Patent · US Active

Touch-based user interface conductive rings

US8686957B2 · kind B2 · utility

3Cited by
52References
6Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 21, 2010
Grant dateApr 1, 2014
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 29, 2032

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG06F3/03547
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

An apparatus in which an outer conductive ring surrounds the periphery of a touch-sensitive surface of a touch sensor serving as a manually-operable control, wherein a portion of the outer conductive ring is also between the touch-sensitive surface and another manually-operable control that lacks the ability to sense the mere touch of a tip of a digit of a user. A processing device causes the level of capacitance of the outer conductive ring to be measured on a recurring basis for instances of an amount of additional capacitance above a minimum capacitance threshold, and employs such amounts of additional capacitance in a comparison to distinguish between the user interacting with a control surface defined on the touch-sensitive surface of the touch sensor or the other manually-operable control.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.