Capacitive sensor behind black mask
First Claim
1. An electronic device comprising:
- a touch screen display configured to display a graphical user interface, the touch screen display having a sensor array operable to recognize touch events and produce signals representative of locations of the touch events on the display; and
a capacitive sensor located separate from and outside a viewing area of the display, the capacitive sensor comprising a sense electrode and a driver electrode located on opposite sides of the viewing area, the capacitive sensor operable to recognize a touch or hover event that occurs over the viewing area and produce a signal representative of the touch or hover event.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Devices having one or more sensors located outside a viewing area of a touch screen display are disclosed. The one or more sensors can be located behind an opaque mask area of the device; the opaque mask area extending between the sides of a housing of the device and viewing area of the touch screen display. In addition, the sensors located behind the mask can be separate from a touch sensor panel used to detect objects on or near the touch screen display, and can be used to enhance or provide additional functionality to the device. For example, a device having a sensor located outside the viewing area can be used to detect objects in proximity to a functional component incorporated in the device, such as an ear piece (i.e., speaker for outputting sound). The sensor can also output a signal indicating a level of detection which may be interpreted by a controller of the device as a level of proximity of an object to the functional component. In addition, the controller can initiate a variety of actions related to the functional component based on the output signal, such as adjusting the volume of the earpiece.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. An electronic device comprising:
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a touch screen display configured to display a graphical user interface, the touch screen display having a sensor array operable to recognize touch events and produce signals representative of locations of the touch events on the display; and a capacitive sensor located separate from and outside a viewing area of the display, the capacitive sensor comprising a sense electrode and a driver electrode located on opposite sides of the viewing area, the capacitive sensor operable to recognize a touch or hover event that occurs over the viewing area and produce a signal representative of the touch or hover event. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for sensing touch and hover events on or about an electronic device having a touch screen, comprising:
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generating one or more first signals by a touch sensor panel, the one or more signals by the touch sensor panel indicative of touch events occurring at distinct locations on a display area of the electronic device; and generating one or more second signals by a capacitive sensor located outside the display area, the capacitive sensor comprising a sense electrode and a driver electrode located on opposite sides of the display area, the capacitive sensor, the one or more second signals generated by the capacitive sensor indicative of a touch or hover event occurring in proximity to a functional component of the electronic device; and processing the one or more signals to enhance the functionality of the touch screen. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A mobile telephone comprising:
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a touch screen display configured to display a graphical user interface, the touch screen display having a sensor array operable to recognize touch events and produce signals representative of locations of the touch events on the display; and a capacitive sensor located separate from and outside a viewing area of the display, the capacitive sensor comprising a sense electrode and a driver electrode located on opposite sides of the viewing area, the capacitive sensor operable to recognize a touch or hover event that occurs over the viewing area and produce a signal representative of the touch or hover event.
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Specification