Touch-enabled input device

摘要

Embodiments of the present invention disclose a touch-enabled input device for a computing system. According to one embodiment, the touch enabled device includes a housing having an input surface and a plurality of identifiable key areas formed along the input surface. The input surface of the device is configured to detect individual presses of each key area in addition to touch-based input from a user.

主权项

1. A touch-enabled input device, the device comprising:
a housing having an input surface; a plurality of identifiable key areas formed along the input surface, wherein the input surface is configured to detect individual presses of each of the key areas in addition to touch-based input from a user; and depression mechanisms associated with each of the key areas, wherein the depression mechanisms are configured for discriminating pressure information of received input received from a touch surface, wherein the discrimination is used to distinguish between a touch-based input operation and a character entry operation, wherein the device is configured to operate in a first input mode and a second input mode, wherein each of the plurality of identifiable key areas include a border region and one of the depression mechanisms, and wherein the border region of each key area is associated with a particular input character or touchscreen location, and wherein the depression mechanism and a threshold pressure value are used to determine if the received input is associated with the touch-based input operation or the character entry operation.