Touch sensing with mobile sensors
First Claim
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1. An apparatus comprising:
- an array of touch sensors;
a plurality of keys, wherein the array of touch sensors has an area that spans the plurality of keys such that the array of touch sensors senses touches of an object to surfaces of the keys, each key includinga compressible structure on which one or more of the touch sensors is disposed, wherein a force applied by the object to the surface of one of the keys compresses the compressible structure of the key to move the surface of the key by an amount based on the applied force, anda sensing element mounted below the surface of the key, the sensing element being disposed such that the force applied by the object moves the surface of the key toward the sensing element;
a keypress detector that senses a keypress of one of the keys in response to the force applied by the object on the surface of the key exceeding a threshold force; and
an input processor that provides an indication of the sensed touch with respect to the area of the touch sensor array and that provides an indication of the sensed keypress.
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Abstract
Apparatus and methods are disclosed for simultaneously tracking multiple finger and palm contacts as hands approach, touch, and slide across a proximity-sensing, multi-touch surface. Identification and classification of intuitive hand configurations and motions enables unprecedented integration of typing, resting, pointing, scrolling, 3D manipulation, and handwriting into a versatile, ergonomic computer input device.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. An apparatus comprising:
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an array of touch sensors; a plurality of keys, wherein the array of touch sensors has an area that spans the plurality of keys such that the array of touch sensors senses touches of an object to surfaces of the keys, each key including a compressible structure on which one or more of the touch sensors is disposed, wherein a force applied by the object to the surface of one of the keys compresses the compressible structure of the key to move the surface of the key by an amount based on the applied force, and a sensing element mounted below the surface of the key, the sensing element being disposed such that the force applied by the object moves the surface of the key toward the sensing element; a keypress detector that senses a keypress of one of the keys in response to the force applied by the object on the surface of the key exceeding a threshold force; and an input processor that provides an indication of the sensed touch with respect to the area of the touch sensor array and that provides an indication of the sensed keypress. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of sensing touches and keypresses by an object on a plurality of keys of an electronic device, the method comprising:
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providing an array of touch sensors, the array having an area that spans a plurality of keys of the electronic device, the array of touch sensors sensing touches by the object to surfaces of the keys; providing, for each key, a compressible structure on which one or more of the touch sensors is disposed, wherein a force applied by the object to the surface of one of the keys compresses the compressible structure of the key to move the surface of the key by an amount based on the applied force; providing, for each key, a sensing element mounted below the surface of the key, the sensing element being disposed such that the force applied by the object moves the surface of the key toward the sensing element; sensing a keypress of one of the keys in response to the force applied by the object on the surface of the key exceeding a threshold force; providing an indication of a position of the sensed touch with respect to the area of the touch sensor array; and providing an indication of the sensed keypress. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification