INPUT APPARATUS AND BUTTON ARRANGEMENT FOR HANDHELD DEVICE
First Claim
1. A portable electronic device, comprising:
- a central touch sensitive area configured such that a touch on the central touch sensitive area enables generation of one or more first input signals; and
an annular area entirely or partially encircling the central touch sensitive area, the annular area having a touch-sensitive outer surface coupled to a plurality of sensors and configured such that one or more touches or a sliding motion of an object with respect to the touch-sensitive outer surface enables generation of one or more second and third input signals, respectively;
wherein at least one of multiple device functions is enabled by at least one of the one or more first input signals, the one or more second input signals, and the one or more third input signals.
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Accused Products
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 device 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.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A portable electronic device, comprising:
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a central touch sensitive area configured such that a touch on the central touch sensitive area enables generation of one or more first input signals; and an annular area entirely or partially encircling the central touch sensitive area, the annular area having a touch-sensitive outer surface coupled to a plurality of sensors and configured such that one or more touches or a sliding motion of an object with respect to the touch-sensitive outer surface enables generation of one or more second and third input signals, respectively; wherein at least one of multiple device functions is enabled by at least one of the one or more first input signals, the one or more second input signals, and the one or more third input signals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method for enabling a device function, comprising:
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providing a central touch sensitive area and an annular area entirely or partially encircling the central touch sensitive area; detecting a touch on the central touch sensitive area, or detecting one or more touches or a sliding motion from a plurality of sensors operatively coupled to a touch-sensitive outer surface of the annular area; and interpreting at least one of the detected touch on the central touch sensitive area or the detected one or more touches or the sliding motion to determine at least one of multiple device functions to be performed. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A portable electronic device, comprising:
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central touch sensitive means configured such that a touch on the central touch sensitive means enables generation of one or more first input signals; and annular means entirely or partially encircling the central touch sensitive means, the annular means coupled to a plurality of sensors and configured such that one or more touches or a sliding motion of an object with respect to the annular means enables generation of one or more second and third input signals, respectively; wherein at least one of multiple device functions is enabled by at least one of the one or more first input signals, the one or more second input signals, and the one or more third input signals. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification