KEYBOARD
There is described a touch sensor for a keyboard, the touch sensor comprising one or more holes. Also described is a keyboard comprising the touch sensor as well as methods of manufacturing the touch sensor and the keyboard.
1 - 93 . (canceled)
94 . A system comprising:
a keyboard comprising:
a plurality of keys;
a touch sensor for detecting the touch of a user on the keys;
wherein a keypress relating to the keys is detected using the touch sensor.
a controller, wherein the controller is capable of:
detecting a touch input using the touch sensor;
detecting a keypress relating to the keys using the touch sensor; and
distinguishing between a touch input and a keypress.
95 . The system of claim 94 , wherein each key is associated with a conductive coating, wherein each conductive coating is arranged such that when said key is pressed the corresponding coating moves relative to the touch sensor so as to cause a change in a local electric field.
96 . The system of claim 94 , wherein in order to distinguish between a touch input and a keypress, the controller is arranged to determine a magnitude of a change in a local electric field measured by the touch sensor.
97 . The system of claim 94 , wherein in order to distinguish between a touch input and a keypress, the controller is arranged to determine a direction of the change in the local electric field measured by the touch sensor.
98 . The system of claim 94 , wherein in order to distinguish between a touch input and a keypress, the controller is arranged to determine a mode of the keyboard.
99 . The system of claim 94 , wherein the touch sensor comprises a capacitive sensor.
100 . The system of claim 94 , wherein each coating is arranged on one or more of:
a transmittal mechanism of a corresponding key; and
an exterior surface, an interior surface, and/or a tip of said transmittal mechanism
101 . The system of claim 94 , wherein each coating comprises one or more of: a conductive coating; a metal coating; and a metal oxide semiconductor.
102 . The system of claim 94 , wherein the touch sensor is arranged so that each key impacts the touch sensor when said key is depressed.
103 . The system of claim 94 , wherein the touch sensor is arranged so that a conductive coating associated with a key impacts the touch sensor when said key is depressed.
104 . The system of claim 94 , wherein in order to distinguish between the touch of a user and the keypress, the controller is arranged to determine at least one of:
a duration of a change measured by the touch sensor; and
a rate of a change measured by the touch sensor.
105 . The system of claim 94 , wherein the controller is calibrated to determine at least one of:
a baseline output;
an output corresponding to a touch input; and
an output corresponding to a keypress.
106 . The system of claim 94 , wherein the controller is arranged to drive a signal for another component of the keyboard in dependence on a signal relating to the touch sensor.
107 . The system of claim 94 , wherein the controller is arranged to determine a mode of the keyboard based on a list of possible modes, wherein the list of possible modes includes at least:
a pointer input mode and/or a touch mode; and
a keypress mode.
108 . The system of claim 94 , wherein the controller is arranged to switch the keyboard between a plurality of modes based on a user input.
109 . The system of claim 108 , wherein the user input comprises one or more of:
a keypress;
a plurality of keypresses;
a combination of keypresses; and
a touch input.
110 . The system of claim 108 , wherein switching the mode comprises determining whether an input relates to a mode switching input and/or determining whether an input relates to a function in the current mode.
111 . The system of claim 94 , being a keyboard, wherein the keyboard comprises the controller.
112 . The system of claim 94 , being one or more of: a computer device, a personal computer, and a laptop.
113 . A method of determining an input, the method being performed by a controller, the method comprising:
providing a keyboard comprising:
a plurality of keys;
a touch sensor for detecting the touch of a user on the keys; and
detecting at the controller, using the touch sensor, an input that is either a touch input or a keypress; and
distinguishing between a touch input and a keypress.