Input apparatus and button arrangement for handheld device

Abstract

A media device for storing and playing media such as audio, video or images, includes a memory device configured to store a plurality of media items in a digital format. The media device also includes a display configured to present a group of media items from the plurality of stored media items and to present a visual indicator that is capable of scrolling through the displayed group of media items in order to designate a specific media item from the group of media items. The media device further includes a touch pad configured to receive input from a sliding motion or a tapping motion of a finger. The sliding motion of the finger controls the movement of the visual indicator through the group of media items. The tapping motion of the finger selects the specific media item that is designated by the visual indicator.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A portable electronic device, comprising:
 a central touch sensitive area configured such that a touch on the central touch sensitive area enables generation of one or more first input signals; and   an annular area entirely or partially encircling the central touch sensitive area, the annular area having a touch-sensitive outer surface coupled to a plurality of sensors and configured such that one or more touches or a sliding motion of an object with respect to the touch-sensitive outer surface enables generation of one or more second and third input signals, respectively;   wherein at least one of multiple device functions is enabled by at least one of the one or more first input signals, the one or more second input signals, and the one or more third input signals.   
     
     
         2 . The portable electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein one of the one or more third input signals corresponds to at least one of a location, a direction, a speed, and an acceleration of the object on the touch-sensitive outer surface. 
     
     
         3 . The portable electronic device of  claim 1 , further comprising a display with a plurality of items, the device capable of scrolling through the plurality of items based on at least one of the one or more first input signals or at least one of the one or more third input signals. 
     
     
         4 . The portable electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein one of the one or more third input signals corresponds to tangential object motion across the annular area. 
     
     
         5 . The portable electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein one of the one or more third input signals corresponds to arcuate object motion across the annular area. 
     
     
         6 . A wearable computing device comprising the portable electronic device of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         7 . A method for enabling a device function, comprising:
 providing a central touch sensitive area and an annular area entirely or partially encircling the central touch sensitive area;   detecting a touch on the central touch sensitive area, or detecting one or more touches or a sliding motion from a plurality of sensors operatively coupled to a touch-sensitive outer surface of the annular area; and   interpreting at least one of the detected touch on the central touch sensitive area or the detected one or more touches or the sliding motion to determine at least one of multiple device functions to be performed.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein detecting the sliding motion includes detecting at least one of a location, a direction, a speed, and an acceleration of an object on the touch-sensitive outer surface. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein one of the multiple device functions to be performed comprises:
 scrolling through a plurality of items displayed on a display.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein detecting the sliding motion includes detecting tangential object motion across the annular area. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein detecting the sliding motion includes detecting arcuate object motion across the annular area. 
     
     
         12 . A portable electronic device, comprising:
 central touch sensitive means configured such that a touch on the central touch sensitive means enables generation of one or more first input signals; and   annular means entirely or partially encircling the central touch sensitive means, the annular means coupled to a plurality of sensors and configured such that one or more touches or a sliding motion of an object with respect to the annular means enables generation of one or more second and third input signals, respectively;   wherein at least one of multiple device functions is enabled by at least one of the one or more first input signals, the one or more second input signals, and the one or more third input signals.   
     
     
         13 . The portable electronic device of  claim 12 , wherein one of the one or more third input signals corresponds to at least one of a location, a direction, a speed, and an acceleration of the object on the annular touch-sensitive outer surface means. 
     
     
         14 . The portable electronic device of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 display means configured to display a plurality of items, the device capable of scrolling through the plurality of items based on at least one of the one or more first input signals or at least one of the one or more third input signals.   
     
     
         15 . The portable electronic device of  claim 12 , wherein one of the one or more third input signals corresponds to tangential object motion across the annular. 
     
     
         16 . The portable electronic device of  claim 12 , wherein one of the one or more third input signals corresponds to arcuate object motion across the annular means.