Input having concentric touch pads
First Claim
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1. An input device for generating commands to control an electronic device, comprising:
- a center touch pad defining a substantially circular shape;
an outer touch pad generally concentric with the center touch pad and defining a ring shape; and
an inactive surface surrounding the center touch pad and physically separating the center touch pad from the outer touch pad.
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Abstract
Methods and apparatus include an input device for controlling an electronic device. The input device includes concentric touch pads. Contact with the touch pads includes tapping and/or sliding movement in order to provide signals that are processed and sent to the electronic device, which performs operations based on these inputs.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. An input device for generating commands to control an electronic device, comprising:
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a center touch pad defining a substantially circular shape;
an outer touch pad generally concentric with the center touch pad and defining a ring shape; and
an inactive surface surrounding the center touch pad and physically separating the center touch pad from the outer touch pad. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An electronic device configured with a program for receiving and implementing control signals from an input device, comprising:
a processor and memory containing the program, wherein the processor when configured with the program performs an operation responsive to receiving signals from the input device, the signals corresponding to interactions with a center touch pad and an annular touch pad separate from the center touch pad and disposed concentrically around the center touch pad, the operation comprising;
adjusting a first function of the electronic device based on receiving a first input signal due to direction of a first rotational sliding motion on the center touch pad; and
adjusting a second function of the electronic device based on receiving a second input signal due to direction of a second rotational sliding motion on the annular touch pad. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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17. An input device for generating commands to control an electronic device, comprising:
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a first concentric touch pad assembly having a first center touch pad separated from a first annular touch pad disposed around the first center touch pad; and
a second concentric touch pad assembly having a second center touch pad separated from a second annular touch pad disposed around the second center touch pad, wherein the first and second concentric touch pad assemblies are spaced from one another to prevent overlap. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method of generating commands to control an electronic device, comprising:
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providing an input device in communication with the electronic device, comprising;
a center touch pad;
an annular touch pad disposed concentrically around the center touch pad; and
an inactive surface disposed between the center touch pad and the annular touch pad;
receiving input corresponding to contact on the center touch pad with a first rotational sliding motion to provide a first input signal to the electronic device to adjust a first function of the electronic device based on direction of the first rotational sliding motion; and
receiving input corresponding to contact on the annular touch pad with a second rotational sliding motion to provide a second input signal to the electronic device to adjust a second function of the electronic device based on direction of the second rotational sliding motion.
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Specification