Touch-sensitive motion device

• US 20070188474A1
• Filed: 05/11/2006
• Published: 08/16/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/16/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Philippe Zaborowski
• Original Assignee: Philippe Zaborowski
• Inventors: Zaborowski, Philippe
• Application Number:
  US11/431,540
• Publication Number:
  US 20070188474A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures

Abstract

A method of entering data to an electronic device is outlined using a modified touch-pad. The touch-pad is modified to include the addition of surface features, which provide distinguishable tactile feedback to the user allowing improved spatial resolution of the positioning of an object onto the surface of the touch-pad. In this manner the touch-pad allows the user to select from multiple positions across the surface of the touch-pad, the outcomes of each position being optionally different, such as alphanumeric character selection

Claims

1. An apparatus for providing data input signals to an electronic device comprising;

a pad for receiving a user selected input signal,

a surface element, the surface element being part of the surface of the pad, the surface element providing a distinguishable feedback to the user;

the pad generating the data input signal in response to the user input signal;

the user input signal being at least an object'"'"'s position in relation to the surface of the pad;

wherein the object is controlled by a user.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein;

the pad is a touch-pad, the touch-pad sensing the object'"'"'s position as controlled by the user.

3. An apparatus according claim 1 wherein;

the pad is a thermally sensitive pad, the thermally sensitive pad sensing the object'"'"'s position based upon a localized temperature change as controlled by the user.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein;

the pad is a position detector, the position detector sensing the object'"'"'s position as controlled by the user.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein;

the distinguishable feedback to the user improves the user'"'"'s spatial resolution in the placement of the object.

6. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein;

the distinguishable feedback is tactile feedback.

7. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein;

the distinguishable feedback is visual feedback.

8. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein;

the surface feature is a surface texture.

9. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein;

the surface feature is the appearance of the surface feature relative to the surface of the touch-pad.

10. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein;

the surface feature is a perturbation of the surface of the touch-pad.

11. An apparatus according to claim 10 wherein;

the perturbation of the surface is an indentation into the surface of the touch-pad.

12. An apparatus according to claim 10 wherein;

the perturbation of the surface is a protrusion from the surface of the touch-pad.

13. An apparatus for data input according to claim 1 comprising;

a processor for providing an appearance control signal, the appearance control signal generated in dependence upon the data input signal generated;

wherein the surface of the pad supports a change in appearance in response to receiving the appearance control signal.

14. An apparatus for data input according to claim 1 wherein;

the surface of the pad has a change in appearance from the surface adjacent to one side of the surface feature to the surface adjacent the other side of the surface feature.

15. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein;

the surface of the pad other than the surface feature is planar.

16. An apparatus for data input according to claim 1 wherein;

the surface of the pad other than the surface feature is a portion of a spherical surface.

17. An apparatus for data input according to claim 1 wherein;

the surface of the pad is formed to in accordance with the surface profile of the electronic device.

18. An apparatus for data input according to claim 1 wherein;

the surface of the pad is formed to provide an ergonomic interface for the user as part of the overall electronic device.

19. An apparatus for data input according to claim 1 wherein;

sensing an object'"'"'s position comprising the sensing of at least one of a finger, a thumb, a toe, a tongue, and a stylus when placed in at least one of contact and proximity with the pad.

20. An apparatus for data input according to claim 1 wherein;

the electronic device uses the sensed position to select a function;

the function based upon the sensed position and a status of the electronic device.

21. An apparatus for data input according to claim 20 wherein;

the function for execution being executed is communicated to at least one of the electronic device, a second electronic device, and a machine.

22. An apparatus for data input according to claim 20 wherein;

the communication is by at least one of direct electrical coupling, infrared transmission,

wireless transmission, electronic transmission via a network and an electronic storage medium.

23. An apparatus for data input according to claim 1 wherein;

the electronic device uses the sensed position of the object to provide motional input;

the motional input based upon the sensed position information and a status of the electronic device.

24. An apparatus for data input according to claim 23 wherein;

the motional input is used for the at least one of moving a cursor on a display, drawing an object within a software application, controlling the operation of a machine, and controlling the motion of a machine.

25. An apparatus for data input according to claim 1 wherein;

the electronic device uses the sensed position of the object to select a numerical value;

the numerical value based upon the sensed position and a status of the electronic device.

26. An apparatus for data input according to claim 1 wherein;

the electronic device uses the sensed position of the object to select an alphanumeric character;

the alphanumeric value based upon the sensed position and a status of the electronic device.

27. An apparatus for data input according to claim 1 wherein;

the electronic device uses the sensed position of the object to select a character;

the character based upon the sensed position and a status of the electronic device.

33. A method for entering data according to claim 1 wherein;

providing a surface feature is achieved by a change in surface texture.

28. A method for entering data to an electronic device comprising;

providing a pad for receiving a user input signal,

providing a surface element, the surface element being part of the surface of the pad, the surface element providing a distinguishable feedback to the user;

generating the data input signal in response to the user input signal;

the user input signal being at least an object'"'"'s position in relation to the surface of the pad;

wherein

the object is controlled by a user.

29. A method for entering data according to claim 28 wherein;

providing the pad is by providing a touch-pad, the touch-pad sensing the object'"'"'s position as controlled by the user.

30. A method for entering data according claim 28 wherein;

providing the pad is by providing a thermally sensitive pad, the thermally sensitive pad sensing the object'"'"'s position based upon a localized temperature change as controlled by the user.

31. A method for entering data according to claim 28 wherein;

providing the pad is by providing a position detector, the position detector sensing the object'"'"'s position as controlled by the user.

32. A method for entering data according to claim 28 wherein;

providing the distinguishable feedback to the user improves the user'"'"'s spatial resolution in the placement of the object.

34. A method for entering data according to claim 28 wherein;

providing a surface feature is achieved by a change in the visual appearance of the surface feature relative to the surface of the touch-pad.

35. A method for entering data according to claim 28 wherein;

providing a surface feature is achieved through a perturbation of the surface of the touch-pad.

36. A method for entering data according to claim 35 wherein;

providing the perturbation of the surface is obtained by the provision of an indentation into the surface of the touch-pad.

37. A method for entering data according to claim 35 wherein;

providing the perturbation of the surface is obtained by the provision of a protrusion from the surface of the touch-pad.

38. A method for entering data according to claim 28 wherein;

providing the surface of the touch-pad includes providing a change in visual appearance from the surface adjacent to one side of the surface feature to the surface adjacent the other side of the surface feature.

39. A method for entering data according to claim 28 wherein;

providing the surface of the pad other the surface feature is at least one of providing a planar surface, a portion of a spherical surface, a surface matched to the surface profile of the electronic device, and a surface formed to provide an ergonomic surface as part of the electronic device.

40. A method for entering data according to claim 28 wherein;

sensing an object'"'"'s position includes the sensing of at least one of a finger, a thumb, a toe, a tongue, and a stylus when placed in contact or proximity with the touch-pad.

41. A method for entering data according to claim 28 wherein;

sensing an object'"'"'s position includes the selection of a function;

the function based upon the sensed position and a status of the electronic device.

42. A method for entering data according to claim 41 wherein;

the function for execution being executed is communicated to at least one of the electronic device, a second electronic device, and a machine.

43. A method for entering data according to claim 42 wherein;

providing communication is by at least one of direct electrical coupling, infrared transmission, wireless transmission, electronic transmission via a network and an electronic storage medium.

44. A method for entering data according to claim 28 wherein;

sensing an object'"'"'s position includes providing motional input;

the provided motional input based upon the sensed position information and a status of the electronic device.

45. A method for entering data according to claim 44 wherein;

providing motional input results in at least one of moving a cursor on a display, drawing an object within a software application, controlling the operation of a machine, and controlling the motion of a machine.

46. A method for entering data according to claim 28 wherein;

sensing an object'"'"'s position includes the selection of a numerical value;

the numerical value based upon the sensed position and a status of the electronic device.

47. A method for entering data according to claim 28 wherein;

sensing an object'"'"'s position includes the selection of an alphanumeric character;

the alphanumeric value based upon the sensed position and a status of the electronic device.

48. A method for entering data according to claim 28 wherein;

sensing an object'"'"'s position includes the selection of a character;

the character based upon the sensed position and a status of the electronic device.