METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR IMPLEMENTING MULTIPLE PUSH BUTTONS IN A USER INPUT DEVICE

• US 20120306794A1
• Filed: 06/28/2012
• Published: 12/06/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Prest, Christopher D., Rothkopf, Fletcher, Dinh, Richard H., Tan, Tang
• Application Number:
  US13/536,547
• Publication Number:
  US 20120306794A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03547 Touch pads, in which fingers can move on a surface
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2025/048 having a separate central push, slide or tumbler button which is not integral with the operating part that surrounds it
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 25/041 having a generally flat operating member depressible at different locations to operate different controls

Abstract

Method and apparatus for implementing multiple push buttons in a user device are disclosed. The method includes detecting a location of a user input using one or more touch sensors, detecting a force of the user input using a switch, and generating a signal for representing one of the push buttons being pressed according to with the location and force of the user input.

Claims

1. A device comprising:

a touch panel comprising a linear group of sensors configured to sense user input, and

a switch configured to be activated by movement of the touch panel,

the touch panel being configured to move relative to the device about multiple axes,

the sensors and the switch being configured to simulate functionalities of separate mechanical switches.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the linear group of sensors comprises three touch sensors.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the switch comprises a single switch configured to be activated by movement of the touch panel.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the single switch is positioned beneath a middle sensor of the linear group of sensors.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein signals associated with the touch panel and signals associated with the switch are used in combination to simulate buttons associated with distinct areas of the touch panel.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the touch panel is divided into multiple distinct button zones.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the button zones are designated by a light source.

8. The device of claim 6, wherein each of the distinct button zones is associated with a button function.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the button function comprises one of a Menu, Forward, Back, Play, Stop, Pause and Select function.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the touch panel is round.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is included in a media player.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is included in a cellular phone.

13. A device comprising:

a frame,

a platform configured to move relative to the frame, the platform comprising a touch panel comprising a linear array of sensors configured to sense user input, and

a switch configured to push the platform into engagement with the frame,

the sensors and the switch being configured to simulate functionalities of separate mechanical switches.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein the linear sensor array comprises three touch sensors.

15. The device of claim 13, wherein the switch comprises a single switch configured to push the platform into engagement with the frame.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein the single switch is positioned beneath a middle sensor of the linear sensor array.

17. The device of claim 13, wherein the platform is configured to tilt relative to the frame in response to a force applied to a side of the platform.

18. The device of claim 13, wherein the platform is configured to move relative to the frame without tilting in response to a force applied to a center of the platform.

19. The device of claim 13, further comprising a processor configured to

receive a first signal generated by the touch panel indicating a position of an input on the touch panel,

receive a second signal generated by the switch indicating that the touch panel has been moved, and

generate a command in response to the first and second signals.

20. The device of claim 13, wherein the touch panel is round.