KEYBOARD HAVING CAPACITANCE-SENSITIVE KEY FIELDS

• US 20110095919A1
• Filed: 01/26/2009
• Published: 04/28/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/20/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Verifone GmbH (Verifone Systems, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hypercom GmbH.
• Inventors: Möller, Ottmar, Wahl, Thomas, Ostermöller, Michael
• Application Number:
  US12/735,806
• Publication Number:
  US 20110095919A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 341/33
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/554 involving event detection and direct action
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/83 input devices, e.g. keyboards, mice or controllers thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0443 using a single layer of sensing electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/207 Surveillance aspects at ATMs
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/1033 Details of the PIN pad
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/9622 using a plurality of detectors, e.g. keyboard
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/98 having a plurality of control members, e.g. keyboard
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2217/960755 Constructional details of capacitive touch and proximity switches

Abstract

A keyboard having a plurality of key fields and a plurality of capacitive elements, which are associated with the key fields, and measuring electronics is proposed. The measuring electronics are implemented for the purpose of detecting a change of the capacitance value of one of the capacitive elements between a non-actuation level, which is in a first capacitance value range, and an actuation level, which is in a second capacitance value range, and then outputting an actuation signal. The measuring electronics are also implemented to detect a change of the capacitance value of the non-actuation level and a manipulation level above the second capacitance value range and to then output an alarm signal. The attempt to manipulate the keyboard can thus be detected on the basis of the capacitance value increase associated therewith.

Claims

1. A keyboard, comprising:

a plurality of key fields;

a plurality of capacitive elements, wherein each capacitive element is associated with a key field and wherein each capacitive element is designed to change its capacitance value when actuating the key field associated with said element;

measuring electronics which are configured to measure the capacitance value of each of the capacitive elements;

wherein the measuring electronics are configured to detect a change of the capacitance value of one of the capacitive elements between a non-actuation level lying in a first capacitance value range and an actuation level lying in a second capacitance value range and then output an actuation signal in response thereto;

wherein the measuring electronics are further configured to detect a change of the capacitance value of the one capacitive element between the non-actuation level lying in the first capacitance value range and a manipulation level lying above the second capacitance value range and then output an alarm signal in response thereto.

2. The keyboard according to claim 1,

wherein the measuring electronics are further configured to detect a change of the capacitance value of the one capacitive element between the non-actuation level lying in the first capacitance value range and an intermediate level lying between the first and the second capacitance value range and then output a warning signal if the intermediate level is detected for longer than a pre-determinable duration.

3. The keyboard according to claim 1,

wherein the key fields are disposed on a surface of the keyboard in such a manner that they can be contacted by hand by an operator and wherein a capacitive element associated with a respective key field is disposed and designed in such a manner that its capacitance value changes on contact by hand from the non-actuation level to the actuation level.

4. The keyboard according to claim 3,

wherein an embossed film (15′

) is associated with a key field.

5. The keyboard according to claim 1,

wherein a key capable of being shifted between a non-actuated and an actuated position is associated with each key field, wherein the key has a capacitance value changing element and wherein the key and the capacitive element associated therewith is disposed and designed in such a manner that when the key is shifted from the non-actuated to the actuated position, the capacitance value of the capacitive element changes from the non-actuation level to the actuation level.

6. The keyboard according to claim 5,

wherein the keys are disposed in a pressure-sensitive mat.

7. The keyboard according to claim 1,

wherein a capacitive element is covered towards an exterior of the keyboard by an electrically insulating layer.

8. The keyboard according to claim 1,

wherein a capacitive element is accommodated in the interior of a circuit board.

9. The keyboard according to claim 1,

further comprising a capacitive element serving as a reference sensor that is not associated with a key field.

10. The keyboard according to claim 1,

wherein the measuring electronics are designed to measure the capacitance value of each capacitive element cyclically.

11. The keyboard according to claim 1,

wherein the measuring electronics are programmable.