Input device

Abstract

Implementations of the present invention relate to an input device for a home appliance for operation with a finger, includes a) sensitive keys arranged below a surface in a two-dimensional array, wherein a key voltage based on the nearness of the finger is generatable by each sensitive key dependant on the distance from the key and the size of the finger, c) wherein in a detection unit all key voltages are comparable, d) wherein in the detection unit the position of the finger is detectable, e) wherein an acceleration of the finger movement is detected by comparing detected positions of the finger. Furthermore, implementations the present invention include a method for data input for a home appliance for operation with a finger, especially for an input device according to the invention.

1 - 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . An input device for a home appliance for operation with a finger, comprising:
 a) sensitive keys arranged below a surface in a two-dimensional array;   b) wherein a key voltage based on the nearness of the finger is generatable by each sensitive key dependant on the distance from the key and the size of the finger;   c) wherein in a detection unit all key voltages are comparable;   d) wherein in the detection unit the position of the finger is detectable; and   e) wherein an acceleration of the finger movement is detectable by comparing positions of the finger.   
     
     
         12 . The input device according to  claim 11 , wherein:
 a) the detection of the position is repeatable after a predefined time span, especially 100 ms; and/or   b) a movement of the finger ( 4 ) is detectable, preferably based on a fixed and/or an arbitrary starting point.   
     
     
         13 . The input device according to  claim 11 , wherein the sensitive keys are at least substantially circular. 
     
     
         14 . The input device according to  claim 11 , wherein the position of the finger is detectable by comparing the generated key voltages and determining the largest key voltage. 
     
     
         15 . The input device according to  claim 11 , wherein an acceleration of the finger movement is detectable by comparing three or at least three, especially succeeding or successive or subsequent, positions of the finger. 
     
     
         16 . The input device according to  claim 11 , wherein the input device is integrated into a cooking device, particularly a, preferably transparent, glass of:
 a cooking hob, especially a glass ceramic stove top; and/or   an induction hob; and/or   a cooking oven; and/or   a steamer; and/or   a micro wave oven; and/or   a micro wave oven combi; and/or   a freestanding cooking device; and/or   a combi oven cook top.   
     
     
         17 . The input device according to  claim 11 , wherein the position of the finger is displayed on a display, preferably by a cursor. 
     
     
         18 . A method for data input for a home appliance for operation with a finger, especially for an input device with sensitive keys arranged below a surface in a two-dimensional array, wherein:
 a key voltage is generated based on the nearness of the finger by each sensitive key dependant on the distance from the key and the size of the finger;   all generated key voltages are compared;   the position of the finger is detected;   an acceleration of the finger movement is detected by comparing detected positions of the finger;   preferably the detection is repeated after a predefined time span; and/or preferably a movement of the finger is detected.   
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein the position of the finger is detected by determining the largest key voltage. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein an acceleration of the finger movement is detected by comparing three or at least three, especially succeeding, detected positions of the finger.