Initializing a capacitive sensing switch for a wireless device

A system for initializing a capacitive sensing switch and detecting a pushed button, the method comprising:

• a keypad associated with a wireless device, wherein the keypad comprises at least one capacitive sensing switch;
• a means for determining a capacitive sensing range for each capacitive sensing switch, wherein the capacitive sensing range corresponds to the difference between the maximum capacitance and the minimum capacitance;
• an initialization threshold associated with the capacitive sensing range, wherein each capacitive sensing switch is initialized when the capacitive sensing range exceeds the initialization threshold;
• a measured capacitive value for each capacitive sensing switch, wherein the measured capacitive value is associated with a push-button threshold that determines whether the capacitive sensing switch has been pushed;
• and
• a means for detecting a button press when the measured capacitive value exceeds the push-button threshold.

A method for initializing a capacitive sensing switch and detecting a button press, the method comprising:

• determining a capacitive sensing range for at least one capacitive sensing switch associated with a keypad for a wireless device, wherein the capacitive range corresponds to the charging and discharging of the capacitive sensing switch;
• establishing a first condition that comprises determining whether the capacitive sensing range exceeds an initialization threshold and initializes the capacitive sensing switch;
• establishing a second condition that comprises repeatedly measuring a capacitive value for the capacitive sensing switch and determining whether the measured capacitive value exceeds a push-button threshold;
• and
• detecting a button press for the capacitive sensing switch when the first condition and the second condition have been satisfied.