Wide touchpad on a portable computer
AssigneeApple Inc.
InventorsSteven Hotelling, Chris Ligtenberg, Duncan Kerr, Bartley Andre, Joshua Strickon, Brian Huppi, Imran Chaudhri, Greg 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.
Claims37
A data processing system comprising:
- an image sensor configured to detect a user's hand location relative to a touch sensitive surface which is configured to act as an input device;
- and
- a display screen coupled to the touch sensitive surface, wherein the display screen is configured to display a signal based upon an output from the touch sensitive surface.
A machine implemented method comprising:
- detecting a user's hand relative to a touch sensitive surface which is configured to act as an input device;
- and
- displaying a user interface on a display screen which is coupled to the touch sensitive surface, wherein the display screen is configured to display a signal based upon an output from the touch sensitive surface.
A machine readable medium containing instructions that, when executed by a data processing system, will cause said system to perform a method comprising:
- detecting a user's hand relative to a touch sensitive surface which is configured to act as an input device;
- and
- displaying a user interface on a display screen which is coupled to the touch sensitive surface, wherein the display screen is configured to display a signal based upon an output from the touch sensitive surface.
A machine implemented method for sensing the location of a user's hand on a touch pad, comprising:
- detecting the location of a user's hand over a touchpad with an imaging sensor, wherein the touchpad is part of a computer system and is configured to allow the user to interact with an object on a display screen;
- and
- accepting user input from the touchpad to interact with the object.
A machine readable medium containing instructions that, when executed by a data processing system, will cause said system to perform a method comprising:
- detecting the location of a user's hand over a touchpad with an imaging sensor, wherein the touchpad is part of a computer system and is configured to allow the user to interact with an object on a display screen;
- and
- accepting user input from the touchpad to interact with the object.
A computer user interface, comprising:
- a base assembly;
- a touchpad mounted on the base assembly, the touchpad configured to act as an input device;
- and
- an imaging sensor coupled to the base assembly, wherein the imaging sensor detects the location of a user's hand as an input for interaction with an object on a display screen.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.