Electrode arrangement for a keyboard proximity and tracking sensor

摘要

A keyboard assembly includes a transmitter electrode and one or more receiver electrodes that are used to generate an electric field above one or more keys of the assembly. The first electrode is located on a first level of a keyboard assembly and the second electrode is located on a second level of the keyboard assembly. The first level may correspond to a support plate of the assembly and the second level may correspond to a surface of a printed circuit board to which the second electrode is coupled. Alternatively, the first and second levels may correspond to different sides of a frame of the keyboard assembly. Disturbances in the electric field may be detected to perform a control operation of a host device that includes or is coupled to the keyboard assembly.

主权项

1. An apparatus comprising:
a first electrode to transmit a signal; and at least one second electrode to receive the signal, wherein: the first electrode to transmit the signal is located on a first level of a keyboard assembly, a second electrode to receive the transmitter signal is located on a second level of the keyboard assembly, the second level being different than the first level, transmission of the signal from the first electrode to the second electrode is to generate an electric field within a first detecting zone above at least one key of the keyboard assembly between the first and second electrodes, the electric field to be generated within the first detecting zone above the keyboard assembly based on a distance between the first electrode on the first level and the second electrode on the second level, wherein: the second electrode to receive the transmitter signal is located adjacent at least one key of the keyboard assembly, and the first electrode to transmit the transmitter signal is located at least partially under the at least one key and the second electrode, wherein the first electrode to transmit the transmitter signal is at a metal support plate of the keyboard assembly and the second electrode to receive the transmitter signal is at a printed circuit board of the keyboard assembly above the support plate.