Low pin count solution using capacitance sensing matrix for keyboard architecture
First Claim
1. A method, comprising:
- assigning a plurality of keyboard keys into pre-defined areas of a sensing device having a plurality of sensor elements and a plurality of capacitance sensing pins to couple the sensing device to a processing device;
detecting a presence of a conductive object on the sensing device;
determining a position of the presence of the conductive object on the sensing device; and
selecting a keyboard key of the plurality of keyboard keys based on the position of the presence of the conductive object and the pre-defined areas of the sensing device.
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Abstract
An apparatus and method for selecting a keyboard key based on a position of a presence of a conductive object on a sensing device and a pre-defined area of the keyboard key. The apparatus may include a sensing device and a processing device. The sensing device may include a plurality of sensor elements to detect a presence of a conductive object on the sensing device. Multiple keyboard keys are assigned to pre-defined areas of the sensing device. The processing device is coupled to the sensing device using capacitance sensing pins, and may be operable to determine a position of the presence of the conductive object, and to select a keyboard key based on the position of the conductive object and the pre-defined areas of the sensing device.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A method, comprising:
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assigning a plurality of keyboard keys into pre-defined areas of a sensing device having a plurality of sensor elements and a plurality of capacitance sensing pins to couple the sensing device to a processing device; detecting a presence of a conductive object on the sensing device; determining a position of the presence of the conductive object on the sensing device; and selecting a keyboard key of the plurality of keyboard keys based on the position of the presence of the conductive object and the pre-defined areas of the sensing device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. An apparatus, comprising:
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a sensing device comprising a plurality of sensor elements to detect a presence of a conductive object on the sensing device, wherein a plurality of keyboard keys are assigned to pre-defined areas of the sensing device; and a processing device coupled to the sensing device using capacitance sensing pins, wherein the processing device is operable to determine a position of the presence of the conductive object on the sensing device, and to select a keyboard key of the plurality of keyboard keys based on the position of the presence of the conductive object and the pre-defined areas of the sensing device. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. An apparatus, comprising:
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a sensing device comprising a plurality of sensor elements to detect a presence of a conductive object on the sensing device, wherein a plurality of keyboard keys are assigned to pre-defined areas of the sensing device; means for determining a position of the presence of the conductive object on the sensing device; and means for selecting a keyboard key of the plurality of keyboard keys based on the position of the presence of the conductive object and the pre-defined areas of the sensing device. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification