Touch-sensitive mechanical keyboard with sensing circuits for touch events and key depression events

    公开(公告)号:US11177093B1

    公开(公告)日:2021-11-16

    申请号:US16655159

    申请日:2019-10-16

    Applicant: Apple Inc.

    Abstract: This disclosure relates to touch-sensitive mechanical keyboards and methods for detecting touch events and key depression events on the touch-sensitive mechanical keyboard. The keypad can include a plurality of domes, a plurality of key make electrodes, first touch electrodes, and second touch electrodes. The first touch electrodes may be located underneath the plurality of key make electrodes, and the second touch electrodes may not. Both touch electrodes can detect touch events based on self-capacitance sensing. A key depression event can cause the key make electrode to make electrical contact with a corresponding first touch electrode, creating a short circuit that may cause the measured signal to saturate. The keyboard can include a plurality of sensing circuits coupled to the key make electrodes, the first touch electrodes, and the second touch electrodes. The plurality of sensing circuits can be used to detect both touch events and key depression events.

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