CAPACITIVE TOUCH BUTTONS COMBINED WITH ELECTROLUMINESCENT LIGHTING
First Claim
1. A capacitive touch sensor comprising:
- a layer of electro-luminescent (EL) material arranged between a first electrode and a second electrode; and
a controller comprising a capacitance sensing circuit coupled to at least one of the first and second electrodes and arranged to measure a capacitive coupling associated therewith, wherein the controller is further operable to apply an EL drive signal across the first and second electrodes to cause the layer of EL material between the electrodes to illuminate.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A capacitive touch sensor includes a layer of electro-luminescent (EL) material arranged between a first electrode and a second electrode, A controller includes a capacitance sensing circuit coupled to first and/or second electrode and arranged to measure a capacitive coupling associated with the first and/or second electrode. The controller is further operable to apply an EL drive signal across the first and second electrodes to cause the layer of EL material between the electrodes to illuminate. This provides a simple structure that is sensitive to objects adjacent a sensing region defined by the first and/or second electrodes, and which may also be readily illuminated by applying an EL drive signal across the electrodes.
112 Citations
27 Claims
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1. A capacitive touch sensor comprising:
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a layer of electro-luminescent (EL) material arranged between a first electrode and a second electrode; and a controller comprising a capacitance sensing circuit coupled to at least one of the first and second electrodes and arranged to measure a capacitive coupling associated therewith, wherein the controller is further operable to apply an EL drive signal across the first and second electrodes to cause the layer of EL material between the electrodes to illuminate. - 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, comprising:
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providing a layer of electro-luminescent (EL) material arranged between a first electrode and a second electrode; measuring a capacitive coupling associated with at least one of the first and second electrodes; and applying an EL drive signal across the first and second electrodes to cause the layer of EL material between the electrodes to illuminate. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25)
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26. A capacitive touch sensor comprising:
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at least one capacitive electrode to receive a capacitive sensor drive signal; and a layer of electro-luminescent (EL) material arranged to receive from the capacitive electrode, the capacitive sensor drive signal and an illumination signal multiplexed with the sensor drive signal.
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27. A controller comprising:
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a capacitive sensor drive signal driver to generate a capacitive sensor drive signal; an electro-luminescent drive signal driver to generate an electro-luminescent drive signal; and a switch coupled to the drivers and arranged to multiplex the drive signals to provide to a capacitive sensor having an electro-luminescent layer.
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Specification