Movable track pad with added functionality

Abstract

An input device is disclosed. The input device includes a movable touch-sensitive track pad capable of detecting an object in close proximity thereto so as to generate a tracking control signal. The input device also includes a movement indicator capable of detecting the movements of the movable track pad so as to generate one or more other control signals (e.g., button signals). The control signals can be used to perform actions in an electronic device operatively coupled to the input device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A glass layer disposed above a touch sensitive sensor, the glass layer comprising:
 a plurality of protrusions that extend above a top surface of the glass layer, wherein a topmost portion of at least some of the plurality of protrusions cooperate to define a tactile surface with respect to a user's finger, the tactile surface providing an effective barrier between the user's finger and a portion of the top surface of the glass layer disposed between the protrusions that defines an optically transmissive surface configured to provide an optical path for light incident on the glass layer, the effective barrier configured to prevent direct contact between the user's finger and the optically transmissive surface that maintains the integrity of the optical path by preventing user finger induced smudging.