Touchpad combined with a display and having proximity and touch sensing capabilities to enable different functions or interfaces to be displayed

摘要

A touch-sensitive and far-field or proximity sensitive touchpad combined with a display, wherein the touchpad is formed as a touchstrip that is concealed inside the display, wherein a first function or interface such as a menu is enabled when an actuating device reaches a threshold distance from the touchpad, wherein a second function or interface is enabled when the actuating device makes contact with the touchpad, and wherein the first function may or may not continue after contact is made with the touchpad.

主权项

1. An electronic appliance having a display screen that does not accept touch or proximity input, and comprised of:
a display screen that does not accept touch or proximity input; a display housing for the display screen of an electronic appliance, the display housing being manufactured using materials that enable a capacitive touchpad to operate through the display housing; and a capacitive touchpad disposed within the display housing and within an inside surface of an outer edge of the display housing that is not part of the display screen, and wherein the touchpad is capable of detecting and tracking movement of an actuating object that is 1) in proximity of but not in contact with the display housing, wherein proximity detection of the actuating object activates a menu that is shown on the display screen and 2) in contact with the display housing that is not part of the display screen, wherein contact of the actuating object on the display housing causes selection of an object in the menu being displayed.