INPUT DEVICE
First Claim
1. A system for controlling a graphical user interface of a device, the system comprising:
- a tiltable member configured for tilting by a user;
an electrically conductive member configured to move in response to tilting of the tiltable member;
a substrate spaced apart from the electrically conductive member by a gap and having a plurality of mutually isolated sense electrodes disposed thereon;
a drive circuit configured to provide an electrical drive signal to the electrically conductive member;
a capacitance measurement circuit operably coupled to the sense electrodes, the capacitance measurement circuit being configured to detect changes in capacitance that occur between the electrically conductive member and the sense electrodes in response to tilting of the tiltable member;
a switch centrally located between the sense electrodes, wherein the tiltable member is connected to the switch to enable actuation of the switch in response to tilting of the tiltable member; and
signal logic configured to translate capacitance measurements and actuations of the switch into a signal that is indicative of an input function in a graphical user interface.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An embodiment of a system for controlling a graphical user interface of a device includes a tiltable member, an electrically conductive member, a substrate, a drive circuit, a switch, and signal logic. The tiltable member is configured for tilting by a user. The electrically conductive member is configured to move in response to the tilting. The substrate is spaced apart from the electrically conductive member by a gap and has mutually isolated sense electrodes disposed thereon. The drive circuit provides an electrical drive signal to the electrically conductive member. The switch is centrally located between the sense electrodes, wherein the tiltable member is connected to the switch to enable actuation of the switch in response to tilting of the tiltable member. The signal logic translates capacitance measurements and actuations of the switch into a signal that is indicative of an input function in a graphical user interface.
164 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system for controlling a graphical user interface of a device, the system comprising:
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a tiltable member configured for tilting by a user; an electrically conductive member configured to move in response to tilting of the tiltable member; a substrate spaced apart from the electrically conductive member by a gap and having a plurality of mutually isolated sense electrodes disposed thereon; a drive circuit configured to provide an electrical drive signal to the electrically conductive member; a capacitance measurement circuit operably coupled to the sense electrodes, the capacitance measurement circuit being configured to detect changes in capacitance that occur between the electrically conductive member and the sense electrodes in response to tilting of the tiltable member; a switch centrally located between the sense electrodes, wherein the tiltable member is connected to the switch to enable actuation of the switch in response to tilting of the tiltable member; and signal logic configured to translate capacitance measurements and actuations of the switch into a signal that is indicative of an input function in a graphical user interface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A system for controlling a graphical user interface of a device, the system comprising:
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a tiltable member configured for tilting by a user; an electrically conductive member configured to move in response to tilting of the tiltable member; a substrate spaced apart from the electrically conductive member by a gap and having a plurality of mutually isolated sense electrodes disposed thereon; a drive circuit configured to provide an electrical drive signal to the electrically conductive member; a capacitance measurement circuit operably coupled to the sense electrodes, the capacitance measurement circuit being configured to detect changes in capacitance that occur between the electrically conductive member and the sense electrodes in response to tilting of the tiltable member; a switch centrally located between the sense electrodes; and signal logic configured to; translate changes in capacitance to a signal indicative of a first function; translate actuation of the switch to a signal indicative of a second function; and translate a capacitance measurement along with actuation of the switch to a signal indicative of a third function. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A hand-held device comprising:
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a display for displaying a graphical user interface; and an input device for controlling the graphical user interface, the input device comprising; a tiltable member configured for tilting by a user; an electrically conductive member configured to move in response to tilting of the tiltable member; a substrate spaced apart from the electrically conductive member by a gap and having a plurality of mutually isolated sense electrodes disposed thereon; a drive circuit configured to provide an electrical drive signal to the electrically conductive member; a capacitance measurement circuit operably coupled to the sense electrodes, the capacitance measurement circuit being configured to detect changes in capacitance that occur between the electrically conductive member and the sense electrodes in response to tilting of the tiltable member; a switch centrally located between the sense electrodes, wherein the tiltable member is connected to the switch to enable actuation of the switch in response to tilting of the tiltable member; and signal logic configured to translate capacitance measurements and actuations of the switch into a signal that is indicative of an input function in a graphical user interface. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification