Methods and apparatus for controlling a portable electronic device using a touchpad
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United States of America Patent
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-
Oct 28, 2003
Grant Date -
N/A
app pub date -
Jul 6, 1999
filing date -
Jul 6, 1999
priority date (Note) -
In Force
status (Latency Note)
Importance
Abstract
Apparatus and methods for controlling a portable electronic device, such as an MP3 player; portable radio, voice recorder, or portable CD player are disclosed. A touchpad is mounted on the housing of the device, and a user enters commands by tracing patterns with his finger on a surface of the touchpad. No immediate visual feedback is provided as a command pattern is traced, and the user does not need to view the device to enter commands. A microcontroller within the device matches the pattern traced by the user against a plurality of preset patterns, each of which corresponds to a predefined function or command of the device. If the pattern traced by the user is a reasonably close match to any of the preset patterns, the device performs the predefined function corresponding to the matched pattern. The touchpad replaces the numerous buttons that are typically used to control portable electronic devices, thereby enhancing usability and reducing manufacturing costs.
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