Multi-State Capacitive Button
First Claim
1. An apparatus comprising:
- a capacitive sensor;
a button comprising a first material having a first dielectric constant, the first material comprising;
a distal coupling portion distal from the capacitive sensor and configured to capacitively couple with an object; and
a proximal coupling portion proximal to the capacitive sensor and configured to capacitively couple with the capacitive sensor;
a support connected to the button and configured to deflect when the button is pressed to allow the button to move closer to the capacitive sensor; and
a controller connected to the capacitive sensor and configured to measure a value associated with an amount of capacitive coupling between the button and the capacitive sensor, the amount of capacitive coupling between the button and the capacitive sensor based at least on the following;
an amount of capacitive coupling between the distal coupling portion and the object; and
a distance between the proximal coupling portion and the capacitive sensor.
11 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a capacitive sensor, a button, a support, and a controller. The button includes a first material having a distal coupling portion and a proximal coupling portion. The distal coupling portion is distal from the capacitive sensor and configured to capacitively couple with an object. The proximal coupling portion is proximal to the capacitive sensor and configured to capacitively couple with the capacitive sensor. The support is connected to the button and configured to deflect when the button is pressed. The controller is connected to the capacitive sensor and configured to measure a value associated with an amount of capacitive coupling between the button and the capacitive sensor, which is based on an amount of capacitive coupling between the distal coupling portion and the object and a distance between the proximal coupling portion and the capacitive sensor.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. An apparatus comprising:
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a capacitive sensor; a button comprising a first material having a first dielectric constant, the first material comprising; a distal coupling portion distal from the capacitive sensor and configured to capacitively couple with an object; and a proximal coupling portion proximal to the capacitive sensor and configured to capacitively couple with the capacitive sensor; a support connected to the button and configured to deflect when the button is pressed to allow the button to move closer to the capacitive sensor; and a controller connected to the capacitive sensor and configured to measure a value associated with an amount of capacitive coupling between the button and the capacitive sensor, the amount of capacitive coupling between the button and the capacitive sensor based at least on the following; an amount of capacitive coupling between the distal coupling portion and the object; and a distance between the proximal coupling portion and the capacitive sensor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method comprising:
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applying voltage to a capacitive sensor, the capacitive sensor proximate to a button that is capable of being depressed relative to the capacitive sensor; measuring, by a controller, a value associated with an amount of capacitive coupling between the button and the capacitive sensor, the amount of capacitive coupling between the button and the capacitive sensor based at least on the following; an amount of capacitive coupling between a first portion of the button and an object; and a distance between a second portion of the button and the capacitive sensor; determining, by the controller based on the value, a state of the button from a plurality of possible states of the button, the plurality of possible states comprising; a first state indicating that the object is in contact with the button and that the button is not depressed; and a second state indicating that the object is in contact with the button and that the button is depressed. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. An apparatus comprising:
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a capacitive sensor comprising an intersection of a first electrode track and a second electrode track; a button comprising; a first material having a first dielectric constant, the first material comprising a distal coupling portion distal from the capacitive sensor and a proximal coupling portion proximal to the capacitive sensor; and a second material having a second dielectric constant, the first dielectric constant being at least 2 times greater than the second dielectric constant, a portion of the second material at least partially surrounding a portion of the first material; a cover comprising; a distal cover surface distal from the capacitive sensor; a proximal cover surface proximal to the capacitive sensor; and a channel extending from the distal cover surface to the proximal cover surface, the channel configured to receive the button; a support connected to the button and configured to deflect when the button is pressed to allow the button to move closer to the capacitive sensor; and a controller connected to the capacitive sensor and configured to measure a value associated with an amount of capacitive coupling between the button and the capacitive sensor, the amount of capacitive coupling between the button and the capacitive sensor based at least on the following; an amount of capacitive coupling between the distal coupling portion and an object; and a distance between the proximal coupling portion and the capacitive sensor.
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Specification