CAPACITIVE ROTARY ENCODER
First Claim
1. A human machine interface comprising:
- a capacitive touch screen including a capacitive sensor, the capacitive touch screen being configured to display text characters and/or graphical information; and
a control device rotatably supported and superimposed over the screen, the control device including at least one electrically conductive element, the control device being configured to rotate about an axis substantially perpendicular to the screen such that the at least one electrically conductive element follows the rotation of the control device;
wherein the capacitive sensor is configured to sense a rotational position of the at least one electrically conductive element; and
wherein the control device includes a detent having a spring with two diametrically opposed legs, a respective said electrically conductive element being attached to a distal end of each of the legs.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A human machine interface includes a capacitive touch screen having a capacitive sensor. The capacitive touch screen displays text characters and/or graphical information. A control device is rotatably coupled to a structure such that the control device is superimposed over the screen. The control device includes at least one electrically conductive element. The control device rotates about an axis substantially perpendicular to the screen such that the at least one electrically conductive element follows the rotation of the control device. The capacitive sensor senses a rotational position of the at least one electrically conductive element.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A human machine interface comprising:
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a capacitive touch screen including a capacitive sensor, the capacitive touch screen being configured to display text characters and/or graphical information; and a control device rotatably supported and superimposed over the screen, the control device including at least one electrically conductive element, the control device being configured to rotate about an axis substantially perpendicular to the screen such that the at least one electrically conductive element follows the rotation of the control device; wherein the capacitive sensor is configured to sense a rotational position of the at least one electrically conductive element; and wherein the control device includes a detent having a spring with two diametrically opposed legs, a respective said electrically conductive element being attached to a distal end of each of the legs. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of operating a human machine interface, comprising the steps of:
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providing a capacitive touch screen including a capacitive sensor; superimposing a control device over the screen, the control device including at least one electrically conductive element, the control device being rotatable about an axis substantially perpendicular to the screen such that the at least one electrically conductive element follows the rotation of the control device; using the capacitive sensor to sense a rotational position of the at least one electrically conductive element; using the capacitive sensor to sense movement of the control device in directions toward and away from the screen such that the at least one electrically conductive element follows the movement toward and away from the screen, the capacitive sensor sensing positions of the at least one electrically conductive element in the directions toward and away from the screen; providing the control device with a detent having a spring with two legs, a respective said electrically conductive element being attached to a distal end of each of the legs; and using the detent to provide a user with tactile feedback in response to the user rotating the control device about the axis. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A human machine interface comprising:
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a capacitive touch screen including a capacitive sensor, the capacitive touch screen being configured to display information; and a control device rotatably coupled to a structure such that the control device is superimposed over the screen, the control device being configured to rotate relative to the screen, the control device including at least one electrically conductive element that follows the rotation of the control device, the control device including a spring with at least one leg, a respective said electrically conductive element being attached to a distal end of each of the legs; wherein the capacitive sensor is configured to sense a rotational position of the at least one electrically conductive element. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification