Movable touch pad with added functionality

Abstract

An input device is disclosed. The input device includes a movable touch pad capable of detecting an object in close proximity thereto so as to generate a first control signal. The input device also includes a movement indicator capable of detecting the movements of the movable touch pad so as to generate one or more distinct second control signals. The control signals being used to perform actions in an electronic device operatively coupled to the input device.

1 . An input device, comprising: 
 a movable touch pad configured to generate a first control signal when the movable touchpad is moved and a second control signal when an object is positioned over the movable touchpad.    
   
   
       2 . The input device as recited in  claim 1  wherein the touchpad moves between an upright position and a depressed position, the movable touch pad generating the first control signal when moved to the depressed position.  
   
   
       3 . The input device as recited in  claim 1  wherein the first control signal is a button signal and the second control signal is a tracking signal.  
   
   
       4 . The input device as recited in claim  1 A further including a frame component, the movable touchpad being configured to move relative to the frame component.  
   
   
       5 . The input device as recited in  claim 4  wherein the movable touch pad gimbals relative to the frame component.  
   
   
       6 . The input device as recited in  claim 4  wherein the movable touch pad rotates, pivots, slides, translates or flexes relative to the frame component.  
   
   
       7 . The input device as recited in  claim 4  further including a movement indicator contained within the frame component, the movement indicator being configured to sense movements of the movable touchpad, the first control signal being based on the sensed movements of the movement indicator.  
   
   
       8 . The input device as recited in  claim 7  wherein the movement indicators are switches or sensors.  
   
   
       9 . The input device as recited in  claim 1  wherein the movable touch pad includes a sensor arrangement configured to sense an object positioned over the movable touch pad, the second control signal being based on the position of the sensed object relative to the movable touchpad.  
   
   
       10 . The input device as recited in  claim 1  wherein the sensor arrangement is based on resistive sensing, surface acoustic wave sensing, pressure sensing, optical sensing or capacitive sensing.  
   
   
       11 . An input device, comprising: 
 a frame;    a rigid touch pad movably restrained to the frame, the rigid touch pad being configured to generate tracking signals when an object is positioned over the rigid touchpad;    one or more movement indictors contained within the housing, the movement indicators being configured to generate one or more button signals when the rigid touch pad is moved relative to the frame.    
   
   
       12 . The input device as recited in  claim 1  wherein the touch pad is divided into a plurality of spatially distinct button zones, each of the button zones having a corresponding movement indicator for generating a distinct button signal when the rigid touch pad is moved in the region of the button zone.  
   
   
       13 . The input device as recited in  claim 11  wherein the touch pad includes a rigid platform for supporting the components of the touch pad and a touch sensitive surface for tracking movements of an object thereon.  
   
   
       14 . The input device as recited in  claim 13  wherein the rigid platform includes a circuit board.  
   
   
       15 . The input device as recited in  claim 14  wherein the rigid platform includes a stiffening plate.  
   
   
       16 . The input device as recited in  claim 13  wherein the touch sensitive surface includes a sensing layer.  
   
   
       17 . The input device as recited in  claim 13  wherein the sensing layer is based on capacitance sensing.  
   
   
       18 . The input device as recited in  claim 11  wherein the movement indicators correspond to tact switches.  
   
   
       19 . The input device as recited in  claim 18  wherein the tact switches are located between the touch pad and the frame underneath the corresponding button zone.  
   
   
       20 . An input device comprising: 
 a touch pad assembly including a circuit board having a first side and a second side, an electrode layer positioned on the first side of the circuit board, a cosmetic plate positioned over the electrode layer, one or more switches positioned on the second side of the circuit board, and a stiffener plate positioned on the second side of the circuit board; and    a housing assembly including a base plate, a frame and one or more retaining plates that cooperate to movably constrain at least a portion of the touch assembly within a space defined by the base plate, frame and one or more retaining plates.    
   
   
       21 . A computing system, comprising: 
 a computing device capable of receiving, processing and outputting data; and    an input device configured to send data to the computing device in order to perform an action in the computing device, the input device including a depressible touch pad configured to generate tracking signals, and one or more movement indicators configured to generate one or more button signals when the touch pad is depressed.    
   
   
       22 . The computing system as recited in  claim 21  wherein the computing device is a media player.  
   
   
       23 . The computing system as recited in  claim 21  wherein the input device is operatively connected to the computing device through a wired connection.  
   
   
       24 . The computing system as recited in  claim 21  wherein the input device is operatively connected to the computing device through a wireless connection.  
   
   
       25 . The computing system as recited in  claim 21  wherein the input device is separate from the computing device.  
   
   
       26 . The computing system as recited in  claim 21  wherein the input device is integrated with the computing device.  
   
   
       27 . The computing system as recited in  claim 21  wherein the input device is removably coupled to the computing device.  
   
   
       28 . The computing system as recited in  claim 21  wherein the computing device includes a processor, an input/output controller, a display controller, a display, and a program storage area.  
   
   
       29 . The computing system as recited in  claim 21  wherein the tracking signals are based on Cartesian coordinates.  
   
   
       30 . The computing system as recited in  claim 21  wherein the tracking signals are based on Polar coordinates.  
   
   
       31 . The computing system as recited in  claim 21  wherein the touch pad is capable of reporting data in an absolute mode or a relative mode.