Abstract: The present disclosure addresses methods and apparatus facilitating capacitive sensing using a conductive surface, and facilitating the sensing of proximity to the conductive surface. The sensed proximity will often be that of a user, but can be another source of a reference voltage potential. In some examples, the described systems are capable of sensing capacitance (including parasitic capacitance) in a circuit that includes the outer conductive surface, and where that outer conductive surface is at a floating electrical potential. In some systems, the systems can be switched between two operating modes, a first mode in which the system will sense proximity to the conductive surface, and a second mode in which the system will use a capacitance measurement to sense contact with the conductive surface.

Abstract: A touch-sensitive device comprises: a touch-sensing carrier panel; a driving signal line and a inductive signal line; a touch-sensitive circuit connected with the driving signal line and the inductive signal line; an array of first electrodes and an array of second electrodes located on the touch-sensing carrier panel; a first switch having an end connected to the array of the first electrodes and the other end connected to the corresponding driving signal line and the corresponding inductive signal line; and a second switch having an end connected to the array of the second electrodes and the other end connected to the corresponding driving signal line and the corresponding inductive signal line, wherein each of the first switch and the second switch is adapted to switch between a respective driving signal line and a respective inductive signal line such that the array of first electrodes is connected with one of the driving signal line and the inductive signal line and the array of second electrodes is conn

Abstract: A capacitive proximity sensor for a motor vehicle contains a transmission electrode for producing a measurement field and a reception electrode for detecting at least part of the measurement field. Furthermore, the proximity sensor contains a screen electrode that is disposed to form the measurement field between the transmission electrode and the reception electrode. The proximity sensor is in particular provided for use in a collision protection device for the motor vehicle.

Abstract: This disclosure generally provides an input device that includes a matrix sensor that includes a plurality of sensor electrodes arranged in rows on a common surface or plane. The input device may include a plurality of sensor modules coupled to the sensor electrodes that measure capacitive sensing signals corresponding to the electrodes. Instead of measuring sensor electrodes that are in the same column, the embodiments herein simultaneously measure capacitive sensing signals on at least two sensor electrodes that are in the same row. In one example, the sensor electrodes in the row being measured are spaced the same distance from a side of a substrate coupling the electrodes to the sensor modules and may have approximately the same electrical time constant.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes applying a drive signal to an electrode of a touch sensor of a device. The touch sensor extends across an area of a surface of the device, and the drive signal is configured to generate an electric field that extends outward from the area of the surface that the touch sensor extends across and reaches a pre-determined location on the device that is outside the area of the surface that the touch sensor extends across. The method includes receiving a sense signal from the touch sensor produced at least in part by the electric field. The sense signal indicates whether an object has come within a pre-determined proximity of the pre-determined location.

Abstract: A device includes a display displaying data, a digitizer sensor including a plurality of conductive elements spread across the display and a circuit connected to the plurality of conductive elements. The circuit transmits data displayed on the display via at least one of the conductive elements of the digitizer sensor. The conductive elements of the digitizer sensor are electrically isolated from one another.

Abstract: An electronic device includes: a case; a switch; an operation button; a press portion that projects out from a length direction central portion of a button back face on a switch side of the operation button; a bearing portion that is provided along a length direction of the operation button inside the case, and that faces the button back face; and a stopper rib that projects out from the button back face, that is disposed along the length direction of the operation button at one side in a transverse direction of the operation button relative to the press portion, that faces the bearing portion, and that has a projection length from the button back face at a length direction end portion side of the operation button that is shorter than a projection length from the button back face at a length direction central portion of the operation button.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a capacitance touch sensor arrangement configured to have a variable capacitance that varies when a conductive object approaches; and at least one variable impedance sensor configured to have a variable impedance that varies with a sensed parameter; an output node; and at least one switch configured to provide, in a first configuration, an output impedance at the output node that depends upon the variable capacitance and configured to provide, in a second configuration, an output impedance at the output node that depends upon the variable impedance.

Abstract: A processing system that includes a sigma-delta converter and a filter unit that applies a matched filter to the output of the sigma-delta converter. The processing system drives sensor electrodes for capacitive sensing and receives resulting signals with the sensor electrodes in response. The processing system applies these resulting signals to sigma-delta converters. The matched filter boosts the signal-to-noise ratio of the signal received from the sigma-delta converter, thereby improving the ability to sense presence of an input object. The filter unit may apply different, customized matched filters for different capacitive pixels to improve the signal-to-noise ratio of each capacitive pixel in a customized manner.

Abstract: A device includes a plurality of drive electrodes and a plurality of sense electrodes. The drive electrodes run generally in a first direction and have multiple projections along their length. The sense electrodes run generally in a second direction transverse to the drive electrodes. The sense electrodes have multiple projections interleaved with the multiple projections of the drive electrodes.

Abstract: A switch includes a substrate that has a contact area on a first face. At least one first conductor is located in the substrate and extends onto the contact area. At least one second conductor is located in the substrate and extends onto the contact area. A sensor is configured to detect when a user contacts the contact area.

Abstract: An electronic device, while displaying a user interface that corresponds to at least a portion of a web page on a display, detects a touch input on a touch-sensitive surface at a first location that corresponds to the displayed portion of the web page on the display. While detecting the touch input on the touch-sensitive surface, the electronic device detects an intensity of the touch input on the touch-sensitive surface, determines whether the intensity of the touch input on the touch-sensitive surface has changed from below a first intensity threshold to above the first intensity threshold, and in response to determining that the intensity of the touch input on the touch-sensitive surface has changed from below the first intensity threshold to above the first intensity threshold, generates a force down event that is distinct from a mouse down event.

Abstract: In a method of operating a touch screen, an object interaction is detected with the touch screen while in a first doze mode. It is determined if a detected object interaction with the touch screen is a valid input object interaction with the touch screen. In response to determining the object interaction is a valid input object interaction, the touch screen is transitioned from the first doze mode to a gesture recognition mode. The touch screen is transitioned from the gesture recognition mode to an active mode in response to a determination of a valid gesture interaction with the touch screen by the input object.

Abstract: An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a housing, an antenna radiating body including a conductive metal, a first member disposed within the housing and electrically connected to the antenna radiating body, a printed circuit board (PCB) disposed within the housing, a flexible connecting member disposed between at least a portion of the first member and at least a portion of a second member and including a conductive material, and a capacitor including a first conductive plate that contacts the second member or formed by a portion of the second member, a second conductive plate, separated from the first conductive plate and electrically connected to the PCB, and a dielectric layer inserted between the first conductive plate and the second conductive plate.

Abstract: A technique for improving capacitive sensing accuracy. Concurrent activations of multiple capacitance sensors within an array of capacitance sensors are sensed. One of the concurrent activations of the multiple capacitance sensors is accepted as a user activation. Remaining ones of the concurrent activations of the multiple capacitance sensors are rejected based on their physical location within the array of capacitance sensors relative to the one of the concurrent activations of the multiple capacitance sensors accepted as the user activation.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided that facilitate improved input device performance. The devices and methods utilize a first electrode and a second electrode disposed on a first substrate and a deformable electrode structure. The deformable electrode structure overlaps the first electrode and the second electrode to define a variable capacitance between the first electrode and the second electrode that changes with the deformation of the deformable electrode structure. The deformable electrode structure comprises a spacing component configured to provide spacing between the deformable electrode structure and the first electrode and the second electrode. Finally, a transmission component is configured such that biasing the transmission component causes the deformable electrode structure to deform and change the variable capacitance. A measurement of the variable capacitance can be used to determine force information regarding the force biasing the transmission component.

Abstract: A capacitive sensor pattern comprises a first plurality of sensor electrode elements, a second plurality of sensor electrode elements, and a third plurality of sensor electrode elements. The first plurality of sensor electrode elements is disposed in a first layer above a substrate. The second plurality of sensor electrode elements is disposed above the substrate in an additional layer. At least one of the second plurality of sensor electrode elements is physically coupled with at least two of the first plurality of sensor electrode elements. The third plurality of sensor electrode elements is disposed above the substrate in the additional layer. At least one element of the third plurality is ohmically coupled to a single element of said first plurality.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a keyboard and circuitry. The keyboard includes at least an interface line and a key. The key is configured to connect the interface line to first and second different capacitances when positioned in first and second positions, respectively. The circuitry is connected to the interface line and is configured to detect whether the key is in the first position or in the second position, by sensing electrical current flowing on the interface line in response to a stimulation waveform.

Abstract: Disclosed is a touch sensing display device capable of sensing both touch position and touch force, shortening a driving time for the touch sensing, and improving touch sensing efficiency, and an apparatus for driving thereof. The display device can include a color filter, a plurality of first touch electrodes for touch force sensing, and a plurality of second touch electrodes for touch position sensing and separated from the first touch electrodes by the color filter. The display can also include a force sensing touch driver for the first touch electrodes and a touch position touch driver for the second touch electrodes.

Abstract: A touch panel circuit and an operation method thereof are disclosed herein. The touch panel circuit includes first scan lines, second scan lines, and a first scan sensing module. The first scan sensing module includes first scan-sensing units corresponding to the first scan lines, respectively. Each first scan sensing unit includes a first logic gate and a second logic gate. The first logic gate includes a first input terminal, a first output terminal, and a first control terminal. The second logic gate includes a second input terminal, a second output terminal, and a second control terminal. The first logic gate and second logic gate enable the first input terminal to connect to the first output terminal and one of the first scan lines, or enable the second input terminal and one of the first scan lines to connect to the second output terminal.

Abstract: A touch screen panel, a flat panel display apparatus integrated touch screen panel, and a method of manufacturing the same. The touch screen panel includes: first touch detection patterns extending in a first direction and spaced apart from each other in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; and second touch detection patterns extending in the second direction and spaced apart from each other in the first direction. Each of the first touch detection patterns includes a first transparent conductive pattern and a first edge conductive pattern surrounding an edge of the first transparent conductive pattern, and each of the second touch detection patterns includes a second transparent conductive pattern and a second edge conductive pattern surrounding an edge of the second transparent conductive pattern.

Abstract: A haptic switch includes: (a) a force sensor responding a mechanical stimulus by providing a sensing signal; (b) a processing circuit receiving the sensing signal and providing a control signal; and (c) an electromechanical polymer (EMP) actuator receiving the response control signal and providing a haptic response. The force sensor and the EMP actuator may each be provided on a flexible circuit covered by a protective layer overlying the flexible circuit. The haptic switch may include a graphic layer on which is provided a symbol representing a key. In that haptic switch, the symbol, the light source, the EMP actuator and the force sensor are aligned such that the light source illuminates the symbol and such that, when a user pushes on the symbol, the user's push applies a pressure on the force sensor and the EMP actuator's haptic response is provided in the vicinity of the force sensor.

Abstract: A method of sensing the presence of a body from a change in an amount of charge present on a capacitively charged key. The method comprises inducing charge onto the key during a drive part of a measurement cycle, coupling a signal measurement capacitor to the key during a signal measurement part of the measurement cycle to the effect that the charge induced on the key during the drive part of the measurement cycle is transferred to the signal measurement capacitor, determining from a noise measurement part of the measurement cycle an amount of charge induced on the key by noise during the signal measurement part of the measurement cycle, and controlling the drive part, the signal measurement part and the noise measurement parts of the cycle to provide the charge sensing circuit with a measurement of the signal from which the noise induced on the key has been or can be substantially cancelled.

Abstract: A proximity switch assembly and method for detecting activation of a proximity switch assembly is provided. The assembly includes a plurality of proximity switches each having a proximity sensor providing a sense activation field and control circuitry processing the activation field of each proximity switch to sense activation. A pliable material overlays the proximity sensors. The control circuitry monitors the activation field and determines an activation of a proximity switch based on a signal generated by the sensor in relation to a threshold when a user's finger depresses the pliable material. The pliable material may further include an elevated portion and an air gap between the elevated portion and the sensor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of manufacturing a touch screen, comprising the steps of: a) forming a conductive layer on a substrate; b) forming an etching resist pattern on the conductive layer; and c) forming a conductive pattern having a line width smaller than the line width of the etching resist pattern by over-etching the conductive layer by using the etching resist pattern and a touch screen manufactured by the method. According to the present invention, a touch screen comprising a conductive pattern having an ultrafine line width can be economically and efficiently provided.

Abstract: A smartphone may be provided that includes: a cover layer; an LCD panel which is located under the cover layer and includes a liquid crystal layer, and a first glass layer and a second glass layer between which the liquid crystal layer is placed, wherein at least a portion of a touch sensor which senses touch in a capacitive manner is located between the first glass layer and the second glass layer; and a backlight unit which is located under the LCD panel and includes an optical film, a light source, a reflective sheet and a cover. The backlight unit further includes a pressure sensor attached on the cover between the reflective sheet and the cover.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a keyboard. The keyboard includes a plurality of mechanical keys including a first key, and capacitive touch sensors including a first capacitive touch sensor and a second capacitive touch sensor. The keyboard is configured to detect a touch on the first key utilizing the first capacitive touch sensor and the second capacitive touch sensor, and to detect actuation of the first key when the first capacitive touch sensor is electrically coupled to the second capacitive touch sensor.

Abstract: A disclosed touch panel includes a panel including a plurality of first conductive films arranged in a first direction, and a plurality of second conductive films arranged in a second direction different from the first direction; a first selecting unit connected to the first conductive films to select one first conductive film or more from the first conductive films; a second selecting unit connected to the second conductive films to select one second conductive film or more from the second conductive films; and an inductor connecting the first selecting unit with a power source, which applies a voltage to the first conductive films.

Abstract: A touch screen keyboard is dynamically customizable to modify the active regions of one or more keys in the keyboard to adapt the keyboard to a user's unique physiology. The active regions may be modified in response to monitoring user input directed to the keys in the keyboard so that the keyboard automatically adapts to the user's physiology. In addition, while the locations and/or sizes of the active regions may be modified to adapt to a user's physiology, in some instances the shapes of the active regions may also be distorted such that the resulting active regions are irregular in nature.

Abstract: An input device is disclosed that can improve input detection associated with sensor elements that exhibit a weaker response at the lower end of their dynamic range than their counterparts. This can be advantageous when implementing input reporting rules that rely on a sufficient response at the lower end of a sensor element's dynamic range. The input device can compensate for a weak sensor element at the low end of its dynamic range by increasing its sensitivity in certain situations, such as when an adjacent sensor provides a strong input signal, or after the weak sensor element provides a signal level exceeding a noise threshold for example. The sensitivity of the weak sensor element can be increased in a variety of ways, such as by reducing a noise threshold associated with the sensor element or boosting a signal level associated with the sensor element for example.

Abstract: In a method of determining a position of a touch on a capacitive sensor field having a grid of a plurality of discrete electrodes (12), contacted electrodes are determined by measuring a capacitance value for each of the electrodes and by checking for each of the electrodes for the measured capacitance value whether this value is above a predefined threshold value. A rough touch position (Bg) is calculated by weighting the electrode position with the measured capacitance value. A touch diameter (14) is calculated from the measured capacitance values, and a final touch position (Be) is calculated from the rough touch position (Bg) and the calculated touch diameter (14) using a value table in which correction values that were determined empirically or by means of simulation are stored for possible rough touch positions (Bg) and given touch diameters (14).

Abstract: A touch-sensing display device comprises a plurality of row electrodes and column electrodes, a capacitance detector, detecting first capacitance-variation values of the row electrodes and second capacitance-variation values of the column electrodes, and detecting third capacitance-variation values of each intersection of the row electrodes and the column electrodes. The processor counts the first number of the first and second capacitance-variation values, exceeding a first threshold, counts the second number of the first and second capacitance-variation values up to a maximum capacitor-variation value, and counts the third number of the third capacitance values, exceeding a second threshold. The processor makes the touch-sensing display device enter a bending mode when the first and second numbers are over a first predetermined number and a second predetermined number respectively, and the third number is below the first number.

Abstract: A method for adjusting a function of an electronic device (1) is provided. According to the method, a conductive wire (5) that is coupled to an electronic circuit (6) of the electronic device (1) is provided. The electronic circuit (6) is adapted to generate an output signal (f) depending on an inductivity L0 (21) influenced by a user touching the conductive wire (5). On the basis of the output signal (T) the inductivity L0 (21) is determined. Depending on the determined inductivity L0 (21) the function of the electronic device (1) is adjusted.

Abstract: A simplified touch screen system that can sense when an object is held in continuous direct or indirect contact with a transparent substrate of the touch screen system as well as determine a location (e.g., X, Y coordinates) of the object in relation to the transparent substrate. The touch screen system employs capacitance technology to sense whether the object is held in contact with the transparent substrate and acoustic sensing technology to determine a position of the object that is contacting the transparent substrate. The touch screen system requires a reduced number of shielding and isolation layers to be deposited upon the transparent substrate, partially because the touch screen system utilizes a bezel associated with an underlying display to provide shielding against electromagnetic radiation emitted by the display.

Abstract: A dynamic tactile interface includes: a substrate including a first transparent material and defining an attachment surface, an open channel opposite the attachment surface, and a fluid conduit intersecting the open channel and passing through the attachment surface; a tactile layer including a second transparent material and defining a tactile surface, a peripheral region bonded to the attachment surface opposite the tactile surface, and a deformable region adjacent the fluid conduit and disconnected from the attachment surface; a closing panel bonded to the substrate opposite the attachment surface and enclosing the open channel to define a fluid channel; a working fluid; and a displacement device configured to displace the working fluid into the fluid channel and through the fluid conduit to transition the deformable region from a retracted setting to an expanded setting.

Abstract: A touch activated control useful for incorporation into, e.g., a DON/DOFF sensor of a communications headset or a touch pad for a cell phone, includes a weakly conductive electrode and a sensor coupled to the electrode and operative to detect a change in parasitic capacitance caused by a change in the proximity of a body to the electrode. The electrode may include a covering made of a weakly conductive material. The weakly conductive property of the electrode enables the prevention of undesirable electrostatic discharge (ESD), user skin irritation and electrode corrosion caused by direct contact between the electrode and the user's skin and also exhibit's a substantially higher sensitivity than electrodes covered with an insulative material.

Abstract: Provided are an illumination lighting apparatus that provides various and intuitional light in response to a motion of a user, and an illumination controlling method. The illumination lighting apparatus may include a lamp unit including at least one light emitting part that is selectively turned on and off, a motion sensing unit including at least one motion sensor, transmitting a sensed signal when the at least one motion sensor senses a motion of a user, and enabling the lamp unit to provide a light corresponding to the sensed signal, and a control unit to receive the sensed signal from the motion sensing unit to adjust a light emitting type of the lamp unit in a plurality of modes, and the motion sensing unit may transmit, based on a mode of the control unit, different sensed signals to the control unit to change the light emitting type of the lamp unit.

Abstract: Electronic interface and method for reading a capacitive sensor that includes one input capacitor (30) or several input capacitors, in which the capacitive sensor is excited with a two-level voltage (Vlow, Vhigh) and read by a charge-sense amplifier whose output is sampled in four successive instants. An evaluation unit (333) is arranged to compute two difference values (V12, V34) between two pairs of samples corresponding to different voltage levels and to combine said difference values into an output value (V_out_raw) proportional to the charge transferred to the input of the charge-sense amplifier and an error value (error_bit) sensitive to a time derivative of a noise current din/dt.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes applying a drive signal to a first electrode of a sensor to generate an electric field extending at least in part from the first electrode toward a second electrode of the sensor. The electric field includes a first portion and a second portion, and the first portion extends farther away from a plane of the first electrode than the second portion. The method also includes shunting the second portion of the electric field away from the second electrode and receiving a sense signal from the second electrode produced at least in part by the first portion of the electric field. The sense signal indicates whether an object has come within proximity of the sensor.

Abstract: A touch sensing method, for sensing a touch point on a touch panel, includes the steps of measuring capacitances of the touch panel, detecting touch points on the touch panel based on the capacitance, determining tentative coordinates of the respective detected touch points, assigning priorities for a given high coordinate precision to the respective touch points based on a state of the touch points, selecting coordinate calculation algorithms corresponding to the assigned priorities by the respective touch points, estimating a calculation time necessary for calculating the coordinates of the touch points detected, determining whether the calculation time estimated is within a specified time or not, and calculating the coordinates of the respective touch points using the selected coordinate calculation algorithms corresponding to the assigned priorities when the calculation time estimated calculation time is within the specified time.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, there is provided a mutual capacitance touchscreen comprising a first set of electrically conductive traces arranged in rows or columns and a second set of electrically conductive traces arranged in rows or columns arranged at right angles with respect to the rows or columns of the first set, where the first and second sets of traces are electrically insulated from and interdigitated respecting one another, and gaps between the first and second sets of traces form boundaries between the first and second sets of traces that undulate and that are not straight or linear. Other embodiments of a mutual capacitance touchscreen are also disclosed, such as “mini-diamond” sensor array patterns and sensor array patterns that may be manufactured at low cost.

Abstract: A capacitive touch keyboard includes an insulating substrate that defines a plurality of press key zones, and a first and a second conductive layers, both disposed on the insulating substrate. Each conductive layer includes a plurality of electrode lines arranged in two different directions. Each electrode line includes a plurality of electrode units connected in series. Each electrode unit is disposed at a position corresponding to a respective one of the press key zones. For each of the press key zones, the electrode units of the first the second conductive layers that are disposed therein are adjacent to each other and cooperate to form a touch sensing structure.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes modifying an amount of charge of a capacitance of a touch sensor resulting in a voltage at the capacitance being a reference voltage level. The method also includes modifying the amount of charge of the capacitance resulting in the voltage at the capacitance being a first pre-determined voltage level. The modified amount of charge of the capacitance induces a first amount of charge on an integration capacitor and the first amount of charge modifies the voltage at the integration capacitor from an integration-reference voltage level to a first charging voltage level. The method also includes modifying the amount of charge of the capacitance resulting in the voltage at the capacitance being a second pre-determined voltage level. The modified amount of charge of the capacitance inducing a second amount of charge on the integration capacitor.

Abstract: Touch sensitive mechanical keyboards for detecting touch events and key depressions on the keyboard are provided. The keyboard can include a set of individually depressible mechanical keys having a touch sensitive area located on their surface. A touch sensor can be included to detect touch events on the surface of the keys. A keypad can also be included to detect a depression of the mechanical keys. One or more of the depressible mechanical keys can be multi-purpose keys capable of being depressed to multiple levels. The touch sensitive mechanical keyboard can receive key depression input, touch event input, or combinations thereof at the same time. The touch sensitive mechanical keyboard can further include a processor for distinguishing detected touch events from detected key depressions. The processor can generate a key depression command or a touch event command in response to the detected touch events and key depressions.

Abstract: To improve the consumer experience with portable electronic devices, a user interface combines the use of capacitive sensors with tactile sensors in an input device. When a user places a finger, stylus, or other input instrument near a given key button, a capacitive sensor causes the display to display temporarily an indication of the function of that key in an enlarged format. The user may then press the associated key button to activate the desired function. In one exemplary embodiment, the capacitive sensor fixes the functionality to the function indicated in the display. In this embodiment, a tactile input applied to any key, whether the correct key, multiple keys, or a single incorrect key, results in activating the function indicated in the display as a result of the capacitive input.

Abstract: Keyboards, keypads and other data entry devices can suffer from a keying ambiguity problem. In a small keyboard, for example, a user's finger is likely to overlap from a desired key to onto adjacent ones. An iterative method of removing keying ambiguity from a keyboard comprising an array of capacitive keys involves measuring a signal strength associated with each key in the array, comparing the measured signal strengths to find a maximum, determining that the key having the maximum signal strength is the unique user-selected key, and maintaining that selection until either the initially selected key's signal strength drops below some threshold level or a second key's signal strength exceeds the first key's signal strength.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for selecting a keyboard key based on a position of a presence of a conductive object on a sensing device and a pre-defined area of the keyboard key. The apparatus may include a sensing device and a processing device. The sensing device may include a plurality of sensor elements to detect a presence of a conductive object on the sensing device. Multiple keyboard keys are assigned to pre-defined areas of the sensing device. The processing device is coupled to the sensing device using capacitance sensing pins, and may be operable to determine a position of the presence of the conductive object, and to select a keyboard key based on the position of the conductive object and the pre-defined areas of the sensing device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for human body communication are provided. A communication signal for transmission through the human body is generated. The communication signal is transmitted when the terminal is in contact with the human body. The touch is detected, and a communication signal is determined based on a number of the touch and a duration of the touch. A function corresponding to the communication signal is executed.

Abstract: Keypad indicia are integral with a window of a vehicle. The keypad indicia are formed using a ultra-violet (UV) fluorescent dye that is nearly invisible to a human eye until exposed to UV light. A UV light emitting device of the vehicle is configured for outputting UV light. The light emitting device is mounted for enabling the keypad indicia to be exposed to the outputted UV light thereby causing the keypad indicia to become readily visible by the human eye. An imaging device of the vehicle captures user interaction with the keypad indicia while the keypad indicia is exposed to the outputted UV light. The keypad interaction processor determines if a sequence of body part movements with respect to the keypad indicia that is captured by the imaging device during exposure of the keypad indicia to the outputted light corresponds to an access code of the vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing key control includes an integrated circuit (IC) arranged to detect a key press according to some input/output signals of a key matrix, where the input/output signals include first input/output signals corresponding to a first direction and second input/output signals corresponding to a second direction. In addition, the IC includes a plurality of first pins and a plurality of second pins, for transmitting the first and the second input/output signals, respectively. In particular, during the detection of the key press, the IC controls at least one first pin of the first pins to be in an output mode and controls the second pins to be in an input mode in a first time period, and controls at least one second pin of the second pins to be in an output mode and controls the first pins to be in an input mode in a second time period.