PROXIMITY SENSOR DEVICE AND METHOD WITH KEYBOARD EMULATION
First Claim
1. A user interface device, the user interface device comprising:
- a proximity sensor, the proximity sensor adapted to detect object presence proximate a sensing region; and
a controller, the controller coupled to the proximity sensor, the controller configured to output simulated keyboard information indicating a function responsive to a first detected object presence proximate the sensing region, the controller further configured to output object positional information responsive to a second detected object presence proximate the sensing region.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A proximity sensor device and method is provided that facilitates improved device usability by providing a at least one control function prior to the specialized host software loading, and then switch to provide full range of functionality when the specialized host software has been loaded. In one embodiment, the proximity sensor device comprises a proximity sensor adapted to detect object presence and a controller configured to output simulated keyboard information and output object positional information. For example, when operating in a first mode prior to the specialized host software loading the controller outputs the simulated keyboard information that indicates a control function to a keyboard controller. Then, when operating in a second mode after the specialized host software has been loaded, the controller outputs object positional information to the keyboard controller. The object positional information can be used to provide a full range of user interface functions.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. A user interface device, the user interface device comprising:
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a proximity sensor, the proximity sensor adapted to detect object presence proximate a sensing region; and a controller, the controller coupled to the proximity sensor, the controller configured to output simulated keyboard information indicating a function responsive to a first detected object presence proximate the sensing region, the controller further configured to output object positional information responsive to a second detected object presence proximate the sensing region. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A user interface device for a computing device, the user interface device comprising:
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a proximity sensor, the proximity sensor adapted to detect object presence proximate a sensing region, the sensing region including a plurality of portions; and a sensor controller, the sensor controller coupled to the proximity sensor, the sensor controller configured to; selectively operate in either a first mode and a second mode; associate a scan code in a plurality of scan codes to a corresponding portion in the plurality of portions in the sensing region, where each of the plurality of scan codes indicates a corresponding function on the electronic device; generate the associated scan code responsive to detected object presence in the corresponding portion of the sensing region and output generated scan codes to a keyboard port on a keyboard controller in the computing device when the sensor controller operates in the first mode; and generate object position data responsive to detected object presence proximate the sensing region when the sensor controller and output the generated object position data to an auxiliary port on the keyboard controller in the computing device when the controller operates in the second mode. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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14. A method of indicating user interface results from a sensor adapted to detect object presence proximate a sensing region, the method comprising:
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generating simulated keyboard information indicating a function responsive to a first detected object presence proximate the sensing region when operating in a first mode; outputting the simulated keyboard information to a keyboard controller when operating in the first mode; generating object position data responsive to a second detected object presence proximate the sensing region when the sensor controller operates in the second mode; and outputting the object position data to the keyboard controller when operating in the second mode. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A program product comprising:
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a) a proximity sensor program, the proximity sensor program adapted to receive an indication of detected object presence proximate a sensing region in a proximity sensor device, the proximity sensor program further adapted to output simulated keyboard information indicating a function responsive to a first detected object presence proximate the sensing region, the proximity sensor program further configured to output object positional information responsive to a second detected object presence proximate the sensing region; and b) computer-readable media bearing said proximity sensor program. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification