The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 07, 2019
Filed:
Jan. 25, 2017
Atmel Corporation, Chandler, AZ (US);
Atmel Corporation, Chandler, AZ (US);
Abstract
In certain embodiments, a method includes applying voltage to a sensor that includes first and second electrode tracks, the sensor proximate to a conductor depressible relative to the sensor and located between a button and the sensor. The conductor can capacitively couple with a capacitive node formed by the tracks, and the button can capacitively couple with an object. A value of a capacitance at the node is measured, the capacitance reflecting an amount of capacitive coupling between the conductor and the node. In response to the value meeting a first condition, a first button state is detected, indicating the object is within a detectable distance of and not in contact with the button. In response to the value meeting a second condition, a second button state is detected, indicating the object is in contact with the button and the conductor is not in contact with the sensor.