Movable touch pad with added functionality

• US 20070273671A1
• Filed: 07/30/2007
• Published: 11/29/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/18/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Brett Degner, Stephen Lynch, Stephen Zadesky
• Original Assignee: Brett Degner, Stephen Lynch, Stephen Zadesky
• Inventors: Degner, Brett, Zadesky, Stephen, Lynch, Stephen
• Granted Patent: US 8,749,493 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04102 Flexible digitiser, i.e. constructional details for allowing the whole digitising part of a device to be flexed or rolled like a sheet of paper
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04104 Multi-touch detection in digitiser, i.e. details about the simultaneous detection of a plurality of touching locations, e.g. multiple fingers or pen and finger
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04105 Pressure sensors for measuring the pressure or force exerted on the touch surface without providing the touch position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0338 with detection of limited linear or angular displacement of an operating part of the device from a neutral position, e.g. isotonic or isometric joysticks
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03547 Touch pads, in which fingers can move on a surface
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0362 with detection of 1D translations or rotations of an operating part of the device, e.g. scroll wheels, sliders, knobs, rollers or belts
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/041 Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0416 Control or interface arrangements specially adapted for digitisers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/044 by capacitive means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0485 Scrolling or panning

Abstract

An input device is disclosed. The input device includes a movable touch pad capable of detecting an object in close proximity thereto so as to generate a first control signal. The input device also includes a movement indicator capable of detecting the movements of the movable touch pad so as to generate one or more distinct second control signals. The control signals being used to perform actions in an electronic device operatively coupled to the input device.

Claims

1. A front face of a handheld electronic device, comprising:

an input arrangement disposed in a lower portion of the front face of the handheld electronic device, the input arrangement including;

a first movable input platform forming a center button; and

a second movable input platform forming a multifunctional outer button, the second input platform being adjacent to and disposed around the perimeter of the first input platform.

2. The front face of a handheld device as recited in claim 1 wherein the second movable platform includes a touch sensing arrangement.

3. The input arrangement as recited in claim 1 wherein the second movable input platform is con figured to gimbal.

4. The input arrangement as recited in claim 3 wherein the second movable input platform is configured to at least tilt up, down left and right.

5. The input arrangement as recited in claim 3 wherein each tilting direction provides a different input.

7. The input arrangement as recited in claim 3 wherein the center button is depressible and wherein the multidirectional button at least tilts up, down left and right.

8. The input arrangement as recited in claim 3 wherein the multidirectional button is configured to gimbal.

9. The input arrangement as recited in claim 3 wherein the outer multidirectional button is substantially adjacent to the center button.

10. The input arrangement as recited in claim 3 wherein the multidirectional button additionally includes a touch sensing arrangement.

6. An input arrangement for an electronic device, comprising:

a center button; and

a concentric outer multidirectional button that surrounds the center button.