TACTILE INPUT DEVICE, MICROPROCESSOR SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A TACTILE INPUT DEVICE
The present invention pertains to a tactile input device comprising a control device, a proximity sensor unit arranged to provide a proximity detection signal to the control device, a tactile acoustic wave sensor unit operable in a low power mode and a high power mode according to a mode control signal from the control device, wherein the control device is arranged to control the power mode of the tactile acoustic wave sensor unit by providing a mode control signal based on the proximity detection signal received from the proximity sensor unit. The present invention also pertains to a microprocessor system comprising such a tactile input device and a corresponding method for controlling a tactile input device.
1 . A tactile input device comprising:
a control device;
a proximity sensor unit arranged to detect an object or a movement of an object in a proximity detection region and to provide a proximity detection signal to the control device indicative of a detection or non-detection of said object or movement;
a tactile acoustic wave sensor unit for detecting a tactile input, said acoustic wave sensor unit having a low power mode and a high power mode;
wherein the control device is arranged to control the tactile acoustic wave sensor unit to be in the low power mode or the high power mode by providing a mode control signal based on the proximity detection signal received from the proximity sensor unit.
2 . The tactile input device according to claim 1 , wherein the proximity sensor unit comprises a capacitive sensor.
3 . The tactile input device according to claim 1 , wherein the control device is adapted to control the tactile acoustic wave sensor unit to go in the high power mode in response to a reception of the proximity detection signal.
4 . The tactile input device according to claims 1 , wherein the proximity sensor unit comprises an electrode at least partially surrounding a display device.
5 . The tactile input device according to claim 1 , wherein the proximity sensor unit comprises an electrode made of at least one of the group consisting of: metallic paint, conductive paint, a wire, a metallic or conductive band, and a metallic layer.
6 . The tactile input device according to claim 1 , wherein the tactile acoustic wave sensor unit is arranged to detect a tactile input to a display.
7 . The tactile input device according to claim 1 , wherein the tactile acoustic wave sensor unit is arranged to detect a tactile input into a predetermined tactile detection area.
8 . The tactile input device according to claim 7 , wherein the tactile acoustic wave sensor unit comprises one or more sensors, surrounding the predetermined tactile detection area.
9 . The tactile input device according to claim 1 , wherein the high power mode is a mode in which an acquisition logic of the tactile acoustic wave sensor unit is active.
10 . The tactile input device according to claim 1 , wherein the low power mode is a mode in which an acquisition logic of the tactile acoustic wave sensor unit is inactive or in a sleep phase.
11 . The tactile input device according to claim 1 , wherein the control device controls the tactile acoustic wave sensor unit to be in the high power mode for a predetermined time after reception of the proximity detection signal.
12 . The tactile input device according to claim 1 , wherein the control device controls the power mode into the low power after a predetermined time after reception of the proximity detection signal.
13 . Microprocessor system comprising a tactile input device according to claim 1 .
14 . A method for controlling a tactile input device, comprising:
receiving, by a control device, a proximity detection signal from a proximity sensor unit; and
controlling, by the control device, a power mode of a tactile acoustic wave sensor unit based on the received proximity detection signal by providing a mode control signal to a tactile acoustic wave sensor unit.
15 . (canceled)
16 . The tactile input device according to claim 3 , wherein the tactile acoustic wave sensor unit is arranged to detect a tactile input to a display.
17 . The tactile input device according to claim 3 , wherein the tactile acoustic wave sensor unit is arranged to detect a tactile input into a predetermined tactile detection area.
18 . The tactile input device according to claim 4 , wherein the tactile acoustic wave sensor unit is arranged to detect a tactile input into a predetermined tactile detection area.
19 . The tactile input device according to claim 3 , wherein the high power mode is a mode in which an acquisition logic of the tactile acoustic wave sensor unit is active.
20 . The tactile input device according to claim 9 , wherein the low power mode is a mode in which an acquisition logic of the tactile acoustic wave sensor unit is inactive or in a sleep phase.
21 . The tactile input device according to claim 10 , wherein the control device controls the power mode into the low power after a predetermined time after reception of the proximity detection signal.