Hybrid inertial and touch sensing input device

#This disclosure relates to electronic input devices and more particularly to electronic input devices having both inertial sensors and touch sensors.

#Conventional input devices, such as computer mice, typically employ optical sensors, track wheels or track balls to control the motion of a cursor or other navigational object on a computer display screen. Other types of input devices that measure a force imparted onto the input device typically incorporate one or more accelerometers for sensing acceleration forces exerted on the input device as it is moved by a user. A velocity of the electronic input device may be calculated and estimated by integrating the measured acceleration over time, and a position estimate of the input device may be calculated by integrating its velocity over time. In this way, motion of an accelerometer-based input device may be translated to motion of a cursor or other navigational object on a computer display screen.

#Touch-sensitive panels can also be used as an input device to control the motion of a cursor or other navigational object on a computer display screen. One common type of touch-sensitive panel is a touch pad. In general, touch-sensitive panels can detect one or more touch contacts on the surface of the touch-sensitive panel and generate signals indicative of the touch contacts. A computer can then control a cursor or other navigational object based on the detected touch contacts.

#The drawings are provided for purposes of illustration only and merely depict exemplary embodiments of the disclosure. These drawings are provided to facilitate the reader's understanding of the disclosure and should not be considered limiting of the breadth, scope, or applicability of the disclosure. It should be noted that for clarity and ease of illustration these drawings are not necessarily made to scale.

#FIG. 1 illustrates a typical environment in which an input device may be used according to various embodiments of the present invention.

#FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a modular arrangement of an input device according to various embodiments of the present invention.

#In the following description of preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which it is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

#Embodiments of the present invention are directed toward electronic input devices having both inertial sensors and touch-sensitive panels (e.g., touch pads). Embodiments of the invention are described herein in the context of one practical application, namely, receiving cursor control commands from an input device. Embodiments of the invention, however, are not limited to such applications, and the methods described herein may also be utilized in other applications such as game controllers. As would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art after reading this description, these are merely examples and the embodiments of the invention are not limited to operating in accordance with these examples.

#As used herein, the term “application” includes without limitation any unit of executable software that implements a specific functionality or theme. The unit of executable software may run in a predetermined environment; for example, a downloadable Java Xlet™ which runs within the JavaTV™ environment.