Input device with pattern and tactile feedback for computer input and control
First Claim
1. In a computing system having a user interface, a user input device for inputting information into a computing system, the user input device comprising:
- a tactile surface divided by a plurality of sections, each section being tactilely distinguished from an adjacent section; and
a plurality of input sensing devices detecting an input stroke defining a user request and transmitting a selection signal indicative of the user request to the computing system, each section having at least one input sensing device whereby information is input into a computing system in response to reception of the selection signal.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A user interface generally includes a display, a user interface selection device, and a user interface interpretation module for interpreting user information transmitted to the interface. The tactile input device is a user interface selection device used to transmit user information to the user interface interpretation module. The tactile input device allows a user to activate and operate applications running on a computing system through a single user interface selection device. The tactile input device includes a tactile surface angularly divided into a plurality of sections, or petals. The tactile surface is further separated by a central portion and an outer circumferential portion, neither of which are angularly divided by the petals. Each petal and portion are tactilely distinguished from an adjacent petal or portion. The tactile distinction provides a user with feedback relating to orientation over the surface such that the user may request the performance of a specific task to be implemented by the computer through the user interface interpretation module. Each petal and portion has at least one input sensing device for detecting an input stroke identifying a user request and transmitting a selection signal indicative of the selection to the user interface interpretation module. Each selection signal contains requests for the user interface interpretation module to perform a specific task in the computing system. The task may be text or character input, activation of an application on the user interface, or operation of an application operating through the user interface.
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Citations
35 Claims
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1. In a computing system having a user interface, a user input device for inputting information into a computing system, the user input device comprising:
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a tactile surface divided by a plurality of sections, each section being tactilely distinguished from an adjacent section; and
a plurality of input sensing devices detecting an input stroke defining a user request and transmitting a selection signal indicative of the user request to the computing system, each section having at least one input sensing device whereby information is input into a computing system in response to reception of the selection signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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13. In a computing system having a user interface, the user interface having a user interface selection device for inputting control and text commands into the computing system, the user interface selection device comprising:
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a tactile touchpad having a tactile pattern providing orientation feedback to a user selecting a specific user request, the touchpad angularly divided by a plurality of petals, each petal being tactilely distinguished from an adjacent petal and forming a single section;
a central portion separating the center of the tactile touchpad from the plurality of petals, the central portion being tactilely distinguished from the plurality of petals and forming a single section;
an outer portion separating an outer boundary of the tactile touchpad from the plurality of petals, the outer portion being tactilely distinguished from the plurality of petals and forming a single section; and
a plurality of input sensing devices, each section having at least one input sensing device detecting all or a portion of an input stroke defining a control or text command and transmitting a selection signal indicative of the control or text command to the computing system.
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20. In a computing system having a user interface, the user interface having a user input device having a tactile surface, a method for inputting control and text commands into the computing system, the method comprising:
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locating a plurality of input sensing devices on a plurality of sections of the tactile surface, each section tactilely distinguished from an adjacent section thereby providing orientation feedback to a user selecting at least one input sensing device associated with a specific user request;
initializing the plurality of input sensing devices such that each input sensing device is associated with a task to be performed in the computing system;
detecting an input stroke contacting at least one of the plurality of input sensing devices, the input stroke requesting performance of the task by the user; and
in response to the detecting act, transmitting a selection signal to the computing system whereby a command is input into the computing system. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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Specification