Dynamic input surface for electronic devices
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A dynamic input surface comprising:
- a metal contact layer defining an input area;
a group of indicators selectively illuminated based on a gesture performed on the metal contact layer;
a sense layer distinct from and positioned below the metal contact layer;
a drive layer positioned below the sense layer;
a compliant layer positioned between and coupled to the sense layer and the drive layer; and
a rigid base layer positioned below the drive layer, wherein;
a size of the input area dynamically varies from a first non-zero size to a second non-zero size, based on the gesture; and
a subset of the group of indicators indicates a visible boundary of the input area.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A dynamic input surface for an electronic device and a method of reconfiguring the same is disclosed. The input surface has a partially-flexible metal contact portion defining an input area, and a group of indicators. The indicators may be group of holes extending through the contact portion. The group of holes may be selectively illuminated based on a gesture performed on the contact portion. A size of the input area may be dynamically varied based on the gesture. Additionally, the group of indicators indicates a boundary of the input area.
126 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A dynamic input surface comprising:
-
a metal contact layer defining an input area; a group of indicators selectively illuminated based on a gesture performed on the metal contact layer; a sense layer distinct from and positioned below the metal contact layer; a drive layer positioned below the sense layer; a compliant layer positioned between and coupled to the sense layer and the drive layer; and a rigid base layer positioned below the drive layer, wherein; a size of the input area dynamically varies from a first non-zero size to a second non-zero size, based on the gesture; and a subset of the group of indicators indicates a visible boundary of the input area. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
-
-
7. An electronic device comprising:
-
a metal casing comprising a contact layer defining; an exterior surface of the electronic device having a portion defining a dynamic input surface; an interior surface opposite the exterior surface; a group of indicators extending through the contact layer; and an adjustable input area operable to change from a first non-zero size to a second non-zero size, and bounded by a subset of the group of indicators; a keyboard assembly positioned within the metal casing; and an input stack-up positioned within the metal casing and comprising; first and second capacitive layers positioned below the interior surface of the contact layer and configured to detect a force on the contact layer; a compliant layer positioned between the first and second capacitive layers and configured to deform in response to the force on the contact layer; and a rigid base layer positioned below the first and second capacitive layers. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
-
-
14. A method for reconfiguring a dynamic input surface of an electronic device, the electronic device comprising a base portion pivotally coupled to a display portion and defining the dynamic input surface, the method comprising:
-
illuminating a first subset of a group of holes in the base portion to display a visible boundary of an input area defined on the dynamic input surface; detecting at least one gesture within or on the visible boundary of the input area, comprising; detecting a first contact point within or on the visible boundary of the input area; detecting a second contact point within or on the visible boundary of the input area; and detecting movement of at least one of the first contact point or the second contact point; based on the at least one gesture, resizing the input area from a first non-zero size to a second non-zero size; and while detecting the movement, continuously updating the visible boundary in accordance with the detected movement, wherein updating the visible boundary comprises illuminating subsequent subsets of the group of holes. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
-
Specification