Proximity sensor in a computer input device
First Claim
1. An input device for a computer system, said input device having a palm rest portion for permitting engagement by a palm of a user, said input device comprising:
- an input generator capable of generating input information to be sent to the computer system, said input information comprising at least one of the following;
(1) a depressible key'"'"'s state, (2) a depressible button'"'"'s station, (3) sound information, or (4) movement information; and
a touch sensor, said touch sensor covering a substantial portion of said palm rest portion and adapted to generate an electrical signal when a user touches the touch sensor, the electrical signal containing touch information that is the same each time the user touches the touch sensor regardless of where the user'"'"'s touch occurs on the touch sensor.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An input device for a computer system includes an exterior surface and a touch sensor located on the exterior surface. The touch sensor is adapted to generate an electrical signal when a user touches the touch sensor. The electrical signal contains touch information that is the same each time the user touches the touch sensor regardless of where the user'"'"'s touch occurs on the touch sensor. The input device also includes an input generator capable of generating input information sent to the computer system. The input information includes at least a depressible key'"'"'s state, a depressible button'"'"'s state, sound information, or movement information.
138 Citations
28 Claims
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1. An input device for a computer system, said input device having a palm rest portion for permitting engagement by a palm of a user, said input device comprising:
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an input generator capable of generating input information to be sent to the computer system, said input information comprising at least one of the following;
(1) a depressible key'"'"'s state, (2) a depressible button'"'"'s station, (3) sound information, or (4) movement information; and
a touch sensor, said touch sensor covering a substantial portion of said palm rest portion and adapted to generate an electrical signal when a user touches the touch sensor, the electrical signal containing touch information that is the same each time the user touches the touch sensor regardless of where the user'"'"'s touch occurs on the touch sensor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 28)
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21. An input device for a computer system comprising:
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an exterior surface;
an input generator capable of generating input information to be sent to the computer system, said input information comprising at least one of the following;
(1) a depressible key'"'"'s state, (2) a depressible button'"'"'s station, (3) sound information, or (4) movement information; and
a plurality of touch sensors located on the exterior surface of the input device, one of said touch sensors being located on the top surface, said touch sensors arranged to generate electrical signals based upon whether the sensors are being touched, a combination of the electrical signals indicative of the manner in which the user is holding the input device at a given time. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 27)
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24. An input device for controlling the movement of a cursor on a display in a computer system, comprising:
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a top surface;
a touch sensitive palm rest located on said top surface and adapted to generate an electrical signal when a user touches any portion of said palm rest, the electrical signal being the same regardless of which portion of said palm rest the user touches.
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25. An input device for controlling the movement of a cursor on a display in a computer system, comprising:
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body having a top surface;
a movement transducer adapted to generate a cursor control command signal responsive to a user action to control movement of the cursor, the cursor control command signal being sent to the computer system to control cursor movement;
a plurality of touch sensors including a first touch sensor located on the top surface and a second touch sensor, each touch sensor adapted to generate an electrical signal representing whether said touch sensor is being touched by a user, a combination of the respective electrical signals being sent to the computer system at a given time for further processing regardless of whether movement of the cursor is being controlled. - View Dependent Claims (26)
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Specification