Input Devices And Their Use

• US 20070256915A1
• Filed: 05/03/2007
• Published: 11/08/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/22/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cerence Operating Company (Cerence Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Digit Wireless Incorporated (Microsoft Corporation)
• Inventors: Levy, David
• Granted Patent: US 8,094,806 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 200/5.A
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0235 using chord techniques G06F3/0234 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0237 using prediction or retrieval techniques
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0446 using a grid-like structure of electrodes in at least two directions, e.g. using row and column electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/702 with contacts carried by or formed from layers in a multilayer structure, e.g. membrane switches
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2209/074 elastomeric
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2215/00 Tactile feedback
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2215/006 Only mechanical function
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/018 Indication of switch sites
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/024 Profile on actuator
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/032 Feedback about selected symbol, e.g. display
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/033 by speech
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/036 Plural multifunctional miniature keys for one symbol
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/002 integral with membrane
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2225/018 Consecutive operations
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2231/022 Telephone handset
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2239/006 Containing a capacitive switch or usable as such

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 small-scale capacitance variations of the grid as a position of engagement of the exposed surface by the operator.

Claims

1-20. -20. (canceled)

21. A touch-sensitive input device comprising

an exposed, continuous surface defining a planar area;

and

a grid of capacitive 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 on the exposed surface,

wherein the exposed surface varies in elevation across its planar area to form a series of tactile features, and wherein the exposed, continuous surface is permanently affixed to the grid of sense elements; and

an electronic circuit 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.

22. The input device of claim 21 wherein the tactile features comprise elevated nubs.

23. The input device of claim 22 wherein said elevated nubs extend at least about 0.75 millimeter from adjacent regions of the exposed surface.

24. The input device of claim 22 wherein said surface carries legends associated with said tactile features.

25. The input device of claim 21 wherein said tactile features define distinct regions of the surface corresponding with associated alphanumeric characters.

26. The input device of claim 25 configured to output a sequence of alphanumeric characters as corresponding tactile features of the surface are engaged sequentially.

27. The input device of claim 21 comprising an IACK keypad.

28. The input device of claim 27 wherein the tactile features comprise nubs defining independent key regions of the IACK keypad.

29. The input device 27, wherein the electronic circuit is configured to temporarily display alphanumeric characters on a screen as an operator traverses the exposed surface, the displayed alphanumeric characters selected to correspond to a position of engagement of the exposed surface by the operator.

30-79. -79. (canceled)

80. An IACK keypad comprising

a substantially planar substrate carrying an array of sense elements arranged to change state in response to keypad operation;

and

a flexible cover disposed above the substrate and having

an exposed surface defining an IACK interface including an array of independent key regions arranged in rows and columns, with combination key regions between adjacent independent key regions, and

a back surface facing the substrate and held away from the substrate by collapsible snap elements therebetween, the back surface carrying an array of conductive pills located beneath corresponding independent key regions;

wherein each conductive pill has a contact surface facing the substrate, the contact surface having outer regions that extend toward adjacent combination key regions and slope away from the substrate.

81. The IACK keypad of claim 80 wherein the conductive pills are cross-shaped, with arms extending toward multiple adjacent combination key regions, the arms of the conductive pills comprising the sloping outer regions.

82. The IACK keypad of claim 80 wherein each conductive pill extends across the back surface of the cover toward an adjacent combination key region center a lateral distance equal to between about 40 percent and 99 percent of a distance between the adjacent combination key region center and a center of the independent key region corresponding to the pill.

83. The IACK keypad of claim 82 wherein each conductive pill extends across the back surface of the cover toward an adjacent combination key region center a lateral distance equal to between about 50 percent and 90 percent of a distance between the adjacent combination key region center and a center of the independent key region corresponding to the pill.

84. The IACK keypad of claim 83 wherein each conductive pill extends across the back surface of the cover toward an adjacent combination key region center a lateral distance equal to between about 70 percent and 80 percent of a distance between the adjacent combination key region center and a center of the independent key region corresponding to the pill.

85-94. -94. (canceled)