Parallel motion trackpad

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12578768-B2
Application number	US-202418599158-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 7, 2024
Priority date	Feb 21, 2020
Publication date	Mar 17, 2026
Grant date	Mar 17, 2026

Abstract

An input device includes a touch plate having a central axis and a top surface with three outer points evenly spaced away from the central axis. A touch sensor is used to detect a user touch on the top surface at the first outer point, and a support mechanism supports the touch plate and is configured to translate the touch plate at the second and third outer points upon application of the user touch and translation of the touch plate at the first outer point. Translation of the three outer points is substantially equal along the central axis.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A trackpad device, comprising:
a base; a touch plate having a central axis and a top surface perpendicular to the central axis, the top surface having a first outer point, a second outer point, and a third outer point each evenly spaced away from the central axis on the top surface; and a switch to transduce movement of the touch plate along the central axis, the switch being mounted to the base; and a support mechanism supporting the touch plate, the support mechanism comprising:
at least two outer rotatable connections attached to the touch plate;
at least two base rotatable connections attached to the base between the at least two outer rotatable connections; and
an inner rotatable connection positioned between the at least two base rotatable connections;
wherein the support mechanism is configured to translate the touch plate at the second and third outer points upon application of a user touch and translation of the touch plate at the first outer point, wherein translation of the first, second, and third outer points is substantially equal along the central axis.

2 . The trackpad device of claim 1 , wherein the first outer point, the second outer point, and the third outer point are positioned in corners of the top surface of the touch plate.

3 . The trackpad device of claim 1 , wherein a first downward force required to translate the touch plate at the first outer point is substantially equal to a second downward force required to translate the touch plate at the second outer point and equal to a third downward force required to translate the touch plate at the third outer point.

4 . The trackpad device of claim 1 , further comprising a touch sensor to detect a user touch on the top surface.

5 . The trackpad device of claim 1 , wherein the support mechanism comprises at least two arm portions each being pivotally connected to the touch plate, pivotally connected to the base, and connected to each other at the inner rotatable connection.

6 . The trackpad device of claim 5 , wherein the at least two arm portions are offset horizontally from the switch.

7 . An electronic input device, comprising:
a base surface; a cover; a switch positioned on the base surface and actuatable in response to displacement of the cover relative to the base surface; a support mechanism positioned between the cover and the base surface, the support mechanism including:
a first wing including a first outer rotatable connection to the cover and a first middle rotatable connection to the base surface; and
a second wing including a second outer rotatable connection to the cover and a second middle rotatable connection to the base surface;
wherein the first wing is pivotally connected to the second wing at an inner rotatable connection positioned between the first middle rotatable connection and the second middle rotatable connection.

8 . The electronic input device of claim 7 , further comprising a touch sensor attached to the cover.

9 . The electronic input device of claim 7 , wherein the first wing and the second wing are horizontally offset from, and out of contact with, the switch.

10 . The electronic input device of claim 7 , wherein the switch is compressed by the cover and the base surface.

11 . The electronic input device of claim 7 , wherein the switch actuates by contacting a sensor disposed on the base surface.

12 . The electronic input device of claim 7 , wherein the support mechanism includes a frame surrounding and attached to the first wing and the second wing.

13 . The electronic input device of claim 7 , wherein the first wing comprises a varying thickness.

14 . An electronic input device, comprising:
an enclosure defining an opening region and at least two non-deflecting regions; a cover; a support mechanism positioned in the opening region between the at least two non-deflecting regions, the support mechanism comprising a pair of rotatable arm portions coupled to the enclosure and to the cover, wherein a gap is defined laterally between the support mechanism and edges of the opening region; and wherein the cover is overlaying the at least two non-deflecting regions, the gap, and the support mechanism; wherein, in response to a force applied to the cover at the support mechanism in the opening region, the cover deflects at the opening region and the cover is prevented from deflecting at the at least two non-deflecting regions; and wherein, in response to a force being applied to the cover at the at least two non-deflecting regions, the cover is prevented from deflecting by the at least two non-deflecting regions.

15 . The electronic input device of claim 14 , wherein the gap is positioned laterally between the support mechanism and the at least two non-deflecting regions.

16 . The electronic input device of claim 14 , further comprising a keyboard, wherein the at least two non-deflecting regions are located proximate a palm rest area of the enclosure adjacent to the keyboard.

17 . The electronic input device of claim 14 , further comprising a touch sensor attached to the cover, wherein the touch sensor is configured to detect touch input provided on the cover at the at least two non-deflecting regions and at the support mechanism.

18 . The electronic input device of claim 14 , further comprising a switch actuatable in response to displacement of the cover relative to the enclosure.

19 . The electronic input device of claim 14 , wherein the cover is sized substantially equal to the opening region.

20 . The electronic input device of claim 14 , wherein the cover is configured to bend to actuate a switch positioned beneath the support mechanism.

Assignees

• Apple Inc

Inventors

• Degner Brett W
• Matzinger Thomas R
• Hamel Bradley J
• Brooks Ryan P
• Krahn Scott J
• Roy Arka P

Classifications

• G06F3/016 Primary

  Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user · CPC title

• G06F3/0338

  with detection of limited linear or angular displacement of an operating part of the device from a neutral position, e.g. isotonic or isometric joysticks · CPC title

• G06F3/0414 Primary

  using force sensing means to determine a position · CPC title

• G06F3/04883

  for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text · CPC title

• G06F3/04142

  the force sensing means being located peripherally, e.g. disposed at the corners or at the side of a touch sensing plate · CPC title