Keyboard with a touchpad layer on keys
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A keyboard comprising:
- a plurality of keys, each key capable of being pressed to select one or more keyboard inputs;
a micro touchpad provided on an upper surface of a first key of said keys to allow pointer or other computer control by moving a finger or other object across a top surface of the micro touchpad; and
a processor for controlling key input of the first key and touch input of the micro touchpad, the processor allowing the key input of the first key and temporarily buffering the touch input of the micro touchpad for a period of time after the first key is pressed, and the processor temporarily buffering the key input of the first key for a predetermined period of time after the touch input is detected via the micro touchpad of the first key and the first key has not been pressed, while temporarily buffering the key input of the first key due to the touch input being detected, the processor further attempts to confirm whether the key input should be disabled, if the processor does not confirm that the key input should be disabled, the processor disables the touch input and provides the buffered key input to a host processor, the host processor being different from the processor, and if the processor confirms that the key input should be disabled, the processor discards the buffered key input.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Various embodiments are disclosed relating to a keyboard with integrated key and touchpad. In an example embodiment, a keyboard is provided that includes a plurality of keys, each key being capable of being pressed to select one or more keyboard inputs. The keyboard also includes a micro touchpad provided on an upper surface of a first key of the keys to allow pointer control by moving a finger or other object across a top surface of the micro touchpad.
85 Citations
14 Claims
-
1. A keyboard comprising:
-
a plurality of keys, each key capable of being pressed to select one or more keyboard inputs; a micro touchpad provided on an upper surface of a first key of said keys to allow pointer or other computer control by moving a finger or other object across a top surface of the micro touchpad; and a processor for controlling key input of the first key and touch input of the micro touchpad, the processor allowing the key input of the first key and temporarily buffering the touch input of the micro touchpad for a period of time after the first key is pressed, and the processor temporarily buffering the key input of the first key for a predetermined period of time after the touch input is detected via the micro touchpad of the first key and the first key has not been pressed, while temporarily buffering the key input of the first key due to the touch input being detected, the processor further attempts to confirm whether the key input should be disabled, if the processor does not confirm that the key input should be disabled, the processor disables the touch input and provides the buffered key input to a host processor, the host processor being different from the processor, and if the processor confirms that the key input should be disabled, the processor discards the buffered key input. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
-
-
13. A method of selecting touchpad input and key input, the method comprising:
-
determining by a processor, if a key has been pressed; determining, by the processor, if touch activity with respect to a touchpad on an upper surface of the key is detected; if the key has been pressed, then enabling the key input and disabling the touchpad input, with respect to the touchpad, for a period of time after the key has been pressed; otherwise, if the key has been determined to not be pressed, then; enabling, by the processor, the touchpad input; and if the touch activity with respect to the touchpad is detected by the processor and the key has been determined, by the processor, not to be pressed, then performing; buffering, by the processor, the key input temporarily; while buffering the key input temporarily as a result of detecting the touch activity and determining that the key has not been pressed, the processor attempting to confirm that the key input should be disabled; if the key input is not confirmed as being disabled, the processor providing the temporarily buffered key input to a host processor different from the processor; and if the key input is confirmed as being disabled, discarding the temporarily buffered key input. - View Dependent Claims (14)
-
Specification