Multi-dimensional trackpad

Abstract

A multi-dimensional track pad is described that acts as human-machine interface (HMI). Inputs to the HMI can be made not only using the tradition two-dimensional (X-Y) inputs of a track pad, but also a third dimension, force, and even a fourth dimension, time. Tactile or audible feedback to the inputs can be provided. Methods of using the HMI to control a system are described as well as a track pad system that utilizes the HMI in communication with a processor.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A method of controlling a system using a track pad comprising:
 receiving, by a touch interface positioned over an array of force sensors that are arranged to have a width and a length, a touch force;   passing at least a portion of said touch force through the touch interface to one or more force sensors of the array of force sensors;   transmitting, by the one or more force sensors of the array of force sensors, force information to a processor in communication with the array of force sensors;   determining, by the processor, from the force information a force position along the width and length and a corresponding force magnitude; and   sending, by the processor, a control message to a system, wherein the control message is selected depending upon one or more of the force position along the width and length and the corresponding force magnitude.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising providing, by a feedback generator, at least one of a tactile or audible feedback. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein providing, by the feedback generator, at least one of a tactile or audible feedback, comprises the feedback generator providing tactile or audible feedback that is proportional to at least one of the force position and the force magnitude. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein providing the at least one of a tactile or audible feedback by the feedback generator comprises providing the tactile or audible feedback by a haptic generator that generates the at least one of a tactile or audible feedback. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the haptic generator is a coneless coil and magnet assembly. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein sending the control message to the system, wherein the control message is selected depending upon one or more of the force position along the width and length and the corresponding force magnitude, further comprises selecting the system from a plurality of systems and selecting the control message from a plurality of control messages, said selections made depending upon one or more of the force position along the width and length and the corresponding force magnitude. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the system is selected from the plurality of systems depending upon the force magnitude and the control message is selected from the plurality of control messages depending at least partially upon the force position along the width and length. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the force magnitude has at least two thresholds and the system is selected from the plurality of systems depending upon the force magnitude exceeding one or more of the thresholds. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein a different system is selected for each threshold. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising providing, by a feedback generator, at least one of a tactile or audible feedback, wherein the feedback generator is configured to provide an audible tick when the control message is selected from the plurality of control messages depending at least partially upon the force position along the width and length and provide the tactile feedback for each selection made depending on the force magnitude. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein sending, by the processor, the control message to the system, wherein the control message is selected depending upon one or more of the force position along the width and length and the corresponding force magnitude comprises selecting the control message depending upon the force magnitude exceeding a threshold. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the force magnitude has at least two thresholds and the control message is selected depending upon the force magnitude exceeding one or more of the thresholds. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein a different control message is selected for each threshold. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein receiving, by the touch interface positioned over the array of force sensors arranged to have a width and a length, the touch force comprises receiving the touch force by the touch interface positioned over an array of MEMS sensors. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the MEMS sensors are structure-based piezo-resistive sensors. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising providing, by a feedback generator, at least one of a tactile or audible feedback, wherein providing the at least one of a tactile or audible feedback by the feedback generator comprises providing the tactile or audible feedback by a feedback generator that is a structural part of the structure-based piezo-resistive sensors. 
     
     
         17 . A track pad system comprising:
 a two-dimensional array of force sensors arranged to have a width and a length;   a touch interface positioned over the array, wherein the touch interface passes touch forces through to one or more force sensors of the array of force sensors;   a processor in communication with a memory, wherein the processor executes computer-readable instructions stored on the memory, said instructions cause the processor to:
 receive force information from the array of force sensors; and 
 determine a force position along the width and length and a corresponding force magnitude; and 
   a feedback generator that generates at least one of a tactile or audible feedback.   
     
     
         18 . The track pad system of  claim 17 , wherein the tactile or audible feedback is proportional to at least one of the force position and the force magnitude. 
     
     
         19 . The track pad system of  claim 17 , wherein the force sensors are MEMS sensors. 
     
     
         20 . A track pad system integrated into a steering mechanism of a vehicle comprising:
 a two-dimensional array of force sensors arranged to have a width and a length, the two-dimensional array of force sensors embedded into a steering mechanism of a vehicle;   a touch interface positioned over the array, wherein the touch interface passes touch forces through to one or more force sensors of the array of force sensors;   a processor in communication with a memory, wherein the processor executes computer-readable instructions stored on the memory, said instructions cause the processor to:
 receive force information from the array of force sensors; 
 determine a force position along the width and length and a corresponding force magnitude; and 
 send a control message to a system, wherein the control message is selected from a plurality of control messages and the system is selected from a plurality of systems depending upon one or more of the force position along the width and length and the corresponding force magnitude.