If you need to add user input without using a button, then a capacitive touch screen interface could be the solution. The AT42QT101010 Sparkfun capacitive touch breakout offers a single capacitive touch button with easy to use digital I/O pins.
The AT42QT101010 is a dedicated, capacitive single-button sense chip. The chip monitors a conductive area for contact. As long as a contact (e.g. by a finger) is detected, the AT42QT101010 keeps the output line high. Otherwise, the line is kept low. You only need to provide a power source (1.8V - 5V) and ground for the AT42QT101010 to work. In addition, a PAD pin is available if you want to create your own external electrode.
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