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US 2012/0075486 A1Published application
Multi-Action Capacitive Switch and Methods of Use
AssigneeResearch In Motion Limited
InventorsYun Sun LEE, Chin Feng HSU
Life of this patent
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AssigneeResearch In Motion Limited
InventorsYun Sun LEE, Chin Feng HSU
Estimating the term…
A multi-action capacitive switch comprising a capacitive sensing area in a surface, a plunger comprising conductive material, and a structure of flexible conductive material. A change in capacitance caused by the presence of a user's finger travels from the capacitive sensing area, down the conductive material of the plunger, over the structure, and to a capacitive touch detector in contact with the structure. An actuation of the switch, for example by pressing, is detected by an actuation detector. In a handheld electronic device, a user may initiate a phone call using such a multi-action capacitive switch. The method includes displaying a list of phone numbers in response to detection of a user's finger on a predetermined key and calling one of the numbers when the user actuates the predetermined key.
A multi-action capacitive switch device, comprising:
A method for placing a phone call using a mobile communication device, the mobile communication device comprising an input apparatus, an output apparatus, a memory, and a processor, wherein the input apparatus comprises a plurality of input members, and at least one of the input members comprises a capacitive input member, the method comprising:
A method of taking a picture using a handheld device, the handheld device comprising a camera, an input apparatus, an output apparatus, a memory, and a processor, wherein the input apparatus comprises a capacitive input member, the method comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.