Input devices and their use
US8094806B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 3, 2007 |
| Grant date | Jan 10, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 25, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H2239/006
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A touch-sensitive input device has an exposed, continuous surface defining a planar area, and a grid of sense elements coextensive with the area of the exposed surface and responsive to engagement of the exposed surface by an operator to establish a position of said engagement of the exposed surface. The exposed surface varies in elevation across its planar area to form a series of tactile features. The exposed, continuous surface is affixed to the grid of sense elements. An electronic circuit is configured to interpret large-scale capacitance variations of the grid as an intended input from the operator in a region identified by the capacitance variation, and to interpret small-scale capacitance variations of the grid as a position of engagement of the exposed surface by the operator.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.