Resistive force sensor with capacitive discrimination
First Claim
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1. A method, comprising:
- switching operation of a sensor between a first operation mode and a second operation mode, whereinwhen operating in the first operation mode, the sensor provides a first output responsive to a force applied by an object, andwhen operating in the second operation mode, the sensor provides a second output responsive to a proximity of the object.
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Abstract
A resistive force sensor with capacitive discrimination is disclosed. According to an example of the disclosure, a sensor is directed to detect resistance and capacitance in an alternating fashion, the resistance indicating a force being applied to an input area of a device, and the capacitance indicating a proximity of a body part to the input area of the device, and the detected resistance and capacitance are utilized to determine whether the body part has pressed the input area of the device.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. A method, comprising:
switching operation of a sensor between a first operation mode and a second operation mode, wherein when operating in the first operation mode, the sensor provides a first output responsive to a force applied by an object, and when operating in the second operation mode, the sensor provides a second output responsive to a proximity of the object. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method, comprising:
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directing a sensor to detect resistance and capacitance in an alternating fashion, the resistance indicating a force being applied to an input area of a device, and the capacitance indicating a proximity of a body part to the input area of the device; and utilizing the detected resistance and capacitance to determine whether the body part has pressed the input area of the device. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for sensing force with capacitive discrimination, comprising:
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receiving from one or more sensors one or more signals indicating levels of force and proximity detected at an input area of a housing; determining whether the detected level of force exceeds a threshold amount of force; determining whether the detected level of proximity exceeds a threshold amount of proximity; and if the threshold amounts of force and proximity are determined to have been exceeded, activating a state indicating user input at the input area of the housing. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. An apparatus, comprising:
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a housing; a sensor configured to detect both resistance and capacitance; and a processor configured to determine whether a surface of the housing has been pressed based on changes in both resistance and capacitive detected by the sensor. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A device comprising:
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a sensor having at least a first mode and a second mode, the sensor providing in the first mode a first output associated with force applied to the sensor by a digit, the sensor providing in the second mode a second output associated with proximity to the sensor of a digit, and a processor configured to process the first output and the second output and detect application of a force on the sensor by a digit located near the sensor.
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30. A method comprising:
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operating a sensor in a first mode providing a first output associated with force applied to the sensor by a digit, operating the sensor in a second mode providing a second output associated with proximity to the sensor of a digit, and processing the first output and the second output and detecting application of a force on the sensor by a digit located near the sensor.
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31. A method comprising:
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providing a sensor having at least a first mode and a second mode, the sensor providing in the first mode a first output associated with force applied to the sensor by a digit, the sensor providing in the second mode a second output associated with proximity to the sensor of a digit, and providing a processor configured to process the first output and the second output and detect application of a force on the sensor by a digit located near the sensor.
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Specification