Virtually divided input trackpad
AssigneeMicrosoft Technology Licensing, LLC
InventorsRoei Shlomo Menashof, Ariel Kerner, Oren Istrin
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The virtually divided input trackpad disclosed herein is designed to provide enhanced ergonomic user interaction with digital interfaces. The virtually divided input trackpad comprises two virtually separated functional areas, each of which may be dedicated to distinct functionalities such as object movement and object rotation. This arrangement allows for simultaneous two-handed operation, offering users an intuitive, efficient, and accessible way of controlling digital environments, which is especially beneficial for users with specific accessibility needs.
Claims19
A computing device including a virtually divided input trackpad comprising:
- a touch sensor comprising a single continuous surface including two or more independent functional areas, each configured to detect inputs independently and simultaneously;
- and
- a set of software drivers, each exclusively assigned to one of the independent functional areas of the touch sensor, the software drivers configured to permit separate and simultaneous inputs from the independent functional areas and translate the inputs into corresponding actions within a digital environment rendered on a display.
A method of using a virtually divided input trackpad comprising:
- receiving a first user input on a first independent functional area of a touch sensor, the touch sensor comprising a single continuous surface;
- receiving a second user input on a second independent functional area of the touch sensor, wherein the first independent functional area and the second independent functional area are configured to receive inputs independently and simultaneously;
- and
- translating, by a set of software drivers, the received first and second user inputs into corresponding actions within a digital environment rendered on a display, wherein each software driver is assigned exclusively to a respective one of the first independent functional and the second independent functional area.
A virtually divided input trackpad comprising:
- a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) and attached touch sensor having a single continuous surface and including a first independent functional area encompassing a left side of the touch sensor and a second independent functional area encompassing a right side of the touch sensor, each of the first independent functional area and the second independent functional area configured to detect inputs independently and simultaneously, the independent functional areas separated by a virtual divider;
- and
- a pair of software drivers, each exclusively assigned to one of the independent functional areas of the touch sensor, the software drivers to permit separate and simultaneous inputs from the independent functional areas and translate them into corresponding actions within a digital environment rendered on a computing device display.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.