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A multi-electrode capacitive position sensor functions as part of a computer pointing device that can be integrated with the computer's keyboard and that employs ratiometric capacitive sensing techniques. This approach allows a computer user to move a cursor about on a display by skimming his or her

A multi-electrode capacitive position sensor functions as part of a computer pointing device that can be integrated with the computer's keyboard and that employs ratiometric capacitive sensing techniques. This approach allows a computer user to move a cursor about on a display by skimming his or her fingers over the keyboard without actually depressing any of the keys. The preferred sensing arrangement comprises a circuit for first charging a resistive layer disposed on an active portion of the keyboard and then discharging the layer by simultaneously connecting each of several spaced-apart electrodes to respective inputs of a multi-channel charge detection circuit. For a one-dimensional pointing device, two or more charge transferring switches and electrodes are required, with two being the preferred number. For a two-dimensional pointing device, three or more charge transferring switches and electrodes are required, with four being a preferred number.

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A multi-electrode capacitive position sensor functions as part of a computer pointing device that can be integrated with the computer's keyboard and that employs ratiometric capacitive sensing techniques. This approach allows a computer user to move a cursor about on a display by skimming his or her

A multi-electrode capacitive position sensor functions as part of a computer pointing device that can be integrated with the computer's keyboard and that employs ratiometric capacitive sensing techniques. This approach allows a computer user to move a cursor about on a display by skimming his or her fingers over the keyboard without actually depressing any of the keys. The preferred sensing arrangement comprises a circuit for first charging a resistive layer disposed on an active portion of the keyboard and then discharging the layer by simultaneously connecting each of several spaced-apart electrodes to respective inputs of a multi-channel charge detection circuit. For a one-dimensional pointing device, two or more charge transferring switches and electrodes are required, with two being the preferred number. For a two-dimensional pointing device, three or more charge transferring switches and electrodes are required, with four being a preferred number. their positions in said pattern to the selected display unit, in response to a specific input code; a first bus to which all said second terminals of said first light emitting diodes are coupled for being forwardly biased when said first bus is activated; a second bus to which all said second terminals of said second light emitting diodes are coupled for being forwardly biased when said second bus is activated; color control means for simultaneously activating said first bus and said second bus, for forwardly biasing certain ones of said light emitting diodes, in accordance with said decoder output signals, for illuminating one of said display units in said composite color. 3. A display element comprising: a plurality of display areas arranged in a pattern for exhibiting, upon selective activation, a plurality of display units, each said display area including a first light emitting diode for emitting, when forwardly biased, light signals of a first primary color, a second light emitting diode for emitting, when forwardly biased, light signals of a second primary color, a third light emitting diode for emitting, when forwardly biased, light signals of a third primary color, and means for combining said light signals in said display area to obtain a light signal of a composite color, each said light emitting diode including a first terminal and a second terminal, all said first terminals being of the same polarity, and all said second terminals being of the same polarity, opposite of the polarity of said first terminals; means for decoding including a decoder input, for receiving an input code defining a selected display unit, and a plurality of decoder outputs, said decoder outputs being coupled to said first terminals of said light emitting diodes in accordance with their positions in said pattern, said decoder outputs producing selective decoder output signals for selecting certain of said display areas, corresponding by their positions in said pattern to the selected display unit, in response to a specific input code; a first bus to which all said second terminals of said first light emitting diodes are coupled for being forwardly biased when said first bus is activated; a second bus to which all said second terminals of said second light emitting diodes are coupled for being forwardly biased when said second bus is activated; a third bus to which all said second terminals of said third light emitting diodes are coupled for being forwardly biased when said third bus is activated; color control means for activating said first bus, said second bus, and said third bus in selective combinations, for forwardly biasing certain ones of said light emitting diodes, in accordance with said decoder output signals, for illuminating one of said display units in a selected composite color. 4. A display element comprising: a plurality of display areas arranged in a pattern for exhibiting, upon selective activation, a plurality of display units, each said display area including a first light emitting diode for emitting, when forwardly biased, light signals of a first primary color, a second light emitting diode for emitting, when forwardly biased, light signals of a second primary color, a third light emitting diode for emitting, when forwardly biased, light signals of a third primary color, and means for combining said light signals in said display area to obtain a light signal of a composite color, each said light emitting diode including a first terminal and a second terminal, all said first terminals being of the same polarity, and all said second terminals being of the same polarity, opposite of the polarity of said first terminals; means for decoding including a decoder input, for receiving an input code defining a selected display unit, and a plurality of decoder outputs, said decoder outputs being coupled to said first terminals of said light emitting diodes in accordance with their positions in said pattern, sa id decoder outputs producing selective decoder output signals for selecting certain of said display areas, corresponding by their positions in said pattern to the selected display unit, in response to a specific input code; a first bus to which all said second terminals of said first light emitting diodes are coupled for being forwardly biased when said first bus is activated; a second bus to which all said second terminals of said second light emitting diodes are coupled for being forwardly biased when said second bus is activated; a third bus to which all said second terminals of said third light emitting diodes are coupled for being forwardly biased when said third bus is activated; color control means including a first output, coupled to said first bus, a second output, coupled to said second bus, a third output, coupled to said third bus, and an input for receiving a first color control signal, for simultaneously activating said first bus and said second bus, a second color control signal, for simultaneously activating said first bus and said third bus, a third color control signal, for simultaneously activating said second bus and said third bus, and a fourth color control signal, for simultaneously activating said first bus, said second bus, and said third bus; whereby the selected display unit is illuminated in a selective composite color in accordance with said color control signal. 5. A display element comprising: a plurality of display areas arranged in a pattern for exhibiting, upon selective activation, a plurality of display units, each said display area including a first light emitting diode for emitting, when forwardly biased, light signals of a first primary color, a second light emitting diode for emitting, when forwardly biased, light signals of a second primary color, a third light emitting diode for emitting, when forwardly biased, light signals of a third primary color, and means for combining said light signals in said display area to obtain a light signal of a composite color, each said light emitting diode including a first terminal and a second terminal, all said first terminals being of the same polarity, and all said second terminals being of the same polarity, opposite of the polarity of said first terminals; means for decoding including a decoder input, for receiving an input code defining a selected display unit, and a plurality of decoder outputs, said decoder outputs being coupled to said first terminals of said light emitting diodes in accordance with their positions in said pattern, said decoder outputs producing selective decoder output signals for selecting certain of said display areas, corresponding by their positions in said pattern to the selected display unit, in response to a specific input code; a first bus to which all said second terminals of said first light emitting diodes are coupled for being forwardly biased when said first bus is activated; a second bus to which all said second terminals of said second light emitting diodes are coupled for being forwardly biased when said second bus is activated; a third bus to which all said second terminals of said third light emitting diodes are coupled for being forwardly biased when said third bus is activated; color control means including a first output, coupled to said first bus, a second output, coupled to said second bus, a third output, coupled to said third bus, a first input for receiving a color control signal, for simultaneously activating said first bus and said second bus, a second input for receiving a color control signal, for simultaneously activating said first bus and said third bus, a third input for receiving a color control signal, for simultaneously activating said second bus and said third bus, and a fourth input for receiving a color control signal, for simultaneously activating said first bus, said second bus, and said third bus; whereby the selected display unit is illuminated in a selective compo