Abstract: An apparatus is provided that includes a processor to at least perform or cause the apparatus to at least perform a number of operations. These operations include receiving pressure-measurement signals from a keyboard including an arrangement of keys, and a plurality of pressure sensors associated with a respective plurality of the keys. In this regard, the pressure sensors are configured to measure a pressure applied to the respective plurality of the keys, and produce the pressure-measurement signals representative of the measured pressure. The operations also include predicting one or more next keystrokes on the keyboard as a function of the pressure-measurement signals, and determining one or more commands or instructions for directing performance of one or more operations of an apparatus or software operating on the apparatus, where the command(s) or instruction(s) are determined as a function of the predicted next keystroke(s).

Abstract: A method and system of an embodiment may include a system comprising a touch screen display panel, and a tactile panel with one or more raised surfaces wherein the touch screen display panel is positioned on top of the tactile panel and the tactile panel creates one or more raised surfaces on the touch screen display panel providing tactile information to a user of the touch screen display panel.

Abstract: An electronic device may include a keypad having a plurality of predefined key areas and a light guide that may be used to illuminate the key areas. The light guide may include a capacitive sensing grid to sense user contact relative to the keypad.

Abstract: A keyboard or keypad which can highlight symbols on the keys by illuminating them. The keys are backlit by two light sources, one visible and one ultraviolet, each of which illuminates multiple keys. One symbol on each key is designed to transmit the visible light, becoming highlighted when the visible light source is activated. A second symbol on each key is designed to fluoresce when illuminated by ultraviolet light, becoming highlighted when the ultraviolet light source is activated. If desired, both light sources can be activated, highlighting both symbols simultaneously. If desired, complementary light color and filter material may be used to reduce or eliminate transmission of light through the second symbol. A single pair of light sources may be used for the entire keyboard or the keyboard may be divided into segments with separate light sources for each segment.

Abstract: A hand-held electronic device has a keyboard with a plurality of keys, each key having a substantially flat contact surface extending to the sides of each key. One of the sides of the key is beveled.

Abstract: A keypad structure comprises a plurality of dome switches. Each of the plurality of dome switches provides a first tactile feedback to a user when pressed. At least one vibratory element is electrically connected to the dome switches to actuate when one of the plurality of dome switches is pressed. The at least one vibratory element provides a second tactile feedback to the user.

Abstract: The invention provides an input device of an electric apparatus and a method of manufacturing an input device, wherein the input device comprises: a key member for receiving an input from a user, the key member comprising a plurality of circumferentially arranged touch-sensitive sensor segments and having at least one degree of freedom with respect to the body of the electric apparatus; and a feedback unit coupled to the key member and configured to generate feedback to the key member in the direction of the at least one degree of freedom as a response to the input.

Abstract: Provided is a method and a terminal for executing a function of a terminal according to data transmitted and received through a human body, which includes detecting a touch in a human body communication signal input unit, wherein the human body communication signal input unit is in a human body communication key mode; determining a number detected touches and determining a number pulse signals transmitted during a time in which the touch is maintained when the touch is detected; and executing a function corresponding to the human body communication signal.

Abstract: The manual trigger device includes: a housing presenting a flexible or mobile surface, an emission unit that emits an electromagnetic field, a reception unit that receives the electromagnetic field, and emits a signal representative of the electromagnetic field received, a modulation element that modulates the electromagnetic field, and is connected to the flexible or mobile surface of the housing such that when the surface is deformed or moved, the reception unit receives an electromagnetic field modulated by the modulation element according to the deformation of the flexible or mobile surface and a processing circuit that processes the signal, and adapted to detect a modulation of the electromagnetic field representative of a push on the surface with a predetermined pressure and to command, upon detection, the change in appearance of a warning device visible from the outside of the housing.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a touch panel display apparatus including: a display panel; a movable panel unit including a touch panel and being flat plate-like in shape; a movable support section for supporting the movable panel unit on a support structure so as to permit the movable panel unit to be moved along a plane parallel to the panel surface of the movable panel unit; an actuator configured to drive the movable panel unit to vibrate; an actuator drive control section for outputting an actuator drive signal to drivingly control the actuator; an acoustic pressure generating member configured to generate an acoustic pressure by being driven by the actuator to vibrate; and a superposing section for superposing an acoustic signal on the actuator drive signal outputted by the actuator drive control section.

Abstract: A pulse is applied through a capacitive touch key sensor to a sampling capacitor of an analog-to-digital converter (ADC). The voltage charge arriving at the sampling capacitor will be maximum when there is substantially no shunt capacitance between the capacitive touch key sensor and the sampling capacitor. However, a object such as an operator's finger when in close proximity to the capacitive touch key sensor will create a capacitive shunt to ground that diverts some of the charge that is supposed to go to the sampling capacitor and thereby reduces the voltage charge on the sampling capacitor. This change in charge voltage when the capacitive touch key sensor is activated (touched) may be easily detected with the ADC. In addition, light emitting diodes (LEDs) may be integrated with the capacitive touch key sensors and use the same connections on an integrated circuit device in a time division multiplexed manor.

Abstract: A method and device are provided for preventing unintended activation of one or more hard keys on a mobile device. A capacitive sensor senses a capacitance level at a location on the keyboard, to detect whether a hard key is being actuated by a human hand or human skin. If the sensed capacitance level exceeds a key activation capacitance threshold, a key circuit connection is identified as being associated with an intended hard key activation. If the measured capacitance level is within an uncertainty tolerance below the key activation capacitance threshold, a secondary capacitance level is measured at a non-keyboard location. The key circuit connection is identified as being associated with an intended hard key activation when the measured secondary capacitance level exceeds a key activation confirmation threshold. Additional secondary indicators can be obtained based on size and shape capacitance pattern, timing information, and an active application or device state.

Abstract: A key assembly includes a touching portion, and a detecting unit. The detecting unit includes a power source, a first detector, a second detector, a processor, a first resistor layer, and a second resistor layer parallel spaced from the first resistor layer. The first resistor layer includes a first end and a second end. The second resistor layer includes a third end and a fourth end. The first end is connected to a first electrode of the power source via the first detector, and the fourth end is connected to the first electrode of the power source via the second detector. The second and the third ends are connected to a second electrode of the power source. The processor electrically connected to the first detector and the second detector performs a predetermined function of the electronic device in response to electrical signals from the first and second detectors.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for inputting a character in a terminal are provided, in which a key input portion has at least one multi-key for use in inputting a plurality of characters, and when an other key is pressed while one of the at least one multi-key is pressed, a controller determines that one of characters following a first character among a plurality of characters mapped to the pressed multi-key has been input according to the distance between the pressed multi-key and the pressed other key.

Abstract: A system includes a controller and an RFID sensor, an RFID sensor reader having a detection region, and a transceiver connected to the controller. The system may be secured to or contained within a wearable glove. The RFID sensor is configured to transmit an RFID sensor signal to the RFID sensor reader when the RFID sensor is within the detection region. The RFID sensor reader is configured to transmit an RFID sensor reader signal to the controller after receiving the RFID sensor signal. The controller is configured to transmit a signal to the transceiver after receiving the RFID sensor reader signal. The signal may include input from a motion sensor and/or an orientation sensor connected to the controller. The transceiver may transmit the signal to a remote processor via an antenna. The signal may be used for gesture recognition, information coding, and/or information processing.

Abstract: A key coding circuit includes N keys, a signal processing unit, a bus, and a ground wire, and each key includes an input end and a ground end electrically connected to the ground wire. The signal processing unit includes M signal lines, where M is the smallest positive whole number not less than Log(N+1, 2), and at least one signal line is electrically connected to the corresponding input end. Each key is coded for M-bit binary, the floating signal lines correspond to the binary code 1, and the signal lines corresponding to binary code 0 are electrically connected to the input end of the corresponding keys.

Abstract: A capacitive touch screen suitable for use in an interactive information display includes a first transparent glass substrate having first and second surfaces and a thickness of less than or equal to about 0.3 millimeters, and a second substrate having third and fourth surfaces and a transparent conductive thin film disposed at the third surface thereof. The second surface of the first transparent glass substrate is laminated to the third surface of the second substrate in order to form a capacitive touch screen having enhanced durability. The transparent conductive thin film of the second substrate opposes the second surface of the first transparent glass substrate when the second surface of the first transparent glass substrate is laminated to the third surface of the second substrate.

Abstract: A character input device and its method are disclosed.

Abstract: A touch-sensitive device includes a membrane substrate, an inductive layer and a protection layer. The inductive layer, arranged on a front face of the membrane substrate, has a plurality of capacitance-inductive sections, and at least one transmission line extended from a side of each of the capacitance-inductive sections. The protection layer is arranged on a front face of the inductive layer. A capacitance variation generated from the inductive section is in turn to output a signal to an electronic object via the transmission lines. After the signal is processed by the electronic object, a specific function is then executed.

Abstract: A remote control apparatus of the invention is a remote control apparatus for operating electronic hardware, including: a remote control main body; a cover covering a front surface of the remote control main body; and a plurality of switches provided on at least one of the remote control main body or the cover and switching by pressing force, the cover being openably attached to the remote control main body and covering the front surface of the remote control main body when closed and exposing the front surface when opened, one part of the cover being pressed to the remote control main body in the closed state of the cover and thereby being displaced to the remote control main body, and by the displacement, the cover or the remote control main body pressing any one of the plurality of switches, and another part of the cover being pressed to the remote control main body in the closed state of the cover and thereby being displaced to the remote control main body, and by the displacement, the cover or the remote

Abstract: An apparatus (600) is provided with a first (635) and a second (645) plurality of input keys. At least some input keys of the first plurality of input keys are associated with both a numeric value and a first set of alphabetic values, and arranged in a first alphabetic keypad layout based on their respective first sets of alphabetic values. The second plurality of input keys are positioned adjacent to the first plurality of input keys. At least some input keys of the second plurality of input keys are associated with at least one alphabetic value, and arranged in a second alphabetic keypad layout. At least some of the input keys of the first plurality of input keys have a second set of alphabetic values that is used as part of the second alphabetic keypad layout and at least some of the input keys of the first and second pluralities of input keys are arranged to provide a reduced group of words generated by a predictive text input routine for an input key sequence entered by a user.

Abstract: A hearing apparatus is provided with a housing including a first housing mounting element and a control element that is mounted rotatably in the first housing mounting element via a control mounting element. Furthermore the housing has at least one second housing mounting element so that the control element can be optionally mounted rotatably in the first housing mounting element or in the second housing mounting element. Thus the control element can be actuated in a desired position.

Abstract: A mobile terminal having a terminal body and a keypad located on the terminal body is provided. The keypad includes a plurality of keys configured to input information, a plurality of light emitting units, each light emitting unit being associated with a corresponding key of the plurality of keys to separately illuminate the corresponding key, a shielding member to reduce leakage of light from an activated light emitting unit to adjacent keys, and a control unit configured to detect when one of the plurality of keys is operated and to activate at least the light emitting unit associated with the operated key.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a keyboard device. The keyboard device includes a base, a main circuit board, a base cover, a touching membrane switch, a touching thin plate, an upper cover and a plurality of keys. The touching membrane switch is activated to implement a predefined hot key function so as to reduce fabricating cost.

Abstract: An electronic device is formed at least partially from a deflectable material that generates an electrical signal in response to contact. The first material is integrated with a display module to provide a shaped feature on the exterior surface of the display module. The shaped feature detects contact with an external object on one or more contact points, where contact with the contact points corresponds to a defined input for a processor of the electronic device.

Abstract: A keyboard is provided that includes an arrangement of keys, circuitry and a first processor configured to generate a signal in response to a keystroke in which a respective key of the arrangement of keys is depressed, and determine how to interpret the keystroke. The keyboard also includes a plurality of proximity sensors and a second processor configured to measure the proximity of an object to the respective proximity sensors, determine a position and/or movement of the object relative to the proximity sensors based on the respective signal, and produce a gesture signal representative of the determined position and/or movement. This gesture signal is interpretable into one or more commands or instructions for directing performance of one or more operations of an apparatus or software operating on the apparatus. A related apparatus and computer-readable storage medium are also provided.

Abstract: An ergonomically developed key input system for use with a computing or electronic handheld device that uses chording to type at increased speeds. The key input system includes a set of finger input keys corresponding to the fingers of a user's hands that are divided into at least three subkeys, each subkey adapted to be engaged simultaneously with any other subkey. Simultaneous engagement of the finger subkeys creates an input signal that corresponds to a grouping of input values, which are translated by software to display a word or perform a function. Thumb keys may be used in conjunction with the finger input keys to perform additional functions. The key input system disclosed utilizes a chording principle to type words and perform computing functions with only slight movements of a user's hands from an initial relaxed position.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided that includes a processor to at least perform or cause the apparatus to at least perform a number of operations. These operations include receiving pressure-measurement signals from a keyboard including an arrangement of keys, and a plurality of pressure sensors associated with a respective plurality of the keys. In this regard, the pressure sensors are configured to measure a pressure applied to the respective plurality of the keys, and produce the pressure-measurement signals representative of the measured pressure. The operations also include predicting one or more next keystrokes on the keyboard as a function of the pressure-measurement signals, and determining one or more commands or instructions for directing performance of one or more operations of an apparatus or software operating on the apparatus, where the command(s) or instruction(s) are determined as a function of the predicted next keystroke(s).

Abstract: Vehicle control information is displayed to a vehicle operator in a central display area. In one embodiment, a sensor associated with a vehicle control is configured to detect an approaching operator. A graphical representation of the vehicle control may be displayed in a central display area and, in one embodiment, is displayed with a varying physical characteristic representative of the distance between the vehicle operator and the vehicle control itself. A second graphical representation of the vehicle control may be displayed in the central display area in response to detecting that the vehicle operator has contacted the vehicle control. In one embodiment, the second graphical representation includes a current control value for the vehicle control.

Abstract: A communication device comprising an input device for inputting text character-by-character from a sequence of characters, a memory device for storing a plurality of reference character sequences of characters and a prediction device for comparing individual ones of the input characters with the reference character sequences and for proposing at least one of the reference character sequences after the inputting of individual input characters of the sequence of characters to be input in the case of a corresponding comparison result. The prediction device compares the input characters with not-immediately-adjacent characters of the reference character sequences. The input device may further a number of syllables or vowels between two input characters of the sequence of characters to be input and the prediction device compares the number of input syllables or vowels with corresponding numbers of syllables or vowels of the reference character sequences.

Abstract: An electronic device is formed at least partially from a deflectable material that generates an electrical signal in response to contact. The first material is integrated with a display module to provide a shaped feature on the exterior surface of the display module. The shaped feature detects contact with an external object on one or more contact points, where contact with the contact points corresponds to a defined input for a processor of the electronic device.

Abstract: A method and system of an embodiment may include a system comprising a touch screen display panel, and a tactile panel with one or more raised surfaces wherein the touch screen display panel is positioned on top of the tactile panel and the tactile panel creates one or more raised surfaces on the touch screen display panel providing tactile information to a user of the touch screen display panel.

Abstract: Systems and methods are employed for implementing haptics for pressure sensitive keyboards, such as the type of keyboards having keys that produce alternating digital open/short signals that emulate actuation of conventional “momentary on” digital keys. The disclosed systems and methods may be implemented to provide haptics for both touch typing and variable pressure sensitive operation of a pressure sensitive keyboard. Users of a variable pressure keyboard may be provided with a variable pressure haptics effect, e.g., to enable the user to intuitively understand from the haptics vibration produced by the key how much pressure they are applying to a given key at any given time. Vibration characteristics (e.g., vibration rate, vibration waveform pattern, etc.) of a given pressed key may be varied in real time in coordination with, or in response to, corresponding changes in user pressure applied to the same given key.

Abstract: A keyboard includes a plug communicating with an external input device, a printed circuit board (PCB), and a base. The PCB includes a first power pad and a second power pad electrically connected to the plug via a cable. The PCB outputs a control signal to the plug via the cable in response to the first power pad and the second power pad being electrically connected. The base includes a control and at least one positioning element for positioning the control on the base. The control includes a pushbutton, a first pin electrically connected to the first power pad, and a second pin electrically connected to the second power pad. The first pin and the second pin are electrically connected in response to the pushbutton being pressed.

Abstract: An electronic module with a track identification function and a keypad identification function is provided. The electronic module includes a touch-control element and a driver. The driver has a track identification mode and a keypad identification mode. When the driver receives a switch signal, the driver mode is switched between the track identification mode and the keypad identification mode. In the keypad identification mode, the touch-control element has at least a key position. When a user presses the key position, the driver provides a key command. In the track identification mode, the driver provides a cursor position signal.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and arrangement for shielding a light emitting diode against electrostatic discharges during usage. On a printed circuit board (103, 203) there is placed a light emitting diode (108, 208), and on the component side of the circuit board (103, 203), there is arranged a photoconductor layer (102, 202). In the photoconductor layer (102, 202), there is induced electroconductive material (110, 210), and the electroconductive material is connected to the ground plane (111) of the circuit board in order to conduct the electrostatic discharge from the photoconductor layer (102, 202) to the ground plane.

Abstract: A very low touch force keyboard, employing soft conductors, preferably conductive fabric, disposed in a keyboard grid. The grid rests upon a soft substrate, and has soft spacers separating the two axes of the grid, arranged to allow conducting portions of the grid to contact each other when soft, fabric-like keys are pushed. The grid conductors are electrically connected to a keyboard controller.

Abstract: A controlling device, such as a universal remote control, that uses visual and/or audio cues, such as sounds, color, patterns, shapes, etc., to indicate a relationship between a function key and an intended target appliance for a command transmitted in response to activation of the function key.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tactile-surface control module comprising: a flexible protection layer (9), at least one monostable switch (11) and a rigid mechanical supporting member (13) letting through the light from at least one light source and defining regions for backlighting the flexible protection layer (9), characterized in that said supporting member (13) further includes at least one passage (21) for activating the monostable switch (11), by deformation of the flexible protection layer (9), and in that the module includes a sheet (19) made of incompressible material sandwiched between said rigid mechanical supporting member (13) and the flexible protection layer (9), the sheet (19) defining at least one pivoting arm (23) comprising a hinge (25), joined to said supporting member (13), and a pivoting free end (27) having an actuating lug (29) placed facing a passage (21) in said supporting member (13) for actuating the monostable switch (11).

Abstract: A character-input method is provided. The character-input method includes providing a plurality of objects having a predetermined arrangement, mapping characters included in a character group represented by a representative character mapped to an object identified as a first signal among objects to which representative characters are mapped, to one or more objects among the plurality of objects when the first signal is received from a user input device, and inputting characters mapped to an object identified as the second signal among objects to which the characters are mapped.

Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing pressure sensitive keys to produce digital signals that emulate actuation of conventional “momentary on” digital keys of a conventional keyboard. The pressure sensitive keys may be implemented to generate an alternating open/short digital signal representative of the amount of pressure applied to a given key at any given time. The open/short digital signal may be supplied as a signal representative of applied key pressure to a legacy keyboard key matrix and controller or other processing device of an information handling system that is configured to measure keyboard input based on “momentary-on” digital signals.

Abstract: A push-button switch test device having a flexible tab fixedly attached to a pushing member. The flexible tab is made of a flexible material and includes a deformation sensitive resistor mounted on a surface. The push-button switch test device may be used to test a push-button by imposing a known force on the flexible tab while receiving a signal level across the deformation sensitive resistor. As the known force pushes on the flexible tab, the signal level indicates when the push-button has engaged. The force may then be reversed to permit sensing of the disengagement of the switch. Configurations of a plurality of push-button switch test devices may be arranged in a test frame that mirrors a configuration of push-button switches.

Abstract: In an electronic apparatus having a touch panel and pair of vibrating elements for vibrating the touch panel, pair of fixing cushions are fixed on a rear surface of the touch panel along right and left edges of the touch panel. The vibrating elements are fixed to the rear surface of the touch panel along upper and lower edges of the touch panel. The fixing cushions are also fixed to a fixing frames and thereby the touch panel is supported by the fixing frame. The fixing cushions are parallel to each other and stably support the touch panel against the fixing frame. Furthermore, the cushions allow the touch panel to greatly vibrate according to expansion and contraction of the vibrating elements.

Abstract: A key assembly includes a touching portion, and a detecting unit. The detecting unit includes a power source, a first detector, a second detector, a processor, a first resistor layer, and a second resistor layer parallel spaced from the first resistor layer. The first resistor layer includes a first end and a second end. The second resistor layer includes a third end and a fourth end. The first end is connected to a first electrode of the power source via the first detector, and the fourth end is connected to the first electrode of the power source via the second detector. The second and the third ends are connected to a second electrode of the power source. The processor electrically connected to the first detector and the second detector performs a predetermined function of the electronic device in response to electrical signals from the first and second detectors.

Abstract: The invention relates to an operating element for technical systems in vehicles, comprising four separately operable key elements (8, 9, 10, 11) and a turnably supported roller (2), which can be moved by compression perpendicular to its axis of rotation (18), whereby the four key elements (8, 9, 10, 11) are placed crosswise and the turnably supported roller (2) is in the middle between the crosswise-placed key elements (8, 9, 10, 11), whereby the axis of rotation (18) runs parallel to the plane of the key elements (8, 9, 10, 11), and the movability of the roller (2) is perpendicular to this plane.

Abstract: An operator control apparatus has at least one pushbutton switch, and can be used, for example, in an operator control panel for an electronic domestic appliance. The operator control apparatus further has a support element, a pressure-sensitive transmission element with at least one sensor area which corresponds to the at least one pushbutton switch and is connected to the support element by a first adhesive layer, and a covering layer which faces the user side. The covering layer is connected to the transmission element by a second adhesive layer, with the second adhesive layer being soft and having an adhesive layer region in the region of the at least one sensor area of the transmission element. The adhesive layer region is smaller than the sensor area and is at least partially separated from the rest of the second adhesive layer by at least one cutout.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for user configurable pressure sensitive keys and techniques for controlling these keys for keyboards. User configuration information, including information for user configurable granularity scales for pressure levels, can be communicated from a host system to the keyboard and stored for later use by a keyboard controller to control the operation of the pressure sensitive keys. In this way, greater control of the pressure sensitive keys can be provided. This configurability is of particular use for applications such as where the keyboard is being used for gaming by a user running a gaming application on an information handling system.

Abstract: A dome sheet, a key pad and a method of manufacturing a dome sheet are disclosed. The key pad comprises a dome sheet with a top sheet, a bottom sheet and a dome. The dome sheet forms a switch arrangement when mounted to a contact layer.

Abstract: An input key subassembly for a handheld communication device is dislosed herein. The input key subassembly includes a dome overlay panel and a lightguide panel. The dome overlay panel includes a dome overlay layer and a dome switch having a peak facing frontally. The dome overlay layer has a front face located adjacent to the backside of the lightguide panel. The lightguide panel has at least one keystem and is located above a respective dome switch. A recessed perimeter region about the keystem has a height relative to the backside of the lightguide panel that is less than a height between the front side of the lightguide panel and the backside of the lightguide panel.

Abstract: The present invention provides, among other things, an information inputting tool that can be made space-saving and places small constraint on key touch actions. For that purpose, an information inputting tool of the present invention is provided with a reflection portion (11B) provided with a single or a plurality of reflection members (11C) having retroreflectivity, with an attaching gadget (11c, etc.) that attaches said reflection portion to a finger of an operator, and with a change mechanism (11S, 11a1, etc.) that changes the reflectance distribution of said reflection portion in accordance with a finger pressure applied to the finger end of said finger.