Touchpad integrated into a key cap of a keyboard for improved user interaction
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A key cap touchpad comprised of:
- a key cap manufactured using a material that does not interfere with capacitance measurements of a touchpad;
a capacitance sensitive key cap touchpad coupled to an underside of the key cap, to thereby perform proximity sensing of objects on or near a surface of the key cap;
touchpad sensor circuitry coupled to the key cap touchpad; and
firmware associated with the touchpad that provides at least one touchpad function.
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Abstract
A miniature touchpad disposed underneath the surface of a single key cap that is disposed in a keyboard, wherein the key cap touchpad provides proximity sensing through the material of the key cap to the key cap surface, wherein a user moves a finger across the key cap surface in order to manipulate a cursor on a display screen, scroll through items in a list, navigate through web pages, or other functions typically associated with a full-function touchpad.
105 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A key cap touchpad comprised of:
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a key cap manufactured using a material that does not interfere with capacitance measurements of a touchpad;
a capacitance sensitive key cap touchpad coupled to an underside of the key cap, to thereby perform proximity sensing of objects on or near a surface of the key cap;
touchpad sensor circuitry coupled to the key cap touchpad; and
firmware associated with the touchpad that provides at least one touchpad function. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for performing at least one touchpad function using a single key cap of a keyboard, said method comprising the steps of:
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(1) providing a key cap, a capacitance sensitive key cap touchpad coupled to an underside of the key cap to thereby perform proximity sensing of objects on or near a surface of the key cap, touchpad sensor circuitry coupled to the capacitance sensitive touchpad, and firmware associated with the touchpad that provides at least one touchpad function; and
(2) moving a finger across the key cap surface to thereby perform the at least one touchpad function. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification