Touch pad with symbols based on mode

• US 20070152983A1
• Filed: 11/01/2006
• Published: 07/05/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Computer Incorporated (Apple Inc.)
• Inventors: Ording, Bas, McKillop, Chris, Grignon, Andrew
• Application Number:
  US11/591,752
• Publication Number:
  US 20070152983A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/0338 Fingerprint track pad, i.e. fingerprint sensor used as pointing device tracking the fingertip image
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03547 Touch pads, in which fingers can move on a surface
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/041 Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0416 Control or interface arrangements specially adapted for digitisers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0485 Scrolling or panning
• 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

A multifunctional handheld device capable of operating in different modes includes a single input arrangement that provides inputs for each mode of the multifunctional handheld device. The single input arrangement includes at least an input pad that provides signals when touched or pressed. The input pad may for example be a touch pad. The input pad is divided into one or more input areas that change in accordance with the current mode of the multifunctional handheld device. The multifunctional handheld device also includes a display device that presents graphical elements to indicate the configuration of the input areas at the input pad. Each mode of the multifunctional handheld device provides a different configuration of input areas and graphical elements associated therewith.

Claims

1. A multifunctional handheld device capable of operating in different modes, the multifunctional handheld device comprising:

a single input arrangement that provides inputs for each mode of the multifunctional handheld device, the single input arrangement including at least an input pad that provides signals when touched or pressed, the input pad being divided into one or more input areas that change in accordance with the current mode of the multifunctional handheld device; and

a display mechanism that presents graphical elements to indicate the configuration of the input areas at the input pad, each mode of the multifunctional handheld device providing a different configuration of input areas and graphical elements associated therewith.

2. The multifunctional handheld device as recited in claim 1 wherein the display mechanism further provides visual feedback indicative of which input areas are being touched or pressed.

3. The multifunctional handheld device as recited in claim 1 wherein the display mechanism is integrated with the input pad.

4. The multifunctional handheld device as recited in claim 3 wherein the display mechanism is hidden from view underneath a top surface of the input pad, and wherein the graphical elements are presented at the top surface of the input pad.

5. The multifunctional handheld device as recited in claim 3 further comprising a second display device that provides graphical information associated with each mode of the multifunctional handheld device.

6. The multifunctional handheld device as recited in claim 3 wherein the display mechanism is a graphics generator that includes one or more light sources for generating light, and one or more graphics layers having features for creating symbols from the generated light.

7. The multifunctional handheld device as recited in claim 3 wherein the display mechanism is not a liquid crystal display (LCD).

8. The multifunctional handheld device as recited in claim 1 wherein the display mechanism is distinct from the input pad.

9. The multifunctional handheld device as recited in claim 1 wherein the input pad is circular, the circular input pad is divided into a different set of angularly segmented input areas for each mode of the multifunctional handheld device, and the graphical elements are displayed in a circular fashion representative of the angularly segmented input areas for each mode of the multifunctional handheld device.

10. The multifunctional handheld device as recited in claim 1 wherein the multifunctional handheld device operates in at least a phone mode and a media player mode.

11. The multifunctional handheld device as recited in claim 1 wherein the input pad is a touch pad that provides one or more touch signals when touched, a clickable pad that provides one or more button signals when pressed, or a clickable touch pad that provides one or more button signals when pressed and one or more touch signals when touched.

12. The multifunctional handheld device as recited in claim 10 wherein the input arrangement further comprises a clickable button that is integrated with the input pad, the clickable button providing a button signal when pressed.

26. The touch pad as recited in claim 2 wherein the light excitable elements are formed from a photoluminescence material.

13. A touch pad that displays graphical elements to indicate input areas of the touch pad, each input area representing a different functionality, the input areas and graphical elements changing in accordance with different input modes.

14. The touch pad as recited in claim 13 comprising:

a touch sensing layer capable of being divided into one or more input areas, the layout and functionality of the input areas being based on a current input mode; and

a graphical generator integrated with the touch sensing layer, the graphical generator presenting graphical elements at each of the input areas, the graphical elements indicating the location and functionality of the input areas.

15. The touch pad as recited in claim 14 wherein the touch sensing layer is optically transmissive, and wherein the graphics generator is disposed below the optically transmissive touch sensing layer.

16. The touch pad as recited in claim 14 wherein the touch sensing layer is disposed below the graphics generator.

17. The touch pad as recited in claim 14 wherein the graphics generator comprises:

one or more light sources for generating light; and

one or more graphics layers having features for creating symbols from the generated light.

18. The touch pad as recited in claim 17 wherein the features are masking elements.

19. The touch pad as recited in claim 17 wherein the features are light excitable elements.

20. The touch pad as recited in claim 13 further comprising a cover disposed over the touch sensing layer and graphics generator, the cover acting as a light diffuser and hiding the under layers from view.

21. The touch pad as recited in claim 13 further comprising a light panel for producing visual effects separately or together with the graphics generator.

22. The touch pad as recited in claim 21 wherein the light panel is capable of highlighting the graphical elements generated via the graphics generator.

23. A touch pad, comprising:

a touch sensing layer;

a first set of symbols that only illuminate with a first light;

a second set of symbols that only illuminate with a second light; and

a light system capable of generating the first and second light.

24. The touch pad as recited in claim 23 wherein the symbols are embodied as light excitable elements configured to absorb and reemit the generated light, the light excitable elements associated with the first set of symbols being sensitive to a first wavelength of light, the light excitable elements associated with the second set of symbols being sensitive to a second wavelength of light, the light system being configured to generate light having the first and second wavelengths.

25. The touch pad as recited in claim 24 wherein the light system includes a first light source capable of generating light of a first wavelength, and a second light source capable of generating light of a second wavelength.

27. A circular touch pad, comprising:

a circular light diffusing cover;

a circular transparent touch sensing layer disposed below the light diffusing cover;

an circular organic light emitting device (OLED) disposed below the transparent touch sensing layer;

a printed circuit board disposed below the organic light emitting device (OLED), the printed circuit board carrying a controller that is operatively coupled to the transparent touch sensing layer and the organic light emitting device, the controller receiving touch data from the transparent touch sensing layer and instructing the organic light emitting device (OLED) how to present graphical information.

28. The touch pad as recited in claim 27 wherein the graphical information is based in part on the touch data.

29. The touch pad as recited in claim 27 wherein the graphical information is based in part on a mode.

30. The touch pad as recited in claim 27 wherein the touch pad includes a central integrated button such that the light diffusing layer, transparent touch sensing layer, and organic light emitting device (OLED) are circularly annular to provide space for the central integrated button.

31. A method of operating a multifunctional hand held electronic device having a touch surface, comprising:

displaying symbols in a circular fashion, each symbol representing a different input to be made in the hand held electronic device;

mapping individual symbols being displayed to individual regions of the touch surface;

detecting a touch on the touch surface;

determining the region of the touch surface being touched;

highlighting only the symbol associated with the region of the touch surface being touched;

detecting a selection event; and

implementing the input associated with the symbol being highlighted when the selection event is initiated.

32. The method as recited in claim 31 wherein the touch surface is a circular touch pad, and wherein the symbols are displayed in a circular fashion about the circular touch pad.

33. The method as recited in claim 31 wherein the multifunctional handheld device includes a display, and wherein the symbols are displayed in a circular fashion about the display.

34. The method as recited in claim 31 further comprising:

determining a mode of the multifunctional handheld device;

displaying symbols in a circular fashion in accordance with the mode.

35. The method as recited in claim 34 wherein a first set of symbols are provided for a first mode of the multifunctional handheld device, and a second set of symbols are provided for a second mode of the multifunctional handheld device.

36. The method as recited in claim 35 wherein the first mode is a phone mode, and wherein the first set of symbols are symbols associated with phone operations, and wherein the second mode is a media player mode, and wherein the second set of symbols are symbols associated with media player operations.

37. A method of operating a handheld electronic device having a touch device, the method comprising:

designating input regions within a touch surface of the touch device, each input region representing a different location within the touch surface;

assigning symbols to the input regions, the symbols characterizing the functionality of the input regions; and

displaying the symbols associated with the input regions, the location of the symbols indicating the location of the input area within the touch surface.

38. The method as recited in claim 37 wherein the symbols are displayed on a display of the handheld electronic device.

39. The method as recited in claim 37 wherein the symbols are displayed on the touch surface.

40. The method as recited in claim 37 wherein the touch surface is circular, the input regions and symbols are placed at angular locations, the angular locations of the symbols matching the angular locations of their corresponding input region.

41. The method as recited in claim 37 wherein the input regions are designated and the symbols are assigned and displayed based on the mode of the handheld electronic device, each mode having a different set of input regions and symbols associated therewith.