Scrolling input arrangements using capacitive sensors on a flexible membrane
US7671837B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 14, 2006 |
| Grant date | Mar 2, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 12, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH03K2217/960755
- WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Scrolling input arrangements are presented including: a flexible membrane; a number of capacitive sensors mechanically integrated with the flexible membrane, the capacitive sensors radially disposed with respect to a first axis that is perpendicular with respect to the flexible membrane; an integrated circuit mechanically coupled with the flexible membrane and electronically coupled with the capacitive sensors, the integrated circuit configured to process a number of electronic signals from the capacitive sensors to provide a scrolling function; and a connection region on the flexible membrane for electronically coupling the scrolling input arrangement with an electronic device. In some embodiments, the capacitive sensors are configured with a plate element having a first surface area and a trace element having a second surface area such that the first surface area and second surface area comprise a sensor surface area, wherein the sensor surface areas for the capacitive sensors is substantially equal in size.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.