Textured linear trackpad

• US 8,766,940 B1
• Filed: 04/24/2012
• Issued: 07/01/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/06/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Google Inc. (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Starner, Thad E., Olsson, Maj Isabelle, Martin, Matthew, Patel, Nirmal J.
• Primary Examiner(s): OSORIO, RICARDO
• Application Number:
  US13/454,275
• Time in Patent Office: 798 Days
• Field of Search: 345/173, 345/174, 345/156
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/0339 Touch strips, e.g. orthogonal touch strips to control cursor movement or scrolling; single touch strip to adjust parameter or to implement a row of soft keys
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/0381 Multimodal input, i.e. interface arrangements enabling the user to issue commands by simultaneous use of input devices of different nature, e.g. voice plus gesture on digitizer
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04809 Textured surface identifying touch areas, e.g. overlay structure for a virtual keyboard
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/041 Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means

Abstract

A computing device includes a trackpad, which includes a touch-sensitive surface having a touch-detectable pattern. The touch-detectable pattern includes a first feature, and a second feature having first and second side features. The first and second side features start in proximity of the first feature and are positioned on opposite sides of the first feature.

Claims

1. A computing device comprising:

a display screen; and

a trackpad in communication with the display screen, wherein the trackpad comprises;

a touch-sensitive surface having a touch-detectable pattern, wherein the touch-detectable pattern comprises;

a first feature, and

a second feature having first and second side features, wherein the first and second side features start in proximity of the first feature and are positioned on opposite sides of the first feature.

2. The computing device of claim 1, wherein a portion of the touch-sensitive surface that surrounds the touch-detectable pattern is formed of a smooth material.

3. The computing device of claim 1, wherein the touch-detectable pattern comprises a textured surface.

4. The computing device of claim 1, wherein the first feature of the touch-detectable pattern comprises a first textured surface, and the second feature of the touch-detectable pattern comprises a second textured surface.

5. The computing device of claim 1, wherein the first feature is substantially centrally located on the touch sensitive surface.

6. The computing device of claim 1, wherein the first feature includes a substantially smooth surface.

7. The computing device of claim 1, wherein the first feature includes a rubberized surface.

8. The computing device of claim 1, wherein the first and second side features include a rubberized surface.

9. The computing device of claim 1, wherein the first and second side features start in proximity of the first feature and change progressively along a respective direction away from the first feature configured so as to indicate directionality with respect to the first feature.

10. The computing device of claim 1, wherein the first and second side features start include protruding ridges or recessed depressions.

11. A head-wearable display device, comprising:

a trackpad positioned on the display device and configured to generate a signal generated by a touch point on the trackpad, wherein the trackpad comprises a touch-sensitive surface having a touch-detectable pattern, wherein the touch-detectable pattern comprises;

a first feature; and

a second feature having first and second side features, wherein the first and second side features start in proximity of the first feature and are positioned on opposite sides of the first feature;

a processor coupled to the trackpad; and

a memory unit for storing program instructions executable by the processor to determine a location of the touch point on the trackpad based on the generated signal.

12. The head-wearable display device of claim 11, further comprising a display unit.

13. The head-wearable display device of claim 11, wherein a portion of the touch-sensitive surface that surrounds the touch-detectable pattern is formed of a smooth material.

14. The head-wearable display device of claim 11, wherein the touch-detectable pattern comprises a textured surface.

15. The head-wearable display device of claim 11, wherein the first feature of the touch-detectable pattern comprises a first textured surface, and the second feature of the touch-detectable pattern comprises a second textured surface.

16. The head-wearable display device of claim 11, wherein the first feature is substantially centrally located on the touch sensitive surface.

17. The head-wearable display device of claim 11, wherein the first feature includes a substantially smooth surface.

18. The head-wearable display device of claim 11, wherein the first and second side features include a rubberized surface.

19. The head-wearable display device of claim 11, wherein the first and second side features start in proximity of the first feature and change progressively along a respective direction away from the first feature configured so as to indicate directionality with respect to the first feature.

20. The head-wearable display device of claim 11, wherein the first and second side features include protruding ridges or recessed depressions.