Instrument-activated sub-surface computer buttons and system and method incorporating same
First Claim
1. A remotely-activated sub-surface button for an electronic device, comprising:
- a button disposed under a surface of the electronic device, wherein the button comprises a triggering signal system communicative with an electronic pointing device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present technique provides a system and method for providing instrument-activated buttons having a sub-surface mechanism for triggering a desired function upon interaction with an above-surface electronic/digital user device, such as a digitizing pointing device. The instrument-activated buttons may be disposed in a display device, a tablet computing device, or any other suitable electronic device. A user navigates a housing surface of the electronic device until a signal identifies the sub-surface button, which may then be activated by performing an instrument-based activation event. The activation event may be a button click, a tip movement, or any other suitable trigger on the electronic/digital user device. A wireless communication is then transmitted between the sub-surface mechanism and the electronic/digital user device to initiate the function associated with the instrument-activated button.
85 Citations
48 Claims
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1. A remotely-activated sub-surface button for an electronic device, comprising:
a button disposed under a surface of the electronic device, wherein the button comprises a triggering signal system communicative with an electronic pointing device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A sub-display-screen button, comprising:
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a flat-panel display screen;
a button disposed under an outer surface layer of the flat-panel display screen; and
a signaling system comprising an activation signal for the button, wherein the signaling system is communicative with a digital pointing device. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A portable computing system, comprising:
a tablet computing device, comprising;
a flat-panel display; and
a wirelessly-activated sub-surface button, wherein the sub-surface button comprises an activation signal. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A method of forming a device comprising remotely-activated sub-surface buttons, comprising the acts of:
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placing a button under a surface of an electronic device;
coupling the button to circuitry of the electronic device; and
providing a remote signaling system for triggering the button above the surface of the electronic device. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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40. A method of interacting with an electronic device, comprising the acts of:
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moving an electronic pointing device across a surface of the electronic device;
locating a sub-surface button disposed within the electronic device; and
communicating at least one signal between the electronic pointing device and the sub-surface button. - View Dependent Claims (41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48)
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Specification