Gimballed scroll wheel

• US 10,180,732 B2
• Filed: 09/06/2012
• Issued: 01/15/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Prest, Christopher D., Rothkopf, Fletcher R., Dinh, Richard Hung Minh
• Primary Examiner(s): Lam, Vinh T
• Application Number:
  US13/605,544
• Publication Number:
  US 20130063379A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,322 Days
• Field of Search: 345173, 200406
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0338 with detection of limited linear or angular displacement of an operating part of the device from a neutral position, e.g. isotonic or isometric joysticks
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0362 with detection of 1D translations or rotations of an operating part of the device, e.g. scroll wheels, sliders, knobs, rollers or belts
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2003/0293 with an integrated touch switch
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2025/048 having a separate central push, slide or tumbler button which is not integral with the operating part that surrounds it
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 25/041 having a generally flat operating member depressible at different locations to operate different controls

Abstract

An input device that includes both a movement detector, such as mechanical switch, and positional indicator, such as touch pad touch screen, and/or touch sensing housing is disclosed. These two input devices can be used substantially simultaneously to provide a command to the device. In this manner, different commands can be associated with depressing a moveable member in different areas and a single moveable member can perform like several buttons.

Claims

1. A handheld electronic device comprising:

a frame and a platform,

the platform comprising a first region and a second region,

the first region being positioned in the second region,

the second region comprising a touch sensitive surface,

the first region being moveable relative to the second region to activate a first switch, and

the second region being movable to activate a second switch and at least one of a first function uniquely associated with a first touch-sensitive zone on the second region and the second switch and a second function uniquely associated with a second touch-sensitive zone on the second region and the second switch, the first function and the second function being non-identical,

wherein the second region is configured such that pressing the first touch-sensitive zone activates the second switch, and detecting a touch at the first touch-sensitive zone overlapping in time with the activation of the second switch enables at least the first function but not the second function, and wherein the second region is further configured such that pressing the second touch-sensitive zone activates the second switch, and detecting a touch at the second touch-sensitive zone overlapping in time with the activation of the second switch enables at least the second function but not the first function.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the platform is moveable relative to the frame.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the first region comprises a center button, the second region comprises a click wheel, and the touch sensitive surface comprises a touch pad or a touch screen.

4. The device of claim 1 comprising a sensor configured to sense force applied to the platform.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein the sensor comprises at least one of a force sensitive resistor, a pressure sensor and a proximity sensor.

6. The device of claim 1 comprising a sensor configured to produce a signal when a finger is positioned over the sensor.

7. The device of claim 1 comprising a sensor configured to activate as a finger touches the sensor.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein the touch sensitive surface comprises a unitary touchable outer surface.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the second region further comprises at least a third touch-sensitive zone and a fourth touch-sensitive zone, wherein pressing the third touch-sensitive zone activates the second switch and wherein pressing the fourth touch-sensitive zone activates the second switch.

10. An input device, comprising:

a first touch-sensitive means;

a second touch-sensitive means formed around the first touch-sensitive means;

wherein the first touch-sensitive means is moveable relative to the second touch-sensitive means to activate a first switching means;

wherein the second touch-sensitive means is movable to activate a second switching means and at least one of a first function uniquely associated with a first touch-sensitive zone on the second touch-sensitive means and the second switching means and a second function uniquely associated with a second touch-sensitive zone on the second touch-sensitive means and the second switching means, the first function and the second function being non-identical;

wherein the second touch-sensitive means is configured such that pressing the first touch-sensitive zone activates the second switching means, and detecting a touch at the first touch-sensitive zone partially overlapping in time with the activation of the second switching means enables at least the first function but not the second function, and wherein the second touch-sensitive means is further configured such that pressing the second touch-sensitive zone activates the second switching means, and detecting a touch at the second touch-sensitive zone overlapping in time with the activation of the second switching means enables at least the second function but not the first function.

11. The input device of claim 10, wherein the first touch-sensitive means comprises a center button, and the second touch-sensitive means comprises a click wheel.

12. The input device of claim 10, further comprising force sensing means configured to sense force applied to the input device.

13. The input device of claim 12, wherein the force sensing means comprises at least one of a force sensitive resistor, a pressure sensor and a proximity sensor.

14. The input device of claim 10, further comprising an object sensing means configured to produce a signal when a finger is positioned over the object sensing means.

15. The input device of claim 10, further comprising an object sensing means configured to activate as a finger touches the object sensing means.

16. The input device of claim 10, wherein the second touch-sensitive means comprises a unitary touchable outer surface.

17. The input device of claim 10, wherein the second touch-sensitive means further comprises at least a third touch-sensitive zone and a fourth touch-sensitive zone, wherein pressing the third touch-sensitive zone activates the second switching means and wherein pressing the fourth touch-sensitive zone activates the second switching means.