Method and system for extending the lifespan of a touch screen assembly

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention recite a method and system for extending the lifespan of a touch screen assembly. In one embodiment, a signal is received indicating an input pressure is being applied to a touch screen assembly. It is then determined that the input pressure comprises a valid input event and the coordinates of the valid input event are received from the touch screen assembly.

1 . A method for extending the lifespan of a touch screen assembly, said method comprising:
 receiving an analog signal indicating an input pressure is being applied to a touch screen assembly;   determining said input pressure is at least equal to a programmable threshold voltage; and   determining said input pressure comprises a valid input event.   
   
   
       2 . The method as recited in  claim 1  further comprising:
 determining a voltage output from an analog multiplexer coupled with said touch screen assembly.   
   
   
       3 . The method as recited in  claim 2  further comprising:
 comparing said voltage with said programmable threshold voltage.   
   
   
       4 . The method as recited in  claim 3  further comprising:
 determining that said analog signal indicates a valid input event based upon said comparing.   
   
   
       5 . The method as recited in  claim 4  further comprising:
 initiating a signal that said input pressure comprises said valid input event based upon said determining that said voltage is at least equal to said programmable threshold voltage.   
   
   
       6 . The method as recited in  claim 6  further comprising:
 determining the coordinates of said valid input event on said touch screen assembly in response to said signal.   
   
   
       7 . The method as recited in  claim 1  wherein said method further comprises:
 receiving said analog signal from a touch screen assembly device disposed in a handheld electronic device.   
   
   
       8 . A system for extending the lifespan of a touch screen assembly, said system comprising:
 a bus   a touch screen assembly coupled with said bus;   an analog multiplexer/demultiplexer coupled with said touch screen assembly; and   a controller coupled with said bus, said controller for determining that a pressure exerted on said touch screen assembly device is at least equal to a programmable threshold voltage.   
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 8  wherein said touch screen assembly outputs an analog signal in response to said pressure being exerted. 
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 8  further comprising:
 a sensing circuit coupled with an output from said analog multiplexer/demultiplexer, said sensing circuit for determining a voltage generated by said analog multiplexer/demultiplexer in response to said pressure exerted on said touch screen assembly.   
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 10  further comprising:
 a comparator for accessing said voltage determined by said sensing circuit and for comparing said voltage with said programmable threshold voltage.   
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 11  wherein said comparator is further for initiating a signal indicating that said pressure comprises a valid input event. 
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 12  wherein said controller subsequently determines the coordinates of said pressure based upon said signal. 
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 8  wherein said bus, said touch screen assembly, said controller and said analog multiplexer/demultiplexer are disposed in a handheld electronic device. 
   
   
       15 . A method for extending the lifespan of a touch screen assembly, said method comprising:
 receiving an interrupt which indicates that an input pressure is being applied to a touch screen assembly;   determining that said input pressure comprises a valid input event; and   receiving the coordinates of said valid input event from said touch screen assembly.   
   
   
       16 . The method as recited in  claim 15  further comprising:
 determining a voltage output from an analog multiplexer coupled with said touch screen assembly.   
   
   
       17 . The method as recited in  claim 16  further comprising:
 executing a sub-routine for determining whether said input pressure comprises said valid input event.   
   
   
       18 . The method as recited in  claim 17  wherein said sub-routine further comprises:
 accessing said voltage output by said analog multiplexor/demultiplexor;   accessing a programmable threshold voltage; and   comparing said voltage with said programmable threshold voltage.   
   
   
       19 . The method as recited in  claim 18  wherein said sub-routine further comprises:
 determining that said voltage is at least equal to said programmable threshold voltage.   
   
   
       20 . The method as recited in  claim 19  wherein said sub-routine further comprises:
 initiating a signal that said input pressure comprises said valid input event based upon said determining that said voltage is at least equal to said programmable threshold voltage.