Capacitive touch buttons combined with electroluminescent lighting
US8638314B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 29, 2009 |
| Grant date | Jan 28, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 17, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH03K2217/960785
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A capacitive touch sensor includes a layer of electro-luminescent (EL) material arranged between a first electrode and a second electrode, A controller includes a capacitance sensing circuit coupled to first and/or second electrode and arranged to measure a capacitive coupling associated with the first and/or second electrode. The controller is further operable to apply an EL drive signal across the first and second electrodes to cause the layer of EL material between the electrodes to illuminate. This provides a simple structure that is sensitive to objects adjacent a sensing region defined by the first and/or second electrodes, and which may also be readily illuminated by applying an EL drive signal across the electrodes.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.