Computing device with adaptive input row

• US 10,254,853 B2
• Filed: 09/10/2016
• Issued: 04/09/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Silvanto, Mikael M., Zweigle, Erik A., Qi, Jun, Ligtenberg, Christiaan A., Cao, Robert Y., Andre, Bartley K., Anderson, Molly J., Kim, ByoungSuk, Mathew, Dinesh C., Yin, Victor H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lin, Chun-Nan
• Application Number:
  US15/261,924
• Publication Number:
  US 20170090597A1
• Time in Patent Office: 941 Days
• 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 2203/04104 Multi-touch detection in digitiser, i.e. details about the simultaneous detection of a plurality of touching locations, e.g. multiple fingers or pen and finger
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04105 Pressure sensors for measuring the pressure or force exerted on the touch surface without providing the touch position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04111 Cross over in capacitive digitiser, i.e. details of structures for connecting electrodes of the sensing pattern where the connections cross each other, e.g. bridge structures comprising an insulating layer, or vias through substrate
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/02 Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0231 Cordless keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0238 Programmable keyboards key guide holders G06F3/0224
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03547 Touch pads, in which fingers can move on a surface
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0416 Control or interface arrangements specially adapted for digitisers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0443 using a single layer of sensing electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0445 using two or more layers of sensing electrodes, e.g. using two layers of electrodes separated by a dielectric layer
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0446 using a grid-like structure of electrodes in at least two directions, e.g. using row and column electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0447 Position sensing using the local deformation of sensor cells
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04886 by partitioning the display area of the touch-screen or the surface of the digitising tablet into independently controllable areas, e.g. virtual keyboards or menus

Abstract

Embodiments related to an electronic device having an adaptive input row. The adaptive input row may be positioned within an opening of a device and include a cover for receiving a touch and a display that is configured to present an adaptable set of indicia. The adaptive input row may also include one or more sensors for detecting the location of a touch and/or the magnitude of a force of the touch. The adaptive input row may be positioned adjacent or proximate to a keyboard of the electronic device.

Claims

1. A portable computing device comprising:

a housing having a first portion pivotally coupled to a second portion;

a primary display positioned within the first portion of the housing;

a keyboard having a set of keys positioned within the second portion of the housing; and

an adaptive input row positioned on a support structure within an opening within the second portion of the housing, the adaptive input row comprising;

a display positioned over the support structure;

a cover positioned over the display and forming a portion of an exterior surface of the portable computing electronic device; and

a sensor positioned below the cover and configured to detect a touch on the cover;

wherein the adaptive input row is configured to define a set of programmably defined regions.

2. The portable computing device of claim 1, wherein:

the portable computing device further comprises circuitry operably coupled to the display;

the circuitry is configured to control the display; and

the circuitry is positioned over the support structure and below the cover.

3. The portable computing device of claim 2, wherein:

the sensor extends across a portion of the cover positioned over the circuitry; and

the display does not extend across the portion of the cover positioned over the circuitry.

4. The portable computing device of claim 3, wherein:

the portion of the cover positioned over the circuitry defines a static input region; and

the static input region includes a fixed indicia that is selectively illuminatable.

5. The portable computing device of claim 4, wherein the static input region functions as a power button for the portable computing device.

6. The portable computing device of claim 1, wherein:

the cover is attached to the housing at a first end to define a cantilever; and

a second end of the cover opposite the first end is configured to deflect in response to a force applied to the cover.

7. The portable computing device of claim 1, wherein:

the portable computing device further comprises circuitry operably coupled to the display;

the circuitry is configured to control the display; and

the circuitry is positioned below the support structure and below the cover.

8. The portable computing device of claim 7, wherein:

a flexible conduit couples the circuitry to the display; and

the flexible conduit passes through a lower opening defined by the support structure.

9. The portable computing device of claim 8, wherein:

the flexible conduit includes a seal overmolded over a portion of the flexible conduit; and

the seal blocks ingress of contaminants through the lower opening defined by the support structure.

10. A laptop computer, comprising:

a housing having a first portion pivotally coupled to a second portion;

a primary display positioned within the first portion of the housing;

a keyboard having a set of keys positioned within the second portion of the housing; and

an adaptive input row positioned within the second portion of the housing, the adaptive input row comprising;

a display;

a cover positioned over the display; and

a sensor positioned below the cover and configured to detect a touch on the cover;

wherein the adaptive input row is configured to define a set of programmably defined regions, at least one of the regions being not illuminated.

11. The laptop computer of claim 10, wherein the at least one of the regions is sized to receive the touch of a single finger.

12. The laptop computer of claim 10, wherein the at least one of the regions is located at an end of the adaptive input row.

13. The laptop computer of claim 10, wherein the display does not extend under the at least one of the regions.

14. The laptop computer of claim 10, wherein the at least one of the regions is aligned with a remainder of the set of programmably defined regions.

15. The laptop computer of claim 10, wherein the at least one of the regions is at least partially transparent.

16. The laptop computer of claim 10, wherein the at least one of the regions is operable between a non-illuminated state and an illuminated state.

17. The laptop computer of claim 10, wherein the at least one of the regions is not illuminable by the display.

18. The laptop computer of claim 10, wherein the sensor is configured to detect single-dimensional touch location information.

19. A laptop computer, comprising:

a housing having a first portion pivotally coupled to a second portion;

a primary display positioned within the first portion of the housing;

a keyboard having a set of keys positioned within the second portion of the housing;

a track pad positioned in the second portion of the housing on a first side of the keyboard; and

an adaptive input row positioned within an opening in the second portion of the housing on a second side of the keyboard, the second side being positioned opposite the first side, the adaptive input row comprising;

a display;

a cover positioned over the display; and

a sensor positioned below the cover and configured to detect a touch on the cover;

wherein the adaptive input row is configured to define a set of programmably defined regions.

20. The laptop computer of claim 19, wherein the at least one of the regions is non-illuminatable.