Magnetic re-centering mechanism for a capacitive input device
First Claim
1. An input device, comprising:
- a moveable upper magnet having an upper surface and a lower surface;
an electrically conductive member disposed below the lower surface of the upper magnet and moveable in conjunction therewith;
an electrode array comprising a plurality of electrically conductive sense electrodes and at least one drive electrode, the sense and drive electrodes being spaced apart from the electrically conductive member by a gap;
a stationary lower magnet disposed below the plurality of sense electrodes and the drive electrode, the lower magnet being configured and positioned to attract the upper magnet to a centered rest position thereabove;
a drive signal circuit configured to provide an electrical drive signal to the electrically conductive member through the drive electrode and the gap, anda capacitance measurement circuit operably coupled to the electrically conductive member and the sense electrodes, the circuit being configured to detect changes in capacitance occurring between the electrically conductive member and the sense electrodes when the upper magnet is moved from the centered rest position;
wherein the upper magnet is moveable by a user in respect of the lower magnet, the plurality of sense electrodes and the drive electrode disposed therebelow, and the lower magnet is further configured to exert a magnetic force on the upper magnet to return the upper magnet to the centered rest position when the upper magnet is moved from the centered rest position and then released by the user.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Various embodiments provide an enhanced mobile computing experience by providing an input device in a mobile electronic device that is configured to accurately and quickly re-center a button or other user interface while providing a sensation of enhanced tactile feedback to a user. The biasing force of a magnetic re-centering mechanism is employed to overcome frictional forces acting on the button during its travel forwards and backwards and tilting to insure that the button is returned quickly and accurately to a resting position. The magnetic re-centering mechanism has a low profile, and permits the input device and the mobile electronic device within which the input device is disposed to have small form factors.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. An input device, comprising:
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a moveable upper magnet having an upper surface and a lower surface; an electrically conductive member disposed below the lower surface of the upper magnet and moveable in conjunction therewith; an electrode array comprising a plurality of electrically conductive sense electrodes and at least one drive electrode, the sense and drive electrodes being spaced apart from the electrically conductive member by a gap; a stationary lower magnet disposed below the plurality of sense electrodes and the drive electrode, the lower magnet being configured and positioned to attract the upper magnet to a centered rest position thereabove; a drive signal circuit configured to provide an electrical drive signal to the electrically conductive member through the drive electrode and the gap, and a capacitance measurement circuit operably coupled to the electrically conductive member and the sense electrodes, the circuit being configured to detect changes in capacitance occurring between the electrically conductive member and the sense electrodes when the upper magnet is moved from the centered rest position; wherein the upper magnet is moveable by a user in respect of the lower magnet, the plurality of sense electrodes and the drive electrode disposed therebelow, and the lower magnet is further configured to exert a magnetic force on the upper magnet to return the upper magnet to the centered rest position when the upper magnet is moved from the centered rest position and then released by the user. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method of using or making an input device, comprising:
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providing a moveable upper magnet having an upper surface and a lower surface; providing an electrically conductive member disposed below the lower surface of the upper magnet and moveable in conjunction therewith; providing an electrode array comprising a plurality of electrically conductive sense electrodes and at least one drive electrode, the sense and drive electrodes being spaced apart from the electrically conductive member by a gap; providing a stationary lower magnet disposed below the plurality of sense electrodes and the drive electrode, the lower magnet being configured and positioned to attract the upper magnet to a centered rest position thereabove; providing a drive signal circuit configured to provide an electrical drive signal to the electrically conductive member through the drive electrode and the gap, and providing a capacitance measurement circuit operably coupled to the electrically conductive member and the sense electrodes, the circuit being configured to detect changes in capacitance occurring between the electrically conductive member and the sense electrodes when the upper magnet is moved from the centered rest position; configuring the upper magnet, the electrically conductive member, the electrode array and the lower magnet such that the upper magnet is moveable by a user in respect of the lower magnet and the plurality of sense electrodes and the drive electrode disposed therebelow, and the lower magnet exerts a magnetic force on the upper magnet to return the upper magnet to the centered rest position when the upper magnet is moved from the centered rest position and then released by the user. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25)
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Specification