Shared Keyboard Touchpad Circuitry for Gesture Recognition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing computing devices with integrated touchpads and keyboards face inefficiencies in power consumption and signal processing when both are active simultaneously, as they require separate circuitry and can produce inconsistent inputs due to simultaneous use.
Innovation Solution
A computing device with a keyboard system and capacitive touch system that share a common integrated circuit, using a switch to connect keyboard and touch transmit/sense lines, allowing simultaneous operation and processing of both systems with dedicated logic for switch and capacitive signals, enabling the identification of key depressions and hand gestures for executing actions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate circuitry is used for touchpad and keyboard when both are active simultaneously, then each system can operate independently, but power consumption increases and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the touchpad and keyboard circuitry into a single integrated circuit that can process both capacitive touch signals and keyboard switch signals simultaneously. The sense lines and transmit lines are shared between both systems, eliminating the need for separate circuitry and reducing overall power consumption while maintaining independent operation of both input devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated circuit is designed to perform multiple functions: it can detect keyboard key presses through switch closure detection and simultaneously detect touchpad gestures through capacitive sensing. The same sense lines and transmit lines serve both the keyboard and touchpad systems, making the circuit universal and reducing the total component count.
2Reliability
If separate circuitry is used for touchpad and keyboard, then each system has dedicated processing, but device complexity and component count increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the touchpad control circuitry and keyboard controller into a single integrated circuit. The sense lines from both the touchpad electrode array and keyboard key switches are connected to the same integrated circuit, which processes both types of signals through unified detection logic, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining signal processing accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated circuit is designed with universal detection capabilities that can identify both switch closure events from keyboard keys and capacitive coupling events from touchpad gestures. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated processing circuits for each input device, simplifying the overall system architecture.
3Use of energy by stationary object
If keyboard and touchpad operate simultaneously with shared circuitry, then power consumption is reduced, but signal interference and input inconsistencies may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated circuit dynamically distinguishes between keyboard input signals and touchpad input signals based on their characteristic patterns. When a keyboard key is pressed, the circuit detects the specific electrical pattern of switch closure on the shared sense lines. When a touch is made on the touchpad, the circuit detects the different capacitive coupling pattern. This dynamic signal differentiation ensures reliable and consistent input detection despite simultaneous operation and shared circuitry.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback mechanisms to identify and differentiate between keyboard and touchpad inputs on the shared sense lines. The integrated circuit monitors the electrical characteristics of signals on the common sense lines and uses feedback logic to determine whether each signal originates from a keyboard switch closure or a touchpad capacitive event, thereby maintaining input consistency and preventing interference.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enables efficient simultaneous operation of the keyboard and touchpad, reducing power consumption and improving signal processing by addressing inconsistencies, allowing for accurate detection of key presses and hand gestures to execute commands without interference.
Implementation Method 1
When the switches close in response to a user depressing the keys, the respective transmit lines and sense lines are temporarily brought into contact. This temporary contact can be detected by measuring the voltage on the sense lines.
Implementation Method 2
A capacitive touch system includes a touch transmit line electrically connected to the integrated circuit, and a touch sense line electrically connected to the integrated circuit
Data Source
AI summary
A computing device may include a keyboard, a switch in mechanical communication with an underside of a key arranged in the keyboard, a processor, a transmit line electrically connected to the processor, a sense line electrically connected to the processor, and the transmit line and the sense line are selectively connectable through the switch when the key is depressed, memory in communication with the processor, and programmed instructions stored in the memory that, when executed, cause the processor to identify changes in capacitance from the sense line when the key is not depressed, identify a hand gesture performed proximate the keyboard based on the changes in capacitance, and execute an action based on at least one the identification of the hand gesture.