Methods and systems for implementing modal changes in a device in response to proximity and force indications
First Claim
1. A method of processing user input to a device having a force sensor and a proximity sensor, the method comprising the steps of:
- receiving a force indication from the force sensor and a proximity indication from the proximity sensor; and
switching the device from a second operating mode to a first operating mode in response to an occurrence of user input being indicated by both the force and proximity indications, wherein a trigger event evokes a response by the device in the first operating mode but does not evoke the response by the device in the second operating mode.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Methods, systems and devices implement changes in operating mode for a media player, wireless telephone, portable computer or other device having a force sensor and a proximity sensor. A force indication is received from the force sensor and a proximity indication is received from the proximity sensor responsive to user input. The device is then switched from a second operating mode to a first operating mode in response to an occurrence of user input being indicated by both the force and proximity indications. A trigger event occurring during one of the operating modes evokes a response by the device that is not evoked by the trigger event in the other of the first and the second operating modes.
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Citations
57 Claims
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1. A method of processing user input to a device having a force sensor and a proximity sensor, the method comprising the steps of:
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receiving a force indication from the force sensor and a proximity indication from the proximity sensor; and
switching the device from a second operating mode to a first operating mode in response to an occurrence of user input being indicated by both the force and proximity indications, wherein a trigger event evokes a response by the device in the first operating mode but does not evoke the response by the device in the second operating mode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A device having an input region for accepting user input from an object, the device comprising:
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a proximity sensor configured to produce a proximity indication as a function of proximity of the object to the input region;
a force sensor configured to produce a force indication as a function of a force applied by the object to at least a portion of the input region; and
a processing module configured to receive the force indication and the proximity indication and to switch the device from a second operating mode to a first operating mode in response to an occurrence of user input being indicated by both the force and proximity indications, wherein the processing module is further configured such that a trigger event evokes a response by the device in the first operating mode but does not evoke the response by the device in the second operating mode. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. An input device for receiving user inputs from an object, the input device comprising:
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a touch surface configured to reside on an external face of the host device;
a proximity sensor disposed proximate the touch surface and configured to produce a proximity indication in response to proximity of the object to the touch surface;
a force sensor disposed proximate to the proximity sensor and configured to produce a force indication in response to a force of the object applied to the touch surface; and
an electronic controller configured to receive the force indication and the proximity indication and to switch the device from a second operating mode to a first operating mode in response to an occurrence of user input being indicated by both the force and proximity indications, wherein the controller is further configured such that a trigger event evokes a response by the device in the first operating mode but does not evoke the response by the device in the second operating mode. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38)
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39. A device for processing user input provided by an object, the device comprising:
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means for providing a proximity indication in response to a proximity of the object;
means for providing a force indication in response to a force applied by the object; and
means for switching the device from a second operating mode to a first operating mode in response to an occurrence of user input being indicated by both the force and proximity indications, wherein the device is configured such that a trigger event evokes a response by the device in the first operating mode but does not evoke the response by the device in the second operating mode. - View Dependent Claims (40)
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41. A device configured to operate in a first operating mode in which a trigger evokes a response and a second operating mode in which the trigger does not evoke the response, the device comprising:
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a force sensor configured to indicate object presence by detecting a force applied by an object;
a proximity sensor configured to indicate object presence by detecting proximity of an object; and
a controller configured to switch the device from the second operating mode to the first operating mode in response to an occurrence of object presence indicated by both the force sensor and the proximity sensor. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51)
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52. A method of processing user input to a device having a force sensor and a proximity sensor, the method comprising the steps of:
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receiving a force indication from the force sensor and a proximity indication from the proximity sensor; and
switching the device from a second operating mode to a first operating mode in response to an occurrence of user input being indicated by both the force and proximity indications, wherein a trigger event evokes a response by the device in one of the first and the second operating modes but does not evoke the response by the device in the other of the first and the second operating modes.
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53. An input device for receiving user inputs from an object, the input device comprising:
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a touch surface configured to reside on an external face of the host device;
a proximity sensor disposed proximate the touch surface and configured to produce a proximity indication in response to the proximity of the object to the touch surface;
a force sensor disposed proximate to the proximity sensor and configured to produce a force indication in response to the force of the object applied to the touch surface; and
an electronic controller configured to receive the force indication and the proximity indication and to switch the device from a second operating mode to a first operating mode in response to an occurrence of user input being indicated by both the force and proximity indications, wherein the controller is further configured such that a trigger event evokes a response by the device in one of the first and the second operating modes but does not evoke the response by the device in the other of the first and the second operating modes.
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54. A method of processing user input to a device having a force sensor and a proximity sensor, the method comprising the steps of:
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receiving a force indication from the force sensor and a proximity indication from the proximity sensor; and
presenting information responsive to at least one of the proximity indication and the force indication indicating user input of force below a predetermined threshold. - View Dependent Claims (55, 56, 57)
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Specification