Movable touch pad with added functionality
First Claim
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1. A portable media device, comprising:
- a housing, andan input device comprising a touchpad associated with the housing, the touchpad configured to receive rotational inputs and capable of a gimbal action relative to the housing, wherein the gimbal action of the touchpad is configured to enable the touchpad to float relative to the housing while being constrained thereto and to enable the touchpad to move perpendicular relative to a surface of the housing when an input surface of the touchpad is parallel to the surface of the housing, thereby enabling the touchpad to move in multiple degrees of freedom relative to the housing, wherein each of the multiple degrees of freedom is associated with a function of the device and wherein the gimbal action of the touchpad enables a user of the portable media device to make a selection.
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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.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. A portable media device, comprising:
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a housing, and an input device comprising a touchpad associated with the housing, the touchpad configured to receive rotational inputs and capable of a gimbal action relative to the housing, wherein the gimbal action of the touchpad is configured to enable the touchpad to float relative to the housing while being constrained thereto and to enable the touchpad to move perpendicular relative to a surface of the housing when an input surface of the touchpad is parallel to the surface of the housing, thereby enabling the touchpad to move in multiple degrees of freedom relative to the housing, wherein each of the multiple degrees of freedom is associated with a function of the device and wherein the gimbal action of the touchpad enables a user of the portable media device to make a selection. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A portable media device, comprising:
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a housing, and an input device associated with the housing, the input device configured to gimbal to enable the input device to float relative to the housing while being constrained thereto and to enable the touchpad to move perpendicular relative to a surface of the housing when an input surface of the touchpad is parallel to the surface of the housing, thereby enabling the input device to move in multiple degrees of freedom relative to the housing and to receive a rotational input from a user, wherein the input device comprises a plurality of spatially distinct zones, each of the zones having a corresponding indicator for generating a distinct user input signal when the input device is depressed in the region of the zone, wherein each of the multiple degrees of freedom is associated with a function of the device and wherein the gimbal action of the input device enables a user of the portable media device to make a selection. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A portable media device, comprising:
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a housing, and an input device comprising a touchpad within the housing, the input device configured to gimbal to enable the input device to float relative to the housing while being constrained thereto and to enable the touchpad to move perpendicular relative to a surface of the housing when an input surface of the touchpad is parallel to the surface of the housing, thereby enabling the input device to move in multiple degrees of freedom relative to the housing and to receive a rotational input from a user, wherein the touchpad comprises at least a plurality of spatially distinct zones, each of the input zones having a corresponding indicator for generating a distinct user input signal when the input device is depressed in the region of the input zone, wherein each of the multiple degrees of freedom is associated with a function of the device and wherein the gimbal action of the input device enables a user of the portable media device to make a selection. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A portable media device, comprising:
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a housing, an input device comprising a touch pad configured to gimbal to enable the input device to float relative to the housing while being constrained thereto and to enable the touchpad to move perpendicular relative to a surface of the housing when an input surface of the touchpad is parallel to the surface of the housing, thereby enabling the input device to move in multiple degrees of freedom relative to the housing, the touch pad enabling rotational user input comprising continuous actuation by circular motion of a finger rotated through 360 degrees of rotation, the touch pad comprising multiple independent, spatially distinct zones, each zone being moveable relative to the housing to implement a function associated with the zone, wherein each of the multiple degrees of freedom is associated with a function of the device and wherein the gimbal action of the input device enables a user of the portable media device to make a selection. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29)
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Specification