Touch pad for handheld device

• US 20080018615A1
• Filed: 07/30/2007
• Published: 01/24/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Tan, Tang, Zadesky, Stephen
• Application Number:
  US11/882,004
• Publication Number:
  US 20080018615A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/169 the I/O peripheral being an integrated pointing device, e.g. trackball in the palm rest area, mini-joystick integrated between keyboard keys, touch pads or touch stripes G06F1/1643 takes precedence; constructional details of pointing devices G06F3/033
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03547 Touch pads, in which fingers can move on a surface
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/038 Control and interface arrangements therefor, e.g. drivers or device-embedded control circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0393 Accessories for touch pads or touch screens, e.g. mechanical guides added to touch screens for drawing straight lines, hard keys overlaying touch screens or touch pads
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/044 by capacitive means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04847 Interaction techniques to control parameter settings, e.g. interaction with sliders or dials
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0485 Scrolling or panning
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04886 by partitioning the display area of the touch-screen or the surface of the digitising tablet into independently controllable areas, e.g. virtual keyboards or menus

Abstract

A media device for storing and playing media such as audio, video or images, includes a memory device configured to store a plurality of media items in a digital format. The media device also includes a display configured to present a group of media items from the plurality of stored media items and to present a visual indicator that is capable of scrolling through the displayed group of media items in order to designate a specific media item from the group of media items. The media deice further includes a touch pad configured to receive input from a sliding motion or a tapping motion of a finger. The sliding motion of the finger controls the movement of the visual indicator through the group of media items. The tapping motion of the finger selects the specific media item that is designated by the visual indicator.

Claims

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

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

a center button arrangement defining a first input area of the input arrangement and being configured to generate at least one input, and

an outer button arrangement defining a second input area of the input arrangement and being configured to generate different inputs at different locations within the second input area, the second input area surrounding the first input area.

2. The front face of a handheld electronic device as recited in claim 1 wherein the inputs are generated via a mechanical clicking action.

3. The front face of a handheld electronic device as recited in claim 1 wherein the outer button arrangement forms the outer perimeter of the input arrangement.

4. The front face of a handheld electronic device as recited in claim 1 wherein the inputs are associated with making selections or issuing commands.

5. The front face of a handheld electronic device as recited in claim 1 wherein the outer button arrangement provides tangible surfaces that help define the outer perimeter of the input arrangement.

6. The front face of a handheld electronic device as recited in claim 1 wherein the second input area of the outer button arrangement is annular.

7. The front face of a handheld electronic device as recited in claim 1 wherein the second input area is broken up into multiple input regions.

8. The front face of a handheld electronic device as recited in claim 7 wherein each of the input regions is a separate button.

9. The front face of a handheld electronic device as recited in claim 1 wherein the input arrangement is substantially circular.

10. The front face of a handheld electronic device as recited in claim 1 wherein the input arrangement is substantially square.

11. The front face of a handheld electronic device as recited in claim 1 further comprising a display in an upper portion of the front face of the handheld electronic device.

12. The front face of a handheld electronic device as recited in claim 1 wherein the center button arrangement includes a single depressible button, and the outer button arrangement includes a plurality of depressible buttons.

13. The front face of a handheld electronic device as recited in claim 1 wherein the input arrangement is positioned in the middle of the front face of the handheld electronic device.

14. The front face of a handheld electronic device as recited in claim 1 wherein the input arrangement is the primary input device of the handheld electronic device.

15. The front face of a handheld electronic device as recited in claim 1 wherein the input arrangement is the primary navigation and selection mechanism of the handheld electronic device.

16. The front face of a handheld electronic device as recited in claim 1 further comprising a touch pad disposed between the center and outer button arrangements.

17. The front face of a handheld electronic device as recited in claim 1 wherein the outer button arrangement is raised relative to the surface of the front face of the handheld electronic device.