# US 2020/0401292 A1 · Method and apparatus for configuring a plurality of virtual buttons on a device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2020/0401292 A1 - Document ID: US20200401292A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/903,898 - Filed: 2020-06-17 - Published: 2020-12-24 - Earliest claimed: 2019-06-21 - Assignees: Cirrus Logic International Semiconductor Ltd. - Applicants: Cirrus Logic International Semiconductor Ltd. - Inventors: Thomas LORENZ; Anthony Stephen DOY - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20200401292A1 ## CPC - G06F 3/04142: {the force sensing means being located peripherally, e.g. disposed at the corners or at the side of a touch sensing plate} - G06F 3/016: {Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user} - G06F 3/0412: {Digitisers structurally integrated in a display} - G06F 3/0481: based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance - G06F 3/0488: using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures - G06F 3/167: {Audio in a user interface, e.g. using voice commands for navigating, audio feedback} - G06F 2203/014: Force feedback applied to GUI - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) ## Abstract Embodiments described herein relate to methods and apparatuses for configuring a plurality of virtual buttons on a device. For example, each of the plurality of virtual buttons may be activated or deactivated based on a mode of operation of the device. By activating and deactivating different combinations of the plurality of virtual buttons depending on the mode of operation of the device, the inadvertent engagement of virtual buttons which would otherwise not be used in that mode operation may be avoided. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for configuring a plurality of virtual buttons on a device, the method comprising: receiving a first signal indicating a mode of operation of the device; outputting a first control signal operable to activate or deactivate each of the plurality of virtual buttons on the device respectively based on the mode of operation of the device; and responsive to receiving a second signal indicating that one of the plurality of virtual buttons that is activated has been engaged by a user of the device, outputting a second control signal operable to initiate a first haptic, visual or audible response corresponding to the one of the plurality of virtual buttons. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the one or more virtual buttons comprise one or more of: a capacitive sensor, a force sensor, a resistive deflection sensing array or an inductive sensor. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the first haptic or audible response is configured to indicate a location of the one of the plurality of virtual buttons. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3 wherein the second signal indicates that one of the plurality of virtual buttons that is activated has been engaged by a user of the device in a first mode of engagement. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4 wherein the one of the plurality of virtual buttons is engaged in the first mode of engagement when the user touches the location of the one of the plurality of virtual buttons. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the method further comprises: responsive to receiving a third signal indicating that the one of the plurality of buttons has been engaged by a user of the device in a second mode of engagement, outputting a third control signal operable to initiate a second haptic or audible response corresponding to the one of the plurality of virtual buttons. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6 wherein the one of the plurality of virtual button is engaged in the second mode of engagement when the user applies pressure to the location of the one of the plurality of virtual buttons. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6 further comprising generating the second haptic response such that the second haptic or audible response simulates a button click corresponding to the one of the plurality of virtual buttons that has been engaged in the second mode of engagement. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the method further comprises: responsive to receiving a plurality of second signals indicating that more than one of the plurality of buttons has been engaged by the user of the device within a predetermined time, outputting a fourth control signal operable to initiate a third haptic or audible response corresponding to said virtual buttons that have been engaged. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the mode of operation comprises an application running on the device, for example: a phone application, a camera application, a music playback application, a video playback application, a gaming application, an email application. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10 wherein the mode of operation comprises a status of the application running on the device. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the first control signal may be based on a user defined characteristic. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the second signal is received from a touch screen controller. ### Claim 14 A control circuit for controlling a plurality of virtual buttons on a device, wherein the control circuit is configured to: receive a first signal indicating of a mode of operation of the device; output a first control signal to activate or deactivate each of the plurality of virtual buttons on the device respectively based on the mode of operation of the device; and responsive to receiving a second signal indicating that one of the plurality of virtual buttons that is activated has been enabled by a user of the device, output a second control signal operable to initiate output of a first haptic, visual or audible response corresponding to the one of the plurality of virtual buttons. ### Claim 15 An integrated circuit comprising a control circuit for controlling a plurality of virtual buttons on a device, wherein the control circuit configured to: receive a first signal indicating of a mode of operation of the device; output a first control signal to activate or deactivate each of the plurality of virtual buttons on the device respectively based on the mode of operation of the device; and responsive to receiving a second signal indicating that one of the plurality of virtual buttons that is activated has been enabled by a user of the device, outputting a second control signal operable to initiate output of a first haptic, visual or audible response corresponding to the one of the plurality of virtual buttons. ### Claim 16 A device comprising a control circuit for controlling a plurality of virtual buttons on the device, wherein the control circuit is configured to: receive a first signal indicating of a mode of operation of the device; output a first control signal to activate or deactivate each of the plurality of virtual buttons on the device respectively based on the mode of operation of the device; and responsive to receiving a second signal indicating that one of the plurality of virtual buttons that is activated has been enabled by a user of the device, output a second control signal operable to initiate output of a haptic, visual or audible response corresponding to the one of the plurality of virtual buttons. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The device as claimed in claim 16 further comprising the plurality of virtual buttons. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The device as claimed in claim 17 wherein the plurality of virtual buttons are located on at least one first surface of the device. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The device as claimed in claim 18 wherein a second surface of the device comprises a touch screen display. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The device as claimed in claim 18 wherein the at least one first surface each comprise a non-display surface. ### Claim 21 (depends on 17) The device as claimed in claim 17 wherein the plurality of virtual buttons are visually hidden from the outside of the device when assembled. ### Claim 22 (depends on 16) The device of claim 16 wherein the mode of operation of the device comprises an application running on the device, for example: a phone application, a camera application, a music playback application, a video playback application, a gaming application, an email application. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The device of claim 22 wherein the mode of operation of the device comprises a status of the application running on the device.