al. | Sep 2006 | A1 |
20060221061 | Fry | Oct 2006 | A1 |
20060227117 | Proctor | Oct 2006 | A1 |
20060232559 | Chien et al. | Oct 2006 | A1 |
20060258390 | Cui et al. | Nov 2006 | A1 |
20060262101 | Layton et al. | Nov 2006 | A1 |
20060267953 | Peterson et al. | Nov 2006 | A1 |
20060273804 | Delorme et al. | Dec 2006 | A1 |
20060290678 | Lii | Dec 2006 | A1 |
20070046299 | Hargreaves et al. | Mar 2007 | A1 |
20070069274 | Elsass et al. | Mar 2007 | A1 |
20070074913 | Geaghan et al. | Apr 2007 | A1 |
20070076897 | Philipp | Apr 2007 | A1 |
20070100566 | Coley | May 2007 | A1 |
20070132737 | Mulligan et al. | Jun 2007 | A1 |
20070152983 | Mckillop et al. | Jul 2007 | A1 |
20070164756 | Lee | Jul 2007 | A1 |
20070173220 | Kim et al. | Jul 2007 | A1 |
20070176609 | Ely et al. | Aug 2007 | A1 |
20070176903 | Dahlin et al. | Aug 2007 | A1 |
20070229469 | Seguine | Oct 2007 | A1 |
20070236478 | Geaghan et al. | Oct 2007 | A1 |
20070257894 | Philipp | Nov 2007 | A1 |
20070263191 | Shibazaki | Nov 2007 | A1 |
20070268243 | Choo et al. | Nov 2007 | A1 |
20070268265 | Xiaoping | Nov 2007 | A1 |
20070268273 | Westerman et al. | Nov 2007 | A1 |
20070268274 | Westerman et al. | Nov 2007 | A1 |
20070268275 | Westerman et al. | Nov 2007 | A1 |
20070273659 | Xiaoping et al. | Nov 2007 | A1 |
20070291013 | Won | Dec 2007 | A1 |
20070296709 | Guanghai | Dec 2007 | A1 |
20080007529 | Paun et al. | Jan 2008 | A1 |
20080007534 | Peng et al. | Jan 2008 | A1 |
20080024455 | Lee et al. | Jan 2008 | A1 |
20080036473 | Jansson | Feb 2008 | A1 |
20080041639 | Westerman et al. | Feb 2008 | A1 |
20080041640 | Gillespie et al. | Feb 2008 | A1 |
20080042986 | Westerman et al. | Feb 2008 | A1 |
20080042987 | Westerman et al. | Feb 2008 | A1 |
20080042988 | Westerman et al. | Feb 2008 | A1 |
20080042989 | Westerman et al. | Feb 2008 | A1 |
20080042994 | Gillespie et al. | Feb 2008 | A1 |
20080047764 | Lee | Feb 2008 | A1 |
20080048997 | Gillespie et al. | Feb 2008 | A1 |
20080062139 | Hotelling et al. | Mar 2008 | A1 |
20080062140 | Hotelling et al. | Mar 2008 | A1 |
20080068100 | Goodnow et al. | Mar 2008 | A1 |
20080088595 | Liu et al. | Apr 2008 | A1 |
20080111714 | Kremin | May 2008 | A1 |
20080116904 | Reynolds et al. | May 2008 | A1 |
20080128182 | Westerman et al. | Jun 2008 | A1 |
20080150906 | Grivna | Jun 2008 | A1 |
20080158178 | Hotelling et al. | Jul 2008 | A1 |
20080162997 | Vu et al. | Jul 2008 | A1 |
20080165134 | Krah | Jul 2008 | A1 |
20080179112 | Qin et al. | Jul 2008 | A1 |
20080196945 | Konstas | Aug 2008 | A1 |
20080266263 | Motaparti et al. | Oct 2008 | A1 |
20080278178 | Philipp | Nov 2008 | A1 |
20090002206 | Kremin | Jan 2009 | A1 |
20090096758 | Hotelling et al. | Apr 2009 | A1 |
20090153152 | Maharyta et al. | Jun 2009 | A1 |
20090322351 | Mcleod | Dec 2009 | A1 |
20120043140 | Peterson et al. | Feb 2012 | A1 |
20120043973 | Kremin | Feb 2012 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
0574213 | Dec 1993 | EP |
05000604 | Feb 2005 | GB |
412528 | Jan 1992 | JP |
5283519 | Oct 1993 | JP |
6104334 | Apr 1994 | JP |
6163528 | Jun 1994 | JP |
0002188 | Jan 2000 | WO |