U.S. patent application number 15/017463 was filed with the patent office on 2016-06-02 for touch regions in diamond configuration.
The applicant listed for this patent is Apple Inc.. Invention is credited to Shih-Chang CHANG, Marduke YOUSEFPOR.
Application Number | 20160154505 15/017463 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42397275 |
Filed Date | 2016-06-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160154505 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
CHANG; Shih-Chang ; et
al. |
June 2, 2016 |
TOUCH REGIONS IN DIAMOND CONFIGURATION
Abstract
Touch regions in a diamond configuration in a touch sensitive
device are disclosed. Touch regions can include drive regions of
display pixels to receive stimulation signals and sense regions of
display pixels to send touch signals based on a touch or near
touch. The drive regions and sense regions can be disposed
diagonally adjacent to each other to form a diamond configuration.
In an example diamond configuration, diagonal drive regions can be
separate and unconnected from each other, while diagonal sense
regions can be electrically connected to each other via their sense
lines. The diagonal sense region connections can be in a forward
diagonal direction, a backward diagonal direction, or a combination
thereof. In an alternate example diamond configuration, diagonal
drive regions can be electrically connected to each other via their
drive lines, while diagonal sense regions can be electrically
connected to each other via their sense lines. The diagonal drive
and sense region connections can be in a forward diagonal
direction, a backward diagonal direction, or combinations thereof.
An exemplary touch sensitive device having a diamond configuration
can be a touch screen.
Inventors: |
CHANG; Shih-Chang;
(Cupertino, CA) ; YOUSEFPOR; Marduke; (San Jose,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Apple Inc. |
Cupertino |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
42397275 |
Appl. No.: |
15/017463 |
Filed: |
February 5, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
12545604 |
Aug 21, 2009 |
9261997 |
|
|
15017463 |
|
|
|
|
61149270 |
Feb 2, 2009 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
345/174 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 2203/04108
20130101; G06F 2203/04113 20130101; G06F 3/0412 20130101; G06F
3/044 20130101; G06F 3/04166 20190501; G06F 3/0446 20190501; G06F
3/0416 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G06F 3/044 20060101
G06F003/044; G06F 3/041 20060101 G06F003/041 |
Claims
1. A touch sensor panel comprising: a plurality of linear drive
region configurations configured to receive one or more stimulation
signals; and a plurality of linear sense region configurations
configured to transmit one or more touch signals based on the one
or more stimulation signals, the one or more touch signals
corresponding to a touch event at the touch sensor panel, wherein
the plurality of linear drive region configurations are
non-orthogonally disposed with respect to the plurality of linear
sense region configurations.
2. The touch sensor panel of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality
of linear drive region configurations comprises a plurality of
drive regions, the plurality of drive regions electrically coupled
together and linearly disposed in the linear drive region
configuration.
3. The touch sensor panel of claim 2, further comprising: a
plurality of first common voltage lines configured to electrically
couple the plurality of drive regions.
4. The touch sensor panel of claim 2, further comprising: a first
plurality of display pixels coupled together to form one or more of
the plurality of drive regions, wherein the first plurality of
display pixels are coupled to a first transparent conductive plate
for a touch mode.
5. The touch sensor panel of claim 1, wherein the plurality of
linear drive region configurations are oriented in a first
direction, the touch sensor panel further comprising: a plurality
of first common voltage lines included in each drive region,
wherein the first common voltage lines are oriented in a second
direction, different from the first direction; and one or more
breaks in at least some of the plurality of first common voltage
lines.
6. The touch sensor panel of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality
of linear sense region configurations comprises a plurality of
sense regions, the plurality of sense regions electrically coupled
together and linearly disposed in the linear sense region
configuration.
7. The touch sensor panel of claim 6, wherein the plurality of
sense regions in at least one of the plurality of linear sense
region configurations are electrically coupled in a forward
diagonal direction.
8. The touch sensor panel of claim 6, wherein the plurality of
sense regions in at least one of the plurality of linear sense
region configurations are electrically coupled in a backward
diagonal direction.
9. The touch sensor panel of claim 6, further comprising: a
plurality of second common voltage lines configured to electrically
couple the plurality of sense regions.
10. The touch sensor panel of claim 9, further comprising: a
plurality of drive regions included in the plurality of linear
drive region configurations; and a plurality of first common
voltage lines configured to electrically couple the plurality of
drive regions, wherein a parasitic capacitive coupling between the
plurality of first and the plurality of second common voltage lines
in the plurality of sense regions is less than a parasitic
capacitive coupling between the plurality of first and the
plurality of second common voltage lines in the plurality of drive
regions.
11. The touch sensor panel of claim 6, further comprising: a second
plurality of display pixels coupled together to form one or more of
the plurality of sense regions, wherein the second plurality of
display pixels are coupled to a second transparent conductive plate
for a touch mode.
12. The touch sensor panel of claim 6, wherein each of the
plurality of linear drive region configurations comprises a
plurality of drive regions, the touch sensor panel further
comprising: a plurality of first areas configured to separate
adjacent drive regions and adjacent sense regions, wherein the
plurality of sense regions are electrically coupled in the
plurality of first areas; and a plurality of second areas, separate
and distinct from the plurality of first areas, wherein the
plurality of drive regions are electrically coupled in the
plurality of second areas.
13. The touch sensor panel of claim 12, wherein the plurality of
first areas includes a plurality of second common voltage lines,
each second common voltage line forming a zigzag.
14. The touch sensor panel of claim 6, further comprising: a
plurality of second common voltage lines included in each sense
region; a plurality of third areas configured to separate adjacent
sense regions included in the plurality of linear sense region
configurations; and a plurality of third common voltage lines, each
third common voltage line configured to electrically couple the
plurality of second common voltage lines in each sense region,
wherein each third common voltage line is a single line disposed in
one of the plurality of third areas.
15. The touch sensor panel of claim 1, further comprising: a
plurality of sense regions included in the plurality of linear
sense region configurations; a plurality of drive regions included
in the plurality of linear drive region configurations; and a
plurality of first common voltage lines, each first common voltage
line configured to electrically couple the plurality of drive
regions, wherein a number of first common voltage lines in each
sense region is less than a number of first common voltage lines in
each drive region.
16. The touch sensor panel of claim 1, further comprising: a
plurality of sense regions included in the plurality of linear
sense region configurations; a plurality of drive regions included
in the plurality of linear drive region configurations; and a
plurality of second common voltage lines, each second common
voltage line configured to electrically couple the plurality of
sense regions, wherein a number of second common voltage lines in
each sense region is less than a number of second common voltage
lines in each drive region.
17. The touch sensor panel of claim 1, further comprising: a
plurality of sense regions included in the plurality of linear
sense regions configurations; a plurality of drive regions included
in the plurality of linear drive regions configurations, wherein
the plurality of sense regions and plurality of drive regions form
a matrix of non-orthogonal rows and columns, and further wherein
drive regions located in adjacent rows or columns are staggered and
sense regions located in adjacent rows or columns are
staggered.
18. The touch sensor panel of claim 1, wherein each of the
plurality of linear sense region configurations includes a single
sense region.
19. The touch sensor panel of claim 1, wherein a number of sense
regions included in the touch sensor panel is less than a number of
drive regions.
20. The touch sensor panel of claim 1, further comprising: a
plurality of drive regions included in the plurality of linear
drive region configurations; a plurality of first common voltage
lines configured to electrically couple drive regions; a plurality
of sense regions included in the plurality of linear sense region
configurations; and a plurality of second common voltage lines
configured to electrically couple sense regions, wherein the
plurality of first common voltage lines are non-orthogonally
disposed with respect to the plurality of second common voltage
lines.
21. The touch sensor panel of claim 1, wherein the plurality of
linear drive region configurations intersect with the plurality of
linear sense region configurations on the touch sensor panel.
22. A method for operating a touch sensor panel, the method
comprising: driving a plurality of linear drive region
configurations with one or more stimulation signals; and sensing
one or more touch signals, based on the one or more stimulation
signals, on a plurality of linear sense region configurations, the
one or more touch signals corresponding to a touch event at the
touch sensor panel, wherein the plurality of linear drive region
configurations are non-orthogonally disposed with respect to the
plurality of linear sense region configurations.
23. The method of claim 22, wherein the plurality of linear drive
region configurations intersect with the plurality of linear sense
region configurations on the touch sensor panel.
24. The method of claim 22, wherein each of the plurality of linear
drive region configurations comprises a plurality of drive regions,
the plurality of drive regions electrically coupled together and
linearly disposed in the linear drive region configuration.
25. The method of claim 22, wherein each of the plurality of linear
sense region configurations comprises a plurality of sense regions,
the plurality of sense regions electrically coupled together and
linearly disposed in the linear sense region configuration.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/545,604, filed Aug. 21, 2009, and published
on Aug. 5, 2010 as U.S. Patent Publication No. 2010-0194696, which
claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/149,270,
filed Feb. 2, 2009, the contents of which are incorporated herein
by reference in their entirety for all purposes.
FIELD
[0002] This relates to touch sensitive devices having touch regions
formed in a particular configuration and, more particularly, to
touch sensitive device having touch regions formed in a diamond
configuration.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Many types of input devices are available for performing
operations in a computing system, such as buttons or keys, mice,
trackballs, touch sensor panels, joysticks, touch pads, touch
screens, and the like. Touch screens, in particular, are becoming
increasingly popular because of their ease and versatility of
operation as well as their declining price. Touch screens can
include a touch sensor panel, which can be a clear panel with a
touch sensitive surface, and a display device such as a liquid
crystal display (LCD) that can be positioned behind the panel so
that the touch sensitive surface can substantially cover the
viewable area of the display device. Touch screens can generally
allow a user to perform various functions by touching or near
touching the touch sensor panel using one or more fingers, a stylus
or other object at a location dictated by a user interface (UI)
including virtual buttons, keys, bars, displays, and other
elements, being displayed by the display device. In general, touch
screens can recognize a touch event and the position of the touch
event on the touch sensor panel, and the computing system can then
interpret the touch event in accordance with the display appearing
at the time of the touch event, and thereafter can perform one or
more actions based on the touch event.
[0004] Touch screens that integrate touch circuitry with display
circuitry are described in U.S. patent application Ser. No.
11/760,080, entitled "Touch Screen Liquid Crystal Display," and
Ser. No. 12/240,964, entitled "Display with Dual-Function
Capacitive Elements," the contents of which are incorporated herein
by reference in their entirety for all purposes. In these touch
screens, display pixels can be grouped into drive regions to
receive a stimulation signal and sense regions to transmit a touch
signal based on a touch or near touch. These regions can generally
be disposed in a rectangular configuration with, from left to
right, some drive regions aligning vertically, a sense region
extending vertically along the lengths of the drive regions, more
drive regions aligning vertically, another sense region extending
vertically along the lengths of the drive regions, and so on.
[0005] Because of this rectangular configuration, horizontal drive
lines for transmitting the stimulation signal and vertical sense
lines for transmitting the touch signal can cross numerous times in
the sense regions, creating parasitic capacitance that can
interfere with the ability of the touch screen to effectively sense
the touch or near touch. However, to reduce the effects of this
parasitic capacitance, more expensive and powerful sensing
circuitry may be needed to improve the signal-to-noise ratio of the
touch signal.
SUMMARY
[0006] This relates to a touch sensitive device having touch
regions formed in a diamond configuration. Touch regions can
include drive regions, which can have drive lines to receive a
stimulation signal, and sense regions, which can have sense lines
to transmit a touch signal based on a received touch or near touch.
The drive regions and the sense regions can include display pixels
having capacitive elements for sensing touch. The drive regions and
sense regions can be disposed diagonally adjacent to each other to
form a diamond configuration for sensing the touch or near
touch.
[0007] In some embodiments, diagonal drive regions can be separate
and unconnected from each other, while diagonal sense regions can
be electrically connected to each other via their sense lines. The
diagonal sense regions can all be connected in the forward diagonal
direction, all in the backward diagonal direction, or some in the
forward diagonal direction and others in the backward diagonal
direction.
[0008] In some embodiments, diagonal drive regions can be
electrically connected together via their drive lines and diagonal
sense regions can be electrically connected together via their
sense lines. The diagonal regions can all be connected in the
forward diagonal direction, all in the backward diagonal direction,
drive regions in the forward diagonal direction and sense regions
in the backward diagonal direction, drive regions in the backward
diagonal direction and sense regions in the forward diagonal
direction, and any combination thereof.
[0009] The diamond configuration can advantageously reduce the
parasitic capacitance in the touch sensitive device, e.g., by
reducing the number of crossovers in the sense regions between the
drive and sense lines. This can result in cost and power savings
for the touch sensitive device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary touch sensitive device
having touch regions in a diamond configuration according to
various embodiments.
[0011] FIG. 2 illustrates a partial circuit diagram of exemplary
pixels having display and touch capabilities that can be grouped to
form touch regions in a diamond configuration according to various
embodiments.
[0012] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary layout of connections
between a touch sensitive device's touch regions in a diamond
configuration according to various embodiments.
[0013] FIG. 4 illustrates another exemplary layout of connections
between a touch sensitive device's touch regions in a diamond
configuration according to various embodiments.
[0014] FIG. 5 illustrates still another exemplary layout of
connections between a touch sensitive device's touch regions in a
diamond configuration according to various embodiments.
[0015] FIG. 6 illustrates another exemplary touch sensitive device
having touch regions in a diamond configuration according to
various embodiments.
[0016] FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary layout of connections
between a touch sensitive device's touch regions in a diamond
configuration according to various embodiments.
[0017] FIG. 8 illustrates another exemplary touch sensitive device
having touch regions in a diamond configuration according to
various embodiments.
[0018] FIG. 9 illustrates still another exemplary touch sensitive
device having touch regions in a diamond configuration according to
various embodiments.
[0019] FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary computing system having a
touch screen with touch regions in a diamond configuration
according to various embodiments.
[0020] FIG. 11a illustrates an exemplary mobile telephone having a
touch screen with touch regions in a diamond configuration
according to various embodiments.
[0021] FIG. 11b illustrates an exemplary digital media player
having a touch screen with touch regions in a diamond configuration
according to various embodiments.
[0022] FIG. 11c illustrates an exemplary personal computer having a
touch screen with touch regions in a diamond configuration
according to various embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] In the following description of various embodiments,
reference is made to the accompanying drawings in which it is shown
by way of illustration specific embodiments which can be practiced.
It is to be understood that other embodiments can be used and
structural changes can be made without departing from the scope of
the embodiments.
[0024] This relates to a touch sensitive device having touch
regions disposed in a diamond configuration. Touch regions can
include drive regions, which can receive a stimulation signal, and
sense regions, which can send a touch signal based on a received
touch or near touch. The drive regions and sense regions can be
disposed diagonally adjacent to each other to form a diamond
configuration. In some embodiments, diagonal drive regions can be
separate and unconnected from each other, while diagonal sense
regions can be electrically connected to each other via their sense
lines. The diagonal sense regions can all be connected in the
forward diagonal direction, all in the backward diagonal direction,
or some in the forward diagonal direction and others in the
backward diagonal direction. In some embodiments, diagonal drive
regions can be electrically connected together via their drive
lines and diagonal sense regions can be electrically connected
together via their sense lines. The diagonal regions can all be
connected in the forward diagonal direction, all in the backward
diagonal direction, drive regions in the forward diagonal direction
and sense regions in the backward diagonal direction, drive regions
in the backward diagonal direction and sense regions in the forward
diagonal direction, and any combination thereof. The diamond
configuration can advantageously reduce the parasitic capacitance
in the touch sensitive device by reducing the number of crossovers
in the sense regions between the drive and sense lines, which can
result in cost and power savings for the touch sensitive
device.
[0025] A "diamond" configuration can refer to any configuration in
which the drive and sense regions are disposed in slant, tilt,
angle, oblique, diagonal, or otherwise mainly non-horizontal or
non-vertical patterns. Among several regions, a group of the drive
regions together, a group of the sense regions together, or a
combination of drive and sense regions together so disposed can
resemble a diamond shape.
[0026] The terms "drive line," "horizontal common voltage line,"
and "xVcom" can refer generally to the conductive lines of the LCD
used to transmit a stimulation signal. In most cases, though not
always, the term "drive line" can be used when referring to these
conductive lines in the drive regions of the LCD because they can
be used to transmit a stimulation signal to drive the drive
regions.
[0027] The terms "sense line," "vertical common voltage line," and
"yVcom" can refer generally to the conductive lines of the LCD used
to transmit a touch signal. In most cases, though not always, the
term "sense line" can be used when referring to these conductive
lines in the sense regions of the LCD because they can be used to
transmit a touch signal to sense the touch or near touch.
[0028] The term "subpixel" can refer to a red, green, or blue
display component of the LCD, while the term "pixel" can refer to a
combination of a red, a green, and a blue subpixel.
[0029] Although some embodiments may be described herein in terms
of touch screens, it should be understood that embodiments are not
so limited, but are generally applicable to any devices utilizing
touch and other types of sensing technologies.
[0030] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary touch sensitive device
having touch regions in a diamond configuration according to
various embodiments. In the example of FIG. 1, touch sensitive
device 100 can have touch regions, which can include drive (D)
regions 110 and sense (S) regions 120. The drive regions 110 can be
configured to receive a stimulation signal. The sense regions 120
can be configured to send a touch signal based on a touch or near
touch by an object, such as a finger. The touch regions can form a
matrix of rows and columns, where the drive regions 110 and the
sense regions 120 can alternate in the rows and the columns. The
matrix diagonals can then have either all drive regions 110 or all
sense regions 120.
[0031] In this example, the drive regions 110 in a diagonal can be
separate and unconnected from each other. The sense regions 120 in
a backward diagonal can be electrically connected to each other via
connection 121. The connections will be described in more detail
later. These drive and sense region diagonals can form a diamond
configuration for the touch sensitive device 100.
[0032] In operation, the touch sensitive device 100 can stimulate
the drive regions 110 with stimulation signals to form electric
field lines between the stimulated drive regions and adjacent sense
regions 120. When an object touches or near touches a stimulated
drive region 110, the object can affect some of the electric field
lines extending to the adjacent sense regions 120, thereby reducing
the amount of charge coupled to these adjacent sense regions 120.
This reduction in charge can be sensed by the sense regions 120 as
an "image" of touch. This touch image can be transmitted along the
diagonal sense regions 120, which include the sense region that
sensed the touch, via the connections 121 to touch circuitry for
further processing. For example, if a touch or near touch happens
in the upper left drive region 110, some of the electrical field
lines extending to the horizontal neighboring sense region 120 can
be affected. The sense region 120 can sense the reduction in charge
and transmit the sensed reduction along the diagonal via its
connection 121 to the next sense region, which can in turn transmit
the sensed reduction to touch circuitry for further processing.
[0033] In alternate embodiments, the touch sensitive device can
have the sense regions electrically connected in their respective
diagonals in a forward diagonal direction. In other alternate
embodiments, the touch sensitive device can have the sense regions
electrically connected in their respective diagonals in a
combination of forward and backward diagonal directions.
[0034] In some embodiments, one or more of the drive regions in a
row can be electrically connected together via their drive lines.
Optionally or alternatively, one or more of the drive regions can
be electrically connected in their respective diagonals in the
forward, backward, or both diagonal directions via their drive
lines.
[0035] It is to be understood that the configuration of the touch
regions in a touch sensitive device is not limited to that shown
here, but can include any other suitable diagonal, slant, tilt,
angle, oblique, and the like configurations according to various
embodiments. It is further to be understood that the touch regions
need not form a matrix of rows and columns as shown here, but can
form any other suitable layout according to various embodiments. It
is also to be understood that the touch regions are not limited to
the rectangular shapes and orientations shown here, but can include
any other suitable shapes and orientations according to various
embodiments.
[0036] Touch regions, e.g., drive regions and sense regions, of a
touch sensitive device can be formed by groups of pixels
electrically connected together. A touch sensitive device can
include a touch screen, a touch panel, and the like. For example,
touch regions in a touch screen can be formed by groups of pixels
having display and touch capabilities, in which the pixels can be
used to display graphics or data and to sense a touch or near
touch.
[0037] FIG. 2 illustrates a partial circuit diagram of exemplary
pixels having display and touch capabilities that can be grouped to
form touch regions according to various embodiments. In the example
of FIG. 2, touch sensitive device 200, e.g., a touch screen, can
include subpixels according to various embodiments. The subpixels
of the device 200 can be configured such that they are capable of
dual-functionality as both display subpixels and touch sensor
elements. That is, the subpixels can include circuit elements, such
as capacitive elements, electrodes, etc., that can operate as part
of the display circuitry of the pixels, during a display mode of
the device, and that can also operate as elements of touch sensing
circuitry, during a touch mode of the device. In this way, the
device 200 can operate as a display with integrated touch sensing
capability. FIG. 2 shows details of subpixels 201, 202, 203, and
204 of device 200. Note that each of the subpixels can represent
either red (R), green (G) or blue (B), with the combination of all
three R, G and B subpixels forming a single color pixel.
[0038] Subpixel 202 can include thin film transistor (TFT) 255 with
gate 255a, source 255b, and drain 255c. Subpixel 202 can also
include storage capacitor, Cst 257, with upper electrode 257a and
lower electrode 257b, liquid crystal capacitor, Clc 259, with
subpixel electrode 259a and common electrode 259b, and color filter
voltage source, Vcf 261. If a subpixel is an in-plane-switching
(IPS) device, Vcf can be, for example, a fringe field electrode
connected to a common voltage line in parallel with Cst 257. If a
subpixel does not utilize IPS, Vcf 251 can be, for example, an
indium-tin-oxide (no) layer on the color filter glass. Subpixel 202
can also include a portion 217a of a data line for green (G) color
data, Gdata line 217, and portion 213b of gate line 213. Gate 255a
can be connected to gate line portion 213b, and source 255b can be
connected to Gdata line portion 217a. Upper electrode 257a of Cst
257 can be connected to drain 255c of TFT 255, and lower electrode
257b of Cst 257 can be connected to a portion 221b of a common
voltage line that runs in the x-direction, xVcom 221. Subpixel
electrode 259a of Clc 259 can be connected to drain 255c of TFT
255, and common electrode 259b of Clc 259 can connected to Vcf
251.
[0039] The circuit diagram of subpixel 203 can be identical to that
of subpixel 202. However, as shown in FIG. 2, color data line 219
running through subpixel 203 can carry blue (B) color data.
Subpixels 202 and 203 can be, for example, known display
subpixels.
[0040] Similar to subpixels 202 and 203, subpixel 201 can include
thin film transistor (TFT) 205 with gate 205a, source 205b, and
drain 205c. Subpixel 201 can also include storage capacitor, Cst
207, with upper electrode 207a and lower electrode 207b, liquid
crystal capacitor, Clc 209, with subpixel electrode 209a and common
electrode 209b, and color filter voltage source, Vcf 211. Subpixel
201 can also include a portion 215a of a data line for red (R)
color data, Rdata line 215, and a portion 213a of gate line 213.
Gate 205a can be connected to gate line portion 213a, and source
205b can be connected to Rdata line portion 215a. Upper electrode
207a of Cst 207 can be connected to drain 205c of TFT 205, and
lower electrode 207b of Cst 207 can be connected to a portion 221a
of xVcom 221. Subpixel electrode 209a of Clc 209 can be connected
to drain 205c of TFT 205, and common electrode 209b of Clc 209 can
be connected to Vcf 211.
[0041] Unlike subpixels 202 and 203, subpixel 201 can also include
a portion 223a of a common voltage line running in the y-direction,
yVcom 223. In addition, subpixel 201 can include a connection 227
that connects portion 221a to portion 223a. Thus, connection 227
can connect xVcom 221 and yVcom 223.
[0042] Subpixel 204 (only partially shown in FIG. 2) can be similar
to subpixel 201, except that a portion 225a of a yVcom 225 can have
a break (open) 231, and a portion 221b of xVcom 221 can have a
break 233.
[0043] As can be seen in FIG. 2, the lower electrodes of storage
capacitors of subpixels 201, 202, and 203 can be connected together
by xVcom 221. This can be, for example, a type of connection in
known display panels and, when used in conjunction with known gate
lines, data lines, and transistors, can allow subpixels to be
addressed. The addition of vertical common voltage lines along with
connections to the horizontal common voltage lines can allow
grouping of subpixels in both the x-direction and y-direction, as
described in further detail below. For example, yVcom 223 and
connection 227 to xVcom 221 can allow the storage capacitors of
subpixels 201, 202, and 203 to be connected to storage capacitors
of subpixels that are above and below subpixels 201, 202, 203 (the
subpixels above and below are not shown). For example, the
subpixels immediately above subpixels 201, 202, and 203 can have
the same configurations as subpixels 201, 202, and 203,
respectively. In this case, the storage capacitors of the subpixels
immediately above subpixels 201, 202, and 203 would be connected to
the storage capacitors of subpixels 201, 202, and 203.
[0044] In general, a display can be configured such that the
storage capacitors of all subpixels in the display can be connected
together, for example, through at least one vertical common voltage
line with connections to horizontal common voltage lines. Another
display can be configured such that different groups of subpixels
can be connected together to form separate regions of
connected-together storage capacitors.
[0045] One way to create separate regions can be by forming breaks
(opens) in the horizontal and/or vertical common lines. For
example, yVcom 225 of device 200 can have break 231, which can
allow subpixels above the break to be isolated from subpixels below
the break. Likewise, xVcom 221 can have break 233, which can allow
subpixels to the right of the break to be isolated from subpixels
to the left of the break.
[0046] A drive region can be formed by connecting at least one
vertical common voltage line yVcom 223, 225 of a pixel with at
least one horizontal common voltage line xVcom 221 of the pixel,
thereby forming a drive region including a row of pixels. A drive
plate (e.g., an ITO plate) can be used to cover the drive region
and connect to the vertical and horizontal common voltage lines so
as to group the capacitive elements of the pixels together to form
the drive region for touch mode. Generally, a drive region can be
larger than a single row of pixels in order to effectively receive
a touch or near touch on the touch sensitive device. For example, a
drive region can be formed by connecting vertical common voltage
lines yVcom with horizontal common voltage lines xVcom, thereby
forming a drive region including a matrix of pixels. In some
embodiments, drive regions proximate to each other can share
horizontal common voltage lines xVcom as drive lines, which can
transmit stimulation signals that stimulate the drive regions, as
previously described. In some embodiments, drive regions proximate
to each other can share vertical common voltage lines yVcom with
breaks in the lines between the drive regions in order to minimize
the lines causing parasitic capacitance that could interfere with
the received touch or near touch. Optionally and alternatively, the
vertical common voltage line breaks can be omitted and the lines
shared in their entirety among the drive regions.
[0047] A sense region can be formed by at least one vertical common
voltage line yVcom 223, 225 of a pixel, thereby forming a sense
region including a column of pixels. A sense plate (e.g., an ITO
plate) can be used to cover the sense region and connect to the
vertical common voltage line without connecting to a cross-under
horizontal common voltage line so as to group the capacitive
elements of the pixels together to form the sense region for touch
mode. Generally, a sense region can be larger than a single column
of pixels in order to effectively sense a received touch or near
touch on the touch sensitive device. For example, a sense region
can be formed by vertical common voltage lines yVcom, thereby
forming a sense region including columns of pixels. In some
embodiments, a sense region can use the vertical common voltage
lines yVcom as sense lines, which can transmit a touch signal based
on a touch or near touch on the touch sensitive device. In the
sense region, the vertical common voltage lines yVcom can be
unconnected from and cross over the horizontal common voltage lines
xVcom to form a mutual capacitance structure for touch sensing.
This cross over of yVcom and xVcom can also form additional
parasitic capacitance between the sense and drive ITO regions that
can be minimized.
[0048] It is to be understood that the pixels used to form the
touch regions are not limited to those described above, but can be
any suitable pixels having touch capabilities according to various
embodiments. It is to be further understood that the combinations
of the pixels in the touch regions are not limited to those
described above, but can include any suitable combinations
according to various embodiments.
[0049] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary layout of connections
between a touch sensitive device's touch regions in a diamond
configuration according to various embodiments. In the example of
FIG. 3, touch sensitive device 300 can have touch regions, which
can include drive regions 310 and sense regions 320. Each drive
region 310 can have pixels 303, horizontal common voltage lines
xVcom 301, and vertical common voltage lines yVcom 302, covered by
a drive plate. For simplicity, each pixel 303 is shown as a single
block, which can represent a set of red, green, and blue subpixels.
The horizontal common voltage lines 301 can connect drive regions
310 in the same row. The vertical common voltage lines 302 can have
breaks 312 between adjacent regions 310, 320 in the same column. In
the example of FIG. 3, in the left column, the drive region 310
illustrated above the sense region 320 can include vertical common
voltage lines 302 that can have breaks just below the drive region
and do not extend to the sense region. In the right column, the
drive region 310 illustrated below the sense region 320 can include
vertical common voltage lines 302 that can have breaks just above
the drive region and do not extend to the sense region. Each sense
region 320 can have pixels 303 and vertical common voltage lines
302, covered by a sense plate. The vertical common voltage lines
302 can connect (via connection 321) sense regions 320 in the same
diagonal, as will be described below. The horizontal common voltage
lines 301 can cross underneath 311 the sense region 320 without
electrically connecting to the region.
[0050] The drive regions 310 and the sense regions 320 can lie in
diagonals to form a diamond configuration. The drive regions 310 in
their diagonals can be separate and unconnected from each other,
while the drive regions in a row can be electrically connected to
each other via the horizontal common voltage lines 301 as drive
lines. The sense regions 320 in their diagonals can be electrically
connected to each other via connection 321. The connection 321 can
be made with the vertical common voltage lines 302 that form the
sense regions 320, where the lines can pass through one sense
region, veer diagonally in a backward direction to another sense
region, pass through that sense region, and so on either to the
next sense region or to touch circuitry.
[0051] By the sense regions 320 being disposed in the diamond
configuration, some of the horizontal common voltage lines 301 can
either cross under the connection 321 outside of the sense regions
320 or be eliminated entirely, thereby reducing the parasitic
capacitance effects caused by the crossings and/or the sense plate,
e.g., an ITO plate, within the sense regions themselves. As a
result, more expensive and powerful sensing circuitry need not be
used to, in part, address these parasitic capacitance effects in
order to effectively sense a touch or near touch. These improved
effects can similarly be realized in any of the diamond
configurations described below.
[0052] In operation, the horizontal common voltage lines 301 can
stimulate the drive regions 310 with stimulation signals to form
electric field lines between the stimulated drive regions and
adjacent sense regions 320. When an object touches or near touches
a stimulated drive region 310, the reduction in charge in the
adjacent sense region 320 can be sensed and a corresponding signal
transmitted along the vertical common voltage lines 302 of that
sense region and subsequent sense regions diagonally electrically
connected in the backward diagonal direction to the touch circuitry
for further processing.
[0053] The connection 321 in FIG. 3 has a separate line for each
vertical common voltage line 302. Alternatively, the connection 321
can tie all of the vertical common voltage lines 302 in a
particular sense region 320 together and have a single line between
sense regions.
[0054] In alternate embodiments, the vertical common voltage lines
302 in the sense regions 320 can form a connection between diagonal
sense regions in the forward diagonal direction. In other alternate
embodiments, the vertical common voltage lines 302 in the drive
regions 310 can form a connection between diagonal drive regions in
either the forward or the backward diagonal direction.
[0055] It is to be understood that the layout of the connections is
not limited to that shown, but can include any suitable layout,
e.g., any number and configuration of horizontal and vertical
common voltage lines, pixels, touch regions, and so on, according
to various embodiments.
[0056] FIG. 4 illustrates another exemplary layout of connections
between a touch sensitive device's touch regions in a diamond
configuration according to various embodiments. In the example of
FIG. 4, touch sensitive device 400 can have touch regions, which
can include drive regions 410 and sense regions 420, each having
pixels 403. The four boundaries of a pixel 403 can be formed by
adjacent forward diagonal common voltage lines 401 and adjacent
backward diagonal common voltage lines 402. Each drive region 410
can have pixels 403, forward diagonal common voltage lines xVcom
401, and backward diagonal common voltage lines yVcom 402. The
forward diagonal common voltage lines 401 can connect drive regions
410 in the same forward diagonal. The backward diagonal common
voltage lines 402 can have breaks 412 between drive regions in the
same backward diagonal. Each sense region 420 can have pixels 403
and backward diagonal common voltage lines 402. The backward
diagonal common voltage lines 402 can connect sense regions 420 in
the same backward diagonal, as will be described below. The forward
diagonal common voltage lines 401 can cross underneath 411 the
sense region 420 without electrically connecting to the region.
[0057] The drive regions 410 and the sense regions 420 can lie in
diagonals to form a diamond configuration. The drive regions 410 in
their forward diagonals can be electrically connected to each other
via the forward diagonal common voltage lines 401 as drive lines,
while the drive regions in a row can be separate and unconnected
from each other. The sense regions 420 in their diagonals can be
electrically connected to each other via connection 421. The
connection 421 can be made with the backward diagonal common
voltage lines 402 that form the sense regions 420, where the lines
can pass through each sense region in the backward diagonal to the
touch circuitry.
[0058] In operation, the forward diagonal common voltage lines 401
can stimulate the drive regions 410 with stimulation signals to
form electric field lines between the stimulated drive regions and
adjacent sense regions 420. When an object touches or near touches
a stimulated drive region 410, the reduction in charge in the
adjacent sense region 420 can be sensed and a corresponding signal
transmitted along the backward diagonal common voltage lines 402 of
that sense region and subsequent sense regions diagonally
electrically connected in the backward diagonal direction to the
touch circuitry for further processing.
[0059] In alternate embodiments, the backward diagonal common
voltage lines 402 in the sense regions 420 can form a connection
between diagonal sense regions in the forward diagonal direction.
In other alternate embodiments, the backward diagonal common
voltage lines 402 in the drive regions 410 can form a connection
between diagonal drive regions in either the forward or the
backward diagonal direction. In further alternate embodiments, the
forward diagonal common voltage lines 401 in the sense regions 420
that do not connect to a drive region 410 at all can be
omitted.
[0060] It is to be understood that the layout of the connections is
not limited to that shown, but can include any suitable layout,
e.g., any number and configuration of horizontal and vertical
common voltage lines, pixels, touch regions, and so on, according
to various embodiments.
[0061] FIG. 5 illustrates another exemplary layout of connections
between a touch sensitive device's touch regions in a diamond
configuration according to various embodiments. In the example of
FIG. 5, touch sensitive device 500 can have touch regions, which
can include drive regions 510 and sense regions 520, each including
pixels 503. The top and bottom boundaries of a pixel 503 can be
formed by adjacent horizontal common voltage lines 501 and the left
and right boundaries of the pixel can be formed by adjacent
backward diagonal common voltage lines 502. Each drive region 510
can have pixels 503, horizontal common voltage lines xVcom 501, and
backward diagonal common voltage lines yVcom 502. The horizontal
common voltage lines 501 can connect drive regions 510 in the same
row. The backward diagonal common voltage lines 502 can have breaks
512 between drive regions in the same diagonal. Each sense region
520 can have pixels 503 and backward diagonal common voltage lines
502. The backward diagonal common voltage lines 502 can connect
sense regions 520 in the same diagonal, as will be described below.
The horizontal common voltage lines 501 can cross underneath 511
the sense region 520 without electrically connecting to the
region.
[0062] The drive regions 510 and the sense regions 520 can lie in
diagonals to form a diamond configuration. The drive regions 510 in
their diagonals can be separate and unconnected from each other,
while the drive regions in a row can be electrically connected to
each other via the horizontal common voltage lines 501 as drive
lines. The sense regions 520 in their diagonals can be electrically
connected to each other via connection 521. The connection 521 can
be made with the backward diagonal common voltage lines 502 that
form the sense regions 520, where the lines can pass through the
sense regions in the diagonal to touch circuitry.
[0063] In operation, the horizontal common voltage lines 501 can
stimulate the drive regions 510 with stimulation signals to form
electric field lines between the stimulated drive regions and
adjacent sense regions 520. When an object touches or near touches
a stimulated drive region 510, the adjacent sense region 520 can
sense the touch or near touch and transmit a corresponding signal
along the backward diagonal common voltage lines 502 of that sense
region and subsequent sense regions diagonally electrically
connected in the backward diagonal direction to the touch circuitry
for further processing.
[0064] In alternate embodiments, the backward diagonal common
voltage lines 502 in the sense regions 520 can form a connection
between diagonal sense regions in the forward diagonal direction.
In other alternate embodiments, the backward diagonal common
voltage lines 502 in the drive regions 510 can form a connection
between diagonal drive regions in either the forward or the
backward diagonal direction. In further alternate embodiments, the
horizontal common voltage lines 501 can be in a forward or backward
diagonal direction and the backward diagonal common voltage lines
502 in a vertical direction.
[0065] It is to be understood that the layout of the connections is
not limited to that shown, but can include any suitable layout,
e.g., any number and configuration of horizontal and vertical
common voltage lines, pixels, touch regions, and so on, according
to various embodiments.
[0066] FIG. 6 illustrates another exemplary touch sensitive device
having touch regions in a diamond configuration according to
various embodiments. In the example of FIG. 6, touch sensitive
device 600 can have touch regions, which can include drive (D)
regions 610 and sense (S) regions 620. The drive regions 610 in a
diagonal can be separate and unconnected from each other. The sense
regions 620 in a backward diagonal can be electrically connected to
each other via connection 621. The connections can be similar to
those previously describe in FIGS. 3-5. These drive and sense
region diagonals can form a diamond configuration for the touch
sensitive device 600. Unlike the example of FIG. 1, the drive
regions 610 and the sense regions 620 can be substantially
different in size. For example, the sense regions 620 can be
narrower than the drive regions 610. The touch sensitive device 600
can operate in a similar manner to that described in FIG. 1.
[0067] In alternate embodiments, the touch sensitive device can
have the sense regions electrically connected in their respective
diagonals in a forward diagonal direction. In other alternate
embodiments, the touch sensitive device can have the sense regions
electrically connected in their respective diagonals in a
combination of forward and backward diagonal directions.
[0068] In some embodiments, one or more of the drive regions in a
row can be electrically connected together via their drive lines.
Optionally or alternatively, one or more of the drive regions can
be electrically connected in their respective diagonals in the
forward, backward, or both diagonal directions via their drive
lines.
[0069] It is to be understood that the configuration of the touch
regions in a touch sensitive device is not limited to that shown
here, but can include any other suitable diagonal, slant, oblique,
and the like configurations according to various embodiments. It is
further to be understood that the touch regions need not form a
matrix of rows and columns as shown here, but can form any other
suitable layout according to various embodiments. It is also to be
understood that the touch regions are not limited to the
rectangular shapes and orientations shown here, but can include any
other suitable shapes and orientations according to various
embodiments.
[0070] FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary layout of connections
between a touch sensitive device's touch regions in a diamond
configuration according to various embodiments. In the example of
FIG. 7, similar to that of FIG. 3, touch sensitive device 700 can
have touch regions, which can include drive regions 710 and sense
regions 720. Each drive region 710 can have pixels 703, horizontal
common voltage lines xVcom 701, and vertical common voltage lines
yVcom 702. The horizontal common voltage lines 701 can connect
drive regions 710 in the same row. The vertical common voltage
lines 702 can have breaks 712 between drive regions in the same
column. Each sense region 720 can have pixels 703 and vertical
common voltage lines 702. The vertical common voltage lines 702 can
connect sense regions 720 in the same diagonal, as will be
described below. The horizontal common voltage lines 701 can cross
underneath 711 the sense region 720 without electrically connecting
to the region.
[0071] The drive regions 710 and the sense regions 720 can lie in
diagonals to form a diamond configuration. The drive regions 710 in
their diagonals can be separate and unconnected from each other,
while the drive regions in a row can be electrically connected to
each other via the horizontal common voltage lines 701 as drive
lines. The sense regions 720 in their diagonals can be electrically
connected to each other via connection 721. The connection 721 can
be made with the vertical common voltage lines 702 that form the
sense regions 720, where the lines can pass through one sense
region, veer diagonally in a backward direction to another sense
region, pass through that sense region, and so on either to the
next sense region or to touch circuitry.
[0072] In operation, the horizontal common voltage lines 701 can
stimulate the drive regions 710 with stimulation signals to form
electric field lines between the stimulated drive regions and
adjacent sense regions 720. When an object touches or near touches
a stimulated drive region 710, the reduction in charge in the
adjacent sense region 720 can be sensed and a corresponding signal
transmitted along the vertical common voltage lines 702 of that
sense region and subsequent sense regions diagonally electrically
connected in the backward diagonal direction to the touch circuitry
for further processing.
[0073] The connection 721 in FIG. 7 can have a separate line for
each vertical common voltage line 702 in the sense region 720 or
can have a single line for all the vertical common voltage lines
tied together in the sense region.
[0074] In alternate embodiments, the vertical common voltage lines
702 in the sense regions 720 can form a connection between diagonal
sense regions in the forward diagonal direction. In other alternate
embodiments, the vertical common voltage lines 702 in the drive
regions 710 can form a connection between diagonal drive regions in
either the forward or the backward diagonal direction.
[0075] Other layouts similar to those of FIGS. 4 and 5 can also be
used.
[0076] It is to be understood that the layout of the connections is
not limited to that shown, but can include any suitable layout,
e.g., any number and configuration of horizontal and vertical
common voltage lines, pixels, touch regions, and so on, according
to various embodiments.
[0077] FIG. 8 illustrates another exemplary touch sensitive device
having touch regions in a diamond configuration according to
various embodiments. In the example of FIG. 8, touch sensitive
device 800 can have touch regions, which can include drive (D)
regions 810 and sense (S) regions 820. The drive regions 810 in a
diagonal can be separate and unconnected from each other. The sense
regions 820 in a forward diagonal can be electrically connected to
each other via connection 821. The connection 821 can involve
combinations of horizontal, vertical, and diagonal common voltage
lines as described in FIGS. 3-5. These drive and sense region
diagonals can form a diamond configuration for the touch sensitive
device 800. Like the example of FIG. 6, the drive regions 810 and
the sense regions 820 can be substantially different in size. For
example, the sense regions 820 can be narrower than the drive
regions 810. The touch sensitive device 800 can operate in a
similar manner to that described in FIG. 1.
[0078] In alternate embodiments, the touch sensitive device can
have the sense regions electrically connected in their respective
diagonals in a backward diagonal direction. In other alternate
embodiments, the touch sensitive device can have the sense regions
electrically connected in their respective diagonals in a
combination of forward and backward diagonal directions.
[0079] In some embodiments, one or more of the drive regions in a
row can be electrically connected together via their drive lines.
Optionally or alternatively, one or more of the drive regions can
be electrically connected in their respective diagonals in the
forward, backward, or both diagonal directions via their drive
lines.
[0080] FIG. 9 illustrates another exemplary touch sensitive device
having touch regions in a diamond configuration according to
various embodiments. In the example of FIG. 9, touch sensitive
device 900 can have touch regions, which can include drive (D)
regions 910 and sense (S) regions 920. The drive regions 910 in a
diagonal can be separate and unconnected from each other. The sense
regions 920 can extend in a forward diagonal. Unlike other
examples, the sense regions 920 can form single regions, rather
than separate regions connected in a diagonal via connections.
These drive and sense region diagonals can form a diamond
configuration of the touch regions for the touch sensitive device
900. The drive regions 910 and the sense regions 920 can be
substantially different in size. For example, the sense regions 920
can be narrower and longer than the drive regions 910. The touch
sensitive device 900 can operate in a similar manner to that
described in FIG. 1.
[0081] In alternate embodiments, the touch sensitive device can
have the sense regions extend in a backward diagonal. In other
alternate embodiments, the sense regions can extend in a
combination of forward and backward diagonals.
[0082] In some embodiments, one or more of the drive regions in a
row can be electrically connected together via their drive lines.
Optionally or alternatively, one or more of the drive regions can
be electrically connected in their respective diagonals in the
forward, backward, or both diagonal directions via their drive
lines.
[0083] FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary computing system that can
include one or more of the various embodiments described herein. In
the example of FIG. 10, computing system 1000 can include one or
more panel processors 1002 and peripherals 1004, and panel
subsystem 1006. Peripherals 1004 can include, but are not limited
to, random access memory (RAM) or other types of memory or storage,
watchdog timers and the like. Panel subsystem 1006 can include, but
is not limited to, one or more sense channels 1008, channel scan
logic (analog or digital) 1010 and driver logic (analog or digital)
1014. Channel scan logic 1010 can access RAM 1012, autonomously
read data from sense channels 1008 and provide control signals 1017
for the sense channels. In addition, channel scan logic 1010 can
control driver logic 1014 to generate stimulation signals 1016 at
various phases that can be simultaneously applied to drive regions
of touch screen 1024. Panel subsystem 1006 can operate at a low
digital logic voltage level (e.g. 1.7 to 3.3V). Driver logic 1014
can generate a supply voltage greater that the digital logic level
supply voltages by cascading two charge storage devices, e.g.,
capacitors, together to form charge pump 1015. Charge pump 1015 can
be used to generate stimulation signals 1016 that can have
amplitudes of about twice the digital logic level supply voltages
(e.g. 3.4 to 6.6V). Although FIG. 10 shows charge pump 1015
separate from driver logic 1014, the charge pump can be part of the
driver logic. In some embodiments, panel subsystem 1006, panel
processor 1002 and peripherals 1004 can be integrated into a single
application specific integrated circuit (ASIC).
[0084] Touch screen 1024 (i.e., a touch sensitive device) can
include a capacitive sensing medium having drive regions 1029 and
sense regions 1027 in a diamond configuration according to various
embodiments. The sense regions 1027 can be electrically connected
along their respective diagonals with connections 1021. Each drive
region 1029 and each sense region 1027 can include capacitive
elements, which can be viewed as pixels and which can be
particularly useful when touch screen 1024 is viewed as capturing
an "image" of touch during touch mode of the touch screen. (In
other words, after panel subsystem 1006 has determined whether a
touch event has been detected at each touch sensor in the touch
screen, the pattern of touch sensors in the multi-touch panel at
which a touch event occurred can be viewed as an "image" of touch
(e.g. a pattern of fingers touching the panel).) The presence of a
finger or other object near or on the touch screen can be detected
by measuring changes to a signal charge present at the pixels being
touched, which is a function of Csig. Each sense region 1027 of
touch screen 1024 can drive sense channel 1008 in panel subsystem
1006. During display mode, the pixels can be used to display
graphics or data on touch screen 1024 during display mode.
[0085] Computing system 1000 can also include host processor 1028
for receiving outputs from panel processor 1002 and performing
actions based on the outputs that can include, but are not limited
to, moving one or more objects such as a cursor or pointer,
scrolling or panning, adjusting control settings, opening a file or
document, viewing a menu, making a selection, executing
instructions, operating a peripheral device coupled to the host
device, answering a telephone call, placing a telephone call,
terminating a telephone call, changing the volume or audio
settings, storing information related to telephone communications
such as addresses, frequently dialed numbers, received calls,
missed calls, logging onto a computer or a computer network,
permitting authorized individuals access to restricted areas of the
computer or computer network, loading a user profile associated
with a user's preferred arrangement of the computer desktop,
permitting access to web content, launching a particular program,
encrypting or decoding a message, and/or the like. Host processor
1028 can also perform additional functions that may not be related
to panel processing, and can be coupled to program storage 1032 and
touch screen 1024 such as an LCD for providing a user interface to
a user of the device.
[0086] Note that one or more of the functions described above can
be performed by firmware stored in memory (e.g. one of the
peripherals 1004 in FIG. 10) and executed by panel processor 1002,
or stored in program storage 1032 and executed by host processor
1028. The firmware can also be stored and/or transported within any
computer-readable storage medium for use by or in connection with
an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device, such as a
computer-based system, processor-containing system, or other system
that can fetch the instructions from the instruction execution
system, apparatus, or device and execute the instructions. In the
context of this document, a "computer-readable storage medium" can
be any medium that can contain or store the program for use by or
in connection with the instruction execution system, apparatus, or
device. The computer-readable storage medium can include, but is
not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic,
infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus or device, a portable
computer diskette (magnetic), a random access memory (RAM)
(magnetic), a read-only memory (ROM) (magnetic), an erasable
programmable read-only memory (EPROM) (magnetic), a portable
optical disc such a CD, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD, DVD-R, or DVD-RW, or
flash memory such as compact flash cards, secured digital cards,
USB memory devices, memory sticks, and the like.
[0087] The firmware can also be propagated within any transport
medium for use by or in connection with an instruction execution
system, apparatus, or device, such as a computer-based system,
processor-containing system, or other system that can fetch the
instructions from the instruction execution system, apparatus, or
device and execute the instructions. In the context of this
document, a "transport medium" can be any medium that can
communicate, propagate or transport the program for use by or in
connection with the instruction execution system, apparatus, or
device. The transport readable medium can include, but is not
limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic or
infrared wired or wireless propagation medium.
[0088] It is to be understood that the touch screen is not limited
to touch, as described in FIG. 10, but may be a proximity screen or
any other screen switchable between a display mode, in which the
screen pixels can be used to display graphics or data, and another
mode, in which the screen pixels can be used for another function,
according to various embodiments. In addition, the touch screen
described herein can be either a single-touch or a multi-touch
screen.
[0089] FIG. 11a illustrates an exemplary mobile telephone 1136 that
can include touch screen 1124 having touch regions in a diamond
configuration and other computing system blocks that can be
utilized for the telephone.
[0090] FIG. 11b illustrates an exemplary digital media player 1140
that can include touch screen 1124 having touch regions in a
diamond configuration and other computing system blocks that can be
utilized for the media player.
[0091] FIG. 11c illustrates an exemplary personal computer 1144
that can include touch screen 1124 having touch regions in a
diamond configuration, touch sensor panel (trackpad) 1126 having
touch regions in a diamond configuration, and other computing
system blocks that can be utilized for the personal computer.
[0092] The mobile telephone, media player, and personal computer of
FIGS. 11a, 11b and 11c can realize cost and power savings by
utilizing touch screens having touch regions in a diamond
configuration according to various embodiments.
[0093] Although various embodiments have been fully described with
reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be noted that
various changes and modifications will become apparent to those
skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications are to be
understood as being included within the scope of embodiments as
defined by the appended claims.
* * * * *