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US 6,498,600 B1Granted
Electronic devices including keypads that illuminate in response to proximity of a user and methods of operating such electronic devices
AssigneeEricsson Inc.
InventorsScott L. Vance, Charles Rudisill
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An electronic device includes a keypad and a sensor that indicates proximity of a user to the electronic device, whereupon the keys of the keypad are illuminated. In particular, when the distance between the user and the sensor is less than a predetermined threshold, the keypad is illuminated in anticipation of the user providing keypad input to the electronic device. The sensor can be an infrared, an ultrasonic or a capacitive sensor. Alternately, the sensor can indicate contact between the user and the sensor, wherein the contact does not provide keypad input to the electronic device, for example, when the user touches but does not push a key of the keypad.
Claims28
An electronic device comprising:
- a processor that controls operations of the electronic device;
- a keypad, electrically connected to the processor, including a plurality of keys, wherein the keypad provides keypad input to the electronic device when at least one of the plurality of keys is pushed;
- a sensor, electrically connected to the processor, that indicates the proximity of the user to the sensor to the processor, wherein the processor determines the proximity of the user to the sensor;
- a light, electrically connected to the processor, wherein the processor is configured to activate the light to illuminate the plurality of keys when the processor determines that the user is in contact with at least one of the plurality of keys, wherein the contact between the user and the at least one of the plurality of keys does not provide keypad input to the electronic device;
- wherein the sensor includes a plurality of first contacts on the plurality of keys;
- and
- a plurality of second contacts on the plurality of keys, wherein at least one of the plurality of first contacts is electrically connected to at least one of the plurality of second contacts through the user in response to contact between the user and the at least one of the plurality of keys.
4 more elements
A keypad comprising:
- a plurality of keys configured to provide keypad input to an electronic device when at least one of the plurality of keys of the keypad is pushed;
- a sensor, on the plurality of keys, that indicates contact between a user and at least one of the plurality of keys, wherein the contact between the user and the at least one of the plurality of keys does not provide keypad input to the electronic device;
- a light, responsive to the sensor, wherein the light illuminates the keys of the keypad in response to the indication of contact between the at least one of the plurality of keys and the user;
- wherein the sensor includes a plurality of first contacts on the plurality of keys;
- and
- a plurality of second contacts on the plurality of keys, wherein at least one of the plurality of first contacts is electrically connected to at least one of the plurality of second contacts through the user in response to contact between the user and at least one of the plurality of keys.
3 more elements
A keypad comprising:
- means for providing keypad input to an electronic device when at least one of a plurality of keys of the keypad are pushed;
- means for sensing contact between a user and at least one of the plurality of keys, wherein the contact between the user and the at least one of the plurality of keys does not provide keypad input to the electronic device;
- means for illuminating the plurality of keys in response to the indication of contact between the at least one key and the user;
- wherein the means for sensing includes a plurality of first contacts on the plurality of keys;
- and
- a plurality of second contacts on the plurality of keys, wherein one of the plurality of first contacts is electrically connected to one of the plurality of second contacts through the user in response to contact between the user and at least one of the plurality of keys.
3 more elements
A radiotelephone comprising:
- a processor that controls operations of the radiotelephone;
- a keypad, electrically connected to the processor, including a plurality of keys each having a key face, wherein the keypad provides keypad input to the radiotelephone when at least one of the plurality of keys is pushed;
- first and second spaced-apart contacts on at least one of the key faces and an insulating material on the at least one key face between the first and second spaced-apart contacts, wherein the first and second spaced-apart contacts are configured to be electrically connected to one another when the at least one key face is contacted by a user and configured to be electrically insulated from one another in the absence of contact by a user;
- and
- a light, electrically connected to the processor, wherein the processor is Configured to activate the light to illuminate the plurality of keys when the processor detects that the first and second spaced-apart contacts are electrically connected, wherein the contact between the user and the at least one key face does not provide keypad input to the radiotelephone.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.