Touch sensor control devices
First Claim
1. An input control device, comprising:
- a touch sensing device having a touch input area, anda mechanical overlay provided on or over the touch input area of the touch sensing device, the mechanical overlay having one or more mechanical input mechanisms that provide the touch input to the touch input area via a mechanical action.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention provides mechanical devices to enhance the input process for touch screen devices. Fader tracks with or without fader caps, rotary and fixed knobs, and joysticks may be removably adhered to a touch screen and used to emulate their respective functions, using software interpretation of the touch detections provoked by the devices to carry out the emulations. The devices are inexpensive and simple, and the touch screen and associated software provide the function and feel of electromechanical controllers that are far more expensive and difficult to connect and maintain. The devices may be provided as components on a crack-and-peel sheet. For fixed knobs, the software application accepts initial inputs and determines the location on the touch screen, and also interprets the geometry of the input strokes as commands for selected controller emulations, such as joystick, fader, knob, or mouse. The invention also provides a touch sensor controller having a longitudinal web that incorporates touch sensor electrodes and conductors and emulates a fader controller. The invention further provides a flexible track controller mounted at the periphery of a touch screen and extendable thereover to emulate a fader controller. The flexible track may be motor driven.
219 Citations
59 Claims
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1. An input control device, comprising:
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a touch sensing device having a touch input area, and a mechanical overlay provided on or over the touch input area of the touch sensing device, the mechanical overlay having one or more mechanical input mechanisms that provide the touch input to the touch input area via a mechanical action. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A mechanical overlay for a touch sensing device, the mechanical overlay comprising:
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a base configured for placement on or over a touch sensitive surface of the touch sensing device; and one or more mechanical actuators that move relative to the base, the motion of the mechanical actuators being configured to cause activation of the touch sensitive surface of the touch sensing device. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A mechanical overlay for a touch sensing device, the mechanical overlay comprising:
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a base configured for placement on or over a touch sensitive surface of the touch sensing device; and one or more mechanical actuators that move relative to the base, the motion of the mechanical actuators being configured to cause activation of the touch sensitive surface of the touch sensing device, the one or more mechanical actuators including at least a button that translates relative to the base between an upright and depressed position, the button activating the touch sensitive surface when the button is moved from the upright to the depressed position. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
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23. A computing device, comprising:
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a touch surface provided by one of a touch pad, touch screen, or touch sensitive housing; a mechanical overlay including one or more mechanical actuators that interfere with the touch surface in order to generate touch inputs, the touch inputs being used by the computing device to perform actions in the computing device. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25)
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26. A control panel, comprising:
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a removable mechanical overlay including a plurality of mechanical actuators selected from at least sliders, buttons, dials or switches; and a touch sensing device configured to recognize multiple touch events generated by the plurality of actuators at the same time, and to report the multiple touch events to a host computing device.
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27. An input control device, comprising:
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a touch sensing device having a touch input area; a base member removably securable on or over the touch input area of the touch sensing device; and means supported by said base member for imparting a touch input to the touch input area of the touch sensing device. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53)
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54. A touch sensor controller, including:
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a web extending longitudinally; a pair of sensor electrodes secured to longitudinally opposed ends of said web; a conductive layer secured to said web; at least one power rail extending longitudinally along said web between said sensor electrodes; software means connected to said sensor electrodes for determining the position of a touch point on said web. - View Dependent Claims (55, 56, 57, 58, 59)
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Specification