Computer Keyboard with Integrated an Electrode Arrangement

• US 20130050092A1
• Filed: 02/10/2011
• Published: 02/28/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/10/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microchip Technology Germany GmbH (Microchip Technology Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Microchip Technology Germany GmbH (Microchip Technology Incorporated)
• Inventors: Ivanov, Artem
• Granted Patent: US 9,946,409 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/168
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/017 Gesture based interaction, e.g. based on a set of recognized hand gestures interaction based on gestures traced on a digitiser G06F3/04883
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/044 by capacitive means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0445 using two or more layers of sensing electrodes, e.g. using two layers of electrodes separated by a dielectric layer
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text

Abstract

An input device, especially in the form of a computer keyboard provides which for a user of a computer keyboard special operator benefits result as compared to conventional keyboard systems in association with a pointing device. According to an embodiment, a computer keyboard with a keyboard that includes a multitude of manually operable keys, wherein in this keyboard an electrode arrangement is integrated, is designed in such a way and over a driver circuit exploited in such a way that by means of this electrode arrangement the detection of the spatial position or movement of a finger or a hand in an area in front of the keyboard is made possible in a electrical-field way, and by means of the driver, circuit system signals are provided that have an information content that correlates with position and/or movement of a finger or a hand of the user.

Claims

1. Input device with:

a keyboard that includes a multitude of manually operable keys, further comprising;

an electrode arrangement comprising at least one generator electrode and a plurality of detect electrodes, wherein

the generator electrode receives a drive signal that generates an electrical field between the generator electrode and the detection electrodes;

an evaluation circuit receiving a plurality of signals from said detection electrodes for detection of the position and/or movement of a finger or a hand in an area placed above the input device without touching the input device and being further configured to interpret a gesture made by said finger or hand.

2. Input device according to claim 1, further comprising at least one first electrode configured to detect a touch by a user wherein upon detection of a touch at said first electrode the input device is switched from a keyboard mode into a gesture detection mode.

3. Input device according to claim 1, comprising at least one second electrode configured to detect a touch wherein upon detection of a touch at said second electrode a signal equivalent to a mouse click is generated.

4. Input device according to claim 3, further comprising a contact detection electrode arranged under and encompassing said multitude of operable keys.

5. Input device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of detection electrodes are arranged around said multitude of operable keys.

6. Input device according to claim 1, wherein the generator electrode is arranged in a layer below said plurality of detection electrodes.

7. Input device according to claim 1, wherein the evaluation circuit is configured to generate signals to initiate the showing of a keyboard, a numerical keyboard, or function keys on a screen associated with said input device.

8. Input device according to claim 6, wherein the generator electrode is ring-shaped and arranged under the detection electrodes arranged along the edge of the input device.

9. Input device according to claim 1, wherein the detection electrodes are grouped and arranged in such a way that there is one electrode subgroup primarily for detecting hand or finger movements of the right working hand and one primarily for detecting hand or finger movements of the left working hand.

10. Input device according to claim 1, wherein a closing signal indicative for the conclusion of a gesture is generated by touching a component of the keyboard.

11. Input device according to claim 1, wherein a closing signal for a gesture coordinated by a hand is generated by a contact of the other hand with a keyboard component.

12. Input device according to claim 1, wherein the keys (K) are electrically inoperable or are completely omitted.

13. Computer keyboard according to claim 6, wherein a plurality of generator electrodes (GEN) are provided and wherein each generator electrode (GEN) is associated with a respective detection electrode (EL_P) and arranged under said associated detection electro (EL_P).

14. Stationary or mobile computer comprising a display device and input device comprising:

a keyboard that includes a multitude of manually operable keys, further comprising;

an electrode arrangement comprising at least one generator electrode and a plurality of detection electrodes, wherein

the generator electrode receives a drive signal that generates an electrical field between the generator electrode and the detection electrodes;

an evaluation circuit receiving a plurality of signals from said detection electrodes for detection of the position and/or movement of a finger or a hand in an area placed above the input device without touching the input device and being further configured to interpret, a gesture made by said finger or hand.

15. Stationary or mobile computer according to claim 14, wherein the electrode device includes several electrode sections provided in the area of the keyboard, that are connected to a sensor circuit, in which by that sensor circuit measuring signals are detected and processed, in which those measuring signals are influenced by the effect of the finger or the hand of the user on the electric-field properties of the environment of the respective electrode sections.

16. Stationary or mobile computer according to claim 15 further comprising in the area of the display device an electrode device for detecting the position of a finger of the user in an area placed in front of the display device.

17. Stationary or mobile computer according to claim 15, wherein in the area of the keyboard there is a contact sensor system, for detecting a signal indicative as a contact with the keyboard or with a physical structure of its surrounding area.

18. Stationary or mobile computer according to claim 16, wherein in the area of the display device there is a contact sensor system for detecting a signal indicative of a contact with the display device.

19. Stationary or mobile computer according to claim 14, further comprising at least one first electrode configured to detect a touch by a user wherein upon detection of a touch at said first electrode the input device is switched from a keyboard mode into a gesture detection mode.

20. Stationary or mobile computer according to claim 14, comprising at least one second electrode configured to detect a touch wherein upon detection of a touch at said second electrode a signal equivalent to a mouse click is generated.