JP4017595B2 - A system that places a proximity-sensitive touchpad behind a mobile phone keymat - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention generally relates to touchpads and mobile phones. In particular, the present invention relates to configuring the touchpad to be operable while placed under the mobile phone keypad, by the user pressing a key on the keymat in a conventional manner. Operate the keypad and activate the touchpad located under the keymat so that you can operate the display on the mobile phone and control the cursor, scroll bar, and alphanumeric data entry on the mobile phone To do.

  This specification claims priority to all subjects contained in US Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 296,414, filed June 6, 2001, which is incorporated by reference. The specification also includes 09 / 603,417 filed on June 22, 2000, 09 / 759,609 filed on January 11, 2001, and 09/656 filed on September 7, 2000. , 522 and claims priority to all the subjects contained in the four co-pending US applications, which are incorporated by reference.

  Examples of portable information devices include portable communication devices known by many popular names such as cellular telephones, cellular telephones, mobile telephones (hereinafter collectively referred to as “mobile telephones”). Mobile phones can now provide more services than just voice communications. For example, mobile phones currently provide data services such as accessing the Internet, browsing the Web, and using e-mail. These services are becoming ubiquitous as the infrastructure that provides them becomes more widespread.

  There are several problems that hinder the use of these data services. Because these mobile phones are small devices, there is no surface space to implement data entry and display control techniques. Mobile phones generally have to rely on the keypad as the primary source of alphanumeric data entry and display control. Unfortunately, experience has shown that using a keypad for all types of data entry and display control is inefficient, slow, cumbersome and frustrating to the user. Therefore, the ability to easily operate a graphical interface such as a mobile phone web browser and the ability to quickly enter text with a word processor to send an e-mail is highly desirable, but is not met.

  Accordingly, it is an advantage over the prior art to provide a system that allows for rapid data entry and graphical display control in portable information devices such as mobile phones. Ideally, the system allows a mobile phone to maintain its conventional keypad while the system provides a touchpad and associated touchpad functionality. However, this system does not require a separate touchpad surface. The system thus incorporates a touchpad without changing the appearance of the mobile phone. The touchpad is placed under the key mat and can be activated by a switch or other activation means.

  Alternatively, the touchpad can be placed under the display screen or under some portion of the mobile phone body that allows the user to run a finger on its surface. Importantly, the touchpad is activated by proximity sensing and therefore does not need to be activated in direct contact with the touchpad. The surface on which the touchpad can detect a pointing object can be part of a keypad keymat, an LCD display screen, or a portable information device body that is easily accessible by touch.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a proximity sensitive touchpad that can provide a touchpad function while being placed under a keymat of a keypad.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a proximity sensitive touchpad in which each key column on a keymat passes through a mutual capacitive sensor electrode grid of the touchpad.

Another object of the present invention is to change the spacing of the electrodes on the mutual capacitance sensor so that the columns can pass through the electrode grid.
Another object of the present invention is to bend or skew some of the electrodes around the opening located through the touchpad so that the mechanical switch can be activated.

Another object of the present invention is to modify the sensor algorithm to compensate for altered spacing and bends or angles in the electrodes on the touchpad.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an individual touch pad that provides a dedicated function as a scroll mechanism.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a separate touchpad that, if the mobile phone has a cover that can be closed, is arranged to be accessible when the mobile phone is closed.

  In a preferred embodiment, the present invention is a proximity-based mutual capacitive sensing touchpad located directly below a keymat of a mobile phone keypad, wherein the column associated with each key is Pass through the mutual capacitance sensing sensor electrode grid of the touchpad so as not to interfere with the touchpad detection, and the tracking of pointing objects moving along the keypad surface, thereby under the touchpad at the keypad column Touchpad data entry, cursor control, and scroll bar control can be performed on a mobile phone display that activates a mechanical switch.

In a first aspect of the invention, an electrode grid of a proximity based mutual capacitance sensing touch pad is disposed on a flexible non-conductive substrate material.
In a second aspect of the invention, holes are provided through the substrate material to allow the keypad column to move up and down therethrough.

  In a third aspect of the present invention, the proximity-based mutual capacitive sensing touchpad operates in sleep mode and in active mode, thereby holding power and undesirable touchpad operation when the key is in use To prevent.

In a fourth aspect of the invention, the electrode grid is made of copper etched on a metal flake Capton Glide Sensor.
In a fifth aspect of the invention, a proximity based mutual capacitance sensing touchpad provides tap, double tap, scroll control, and cursor control.

  In a sixth aspect of the invention, the touchpad is not affected by changes in the distance between the pointing object and the touchpad, and the pointing object does not affect the performance of the touchpad, and between the keys. To be able to move.

In a seventh aspect of the invention, individual touchpads are placed along the lateral edges of the mobile phone to provide a dedicated scroll function.
These and other objects, features, advantages and alternative features of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

  The present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings, in which the various elements of the invention are labeled with reference numerals, so that those skilled in the art can make and use the invention. It should be understood that the following description is only illustrative of the principles of the present invention and should not be viewed as limiting the scope of the claims.

  The presently preferred embodiment of the present invention is a proximity-based mutual capacitive sensing touchpad that is located directly below the keymat of the mobile phone keypad. The keypad column associated with each key passes through the touchpad electrode grid so as not to interfere with touchpad detection and tracking of pointing objects moving along the keypad surface. Keypad keys provide a first type of user input. The touchpad can provide data entry, cursor control, and scroll bar control on a mobile phone display. Thus, the touchpad provides a second type of user input. Keypad keys provide separate input in alphanumeric form. In contrast, the touchpad is an impedance sensing means. More specifically, the touchpad uses mutual capacitance sensing technology to determine the position of the finger on its surface.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a general mobile phone 10. A broken line 12 indicates an approximate position of the touch pad disposed under the plurality of keys 20. The plurality of keys 20 are the only visible portion of a key mat 22 (not shown) disposed under the rigid housing 14. The key mat 22 is the first layer of the keypad 18. The keypad 18 includes all components that can actuate the mechanical switch to which the plurality of keys 20 correspond, and in the present invention also includes a touchpad and is integrally disposed thereon. The mobile phone includes a display screen 8 and may include some external antenna (not shown). Within the mobile phone are a power source such as a rechargeable battery and electronic circuitry for the phone and touchpad.

  FIG. 2 is a close-up side view of a portion of the keypad 18 in close proximity. This figure shows a single key of a plurality of keys 20 that are part of the key mat 22. The key 20 is generally a deformable rubber-like material. However, the key 20 can also be formed of a rigid material. Importantly, the material used for the key 20 does not interfere with the operation of the touchpad. In other words, the key 20 should not interfere with the detection of the mutual capacitance between the touchpad electrode grids and the change in mutual capacitance caused by a pointing object such as a finger.

  The key 20 includes a post 24 that is used to activate the mechanical switch 32 when the key is pressed. The key 20 may have any desired shape. It should be noted that the key 20 generally has a raised shape that protrudes outwardly through the rigid housing 14 and slightly upward. Alternatively, the key 20 can be flush with the surface of the rigid housing 14, but this configuration is probably avoided to provide better feedback to the user. Another alternative is to expose the key mat 22 without the hard housing surface covering the key mat 22.

  Actuation of the mechanical switch 32 is achieved when the column 24 is pushed down over the dome-like structural member 36 disposed thereon. The dome-shaped member 36 also functions as a spring for pushing the columnar portion 24 back to the rest or non-operating position. The columnar portion 24 rests on or is adjacent to the dome-shaped member 36. The dome-like member 36 thus provides the desired tactile response upon actuation of the mechanical switch.

  In general, the key mat 22 has a structure that does not include an opening that penetrates the key mat 22. Instead, the key mat 22 is formed to provide a position where a plurality of keys 20 are disposed. Thus, each of the plurality of keys 20 is generally a separate component that is joined to the key mat 22 or otherwise fused. However, this configuration should not be considered limiting and can form a key mat 22 having an integral key 20. In another alternative, the key mat 22 is completely eliminated and the individual keys have no structure to hold them together.

  In FIG. 2, the touch pad 26 is disposed immediately below the key mat 22. A plurality of openings 28 are disposed through the touch pad 26, and the columnar portions 24 connected to the respective keys 20 can pass therethrough. The structure of the touch pad 26 is a novel feature of the present invention that will be described in detail in other figures.

  A switch substrate 30 is disposed below the touch pad 26. The switch board 30 is generally a rigid material such as a printed circuit board (made of PCB). FIG. 2 shows a mechanical switch 32 disposed on the switch board 30. An LED 34 adjacent to the mechanical switch 32 and the dome-shaped member 36 is also disposed on the switch board 30. A plurality of LEDs 34 on the switch board provide illumination that is typically visible through a plurality of keys 20. Thus, the key 20 is transparent, or at least translucent, so that the illumination from the LED can be seen through it. It should be understood that at least a portion of the key mat 22 on which the key 20 is disposed is also transparent or translucent so that the illumination is visible.

  The important thing to recognize in FIG. 2 is that the key 20 must easily enable the mechanical switch 32 to enable the mobile phone. In other words, the touchpad should not interfere with the operation of the plurality of keys 20. However, in order to provide touchpad functionality, the touchpad 26 needs to be placed as close as possible to the key mat 22 and the key 20. In this preferred embodiment, a novel feature of the present invention is that the opening 28 enables the configuration of the keypad 18 shown in FIG.

  In order to provide a touchpad function for a mobile phone, a plurality of keys 20, a column 24, an opening 28 through and corresponding to the touchpad 26, and a mechanical switch 32 are required. These structures are arranged as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a close-up side sectional view of a part of the keypad 18, and the key 20 having the columnar portion 24 is disposed on the opening 28 that penetrates the touchpad 26. The columnar portion 24 is adjacent to or disposed on the dome-shaped member 36. The switch board 30 shown in the figure is arranged at a certain distance by the gap 40 so that the dome-shaped member 36 can be operated by the columnar portion 24.

  Another important and novel feature of the present invention is that the interposer substrate of the touchpad 26 must also be transparent, or at least translucent, so that the illumination provided by the LEDs 34 is visible through the key 20. It is not to be. Furthermore, the materials used for the touchpad are important for several reasons other than lighting.

  It is recognized that there are illumination methods that can be used in addition to LEDs. For example, electroluminescent lighting may be used for mobile phones. However, there is a need to provide an aperture that penetrates the same electroluminescent illumination that penetrates the touchpad. This is difficult with currently used manufacturing methods. However, multiple separate electroluminescent panels can be placed under the touchpad 26.

  In the presently preferred embodiment, the touchpad in use comes from CIRQUE ™ GLIDESENSOR ™ technology. This technology provides a flexible substrate for use in a sensor grid of a mutual capacitance sensing touchpad. This flexible substrate can not only follow an arcuate surface, for example under the key mat 22, but can also be slightly deformed. This is important. This is because when the key 20 is pressed and the column 24 presses down on the dome 36 and activates the mechanical switch 32, the edge 38 of the key 20 presses the touch pad 26 and slightly deforms it. Because. This movement of the touch pad 26 needs to be minimized to reduce possible damage to the electrodes placed on it.

  The GLIDESENSOR ™ touchpad 26 provides another function that is important for the normal operation of a mobile phone touchpad. The touch pad 26 provides proximity sensing. Proximity sensing is the ability to detect pointing objects that are on multiple keys 20 or on the space between keys. Proximity sensing is therefore the ability to detect a pointing object, in this case a finger, without direct contact with the sensing surface of the touchpad 26.

  GLIDESENSOR ™ is only suitable for providing this enhanced z-axis proximity sensing capability described in co-pending US applications. Basically, an increase in the dynamic range of the touchpad is provided by an integrated circuit in the center of the touchpad circuit. Increased dynamic range is possible for several fundamental reasons, such as eliminating the need to discard the smallest measurement bit because a more accurate analog-to-digital (A / D) converter is used. More specifically, it has been determined that noise within the A / D converter itself is the cause of having to discard measurement data that cannot be considered reliable. Thus, the techniques used to reduce electronic noise in the touchpad circuit have resulted in significant performance improvements.

  Another factor is the unexpected results that result from the A / D converter. Specifically, the number of “sampling” obtained by the measurement reading or measurement circuit can be doubled, thereby resulting in a reduction in the noise of the A / D converter.

Together, the reduction in A / D converter noise and a two-fold increase in the number of samples in the measurement circuit result in an increase in the accuracy of the touchpad sensing circuit by at least a four-fold.
Another factor is that the present invention uses mutual capacitance sensing technology. One particular advantage of this technique is that the electrode grid consists of separate X and Y electrodes, and CIRQUE ™ US Pat. Nos. 5,305,017, 5,565,658, And US Pat. No. 5,861,875 teach that this technique does not rely on having a well established ground. The mutual capacitance allows detection of a finger that changes the capacitance between the X and Y electrodes. Earth is not important in the measurement method. Thus, the improved touchpad sensitivity combined with the benefits of mutual capacitance technology allows the CIRQUE ™ touchpad to achieve accurate proximity sensing.

It is important to recognize that the touchpad technology of the present invention had to be significantly modified to operate in a mobile phone environment.
One modification is the material used in the touchpad substrate. A typical mutual capacitance sensing touchpad consists of X and Y electrode grids. As taught in co-pending US applications, the electrode grid of the present invention is formed on a flexible, non-conductive material. Several products are commercially available that can be used for this purpose. However, even plastic or MYLAR ™ can be used.

  More specifically, for materials, the present invention requires a flexible substrate and uses polyethylene terephthalate (PET) to fulfill this role. However, PET is generally not transparent. In general, it is a dark amber-colored material that, when used for a touchpad, cannot pass enough light to illuminate the keys. Thus, in the presently preferred embodiment, a transparent or more transparent film such as polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) is used for the substrate. Thus, any film with suitable properties, such as a polyester or polyimide film with suitable transmission properties, can be used.

  Another important property of the touchpad substrate in the presently preferred embodiment is that it can be soldered. It is desirable to solder the electrical connectors and / or components directly to the touchpad substrate material. PET generally has a lower melting point than that of solder. However, PEN has a higher temperature coefficient that is slightly higher than solder and can be used for touchpad substrates.

  Another advantageous property of the touchpad substrate is that it needs to be thin enough to provide flexibility so that it closely follows the bottom surface of the key mat 22. Accordingly, the touchpad substrate needs to have desirable transmission characteristics, temperature coefficient, flexibility, and be thin and non-conductive.

  The electrode grid is well known to those skilled in the art and can be formed in a variety of ways as described in the CIRQUE ™ patent mentioned above. FIG. 4 shows the prior art, where the X grid 50 is placed away from the Y grid 52 by some inductive insulating material. Thus, the X grid 50 can be disposed on the first substrate 54, the Y grid 52 can be disposed on the second substrate 56, and the first substrate is coupled to the second substrate, An inductive insulating material with the upper substrate 56 interposed is formed.

  More specifically, in the present invention, FIG. 5 is provided to illustrate the presently preferred embodiment of the touchpad 26 and layout characteristics. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side view of the touchpad 26 of the presently preferred embodiment. A first electrode grid layer 62 is disposed on the base substrate. This can be an X or Y grid. The next layer is an inductive insulating material 64 well known to those skilled in the art. A second electrode grid 66 is then placed on top of the inductive insulating material 64. Another insulating and protective layer 68 is generally disposed on top of the second electrode grid 66 simply to prevent damage. This protective layer 68 is typically the same insulative material used between the electrode grid layers 62, 66.

  The process of placing the electrode grid layers 62 and 66 on the substrate 60 and the inductive insulating material 64 is taught in a co-pending US application. However, it can be briefly described that the conductive ink such as indium tin oxide (ITO) is formed by silk screen printing. However, by using PEN or other similar film as the substrate 60, it is possible to etch copper on one side of the substrate 60 and print conductive ink on the other. The through-holes in the substrate can then be used to connect the electrode grid to the copper trace. The ability to etch copper allows connection to electronic components that can also be placed directly on the substrate 60, eliminating the need to provide a means for coupling to off-board electronic devices.

  The important features of the present invention can then be illustrated in the following figures. Starting from FIG. 6, this figure shows one plan view of the electrode grid. For illustrative purposes only, this is referred to as the Y electrode grid layer 62. The Y electrode grid 70 is composed of various electrode fingers as shown in the figure. The electrode grid 70 is surrounded by a grounded annular electrode 72 to reduce noise interference.

  An important new feature on the Y electrode grid layer 62 that differs from the previously described touchpad manufactured by CIRQUR ™ is the opening 28. There is an opening 28 for each key 20 on the keypad 18 of the mobile phone 10. Thus, the exact placement and number of openings 18 may vary depending on the style of mobile phone being used and the layout of the keypad 18. The 21 keys of this implementation are shown as examples only. Furthermore, the number of columns and rows can be adjusted as needed.

  An important feature of the Y electrode grid 70 is that some of it is not straight. Two of the electrodes 70 are forced to bend around the opening 28. The performance of touchpad 26 with electrodes having non-linear portions can be significantly affected. Conveniently, the present invention can compensate for electrodes having non-linear portions. This can be achieved using an offset.

  The offset is a function of a known index position. For example, a typical CIRQUE ™ touchpad uses a 12 × 16 electrode grid. This provides 192 unprocessed index positions for determining finger position. Because the size of the mobile phone is smaller, the total number of electrodes in the X and Y electrode grid layers 62 and 66 needs to be reduced. In the preferred embodiment, the electrode grid is currently 6 × 8 electrodes. In this embodiment, there are eight Y electrodes 70 and six X electrodes 74. This is a total of 1/4 (6 × 8 = 48) of unprocessed index positions used to determine the position of a finger on the touchpad 26 compared to a general CIRQUE ™ touchpad. Means that. This situation makes the touchpad more difficult to implement because it limits the size of the area in which it can operate.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the X electrode grid layer 66. X electrodes 74 are arranged as shown in the figure.
An important feature to note is not only that a portion of the Y electrode 70 is non-linear, but also that the spacing between the Y electrode 70 and the X electrode 74 is not uniform. As with non-linear Y electrodes, this reduces the performance of the touch pad 26. To compensate, it is necessary to use the same technique that uses offsets. This is only possible because the position of the non-linear portion of the electrode and the spacing between all the electrodes is known. Thus, the offset will vary depending on the spacing and bending of the particular electrode around the opening 28. This feature that can provide such an offset to accurately determine the position of the finger on the touchpad is a novel feature of the present invention.

  FIG. 8 is provided to show the appearance of the touchpad after all overlapping electrode layers 62, 66 have been placed on the touchpad substrate 60. It should be understood that the scales of FIGS. 6, 7, and 8 are not actual dimensions. The electrode grid layers 62 and 66 are enlarged for easy viewing. Although not mentioned, a portion of the touchpad is a touchpad circuit that is coupled to the electrode grid layers 62, 66. The touchpad circuit is designed to detect and locate any perturbations that interfere with the mutual capacitance between the electrode grid layers 62 and 66. This concept is explained in the parent application and in the above mentioned CIRQUR ™ patent.

  An important feature of the present invention is that it provides touchpad functionality to mobile phones. This function includes functions for performing scale, tap, double tap, and cursor control. All of this functionality is part of the touchpad 26 and is new for mobile phone applications.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing different physical configurations of the mobile phone 78. The mobile phone 78 has a base portion 80 and a cover portion 82. The cover portion 82 generally includes a display screen, such as the LCD display screen 84 shown here. Base portion 80 generally includes a keypad 86. Alternatively, different types of display screen technologies can be used. This can be advantageous if the touchpad 26 can be placed more easily behind this display screen in alternative embodiments. Other display screen technologies include plasma displays and electronic ink displays.

  This figure is provided because it is desirable to provide some touchpad functionality at multiple locations on the mobile phone. For example, the mobile phone shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 includes a small LCD display screen 88 at the rear 90 when the cover portion 92 is closed. Display screen 88 is used to indicate, for example, caller identification or some other mobile telephone function. It is important to understand that when using this type of mobile phone 78, it is often desirable that the mobile phone does not need to be opened to perform some touchpad functions on the display screen 88.

  In another example, the display screen can be used to access a telephone number table in a telephone directory stored in memory. The touchpad is a very convenient method for scrolling. However, the mechanical scroll wheel can easily operate at an undesirable moment. Furthermore, since the internal mechanical mechanism of the mechanical scroll wheel is open to the elements, reliability becomes a problem. In contrast, it is more difficult to activate a touchpad that requires using a finger to move across it. Furthermore, the electronic circuitry of the touchpad is hidden inside the rigid housing 14.

  Accordingly, another feature of the present invention is to provide a small touchpad with limited touchpad functionality and away from the touchpad 26 under the key mat 22. For example, the small touchpad 92 shown is located along the edge or side of the mobile phone 78. The touch pad 92 can provide a scroll function for the display screen 88. The touch pad 92 can be disposed at the same height as the rigid housing 14 or disposed below the rigid housing. The position of the touch pad 92 is then indicated by drawing some line on the rigid housing 14. The user simply scrolls by moving the thumb or finger along the touch pad 92 and scrolls up and down depending on the direction of movement.

  There are many ways to accomplish this with respect to actuation of the touch pads 26 and 92. For example, operation of the application software can be achieved by operation of a suitable touchpad. Consider that a mobile phone web browser application is activated upon receipt of an e-mail message. The activation of the web browser occurs simultaneously with the activation of the touchpad, thereby allowing the user to operate the cursor in a graphical web browser environment. The user can then display the email message on the display screen 8.

  Thus, activation of the touchpad can be performed automatically in response to activation of specific activities or programs that depend on the touchpad function being operated. In contrast, the operation of the touchpad can also be performed manually via a dedicated switch. The switch can be located near the key 20 on the keypad 18. These methods can be combined or customized by the user so that the touchpad automatically activates according to the selected application, and others do not operate without manual interference.

  It will be described that the touch pad 92 can be activated by some activities displayed on the display screen 88. This allows the user to activate the touchpad 92 without having to open the mobile phone, or otherwise prevent inadvertent activation that can be caused by carrying the mobile phone in a bag or handbag.

  FIG. 11 is provided as a very basic block diagram of the components of the present invention when deployed in a mobile telephone. These components include a display screen 8, a memory module 100 that stores data, a processor 102 that controls the operation of various components, a transceiver circuit 104 that controls the transmission and reception of data including voice data, and all operations of the mobile phone. A power supply 106 that provides power, a mechanical switch 32 to data interface 108 actuated by the key 20 on the keypad 18, and a touchpad 26 to data interface 110. It should be understood that a mobile phone can include more components such as a card reader and other memory devices. This figure should only be taken as a general example.

  Although the presently preferred embodiment teaches the integration of the touchpad 26 into the keypad 18, it should be understood that the touchpad 26 can be placed anywhere else. The touch pad 26 is disposed under the rigid housing 14 and can operate in a proximity sensing mode. Alternatively, the touch pad 26 can be operated by being directly touched by placing the touch pad 26 at a position where the hard housing 14 is cut and the surface of the touch pad is exposed. Providing touchpads that are positioned at multiple locations, such as under the key mat 22 and under a portion of the rigid housing 14, should also be considered an aspect of the present invention. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the touch pad 26 may be placed under the LCD display screen 8 to operate in the same manner as the touch screen.

  Another aspect of the present invention is the power mode of the touchpad 26. Activation of the touchpad may be performed automatically or manually, and deactivation may also be performed automatically or manually. The presently preferred embodiment is used in portable information devices such as mobile phones, so power consumption is a problem. If no activity is detected during the selectable time period, the touchpad 26 can be designed to enter a sleep mode. However, the user may wish to complete the task and return to using the key 20, or simply not using the mobile phone. Therefore, a manual switch is provided to deactivate the touch pad, and the mobile phone is not turned off, but can be forced into the sleep mode when left in the call waiting mode.

  It may not be desirable to limit the switch to a single task that activates or deactivates the touchpad. Thus, it may be preferable to press a series of keys 20 to allow this function to be performed manually. In addition, menu items on the display screen 8 can be selected by using the touchpad itself.

  The presently preferred embodiment of a mobile phone is only one example in which the present invention can be used. The present invention is best suited for use with a variety of arbitrary portable information devices such as mobile phones. However, other device devices, such as personal digital assistants (PDAs), laptop computers, tablet personal computers, and similar portable computer devices can also benefit from the present invention.

  However, it is not necessary to strictly limit the present invention to portable information equipment. The ability to provide a touchpad that is integrated with another input means, such as a keypad, can be used anywhere the keypad is seen, even on the panel of an electronic instrument such as a computer keyboard, car, airplane .

  Another alternative embodiment to address is the elimination of machine keys. This is accomplished by using the touchpad as both a keypad and touchpad. In other words, the touchpad mode can be switched. In keypad mode, the touchpad provides multiple distinct areas, each area corresponding to a distinct key on the keypad. When switched to touchpad mode, the touchpad surface operates with a touchpad function that provides cursor control, for example.

  It should be understood that the above arrangement is merely an example of the application of the principles of the present invention. Those skilled in the art will devise numerous modifications and alternative arrangements without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The appended claims are intended to cover such modifications and configurations.

It is a perspective view showing a general mobile phone in which the present invention is arranged. It is a close-up enlarged side sectional view showing a part of the keypad. It is a proximity side sectional view showing a part of keypad. FIG. 6 shows an example of prior art showing that an X electrode grid is separated from a Y electrode grid by some inductive insulating material. 1 is a cross-sectional side view illustrating a touchpad according to a presently preferred embodiment. It is a top view which shows the Y electrode grid shown in FIG. It is a top view which shows the X electrode grid shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the external appearance of the touchpad after all the electrode layers which overlap are arrange | positioned on a touchpad board | substrate. It is a figure which shows the different physical structure of a mobile telephone. FIG. 10 shows the mobile phone of FIG. 9 with the cover closed. It is a block diagram which shows the basic component of a mobile telephone.

Claims (63)

A portable electronic device,
A keypad having a plurality of keys each configured to actuate each mechanical switch to provide a first type of user input;
Impedance sensing means disposed integrally with the keypad to provide a second type of user input , wherein the impedance sensing means compensates for the electrode having a non-linear portion and the non-linear portion. And a portable electronic device comprising an impedance sensing means .   The portable electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the keypad includes a region where the impedance sensing unit can operate, and the region has no key on the touchpad.   The portable electronic device according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of keys are formed as part of a key mat.   4. The portable electronic device according to claim 3, wherein the impedance sensing means is disposed adjacent to the key mat.   The portable electronic device according to claim 4, wherein the key mat and the impedance sensing means occupy the same range.   6. The portable electronic device according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of keys include a rubber-like material that does not interfere with the operation of the impedance sensing means.   The impedance sensing means is located on the impedance sensing means and detects the presence and position of a finger that touches the surface of the plurality of keys or the surface of a portable electronic device immediately adjacent to and between the keys. The portable electronic device according to claim 6, which is configured to do so. The impedance sensing means further comprises:
A first electrode grid;
The portable electronic device of Claim 7 containing the 2nd electrode grid arrange | positioned in the same range as the said 1st electrode grid. The impedance sensing means is
The first electrode grid in which the electrodes are arranged substantially in parallel but at non-uniform intervals;
Electrode substantially parallel, but the portable electronic device of claim 8, further comprising, a second electrode grid disposed with a non-uniform spacing. The impedance sensing means and the plurality of keys are
A plurality of openings disposed through the impedance sensing means;
Columnar portions disposed on the bottom surface of each of the plurality of keys and positioned on the keymat so that each of the plurality of keys can pass through one of the plurality of openings of the impedance sensing means when pressed. portable electronic device according to claim 9, further comprising the a. The keypad is
A switch substrate disposed under the impedance sensing means;
A plurality of mechanical switches respectively disposed below a corresponding opening penetrating the impedance sensing means and below each columnar portion of the plurality of keys;
The portable electronic device according to claim 10, further comprising a dome-shaped member disposed on each of the plurality of mechanical switches.   The portable electronic device according to claim 11, wherein the switch board further includes light emitting means on the switch board, thereby providing illumination to the plurality of keys.   The portable electronic device according to claim 12, wherein the light emitting unit further includes a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) arranged adjacent to each of the plurality of mechanical switches.   The portable electronic device according to claim 13, wherein the light emitting means further includes a plurality of electroluminescence panels.   The portable electronic device according to claim 14, wherein the light emitting unit further includes a single electroluminescent panel having a plurality of openings penetrating through each of the plurality of mechanical switches.   The portable electronic device according to claim 15, wherein the impedance sensing means is transparent.   The portable electronic device according to claim 16, wherein the impedance sensing means is translucent.   The portable electronic device according to claim 17, wherein the first electrode grid and the second electrode grid are conductive ink.   The portable electronic device according to claim 18, wherein the conductive ink is further indium tin oxide. The impedance sensing means is
A first electrode grid disposed on the touchpad substrate;
A first inductive insulating layer disposed on the first electrode grid;
A second electrode grid disposed on the first induction insulating layer;
A second induction insulating layer disposed on the second electrode grid;
The impedance sensing means coupled to the first electrode grid and the second electrode grid and using disturbances in mutual capacitance between the first electrode grid and the second electrode grid; portable electronic device according to claim 19, further comprising a touch pad circuitry, the detecting nearby objects.   21. The portable electronic device according to claim 20, wherein the touch pad substrate further comprises a transparent material.   The portable electronic device according to claim 21, wherein the touchpad substrate further comprises a translucent material.   23. The portable electronic device of claim 22, wherein the touchpad substrate includes a material having a higher temperature coefficient than solder, thereby allowing electronic circuitry to be placed directly on the touchpad substrate.   24. The portable electronic device of claim 23, wherein the touchpad substrate includes a material having a higher temperature coefficient than solder, thereby enabling metal traces to be etched into the touchpad substrate.   25. The portable electronic device of claim 24, wherein the touchpad substrate is selected from the group of materials consisting of polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polyester film, and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The impedance sensing means is
The first electrode grid forming an arc along a portion thereof when the electrodes are arranged in a straight line but need to be repositioned around an opening in the touchpad substrate;
Electrodes are arranged so that a straight line, but when it is necessary to change the position around the opening of the touchpad substrate, and the second electrode grid which forms the arc-shaped portion along a portion thereof, a further 26. A portable electronic device according to claim 25.   The electronic circuit of the impedance sensing means further uses an offset value to compensate for the arc in the first electrode or the second electrode, thereby accurately determining the finger position near the impedance sensing means. 27. The portable electronic device according to claim 26.   The electronic circuit of the impedance sensing means further comprises using an offset value to compensate for non-uniform spacing between the first electrodes and to compensate for non-uniform spacing between the second electrodes. The portable electronic device according to claim 27.   29. The portable electronic device of claim 28, wherein the second type of user input from the impedance sensing means further comprises a touchpad function including scrolling, tapping, double tapping, and cursor control.   30. The portable electronic device of claim 29, further comprising second impedance sensing means having a limited touchpad function.   32. The portable electronic device according to claim 30, wherein the second impedance sensing means can provide a scroll function.   32. The portable electronic device of claim 31 selected from the group of portable electronic devices including a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a laptop computer, and a tablet personal computer (PC). A method of providing a portable electronic device that combines touchpad functions with individual keys,
(1) providing a keypad having a plurality of keys each configured to actuate each mechanical switch to provide a first type of user input;
(2) providing impedance sensing means disposed integrally with the keypad to provide a second type of user input , the impedance sensing means comprising an electrode having a non-linear portion; and Providing an impedance sensing means comprising an offset that compensates for the non-linear portion .   34. The method of claim 33, further comprising providing an area in which the impedance sensing means can be activated and characterized as having no keys on the touchpad.   35. The method of claim 34, further comprising forming the plurality of keys as part of a key mat.   36. The method of claim 35, further comprising positioning the impedance sensing means adjacent to the key mat.   The method of claim 36, further comprising forming the key mat and the impedance sensing means to occupy the same range.   38. The method of claim 37, further comprising forming the plurality of keys of rubbery material that do not interfere with operation of the impedance sensing means.   The impedance sensing means is disposed on the impedance sensing means and detects the presence and position of a finger touching the surface of the plurality of keys, or the surface of a portable electronic device immediately adjacent to and between the keys. 40. The method of claim 38, further comprising the step of: (1) providing a first electrode grid;
(2) The method of claim 39, further comprising the steps, the providing a second electrode grid disposed in the same range as the first electrode grid. (1) configuring the first electrode grid such that the electrodes are arranged substantially parallel but at non-uniform spacing;
(2) said second electrode grid, the electrode is substantially parallel, but the method of claim 40, further comprising the steps, a configured to be positioned with a non-uniform spacing. (1) disposing a plurality of openings penetrating the impedance sensing means;
(2) A columnar portion positioned on the key mat is arranged on the bottom surface of each of the plurality of keys so that each of the plurality of openings of the impedance sensing means can be penetrated when the key is pressed. the method of claim 41, further comprising the steps, a to. (1) disposing a switch board under the impedance sensing means;
(2) providing a plurality of mechanical switches respectively penetrating through the impedance sensing means and disposed under corresponding openings and under respective columnar portions of the plurality of keys;
(3) The method of claim 42, further comprising the steps of placing a dome-shaped member on each of said plurality of mechanical switches.   44. The method of claim 43, further comprising providing light emitting means on the touchpad substrate, thereby providing illumination to the plurality of keys.   45. The method of claim 44, further comprising providing a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) disposed adjacent to each of the plurality of mechanical switches.   46. The method of claim 45, further comprising providing a plurality of electroluminescent panels.   47. The method of claim 46, further comprising providing a single electroluminescent panel having a plurality of openings therethrough, one for each of the plurality of mechanical switches.   48. The method of claim 47, further comprising providing the impedance sensing means that is transparent.   49. The method of claim 48, further comprising providing the impedance sensing means translucent.   50. The method of claim 49, further comprising manufacturing the first electrode grid and the second electrode grid from a conductive ink.   51. The method of claim 50, further comprising using indium tin oxide as the conductive ink. (1) disposing a first electrode grid on a touchpad substrate;
(2) disposing a first inductive insulating layer on the first electrode grid;
(3) disposing a second electrode grid on the first induction insulating layer;
(4) disposing a second inductive insulating layer on the second electrode grid;
(5) A touchpad circuit is coupled to the first electrode grid and the second electrode grid, and the touchpad circuit is in a mutual capacitance between the first electrode grid and the second electrode grid. the method of claim 51, further comprising a step of using the disturbance detecting things near the impedance sensing means.   53. The method of claim 52, further comprising using a transparent material for the touchpad substrate.   54. The method of claim 53, further comprising using a translucent material for the touchpad substrate.   55. The method of claim 54, further comprising using a material having a higher temperature coefficient than solder to the touchpad substrate, thereby allowing electronic circuitry to be placed directly on the touchpad substrate.   56. The method of claim 55, further comprising using a material having a higher temperature coefficient than solder to the touchpad substrate, thereby allowing metal traces to be etched into the touchpad substrate. (1) Providing the first electrode grid in which the electrodes are arranged in a straight line, but form an arcuate portion along a portion thereof when the position needs to be changed around the opening of the touchpad substrate And steps to
(2) Providing the second electrode grid in which the electrodes are arranged in a straight line, but form an arcuate portion along a portion thereof when the position needs to be changed around the opening of the touchpad substrate the method of claim 56, further comprising the steps, a to.   Compensating an arc in the first electrode or the second electrode using an offset value in the electronic circuit of the impedance sensing means, thereby accurately determining a finger position near the impedance sensing means. 58. The method of claim 57, further comprising:   Using an offset value in the electronic circuit of the impedance sensing means to compensate for non-uniform spacing between the first electrodes and to compensate for non-uniform spacing between the second electrodes; 59. The method of claim 58, further comprising:   60. The method of claim 59, further comprising providing touchpad functionality including scrolling, tapping, double tapping, and cursor control.   The method of claim 60, further comprising providing second impedance sensing means having limited touchpad functionality.   64. The method of claim 61, further comprising providing a scroll function with the second impedance sensing means.   64. The method of claim 62, further comprising selecting a portable electronic device from a group of portable electronic devices including a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a laptop computer, and a tablet personal computer (PC).

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