Scrolling input arrangements using capacitive sensors on a flexible membrane
First Claim
1. A scrolling input arrangement comprising:
- a flexible membrane;
a plurality of capacitive sensors mechanically integrated with the flexible membrane, the plurality of capacitive sensors radially disposed with respect to a first axis that is perpendicular with respect to the flexible membrane;
an integrated circuit mechanically coupled onto an integrated circuit region of the flexible membrane and electronically coupled with the plurality of capacitive sensors, the integrated circuit configured to process a plurality of electronic signals from the plurality of capacitive sensors to provide a scrolling function; and
a connection region on the flexible membrane for electronically coupling the scrolling input arrangement with an electronic device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Scrolling input arrangements are presented including: a flexible membrane; a number of capacitive sensors mechanically integrated with the flexible membrane, the capacitive sensors radially disposed with respect to a first axis that is perpendicular with respect to the flexible membrane; an integrated circuit mechanically coupled with the flexible membrane and electronically coupled with the capacitive sensors, the integrated circuit configured to process a number of electronic signals from the capacitive sensors to provide a scrolling function; and a connection region on the flexible membrane for electronically coupling the scrolling input arrangement with an electronic device. In some embodiments, the capacitive sensors are configured with a plate element having a first surface area and a trace element having a second surface area such that the first surface area and second surface area comprise a sensor surface area, wherein the sensor surface areas for the capacitive sensors is substantially equal in size.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A scrolling input arrangement comprising:
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a flexible membrane;
a plurality of capacitive sensors mechanically integrated with the flexible membrane, the plurality of capacitive sensors radially disposed with respect to a first axis that is perpendicular with respect to the flexible membrane;an integrated circuit mechanically coupled onto an integrated circuit region of the flexible membrane and electronically coupled with the plurality of capacitive sensors, the integrated circuit configured to process a plurality of electronic signals from the plurality of capacitive sensors to provide a scrolling function; and a connection region on the flexible membrane for electronically coupling the scrolling input arrangement with an electronic device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 21, 22)
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10. A low-profile scrolling input assembly comprising:
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a scrolling input arrangement for providing a scrolling function, the scrolling input arrangement having a top surface and a bottom surface, the scrolling input arrangement comprising, a flexible membrane; a plurality of capacitive sensors mechanically integrated with the flexible membrane, the plurality of capacitive sensors radially disposed with respect to a first axis that is perpendicular with respect to the flexible membrane; an integrated circuit mechanically coupled onto an integrated circuit region of the flexible membrane, the integrated circuit electronically coupled with the plurality of capacitive sensors, the integrated circuit configured to process a plurality of electronic signals from the plurality of capacitive sensors to provide a scrolling function; a connection region on the flexible membrane for electronically coupling the integrated circuit with a device; a backing plate for providing mechanical support for the scrolling input arrangement, the backing plate mechanically coupled with the bottom surface; and a cover plate for providing protecting the top surface, the cover plate configured to provide a low-friction surface to receive a user input. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of calibrating a plurality of capacitive sensors in response to a changing positive temperature gradient, comprising:
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establishing a baseline, the baseline comprising a first minimum function of a signal from each of the plurality of capacitive sensors; scanning the plurality capacitive sensors; and if more than eight of the plurality of capacitive sensors exceeds a threshold value, determining a thermal drift of the plurality of capacitive sensors, the thermal drift corresponding to a second minimum function of a signal from each of the plurality of capacitive sensors, and for each of the plurality of capacitive sensors, calculating an updated baseline based on the baseline and the thermal drift such that the plurality of capacitive sensors is calibrated. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification