System for disposing a proximity sensitive touchpad behind a mobile phone keypad
AssigneeCirque Corporation
InventorsBrian Taylor, Michael D. Layton, David Taylor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A proximity-based mutually capacitance-sensitive touchpad that is disposed directly beneath a keypad keymat of a mobile telephone, wherein posts associated with each key pass through a mutually capacitance-sensitive sensor electrode grid of the touchpad such that the keypad posts do not interfere with touchpad detection and tracking of a pointing object that moves along the keypad surface, to thereby enable touchpad data entry, cursor control, and scroll bar control on a display of the mobile telephone, wherein the keypad posts actuate mechanical switches underneath the touchpad.
Claims57
A portable electronic appliance comprising:
- a keypad having a plurality of keys, wherein each of the plurality of keys is arranged so as to actuate a respective mechanical switch so as to provide a first type of user input;
- and
- an impedance sensing means disposed integrally with the keypad so as to provide a second type of user input that is characterized as non-mechanical, wherein the impedance sensing means operates as a proximity sensitive touchpad, wherein the keypad and the impedance sensing means are coextensive, wherein the impedance sensing means is of a size that is always adaptable for use in a hand-held device, and wherein the impedance sensing means is disposed under the keypad.
A method for providing a portable electronic appliance that combines touchpad functionality with discrete keys, said method comprising:
- (1) providing a keypad having a plurality of keys, wherein each of the plurality of keys is arranged so as to actuate a respective mechanical switch so as to provide a first type of user input;
- and
- (2) providing an impedance sensing means disposed integrally with the keypad so as to provide a second type of user input that is characterized as non-mechanical, wherein the impedance sensing means operates as a proximity sensitive touchpad, wherein the keypad and the impedance sensing means are coextensive, wherein the impedance sensing means is of a size that is always adaptable for use in a hand-held device, and wherein the impedance sensing means is disposed under the keypad.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.