Current sensing touchpad for computers and the like
First Claim
1. A touch sensitive computer input system for receiving input information from a user according to a location touched, comprising:
- a touchpad surface;
a first array of rows of electrical conductors spaced from each other and extending in alignment across said touchpad surface;
a second array of rows of electrical conductors spaced from each other and extending in alignment across said touchpad surface in a direction intersecting said rows of said first array;
an insulative material isolating said electrical conductors of said first and second arrays from each other where said rows of arrays intersect;
said rows of arrays defining an X-Y matrix across said touchpad surface;
a voltage supply to bias said arrays to different voltages from each other;
said isolated electrical conductors of the arrays being electrically connectable by a contacting element which carries an electrical current between them; and
processing electronics for determining the flow of electrical current in connected conductors.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A touch sensitive pad is formed of a touchpad surface overlaid with a matrix of two overlaid arrays of conductors spaced from each other by an intermediate dielectric. The conductors and dielectric are deposited as successive layers in the surface, which is formed of a suitable substrate material. The conductors in each of the arrays are in the form of spaced rows extending in alignment, and the two conductor arrays are arranged so that their respective sets of rows intersect, forming an X-Y matrix over the face of the touchpad. The two arrays are provided with different voltage levels so that a potential difference exists between them. A user touching an area or portion of the touchpad, whether with a finger, stylus, or pointer, shorts contacted ones of the X-Y matrix of conductors together in the area touched, giving rise to an electric current flow. The precise location of the contact area can be determined by processing firmware or software. The resultant current flow is used to activate the processing electronics, which can otherwise be left in a power-conserving or sleep mode if the touchpad is not in use.
98 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A touch sensitive computer input system for receiving input information from a user according to a location touched, comprising:
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a touchpad surface; a first array of rows of electrical conductors spaced from each other and extending in alignment across said touchpad surface; a second array of rows of electrical conductors spaced from each other and extending in alignment across said touchpad surface in a direction intersecting said rows of said first array; an insulative material isolating said electrical conductors of said first and second arrays from each other where said rows of arrays intersect; said rows of arrays defining an X-Y matrix across said touchpad surface; a voltage supply to bias said arrays to different voltages from each other; said isolated electrical conductors of the arrays being electrically connectable by a contacting element which carries an electrical current between them; and processing electronics for determining the flow of electrical current in connected conductors. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A computer system comprising:
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a microprocessor for data computation and processing; a display for forming images of said data; and a touch sensitive input system for entry of data, comprising; a touchpad surface; a first array of rows of electrical conductors spaced from each other and extending in alignment across said touchpad surface; a second array of rows of electrical conductors spaced from each other and extending in alignment across said touchpad surface in a direction intersecting said rows of said first array; an insulative material isolating said electrical conductors of said first and second arrays from each other where said rows of arrays intersect; said rows of arrays defining an X-Y matrix across said touchpad surface; a voltage supply to bias said arrays to different voltages from each other; said isolated electrical conductors of the arrays being electrically connectable by a contacting element which carries an electrical current between them; and processing electronics for determining the flow of electrical current in connected conductors. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification