Proximity detector to indicate function of a key

• US 6,680,677 B1
• Filed: 10/06/2000
• Issued: 01/20/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Logitech Europe S A (Logitech International SA)
• Original Assignee: Logitech Europe S A (Logitech International SA)
• Inventors: Tiphane, Guy
• Primary Examiner(s): EDWARDS JR, TIMOTHY
• Application Number:
  US09/684,109
• Time in Patent Office: 1,201 Days
• Field of Search: 341/22, 341/34, 400/491.3, 400/712
• US Class Current: 341/22
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/021 Arrangements integrating additional peripherals in a keyboard, e.g. card or barcode reader, optical scanner
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0219 Special purpose keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/023 Arrangements for converting discrete items of information into a coded form, e.g. arrangements for interpreting keyboard generated codes as alphanumeric codes, operand codes or instruction codes
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0238 Programmable keyboards key guide holders G06F3/0224

Abstract

An input device with a user-selectable key that includes a proximity detector associated with the key. The proximity detector detects the proximity or touch of a user'"'"'s finger and provides user feedback related to the function of the key, without actually activating the function of the key. This allows a user to determine what a particular key on a keyboard or other device will do by simply hovering the user'"'"'s finger near the top of the key, or lightly touching the key without depressing it.

Claims

1. An input device comprising:

a user-selectable key;

a proximity detector associated with said key for detecting the proximity of a user'"'"'s finger to said key and generating a proximity signal;

a user feedback device;

a controller, responsive to said proximity signal, for providing information through said user feedback device related to a function of said key, without activating said function of said key;

an indicator associated with said key; and

said controller activating said indicator in response to a received, external event associated with said function of said key.

2. An input device comprising:

a user-selectable key;

a proximity detector associated with said key for detecting the proximity of a user'"'"'s finger to said key and generating a proximity signal;

a user feedback device;

a controller, responsive to said proximity signal, for providing information through said user feedback device related to a function of said key, without activating said function of said key;

wherein said proximity signal activates a first function, causing a function, beyond identification of said key or a function, to be executed, and a depressing of said key activates a second function.

3. An input device comprising:

a user-selectable key;

a proximity detector associated with said key for detecting the proximity of a user'"'"'s finger to said key and generating a proximity signal;

a user feedback device;

a controller, responsive to said proximity signal, for providing information through said user feedback device related to a function of said key, without activating said function of said key;

wherein said information is an external event received over a computer network.

4. An input device comprising:

a user-selectable key;

a proximity detector associated with said key for detecting the proximity of a user'"'"'s finger to said key and generating a proximity signal; and

a controller, responsive to said proximity signal, for taking an action different from an action taken upon touching or depressing said key and other than identifying said key or actions.