DUAL INPUT KEYPAD FOR A PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE
First Claim
1. An input device for use in an electronic device comprising:
- a plurality of keys, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of keys are dual input keys that include a proximate sensor for receiving a proximate input and a tactile sensor for receiving a tactile input; and
a controller configured to determine an input mode, wherein the input mode is either a proximate input mode or a tactile input mode, and configured to execute a user input to one of the dual input keys as either a tactile input or a proximate input as commensurate with the determined input mode.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A keypad input device includes a plurality of dual-input keys. One input is a capacitive input that may sense an input instrument proximate the key. The other input is a tactile input that responds to physical pressing of the key. The capacitive input typically may be used for navigation type functions. The tactile input may be employed for inputs typically associated with a particular input key. A user may manually select either a tactile input mode or capacitive input mode depending upon the user input preference. The device also may have an auto mode that automatically selects the capacitive or tactile input mode based on the operational state of the device or based on a characteristic of the input. Key inputs are executed commensurate with the automatically determined or user selected input mode.
38 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An input device for use in an electronic device comprising:
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a plurality of keys, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of keys are dual input keys that include a proximate sensor for receiving a proximate input and a tactile sensor for receiving a tactile input; and a controller configured to determine an input mode, wherein the input mode is either a proximate input mode or a tactile input mode, and configured to execute a user input to one of the dual input keys as either a tactile input or a proximate input as commensurate with the determined input mode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of employing an input device for use in an electronic device, wherein the input device includes a plurality of keys and at least a portion of the plurality of keys are dual input keys for receiving a proximate input and a tactile input, the method comprising the steps of:
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receiving an input to one of the dual input keys; determining an input mode, wherein the input mode is either a proximate input mode or a tactile input mode; and executing the input as either a proximate input or a tactile input as is commensurate with the determined input mode. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification