Computer mouse or keyboard input device utilizing capacitive sensors
US5463388A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 29, 1993 |
| Grant date | Oct 31, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 29, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F3/0488
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A computer input device for use as a computer mouse or keyboard comprises a thin, insulating surface covering an array of electrodes. Such electrodes are arranged in a grid pattern and can be connected in columns and rows. Each column and row is connected to circuitry for measuring the capacitance seen by each column and row. The position of an object, such as a finger or handheld stylus, with respect to the array is determined from the centroid of such capacitance values, which is calculated in a microcontroller. For applications in which the input device is used as a mouse, the microcontroller forwards position change information to the computer. For applications in which the input device is used as a keyboard, the microcomputer identifies a key from the position of the touching object and forwards such key identity to the computer.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.