TW201624247A - Electronic touch buttons - Google Patents

Abstract

An example electronic touch button in accordance with one implementation includes a capacitive sensor, a light emitting diode (LED) matrix, and an LED driver. The capacitive sensor is to detect a change in capacitance when an object approaches the electronic touch button. The LED matrix includes a plurality of LEDs. The LED driver is to drive the LED matrix to display an indicator. The indicator indicates at least one of a function, a notification, and a feature.

Description

Electronic touch button

The invention relates to electronic touch buttons.

Background of the invention

Electronic devices such as mobile devices, tablets, and laptops typically include one or more user interface mechanisms that facilitate interaction between the user and the electronic device. Such user input mechanisms include buttons, keyboards, and other input sensing systems. When a user interacts with the button, a button on an electronic device can often perform a task, such as providing input to an electronic device.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, an electronic touch button is specifically provided, comprising: a capacitive sensor for detecting a change in capacitance when an object approaches the electronic touch button; and a light emitting diode (LED) a matrix, wherein the LED matrix comprises a plurality of LEDs; and an LED driver for driving the LED matrix to display an indicator, wherein the indicator indicates at least one of: a function, a notification, and a characteristic component .

100, 320‧‧‧ electronic touch buttons

110, 330‧‧‧Capacitive sensor

120, 200, 340‧‧‧ LED drivers

130, 350‧‧‧ LED matrix

135, 355‧‧‧LED

140, 210, 212, 214, 360‧‧‧ indicators

140A, 360A‧‧‧ function

140B, 360B‧‧ Notice

140C, 360C‧‧‧Characteristics

300‧‧‧ Computing device

310‧‧‧ processor

400‧‧‧ method

410-460‧‧‧ square

The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings, in which: 1 is a block diagram of an example of an electronic touch button according to an embodiment; FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an example of an electronic touch button having an LED matrix for displaying different indicators according to an embodiment; FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an electronic touch button according to an embodiment; A block diagram of an example of a computing device having an example of an electronic touch button; and FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing an example of a method of operating an electronic touch button in accordance with an embodiment.

Detailed description of the preferred embodiment

Many types of sensors and devices use capacitive sensing, which is based on capacitive coupling techniques. In addition to buttons and input devices, capacitive sensors have been used to detect and measure proximity, position, humidity, acceleration, and other metrics. Again, capacitive sensors are used in human interface devices, such as touch screens. However, most of the buttons on devices that use capacitive sensors, such as phones and tablets, have fixed functions and/or fixed display icons. Many current solutions lack flexibility.

The example herein provides an electronic touch button with a changeable button display and button function. In an embodiment, an electronic touch button includes a capacitive sensor, a light emitting diode (LED) matrix, and an LED driver for driving the LED matrix to display an indicator. An indicator displayed by the LED matrix can indicate at least one of a function, a notification, and a feature. Again, the LED driver can change the indicator being displayed. In this way, the function and display output of the electronic touch button example can be customized by the user. And planning. Accordingly, the electronic touch button herein can be used for electronic devices, such as mobile devices, as a universal user input and output mechanism.

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 depicts an example of an electronic touch button 100. The electronic touch button 100 can have a capacitive sensor 110, an LED driver 120, and an LED matrix 130. The capacitive sensor 110 can detect a change in capacitance when an object approaches the electronic touch button 100. The LED driver 120 can drive the LED matrix 130 to display an indicator 140, which can be at least one of a function 140A, a notification 140B, and a characteristic component 140C. The LED matrix 130 can include a plurality of LEDs 135.

The electronic touch button 100 can be an interface device that interacts with the user, collects input from the user, and delivers the output to the user. For example, the electronic touch button 100 can sense a user's touch button or be in the vicinity of the button, and send such a sensor to an electronic device processor to trigger an operation. Moreover, for example, the electronic touch button 100 can display a small image or other indicator to indicate the function of the electronic touch button 100. The electronic touch button 100 can be, for example, a capacitive sensor that includes a capacitive sensor 110. For example, the electronic touch button 100 can be a capacitive button and can be used as a user interface on an electronic device 300, which can be a mobile phone or a touch screen tablet.

Capacitive sensor 110 can be a device that detects an object that is conductive or that has a different dielectric than a control material such as air. Capacitive sensor 110 can have circuitry and other components for detection. For example, the capacitive sensor 110 can detect the presence of an object by detecting a change in capacitance when an object approaches the electronic touch button 100. In several In an embodiment, the capacitive sensor 110 can detect a change in capacitance over a range of capacitances that can correspond to the presence of a particular object or a particular type of object. For example, the capacitive sensor 110 can detect when a user uses the hand to specify the electronic touch button 100 by sensing a change in capacitance associated with human flesh and skin. In some embodiments, the capacitive sensor 110 can detect when an object is in physical contact with the electronic touch button 100. Additionally or alternatively, capacitive sensor 110 can detect the presence of an object within a predetermined neighborhood.

The LED driver 120 can drive the LED matrix 130 to display an indicator 140, which can be at least one of a function 140A, a notification 140B, and a characteristic component 140C. In several embodiments, LED driver 120 can operate with circuitry and other components. In some embodiments, the LED driver 120 can have a plurality of circuits, each of which is coupled to one of the individual LEDs of one of the plurality of LEDs 135 of the LED matrix 130. For example, each circuit of the LED driver 120 can be coupled to an electrode of an LED 135 for driving an electrical stimulus to the LED to control the output of the LED.

The LED matrix 130 can include a plurality of light emitting diodes 135 and can be driven by the LED driver 120 to display an indicator 140. Each LED 135 can be a two-lead semiconductor that emits light when actuated. When a suitable electrical stimulus such as a voltage is applied to the leads of the LED 135, the electrons can recombine with the holes inside the LED 135 to release energy in the form of photons. Each LED 135 can be a small area, and the plurality of LEDs 135 can be configured as a grid or other type of layout to form the LED matrix 130. For example, LED matrix 130 can include a grid of LEDs 135 that can form an image as indicator 140.

The indicator 140 can be a display image or display form for communicating a message to a user. Indicator 140 can indicate at least one of function 140A, notification 140B, and feature 140C. Function 140A may correspond to the current use of electronic touch button 100. In other words, function 140A can indicate the result of actuation of electronic touch button 100. For example, electronic touch button 100 can be used as an interface device for a system or device, such as a mobile computing device, to collect user input. In these embodiments, the electronic touch button 100 can be a mechanism by which the user uses the computing device. For example, actuating the electronic touch button 100, such as detecting a human touch by the capacitive sensor 110, can trigger a "return" function on the operating system of the mobile phone. In this embodiment, the LED driver 120 can drive the LED matrix 130 to display a corresponding LED 135 pattern representing the reverse arrow image. In another embodiment, the electronic touch button 100 can be used as a menu button. Correspondingly, the indicator 140 can be a function 140A that includes an image prompting such operation to the user.

Additionally or alternatively, the indicator 140 can indicate the notification 140B. The notification 140B can display the state of an application operatively coupled to one of the systems of the electronic touch button 100. In some embodiments, the electronic touch button 100 can be used as an interface device for a device such as a mobile phone. An application can be a program or function of such a device. For example, an application can be a communication program or a social networking program running on a mobile phone operating system. For such applications, a status may, for example, indicate an announcement or multiple new messages. Accordingly, the notification 140B can have an image or symbol indicating such a state. For example, notification 140B may indicate the number of new messages a user has received. The function of the electronic touch button 100 may correspond to the notification 140B. For example, When the notification 140B indicates the number of new messages, actuating the electronic touch button 100 may cause the mobile phone to turn on the messaging application. Additionally, the electronic touch button 100 can have a separate function from the indicator 140.

Again, the indicator 140 can indicate the characteristic member 140C. The characteristic member 140C can display one of the characteristics of a system operatively coupled to the electronic touch button 100. As previously described, the electronic touch button 100 can operate as a button on a mobile device such as a smart phone. A feature can be a program, an application, or other property. For example, the feature can be a timing function or state of the mobile device, such as power level or signal strength. The feature can be the current local time of the location of the mobile device. Thus, the feature 140C can have numbers, letters, and symbols to represent time. The function of the electronic touch button 100 may correspond to the characteristic member 140C. For example, when the characteristic member 140C indicates time, actuating the electronic touch button 100 may cause the mobile phone to launch the timing application. Additionally, the electronic touch button 100 can have a separate function from the indicator 140.

In several embodiments, the indicator 140 can be changeable. For example, the user can plan the LED driver 120 or a system operatively coupled to the electronic touch button 100 such that the LED matrix 130 changes the indicator 140 depending on the user's selection. In these embodiments, the electronic touch button 100 can be customized by the user to have different functions when the user inputs, and the different indicators 140 are output by the LED matrix 130. For example, during use of a mobile device, a user can change the functionality of the electronic touch button 100 on the device for various purposes. Again, the LED matrix 130 can display different indicators 140 for various functions of the electronic touch button 100, for example. As for another In an embodiment, when the device is not used, the LED matrix 130 can display the indicator 140 as a notification 140B or a characteristic component 140C for notifying the user that no input is currently provided to the electronic touch button 100 during the time.

2 depicts an example of an electronic touch button having an LED matrix showing different indicators 210, 212, and 214. The electronic touch button depicted in FIG. 2 can be similar to the example electronic touch button 100 of FIG. The displayed electronic touch button can include an LED matrix that resembles an LED matrix 130 having a plurality of LEDs similar to LEDs 135. The example depicts an LED group that is configured as a rectangular grid that displays an image of the grid. For example, the LED matrix can display an indicator 120 that displays that all of the LEDs of the grid are actuated. When the LED matrix selectively actuates the LEDs within the grid, an image such as the reverse arrow image depicted by indicator 212 can be displayed.

As previously described, the indicator 212 can represent a function corresponding to a current use of the electronic touch button, such as function 140A. For example, when the electronic touch button is programmed to have a return operation for a device instance, the indicator 212 can represent a reverse arrow. Again, indicator 214 may represent a notification that displays an application state of one of the device instances, such as notification 140B. For example, the indicator 214 can represent a small map indicating that the user has received five new messages in an application on the device instance. Moreover, as previously described, the indicators 210, 212, and 214 can also indicate a feature, such as the feature 140C.

FIG. 3 depicts an example of a computing device 300 having one of the electronic touch buttons 320. The computing device 300 can be, for example, a cell phone, a tablet, a notebook, a PDA, a communication device, a server, a router, a table. Laptops, workstations, retail point-of-sale devices, smart phones, gaming devices, wearable computing devices (eg, smart watches or smart bands), compact computers, calculators, scientific instruments, and/or Any other electronic device that uses an electronic touch button. Computing device 300 can include a processor 310.

Processor 310 can be one or more central processing units (CPUs), semiconductor-based microprocessors, and/or other hardware devices suitable for retrieval and execution of computer instructions. The processor 310 is used as an operational coupling between the computing device 300 and the electronic touch button 320, and can control the operation of the electronic touch button 320 based on the instructions of the computing device 300 and according to the user's instructions.

Similar to the electronic touch button 100 of FIG. 1, the electronic touch button 320 can be an interface device that can interact with the user, collect input from the user, and deliver output to the user. The electronic touch button 320 can sense a user's touch button or be in the vicinity of the button, and send such a sensing to the processor 310 for triggering one of the operations in the computing device 300. In addition, the electronic touch button 320 can display a small image or other indicator to indicate the function of the electronic touch button 320. The electronic touch button 320 can be, for example, a capacitive sensing device that includes a capacitive sensor 330. For example, the electronic touch button 320 can be a capacitive button that functions as an electronic device, such as a touch screen tablet or a user interface on a mobile phone.

Capacitive sensor 330 can be a device that detects an object, such as a human hand, that is conductive, or that has a different dielectric properties than the control material. Capacitive sensor 330 can have circuitry and other components for detection. For example, the capacitive sensor 330 can detect when an object is approaching The capacitance of the electronic touch button 320 changes to detect the presence of an object. In some embodiments, capacitive sensor 330 can detect a change in capacitance over a range of capacitances that can correspond to the presence of a particular object or a particular type of object. For example, the capacitive sensor 330 can detect when a user uses the hand to specify the electronic touch button 320 by sensing a change in capacitance associated with human flesh and skin. In some embodiments, capacitive sensor 330 can detect when an object is in physical contact with electronic touch button 320. Additionally or alternatively, capacitive sensor 330 can detect that an object is present within some predefined neighborhood. Capacitive sensor 330 can communicate the sensed capacitance change to processor 310, which can trigger operation of computing device 300.

The LED driver 340 can drive the LED matrix 350 to display an indicator 360, which can be at least one of a function 360A, a notification 360B, and a feature 360C. In several embodiments, LED driver 340 can operate with circuitry and other components. In some embodiments, the LED driver 340 can have a plurality of circuits, each of which is coupled to one of the individual LEDs of one of the plurality of LEDs 355 of the LED matrix 350. For example, each circuit of the LED driver 340 can be coupled to an electrode of an LED 355 for driving an electrical stimulus to the LED to control the output of the LED. The LED driver 340 can be controlled by the processor 310, which can instruct the LED driver 340 to drive the LED matrix 350 to display in accordance with instructions from the computing device 300.

The LED matrix 350 can include a plurality of light emitting diodes 355 and can be driven by the LED driver 340 to display an indicator 360. Each LED 355 can be a two-lead semiconductor that emits light when actuated. When a suitable electrical stimulus such as a voltage is applied to the leads of the LED 355, the electrons can be internal to the LED 355 The holes are combined to release energy in the form of photons. Each LED 355 can be a small area, and the plurality of LEDs 355 can be configured as a grid or other type of layout to form the LED matrix 350. For example, LED matrix 350 can include a grid of LEDs 355 that can form an image for use as indicator 360.

The indicator 360 can be a display image or display form for communicating a message to a user. Indicator 360 can indicate at least one of function 360A, notification 360B, and feature 360C. As previously described, function 360A may correspond to the current use of electronic touch button 320. For example, actuating the electronic touch button 320, such as detecting a human touch by the capacitive sensor 330, can trigger a "return" function on the operating system of the computing device 300. In this embodiment, the LED driver 340 can drive the LED matrix 350 to display a corresponding LED 355 pattern representing the reverse arrow image, such as displayed by the indicator 212 in FIG.

Additionally or alternatively, indicator 360 can indicate notification 360B. The notification 140B can display the status of one of the computing device 300 applications. An application can be a program or function of computing device 300. For example, an application can be a running program or a social networking program running on an operating system. For such applications, a status may, for example, indicate an announcement or multiple new messages. Accordingly, the notification 360B can have an image or symbol indicating such a state. For example, notification 360B may indicate the number of new messages a user has received, such as the one displayed by indicator 214 in FIG. The function of the electronic touch button 320 may correspond to the notification 360B. For example, when notification 360B indicates a new number of messages, actuating electronic touch button 320 may cause computing device 300 to turn on the messaging application. In addition, the electronic touch button 320 can have an indicator 360 Open function.

Again, indicator 360 can indicate feature 360C. The feature 140C can display one of the features of the computing device 300. A feature can be a program, an application, or other property. For example, the feature can be a timing function or state of computing device 300, such as a power level or signal strength. The feature can be the current local time at the location of computing device 300. Thus, feature 360C can have numbers, letters, and symbols to represent time. The function of the electronic touch button 320 may correspond to the characteristic member 360C. For example, when the feature 360C indicates time, actuating the electronic touch button 320 can cause the computing device 300 to launch the timing application. Additionally, the electronic touch button 320 can have a separate function from the indicator 360.

In some embodiments, the indicator 360 can be changeable. For example, the user can customize the use of indicator 360 and electronic touch button 320 by planning computing device 300. In such embodiments, the electronic touch button 320 can be customized by the user to have different functions when the user inputs, and the different indicators 360 are output by the LED matrix 350. For example, during use of computing device 300, a user can change the functionality of electronic touch button 320 on the device for a variety of purposes. Again, the LED matrix 350 can display different indicators 360 for various functions of the electronic touch button 320, for example. In another embodiment, when the computing device is not used, the LED matrix 350 can display the indicator 360 as a notification 360B or a characteristic component 360C for notifying the user that no input is currently provided to the electronic touch button during the time period. 320.

4 is a flow chart depicting an example of a method 400 for operating an electronic touch button. Method 400 can include block 420 for receiving one from a processor Indicia, block 430 is for displaying an indication received from the processor on an LED matrix, block 440 is for detecting a change in capacitance when an object is in proximity to a capacitive sensor, and block 450 is for transmitting the detected change in capacitance Give the processor. Although the operation of the method 400 is described herein with reference to FIG. 3, it is apparent that other suitable components for implementing the method 400, including the electronic touch button 100 of FIG. 1, are readily available.

The method 400 can begin at block 410 and proceed to block 420 where an indication is received from the processor 310 by the electronic touch button 320. The indication can be an instruction, material, or other form of indication to control the LED driver 340 to drive the LED matrix 350 to display the indicator 360. The indication may correspond to at least one of function 360A, notification 360B, and feature 360C. The indication can be an operation performed on computing device 300 and an interaction result between computing device 300 and a user. As previously described, function 360A may correspond to the current use of electronic touch button 320, notification 360B may display the status of an application of computing device 300, and feature 360C may include one of computing device 300.

Upon receiving an indication, method 400 can proceed to block 430 where an indicator 360 based on the received indication is displayed on LED matrix 350. As previously described, the LED matrix 350 can include a plurality of indicators 360, such as those arranged in a grid pattern to display an image. The indicator 360 can be associated with an instruction received in an indication received from the processor 310 and can include a function 360A, a notification 360B, and/or a feature 360C.

After the indicator 360 is displayed, the method 400 can proceed to block 440 where an electrical detection is detected as soon as an object approaches a capacitive sensor 330. Change the volume. As previously described, in some embodiments, capacitive sensor 330 can detect a change in capacitance over a range of capacitances that can correspond to the presence of a particular object or a particular type of object. For example, the capacitive sensor 330 can detect when a user uses the hand to specify the electronic touch button 320 by sensing a change in capacitance associated with human flesh and skin. In some embodiments, capacitive sensor 330 can detect when an object is in physical contact with electronic touch button 320. Additionally or alternatively, capacitive sensor 330 can detect that an object is present within some predefined neighborhood. It is noted that block 440 may occur at any time during operation of electronic touch button 320, rather than necessarily in the order of method 400 as shown in FIG.

After detecting the change in capacitance, method 400 can proceed to block 450 where the change in capacitance is sent to processor 310. The operations of block 450 may trigger operations in computing device 300, such as by LED matrix 350 displaying the operation of the functions represented by function 360A. It should be noted that during operation of electronic touch button 320, block 450 may occur at any time after operation of block 440, rather than necessarily in the order of method 400 as shown in FIG. In some embodiments, the operations of blocks 440 and 450 correspond to actuation or depression of electronic touch button 320.

The foregoing describes multiple examples for electronic touch buttons. It will be appreciated that without departing from the scope of the electronic touch button or its application, the electronic touch buttons described herein may include additional components, and portions of the components described herein may be removed or modified.

100‧‧‧Electronic touch button

110‧‧‧Capacitive sensor

120‧‧‧LED driver

130‧‧‧LED matrix

135‧‧‧LED

140‧‧‧ indicator

140A‧‧‧ function

140B‧‧ Notice

140C‧‧‧Characteristics

Claims (15)

An electronic touch button comprising: a capacitive sensor for detecting a change in capacitance when an object approaches the electronic touch button; a matrix of light emitting diodes (LED), wherein the LED matrix comprises a plurality of LEDs And an LED driver for driving the LED matrix to display an indicator, wherein the indicator indicates at least one of: a function, a notification, and a characteristic. The electronic touch button of claim 1, wherein the indicator displayed by the LED matrix is changeable by the LED driver. The electronic touch button of claim 1, wherein the indicator indicates the function, wherein the function corresponds to a current use of one of the electronic touch buttons. The electronic touch button of claim 1, wherein the indicator indicates the notification, wherein the notification displays a state of an application operatively coupled to one of the systems of the electronic touch button. The electronic touch button of claim 1, wherein the indicator indicates the characteristic component, wherein the characteristic component comprises a characteristic component of a system operatively coupled to the electronic touch button. The electronic touch button of claim 1, wherein the capacitive sensor is configured to detect a change in one of the capacitances within a certain capacitance range. A computing device comprising: a processor; An electronic touch button is operatively coupled to the processor, wherein the electronic touch button comprises: a capacitive sensor for detecting a change in capacitance when an object approaches the electronic touch button, wherein the capacitive type The sensor sends the detection of the change in capacitance to the processor; a matrix of light emitting diodes (LED), wherein the LED matrix comprises a plurality of LEDs; and an LED driver for driving the LED matrix to display an indicator Wherein the indicator indicates at least one of: a function, a notification, and a feature, and wherein the LED driver is controlled by the processor. The computing device of claim 7, wherein the indicator displayed by the LED matrix is changeable by the LED driver. The computing device of claim 7, wherein the indicator indicates the function, wherein the function corresponds to a current use of one of the electronic touch buttons for the computing device. The computing device of claim 7, wherein the indicator indicates the notification, wherein the notification displays a status of an application of the computing device. The computing device of claim 7, wherein the indicator indicates the characteristic, wherein the characteristic comprises one of the characteristics of the computing device. The computing device of claim 7, wherein the capacitive sensor is configured to detect a change in a capacitance within a certain capacitance range, and wherein the capacitive sensor transmits the capacitance within a certain capacitance range This detection of changes is given to the processor. A method of operating an electronic touch button, comprising: receiving an indication from a processor, wherein the indication corresponds to at least one of: a function, a notification, and a characteristic component; a light-emitting diode (LED) matrix on the button, displaying an indicator based on the indication received from the processor, wherein the LED matrix comprises a plurality of LEDs; when an object approaches a capacitive touch of the electronic touch button The sensor detects a change in one of the capacitances; and the detection of the change in the transmit capacitance is given to the processor. The method of claim 13, wherein: the function corresponds to a current use of one of the electronic touch buttons; the notification displays a state of an application operatively coupled to one of the systems of the electronic touch button; The characteristic component includes a characteristic component of a system operatively coupled to the electronic touch button. The method of claim 13, wherein the detected change in capacitance falls within a certain capacitance range.