U.S. patent application number 10/616357 was filed with the patent office on 2004-02-12 for illuminated touch pad.
Invention is credited to Derocher, Michael D..
Application Number | 20040027341 10/616357 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25255270 |
Filed Date | 2004-02-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040027341 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Derocher, Michael D. |
February 12, 2004 |
Illuminated touch pad
Abstract
A device used to accept an operator input to a computing device
is disclosed. The device includes a first layer that includes a
translucent, two-dimensional cover. Additionally included is a
second layer in which a plurality of surfaces is constructed using
a translucent and conductive material. The device further includes
a third layer that employs a light-emitting material that generates
light in response to the operator input.
Inventors: |
Derocher, Michael D.;
(Corvallis, OR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HEWLETT-PACKARD COMPANY
Intellectual Property Administration
P.O. Box 272400
Fort Collins
CO
80527-2400
US
|
Family ID: |
25255270 |
Appl. No.: |
10/616357 |
Filed: |
July 7, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10616357 |
Jul 7, 2003 |
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09829692 |
Apr 10, 2001 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
345/173 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 3/03547 20130101;
G06F 3/04886 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
345/173 |
International
Class: |
G09G 005/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A device used to accept an operator input to a computing device,
comprising: a first layer which includes a translucent cover; a
second layer which includes a plurality of surfaces, said surfaces
being one of a capacitive or resistive surface and being
constructed using a translucent and conductive material; and a
third layer which includes a light-emitting material which
generates light in response to said operator input.
2. The device of claim 1 wherein said operator input is one of a
user's finger and thumb positioned at a location near a side of
said first layer, said side being opposite said second layer, said
operator input being used to control an aspect of a computer
display controlled by said computing device.
3. The device of claim 2 wherein said control of said aspect of
said computer display is conveyed through a wireless link between
said device and said computing device.
4. The device of claim 2 wherein said control of said aspect of
said computer display is conveyed through a wire line link between
said device and said computing device.
5. The device of claim 2 wherein said plurality of, surfaces
function by responding to changes in capacitance between adjacent
ones of said plurality of surfaces.
6. The device of claim 1 wherein said operator input is one of a
user's finger and thumb applying pressure to said first layer, said
pressure being used to control an aspect of a computer display
associated with said computing device.
7. The device of claim 6 wherein said plurality of surfaces
function by responding to changes in resistance between adjacent
ones of said plurality of surfaces.
8. The device of claim 1 wherein said plurality of surfaces is
constructed using a material which is transparent.
9. The device of claim 1 further comprising a fourth layer which
generates light of a different color than light generated by said
third layer.
10. The device of claim 1 wherein said computing device launches a
software application that runs on said computing device in response
to said operator input.
11. The device of claim 1 wherein said light-emitting material
generates light that persists for a period of time after one of a
user's finger and thumb has been positioned at a location on the
top side of said first layer, said light being generated only in an
area proximate to said location.
12. The device of claim 1 wherein said light-emitting layer
generates light that persists for a period of time after one of a
user's finger and thumb has been positioned at a location on the
top side of said first layer, said light being generated in areas
other than an area proximate to said location.
13. The device of claim 1 wherein said light-emitting material is
an electroluminescent material.
14. The device of claim 1 wherein said light-emitting material is a
light-emitting diode.
15. The device of claim 1, wherein said first, second, and third
layers are substantially two-dimensional.
16. The device of claim 1, wherein said operator input is a
character entered on said translucent cover and said generated
light forms a trace of said character.
17. The device of claim 1, wherein said generated light presents
the appearance of soft keys.
18. A computing device that makes use of a touch pad to provide
feedback to a user, said feedback being indicative of an operating
mode of at least one input device used by said computing device,
comprising: a first layer which includes a substantially rigid,
transparent surface; a second layer which includes a plurality of
surfaces proximate with said first layer, said plurality of
surfaces being constructed of a transparent and conductive
material; a third layer which includes a light-emitting layer, said
third layer generating light in response to an operator input; and
an illumination controller coupled to said third layer for bringing
about said light generated in response to said operator input.
19. The computing device of claim 18 wherein said light-emitting
layer is arranged to present a particular symbol to said user.
20. The computing device of-clam 18 wherein said third layer
additionally notifies said user that said operator input is
required.
21. The computing device of claim 20 wherein said touch pad
additionally receives said operator input.
22. The computing device of claim 18 wherein said operator input is
a user selecting to use said touch pad to control an aspect of a
display coupled to said computing device.
23. The computing device of claim 22 wherein said aspect of said
display is a position of a cursor on said display.
24. The computing device of claim 22 wherein said aspect of said
display is a scroll bar used in a window of said display.
25. The computing device of claim 18 wherein said plurality of
surfaces functions by responding to changes in capacitance of
elements of said plurality of surfaces.
26. The computing device of claim 18 wherein said operator input is
conveyed by way of a wireless interface between said computing
device and said touch pad.
27. The computing device of claim 18 wherein said computing device
is a laptop computer.
28. The computing device of claim 18 further comprising a selector
which influences an operating state of said illumination
controller.
29. The computing device of claim 18 further comprising a fourth
layer which generates light of a different color than said light
generated by said third layer, said fourth layer generating light
in response to said operator input, said fourth layer also being
coupled to said illumination controller for bringing about said
light generated in response to said operator input.
30. The computing device of claim 29 wherein said fourth layer
covers an area of said touch pad that is substantially less than
the area covered by said third layer.
31. The computing device of claim 29 further comprising a selector
which activates said third and said fourth layer, thereby allowing
said light generated by said third and said fourth layers to be
combined to form light of a different color than said third layer
and different than said fourth layer.
32. In a computing device, a method of operating a touch pad,
comprising: reading a selection from an input device; illuminating
a light-emitting layer of said touch pad, thereby indicating that
said touch pad is accepting commands in the form of movements of
one of a user's finger or thumb near a surface of said touch pad;
and said touch pad controlling the position of a cursor on a
computer display in response to said movements of said one of said
user's finger and thumb.
33. The method of claim 32 further comprising said computing device
launching a software application that runs on said computing
device, said launching being performed after said controlling
action.
34. The method of claim 32 further comprising said computing device
controlling a view of said display within a larger display area,
said further controlling being in response to said movements of
said one of said user's finger and thumb.
35. The method of claim 32 further comprising said computing device
controlling zooming of said display, said further controlling being
in response to said movements of said one of said user's finger and
thumb.
36. The method of claim 32 further comprising said computing device
controlling the positioning of an icon-on said display, said
further controlling being in response to said movements of said one
of said user's finger and thumb.
37. A graphical pointing device used to position an icon on a
display, comprising: means for determining the position of a user's
finger near a top side of said graphical pointing device, at least
a portion of said means for determining said position being
predominantly translucent; and means for illuminating said
graphical pointing device, said means for illuminating being near a
bottom side of said graphical pointing device.
38. The graphical pointing device of claim 37, wherein said at
least a portion of said means for determining said position is
transparent.
39. The graphical pointing device of claim 37, wherein said means
for illuminating said graphical pointing device is translucent, and
wherein said graphical pointing device further comprises a second
means for illuminating, said second means for illuminating being
used to generate light of a different color than said first means
for illuminating.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention pertains generally to the field of computing
devices and, more particularly, to input devices used with
computing devices.
[0002] In a computing device, such as a hand-held computer, laptop
computer, or similar computing resource, a touch pad is often used
as a graphical input device that conveys user inputs which control
the operations of the computing device. Typically, the touch pad
makes use of a two-dimensional array of capacitive or resistive
surfaces that determine the position of a user's finger on the
surface of the touch pad. These inputs are directed to a keyboard
controller or to a main central processing unit. The inputs enable
aspects of the computing device to be controlled by way of the
touch pad located on the computing device, thus providing a control
means other than an external graphical pointing device, such as a
mouse or trackball.
[0003] It is often the case that a computing device user makes use
of a touch pad to control the movement of a cursor as well as to
control other aspects of the display, such as scroll bars, zooming,
and so forth. When this occurs, the user can become confused as to
the operating mode of the touch pad at a given time. A partial
solution has been offered in which an indicator is used to identify
whether the touch pad is controlling the cursor, horizontal or
vertical scroll bars, or similar display functions. However, the
placement of the indicator may not enable the user to intuitively
determine the mode of operation of the touch pad.
[0004] Therefore, what is needed, is a touch pad that presents
feedback that is responsive to user inputs. This can provide a more
intuitive method and system of indicating to a user whether or not
the touch pad has been activated for use for cursor control, or to
control other aspects of the computing device's display.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The invention is pointed out with particularity in the
appended claims. However, important aspects of the invention are
summarized herein.
[0006] In one aspect of the invention, a touch pad responds to an
operator input to a computing device. The device comprises a first
layer that includes a translucent surface. Also included is a
second layer that makes use of a plurality of surfaces that are
constructed using a translucent and conductive material. The device
further includes a third layer that incorporates a light-emitting
material that generates light in response to the operator
input.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] A more complete understanding of the various aspects of the
claimed invention can be acquired by reading this specification, in
conjunction with the figures, in which like reference numerals
refer to like elements, and:
[0008] FIG. 1 is an illustration of a touch pad used in a computing
device in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
invention;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a view showing the layers of the touch pad of FIG.
1 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention;
[0010] FIG. 3 is a view of the capacitive surfaces shown in FIG. 2
in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention;
[0011] FIG. 4 is a composite view showing the capacitive surfaces
on both the top and the bottom of the second layer of FIG. 2 in
accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention;
[0012] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the touch pad and associated
electronics in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
invention;
[0013] FIG. 6 is an isometric view of an additional light-emitting
layer that can be positioned beneath the light-emitting layer (40)
of FIG. 2 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
invention;
[0014] FIG. 7 is an isometric view of a light-emitting layer that
provides a graphics capability constructed in accordance with a
preferred embodiment of the invention; and
[0015] FIG. 8 shows a user's finger (8) being moved across a touch
pad (7) while nearby illumination zones are activated.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0016] A lighted touch pad provides a method and apparatus for
indicating the operating state of the touch pad. The lighted touch
pad can be used in conjunction with conventional capacitive or
resistive sensor arrays that report the position of a user's finger
or thumb on the surface of the touch pad. Aside from providing
illumination of the entire touch pad surface by way of a single
light-emitting layer, multiple layers can provide additional
colors, graphics, and illumination of sections that indicate
specific modes of operation.
[0017] FIG. 1 is an illustration of a touch pad used in a computing
device in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention.
In FIG. 1, computing device 5 represents a hand-held computing
device, laptop computer, or similar computing resource. Computing
device 5 includes touch pad 7, which enables a user's finger (8) to
control operations of the computing device. As an example, which is
not intended to limit the invention, touch pad 7 is a smooth,
two-dimensional surface used to position graphical icon, such as a
cursor or an arrow, within an area of a display unit controlled by
computing device 5. Thus, as user's finger 8 is moved in "x" and
"y" directions as shown in FIG. 1, a cursor or other graphical icon
moves correspondingly about the associated computer display.
Additionally, switch 12, located adjacent to touch pad 7, is
representative of a selector that activates or deactivates touch
pad 7. Although the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1 shows touch pad
7 being predominantly two-dimensional, nothing prevents the use of
a touch pad that is curved, domed, or rounded, thus including a
third dimension.
[0018] FIG. 2 is a view showing the layers of the touch pad of FIG.
1 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention. In
FIG. 2, the layers of touch pad 7 have been separated in order to
identify their functions. Cover 10 represents an environmental seal
that protects touch sensor 20 and a light-emitting layer 40 from
external environmental effects. Cover 10 can be constructed of any
suitable translucent material that can be applied over a
two-dimensional surface such as touch pad 7. It is also desirable
that the material used for cover 10 is isotropic and possesses
desirable electrical properties such as low relative permittivity
and low electrical conductivity. These properties ensure that any
electric fields that emanate from touch sensor 20 (described below)
are not affected by the presence of cover 10.
[0019] Beneath cover 10 lies touch sensor 20, which incorporates
capacitive or resistive surfaces used to identify the location of a
user's finger, such as user's finger 8, above cover 10. In one
example, touch sensor 20 includes capacitive surfaces 22, which are
coupled in the "x" axis by way of "x" axis inputs 24. Also in
accordance with conventional design techniques, the underside of
touch sensor 20 (not shown) includes similar capacitive surfaces,
as well as "y" axis inputs. Preferably, capacitive surfaces 22 and
"x" axis inputs 24, as well as the similar capacitive surfaces and
"y" axis inputs present on the reverse side of touch sensor 20 (not
shown) are fabricated by way of a conductive ink applied to a
flexible and translucent substrate. Further, it is most desirable
that all capacitive surfaces, as well as "x" and "y" axis inputs
are fabricated using a transparent conductor, such as Indium Tin
Oxide.
[0020] In another example, not shown in FIG. 2, a resistive sensor
array is used to sense the position of a user's finger or thumb
that applies pressure to the surface of cover 10. In this example,
an array of resistive surfaces determines the location of the
user's finger or thumb by measuring the resistance through
individual and adjacent resistive elements of a resistor array. For
this example, it is also desirable that the conductors used to
implement the resistor array as well as the required conductors be
of a transparent material, such as Indium Tin Oxide.
[0021] Beneath touch sensor 20 lays light-emitting layer 40, which
provides illumination of touch sensor 20 as well as cover 10 from
the underside of the-touch sensor. Thus, at least a portion of the
light generated by light-emitting layer 40 is visible to a user
from above the surface of cover 10. In an example, which is not
intended to limit the principles of the invention, light-emitting
layer 40 operates by way of electroluminescence. In this example,
alternating current source 65 applies a voltage to conductive layer
44. This alternating current voltage excites light-emitting
material 46, thereby causing the material to radiate light of a
predetermined wavelength. Conductive layer 42, above light-emitting
material 46, is interfaced to a signal ground by way of ground
70.
[0022] FIG. 3 is a view of the capacitive surfaces (22) shown in
FIG. 2 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention.
In FIG. 3, capacitive surfaces 22 are joined to each other by way
of "x" axis inputs 24. Although capacitive surfaces 22 are shown in
FIG. 3 as being diamond shaped, nothing prevents the use of other
shapes, such as circles or rectangles, to optimize the
self-capacitance of each of capacitive surfaces 22, as well as the
mutual capacitances that exist between an element of capacitive
surfaces 22 and the others of capacitive surfaces 22. As previously
mentioned, it-is anticipated that capacitive surfaces 22 as well as
"x" axis inputs 24 are applied by way of conductive ink screened
onto a flexible and translucent substrate. However, it is most
desirable that all conductive constituents of the touch sensor of
FIG. 3 are fabricated using a transparent conductor, such as Indium
Tin Oxide.
[0023] FIG. 4 is a composite view showing the capacitive surfaces
on both the top and the bottom of touch sensor 20 of FIG. 2 in
accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention. In FIG. 4,
the substrate onto which capacitive surfaces 22, "x" axis inputs
24, as well as "y" axis inputs 26 are mounted is shown as being
transparent, which allows capacitive surfaces 22, present on both
the front side and reverse side of second layer 20, to be visible.
Although a transparent substrate material has been assumed, nothing
prevents the use of a substrate that is merely translucent, thereby
permitting some distortion of light passing from the reverse to the
front side of the substrate.
[0024] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the touch pad and associated
electronics in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
invention. In FIG. 5, an end view of touch pad 7 shows cover 10,
touch sensor 20, light-emitting layer 40, as well as intervening
layers. Cover 10 is shown as being located above touch sensor 20.
Capacitive surfaces 22 are shown as being interfaced to each other
along the "x" axis by way of "x" axis inputs 24. Although touch pad
7 of FIG. 5 identifies only "x" axis inputs, an end view from
another aspect could have been used without jeopardizing the
creative principles of the invention. Thus, "x" axis inputs can be
replaced by "y" axis inputs in FIG. 5. In any case, each of
capacitive surfaces 22 is substantially electrically isolated from
each other, and from conductive layers 42 and 44 by way of
insulating materials 28 and 30, which are positioned above and
below, respectively, the capacitive surfaces.
[0025] In accordance with conventional techniques, the plurality of
"x" axis inputs 24 is shown as being interfaced with touch pad
sensor controller 32. Preferably, touch pad sensor controller 32
ascertains the location on touch pad 7 of a user's finger, such as
user's finger 8 of FIG. 1, by combining the "x" axis inputs 24 and
"y" axis inputs 26. The output of touch pad sensor controller 32 is
conveyed to keyboard controller 34, which conveys the location of
the cursor or other graphical indicator to main CPU 36. In turn,
main CPU 36 places the cursor or other graphical icon at a
corresponding location on display 38.
[0026] Although shown in FIG. 5 as including wire line signal paths
between touch pad sensor controller 32, keyboard controller 34,
main CPU 36, and display 38, nothing prevents the use of wireless
links between these elements of touch pad 7. These links can be
implemented by way of Bluetooth or other, similarly capable,
wireless technology.
[0027] Touch pad sensor controller 32 preferably possesses an
additional capability to operate the touch pad to control either a
vertically-oriented scroll bar to control a horizontally-oriented
scroll bar that permits panning or moving the field of the display
within a larger field-of-view. Further, touch pad sensor controller
32 can also be used to operate the touch pad to control the
magnification (i.e. zoom) of the area of a document, picture, or
other file being displayed on display 38. Control of these
additional functions can be activated by way of a user-controlled
switch or other input to touch pad sensor controller 32, in
accordance with conventional techniques. Further, touch pad sensor
controller 32 operating in concert with main CPU 36 can also be
used to launch a software application that runs on CPU 36. Thus,
touch pad sensor controller 32 can operate as a general-purpose
input device capable of controlling operating modes of the
associated computing device as well as controlling aspects of
cursors and other graphical icons on display 38.
[0028] As mentioned in relation to FIG. 2, light-emitting layer 40
of FIG. 5 is embodied by way of an electroluminescent layer excited
by way of alternating current source 65. Control over the coupling
of the alternating current from source 65 is provided by way of
switch 12, which is desirably located on the surface of computing
device 5. Preferably, conductive layers 42, as well as capacitive
surfaces 22 and "x" axis inputs 24 are constructed of a transparent
material. The use of a transparent material (Indium Tin Oxide for
example) enables light generated by way of light-emitting layer 40
to be visible from a location above cover 10.
[0029] The color of light generated by light-emitting layer 40 is
preferably controlled by way of a dye or metal oxide present within
light-emitting material 46. Alternatively, a light-emitting
material that emits light in a narrow range of color, such as
green, blue, or yellow, can be blended to produce an effective
white light. Additionally, a dye of a particular color can be added
to light-emitting material 46 in order to produce a different
color. For example in the event that light-emitting material 46
emits a blue light, adding a red dye would cause light-emitting
layer 40 to produce light of a magenta color.
[0030] In an alternate embodiment, light-emitting layer 40 is
replaced by an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) that employs
small-molecule, polymer, or other type of amorphous organic
material in place of light-emitting material 46. For the case of a
small-molecule OLED, an organic material in a powder form is
sublimated in a vacuum to from the diode. For the case of the
polymer material OLED, the organic polymer is spun onto a surface
to form the diode. For these embodiments, alternating current
source 65 is replaced by a direct current source preferably in the
range of 2 to 8 volts but could be as high as 16 volts.
[0031] In another alternate embodiment, touch sensor 20 can be
replaced by any translucent or transparent means for determining
the position of a user's finger or thumb near the topside of the
touch sensor 20. Additionally, light-emitting layer 40 can be
replaced by any means for illuminating the means for determining
the position of a user's finger. Further, additional light-emitting
layers can be used to generate additional colors that illuminate a
graphical pointing device, such as touch pad 7, from the bottom of
the pointing device.
[0032] FIG. 6 is an isometric view of an additional light-emitting
layer that can be positioned beneath light-emitting layer 40 of
FIG. 2 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention.
In FIG. 6, insulating material 180, which can be also be a
dielectric material such as barium titanate, has been applied to
the additional light-emitting layer in order to provide three
separate illumination zones. Preferably, each illumination zone is
controlled by way of a separate output from illumination controller
168. Further, signal grounds 170, 171, and 172 provide the
necessary relative ground for each alternating or direct current
signal applied to the three illumination zones by way of
light-emitting controller 168. In a preferred embodiment, switch
inputs 160 and illumination controller 168 are used to control the
excitation of each of the three zones shown in FIG. 6.
[0033] The arrangement of FIG. 6 allows independent control over
light generated from each of the three illumination zones shown in
the figure. For example, one of switch inputs 160 can be used to
generate light visible through illumination zone 146, thus
providing light to a small portion of touch pad 7. By way of proper
orientation of the additional light-emitting layer of FIG. 6 within
touch pad 7, one of switch inputs 160 can be used to illuminate a
relatively small portion of the right side of the touch pad. When
operated in conjunction with touch pad sensor controller 32 of FIG.
5, this illumination scheme can be used to indicate that the touch
pad is being used to control a scroll bar visible on an associated
computer display. Similarly, when the light-emitting layer of FIG.
6 generates light visible through illumination zone 142, this
illumination scheme can be used to indicate that touch pad 7 is
being used to control a horizontal scroll bar. Further the
illumination of both illumination zones 142 and 146 can be used to
indicate touch pad 7 is being used to move or pan the view of the
display within a larger area. Finally, the illumination of
illumination zones 144, 142, and 146 can be used to indicate the
normal operation of the touch pad.
[0034] FIG. 7 is an isometric view of a light-emitting layer that
provides a graphics capability constructed in accordance with a
preferred embodiment of the invention. The light-emitting layer of
FIG. 7 has been partitioned to provide numerous illumination zones,
each of which can be separately controlled by way of illumination
controller 268. In the embodiment of FIG. 7, each illumination zone
includes a light-emitting material 246 similar to light-emitting
material 46 of FIGS. 2 and 5. For purposes of simplicity,
illumination controller 268 is shown as being coupled to the
underside of a select few of illumination zones 240, although it is
preferred that the controller be coupled to each zone to permit
excitation of the underside of each zone. In a similar manner,
signal grounds 270 are shown as being coupled to a select few of
the top sides of illumination zones 240; however, it is preferred
that one of signal grounds 270 be coupled to each of the top sides
of illumination zones 240.
[0035] In FIG. 7 insulating material 280 has been applied to the
interstices that exist between adjacent ones of illumination zones
240. This insulating material allows the independent generation of
light from each of illumination zones 240 as illumination
controller 268 modulates excitation signals from voltage source
265. By way of the selective activation of certain illumination
zones 240, the electroluminescence layer of FIG. 7 can be used to
generate graphics with a resolution commensurate with the size and
number of illumination zones 240. Further, the activation and
deactivation of illumination zones 240 can be modulated in a time
dependent manner to create moving graphics.
[0036] When outputs of touch pad sensor controller 32 are
interfaced to illumination controller 268, information regarding
the position of a user's finger (such as user's finger 8 of FIG. 1)
can be conveyed to controller 268. As a result of ascertaining the
location of the user's finger, the corresponding illumination zones
of FIG. 7 can be selectively activated and deactivated accordingly,
as shown in FIG. 8.
[0037] FIG. 8 shows a user's finger (8) being moved across a touch
pad (7) while nearby illumination zones are activated. In FIG. 8,
user's finger 8 moves in the--y direction toward rear portion 6 of
computing device 5. As the user's finger is moved, illumination
zones, such as illumination zones 240 of FIG. 7, are shown as
generating light, thus providing the user with visual feedback as
to the position of his or her finger above touch pad 7. When the
user selects to deactivate touch pad 7, the illumination zones no
longer generate light, thus indicating to the user that the touch
pad is no longer active. Desirably, the user can influence the
persistence of the illuminated zones by way of interacting with a
setup program that is executed by computing device 5. This allows
the illumination zones to be illuminated for a variable period of
time after the user's finger passes over the touch pad.
[0038] The inverse of the illumination scheme of FIG. 8 is also
possible. Accordingly, when a user selects to invert the touch pad
illumination scheme, the pad is generally illuminated except in the
area proximate to the current location of the user's finger.
Desirably, the user can influence the persistence of the
illuminated zones by way of a setup page, thus allowing the zones
to be extinguished for a variable period of time after the user's
finger passes over the touch pad.
[0039] In an embodiment that includes an OLED to realize the
function of light-emitting layer 40, illumination zones 240 can be
made with much greater resolution than that shown in FIG. 7. This
increase in resolution, combined with the correct persistence in
the illumination of illumination zones 240, brings about the
capability for a user to view a complex character entered by way of
the touch pad. Thus, when touch pad 7 is used to enter an
alphabetic, pictographic, or other symbolic character, a trace of
the entered character can remain illuminated on the touch pad.
[0040] In another embodiment that includes the use of an OLED, a
touch pad that presents the appearance and performs the functions
of the user-definable or "soft" keys (F1-F12 on many standard
keyboards) is used to augment or to replace these keys. Thus,
applications that require input from these keys can provide the
user with the opportunity to make use of the touch pad to enter
this information. Further, other applications that occasionally
present a window that notifies the user of a specific, required
action can present this information by way of the touch pad. The
touch pad can then be used to receive the required input, thus
providing the user with another means of entering the required
information.
[0041] It is noteworthy to mention that due to the translucent
nature of the various layers used in constructing touch pad 7,
further layers can be added as desired. These layers can be used to
introduce additional colors beyond those previously mentioned.
These layers can also allows the user to customize the display,
such as selecting a red light-emitting color, to indicate that the
touch pad has been inactivated, and selecting green to indicate
that the touch pad is active. Additionally, each layer need not
encompass the entire area of the touch pad. Thus, a particular
layer can be limited to one side of the pad and become illuminated
when the pad is used to control a vertical scroll bar. Another
layer can be limited to the bottom of the touch pad (in the
direction of rear portion 6 of the computing device of FIG. 8) in
order to provide feedback when the touch pad is being used to
control a horizontal scroll bar. Finally, yet another layer can be
added to present a symbol, such as a trademark, logo, or other
statement that conveys the identity of the manufacturer of the
touch pad or of the computing device.
[0042] In conclusion, a lighted touch pad that presents feedback to
user inputs provides a method and apparatus for indicating the
operating state of the touch pad. The lighted touch pad can be used
in conjunction with conventional capacitive or resistive sensor
arrays that report the position of a user's finger or thumb on the
surface of the touch pad. Aside from providing illumination of the
entire touch pad surface by way of a single light-emitting layer,
multiple layers can provide additional colors, graphics, and
illumination of sections that indicate specific modes of
operation.
[0043] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will
so fully reveal the general nature of the invention that others
can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for
various applications such specific embodiments without departing
from the generic concept, and therefore such adaptations and
modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the
meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments.
[0044] It should be understood that the phraseology or terminology
employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of
limitation. Accordingly, the invention is intended to embrace all
such alternatives, modifications, equivalents and variations as
fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.
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