Abstract: A track pointer including a touchpad. The track pointer can be operable in at least two states. In a first of the states, the touchpad can be activated to detect movement of a human appendage across the touchpad or above the touchpad and generate a corresponding first signal that causes corresponding movement of a cursor presented on a display. In a second of the states, the touchpad can be deactivated, and the track pointer can be configured to detect movement of the track pointer by the human appendage and generate a corresponding second signal that causes corresponding movement of the cursor presented on the display.

Abstract: A method and system for determining a camera-to-display latency of an electronic device (100) having a camera (134) and touch-sensitive display (108) are disclosed. In one example embodiment, the method (500) includes receiving (511) first light (136) at the camera, and essentially simultaneously receiving second light (138) at a first photosensitive structural portion (102, 602). The method (500) further includes detecting (512) a first simulated touch input at the display (108) in response to a first actuation of the first photosensitive structural portion (102, 602), receiving third light (140) at a second photosensitive structural portion (104, 604), the third light being generated based at least indirectly upon the received first light (136), detecting (514) a second simulated touch input at the display (108) as a result of the receiving of the third light (140), and determining the camera-to-display latency based at least indirectly upon the touch inputs (516).

Abstract: A touch sensor integrated with a keyboard spacebar. A touchpad zone can be defined on a portion of a planar surface of a spacebar. The touchpad zone can be configured to detect movement of a human appendage across the touchpad zone, or above the touchpad zone, and generate a corresponding signal from the keyboard that causes corresponding movement of a cursor presented on a display. In another embodiment, a touchpad can be positioned over the spacebar. The touchpad can be slidably engaged to the keyboard to facilitate user positioning of the touchpad over a desired portion of the spacebar.

Abstract: In embodiments of battery charging interrupt, a device (102) includes a capacitive touch interface (104), a battery (110), and a charging circuit (108) that charges the battery when the device is coupled to a power supply (114). A touch detection system (106) detects a conductive contact on the capacitive touch interface of the device, and the touch detection system determines a level of noise on the capacitive touch interface. The level of noise may increase due to the conductive contact on the touch interface while charging the battery. A device controller (126) determines a charge level of the battery. The device controller can then interrupt charging the battery when the level of the noise exceeds a noise level threshold (128) and when the charge level of the battery exceeds a minimum charge level.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing a capacitive touch screen of a touch panel as commonly implemented on mobile and other electronic devices (or another touch-sensing device) are disclosed herein. In at least some embodiments, the method involves placing the touch screen in relation to a photoconductive panel (for example, a panel made from Cadmium Sulfide) so that the device and panel are adjacent to one another. Then, the panel is illuminated in a known manner, for example, by way of an image displayed on a display of the touch panel. Further, upon illumination of the panel, the panel conducts in a manner correlated to the illumination. Due to this conducting, capacitance change(s) occur that should actuate the touch screen in a corresponding manner. The capacitance change(s) detected at the touch screen can be compared with the known illumination pattern to determine whether the touch screen is operating properly.

Abstract: In embodiments of a dynamic impedance circuit, a power circuit of a device charges and/or powers the device when the device is connected to a power source. A dynamic impedance circuit is coupled to the power circuit of the device and to the power source. The dynamic impedance circuit can operate with low impedance, and alternatively, can operate with high impedance responsive to an increased voltage across the dynamic impedance circuit, such as when a chassis of the device is coupled to ground.

Abstract: A stylus (100) is configured for actively interacting with a touch-sensitive interface (201) by injecting or sinking charge in response to a touch-detection signal emitted from the touch-sensitive interface (201). One stylus (100) includes a stylus body (104) and a compound tip (105) extending axially from the stylus body (104). The compound tip (105) can include a center electrode (101) that is configured to detect electric field variations from the touch-sensitive interface (201) and a shroud electrode (102) that is concentrically disposed about the center electrode (101). An active circuit (103) coupled between the center electrode (101) and the shroud electrode (102) is configured to apply a gain to the detected electric field variations and to change a potential of the shroud electrode (102) synchronously with the electric field variations detected by the center electrode (101).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for activating a function of the electronic device is disclosed herewith. The method includes detecting a first input by a motion sensor. Further, the method activates a touch sensor of the electronic device in response to detecting the first input. The method then detects a second input by the motion sensor within a predetermined time period from the first input. Next, the method determines, in response to detecting the second input, whether contact has occurred at the touch sensor and activates a function of the electronic device in response to determining that contact has occurred at the touch sensor when the second input is detected.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a device is provided herein. During operation, a user's headset is tapped upon in order to control a device. More particularly, a user's headset (or the device itself) uses circuitry that allows the headset or the device to detect user taps (for example on either earpiece of the connected 3.5 mm jack stereo headset, or the housing of the headset). The taps serve as user inputs to control the device. Because a user can control a device simply by tapping upon a headset, the device can be accessed without necessitating the need to wake the device to access control functions (e.g., music control functions).

Abstract: A smart method (100) and module (300) to minimize standby loss is disclosed. The method (100) can include the steps of: detecting (110) a current parameter at a load node; determining (120) whether a current parameter threshold has been reached; and disabling (13) power delivery based on determining whether the current parameter threshold has been reached. Advantageously, the smart method (100) can provide minimal to zero standby loss, when a current parameter threshold has been reached. This method has use in many electronic devices and particularly in battery chargers, for example, when a predetermined current parameter threshold has been reached or an energy storage device (battery) charge is complete, minimal or zero standby loss can be attained. In one embodiment, the smart method (100) can substantially fully switch off AC mains to eliminate standby loss.