Patent ID: 11888472
Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
Field: Computer technology (Electrical engineering)
Classification: CPC H  G | IPC G  H

Claim 0:
1. A computing device comprising:
a plurality of input devices configured to receive one or more inputs from a user, the plurality of input devices comprising a touchpad having a touch surface, the touch surface configured to receive a touch input from the user;
a mechanically-activated switch disposed adjacent to a first end of the touchpad, the one or more mechanically-activated switch configured to be activated based at least in part on the touch input causing the touchpad to depress the mechanically-activated switch;
a hinge coupled to a second end of the touchpad that is opposite the first end of the touchpad, the touchpad is configured to pivot about the hinge;
a locking assembly configured to selectively mechanically inhibit activation of the mechanically-activated switch by inhibiting the touchpad from pivoting about the hinge based at least in part on an electrical control signal; and
a controller configured to cause the locking assembly to mechanically inhibit the activation of the mechanically-activated switch by providing the electrical control signal, which is generated by the controller, to the locking assembly based at least in part on:
the one or more inputs not being received by the touchpad,
detection, at the touchpad, of a scrolling input having a depression force that is greater than or equal to a depression force threshold,
detection, at the touchpad, of a long-duration pressure input having a force that is greater than or equal to the depression force threshold,
detection of a long-duration pressure input over a surface area that is greater than a surface area threshold, or
detection of three or more simultaneous pressure points on the touch surface.