WO2016045121A1 - Electronic touch buttons - Google Patents
Electronic touch buttons Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2016045121A1 WO2016045121A1 PCT/CN2014/087681 CN2014087681W WO2016045121A1 WO 2016045121 A1 WO2016045121 A1 WO 2016045121A1 CN 2014087681 W CN2014087681 W CN 2014087681W WO 2016045121 A1 WO2016045121 A1 WO 2016045121A1
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- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- electronic touch
- touch button
- led
- indicator
- feature
- Prior art date
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
- G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
- G06F3/02—Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials
- G06F3/023—Arrangements for converting discrete items of information into a coded form, e.g. arrangements for interpreting keyboard generated codes as alphanumeric codes, operand codes or instruction codes
- G06F3/0238—Programmable keyboards
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
- H03K—PULSE TECHNIQUE
- H03K17/00—Electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making and –breaking
- H03K17/94—Electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making and –breaking characterised by the way in which the control signals are generated
- H03K17/96—Touch switches
- H03K17/962—Capacitive touch switches
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
- Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- User Interface Of Digital Computer (AREA)
- Input From Keyboards Or The Like (AREA)
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 devices, such as mobile devices, tablets, and laptops, typically include one or more user interface mechanisms that facilitate interaction between a user and the electronic device. Such user input mechanisms include buttons, keyboards, and other input sensing systems. Each button on an electronic device is often able to perform one task, such as providing input to the electronic device, when a user interacts with the button.
The following detailed description references the drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example electronic touch button in accordance with an implementation;
FIG. 2 is a schematic of example electronic touch buttons with an LED matrix displaying different indicators in accordance with an implementation;
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an example computing device having an example electronic touch button in accordance with an implementation;
FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an example method of operating an electronic touch button in accordance with an implementation.
Many types of sensors and devices use capacitive sensing, which is a technology based on capacitive coupling. In addition to use as button and input devices, capacitive sensors have been used to detect and measure proximity, position, humidity, acceleration, and other measurements. Furthermore, capacitive sensors are used in human interface devices such as touchscreens. However, most buttons on devices such as phones and tablets that use capacitive sensors have fixed functions and/or fixed display icons. Many current solutions are wanting in flexibility.
Examples herein provide for electronic touch buttons with a changeable button display and button function. In example implementations, an electronic touch button includes a capacitive sensor, a light emitting diode (LED) matrix, and an LED driver to drive the LED matrix to display an indicator. The indicator displayed by the LED matrix may indicate at least one of a function, a notification, and a feature. Furthermore, the LED driver may change the indicator that is being displayed. In this manner, the function and display output of example electronic touch buttons herein may be customizable and programmable by users. Accordingly, electronic touch buttons herein may be desirable for use in electronic devices, such as mobile devices, as versatile user input and output mechanisms.
Referring now to the figures, FIG. 1 depicts an example electronic touch button 100. Electronic touch button 100 may have a capacitive sensor 110, an LED driver 120, and an LED matrix 130. Capacitive sensor 110 may detect a change in capacitance when an object approaches electronic touch button 100. LED driver 120 may drive LED matrix 130 to display an indicator 140, where the indicator may be at least one of a function 140A, a notification 140B, and a feature 140C. LED matrix 130 may include a plurality of LEDS 135.
Alternatively or in addition, indicator 140 may indicate notification 140B. Notification 140B may show a status of an application of a system that is operatively coupled to electronic touch button 100. In some implementations, electronic touch button 100 may serve as an interface device for a device such as a mobile phone. An application may be a program or function of such a device. For example, an application may be a messaging or social networking program that runs on the operating system of a mobile phone. For such applications, a status may, for example, indicate a notice or a number of new messages. Accordingly, notification 140B may have an image or symbol representing such a status. For example, notification 140B may indicate the number of new messages a user has received. The function of electronic touch button 100 may correspond to notification 140B. For example, when notification 140B is indicating the number of new messages, activating electronic touch button 100 may cause the mobile phone to open the messaging application. Alternatively, electronic touch button 100 may have a function that is separate from indicator 140.
Furthermore, indicator 140 may indicate feature 140C. Feature 140C may show a feature of a system that is operatively coupled to electronic touch button 100. As described above, electronic touch button 100 may operate as a button on a
mobile device, such as a smartphone. A feature may be a program, application, or other attribute. For example, the feature may be a time-keeping function or a status of the mobile device, such as power level or signal strength. For example, the feature may be the current local time in the location of the mobile device. Accordingly, feature 140C may have numbers, letters, and symbols to represent time. The function of electronic touch button 100 may correspond to feature 140C. For example, when feature 140C is indicating time, activating electronic touch button 100 may cause the mobile phone to open the timekeeping application. Alternatively, electronic touch button 100 may have a function that is separate from indicator 140.
In some examples, indicator 140 may be changeable. For example, a user may program LED driver 120 or a system operatively coupled to electronic touch button 100 so that LED matrix 130 changes indicator 140 depending on the user’s choice. In such examples, electronic touch button 100 may be customized by the user to have different functions upon user input as well as different indicator 140 outputted by LED matrix 130. For example, a user may change the function of an electronic touch button 100 on a mobile device to various purposes during use of the device. Furthermore, LED matrix 130 may, for example, display a different indicator 140 for each function of electronic touch button 100. As a further example, when the device is unused, LED matrix 130 may display indicator 140 as a notification 140B or feature 140C to inform the user during a time when no input is currently presented to electronic touch button 100.
FIG. 2 depicts example electronic touch buttons with an LED matrix displaying different indicators 210, 212, and 214. The electronic touch buttons depicted in FIG. 2 may be analogous to example electronic touch button 100 of FIG. 1. The electronic touch buttons shown may include an LED matrix that is similar to LED matrix 130 with a plurality of LEDs similar to LEDs 135. The examples depict LEDs configured in a rectangular grid, where the LEDs may display an image using the grid. For example, the LED matrix may display indicator 120, which shows all of the LEDS of the grid as activated. When LED matrix selectively activates LEDs within the grid, images such as the back-arrow image depicted in indicator 212 may be shown.
As described above, indicator 212 may represent a function, such as function 140A, that corresponds to a current purpose of the electronic touch button. For example, indicator 212 may represent a back-arrow when the electronic touch button is
programmed to have a back operation for an example device. Furthermore, indicator 214 may represent a notification, such as notification 140B, that shows a status of an application of an example device. For example, indicator 214 may represent an icon indicating that the user has received five new messages in an application on the example device. Additionally, as described above, indicators 210, 212, and 214 may also indicate a feature, such as feature 140C.
FIG. 3 depicts an example computing device 300 having an example electronic touch button 320. Computing device 300 may be, for example, a cellular phone, tablet computer, notebook computer, PDA, communications device, server, router, desktop, workstation, retail point of sale device, smartphone, gaming device, wearable computing device (e. g. , smartwatch or smartband) , thin client, calculator, scientific instrument, and/or any other electronic device that may utilize an electronic touch button. Computing device 300 may include a processor 310.
Similar to electronic touch button 100 of FIG. 1, electronic touch button 320 may be an interface device that may interact with users, collect input from users, and deliver output to users. Electronic touch button 320 may senses a user’s touch or vicinity to the button and send such sensing to processor 310 to trigger an operation in computing device 300. Additionally, electronic touch button 320 may display an icon or other indicator to indicate the function of electronic touch button 320. Electronic touch button 320 may, for example, be a capacitive sensing device which contains capacitive sensor 330. For example, electronic touch button 320 may be a capacitive button used as a user interface on computing device 300, which may be a touchscreen tablet or mobile phone.
Alternatively or in addition, indicator 360 may indicate notification 360B. Notification 140B may show a status of an application of computing device 300. An application may be a program or function of computing device 300. For example, an application may be a messaging or social networking program that runs on the operating system. For such applications, a status may, for example, indicate a notice or a number of new messages. Accordingly, notification 360B may have an image or symbol representing such a status. For example, notification 360B may indicate the number of new messages a user has received, such as shown by indicator 214 in FIG. 2. The function of electronic touch button 320 may correspond to notification 360B. For example, when notification 360B is indicating the number of new messages, activating electronic touch button 320 may cause computing device 300 to open the messaging application. Alternatively, electronic touch button 320 may have a function that is separate from indicator 360.
Furthermore, indicator 360 may indicate feature 360C. Feature 140C may show a feature of computing device 300. A feature may be a program, application, or other attribute. For example, the feature may be a time-keeping function or a status of computing device 300, such as power level or signal strength. For example, the feature may be the current local time in the location of computing device 300. Accordingly, feature 360C may have numbers, letters, and symbols to represent time. The function of electronic touch button 320 may correspond to feature 360C. For example, when feature 360C is indicating time, activating electronic touch button 320 may cause computing device 300 to open a timekeeping application. Alternatively, electronic touch button 320 may have a function that is separate from indicator 360.
In some examples, indicator 360 may be changeable. For example, a user may customize indicator 360 as well as the purpose of electronic touch button 320 by programming computing device 300. In such examples, electronic touch button 320
may be customized by the user to have different functions upon user input as well as different indicator 360 outputted by LED matrix 350. For example, a user may change the function of an electronic touch button 320 on computing device 300 to various purposes during use of the device. Furthermore, LED matrix 350 may, for example, display a different indicator 360 for each function of electronic touch button 320. As a further example, when computing device is unused, LED matrix 350 may display indicator 360 as a notification 360B or feature 360C to inform the user during a time when no input is currently presented to electronic touch button 320.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart depicting an example method 400 for operating an electronic touch button. Method 400 may include block 420 for receiving an indication from a processor, block 430 for displaying the indication received from the processor on an LED matrix, block 440 for detecting a change in capacitance when an object approaches a capacitance sensor, and block 450 for sending the detected changed in capacitance to the processor. Although execution of method 400 is herein described in reference to operating electronic touch button 320 of FIG. 3, other suitable parties for implementation of method 400 should be apparent, including electronic touch button 100 of FIG. 1.
After receiving an indication, method 400 may proceed to block 430, where indicator 360 based on the received indication is displayed on LED matrix 350. As described above, LED matrix 350 may include a plurality of LEDs 360, such as ones arranged in a grid pattern to display images. Indicator 360 may correlate to the instructions given in the indication received from processor 310 and may include function 360A, notification 360B, and/or feature 360C.
After displaying indicator 360, method 400 may proceed to block 440, where a change in capacitance is detected when an object approaches capacitive sensor 330. As described above, capacitive sensor 330 may, in some implementations, detect a change in capacitance within a certain capacitance range, which may correspond to the presence of a particular object or type of object. For example, capacitive sensor 330 may detect when a user addresses electronic touch button 320 with a finger, by sensing the change in capacitance associated with human flesh and skin. In some implementations, capacitive sensor 330 detects when an object makes physical contact with electronic touch button 320. Additionally or as an alternative, capacitive sensor 330 may detect the presence of an object within a certain predefined proximity. It should be noted that block 440 may occur at any time during the operation of electronic touch button 320 and not necessarily in the sequence within method 400 as shown in FIG. 4.
After detecting a change in capacitance, method 400 may proceed to block 450, where the change in capacitance is sent to processor 310. The operation of block 450 may trigger an operation in computing device 300, such as the operation of the function represented by the display of function 360A by LED matrix 350. It should be noted that block 450 may occur at any time subsequent to the operation of block 440, during the operation of electronic touch button 320 and not necessarily in the sequence within method 400 as shown in FIG. 4. In some implementations, the operation of blocks 440 and 450 corresponds to the activation or pressing of electronic touch button 320.
The foregoing describes a number of examples for electronic touch buttons. It should be understood that the electronic touch buttons described herein may include additional components and that some of the components described herein may be removed or modified without departing from the scope of the electronic touch buttons or its applications.
Claims (15)
- An electronic touch button, comprising:a capacitive sensor to detect a change in capacitance when an object approaches the electronic touch button;a light emitting diode (LED) matrix, wherein the LED matrix comprises a plurality of LEDs; andan LED driver to drive the LED matrix to display an indicator, wherein the indicator indicates at least one of: a function, a notification, and a feature.
- 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 purpose of the electronic touch button.
- The electronic touch button of claim 1, wherein the indicator indicates the notification, wherein the notification shows a status of an application of a system that is operatively coupled to the electronic touch button.
- The electronic touch button of claim 1, wherein the indicator indicates the feature, wherein the feature comprises a feature of a system that is operatively coupled to the electronic touch button.
- The electronic touch button of claim 1, wherein the capacitive sensor is to detect a change in capacitance within a certain capacitance range.
- A computing device, comprising:a processor; andan electronic touch button operatively coupled to the processor, wherein the electronic touch button comprises:a capacitive sensor to detect a change in capacitance when an object approaches the electronic touch button, wherein the capacitive sensor sends the detection of the change in capacitance to the processor;a light emitting diode (LED) matrix, wherein the LED matrix comprises a plurality of LEDs; andan LED driver to drive 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 purpose of the electronic touch button for the computing device.
- The computing device of claim 7, wherein the indicator indicates the notification, wherein the notification shows a status of an application of the computing device.
- The computing device of claim 7, wherein the indicator indicates the feature, wherein the feature comprises a feature of the computing device.
- The computing device of claim 7, wherein the capacitive sensor is to detect a change in capacitance within a certain capacitance range, and wherein the capacitive sensor sends the detection of the change in capacitance within a certain capacitance range 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 feature;displaying an indicator based on the indication received from the processor on a light emitting diode (LED) matrix of the electronic touch button, wherein the LED matrix comprises a plurality of LEDs;detecting a change in capacitance when an object approaches a capacitive sensor of the electronic touch button; andsending the detection of the change in capacitance to the processor.
- The method of claim 13, wherein:the function corresponds to a current purpose of the electronic touch button;the notification shows a status of an application of a system that is operatively coupled to the electronic touch button; andthe feature comprises a feature of a system that is operatively coupled to the electronic touch button.
- The method of claim 13, wherein the detected change in capacitance is within a certain capacitance range.
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/CN2014/087681 WO2016045121A1 (en) | 2014-09-28 | 2014-09-28 | Electronic touch buttons |
TW104129007A TWI570616B (en) | 2014-09-28 | 2015-09-02 | Electronic touch buttons |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/CN2014/087681 WO2016045121A1 (en) | 2014-09-28 | 2014-09-28 | Electronic touch buttons |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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WO2016045121A1 true WO2016045121A1 (en) | 2016-03-31 |
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Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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PCT/CN2014/087681 WO2016045121A1 (en) | 2014-09-28 | 2014-09-28 | Electronic touch buttons |
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TW (1) | TWI570616B (en) |
WO (1) | WO2016045121A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US11256412B2 (en) | 2018-03-09 | 2022-02-22 | Dixell S.R.L. | Interactive touch display assembly including a display stack with a multi-layer capacitive keyboard overlaid on a 7-segment display |
Families Citing this family (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
LU100351B1 (en) * | 2017-07-28 | 2019-02-12 | Titian Touch Sarl | Sensor system and apparatus |
TWI690840B (en) | 2019-04-19 | 2020-04-11 | 展躍光電科技股份有限公司 | Touch display device and touch display module |
Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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CN1779631A (en) * | 2004-11-22 | 2006-05-31 | 奥林巴斯映像株式会社 | Operation input device and electronic device |
CN201302261Y (en) * | 2008-11-28 | 2009-09-02 | 珠海格力电器股份有限公司 | Touch button controller |
CN102184066A (en) * | 2011-04-29 | 2011-09-14 | 上海科勒电子科技有限公司 | Touch sensing device for bathroom product and control method thereof |
Family Cites Families (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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FI111998B (en) * | 1999-12-08 | 2003-10-15 | Nokia Corp | User interface |
WO2004031927A2 (en) * | 2002-10-04 | 2004-04-15 | Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. | Apparatus with display |
WO2004088490A2 (en) * | 2003-04-01 | 2004-10-14 | Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. | Apparatus with display |
-
2014
- 2014-09-28 WO PCT/CN2014/087681 patent/WO2016045121A1/en active Application Filing
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2015
- 2015-09-02 TW TW104129007A patent/TWI570616B/en not_active IP Right Cessation
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN1779631A (en) * | 2004-11-22 | 2006-05-31 | 奥林巴斯映像株式会社 | Operation input device and electronic device |
CN201302261Y (en) * | 2008-11-28 | 2009-09-02 | 珠海格力电器股份有限公司 | Touch button controller |
CN102184066A (en) * | 2011-04-29 | 2011-09-14 | 上海科勒电子科技有限公司 | Touch sensing device for bathroom product and control method thereof |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US11256412B2 (en) | 2018-03-09 | 2022-02-22 | Dixell S.R.L. | Interactive touch display assembly including a display stack with a multi-layer capacitive keyboard overlaid on a 7-segment display |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
TWI570616B (en) | 2017-02-11 |
TW201624247A (en) | 2016-07-01 |
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