Proximity detector to indicate function of a key
US6680677B1 · kind B1 · utility
80Cited by
5References
4Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 6, 2000 |
| Grant date | Jan 20, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 30, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F3/0238
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An input device with a user-selectable key that includes a proximity detector associated with the key. The proximity detector detects the proximity or touch of a user's finger and provides user feedback related to the function of the key, without actually activating the function of the key. This allows a user to determine what a particular key on a keyboard or other device will do by simply hovering the user's finger near the top of the key, or lightly touching the key without depressing it.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.