WO2022094374A2

WO2022094374A2 - Flourish taxel

Info

Publication number: WO2022094374A2
Application number: PCT/US2021/057510
Authority: WO
Inventors: Daniel Ironside; Braon MOSELEY
Original assignee: Tactual Labs Co.
Priority date: 2020-10-31
Filing date: 2021-11-01
Publication date: 2022-05-05
Also published as: WO2022094374A3

Abstract

A touch sensitive device has a plurality of transmitting conductors and a plurality of receiving conductors. At the areas proximate to where the transmitting conductors and the receiving conductors paths approach each other there are transmitting branches and receiving branches. The transmitting branches additionally transmit signals along the conductors and increase the coupling between the transmitting conductors and the receiving conductors.

Description

FLOURISH TAXEL

[0001] This application includes material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

FIELD

[0002] The disclosed systems relate in general to the field of sensing, and in particular to a method and system that is able to provide information via capacitive sensing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0003] The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the disclosure will be apparent from the following more particular description of embodiments as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the various views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating principles of the disclosed embodiments. [0004] FIG. 1 is a high level block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a sensor device.

[0005] FIG. 2 shows a diagram of the transmitting conductors of a touch sensitive device that implements a flourish taxel for a sensing device.

[0006] FIG. 3 shows a diagram of the receiving conductors of a touch sensitive device that implements a flourish taxel for a sensing device.

[0007] FIG. 4 shows both the transmitting and receiving conductors of a touch sensitive device implementing a flourish taxel for a sensing device.

[0008] FIG. 5 is a close up view of flourish taxels for a sensing device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0009] As used herein, and especially within the claims, ordinal terms such as first and second are not intended, in and of themselves, to imply sequence, time or uniqueness, but rather, are used to distinguish one claimed construct from another. In some uses where the context dictates, these terms may imply that the first and second are unique. For example, where an event occurs at a first time, and another event occurs at a second time, there is no intended implication that the first time occurs before the second time, after the second time or simultaneously with the second time. However, where the further limitation that the second time is after the first time is presented in the claim, the context would require reading the first time and the second time to be unique times. Similarly, where the context so dictates or permits, ordinal terms are intended to be broadly construed so that the two identified claim constructs can be of the same characteristic or of different characteristics. Thus, for example, a first and a second frequency, absent further limitation, could be the same frequency, e.g., the first frequency being 10 Mhz and the second frequency being 10 Mhz; or could be different frequencies, e.g., the first frequency being 10 Mhz and the second frequency being 11 Mhz. Context may dictate otherwise, for example, where a first and a second frequency are further limited to being frequency-orthogonal to each other, in which case, they could not be the same frequency.

[0010] The present application contemplates various embodiments of sensors designed for implementation in sensing systems. The sensor configurations described herein are suited for use with frequency-orthogonal signaling techniques (see, e.g., U.S. Patent Nos. 9,019,224 and 9,529,476, and U.S. Patent No. 9,811 ,214, all of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference). The sensor configurations discussed herein may be used with other signal techniques, including scanning or time division techniques, and/or code division techniques. Furthermore, the sensors described and illustrated herein are suitable for use in connection with signal infusion (also referred to as signal injection) techniques and apparatuses. Signal infusion is a technique in which a signal is transmitted to a person, that signal being capable of travelling on, within and through the person. In an embodiment, an infused signal causes the object of infusion (e.g., a hand, finger, arm or entire person) to become a transmitter of the signal.

[0011] The presently disclosed systems and methods further involve principles related to and for designing, manufacturing and using capacitive based sensors and capacitive based sensors that employ a multiplexing scheme based on orthogonal signaling such as, but not limited to, frequency-division multiplexing (FDM), code-division multiplexing (CDM), or a hybrid modulation technique that combines both FDM and CDM methods. References to frequency herein could also refer to other orthogonal signal bases. As such, this application incorporates by reference Applicants’ prior U.S. Patent No. 9,019,224, entitled “Low-Latency Touch Sensitive Device” and U.S. Patent No. 9,158,411 entitled “Fast Multi-Touch Post Processing.” These applications contemplate FDM, CDM, or FDM/CDM hybrid touch sensors having concepts that are germane to and able to be used in connection with the presently disclosed sensors. In the aforementioned sensors, interactions are sensed when a signal from a transmitting conductor is coupled (increased) or decoupled (decreased) to a receiving conductor and the result detected from that receiving conductor. By sequentially exciting the transmitting conductors and measuring the coupling of the excitation signal at the receiving conductors, a heatmap reflecting capacitance changes of the sensor, and thus proximity to the sensor, can be created. The entire disclosure of these patents and applications incorporated therein by reference are incorporated herein by reference.

[0012] This application also employs principles used in fast multi-touch sensors and other interfaces disclosed in the following: U.S. Patent Nos. 9,933,880; 9,019,224; 9,811 ,214; 9,804,721 ; 9,710,113; 9,158,411 ; 10,191 ,579; 10,386,975; 10,175,772; 10,528,201. Familiarity with the disclosure, concepts and nomenclature within these patents is presumed. The entire disclosure of these patents and applications incorporated therein by reference are incorporated herein by reference. This application also employs principles used in fast multi-touch sensors and other interfaces disclosed in the following: U.S. patent applications; 15/195,675; 15/904,953; 15/905,465; 15/943,221 ; 16/102,185; 62/540,458, 62/575,005, 62/621 ,117, 62/619,656 and PCT publication PCT/US2017/050547, familiarity with the disclosures, concepts and nomenclature therein is presumed. The entire disclosure of those applications and the applications incorporated therein by reference are incorporated herein by reference.

[0013] Certain principles of a fast multi-touch (FMT) sensor have been disclosed in the patent applications discussed above. Orthogonal signals may be transmitted into a plurality of transmitting antennas (or conductors) and information may be received by receivers attached to a plurality of receiving antennas (or conductors). In an embodiment, receivers “sample” the signal present on the receiving antennas (or conductors) during a sampling period (T). In an embodiment, signals (e.g., the sampled signals) are then analyzed by a signal processor. In an embodiment where the orthogonal signals are frequency orthogonal, spacing between the orthogonal frequencies, Af, is at least the reciprocal of the measurement period , the measurement period being equal to the period during which the receiving conductors are sampled. Thus, in an embodiment, the received at a receiving conductor may be measured for one millisecond ( ) using frequency spacing (Af) of one kilohertz (i.e. , Af = 1 /T).

[0014] In an embodiment, the signal processor of a mixed signal integrated circuit (or a downstream component or software) is adapted to determine at least one value representing each frequency orthogonal signal transmitted. In an embodiment, the signal processor of the mixed signal integrated circuit (or a downstream component or software) performs a Fourier transform on the signals received. In an embodiment, the mixed signal integrated circuit is adapted to digitize received signals. In an embodiment, the mixed signal integrated circuit (or a downstream component or software) is adapted to digitize the signals present on the receive conductor or antenna and perform a discrete Fourier transform (DFT) on the digitized information. In an embodiment, the mixed signal integrated circuit (or a downstream component or software) is adapted to digitize the signals present on the received conductor or antenna and perform a Fast Fourier transform (FFT) on the digitized information -- an FFT being one type of discrete Fourier transform.

[0015] It will be apparent to a person of skill in the art in view of this disclosure that a DFT, in essence, treats the sequence of digital samples (e.g., window) taken during a sampling period (e.g., integration period) as though it repeats. As a consequence, signals that are not center frequencies (i.e., not integer multiples of the reciprocal of the integration period (which reciprocal defines the minimum frequency spacing)), may have relatively nominal, but unintended consequence of contributing small values into other DFT bins. Thus, it will also be apparent to a person of skill in the art in view of this disclosure that the term orthogonal as used herein is not “violated” by such small contributions. In other words, as the term frequency orthogonal is used herein, two signals are considered frequency orthogonal if substantially all of the contribution of one signal to the DFT bins is made to different DFT bins than substantially all of the contribution of the other signal.

[0016] When sampling, in an embodiment, received signals are sampled at at least 1 MHz. In an embodiment, received signals are sampled at at least 2 MHz. In an embodiment, received signals are sampled at at least 4 Mhz. In an embodiment, received signals are sampled at 4.096 Mhz. In an embodiment, received signals are sampled at more than 4 MHz. To achieve kHz sampling, for example, 4096 samples may be taken at 4.096 MHz. In such an embodiment, the integration period is 1 millisecond, which per the constraint that the frequency spacing should be greater than or equal to the reciprocal of the integration period provides a minimum frequency spacing of 1 KHz. (It will be apparent to one of skill in the art in view of this disclosure that taking 4096 samples at e.g., 4 MHz would yield an integration period slightly longer than a millisecond, and not achieving kHz sampling, and a minimum frequency spacing of 976.5625 Hz.) In an embodiment, the frequency spacing is equal to the reciprocal of the integration period. In such an embodiment, the maximum frequency of a frequency-orthogonal signal range should be less than 2 MHz. In such an embodiment, the practical maximum frequency of a frequency-orthogonal signal range should be less than about 40% of the sampling rate, or about 1 .6 MHz. In an embodiment, a DFT (which could be an FFT) is used to transform the digitized received signals into bins of information, each reflecting the frequency of a frequency-orthogonal signal transmitted which may have been transmitted by the transmitting antenna. In an embodiment 2048 bins correspond to frequencies from 1 KHz to about 2 MHz. It will be apparent to a person of skill in the art in view of this disclosure that these examples are simply that, exemplary. Depending on the needs of a system, and subject to the constraints described above, the sample rate may be increased or decreased, the integration period may be adjusted, the frequency range may be adjusted, etc.

[0017] In an embodiment, a DFT (which can be an FFT) output comprises a bin for each frequency-orthogonal signal that is transmitted. In an embodiment, each DFT (which can be an FFT) bin comprises an in-phase (I) and quadrature (Q) component. In an embodiment, the sum of the squares of the I and Q components is used as a measure corresponding to signal strength for that bin. In an embodiment, the square root of the sum of the squares of the I and Q components is used as measure corresponding to signal strength for that bin.

[0018] In various embodiments, the present disclosure is directed to systems (e.g., objects, panels or keyboards) sensitive to hover, contact and pressure and their applications in real-world, artificial reality, virtual reality and augmented reality settings. It will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the disclosures herein apply generally to all types of systems using fast multi-touch to detect hover, contact and pressure. In an embodiment, the present system and method can be applied to keyboards, including but not limited to membrane keyboards, dome-switch keyboards, scissor-switch keyboards, capacitive keyboards, mechanical-switch keyboards, bucklingspring keyboards, hall-effect keyboards, laser projection keyboard, roll-up keyboards, and optical keyboard technology. In an embodiment, the present system and method can be applied to displays, vehicle seats, components in a vehicle, and surfaces within a vehicle. [0019] Throughout this disclosure, the terms “touch”, “touches”, “touch event”, “contact”, “contacts”, “hover”, or “hovers” or other descriptors may be used to describe events or periods of time in which a user’s finger, a stylus, an object, or a body part is detected by a sensor. In some sensors, detections occur only when the user is in physical contact with a sensor, or a device in which it is embodied. In some embodiments, and as generally denoted by the word “contact”, these detections occur as a result of physical contact with a sensor, or a device in which it is embodied. In other embodiments, and as sometimes generally referred to by the term “hover”, the sensor may be tuned to allow for the detection of “touches” that are hovering at a distance above the touch surface or otherwise separated from the sensor device and causes a recognizable change, despite the fact that the conductive or capacitive object, e.g., a finger, is not in actual physical contact with the surface. Therefore, the use of language within this description that implies reliance upon sensed physical contact should not be taken to mean that the techniques described apply only to those embodiments; indeed, nearly all, if not all, of what is described herein would apply equally to “contact” and “hover”, each of which is a “touch”. Generally, as used herein, the word “hover” refers to non-contact touch events or touch, and as used herein the term “hover” is one type of “touch” in the sense that “touch” is intended herein. Thus, as used herein, the phrase “touch event” and the word “touch” when used as a noun include a near touch and a near touch event, or any other gesture that can be identified using a sensor. “Pressure” refers to the force per unit area exerted by a user contact (e.g., presses by their fingers or hand) against the surface of an object. The amount of “pressure” is similarly a measure of “contact”, i.e., “touch”. “Touch” refers to the states of “hover”, “contact”, “pressure”, or “grip”, whereas a lack of “touch” is generally identified by signals being below a threshold for accurate measurement by the sensor. In accordance with an embodiment, touch events may be detected, processed, and supplied to downstream computational processes with very low latency, e.g., on the order of ten milliseconds or less, or on the order of less than one millisecond.

[0020] FIG. 1 illustrates certain principles of a fast multi-touch sensor 100 in accordance with an embodiment. At 200, a different signal is transmitted into each of the transmitting conductors 201 of the touch surface 400. The signals are designed to be “orthogonal”, i.e., separable and distinguishable from each other. At 300, a receiver is attached to each receiving conductor 301. The transmitting conductors 201 and the receiving conductors 301 are conductors/antennas that are able to transmit and/or receive signals. The receiver is designed to receive any of the transmitted signals, or an arbitrary combination of them, with or without other signals and/or noise, and to individually determine a measure, e.g., a quantity for each of the orthogonal transmitted signals present on that receiving conductor 301 . The touch surface 400 of the sensor comprises a series of transmitting conductors 201 and receiving conductors 301 (not all shown), along which the orthogonal signals can propagate. In an embodiment, the transmitting conductors 201 and receiving conductors 301 are designed so that, when they are not subject to a touch event, a lower or negligible amount of signal is coupled between them, whereas, when they are subject to a touch event, a higher or non- negligible amount of signal is coupled between them. In an embodiment, the opposite could hold - having the lesser amount of signal represent a touch event, and the greater amount of signal represent a lack of touch. Because the touch sensor ultimately detects touch due to a change in the coupling, it is not of specific importance, except for reasons that may otherwise be apparent to a particular embodiment, whether the touch-related coupling causes an increase in amount of transmitting signal present on the receiving or a decrease in the amount of transmitting signal present on the receiving. As discussed above, the touch, or touch event does not require a physical touching, but rather an event that affects the level of coupled signal.

[0021] With continued reference to FIG. 1 , generally, the capacitive result of a touch event in the proximity of both a transmitting conductor 201 and receiving conductor 301 may cause a non-negligible change in the amount of signal present on the transmitting to be coupled to the receiving. More generally, touch events cause, and thus correspond to, the received signals on the receiving conductors 301 . Because the signals on the transmitting conductors 201 are orthogonal, multiple transmitting signals can be coupled to a receiving conductor 301 and distinguished by the receiver. Likewise, the signals on each transmitting conductor 201 can be coupled to multiple receiving conductors 301. For each receiving conductor 301 coupled to a given transmitting conductor 201 (and regardless of whether the coupling causes an increase or decrease in the transmitting signal to be present on the receiving), the signals found on the receiving conductor 301 contain information that will indicate which transmitting conductors 201 are being touched simultaneously with that receiving conductor 301 . The quantity of each signal received is generally related to the amount of coupling between the receiving conductor 301 and the transmitting conductor 201 carrying the corresponding signal, and thus, may indicate a distance of the touching object to the surface, an area of the surface covered by the touch and/or the pressure of the touch.

[0022] When a transmitting conductor 201 and receiving conductor 301 are touched simultaneously, some of the signal that is present on the transmitting conductor 201 is coupled into the corresponding receiving conductor 301 (the coupling may cause an increase or decrease of the transmitting signal on the receiving conductor 301 ). (As discussed above, the term touch or touched does not require actual physical contact, but rather, relative proximity.) Indeed, in various implementations of a touch device, physical contact with the transmitting conductors 201 and/or receiving conductors 301 is unlikely as there may be a protective barrier between the transmitting conductors 201 and/or receiving conductors 301 and the finger or other object of touch. Moreover, generally, the transmitting conductors 201 and receiving conductors 301 themselves are not in touch with each other, but rather, placed in a proximity that allows an amount of signal to be coupled there-between, and that amount changes (positively or negatively) with touch. Generally, the transmitting-receiving coupling results not from actual contact between them, nor by actual contact from the finger or other object of touch, but rather, by the capacitive effect of bringing the finger (or other object) into close proximity - which close proximity resulting in a capacitive effect is referred to herein as touch.

[0023] The nature of the transmitting conductors 201 and receiving conductors 301 is arbitrary and the particular orientation is irrelevant. Indeed, the terms transmitting conductor 201 and receiving conductor 301 are not intended to refer to a square grid, but rather to a set of conductors upon which signal is transmitted (transmitting conductors) and a set of conductors onto which signal may be coupled (receiving conductor). (The notion that signals are transmitted on transmitting conductors 201 and received on receiving conductors 301 itself is arbitrary, and signals could as easily be transmitted on conductors arbitrarily designated receiving conductors and received on conductors arbitrarily named transmitting conductors, or both could arbitrarily be named something else. Further, it is not necessary that the transmitting conductors 201 and receiving conductors 301 be in a grid. Other shapes are possible as long as a touch event will touch part of a “transmitting conductor” and part of a “receiving conductor”, and cause some form of coupling. For example, the “transmitting conductors” could be in concentric circles and the “receiving conductors” could be spokes radiating out from the center. And neither the “transmitting conductors” nor the “receiving conductors” need to follow any geometric or spatial pattern, thus, for example, the keys on the keyboard could be arbitrarily connected to form transmitting conductors and receiving conductors (related or unrelated to their relative positions.) Moreover, it is not necessary for there to be only two types of signal propagation channels: instead of transmitting conductors and receiving conductors, in an embodiment, channels “A”, “B” and “C” may be provided, where signals transmitted on “A” could be received on “B” and “C”, or, in an embodiment, signals transmitted on “A” and “B” could be received on “C”. It is also possible that the signal propagation channels can alternate function, sometimes supporting transmitters and sometimes supporting receivers. It is also contemplated that the signal propagation channels can simultaneously support transmitters and receivers - provided that the signals transmitted are orthogonal, and thus separable, from the signals received. Three or more types of antenna conductors may be used rather than just “transmitting conductors” and “receiving conductors.” Many alternative embodiments are possible and will be apparent to a person of skill in the art after considering this disclosure.

[0024] As noted above, in an embodiment the touch surface 400 comprises a series of transmitting conductors 201 and receiving conductors 301 , along which signals can propagate. As discussed above, the transmitting conductors 201 and receiving conductors 301 are designed so that, when they are not being touched, one amount of signal is coupled between them, and when they are being touched, another amount of signal is coupled between them. The change in signal coupled between them may be generally proportional or inversely proportional (although not necessarily linearly proportional) to the touch such that touch is less of a yes-no question, and more of a gradation, permitting distinction between more touch (i.e., closer or firmer) and less touch (i.e., farther or softer) - and even no touch. Moreover, a different signal is transmitted into each of the transmitting conductors. In an embodiment, each of these different signals are orthogonal (i.e., separable and distinguishable) from one another. When a transmitting conductor and receiving conductor are touched simultaneously, a signal that is present on the transmitting conductor is coupled (positively or negatively), causing more or less to appear in the corresponding receiving. The quantity of the signal that is coupled onto a receiving conductor may be related to the proximity, pressure or area of touch. [0025] At 300, a receiver is attached to each receiving conductor 301 . The receiver is designed to receive the signals present on the receiving conductors 301 , including any of the orthogonal signals, or an arbitrary combination of the orthogonal signals, and any noise or other signals present. Generally, the receiver is designed to receive a frame of signals present on the receiving conductor 301 , and to identify the receiving conductor providing the signal. In an embodiment, the receiver (or a signal processor associated with the receiver data) may determine a measure associated with the quantity of each of the orthogonal transmitted signals present on that receiving conductor 301 during the time the frame of signals was captured. In this manner, in addition to identifying the transmitting conductors 201 in touch with each receiving conductor 301 , the receiver can provide additional (e.g., qualitative) information concerning the touch. In general, touch events may correspond (or inversely correspond) to the received signals on the receiving conductors 301 . For each receiving conductor 301 , the different signals received thereon indicate which of the corresponding transmitting conductors 201 is being touched simultaneously with that receiving conductor 301. In an embodiment, the amount of coupling between the corresponding transmitting conductor 201 and receiving conductor 301 may indicate e.g., the area of the surface covered by the touch, the pressure of the touch, etc. In an embodiment, a change in coupling over time between the corresponding transmitting conductor 201 and receiving conductor 301 indicates a change in touch at the intersection of the two.

[0026] The transmitting conductor 201 and receiving conductor 301 setup shown in FIG. 1 provides the framework for the discussion related to the capacitively coupled conductor arrangements discussed below. In FIGs. 2-5, implementations of transmitting conductors and receiving conductors are shown that implement a particular type of “taxel.” A taxel is a part of the touch sensitive device that is able to detect touch events. However, it should be understood that touch events can be detected capacitively across the touch sensitive device, the taxel, is that portion of the touch sensitive device that corresponds to where events proximate to its location result in a touch event. For example, in FIG. 1 the taxel corresponded to where the transmitting and receiving conductor intersected. However, in some embodiments, taxels refer to areas where conductors approach each other so that a touch event proximate to one conductor is able to be determined by the other conductor. [0027] In various embodiments discussed herein, the present disclosure is directed to touch sensitive devices that implement taxels as discussed herein. Referring now to FIGs. 2-5, shown are diagrams of transmitting conductors 251 and receiving conductors 351 that form flourish taxels 450 for a touch sensitive device 150. In an embodiment, a frequency orthogonal signal is transmitted down each of the transmitting conductors 251 where each of the frequency orthogonal signals is frequency orthogonal to each other.

[0028] Still referring to FIGs. 2-5, each of the flourish taxels 450 is formed when a portion of the transmitting conductor 251 and a portion of the receiving conductor 351 approach each other. The transmitting conductor 251 and the receiving conductor 351 approach each other and form a pin-wheel like pattern when viewed from above. This is accomplished by the transmitting conductor 251 being jagged in shape and the receiving conductor 351 being jagged in shape. Additionally the flourish taxel 450 is additionally formed with transmitting branches 252 and receiving branches 352. The transmitting branches 252 are oriented in the same direction as the receiving conductors 351 while the receiving branches 352 are oriented in the direction as the transmitting conductors 251.

[0029] Referring to FIG. 2, each transmitting conductor 251 extends in a horizontal direction (with reference to FIG. 2) and periodically extends in a direction different than parallel to the horizontal direction, for example, extending vertically downwards then upwards (still in reference to FIG. 2). In the middle of the upward direction of the transmitting conductor 251 , transmitting branches 252 are located so that they are oriented in a vertical direction.

[0030] Referring to FIG. 3, each receiving conductor 351 extends in a vertical direction (with reference to FIG. 3) and periodically extends in a direction different than parallel to the vertical direction, for example, extending horizontally to the left then to the right (still in reference to FIG. 3). In the middle of the rightward direction of the receiving conductor 351 , receiving branches 352 are located so that they are oriented in a horizontal direction.

[0031] In an embodiment a signal is transmitted on each of the transmitting conductors 251 and the transmitting branches 252. This increases the total surface area of the touch sensitive device 150 on which the touch event is measured and the size of the taxel 450. A touch event proximate to the transmitting branches 252 is able to be coupled to the receiving conductors 351 . Further, a touch event is additionally able to be coupled to the receiving branches 352 via the transmitting conductors 251 .

[0032] In an embodiment, signals are transmitted on both the receiving conductors and the transmitting conductors. In an embodiment signals are transmitted on both the transmitting branches and the receiving branches. In an embodiment the transmitting and receiving conductors form a grid and the transmitting and receiving branches extend at diagonals at the intersections of the transmitting conductors and receiving conductors. In an embodiment, there are more than two transmitting branches extending from each intersection and more than two receiving branches extending from each intersection. In an embodiment, the transmitting branches and the receiving branches are not straight and have bends. In an embodiment, each of the transmitting branches and the receiving branches bend towards each of the respective transmitting and receiving conductors.

[0033] The flourish taxel 450 is able to determine touch events with higher fidelity than the taxels without the transmitting branches and the receiving branches. At lower frequency levels there is better fidelity with the baseline noise, touch delta response and baseline coupling.

[0034] In an embodiment, the flourish taxel is used in a sensing system located within a vehicle seat. In an embodiment, the flourish taxel is used in a sensing system located within a car seat. In an embodiment, the flourish taxel is used in a sensing system located within a garment. In an embodiment, the flourish taxel is located in a sensing system in a fabric or material that is used to form a seat or a garment. In an embodiment, the flourish taxel is located in a sensing system located in components of a vehicle. In an embodiment, the flourish taxel is located in sensing systems implemented along with other sensing modalities within a vehicle. In embodiment, the flourish taxel is implemented in sensing systems along with other sensing modalities within a seat.

[0035] An aspect of the disclosure is a touch sensitive device. The touch sensitive device comprising a first plurality of conductors adapted to transmit a plurality of signals on each of the first plurality of conductors; a second plurality of conductors adapted to receive signals transmitted on the first plurality of conductors; and a plurality of conductor branches adapted to transmit the plurality of signals located proximate to where at least some of the first plurality of conductors approach at least some of the second plurality of conductors. [0036] Another aspect of the disclosure is a touch sensitive device. The touch sensitive device comprising a first plurality of conductors adapted to transmit a plurality of signals on each of the first plurality of conductors; a second plurality of conductors adapted to receive signals transmitted on the first plurality of conductors; a first plurality of conductor branches adapted to transmit the plurality of signals located proximate to where at least some of the first plurality of conductors approach at least some of the second plurality of conductors; and a second plurality of conductor branches extending from the second plurality of conductors.

[0037] While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1 . A touch sensitive device, comprising: a first plurality of conductors adapted to transmit a plurality of signals on each of the first plurality of conductors; a second plurality of conductors adapted to receive signals transmitted on the first plurality of conductors; and a plurality of conductor branches adapted to transmit the plurality of signals located proximate to where at least some of the first plurality of conductors approach at least some of the second plurality of conductors.

2. The touch sensitive device of claim 1 , wherein at least some of the plurality of conductor branches extend from at least some of the first plurality of conductors.

3. The touch sensitive device of claim 2, wherein the at least some of the plurality of conductor branches extending from the at least some of the first plurality of conductors extend in the same direction as the second plurality of conductors.

4. The touch sensitive device of claim 2, wherein at least some of the plurality of conductor branches extend from at least some of the second plurality of conductors.

5. The touch sensitive device of claim 4, wherein the at least some of the plurality of conductor branches extending from the at least some of the second plurality of conductors extend in the same direction as the first plurality of conductors.

6. The touch sensitive device of claim 1 , wherein at least some of the plurality of conductor branches extend from at least some of the first plurality of conductors and at least some of the second plurality of conductors.

7. The touch sensitive device of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of signals transmitted is frequency orthogonal to each other of the plurality of signals transmitted during an integration period.

8. The touch sensitive device of claim 1 , wherein each of the first plurality of conductors has a zig-zag like pattern.

9. The touch sensitive device of claim 1 , wherein each of the second plurality of conductors has a zig-zag like pattern.

10. The touch sensitive device of claim 1 , further comprising another plurality of branch conductors having no signals transmitted thereon.

11. A touch sensitive device, comprising: a first plurality of conductors adapted to transmit a plurality of signals on each of the first plurality of conductors; a second plurality of conductors adapted to receive signals transmitted on the first plurality of conductors; a first plurality of conductor branches adapted to transmit the plurality of signals located proximate to where at least some of the first plurality of conductors approach at least some of the second plurality of conductors; and a second plurality of conductor branches extending from the second plurality of conductors.

12. The touch sensitive device of claim 11 , wherein the first plurality of conductors extend from at least some of the first plurality of conductors.

13. The touch sensitive device of claim 12, wherein the first plurality of conductor branches extending from the at least some of the first plurality of conductors extend in the same direction as the second plurality of conductors.

14. The touch sensitive device of claim 13, wherein the at least some of the second plurality of conductor branches extending from the second plurality of conductors extend in the same direction as the first plurality of conductors.

15. The touch sensitive device of claim 11 , wherein each of the plurality of signals transmitted is frequency orthogonal to each other of the plurality of signals transmitted during an integration period.

16. The touch sensitive device of claim 11 , wherein each of the first plurality of conductors has a zig-zag like pattern.

17. The touch sensitive device of claim 11 , wherein each of the second plurality of conductors has a zig-zag like pattern.