Dual function input device and method
First Claim
1. Apparatus for user input to a digital system, comprising a first sensing system having first sensors for sensing a user interaction using a sensing method of a first type, and a second sensing system having second sensors for sensing a user interaction using a sensing method of a second type, said first and second sensors being co-located on a sensing surface.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus for user input to a digital system, comprising a first sensing system for sensing a user interaction of a first type, co-located with a second sensing system for sensing a user interaction of a second type. The first system may detect styluses and like objects using EM radiation and the second system may detect touch pressure.
335 Citations
56 Claims
- 1. Apparatus for user input to a digital system, comprising a first sensing system having first sensors for sensing a user interaction using a sensing method of a first type, and a second sensing system having second sensors for sensing a user interaction using a sensing method of a second type, said first and second sensors being co-located on a sensing surface.
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45. Pressure sensing apparatus for detection of at least two pressure locations, the apparatus comprising:
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an arrangement of pressure sensors set out to define detection co-ordinates, and scanning control functionality for scanning said detection co-ordinates in a multi-stage scanning operation, thereby to home in on said at least two pressure locations.
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46. A sensor arrangement for superimposing over a visual display screen, comprising:
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a first transparent foil having sensors of a first detection system for detecting a user interaction of a first type, and sensors of a second detection system for detecting a user interaction of a second type, embedded therein, and a second transparent foil superimposed over said first transparent foil and flexibly spaced therefrom, having further sensors of said first detection system and of said second detection system embedded therein.
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47. A pressure sensing arrangement for superimposing over a visual display screen, comprising:
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a first transparent foil having a first set of parallel pressure sensors, a second transparent foil, superimposed over said first transparent foil having a second set of parallel pressure sensors, said transparent foils being orientated such that said first and second sets of transparent foils are respectively orthogonal, a substantially non-conductive spacer located between said first transparent foil and said second transparent foil to separate between said foils, said spacer being flexible to allow contact between pressure sensors on respective foils about a point of application of pressure, thereby to transfer a signal between contacted pressure sensors, and a scanning controller for controlling a scanning operation to apply signals to said sensors and to read outputs in such a way as to provide unambiguous pressure information concerning every junction on a grid defined by said pressure sensors. - View Dependent Claims (48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 54, 55)
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- 53. A method of sensing of a plurality of pressure sensitive points arranged in a grid for detection of simultaneous applications of pressure at a plurality of said points, the method comprising testing said grid such as to obtain an unambiguous pressure detection result for each of said pressure points in said grid.
Specification