| Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
|---|
| 341033000 | Capacitive actuation | 37 |
| 20080224900 | CAPACITIVE SWITCH - An input key and a detection circuit are not directly connected but are connected via a first capacitor. This prevents electrostatic noise obtained by the input key from directly entering the detection circuit, thereby protecting the detection circuit. Further, a first coupling line adapted to establish a connection between the input key and one of a pair of counter electrodes and a second coupling line adapted to establish a connection between the other counter electrode and the detection circuit are surrounded by ground electrodes. Thus, the effect of electrostatic noise is suppressed to provide a stable operation of the capacitive switch. | 09-18-2008 |
| 20080278355 | INTRUSION DETECTION USING A CAPACITANCE SENSITIVE TOUCHPAD - A capacitance sensitive proximity and touch-sensitive detection device having an XY electrode grid sensor, wherein a compensation matrix is created when the capacitance sensitive touchpad is installed within a PIN Entry Device (PED), wherein the compensation matrix enables the capacitance sensitive touchpad to compensate and be balanced for the operating environment of the PED, and wherein physical keys of a keypad can be also be individually identified as an actuated key by using a unique “key profile” for each key, and wherein the insertion of a foreign conductive and/or dielectric material such as an intruding sensor in proximity of the XY electrode grid sensor of the touchpad will cause an imbalance in the electrodes on the capacitance sensitive proximity and touch-sensitive detection device, thereby alerting detection circuitry that tampering has occurred with the PED. | 11-13-2008 |
| 20090002205 | DATA INPUT DEVICE AND PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE - Embodiments include a data input device and a portable electronic device including such a data input device. The data input device may include a key sensing mechanism and a solid material layer provided above the key sensing mechanism. The solid material layer may include a least one cavity that may go through the whole of the solid material layer. The cavity may include an electroactive polymer and two electrodes for providing a key that may be changed in shape based on an applied voltage. One embodiment may also allows the registering of inputs in the key sensing mechanism based on a user pressing down the electroactive polymer on the key sensing mechanism. | 01-01-2009 |
| 20090002206 | Noise resistant capacitive sensor - A switch capacitor unit for implementing a capacitive sensor includes a charging switch, a charge transfer switch, and a first switch. The charging switch is coupled between a first supply voltage and a circuit node to selectively couple a sensing capacitor to the first supply voltage through the circuit node. The charge transfer switch is coupled between the circuit node and a first terminal of a second capacitor to selectively couple the sensing capacitor through the circuit node to the second capacitor. The first switch is coupled between the circuit node and a second terminal of the second capacitor to selectively couple the second terminal to the sensing capacitor through the circuit node. | 01-01-2009 |
| 20090115645 | CONTROL UNIT FOR DOMESTIC APPLIANCES - A control unit comprising a light guide is formed and positioned in a circuit board for providing visual indication to a user of an appliance, such as a cooktop. The light guide receives light from a source, typically in the form of an LED on the circuit board, typically positioned laterally to the light guide, and the light guide receives and directs the light to the user. In some embodiments, the light guide is positioned behind a cover, which may have indicia thereon for providing operating information to the user. Portions of the light guide may be coated with an electrically conductive coating so as to also form a portion of a capacitance touch switch for detecting user input for controlling operation of the appliance. | 05-07-2009 |
| 20090128374 | DETERMINING ACTUATION OF MULTI-SENSOR-ELECTRODE CAPACITIVE BUTTONS - Methods for determining actuation of a capacitive button are described. In some embodiments, indicia from the at least three distinct sensor electrodes associated with at least three sensor electrode elements comprising the capacitive button are received, the indicia indicative of interaction of an input object with the at least three distinct sensor electrodes. The actuation of the capacitive button is then determined, based at least in part on satisfying a set of criteria comprising: a location condition concerning a location of the input object relative to a center of the capacitive button, and a coupling condition concerning a change in capacitive coupling of the at least three distinct sensor electrodes associated with the at least three sensor electrode elements comprising the capacitive button. | 05-21-2009 |
| 20090135031 | Armored Capacitive Keypad - An apparatus and method for detecting a key press using an armored capacitive keypad device. The device consists of two interdigitated electrodes, located behind a protective metal plate, and separated by an insulating gap or material. An electronic driver circuit sends a signal to one of the electrodes and senses the change in signal with the proximity of a finger to the key. The driver is calibrated with the metal plate in place such that the finger can be sensed through the metal plate. The device is tamper resistant and provides some immunity to external electromagnetic interference as well. | 05-28-2009 |
| 20090160682 | CAPACITIVE SENSING DEVICE FOR USE IN A KEYPAD ASSEMBLY - One embodiment in accordance with the present invention includes a capacitive sensing device for use in a keypad assembly of an electronic system. The capacitive sensing device includes a substantially transparent single sheet capacitive sensor. The substantially transparent single sheet capacitive sensor is configured to be disposed within the keypad assembly without requiring the formation of key post holes therethrough. Additionally, the substantially transparent single sheet capacitive sensor has a flexibility which enables desired tactile response during use of keys of the keypad assembly. | 06-25-2009 |
| 20090251339 | INFORMATION COMMUNICATION APPARATUS AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING INFORMATION COMMUNICATION APPARATUS - An information communication apparatus includes: an electrostatic panel unit that is at least provided with an electrostatically chargeable panel surface; a capacitance detection unit that detects a capacitance variation of the panel surface to detect a location at which an object substantially contacts the panel surface; an electric field communication unit that uses the panel surface as an electrostatic field antenna to carry out electrostatic field communication; a connection switching unit that selectively connects any one of the capacitance detection unit and the electric field communication unit to the electrostatic panel unit; and a control unit that controls the connection switching unit to connect the electrostatic panel unit to the capacitance detection unit at the time of detecting a location at which an object contacts the panel surface and to connect the electrostatic panel unit to the electric field communication unit at the time of the electrostatic field communication. | 10-08-2009 |
| 20090278714 | CAPACITIVE BUTTON DEVICE - The present invention discloses a capacitive button device, comprising: a signal input unit, a first amplifier, a first switching unit, a second amplifier, a second switching unit, an analog-to-digital converting unit, a third switching unit, a data output unit, a data storage unit and a digital-to-analog converting unit. Thereby, the present invention overcomes the problem due to poor resolution of conventional capacitive buttons and can be used with touch panels. Moreover, the digital-to-analog converting unit is downsized with improved resolution and reduced cost in design and fabrication. | 11-12-2009 |
| 20090284398 | SENSING APPARATUS AND SCAN DRIVING METHOD THEREOF - A sensing apparatus and a scan driving method thereof are provided. The sensing apparatus includes first and second electrodes, a sensing element array, first and second electrode scan driving circuits and a control circuit. The sensing element array outputs at least one first inductive voltage after being touched. The first electrode scan driving circuit sequentially scans and drives the first electrodes, wherein the driven first electrode is set to a high level output state and the first electrode not being driven is set to a low level output state or a grounding state. The second electrode scan driving circuit sequentially scans and drives the second electrodes, wherein the driven second electrode is set to high impedance (input) state, and the second electrode not being driven is set to a low level output state or the grounding state. The control circuit controls the first and second electrode scan driving circuits. | 11-19-2009 |
| 20090289818 | CAPACITIVE KEYBOARD DEVICE WITH A KEYSTROKE TRIGGERING THRESHOLD ADAPTIVELY ADJUSTABLE CAPABILITY - A capacitive keyboard device with a keystroke triggering threshold adaptively adjustable capability is proposed, which is designed for integration to an electronic unit, such as PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) computers, mobile phone unit, and calculator, for use as a data input device for the electronic unit. The proposed capacitive keyboard device is characterized by the operation of a triggering threshold adaptive adjustment function that can adaptively adjust the keystroke triggering threshold of the capacitive keyboard device in response to the user's habitual key-pressing action during each use, which also takes account of all internal factors (such as decay of the capacitor structure) and external factors (such as physical characteristics of the user's fingers). This feature allows the capacitive keyboard device to be reliable in operation for long period of use. | 11-26-2009 |
| 20100033354 | TOUCH SENSITIVE DEVICE - A sensitive precision detector to sense user given control input in terms of activation on a cover plate by moving the finger with an easy touch, or with a force vertically or with a force in circular or elliptical movements on the surface of the cover plate. The precision detector is configured as a structure having the cover plate made in a conducting material. A first member constitutes the cover plate which is pre-processed to have a certain ability to be depressed along the Z-axis upon activation from a finger touch. The first member constitutes the one electrode of a capacitor and having the second member as the other electrode of the capacitor. Change in the capacitance is detected upon activation with a force provided on the cover plate. | 02-11-2010 |
| 20100245135 | Capacitive Keyboard with Enhanced Electrode Areas - A touch sensitive capacitive keypad ( | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100277351 | CAPACITIVE SENSING USER INTERFACES AND IMPLEMENTATION THEREOF - Methods and apparatus for determining the operating states of a plurality of capacitive sensing buttons in a capacitive sensing user interface are disclosed. The capacitive sensing buttons are sampled in a round-robin fashion such that the decay time samples for the buttons are acquired in an interleaved manner during each sampling cycle. Provisions are made to reduce the initialization delay, to reduce transient-induced errors, and to obtain the operating states based on updated decay data samples for the buttons. | 11-04-2010 |
| 20100309030 | MECHANICAL KEYPAD WITH TOUCH PAD FUNCTION - A mechanical keypad with touch panel function includes a key set including a plurality of keycaps and a keytop covering the keycaps, a backlight layer under the key set, a capacitive touch unit selectively disposed under several keycaps, an elastic layer including an elastomer and a plunger corresponding to the keycaps and disposed under the capacitive touch unit as well as a circuit board including metal domes and dome sheets corresponding to the keycaps. Each metal dome provides a mechanical feedback force so that the keycaps are able to be in indirect contact with the metal domes and the dome sheets by means of the plunger. | 12-09-2010 |
| 20110018744 | CAPACITIVE KEYBOARD WITH NON-LOCKING REDUCED KEYING AMBIGUITY - Keyboards, keypads and other data entry devices can suffer from a keying ambiguity problem. In a small keyboard, for example, a user's finger is likely to overlap from a desired key to onto adjacent ones. An iterative method of removing keying ambiguity from a keyboard comprising an array of capacitive keys involves measuring a signal strength associated with each key in the array, comparing the measured signal strengths to find a maximum, determining that the key having the maximum signal strength is the unique user-selected key, and maintaining that selection until either the initially selected key's signal strength drops below some threshold level or a second key's signal strength exceeds the first key's signal strength. | 01-27-2011 |
| 20110032126 | Tongue Based Control Device for Transferring Keyboard Commands - A device for transferring keyboard commands from a user to an electronic apparatus or machine. An arm intended to be carried by the user as a headset, is provided with signal sensors responding to the presence or pressure of the user's tongue by emitting an electric signal or impulse. A signal unit registers and converts signals from the sensors into corresponding keyboard commands which are then input to the electronic device or machine. The device thus basically works as a keyboard where the signal sensors constitute keys that can be operated solely by the tongue, i.e. without involving the hands. | 02-10-2011 |
| 20110037624 | SENSING CAPACITANCE CHANGES OF A HOUSING OF AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE - Methods and apparatuses are disclosed that allow measurement of a user's interaction with the housing of an electronic device. Some embodiments may measure the electrical characteristics of a housing of an electrical device, where the housing is capable of being temporarily deformed by the user's interaction. By measuring the electrical characteristics of the housing, such as the housing's capacitance, the user's interaction with the housing can be measured in a manner that is independent of the user's electrical characteristics and/or in a manner that may allow the pressure applied to the housing to be quantified. | 02-17-2011 |
| 20110050466 | TOUCH-SENSITIVE DEVICE - A touch-sensitive device includes a membrane substrate, an inductive layer and a protection layer. The inductive layer, arranged on a front face of the membrane substrate, has a plurality of capacitance-inductive sections, and at least one transmission line extended from a side of each of the capacitance-inductive sections. The protection layer is arranged on a front face of the inductive layer. A capacitance variation generated from the inductive section is in turn to output a signal to an electronic object via the transmission lines. After the signal is processed by the electronic object, a specific function is then executed. | 03-03-2011 |
| 20110074609 | CAPACITIVE KEY TOUCH SENSING USING ANALOG INPUTS AND DIGITAL OUTPUTS - A pulse is applied through a capacitive touch key sensor to a sampling capacitor of an analog-to-digital converter (ADC). The voltage charge arriving at the sampling capacitor will be maximum when there is substantially no shunt capacitance between the capacitive touch key sensor and the sampling capacitor. However, a object such as an operator's finger when in close proximity to the capacitive touch key sensor will create a capacitive shunt to ground that diverts some of the charge that is supposed to go to the sampling capacitor and thereby reduces the voltage charge on the sampling capacitor. This change in charge voltage when the capacitive touch key sensor is activated (touched) may be easily detected with the ADC. In addition, light emitting diodes (LEDs) may be integrated with the capacitive touch key sensors and use the same connections on an integrated circuit device in a time division multiplexed manor. | 03-31-2011 |
| 20110095919 | KEYBOARD HAVING CAPACITANCE-SENSITIVE KEY FIELDS - A keyboard having a plurality of key fields and a plurality of capacitive elements, which are associated with the key fields, and measuring electronics is proposed. The measuring electronics are implemented for the purpose of detecting a change of the capacitance value of one of the capacitive elements between a non-actuation level, which is in a first capacitance value range, and an actuation level, which is in a second capacitance value range, and then outputting an actuation signal. The measuring electronics are also implemented to detect a change of the capacitance value of the non-actuation level and a manipulation level above the second capacitance value range and to then output an alarm signal. The attempt to manipulate the keyboard can thus be detected on the basis of the capacitance value increase associated therewith. | 04-28-2011 |
| 20110140935 | ICON ILLUMINATION FOR CAPACITIVE TOUCH SWITCH - A capacitive touch switch is disclosed which includes a substrate having a channel formed between a first surface and a second surface thereof, thereby defining a flexible section of the substrate. The capacitive touch switch also includes an insulating panel having a first face and a second face, the second face adapted to be touched by a user. The capacitive touch switch may further include a capacitive electrode disposed on the flexible section, a light source coupled to the first surface of the flexible section, and one or more spacers secured to the first surface of the flexible section. Either the light source or the one or more spacers cause the flexible section of the substrate to be deflected away from the insulating panel when the substrate and the insulating panel are urged into contact. Deflection of the flexible section creates a gap which allows the light source to illuminate an icon disposed on the insulating panel. A method of manufacturing a capacitive touch switch is also disclosed. | 06-16-2011 |
| 20110156930 | Capacitive Touch Panel with High Touching Sensitivity - A capacitive touch panel has a plurality of first conductor lines and a plurality of second conductor lines. The first conductor lines are disposed in a first direction for sensing a contact with an object. The second conductor lines are disposed in a second direction to be intersected insulatively with the first conductor lines so as to define an overlapping region at each intersection of a first conductor line and a second conductor line. As a driving signal is applied to one of the second conductor lines, the overlapping region defined at the intersection forms a capacitance. Each of the first conductor lines defines at least one opening in each of the overlapping regions. | 06-30-2011 |
| 20110234429 | CAPACITIVE TOUCH MULTI-FUNCTION KEYS - The presently described technology relates to an appliance control panel having multi-function keys. The multi-function keys have multiple regions. A control panel operation module is provided for regulating the control panel system between multiple operation input modes. When the control panel system is in one operation input mode, activation of the first key region executes a first appliance function, and activation of the second key region executes a second appliance function. When the control panel system is in another operation input mode, activation the first key region and activation of said second key region execute the same appliance function. A method for operating an appliance control panel system having multi-function keys is also disclosed. | 09-29-2011 |
| 20110285553 | Apparatus and Method for an Actuator in an Electronic Device - In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus is provided, comprising: a base element; a key top configured to pivot in relation to the base element; a first electrode coupled with the key top; a second electrode coupled with the base element; an isolating layer; the key top having a first pivoted position in which the first electrode, the second electrode, and the isolating layer form a capacitor with a first capacitance, and a second pivoted position in which the first electrode, the second electrode, and the isolating layer form a capacitor with a second capacitance. | 11-24-2011 |
| 20110285554 | Gesture Based Smart Headphone - A gesture based headphone for controlling a media player device and method for using thereof. The headphone comprises a cord with a gesture sensitive region in the cord, and an interface for connecting to the media player device. A user gesture interacts with the gesture sensitive region and generates a control input for controlling the media player device, wherein the user gesture includes at least one gesture generating a control input. | 11-24-2011 |
| 20120044095 | Capacitive-matrix keyboard with multiple touch detection - An apparatus and method for detecting activation of one or more capacitive keys when presences of the one or more touches are detected on unique combinations of three or more sensor elements at the respective locations of the capacitive keys on which the one or more touches are detected. In one embodiment, the method correctly detects the activations of multiple keys when multiple substantially simultaneous touches are detected. | 02-23-2012 |
| 20120044096 | KEYBOARD WITH CIRCUIT FOR CLEARING CMOS DATA - A keyboard includes a keyboard body, a first resistor, a first capacitor, a jumper block mounted to the keyboard body, a battery, a keyboard interface, and a keyboard control circuit. The jumper block includes a grounded first pin and a second pin. The battery includes a positive terminal grounded by the first resistor and the first capacitor connected in series, and a grounded negative terminal. The keyboard interface includes a data pin, a voltage pin, and an idle pin. The idle pin is connected to a node between the first resistor and the first capacitor, and connected to the second pin of the jumper block. The keyboard control circuit is connected to the data pin to transmit data, and connected to the voltage pin to receive a voltage. | 02-23-2012 |
| 20120154182 | KEYS WITH TOUCH DETECTION FUNCTION AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS WITH THE KEYS - A key for electronic apparatus, e.g., a mobile phone, and electronic apparatus including such keys, the key combines touch detection function with mechanical key pressing function. The key includes a dome, contact points member, e.g., a gold key finger, on a circuit board of the electronic apparatus and below the dome; a plurality of SMT pads on the circuit board about the contact points member, the dome connected to at least two of the SMT pads, and the contact points member connected to one of the SMT pads, and wherein the dome is connected to a capacitive touch detection scan circuit and the capacitive touch detection scan circuit is configured to detect a capacitance change caused by a finger's touch on the key, so as to form a signal indicating touch position and/or movement of the finger by combining a position of the key. | 06-21-2012 |
| 20130063285 | ENABLING TOUCH EVENTS ON A TOUCH SENSITIVE MECHANICAL KEYBOARD - Touch sensitive mechanical keyboards and processes for detecting touch events and key depressions on the touch sensitive mechanical keyboard are provided. The touch sensitive mechanical keyboard can include a set of individually depressible mechanical keys having a touch sensitive area located on their surface. A touch sensor can be included to detect touch events on the surface of the mechanical keys. A keypad can also be included to detect a depression of the mechanical keys. The touch sensitive mechanical keyboard can further include a processor for distinguishing detected touch events from detected key depressions. The processor can generate either a key depression command or a touch event command. | 03-14-2013 |
| 20130063286 | FUSION KEYBOARD - Touch sensitive mechanical keyboards for detecting touch events and key depressions on the keyboard are provided. The keyboard can include a set of individually depressible mechanical keys having a touch sensitive area located on their surface. A touch sensor can be included to detect touch events on the surface of the keys. A keypad can also be included to detect a depression of the mechanical keys. One or more of the depressible mechanical keys can be multi-purpose keys capable of being depressed to multiple levels. The touch sensitive mechanical keyboard can receive key depression input, touch event input, or combinations thereof at the same time. The touch sensitive mechanical keyboard can further include a processor for distinguishing detected touch events from detected key depressions. The processor can generate a key depression command or a touch event command in response to the detected touch events and key depressions. | 03-14-2013 |
| 20130088372 | Measuring Capacitance of a Capacitive Sensor with a Microcontroller Having Digital Outputs for Driving a Guard Ring - A guard ring is provided around each capacitive sensor plate and charged to substantially the same voltage as a voltage on the capacitive sensor plate. The guard ring reduces parasitic capacitances of the capacitive sensor plate caused by differences in voltage potentials between the capacitive sensor plate, and adjacent circuit conductors, ground planes and power planes. Two digital outputs and associated voltage divider resistors are used to drive the guard ring voltage to substantially the same voltage as the voltage on the capacitive sensor plate. | 04-11-2013 |
| 20130271302 | CONFIGURABLE BUTTONS FOR ELECTRONIC DEVICES - Configurable buttons for electronic devices such as portable electronic devices are provided. A configurable button may have a button member that moves relative to a device housing when it is desired to activate a switch. The button may have an associated touch sensor. The touch sensor may detect when a user's finger touches a particular portion of the button member. Contact with only this portion of the button member is generally inadvertent, so an actuator may be used to prevent or otherwise restrict motion of the button relative to a device housing. This prevents inadvertent activation of the button when a user is manipulating portions of an electronic device such as clip or lid, but does not intend to depress the button. | 10-17-2013 |
| 20140145865 | TOUCH DEVICE - A touch device includes the following elements. A touch panel has two panel analog circuits and a panel digital circuit. Two inverting modules are assembled to two neighboring sides of the touch panel respectively, electrically coupled to the two panel analog circuits, and each electrically coupled to the panel digital circuit. A controlling module is assembled to the touch panel. The two inverting modules process analog signals transmitted from the two analog circuits into digital signals that are transmitted to the controlling module through the panel digital circuit. Therefore, the touch device may decrease a layout width that is occupied by the panel analog circuit. | 05-29-2014 |
| 20160042891 | KEYBOARD - Embodiments of keyboards having variations of electrically connecting keys to an internal component of an electronic device are described. Some embodiments include positioning several rows of conductive layers below several rows of keys. The conductive layers may be configured to receive a signal indicating a key has been depressed. Also, the internal component may be configured to scan the conductive layers to determine whether a key or keys have been depressed. In some embodiments, the conductive layers lie outside a portion of the electronic device in which internal components are traditionally located. In some embodiments, a substrate may be integrally connected with the keyboard. The substrate may receive some internal components of the electronic device. | 02-11-2016 |
| 20160380628 | Keyboard Assembly - A keyboard assembly includes a plurality keycaps, a plurality of sensor units and a control unit. The sensor units correspond respectively to the keycaps, and each of the sensor units is to output a pressure signal indicating magnitude of a pressure applied to a corresponding keycap. The control unit is configured to receive the pressure signal, and to determine a current repetition rate according to the pressure signal. When one keycap is depressed, the control unit repeatedly outputs a key code corresponding to the keycap at the current repetition rate while the keycap was depressed, and outputs the key code once while the keycap was not depressed. | 12-29-2016 |
