On cable touchpad for configuring an electronic device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10826495-B2
Application number	US-201515764727-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 30, 2015
Priority date	Sep 30, 2015
Publication date	Nov 3, 2020
Grant date	Nov 3, 2020

Abstract

A flexible cable may include an electrical conductor, a dielectric insulator layer surrounding the electrical conductor, a jacket layer being flexible and surrounding the dielectric insulator layer, a shield surrounding the dielectric insulator layer and a connector electrically connected to the electrical conductor. The connector may be configured to connect to an electronic device and communicate electrical signals from the electrical conductor to the electronic device. The cable may further include a capacitive layer engaging the jacket layer. At least one capacitive pad may be disposed on the capacitive layer and be configured to communicate signals (e.g., capacitance variance) over a communications path in response to a user touching the capacitive pad(s) by his or her fingers.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An imaging system, comprising:
an electronic device including an. imager; and
a flexible cable configured to be operably coupled with the imager, the flexible cable including:
an electrical conductor configured to provide power and/or electrical signals to the imager;
a dielectric insulator layer surrounding the electrical conductor;
a shield surrounding the dielectric insulator layer;
a jacket layer being flexible and surrounding the dielectric insulator layer;
a connector electrically connected to the electrical conductor, and configured to connect to the electronic device and communicate the power and/or electrical signals from the electrical conductor to the electronic device;
a capacitive layer engaging the jacket layer; and
at least one capacitive pad disposed on the capacitive layer and configured to communicate configuration signals over a communications path to the electronic device in response to a user touching the at least one capacitive pad with one or more of his or her fingers,
wherein the electronic device is configured to adjust configuration settings of the imager and configure the imager accordingly responsive to the configuration settings received over the communications path responsive to the user touching at least one capacitive pad integrated into the flexible cable.

2. The imaging system according to claim 1 , wherein the capacitive layer surrounds the jacket layer.

3. The imaging system according to claim 1 , wherein the communications path includes a plurality of conductors that extend along the capacitive layer to the connector.

4. The imaging system according to claim 1 , wherein the configuration settings includes a sensitivity parameter or a resolution parameter for the imager.

5. The imaging system according to claim 1 , wherein the capacitive switches are respectively configured to generate a first signal in response to the at least one capacitive pad being pressed a first time and a second signal in response to the capacitive switch being pressed a second time.

6. The imaging system. according to claim 1 , further comprising a protective layer disposed over the capacitive layer and the at least one capacitive pad.

7. The imaging system according to claim 6 , wherein the protective layer is a transparent thermoshrinking tube.

8. The imaging system according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one capacitive pad includes a plurality of capacitive pads that are physically distinct from one another, and positioned axially along the capacitive layer.

9. The imaging system according to claim 8 , wherein the capacitor pads are separated from one another to enable two fingers two respectively press two capacitive pads.

10. The imaging system according to claim 8 , wherein the electronic device is configured to adjust different configuration settings based on different combinations of configuration signals received from multiple capacitive pads selected by the user.

11. The imaging system according to claim 1 , wherein the communications path includes a wireless device attached to the flexible cable and configured to wirelessly communicate the signals to the electronic device.

12. The imaging system according to claim 11 , wherein the wireless device is configured to communicate the configuration settings to the electronic device via at least one of active RFID or active NFC communication protocols.

13. The imaging system according to claim 1 , wherein the jacket layer includes a half-sleeve jacket removable from the cable as a standalone unit.

14. The imaging system according to claim 13 , wherein the half-sleeve jacket includes a battery configured to provide power to electronics within the half-sleeve jacket removable from the cable.

15. A method for manufacturing an electronic device, the method comprising:
providing an electronic device including an imager having configuration settings that are different than operational settings, and further inclusive of a communications path for receiving configuration signals;
enclosing the electronic device in a housing; and
providing a cable having one or more buttons integrally formed with the cable that are configured to communicate the configuration signals via the communications path to the electronic device, wherein the electronic device is configured to adjust the configuration settings of the imager and to configure the imager accordingly responsive to the configuration signals received from the cable over the communications path.

16. The method according to claim 15 , further comprising integrating a first wireless communications device in the electronic device, the first wireless communications device being configured to receive wireless signals from a second wireless communications device integrated with the cable.

17. The method according to claim 15 , further comprising including a connector on the electronic device configured to mate to a connector on the cable, and wherein the connectors form one or more conductive paths that electrically connect to the buttons.

18. A method for operating an imaging system, the method comprising:
receiving an input responsive to a user selecting one or more buttons integrally formed on an electrical cable including an electrical conductor, insulator, and shield and a capacitive layer within the electrical cable;
transmitting one or more configuration signals from the electrical cable over a communication path to an electronic device responsive to the input;
adjusting one or more configuration settings of an imager of the electronic device and configuring the imager accordingly responsive to the one or more configuration signals received by the electronic device.

19. The method of claim 18 , wherein adjusting the one or more configuration settings includes selecting a different configuration setting for adjustment depending on a combination of configuration signals received by the electronic device responsive to the user selecting multiple buttons integrally formed on the electrical cable.

Assignees

• Datalogic IP Tech Srl

Inventors

• Todescato Pietro
• Bruni Davide
• Albanese Fabio

Classifications

• H03K2217/960765

  Details of shielding arrangements · CPC title

• G06F3/044

  by capacitive means · CPC title

• H03K2217/960755

  Constructional details of capacitive touch and proximity switches · CPC title

• G06F3/0443

  using a single layer of sensing electrodes · CPC title

• G06F3/0488

  using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures · CPC title