Abstract: A user interface (301) comprises a layered structure defining one or more keys (302,303,304). The layers can include a top layer (331), a base layer (335), and an interior layer (332) disposed therebetween. One or more layers are pliant and can be compressed. Magnetically permeable materials (308,309) form a closed loop (310). A corresponding coil (311) is operable with the loop. Electrical properties of the closed loop change in response to user input. A control unit (312) is then configured to detect a change in the electrical properties when the pliant material is compressed. Where the change is greater than a predefined threshold, the control unit (312) discharges an energy storage device into the coil to provide a haptic response (109).

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 rechargeable touch sensor equipped device (102) is adapted to identify (1008) each of multiple external charging devices (118, 120, 122, 602) by an ID or other information received through an interface (230, 630) or to infer the identity (1020) based on location information derived from received wireless signals, the time and/or day. The rechargeable touch sensor equipped device (102) determines (1026) and records (1028) a touch screen operating frequency to be used when coupled to each external charging device (118, 120, 122, 602) at each battery charge state (or other indication of power draw) and in this way mitigates the adverse effect of variable charger generated noise on the operation of the touch screen.

Abstract: A user interface (301) comprises a layered structure defining one or more keys (302,303,304). The layers can include a top layer (331), a base layer (335), and an interior layer (332) disposed therebetween. One or more layers are pliant and can be compressed. Magnetically permeable materials (308,309) form a closed loop (310). A corresponding coil (311) is operable with the loop. Electrical properties of the closed loop change in response to user input. A control unit (312) is then configured to detect a change in the electrical properties when the pliant material is compressed. Where the change is greater than a predefined threshold, the control unit (312) discharges an energy storage device into the coil to provide a haptic response (109).

Abstract: A rechargeable touch sensor equipped device (102) is adapted to identify (1008) each of multiple external charging devices (118, 120, 122, 602) by an ID or other information received through an interface (230, 630) or to infer the identity (1020) based on location information derived from received wireless signals, the time and/or day. The rechargeable touch sensor equipped device (102) determines (1026) and records (1028) a touch screen operating frequency to be used when coupled to each external charging device (118, 120, 122, 602) at each battery charge state (or other indication of power draw) and in this way mitigates the adverse effect of variable charger generated noise on the operation of the touch screen.

Abstract: A user interface (301) comprises a layered structure defining one or more keys (302,303,304). The layers can include a top layer (331), a base layer (335), and an interior layer (332) disposed therebetween. One or more layers are pliant and can be compressed. Magnetically permeable materials (308,309) form a closed loop (310). A corresponding coil (311) is operable with the loop. Electrical properties of the closed loop change in response to user input. A control unit (312) is then configured to detect a change in the electrical properties when the pliant material is compressed. Where the change is greater than a predefined threshold, the control unit (312) discharges an energy storage device into the coil to provide a haptic response (109).

Abstract: Touch-screen controllers, particularly those in mobile telephones, are prone to erratic behavior when the mobile telephone is plugged into devices, such as AC power adapters, that create electrical noise. To more intelligently mitigate noise in these and other electronic devices that include capacitive touch-screen displays, the present inventors devised, among other things, a touch-screen controller that measures noise level in the touch-screen display and increases its drive voltage only when necessary to exceed the measured noise level, thereby reducing the chance of noise signals being misinterpreted as touch events while also reducing power consumption over prior techniques. Moreover, for electronic devices that include radio receivers, intelligently increasing the touch-screen voltages based on measured noise, avoids the sensitivity-reduction (desense) issues that providing constant higher operating voltage creates.

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 controlling a plurality of light sources (102,103,104,105) in an electronic device (100) is provided. In one embodiment, the plurality of light sources (102,103,104,105) is used to backlight an illuminated display (101). As switching multiple light sources on simultaneously can cause output voltages of power sources (219) to drop, thereby potentially affecting the overall operation of the electronic device (100), an illumination controller (107) distributes actuation times associated with illumination control signals (204,205,206,207) such that each actuation time is unique. A control signal generator (201) produces a control signal (202) having light source actuation information stored therein. The illumination controller (107) then generates a plurality of illumination control signals (204,205,206,207) that are capable of actuating the plurality of light sources (102,103,104,105).

Abstract: An electronic device, for example a handheld telephone, having an integrated joystick with a conductive contact surface disposed toward a printed circuit board (PCB). The joystick is aligned with a neutral position contact portion of the PCB when the joystick is in a neutral position. A joystick contact region of the PCB has a plurality of directional contacts disposed circumferentially around the neutral position portion, corresponding to different joystick input directions. The conductive portion of the joystick electrically interconnects a ground contact with a corresponding one of the directional switch contacts when the joystick is pivoted in a corresponding input direction.

Abstract: A portable communication device (100) that has a processing section (208) to control operation of the portable communication device (100) in response to an input signal (TS_INPUT) and a user interface having a touch sensitive input device (128) for generating the input signal (TS_INPUT), also has a sensor (134). The sensor (134) disables the touch sensitive input device (128) from generating the input signal (TS_INPUT) when the portable communication device (100) is positioned in close proximity to a user and, thereby, preventing inadvertent actuations while the user holds the portable communication device (100) against his or her head to facilitate communication.