Wide touchpad on a portable computer
AssigneeApple Inc.
InventorsSteven P. Hotelling, Chris A. Ligtenberg, Duncan Robert Kerr, Bartley K. Andre, Joshua A. Strickon, Brian Q. Huppi, Imran Chaudhri, Gregory N. Christie, Bas Ording
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In one exemplary embodiment, a portable computer having a display assembly coupled to a base assembly to alternate between a closed position and an open position. Palm rest areas are formed by a touchpad disposed on the surface of the base assembly. In an alternative embodiment, a touchpad disposed on the base assembly has a width that extends substantially into the palm rests areas of the base assembly.
Claims24
A first electronic device, comprising:
- a first input device configured to detect a presence of a first object;
- and
- a processor configured to receive data from the first input device;
- wherein:
- the processor is further configured to cause the first electronic device to switch operational states from a first operational state to a second operational state when a second object is detected at a first location by a second input device, different from the first input device;
- the second input device is configured to detect a presence of the second object, and a location of the second object, regardless of a presence or an absence of the first object at the first input device;
- the processor is further configured to cause the first electronic device to:
- while the first electronic device is in the first operational state:
- respond to inputs on a first portion of the first input device and inputs on a second portion of the first input device;
- and
- while the first electronic device is in the second operational state:
- respond to inputs on the first portion of the first input device and not respond to inputs on the second portion of the first input device;
- and
- the first input device is disposed on a first assembly and the second input device is disposed on a second assembly, different from the first assembly.
A method performed by a first electronic device having a first input device configured to detect a presence of a first object, comprising:
- receiving one or more sense signals indicating detection of a second object by a second input device, different from the first input device, wherein the second input device is configured to detect a presence of the second object and a location of the second object;
- switching operational states of the first electronic device from a first operational state to a second operational state when the one or more sense signals indicating detection of the second object at a first location are received, regardless of a presence or an absence of the first object at the first input device;
- while in the first operational state:
- responding to inputs on a first portion of the first input device and inputs on a second portion of the first input device;
- and
- while in the second operational state:
- responding to inputs on the first portion of the first input device and not responding to inputs on the second portion of the first input device;
- and
- wherein:
- the first input device is disposed on a first assembly and the second input device is disposed on a second assembly, different from the first assembly.
A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing program code, which when executed by a first electronic device having a first input device configured to detect a presence of a first object, causes the first electronic device to perform a method, the method comprising:
- receiving one or more sense signals indicating detection of a second object by a second input device, different from the first input device, wherein the second input device is configured to detect a presence of the second object and a location of the second object;
- switching operational states of the first electronic device from a first operational state to a second operational state when the one or more sense signals indicating detection of the second object at a first location are received, regardless of a presence or an absence of the first object at the first input device;
- while in the first operational state:
- responding to inputs on a first portion of the first input device and inputs on a second portion of the first input device;
- and
- while in the second operational state:
- responding to inputs on the first portion of the first input device and not responding to inputs on the second portion of the first input device;
- and
- wherein:
- the first input device is disposed on a first assembly and the second input device is disposed on a second assembly, different from the first assembly.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.