Illuminated touch pad
First Claim
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1. A device used to accept an operator input to a computing device, comprising:
- a first layer which includes a translucent cover;
a second layer which includes a plurality of surfaces, said surfaces being one of a capacitive or resistive surface and being constructed using a translucent and conductive material; and
a third layer which includes a light-emitting material which generates light in response to said operator input.
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Abstract
A device used to accept an operator input to a computing device is disclosed. The device includes a first layer that includes a translucent, two-dimensional cover. Additionally included is a second layer in which a plurality of surfaces is constructed using a translucent and conductive material. The device further includes a third layer that employs a light-emitting material that generates light in response to the operator input.
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Citations
39 Claims
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1. A device used to accept an operator input to a computing device, comprising:
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a first layer which includes a translucent cover;
a second layer which includes a plurality of surfaces, said surfaces being one of a capacitive or resistive surface and being constructed using a translucent and conductive material; and
a third layer which includes a light-emitting material which generates light in response to said operator input. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A computing device that makes use of a touch pad to provide feedback to a user, said feedback being indicative of an operating mode of at least one input device used by said computing device, comprising:
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a first layer which includes a substantially rigid, transparent surface;
a second layer which includes a plurality of surfaces proximate with said first layer, said plurality of surfaces being constructed of a transparent and conductive material;
a third layer which includes a light-emitting layer, said third layer generating light in response to an operator input; and
an illumination controller coupled to said third layer for bringing about said light generated in response to said operator input. - View Dependent Claims (19, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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- 20. The computing device of-clam 18 wherein said third layer additionally notifies said user that said operator input is required.
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32. In a computing device, a method of operating a touch pad, comprising:
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reading a selection from an input device;
illuminating a light-emitting layer of said touch pad, thereby indicating that said touch pad is accepting commands in the form of movements of one of a user'"'"'s finger or thumb near a surface of said touch pad; and
said touch pad controlling the position of a cursor on a computer display in response to said movements of said one of said user'"'"'s finger and thumb. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. A graphical pointing device used to position an icon on a display, comprising:
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means for determining the position of a user'"'"'s finger near a top side of said graphical pointing device, at least a portion of said means for determining said position being predominantly translucent; and
means for illuminating said graphical pointing device, said means for illuminating being near a bottom side of said graphical pointing device. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39)
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Specification