MULTI-FUNCTION KEYS PROVIDING ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS AND PREVIEWS OF FUNCTIONS

• US 20140327621A1
• Filed: 05/02/2014
• Published: 11/06/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
• Inventors: Ostberg, Anna, Sheik-Nainar, Mohamed Ashraf, Morein, Stephen, Faggin, Eric, Odell, Daniel L., Hsu, Andrew, Jamison, Daniel
• Granted Patent: US 9,829,992 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/168
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0227 Cooperation and interconnection of the input arrangement with other functional units of a computer G06F3/023 - G06F3/037 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/041 Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2003/0293 with an integrated touch switch
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2239/006 Containing a capacitive switch or usable as such

Abstract

Methods and devices are provided that employ multi-function keys to present a preview of potential actions to be taken by user key presses. The input device includes a plurality of key assemblies having a touch sensitive surface. The processing system can sense when one or more respective key assemblies have been contacted or pressed by the object. When the one or more respective key assemblies has been contacted by the object, an indication of a potential action taken in the program is provided to the user. The method determines whether the one or more respective key assemblies have been contacted or pressed by an object. A potential action to be taken is determined and an indication of the potential action is provided.

Claims

1. An input device, comprising:

a plurality of key assemblies, at least some of the plurality of key assemblies having a touch sensitive surface for distinguishing between being contacted by an objection or pressed by an input object;

a processing system coupled to the plurality of key assemblies and configured to;

communicate with an operating environment to provide input from the input device, the operating environment providing actions taken when one or more respective key assemblies are pressed by the input object;

determine whether the one or more respective key assemblies have been contacted or pressed by the input object; and

when the one or more respective key assemblies has been contacted by the object, provide an indication of a potential action taken in the operating environment should the respective one or more key assemblies be pressed by the input object.

2. The input device of claim 1, further comprising a display coupled to the input device and wherein the indication comprises a visual indication on the display of the potential action taken in the operating environment should the respective one or more key assemblies be pressed by the input object.

3. The input device of claim 1, further comprising a display coupled to the input device and wherein the indication comprises a visual representation on the display of the potential action taken in the operating environment should the respective one or more key assemblies be pressed by the object.

4. The input device of claim 1, wherein the one or more respective key assemblies comprise a first and second respective key assembly and wherein the indication of the potential action is provided when the first respective key assembly has been pressed by the input object and the second respective key assembly has been contacted by the input object.

5. The input device of claim 4, wherein when the first respective key assembly has been pressed, information is communicated to the operating environment that may be modified by the second respective key assembly being pressed, and the indication of the potential action taken comprises an indication of the information as modified should the second respective key assembly be pressed by the input object.

6. The input device of claim 1, wherein the one or more respective key assemblies comprise a first and second respective key assembly and wherein the indication of the potential action is provided when the first and second respective key assemblies have been contacted by the object.

7. The input device of claim 6, wherein after providing the indication of the potential action based upon the first and second respective key assemblies being contacted, the potential action is implemented in the program when at least one of the first and second respective key assemblies is pressed by the input object.

8. The input device of claim 1, wherein the operating environment allows previously entered information to be selected to provide selected information, and the indication of the potential action taken is applicable to the selected information.

9. The input device of claim 1, further comprising a second operating environment accepting input from the input device, wherein the indication of the potential action taken varies depending upon whether the operating environment or the second operating environment is currently accepting input from the input device.

10. A method for providing an indication of a potential action to be taken in an operating environment accepting input from an input device having a plurality of key assemblies, at least some of the plurality of key assemblies having a touch sensitive surface for distinguishing between being contacted or pressed by an input object, the method comprising:

determining whether the one or more respective key assemblies have been contacted or pressed by the input object;

determining the potential action to be taken based upon the operating environment accepting input from the input device when the one or more respective key assemblies has been contacted by the input object; and

providing the indication of the potential action taken by the operating environment should the respective one or more key assemblies be pressed by the input object.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising displaying, on a display coupled to the input device, the indication as a visual indication of the potential action taken in the operating environment should the respective one or more key assemblies be pressed by the input object.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising displaying, on a display coupled to the input device, the indication as a visual representation of the potential action taken in the operating environment should the respective one or more key assemblies be pressed by the input object.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the indication is provided when the first respective key assembly has been pressed by the input object and the second respective key assembly has been contacted by the input object.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein when the first respective key assembly has been pressed, information is communicated to the operating environment that may be modified by the second respective key assembly being pressed, and the indication provided comprises an indication of the information as modified should the second respective key assembly be pressed by the input object.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein the indication is provided when both the first and second respective key assemblies have been contacted by the input object.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein after providing the indication of the potential action based upon the first and second respective key assemblies being contacted, implementing the potential action in the operating environment when at least one of the first and second respective key assemblies is pressed by the input object.

17. The method of claim 10, further comprising selecting previously entered information in the operating environment to provide selected information, and indicating the potential action taken is applicable to the selected information.

18. The method of claim 10, further comprising indicating the potential action taken depending upon whether the operating environment or a second operating environment is currently accepting input from the input device.

19. A device, comprising:

a plurality of key assemblies, at least some of the plurality of key assemblies having a touch sensitive surface for distinguishing between being contacted or pressed by an input object;

a display, coupled to a processing system for displaying information provided by the processing system; and

the processing system being coupled to the plurality of key assemblies and configured to;

communicate with an operating environment to accept input from the input device, the operating environment providing actions taken in the operating environment when one or more respective key assemblies are pressed by the input object;

determine whether the one or more respective key assemblies have been contacted or pressed by the input object; and

when the one or more respective key assemblies has been contacted by the input object, provide an indication of a potential action taken in the operating environment should the respective one or more key assemblies be pressed by the input object.

20. The device of claim 19, wherein the one or more respective key assemblies comprise a first and second respective key assembly and the indication of a potential action taken in the operating environment is provided when the first respective key assembly has been contacted by the input object and when;

the second respective key assembly has been contacted by the object;

or

the second respective key assembly has been pressed by the object.

21. The input device of claim 19, wherein the indication comprises a visual representation on the display of the potential action taken in the operating environment should the respective one or more key assemblies be pressed by the object.

22. The input device of claim 21, wherein the visual representation on the display is provided from a selection list in the operating environment.

23. The input device of claim 22, wherein the visual representation on the display changes to another item from the selection list upon a gesture input to the respective one or more key assemblies.