IP Library Granted Patent US 7,324,021
Granted Patent B2
US 7,324,021 · App. 11/352,572 · Granted Jan 29, 2008

Input device

Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,324,021
App. No.
11/352,572
Granted
Jan 29, 2008
Kind
B2
Abstract

An input device includes a plurality of input keys arranged in a matrix of three or more rows and three or more columns; electrodes facing parts of or all surfaces of the input keys that surround intersection of rows and columns formed by the arrangement of the input keys; and an input key detecting unit that identifies operated input keys among the plurality of input keys by combinations of the electrodes having a change in electrostatic capacitance. With this structure, the number of electrodes can be less than that of the input keys.

Claims (8)

1. An input device comprising:

a plurality of input keys arranged in a matrix of three or more rows and three or more columns;

electrodes facing some or all of surfaces of the input keys that surround intersections of rows and columns formed by the arrangement of the input keys; and

an input key detecting unit that identifies operated input keys among the plurality of input keys depending on combinations of the electrodes having a change in electrostatic capacitance.

2. The input device according to claim 1 ,

wherein the input key detecting unit includes a clock signal generating unit that generates clock signals; a delay unit that performs delay processing on the clock signals according to the electrostatic capacitance of the electrodes when a human body approaches or contacts the input keys; a logical conjunction unit that inputs delayed clock signals and non-delayed clock signals and outputs output signals according to a delayed amount of the delayed clock signals; a smoothing unit that smoothes the output signals of the logical conjunction unit such that the output signals become analog signals; an A/D conversion unit that converts the analog signals to digital signals; and a controller that identifies the input keys, which human body approaches or contacts, by combinations of the digital signals.

3. The input device according to claim 1 ,

wherein the electrodes have non-touch sensitive parts, which do not respond to operation of the input keys, in positions not facing the input keys.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jan 31, 2019
From: ALPS ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
To: ALPS ALPINE CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 048794/0230 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 13, 2006
From: SOMA, MASAHIRO
To: ALPS ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 017590/0658 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2005-046985 · Feb 23, 2005 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20060187090A1 · Aug 24, 2006