Keyboard having touch sensor keys for conveying information electronically
First Claim
1. A keyboard for a electronic device comprisinga first key havinga touch surface which, in one mode, is responsive to pressing by a user'"'"'s finger to indicate a selection associated with the first key, andan array of sensors exposed at the touch surface to detect, in another mode, the location where a finger is positioned on the touch surface as an indication of information to be conveyed by a user, anda second key having an array of sensors which are exposed at a touch surface of the second key and are sensitive to manipulations of a finger on the touch surface to provide signals for switching the first key from the one mode to the other mode.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A keyboard for an electronic device includes a first key having a touch surface which, in one mode, is responsive to pressing by a user'"'"'s finger to indicate a selection associated with the first key, and an array of sensors exposed at the touch surface to detect, in another mode, the location where a finger is positioned on the touch surface as an indication of information to be conveyed by a user. The keyboard also includes a second key having an array of sensors which are exposed at a touch surface of the second key and which are sensitive to manipulations of a finger on the touch surface to provide signals used for switching the first key from the one mode to the other mode.
290 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A keyboard for a electronic device comprising
a first key having a touch surface which, in one mode, is responsive to pressing by a user'"'"'s finger to indicate a selection associated with the first key, and an array of sensors exposed at the touch surface to detect, in another mode, the location where a finger is positioned on the touch surface as an indication of information to be conveyed by a user, and a second key having an array of sensors which are exposed at a touch surface of the second key and are sensitive to manipulations of a finger on the touch surface to provide signals for switching the first key from the one mode to the other mode.
Specification