Portable multi-touch input device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9857912-B2
Application number	US-201615268816-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 19, 2016
Priority date	Jun 21, 2010
Publication date	Jan 2, 2018
Grant date	Jan 2, 2018

Abstract

A portable input device is described. The portable input device can wirelessly send control signals to an external circuit. The control signals can derive from touch or gestures applied to a touch sensitive surface. The control signals can also include a mouse click equivalent control signal generated by mechanical manipulation of the portable input device.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A trackpad, comprising:
a protective cover defining a touch-sensitive input surface;
a metal housing member having a shape configured to support the protective cover in an angled orientation relative to a support surface below the trackpad and having a slot formed therein to define at least part of an antenna structure;
a touch sensor positioned below the protective cover and configured to generate a first signal in response to a touch event on the protective cover; and
a force sensor configured to generate a second signal in response to a force applied to the protective cover;
wherein the antenna structure is configured to wirelessly transmit radio-frequency signals based on at least one of the first and second signals.

2. The trackpad of claim 1 , wherein the force sensor is configured to output a signal representative of a magnitude of the force applied to the protective cover.

3. The trackpad of claim 1 , further comprising a haptic actuator configured to produce a tactile output via the protective cover.

4. The trackpad of claim 3 , wherein the tactile output mimics a sensation of a collapsing dome switch.

5. The trackpad of claim 1 , wherein the metal housing member is formed from aluminum.

6. The trackpad of claim 1 , further comprising circuitry configured to apply a current to the housing member to cause a portion of the housing member in a vicinity of the slot to transmit wireless signals.

7. The trackpad of claim 1 , wherein the protective cover is glass.

8. An electronic device, comprising:
a housing member at least partially defining an interior volume of the electronic device and defining an integrally formed antenna structure;
a planar cover coupled to the housing member and defining substantially an entire user-facing surface of the electronic device;
a touch sensor configured to detect a touch event on the planar cover; and
a force sensor configured to detect a force of the touch event on the planar cover;
wherein the integrally formed antenna structure is configured to wirelessly transmit radio-frequency signals based on information from at least one of the touch sensor and the force sensor.

9. The electronic device of claim 8 , wherein:
the integrally formed antenna structure comprises a slot formed in a wall of the housing member; and
the electronic device further comprises circuitry configured to apply a radio-frequency electrical current to the housing member proximate the slot.

10. The electronic device of claim 9 , wherein the radio-frequency electrical current follows a current path at least partially around the slot.

11. The electronic device of claim 8 , wherein the planar cover is glass.

12. The electronic device of claim 11 , wherein the planar cover is opaque.

13. The electronic device of claim 8 , wherein the planer cover is plastic.

14. The electronic device of claim 8 , wherein the housing member has a shape configured to support the planar cover in an angled orientation relative to a support surface below the electronic device.

15. An electronic device, comprising:
a housing member at least partially defining an interior volume of the electronic device;
a glass member coupled to the housing member and defining an exterior surface of the electronic device;
a touch sensor configured to detect a location of a contact between a user and the glass member;
a force sensor configured to output a signal corresponding to a magnitude of force of the contact between the user and the glass member; and
wireless communication circuitry configured to apply an electrical signal through a portion of the housing member to communicate to a remote device via radio-frequency signals.

16. The electronic device of claim 15 , wherein:
the housing member comprises a slot formed therein; and
the portion of the housing member defines a conductive path around at least a portion of the slot.

17. The electronic device of claim 15 , wherein the housing member supports the glass member at an angle relative to a support surface below the electronic device.

18. The electronic device of claim 15 , wherein the wireless communication communicates signals indicative of the location of the contact between the user and the glass member and indicative of the magnitude of force of the contact between the user and the glass member.

19. The electronic device of claim 15 , further comprising a display layer below the glass member and configured to display images through the glass member.

20. The electronic device of claim 15 , further comprising a haptic actuator configured to produce tactile outputs via the glass member in response to the contact between the user and the glass member.

Assignees

• Apple Inc

Inventors

• Uttermann Erik A
• Zorkendorfer Rico
• Lauder Andrew
• Corbin Sean S

Classifications

• G06F2203/0384

  Wireless input, i.e. hardware and software details of wireless interface arrangements for pointing devices · CPC title

• G06F2203/04808

  Several contacts: gestures triggering a specific function, e.g. scrolling, zooming, right-click, when the user establishes several contacts with the surface simultaneously; e.g. using several fingers or a combination of fingers and pen · CPC title

• G06F3/0414

  using force sensing means to determine a position · CPC title

• G08C17/02

  using a radio link · CPC title

• G06F3/0383

  Signal control means within the pointing device · CPC title