Abstract: A keyboard and a keyboard circuit, wherein the keyboard acts as an input device for a portable device or a computer. The keyboard circuit comprises an interface for connecting with the computer or the portable device, a detection circuit for detecting the logic level signal of the power supply from the computer or the portable device connected to the keyboard, and a microprocessor determining whether a computer or a portable device is connected to the keyboard in accordance with the logic level signal of the power input. The keyboard circuit uses a first communication circuit to communicate with the computer and a second communication circuit to communicate with the portable device, thus the keyboard is compatible with the computer or the portable device. The keyboard is capable of entering a sleep mode after finishing the transmission of the key codes to the computer or the portable device.

Abstract: A touch panel includes a cover layer including a number of key areas, a circuit board, a touch-sensing layer arranged between the cover layer and the circuit board, and a number of button members corresponding to the key areas one by one. Each button member includes a post and a sensing portion. The touch-sensing layer generates a first signal to indicate a location of a user's touch when the touch panel is in a touch mode. The sensing portion generates a second signal when a corresponding key area is pressed when the touch panel is in a button mode.

Abstract: A capacitive pressure sensing element includes a main body, a power supply with a positive electrode and a negative electrode connected to a first electrode and a second electrode mounted on the main body, a first sheet metal electrically connected to the first electrode, a second sheet metal, and a spring element connected between the second electrode and the second sheet metal. When the spring element is uncompressed, the second sheet metal is misaligned relative to the first sheet metal. When the spring element is compressed, the second sheet metal is move towards the first end to a position with a reduced misalignment degree relative to the first sheet metal, thereby the portion of the first sheet metal squarely opposing the second sheet metal is increased to generate an inductive capacitance between the first sheet metal and the second sheet metal. A related stylus is also provided.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a main control system, a power key, a touch screen, and a touch screen control unit. The touch screen includes a plurality of infrared emitters, a plurality of infrared receivers and an infrared light grid comprising an infrared light beam passing through the power key. The touch screen control unit includes a scan controlling module, a detecting module, and a power controlling module. The scan controlling module periodically scans the infrared light beam passing through the power key. The detecting module determines whether a blocked time of the infrared light beam passing through the power key reaches a first predetermined time period. The power controlling module powers on or off the main control system when a time of blocking the infrared light beam passing through the power key being blocked reaches the first predetermined time period. A related method is also provided.

Abstract: A keyboard and a keyboard circuit, wherein the keyboard acts as an input device for a portable device or a computer. The keyboard circuit comprises an interface for connecting with the computer or the portable device, a detection circuit for detecting the logic level signal of the power supply from the computer or the portable device connected to the keyboard, and a microprocessor determining whether a computer or a portable device is connected to the keyboard in accordance with the logic level signal of the power input. The keyboard circuit uses a first communication circuit to communicate with the computer and a second communication circuit to communicate with the portable device, thus the keyboard is compatible with the computer or the portable device. The keyboard is capable of entering a sleep mode after finishing the transmission of the key codes to the computer or the portable device.

Abstract: An IR controlling device includes a display panel, a number of IR emitters, a number of IR receivers, and a receiving controller. The IR emitters and the IR receivers are staggered under the display panel, and facing the display panel. The IR emitters are to emit IR beams in sequence, and the IR receivers are to receive the IR beams reflected by an external object. The receiving controller generates a plurality of response signals corresponding to the IR receivers. An IR processing unit receives the response signals, and determines a virtual position of the external object on the display panel. A controlling unit outputs a control signal and executes a corresponding function. A display processing unit receives the control signal and updates the content on the display panel.

Abstract: A wafer presence optical sensor system comprises a transfer chamber adapted to receive a wafer, an optical sensor comprising means emitting a sensing beam and means receiving a beam reflected from the wafer to ascertain wafer presence in the chamber, and means to reflect away the sensing beam when reaching a chamber bottom. The reflecting means includes an oblique area made in an inner surface of the chamber bottom or, alternatively, a body with an oblique area placed on the inner surface. Reflecting away the sensing beam when no wafer is present in the transfer chamber prevents the receiving means from receiving the beam reflected from the chamber bottom and thus thwarts the misinterpretation of wafer presence.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for positioning a cassette pod onto a loadport by an overhead hoist transport system are described. The apparatus includes a vertical front panel of a process machine equipped with a docking opening therein, a loadport stage extending horizontally from the vertical front panel, a loadport situated on the loadport stage, at least two back guiding plates situated on the back of the loadport, at least two side guiding plates with one situated on each side of the loadport, a front guiding plate situated on the front side of the loadport, and a clamp positioner for guiding the position of an OHT clamp during an unloading operation of the cassette pod. The two halves of the clamp positioner move sideways away from each other to allow the cassette pod to pass therethrough during a loading operation.

Abstract: A wafer presence optical sensor system comprises a transfer chamber adapted to receive a wafer, an optical sensor comprising means emitting a sensing beam and means receiving a beam reflected from the wafer to ascertain wafer presence in the chamber, and means to reflect away the sensing beam when reaching a chamber bottom. The reflecting means includes an oblique area made in an inner surface of the chamber bottom or, alternatively, a body with an oblique area placed on the inner surface. Reflecting away the sensing beam when no wafer is present in the transfer chamber prevents the receiving means from receiving the beam reflected from the chamber bottom and thus thwarts the misinterpretation of wafer presence.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for positioning a cassette pod onto a loadport by an overhead hoist transport system are described. The apparatus includes a vertical front panel of a process machine equipped with a docking opening therein, a loadport stage extending horizontally from the vertical front panel, a loadport situated on the loadport stage, at least two back guiding plates situated on the back of the loadport, at least two side guiding plates with one situated on each side of the loadport, a front guiding plate situated on the front side of the loadport, and a clamp positioner for guiding the position of an OHT clamp during an unloading operation of the cassette pod. The two halves of the clamp positioner move sideways away from each other to allow the cassette pod to pass therethrough during a loading operation.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a wafer edge gripping end effector. A wafer calibration tool is held in a stationary position simulating the position of a semiconductor wafer to be picked up by the wafer edge gripping end effector. A controller associated with a robot having an end effector attached to a robot arm thereto is turned off. The robot arm and end effector are moved to position where the first and second clamp structures on the end effector each engage a respective inner edge that in part defines a notch formed in the wafer calibration tool. An actuator driven movable clamp structure is manually advanced so that the movable clamp structure engages an inner edge that in part defines one of the notches formed in the wafer calibration tool. The controller is turned on and data regarding the location of robot arm, end effector and movable clamp structure is stored.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a wafer edge gripping end effector. A wafer calibration tool is held in a stationary position simulating the position of a semiconductor wafer to be picked up by the wafer edge gripping end effector. A controller associated with a robot having an end effector attached to a robot arm thereto is turned off. The robot arm and end effector are moved to position where the first and second clamp structures on the end effector each engage a respective inner edge that in part defines a notch formed in the wafer calibration tool. An actuator driven movable clamp structure is manually advanced so that the movable clamp structure engages an inner edge that in part defines one of the notches formed in the wafer calibration tool. The controller is turned on and data regarding the location of robot arm, end effector and movable clamp structure is stored.