Input device with multiple touch-sensitive zones

摘要

An input device includes a housing for supporting a user's hand and a displacement sensor, mounted in the housing, for providing a displacement signal. The input device also includes a first portion of the housing operable to receive a first digit of the user and a first solid-state touch sensor disposed in the first portion and operable to detect movement of the first digit along the first portion. The input device further includes a second portion on the housing operable to receive a second digit of the user and a second solid-state touch sensor disposed in the second portion and operable to detect movement of the second digit along the second portion.

主权项

1. A computer mouse comprising:
a housing for supporting a user's hand; a displacement sensor, mounted in the housing, for providing a displacement signal indicating a movement of the housing with respect to a surface; a first, side portion of the housing to receive a thumb of the user; a first, convex solid-state touch sensor disposed in the first side portion to detect a position and gesture movement of the thumb in two dimensions along the first, convex, solid state sensor; a second portion on a top portion of the housing to receive a finger of the user; a second solid-state touch sensor disposed in the second, top portion to detect two-dimensional movement of the finger along the second portion; and a controller, mounted in said housing, and coupled to the first and second solid state sensors, for producing a plurality of gesture signals based on different combinations of sensed motion inputs from the first and second solid state sensors.