Mouse with optical sensing surface

Abstract

A touch-sensitive device is disclosed having a touch-sensitive surface that includes first and second touch-sensitive areas. A force feedback unit can be coupled to the second touch-sensitive area to provide force feedback at the second touch-sensitive area in response to a touch input detected at the second touch-sensitive area. In some embodiments, the first touch-sensitive area can be the surface of a mouse, and the second touch-sensitive area can be a member protruding from the surface of the mouse.

1 . A mouse, comprising:
 a housing forming a grippable surface and a sliding surface;   a mouse tracking unit built into the sliding surface; and   an input mechanism built into the grippable surface, the input mechanism including a touch sensitive protruding member that is supported by a force feedback unit that is attached to the housing, the force feedback unit producing force feedback at the touch sensitive protruding member in response to inputs generated at the touch sensitive surface.   
     
     
         2 . The mouse as recited in  claim 1  wherein the force feedback unit includes a housing made of ferro-magnetic material and a voice coil, the housing is suspended within the voice coil via a tension spring, the voice coil is operatively coupled to a controller that is capable of sending commands to the voice coil. 
     
     
         3 . The mouse as recited in  claim 2  wherein the touch sensitive protruding member is based on optical imaging. 
     
     
         4 . The mouse as recited in  claim 3  wherein the touch sensitive protruding member is a lens assembly that extends above the top shell and includes a rounded dome like shape, the lens assembly is in optical communication with a light source and an image sensor, both of which are operatively coupled to the controller, the controller is capable of sending commands to the light source and image sensor as well as receiving data from the image sensor. 
     
     
         5 . A touch-sensitive device, comprising:
 a touch-sensitive surface including a first touch-sensitive area and a second touch-sensitive area; and   a force feedback unit coupled to the second touch-sensitive area, the force feedback unit producing force feedback at the second touch-sensitive area in response to a touch input detected at the second touch-sensitive area.   
     
     
         6 . The touch-sensitive device of  claim 5 , the second touch-sensitive area comprising a touch sensitive protruding member. 
     
     
         7 . The touch-sensitive device of  claim 5 , the second touch-sensitive area comprising a touch sensitive flat member substantially even with the first touch-sensitive area. 
     
     
         8 . The touch-sensitive device of  claim 5 , further comprising a controller for detecting motion of an object on the second touch-sensitive area. 
     
     
         9 . The touch-sensitive device of  claim 5 , further comprising a controller configured for:
 detecting a plurality of objects in contact with the touch sensitive surface, one or more of the objects forming an image of touch at the first touch-sensitive area;   detecting motion of at one least one object in contact with the second touch-sensitive area; and   performing an operation based on the detected image of touch and the detected motion.   
     
     
         10 . The touch-sensitive device of  claim 5 , the second touch-sensitive area and the force feedback unit configured for moving together in concert with respect to the first touch-sensitive area when producing the force feedback. 
     
     
         11 . The touch-sensitive device of  claim 5 , wherein the force feedback unit includes a housing made of ferro-magnetic material and a voice coil, the housing is suspended within the voice coil via a tension spring, the voice coil is operatively coupled to a controller that is capable of sending commands to the voice coil. 
     
     
         12 . The touch-sensitive device of  claim 5 , wherein the force feedback unit produces force feedback at a specific region of the second touch-sensitive area according to a location of the touch input detected at the second touch-sensitive area. 
     
     
         13 . The touch-sensitive device of  claim 5 , wherein the force feedback unit produces force feedback at an adjustable intensity based on a force of the touch input being applied at the second touch-sensitive area. 
     
     
         14 . The touch-sensitive device as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the touch sensitive protruding member senses touch based on optical imaging.