MULTI-FUNCTION KEYS PROVIDING ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS AND PREVIEWS OF FUNCTIONS

• US 20150022453A1
• Filed: 05/02/2014
• Published: 01/22/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
• Inventors: Odell, Daniel L., Sheik-Nainar, Mohamed Ashraf, Mockler, Justin
• Granted Patent: US 9,575,568 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 disclosed for providing additional functionality using multi-function keys. The device includes key assemblies for receiving a contact input or a press input. A processing system is coupled to the key assemblies and configured to determine a number of objects contacting a key assembly. The processing system provides a first response when the key assembly has received the press input from a first number of objects and provides a second response when key assembly has received the press input from a second number of objects. The method includes determining a number of objects contacting a key assembly and whether the key assembly has received a contact input or a press input. A first response is provided when the key assembly has received the press input from a first number of objects and a second function is provided when key assembly has received the press input from a second number of objects.

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 receiving a contact input or a press input;

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

determine a number of objects contacting a respective key assembly of the plurality of key assemblies;

determine whether the respective key assembly has received the contact input or the press input from the number of objects; and

provide a first response when the respective key assembly has received the press input from a first number of objects and provide a second response when the respective key assembly has received the press input from a second number of objects.

2. The input device of claim 1, further comprising providing a preview of the second response when the respective key assembly has received the contact input from the second number of objects.

3. The input device of claim 1, wherein the respective key assembly has a label indicating a function provided by the first response and wherein the second response comprises a second function related to the label associated with the respective key assembly.

4. The input device of claim 1, wherein the respective key assembly has a programmable function and the second response comprises enabling the programmable function to be reprogrammed.

5. The input device of claim 4, wherein a preview of the programmable function is provided when the respective key assembly receives the contact input from the first number of objects.

6. The input device of claim 5, wherein when the programmable function of the respective key assembly has not been assigned, the preview indicates that the programmable function is available to be programmed.

7. The input device of claim 1, wherein the processing system is further configured to provide a third response when the respective key assembly has received the press input from a third number of objects.

8. The input device of claim 1, wherein the processing system is further configured to determine when the respective key assembly has been released following the press input, and to:

provide the second response for so long as the respective key assembly is pressed; and

ceasing to provide the second response when the respective key assembly has been released.

9. The input device of claim 1, wherein the processing system is further configured to determine when the respective key assembly has been released following the press input, and to:

provide the second response after the respective key assembly receives the press input from the second number of objects and has been released; and

continuing to provide the second response until the respective key assembly receives a second press input from the second number of objects and has been released.

10. A method for activating multiple functions for a key assembly having a touch sensitive surface for receiving a contact input or a press input, the method comprising:

determining a number of objects providing the contact input to the touch sensitive surface of the key assembly; and

providing a first response when the key assembly has received the press input from a first number of objects providing a second response when key assembly has received the press input from a second number of objects.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising providing a preview of the second response when the touch sensitive surface receives the contact input the second number of objects.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising providing a third response when a third number of objects provides the press input to the key assembly.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the first response corresponds to a label on the respective key assembly and the second response activates a function related to the label.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the key assembly has a programmable function and the second response enables the programmable function of the key assembly to be reprogramed.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein the second response is activated while the key assembly receives the press input from the second number of objects.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein the second response is activated when the key assembly receives the press input from the second number of objects, and is deactivated when the key assembly receives a second press input from the second number of objects.

17. A device, comprising:

a plurality of key assemblies, at least some of the plurality of key assemblies having a touch sensitive surface for receiving a contact input or a press input;

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;

determine a number of objects contacting a respective key assembly of the plurality of key assemblies;

determine whether the respective key assembly has received the contact input or the press input from the number of objects; and

provide a first response when the respective key assembly has received the press input from a first number of objects and provide a second response when respective key assembly has received the press input from a second number of objects.

18. The input device of claim 17, wherein a preview of the second response is displayed on the display when the respective key assembly has received the contact input from the second number of objects.

19. The device of claim 17, wherein the second response is activated for so long as the second number of objects provides the press input.

20. The device of claim 17, wherein the second response is activated after the respective key assembly has received the press input from the second number of objects and is deactivated after the respective key assembly has received a second press input from the second number of objects.