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First Claim
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1. An electronic device, comprising:
- a cavity positioned beneath an exterior surface that has selectively visible holes, the cavity separating the exterior surface from an interior surface;
a first capacitive component positioned on an interior area of the exterior surface;
a second capacitive component positioned on the interior surface opposite the first capacitive component;
a light source disposed in the cavity configured to shine through the selectively visible holes when lit; and
a sensor coupled to the first capacitive component and the second capacitive component,wherein deformation of the exterior surface causes a change in capacitance between the first capacitive element and the second capacitive element that is detected by the sensor.
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Abstract
An input device is configured to receive input. The input is a deflection based capacitive sensing input. Deflection of a metal fame of the input device causes a change in capacitance that is used to control a function of an electrical device. The input appears invisible because it is made of the same material as the housing it is contained in. Invisible backlit holes may make the input selectively visible or invisible to the user.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An electronic device, comprising:
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a cavity positioned beneath an exterior surface that has selectively visible holes, the cavity separating the exterior surface from an interior surface; a first capacitive component positioned on an interior area of the exterior surface; a second capacitive component positioned on the interior surface opposite the first capacitive component; a light source disposed in the cavity configured to shine through the selectively visible holes when lit; and a sensor coupled to the first capacitive component and the second capacitive component, wherein deformation of the exterior surface causes a change in capacitance between the first capacitive element and the second capacitive element that is detected by the sensor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for configuring an electronic device with a selectively visible input, comprising:
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positioning a cavity beneath an exterior surface that has selectively visible holes, the cavity separating the exterior surface from an interior surface; disposing a first capacitive component on an interior area of the exterior surface and a second capacitive element on the interior surface opposite the first capacitive component; positioning a light source in the cavity configured to shine through the selectively visible holes when lit; and coupling a sensor to the first capacitive component and the second capacitive component wherein deformation of the exterior surface causes a change in capacitance between the first capacitive element and the second capacitive element that is detected by the sensor. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification