Combined Mutual Capacitance and Switch-Actuated Keyboard for Enhanced Texting in an Electronic Device

• US 20100253629A1
• Filed: 04/03/2009
• Published: 10/07/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/03/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Avago Technologies ECBU IP Singapore Pte Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Avago Technologies ECBU IP Singapore Pte Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Inventors: Orsley, Timothy James
• Application Number:
  US12/418,232
• Publication Number:
  US 20100253629A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/168
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
• 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 2003/0293 with an integrated touch switch
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2225/01 Different switch sites under one actuator in same plane
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2231/022 Telephone handset
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2239/006 Containing a capacitive switch or usable as such
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/975 using a capacitive movable element

Abstract

In one embodiment, a mutual-capacitance sensing electrode array is disposed beneath a keyboard, and operates in conjunction with a series of single switches disposed beneath each of the keys in a keyboard. The electrode array and switches are employed in conjunction with one another to indicate that a letter, number or other symbol displayed on a particular key has been selected by a user. Although some embodiments find especially efficacious application in hand-held portable electronic devices such as mobile telephones, other embodiments are well suited for use in stationary equipment or other devices containing keyboards or control panels.

Claims

23-1. The combined mutual capacitance and switch-actuated keyboard of claim 1, further comprising a drive signal circuit configured to provide an electrical drive signal to the plurality of drive electrodes and operably connected thereto.

32. A method of generating text messages with an electronic device, comprising:

a user'"'"'s finger engaging, touching, depressing or tilting a key on a keypad to or in a left position or a right position to select one of at least two letters, numbers or symbols displayed on the key at the left and right positions, respectively;

capacitively sensing, using at least first and second sense electrodes disposed beneath the left and right positions of the key, and at least one drive electrode disposed beneath the key, the letter, number or symbol that has been selected by the user'"'"'s finger; and

causing a single switch disposed beneath each such key to indicate which of the left and right positions has been selected by the user'"'"'s finger;

wherein the switch is mechanically, capacitively or resistively configurable to indicate the left and right positions according to whether the user'"'"'s finger selects the left position or the right position.