PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-7800592-B2
Application Number: US-11553905-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Hand held electronic device with multiple touch sensing devices

Abstract:
Hand held devices with multiple touch sensing devices are disclosed. The touch sensing devices may for example be selected from touch panels, touch screens or touch sensitive housings.

Claims:
1. A handheld device, comprising:
 a sensor arrangement comprising a grid of capacitive sensing points configured to generate a pixilated image of a hand of a user in contact with the handheld device; and 
 a controller configured to
 determine an identity of the user based on the pixilated image of the user&#39;s hand generated by the sensor arrangement, and 
 configure the handheld device in response to the identity determination according to user settings stored in a user profile associated with the determined identity. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The handheld device as recited in  claim 1  wherein the controller is configured to implement a button function based on relative mapping or absolute mapping. 
     
     
       3. The handheld device as recited in  claim 2  wherein absolute mapping includes,
 providing one or more button zones; 
 generating a hand signal; 
 determining which button zone was selected based on the hand signal; and 
 generating the button signal based on the selected button zone. 
 
     
     
       4. The handheld device as recited in  claim 2  wherein relative mapping includes,
 generating a first hand signal; 
 generating a second hand signal; 
 determining the difference between the first and second hand signals; and 
 generating the button signal based on the difference between the first and second hand signals. 
 
     
     
       5. The handheld device as recited in  claim 1  wherein the user settings include button zones associated with the handheld device. 
     
     
       6. The handheld device as recited in  claim 5  wherein the user settings include a size of one or more button zones to be employed by the configured handheld device. 
     
     
       7. The handheld device as recited in  claim 5  wherein the user settings include a number of button zones to be employed by the configured handheld device. 
     
     
       8. The handheld device as recited in  claim 5  wherein the user settings include a position of one or more button zones to be employed by the configured handheld device. 
     
     
       9. The handheld device as recited in  claim 8  wherein the user settings specify that all button zones associated with the user settings are to be located on the back of the configured handheld device. 
     
     
       10. The handheld device as recited in  claim 8  wherein the user settings specify that all button zones associated with the user settings are to be located on the front of the configured handheld device. 
     
     
       11. The handheld device as recited in  claim 8  wherein the user settings specify that all button zones associated with the user settings are to be located on the side of the configured handheld device. 
     
     
       12. The handheld device as recited in  claim 1  wherein the controller is configured to determine the identity of the user based on the pixilated image of the user&#39;s hand by
 generating a hand signal comprising the pixilated image, and 
 comparing the generated hand signal against a baseline hand signal associated with the stored user profile.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/658,777, titled “MULTI-FUNCTIONAL HAND-HELD DEVICE” filed Mar. 4, 2005, which is herein incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     This application is related to the following applications, which are all herein incorporated by reference: 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/188,182, titled, “TOUCH PAD FOR HANDHELD DEVICE” filed on Jul. 1, 2002, and which is herein incorporated by reference. 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/722,948, titled, “TOUCH PAD FOR HANDHELD DEVICE” filed on Nov. 25, 2003, and which is herein incorporated by reference. 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/643,256, titled, “MOVABLE TOUCH PAD WITH ADDED FUNCTIONALITY” filed on Aug. 18, 2003, and which is herein incorporated by reference. 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/654,108, titled, “AMBIDEXTROUS MOUSE” filed on Sep. 2, 2003, and which is herein incorporated by reference. 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/840,862, titled, “MULTIPOINT TOUCHSCREEN” filed on May 6, 2004, and which is herein incorporated by reference. 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/903,964, titled, “GESTURES FOR TOUCH SENSITIVE INPUT DEVICES” filed on Jul. 30, 2004, and which is herein incorporated by reference. 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/038,590, titled, “MODE-BASED GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACES FOR TOUCH SENSITIVE INPUT DEVICES” filed on Jan. 18, 2005, and which is herein incorporated by reference. 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/075,964, titled, “ACTIVE ENCLOSURE FOR COMPUTING DEVICE” filed on Feb. 13, 2002, and which is herein incorporated by reference. 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/075,520, titled, “COMPUTING DEVICE WITH DYNAMIC ORNAMENTAL APPEARANCE” filed on Feb. 13, 2002, and which is herein incorporated by reference. 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/773,897, titled, “ACTIVE ENCLOSURE FOR COMPUTING DEVICE” filed on Feb. 6, 2004, and which is herein incorporated by reference. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to hand held electronic device. More particularly, the present invention relates to hand held electronic devices with touch sensing components. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     There exist today many types of consumer electronic devices, each of which utilizes some sort of user interface. The user interface typically includes an output device in the form of a fixed display such as an LCD and one or more input devices, which can be mechanically actuated as for example, switches, buttons, keys, dials, joysticks, navigation pads, or electrically activated as for example touch pads and touch screens. The display is typically configured to present visual information such as text and graphics, and the input devices are typically configured perform operations such as issuing commands, making selections or moving a cursor or selector in the consumer electronic device. Each of these well known devices has considerations such as size and shape limitations, costs, functionality, complexity, etc. that must be taken into account when designing the consumer electronic device. In most cases, the user interface is positioned on the front face of the electronic device for easy viewing of the display and easy manipulation of the input devices. 
       FIGS. 1A-1F  are diagrams of various handheld electronic devices including for example a telephone  10 A ( FIG. 1A ), a PDA  10 B ( FIG. 1B ), a media player  10 C ( FIG. 1C ), a remote control  10 D ( FIG. 1D ), a camera  10 E ( FIG. 1E ), and a GPS module  10 F ( FIG. 1F ). In each of these devices  10 , a display  12 , which is secured inside the housing of the device  10 , and which can be seen through an opening in the housing, is typically positioned in a first region of the electronic device  10  and one or more input devices  14  are typically positioned in a second region of the electronic device  10  next to the display  12  (excluding touch screens, which are positioned over the display). 
     To elaborate, the telephone  10 A typically includes a display  12  such as a character or graphical display, and input devices  14  such as a number pad and in some cases a navigation pad. The PDA  10 B typically includes a display  12  such as a graphical display, and input devices  14  such as a touch screen and buttons. The media player  10 C typically includes a display  12  such as a character or graphic display and input devices  14  such as buttons or wheels. The iPod manufactured by Apple Computer, Inc. of Cupertino, Calif. is one example of a media player that includes both a display and input devices disposed next to the display. The remote control  10 D typically includes an input device  14  such as a keypad and may or may not have a character display  12 . The camera  10 E typically includes a display  12  such as a graphic display and input devices  14  such as buttons. The GPS module  10 F typically includes a display  12  such as graphic display and input devices  14  such as buttons, and in some cases a navigation pad. 
     Although the I/O arrangements described above work particularly well, improved I/O arrangements and layouts are needed to improved the functionality of the device in which they are used. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates, in one embodiment, to a handheld electronic device. The handheld electronic device includes a first touch sensing device located in a first region of the hand held electronic device. The handheld electronic device includes a second touch sensing device located in a second region of the hand held electronic device. The second region is at a different location than the first region of the hand held electronic device. 
     The invention relates, in another embodiment, to a hand held electronic device. The handheld electronic device includes a housing. The handheld electronic device includes a display located on a first side of the housing. The hand held electronic device includes a touch sensing device located on a second side of the housing. The second side is opposite the first side. 
     The invention relates, in another embodiment, to a hand held electronic device. The hand held electronic device includes touch sensing devices located on different sides of the device. The touch sensing devices are configured for mode and feature selection input. 
     The invention relates, in another embodiment, to a handheld electronic device. The hand held electronic device includes a housing. The hand held electronic device also includes a sensor arrangement disposed underneath an outer surface of the housing, the sensor arrangement being configured to detect the presence of an object on at least a portion of the housing. 
     The invention relates, in another embodiment, to a method for operating a handheld device. The method includes determining if a user is touching the handheld device. The method also includes determining the user based on the user&#39;s touch. The method further includes configuring the handheld device based on the user. 
     The invention relates, in another embodiment, to a user determination method for a handheld device. The method includes providing baseline hand signals. The method also includes generating a current hand signal when a user grabs the handheld device. The method further includes comparing the current hand signal to at least one baseline hand signal. The method additionally includes determining a characteristic of the user based on the current and baseline hand signals. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIGS. 1A-1F  are diagrams of various electronic devices. 
         FIG. 2  is a simplified diagram of a portable electronic device, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a simplified side elevation view of a portable electronic device, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a simplified side elevation view of a portable electronic device, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a simplified side elevation view of a portable electronic device, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a simplified side elevation view of a portable electronic device, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a simplified side elevation view of a portable electronic device, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a simplified front view of a portable electronic device, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a simplified side elevation view of a portable electronic device, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective diagram of a hand held electronic device, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective diagram of a one handed hand held electronic device, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective diagram of a one handed hand held electronic device, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 13  is a side view diagram of a one handed hand held electronic device, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 14  is a back view diagram of a two handed hand held electronic device, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 15  is a front view diagram of a two handed hand held electronic device, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective diagram of a hand held electronic device, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 17A-17D  are various diagrams of the hand held electronic device shown in  FIG. 16  including contact patch areas created by a hand holding the hand held electronic device, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 18  is a diagram of the hand held electronic device, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 19  is an operational method in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 20  is a handedness determination method, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 21  is an actual user determination method, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 22  is an absolute mapping method, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 23  is a relative mapping method, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 24  is a block diagram of an exemplary electronic device, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to hand held electronic devices and more particularly, the present invention relates to hand held electronic devices with touch sensing components. One aspect of the invention pertains to hand held electronic devices with multiple touch sensing devices. The touch sensing devices may be selected from touch panels, touch screens or touch sensitive housings. By providing multiple touch sensing devices, it is believed that the number of mechanical or physical buttons or switches at the surface of the housing may be limited and that the size of the display may be maximized. In so doing, the functionality and appearance of the device is greatly improved. Another aspect of the invention pertains to the placement of the touch sensing components. The touch sensing components can be placed on the sides, top, bottom, front and back surfaces of the device. In one example, the touch sensing device is placed on the back of the device opposite the display. In cases such as these, the touch plane may be mapped to the display such that there is a one to one relationship therebetween. 
     Embodiments of the invention are discussed below with reference to  FIGS. 2-24 . However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes as the invention extends beyond these limited embodiments. 
       FIG. 2  is a simplified diagram of a portable electronic device  50 , in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The portable electronic device  50  may for example be a hand held electronic device. As used herein, the term “hand held” means that the electronic device is typically operated while being held in a hand. The hand held electronic device may be directed at one-handed operation or two-handed operation. In one-handed operation, a single hand is used to both support the device as well as to perform operations with the user interface during use. Cellular phones, PDAs, media players, and GPS units are examples of portable devices that can be operated solely with one hand. In the case of a cell phone, for example, a user may grasp the phone in one hand between the fingers and the palm and use the thumb to make entries using keys, buttons or a navigation pad. In two-handed operation, one hand is used to support the device while the other hand performs operations with a user interface during use or alternatively both hands support the device as well as perform operations during use. Tablet PCs and game players are examples of portable device that are typically operated with two hands. In the case of the tablet PC, for example, the user may grasp the tablet with one hand and make entries in the tablet using the other hand, or alternatively grasp the tablet in both hands and make entries using either or both hands while holding the tablet PC. 
     The portable electronic device  50  is configured with one or more touch sensing devices  52  for providing inputs to the portable electronic device  50 . In the illustrated embodiment, the portable electronic device  50  includes at least a first touch sensing device  52 A that is located in a first region of the portable electronic device, and may include a second touch sensing device  52 B that is located in a second region of the portable electronic device  50 . The first and second touch sensing devices  52 A and  52 B, which can be located on the same side (in different regions) or a different side of the portable electronic device  50 , can be positioned on any side of the portable electronic device  50  including for example the front, back, top, bottom, right side and/or left side. Furthermore, they can be configured to take up any amount of real estate including large (e.g., an entire side or sides) or small (e.g., a portion of a side). 
     In one particular embodiment, the first and second touch sensing devices  52 A and  52 B are located on opposite sides of the portable electronic device, and more particularly on the front and back of the portable electronic device  50 . This particular set up allows for one handed operation, i.e., the users thumb can be used to actuate the front side touch sensing device  52 B and one of the fingers can be used to actuate the back side touch sensing device  52 A. In some cases, the touch sensing devices  52  substantially cover the entire front and back surfaces. In other cases, the touch sensing devices  52  only cover a portion of the front and back surfaces. 
     The touch sensing devices  52  may be widely varied. The touch sensing devices  52  may correspond to any commercially known touch panel such as touch pads and touch screens (among others). Touch pads are typically positioned within a housing  54  of the portable electronic device  50 . The touch pads may for example be accessed through an opening in the housing  54 . Touch screens, on the other hand, are transparent input devices that are positioned over a display  56  of the portable electronic device  50 . By way of example, touch pads and touch screens that may be used are disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 10/188,182, 10/722,948, 10/643,256, 10/840,862, all of which are herein incorporated by reference. 
     In each of these examples (e.g., touch pads and touch screens), the touch sensing device  52  consists of a sensor arrangement  58 . The sensor arrangement  58  is configured to detect the presence of an object such as a finger as well as the location and pressure being exerted on the surface of the panel by the finger or palm of the hand. By way of example, the sensor arrangement  58  may be based on capacitive sensing, resistive sensing, surface acoustic wave sensing, and/or the like. The sensor arrangement  58  may further be based on pressure sensing such as strain gauges, force sensitive resisters, load cells, pressure plates, piezoelectric transducers or the like. 
     Alternatively, one or more of the touch sensing devices  52  may be integrated directly into the housing  54  of the portable electronic device  50  thereby forming a touch sensitive housing. In cases such as this, the sensor arrangement  58  is either integral with the housing  54  or positioned behind the housing  54  (rather than being part of a separate device such as a touch pad that is positioned inside the housing). The touch sensitive housing can be configured to cover the entire housing  54 , or alternatively only a portion of the housing  54 , as for example, one or more sides of the housing  54 , portions of one or more sides of the housing  54 , and the like. In some cases, the sensor arrangement  58  may only be located in specific area of the housing  54  in order to form distinct buttons on the surface of the portable electronic device  50 . 
     The configuration of the portable electronic device  50  and its various components can be widely varied. Several configurations are shown in  FIGS. 3-9 . It should be noted, however, that these configurations are by way of example and not by way of limitation. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the portable electronic device  50  includes a housing  54  and a display  56  situated in a front surface of the housing  54 . The portable electronic device  50  also includes a touch sensing device  52 A in the form of a touch panel such as a touch pad that is situated on the back surface of the housing  14  opposite the display  56 . In some cases, the touch sensing device  52 A is sized and dimensioned similarly to the display  56 . Furthermore, the touch sensing device  52 A may be positioned so that the center point of the touch sensing device  52 A coincides with the center point of the display  56 . The touch sensing device  52 A and display  56  therefore have a one to one relationship. In fact, the touch sensing nodes of the touch sensing device  52 A may be mapped to the plane of the display  56  so that inputs on the touch sensing device  52 A correspond to similar points on the display  56  (similar to a touch screen). In some cases, the portable electronic device  50  further includes a second touch sensing device  52 B in the form of a touch screen that is positioned over the display  56 . The second touch sensing device  52 B is therefore positioned opposite the first touching sensing device  52 A. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the portable electronic device  50  includes a housing  54  with first and second touch sensing devices  52 A and  52 B. The touch sensing devices may for example be touch panels such as touch pads that are positioned in the housing  54 . The first touch sensing device  52 A is located on the back surface of the housing  54  and the second touch sensing device  52 B is located on the front surface of the housing  54 . Alternatively, the touch sensing devices  52  may be associated with a touch sensitive housing. In either case, the portable electronic device  50  may or may not include a display (e.g., some portable devices do not require a display as for example the iPod Shuffle™ manufactured by Apple Computer, Inc., of Cupertino, Calif.). 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the portable electronic device  50  includes a housing  54  with a display  56  and a plurality of touch sensing devices  52 . A first touch sensing device  52 A is located on the back surface of the housing  54  and a second touch sensing device  52 B is located on a first side of the housing  54 . In some cases, a third touch sensing device  52 C is located on a second side of the housing  54 . And in other cases, although not shown, fourth and fifth sensing devices may be located at the other sides of the housing  54 . The touch sensing devices  52  are shown as touch panels, but it should be noted that this embodiment may also be implemented with a touch sensitive housing. 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , the portable electronic device  50  includes a housing  54  with a first display  56 A situated in a back surface of the housing  54  and a second display  56 B situated in a front surface of the housing  54 . The portable electronic device  50  also includes a first touch sensing device  52 A in the form of a first touch screen positioned in front of the first display  56 A and a second touch sensing device  52 B in the form of a second touch screen in front of the second display  56 B. 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , the portable electronic device  50  includes a housing  54  and a display  56  situated in a front surface of the housing  54 . The portable electronic device  50  also includes a plurality of touch sensing devices  52  located at one side of the housing  54 . In the illustrated embodiment, the portable electronic device  50  includes first and second touch sensing devices  52 A and  52 A′ that are positioned on the back surface of the housing  54 . Although on the same side, the touch sensing devices  52 A and  52 A′ are separate and spatially distinct input devices. This particular implementation may be well suited for portable electronic devices such as tablet PCs and game players that are operated with two hands. The touch sensing devices  52 A and  52 A′ may be placed at locations on the back surface so that one touch sensing device is actuated by a left hand and the other touch sensing device is actuated by a right hand while the portable electronic device is held by both hands. By way of example, the first touch sensing device  52 A may be placed on the left back surface so that the fingers of the left hand can actuate the first touch sensing device  52 A, and the second touch sensing device  52 A′ may be placed on the right back surface so that the fingers of the right hand can actuate the second touch sensing device  52 A′. 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , the portable electronic device  50  includes a housing  54  and a display  56  situated in a front surface of the housing  54 . The portable electronic device  50  also includes a plurality of distinct touch sensing devices  52  located at one side of the housing  54 . In the illustrated embodiment, the portable electronic device  50  includes first, second and third touch sensing devices  52 A,  52 B and  52 C that are positioned on the same side surface of the housing  54  (e.g., left or right side). Although on the same side, the touch sensing devices  52 A- 52 C are separate and spatially distinct input devices. This particular implementation may be well suited for portable electronic devices such as cellular phones, PDAs and media players that are operated with one hand. The touch sensing devices  52 A- 52 C may be placed at locations on the side surface so that one touch sensing device  52 A is actuated by an index finger, another touch sensing device  52 B is actuated by a middle finger and yet another touch sensing device is actuated by the ring finger while the device is held in a single hand. 
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , the portable electronic device  50  includes a touch sensitive housing  54  and a display  56  situated in a front surface of the touch sensitive housing  54 . The touch sensitive housing  54  includes sensing components  58  that are positioned on the interior surface of the housing  54 . Alternatively, they can be placed within the walls of the housing  54 . The sensing components  58  are placed at least on one side of the housing  54 , and may be placed on all sides of the housing  54 . In the illustrated embodiment, the sensing components  58  cover the entire interior surface of the housing  54  including a bezel  60  of the housing  54 . In some cases, the portable electronic device  50  additionally includes a touch sensing device  52  in the form of a touch screen positioned in front of the display  56 . In cases such as this, the entire outer surface of the portable electronic device  50  is considered touch sensitive, i.e., the entire surface of the housing  54  and the entire surface of the display  56 . 
     It should be noted that in embodiments associated with being hand held, the portable electronic device described above may correspond to any consumer related electronic product configured for handheld use. By way of example, the portable electronic device may correspond to tablet PCs, PDAs, media players (music, images, video), game players, telephones, cellular phones, mobile radios, cameras, GPS modules, remote controls, and/or the like. 
     It should also be pointed out that while laptops, tablet PCs, and PDAs (to name a few), are all portable electronic devices, only a few of them can truly be considered hand held devices. Hand held implies that the devices are manipulated while being held in the hand. That is, they are used primarily in the users hand during use (no reference surface is needed). This typically eliminates laptops from having the hand held designation. As should be appreciated, input devices on laptops (e.g., touch pads, buttons and keyboards) are typically not manipulated while the laptop is held in the hand, but rather while the laptop is supported on the lap or on a surface such as a desktop. This allows a user for example to use both hands when keyboarding. 
       FIG. 10  is a perspective diagram of a hand held electronic device  100 , in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The hand held electronic device  100  includes a housing  102  that encloses internally various electrical components including integrated circuit chips and other circuitry to provide computing operations for the hand held electronic device  100 . By way of example, the housing  102  may contain a microprocessor (e.g., CPU), memory (ROM, RAM), a power supply (e.g., battery), a printed circuit board (PCB), a hard drive or other memory (e.g., flash) and/or various input/output (I/O) support circuitry. In addition, the housing  102  may also define the shape or form of the hand held electronic device  100 . That is, the contour of the housing  102  may embody the outward physical appearance of the hand held electronic device  100 . The size and shape of the housing  102  may be widely varied, but is typically configured for hand held use. 
     The hand held electronic device  100  also includes a display  104  disposed within and viewable through an opening in the housing  102 . The display  104 , which is typically placed on the front surface of the device  100 , can be configured to fill only a portion of the front surface of the housing  102 , or alternatively can be configured to fill the entire front surface of the housing  102  (which will be discussed below). The display  104  provides visual information in the form of text, characters or graphics. The display  104  is typically selected from flat panel devices although this is not a requirement and other types of displays may be utilized. Flat panel devices typically provide a planar platform that is ideal for hand held devices. By way of example, the display  104  may correspond to a liquid crystal display (LCD) such as a character LCD that is capable of presenting text and symbols or a graphical LCD that is capable of presenting images, video, and graphical user interfaces (GUI). Alternatively, the display  104  may correspond to a display based on organic light emitting diodes (OLED), or a display that is based on electronic inks. 
     In one embodiment, the display  104  is configured to substantially fill the front surface of the housing  102 . By way of example, the display  104  may extend from one edge of the housing  102  to the opposite edge of the housing  102  or in some cases the housing  102  may include a small bezel  102 A that surrounds the edges of the display  104  at the front surface of the housing  102  (as shown). In either case, the display  104  makes up a substantial portion of the front surface of the hand held electronic device  100  thereby eliminating any real estate for placing buttons or switches associated with a conventional user interface. In essence, the size of the display  104  is maximized to the size of the hand held electronic device  100  or alternatively, the hand held electronic device  100  is minimized to the size of the display  104 . Either way, the display  104  is allowed to utilize a greater amount of the real estate of the hand held electronic device  100  than would otherwise be allowed in conventional hand held electronic devices that are limited by buttons and switches located with the display on the front surface. 
     In order to generate user inputs, the hand held electronic device  100  may include a touch screen  106  that is a transparent input panel positioned in front of the display  104 . The touch screen  106  generates input signals when an object such as a finger (or stylus) is moved across the surface of the touch screen  106  (e.g., linearly, radially, rotary, etc.), from an object holding a particular position on the touch screen  106  and/or by a finger tapping on the touch screen  106 . In most cases, touch screens allow a user to make selections and initiate movements in a GUI by simply touching the display screen via a finger. For example, a user may make a selection by pointing directly to a graphical object displayed on the display screen. The graphical object may for example correspond to an on-screen button for performing specific actions in the hand held electronic device  100 . In general, the touch screen  106  recognizes the touch and position of the touch on the display  104  and a controller of the hand held electronic device  100  interprets the touch and thereafter performs an action based on the touch event. There are several types of touch screen technologies including resistive, capacitive, infrared and surface acoustic wave. 
     In accordance with one embodiment, the touchscreen is a multitouch sensing device that has the ability to sense multiple points of contact (or near contact) at the same time and report the multiple touches to the controller of the handheld electronic device. That is, the touchscreen is capable of simultaneously sensing multiple touch inputs. This type of sensing device is sometimes referred to as a multipoint touch sensing device (e.g., multipoint touchscreen). 
     In one implementation, the touch screen  106  is a multipoint capacitive touch screen that is divided into several independent and spatially distinct sensing points, nodes or regions that are positioned throughout the touch screen. The sensing points, which are typically hidden from view (transparent), are dispersed about the touch screen with each sensing point representing a different position on the surface of the touch screen (or touch screen plane). The sensing points may be positioned in a grid or a pixel array where each pixilated sensing point is capable of generating a signal. In the simplest case, a signal is produced each time an object is positioned over a sensing point. When an object is placed over multiple sensing points or when the object is moved between or over multiple sensing point, multiple signals can be generated. The sensing points generally map the touch screen plane into a coordinate system such as a Cartesian coordinate system a Polar coordinate system or some other coordinate system. An example of a multipoint capacitive touch screen may be found in U.S. patent Ser. No. 10/840,862, which is herein incorporated by reference. 
     In accordance with another embodiment, the housing  102  may include a touch sensitive surface  108  that provides either a larger surface for tracking touch inputs or smaller dedicated areas such as touch buttons for performing dedicated functions. The touch sensitive surface  108  can be located on any surface of the housing  102 , any side of the housing  102 , any portion of any side of the housing  102  or at dedicated locations on the surface of the housing  104 . By way of example, the touch regions may be located on the sides or back surface of the housing  102 , and may even be located at the bezel  102 A located at the front surface of the housing  102 . In all of these cases, a large portion of the front surface of the housing  102  is saved for the display  104  so that the viewing area of the hand held electronic device  100  can be maximized. Furthermore, placing touch sensing regions at these locations tend to encourage one handed use. For example, the touch sensing regions can be placed at locations where the finger of the hand are normally positioned when holding the hand held electronic device  100 . The fingers can therefore be used to initiate inputs as well as hold the hand held electronic device  100  during use. Moreover, the hand does not have to be constantly repositioned in order to actuate different input devices since they are located in the area of the various digits of the hand. 
     The touch sensitive surface  108  may take the form of one or more touch panels that are positioned within the housing  104 . For example, a touch pad or touch screen like device (with or without a display) may be used. The touch sensitive surface  108  may be alternatively or additionally be provided directly by the housing  104 . That is, the touch sensing components are integrated or incorporated into or disposed underneath the housing  104  such that the housing  104  itself is the touch sensing device (rather than using a separate touch panel). This particular implementation is believed to be more aesthetically pleasing than using touch panels in that the housing  104  can have a uniform appearance with no lines, breaks or openings in the surface. That is, the surface of the housing  104  is continuous smooth surface that can be made to look like it does not have any input devices, just a display and a housing (e.g., a device with no visible input devices). 
     In accordance with one embodiment, the touch sensitive surface is a multitouch sensing device that has the ability to sense multiple points of contact (or near contact) at the same time and report the multiple touches to the controller of the handheld electronic device. That is, the touch sensitive surface is capable of simultaneously sensing multiple touch inputs. This type of sensing device is sometimes referred to as a multipoint touch sensing device. 
     Similar to the touch screen, the touch sensitive surface (whether from a touch pad, touch housing or touch screen) may be a multipoint capacitive touch device that is divided into several independent and spatially distinct sensing points, nodes or regions that are positioned throughout the device. The sensing points, which are typically hidden from view (transparent), are dispersed about the device with each sensing point representing a different position on the touch sensitive surface. The sensing points may be positioned in a grid or a pixel array where each pixilated sensing point is capable of generating a signal. In the simplest case, a signal is produced each time an object is positioned over a sensing point. When an object is placed over multiple sensing points or when the object is moved between or over multiple sensing point, multiple signals can be generated. Like the touch screen, the sensing points generally map the touch screen plane into a coordinate system such as a Cartesian coordinate system a Polar coordinate system or some other coordinate system. As mentioned above, multipoint capacitive touch sensing devices are disclosed in U.S. patent Ser. No. 10/840,862. 
     In one particular embodiment, the only way to generate user inputs in the hand held electronic device  100  is through the touch screen  106  and/or the touch sensitive surface  108  of the housing  102 . The touch screen  106  and touch sensitive surface  108  completely replace all other input means of the hand held electronic device  100 . No other input devices such as mechanical buttons and switches are included thus saving the real estate for the display  104 . In some cases, however, it may be desirable to include a hold switch that locks and unlocks the one or more touch sensing device from receiving inputs (e.g., the hold switch prevents inputs when not desired). In cases such as these, the hold switch is not located on the front surface with the display thereby enabling the display to fill the front surface. Rather, the hold switch is located on one of the side surfaces such as the top surface of the device. 
     It should be noted however that this is not a limitation and that the device may include a limited number of physical buttons and switches. It is generally desirable to keep the number limited on the front surface so that the available space of the device can be saved for the display. 
     The hand held electronic device  100  may be designed to recognize gestures applied to the touch screen  106  and/or touch sensitive surface  108  of the housing (track pads) and to control aspects of the hand held electronic device  100  based on the gestures. Gestures may be defined as a stylized interaction with an input device that is mapped to one or more specific computing operations. The gestures may be made through various hand, and more particularly finger motions. Alternatively or additionally, the gestures may be made with a stylus. In all of these cases, the input devices (touch screen and touch sensitive surface) receive the gestures and the controller of the hand held electronic device  100  executes instructions to carry out operations associated with the gestures. The gestures may be single point or multipoint gestures. The hand held electronic device  100  may include a gesture operational program, which may be part of the operating system or a separate application. The gestural operation program generally includes a set of instructions that recognizes the occurrence of gestures and informs one or more software agents of the gestures and/or what action(s) to take in response to the gestures. By way of example, gestures that can be used are disclosed in greater detail in U.S. patent Ser. No. 10/903,964, which is herein incorporated by reference. Other touch related techniques may also be found in U.S. patent Ser. No. 11/038,590, which is herein incorporated by reference. 
     Alternatively or additionally, the hand held electronic device may be designed to recognize hand images and to control aspects of the hand held electronic device based on the hand images. Each hand image represents a profile of the fingers or other portions of the hand in contact with the touch sensitive surface as well as the touch screen at a particular instant in time, i.e., the hand image describes how the device is held. The hand images (or signals) may be used to initiate certain functions or to make a determination as to what user is using the hand held electronic device. By way of example, the functions may include initiating commands, selecting an item, opening a file or document, launching a program, executing instructions, viewing a menu on the display screen, and/or the like. With regards to the determination, the hand signal may be used to determine the identity of the user (e.g., Bob or Carol) or to a type of user (e.g., left or right handed user). The hand held device may contain a list of hand profiles with actions associated therewith. The hand profiles generally describe how the device is held while the actions describe what type of action to perform based on the hand profile. 
     In addition, the hand image may be used to determine the orientation of the device as for example when the device is held at 0, 90, 180 and 270 degrees. With this information, the device may be configured to always display images in an upright no matter what orientation the device is in. 
     In one embodiment, the hand held electronic device  100  is a “one-handed” hand held electronic device. The housing  102  is therefore sized and dimension to fit into a single hand, and the touch sensitive surface  108  is configured to receive inputs from the various fingers of the single hand. As shown in  FIG. 11 , the “one-handed” hand held electronic device  100  is sized and shaped for comfortable placement into the user&#39;s hand  116 . The single hand  116  essentially cups the device  100 , with the thumb  116 A and palm  116 B being positioned on one side of the device  100 , and the fingers  116 C being positioned on the opposite side (thereby gripping the device). Although the shape of the device  100  may be widely varied, it should be pointed out that the general size including height, width and thickness is typically “pocket sized” so that the device  100  can easily be placed in the pocket of the user during transport. 
     The size of the one handed hand held device may be widely varied. The size may be based on several factors including the largest available display size and the type of display format. By way of example, the one handed hand held device may have a height between about 3.3 and about 4.1 inches, a width between about 0.98 and about 2.4 inches, and a thickness between about 0.33 and about 0.75 inches. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 11-13 , one example of a “one-handed” hand held electronic device will be described in greater detail. As shown in  FIG. 11 , the “one-handed” hand held electronic device  130  includes a full screen display  132  located in the front of the device  130 . The “one-handed” hand held electronic device  130  is also configured with one or more touch buttons  134  located on one or more sides of the device  130 . The touch buttons  134  may be located in the vicinity of where the various fingers are placed to hold the device  130  (e.g., left and right sides). The user simply has to press harder or tap in the area of the touch button  134  in order to actuate the touch button  134 . In the case of a media player such as a music player, the touch buttons  134  may represent button functions such as next, previous, volume up, volume down and/or play/pause. 
     The “one-handed” hand held electronic device  130  is also configured with a touch surface  136  on the back surface of the hand held electronic device  130 . The touch surface  136  is located directly behind the display  132 . The touch surface may be provided by a touch panel and/or a touch sensitive housing. As shown in  FIG. 12 , the user simply moves their finger from the side position to the back position in order use the touch surface  136 . The finger may be tapped, pressed, or slid across the touch surface  136  in order to generate tracking inputs. In some cases, gestures may be performed. 
     In one embodiment, the touch surface is mapped to the display. When mapped, points on the touch surface coincide with points on the display, i.e., have the same coordinates (x and y). Therefore, when a user touches the touch surface, it will appear as if the user is touching the image at the same location but on the other side of the touch. 
     The “one-handed” hand held electronic device  130  also includes a touch screen  138  disposed over the display  132 . The touch screen  138  provides another way to input into the hand held electronic device  130 . As shown in  FIG. 13 , the user simply moves their thumb from the side position to the front position in order to use the touch screen  138 . The thumb may be tapped, pressed, or slid across the display  132  in order to generate inputs. In some cases, gestures may be performed. 
     In one embodiment, the device  130  is an ambidextrous device that can be used equally by both left and right hands. In cases such as this, the device  130  is configured to have the same feel and function for both the left and right hands. For example, the device  130  may include the same touch regions for both hands of the user. Alternatively, the device may include a touch surface on only one side, which can be utilized by both hands when the device is flipped 180 degrees. In cases such as this, the display is configured to rotate the displayed image so that the image is upright in either orientation. 
     The device  130  may further include a handedness selection system for configuring the device  130  for right handed or left handed use. In one implementation, the handedness selection system is a user actuated system that allows a user to select which hand configuration is desired (e.g., left or right). For example, the handedness of the device  130  may be selected via software as for example through a control panel located on a graphical user interface. 
     In another implementation, the handedness selection system is a device actuated system that allows the device  130  to automatically configure the device  130  for right handed or left handed use based on how the user grabs the device  130  (e.g., position and pressure). If a left handed user grabs the device  130 , then the device  130  configures itself to be a left handed device during use. If a right handed user grabs the device  130 , then the device configures itself to be a right handed device. By way of example, the device  130  may analyze the hand image created by the touch sensing devices and thereafter make a determination as to whether the hand is left or the right hand based on what was detected. For example, if the sensors detect the presence of fingers on the left side then the device  130  may determine that the device  130  is being used by a right handed user, or alternatively if the sensors detect the presence of fingers on the right side then the device  130  may determine that the device  130  is being used by a left handed user. Once the determination is made, the device  130  can turn on the functionality of the touch buttons corresponding to the hand being used and turn off the functionality of the touch buttons corresponding to the hand not in use. 
     In another embodiment, the hand held electronic device  100  is a “two-handed” hand held electronic device  100 . The housing  102  is therefore sized and dimension to fit into two hands, and the touch sensitive surface  108  is configured to receive inputs from the various fingers of the both hands. The two handed hand held electronic device may for example correspond to a tablet PC or game player. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 14 and 15 , the “two-handed” hand electronic device  100  in the form of a tablet PC is sized and shaped for comfortable placement into both of the user&#39;s hands. Each hand essentially cups the sides of the device  100 , with one hand gripping the device on one side and the other hand gripping the device on the opposite side. Alternatively, the user is also able to hold the device  100  in one hand while inputting into the device  100  with the opposite hand. Although the shape of the tablet PC may be widely varied, it should be pointed out that the general size including height, width and thickness of a tablet pc is typically “page sized”. 
     The size of the tablet pc may be widely varied. The size may be based on such factors as display size, display format, etc. By way of example, the tablet pc may have a height of about 12 inches, a width of about 8.5 inches and a thickness of about 1 inch (or less). 
     It should be emphasized that page sized is not as transportable as pocket sized. However, by being page sized the device can include increased functionality that is not capable in smaller devices. Furthermore, page sized devices typically must be used by two hands and therefore they are not as convenient to use when on the go. 
     As shown in  FIG. 14 , the “two-handed” hand held electronic device  140  may be configured with two touch regions  142 A and  142 B on the back surface of the device  100  opposite the display  104 . The touch regions  142  are located in the vicinity of where the various fingers are placed to hold the device  140 . The first touch region  142 A is located on the left back surface in the region where the left hand and more particularly the left fingers are placed to hold the device  140 , and the second touch region  142 B is located on the right back surface in the region where the right hand and more particularly the right fingers are placed to hold the device  140 . Each of the touch regions  142  may be formed by one or more touch sensing devices (or zones if using the touch sensitive housing). For example, the touch regions  142  may include one large touch sensing device (or zones) or several smaller touch sensing devices (or zones). The touch regions may be implemented by touch panels and/or touch sensitive housings. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the left touch region  142 A is provided by one large touch surface while the right touch region  142 B is broken up into smaller touch surfaces such as for example touch buttons  144 . Like the “one-handed” device mentioned above, the fingers may be tapped, pressed, or slid across the touch surface in order to generate inputs. In some cases, gestures may be performed. Furthermore, the fingers may select the touch buttons in order to generate button inputs. The “two-handed” hand held electronic device  140  also includes a touch screen  146  disposed over a display  148 . The touch screen  146  provides another way to input into the hand held electronic device  140 . As shown in  FIG. 15 , the user simply moves their thumb over the display  148  in order to generate inputs. The thumb may be tapped, pressed, or slid across the touch screen  146  in order to generate inputs. In some cases, gestures may be performed. 
       FIG. 16  is a perspective diagram of a hand held electronic device  150 , in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the hand held electronic device  150  includes a completely touch sensitive housing  152  and a display  154  with a touch screen  156  that covers the entire display  154 . The device  150  is therefore completely touch sensitive. That is, substantially all locations on the surface of the device  150  are capable of sensing surface contact so that the device  150  knows where and when all the fingers and palm are touching the device  150  and how much pressure there is at each point. The same ideas and uses could be applied to any device having a substantial portion of its housing sensitive to touch. 
     The touch sensitive housing  152  includes a first sensor arrangement  158 , and the touch screen  156  includes a second sensor arrangement  160 . The first sensor arrangement  158  may be integrally formed into the wall of the housing  152  or they may be located behind the wall within the enclosed space defined by the housing  152  (e.g., adjacent the interior wall). The second sensor arrangement  160  may be integrally formed over the display  154  or it may be a separate unit disposed over the display  154 . Both sensor arrangements  158  and  160  are configured to detect the presence of multiple objects such as fingers or the palm of the hand as for example when the hand grasps the housing  152 . 
     As shown, each sensor arrangement  158  and  160  is divided into several independent and spatially distinct sensing points  162  (or regions) that are positioned within the respective component. The sensing points  162  are generally dispersed about the respective component with each sensing point  162  representing a different position on the surface of the component and thus the device  150 . The sensing points  162  may be positioned in a grid or a pixel array where each pixilated sensing point  162  is capable of generating a signal. The number and configuration of the sensing points  162  may be widely varied. The number and configuration of sensing points  162  generally depends on the desired resolution of the touch sensitive surface and may be varied from spot to spot across the housing  152  to achieve any desired compromise between cost and functionality. 
     In the simplest case, a signal is produced each time the finger is positioned over a sensing point  162 . When an object is placed over multiple sensing points or when the object is moved between or over multiple sensing points, multiple position signals are generated. In most cases, the signals are monitored by a control system (not shown) that converts the number, combination and frequency of the signals into control information. As should be appreciated, the number, combination and frequency of signals in a given time frame may indicate size, location, direction, speed, acceleration and the pressure of the finger or palm on the surface of the device. By way of example, the control system may be a microcontroller located within the housing  152 . 
     The sensing points  162  may be based on capacitance. As should be appreciated, whenever two electrically conductive objects come near one another without touching, their electric fields interact to form capacitance. By detecting when the capacitance changes (e.g., increase, decreases) the device&#39;s electronics can determine when and where the finger and palm of the hand are touching. Any conventional form of capacitance sensing may be used. The simplicity of capacitance allows for a great deal of flexibility in design and construction of the sensor arrangement (e.g., mutual capacitance sensing, self capacitance, etc.). 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the sensor arrangements  158  and  160  include a two layer grid of spatially separated electrodes or wires and that are connected to the control system of the device  150 . The upper layer includes electrodes in rows while the lower layer includes electrodes in columns (e.g., orthogonal). As should be appreciated, when a portion of a hand nears the intersection of two electrodes and, the capacitance at the electrodes and changes since the hand has very different dielectric properties than air. These changes can be used to determine the positions of the finger and/or palm when they grab the device. In some cases, the amount of capacitance at each of the electrodes and can be measured by the control system when a portion of a hand nears the intersection of two electrodes (e.g., sensing point). In other cases, capacitance from each of the row electrodes to each of the column electrodes can be measured by the microcontroller when a portion of a hand nears the intersection of two electrodes (e.g., sensing point). 
     The signals generated at the sensing points  162  may be used to determine how the user is holding the device. By way of example and referring to  FIG. 11  and  FIGS. 17A-17D , each portion of the hand in contact with the device  150  produces a contact patch area. Each of the contact patch areas covers several sensing points  162  thus generating several signals. The signals may be grouped together to form a hand signal that represents how the user is holding the device  150 . In essence, the hand signal is a pixilated image of the hand in contact with the device  150 . 
     In one embodiment, the difference between a current hand signal and a last hand signal may indicate the user&#39;s desire to implement a button function. As should be appreciated, when a user presses on the surface of the device  150  the area of some of the contact patch areas increases thereby activating more sensing points  162  than previously activated. A significant difference indicates the user&#39;s desire to implement a button function. Changes between contact patch areas may further indicate the particular button function. 
     In relative mapping, the difference at each particular contact patch area is compared relative to the other particular contact patch areas. For example, if the contact patch area for the index finger grows more significantly than the contact patch area for the middle or ring fingers between first and second signals then a first button function may be implemented. Furthermore, if the contact patch area for the middle finger grows more significantly than the contact patch area for the index and ring fingers between first and second signals a second button function may be implemented. Moreover, if the contact patch area for the ring finger grows more significantly than the contact patch area for the index and middle fingers between first and second signals a third button function may be implemented. 
     In absolute mapping, the touch surface is divided into one or more button zones that represent regions of the device that when selected implement the particular button function associated with the button zone. The button zone having the contact patch area with the most significant change between first and second hand signals is the one that is typically implemented. The user may customize the device by setting the configuration of button zones before use. For example, the device may be configured as a one button device, two button device, three button device or the like. The position and size of the button zones may also be customizable. For example, the device may be configured with button zones on only the front or back of the device or on the side of the device. The customization may be performed by the user and/or the device. 
     In another embodiment, the similarity between a baseline hand signal and a current hand signal may indicate the user&#39;s desire to implement a control function (e.g., gesturing). For example, if the baseline hand signal corresponds to a first button function and the current hand signal is similar to the baseline hand signal then the device can implement the first button function. The user may customize the device by setting the baseline hand signal before use (e.g., calibration). 
     In another embodiment, the similarity between a baseline hand signal and a current hand signal may also indicate the user type (e.g., handedness of the user or the identity of the user). For example, if the baseline hand signal corresponds to a left hand user and the current hand signal is similar to the baseline hand signal then the device knows that the user is left handed. The user may customize the device by setting the baseline hand signal before use (e.g., calibration). 
       FIG. 18  is a diagram of the hand held electronic device  180 , in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, instead of using a two layer grid of spatially separated electrodes or wires as shown in  FIG. 16 , the device  180  includes a touch sensitive housing  182  having a plurality of spatially separated electrodes or platforms  184  that are positioned in the same layer and that are connected to the control system of the device  180 . Each of the electrodes  184  generates a signal when an object nears the region of the housing  182  where the electrode is located. The signals may be used to perform actions similarly to those mentioned above. 
       FIG. 19  is an operational method  220  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The method  220  generally begins at block  222  where the device is in standby. Standby generally implies that the device is in a state of readiness waiting for something to happen, i.e., a user initiating an action therewith. Following block  222 , the process flow proceeds to block  224  where a determination is made as to whether the user is touching the device. This is generally accomplished with touch sensing device capable of generating signals when a hand nears the device and a control system configured to monitor the activity of the touch sensing device. If it is determined that the user is not touching the device, then the process flow proceeds back to block  222  thereby keeping the device in standby. If it is determined that the user is touching the device, then the process flow proceeds to block  226  where the user is determined. 
     In one embodiment, block  226  includes determining the handedness of the user. In another embodiment, block  226  includes determining the actual user (e.g., Bob or Carol). The determination may be performed automatically or it may be selective, i.e., user initiated. Once the user is determined, the process flow proceeds to block  228  where the device is configured based on the user. In one embodiment, the button zones of the device are configured based on the handedness of the user. In another embodiment, the button zones are configured based on the actual user (e.g., Bob or Carol). 
     Following block  228  the process flow proceeds to block  232 , where touch events are monitored. Following block  232 , the process flow proceeds to block  236  where signals are generated based on the touch event. The signals may be used to perform actions in the device. For example, the signals may be used to initiate commands, make selections or provide motion in the display (e.g., cursor control, scrolling, panning, etc.). 
       FIG. 20  is a handedness determination method  240 , in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. By way of example, the method may be included in block  226  of  FIG. 19 . The method generally begins at block  242  where a current hand signal is generated. Following block  242  the process flow proceeds to block  244  where the current hand signal is compared to baseline left and/or right hand signals. Following block  244  the process flow proceeds to block  246  where a determination is made as whether the current hand signal is similar to the baseline left hand signal. If the current hand signal is similar, then the process flow proceeds to block  248  where the device is configured for left hand use. That is, the button zones are set for the left handed user. If the current hand signal is not similar to the left hand profile, then the process flow proceeds to block  250  where a determination is made as to whether the current hand signal is similar to a baseline right hand signal. If the current hand signal is similar then the process flow proceeds to block  252  where the device is configured for right hand use. If the current hand signal is not similar to the right hand profile then the process flow proceeds back to block  242  or in some cases one configuration may be chosen as a default (e.g., right hand may be the default) 
       FIG. 21  is an actual user determination method  260 , in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. By way of example, the method may be included in block  226  of  FIG. 19 . The method is generally performed in multiple steps including a calibration step  262  and an in use step  264 . The calibration step  262  is performed before the use step  264 . The calibration step is generally performed once while the use step is continuously used during device use. The calibration step  262  generally begins at block  266  where baseline hand signals are generated for each user. Following block  266  the process flow proceeds to block  268  where the user settings (e.g., button zones) for the baseline hand signal are configured. Following block  268 , the process flow proceeds to block  270  where the baseline hand signal and user settings are stored in a user profile database. 
     The use step  264  generally begins at block at block  272  where a current hand signal is generated. Following block  272 , the process flow proceeds to block  274  where the current hand signal is compared to the baseline hand signals stored in the user profile database. Following block  274 , the process flow proceeds to block  276  where the baseline hand signal most similar to the current hand signal is selected. If there is no signal similar to the current signal then the user may be prompted to go through the calibration step  262 . Following block  276 , the process flow proceeds to block  268  where the device is configured according to the user settings associated with the selected baseline hand signal. 
       FIG. 22  is an absolute mapping method  280 , in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. By way of example, the method  280  may be included in block  232  of  FIG. 19 . The method  280  generally begins at block  282  where one or more button zones are provided. Button zones are area of the mouse that may be actuated by a user to implement an action. The button zones may be based on a training sequence, selected from a menu, or they may be preset. Following block  282  the process flow proceeds to block  284  where a hand signal is generated. Following block  284 , the process flow proceeds to block  286  where a determination is made as to which button zone was selected based on the hand signal. For example, position coordinates generated by touch may correspond to a particular button zone. Following block  286 , the process flow proceeds to block  288  where a button signal is generated based on the selected button zone. 
       FIG. 23  is a relative mapping method  290 , in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. By way of example, the method may be included in block  232  of  FIG. 19 . The method  290  generally begins at block  292  where a first hand signal is generated. Following block  292 , the process flow proceeds to block  294  where a second hand signal is generated. In this embodiment, the first hand signal generally corresponds to a hand signal generated before the second hand signal. For example, the first hand signal may be the last hand signal while the second hand signal may be the current hand signal. Following block  294 , the process flow proceeds to block  296  where the difference between the current hand signal and the baseline hand signal is determined. If the difference is within a threshold value, then the process flow proceeds back to block  294 . This serves as a filter element or noise reduction. As should be appreciated, the user tends to continuously adjust hand position during use even if they are not making a selection (e.g., noise). If the difference is outside a threshold value then the process flow proceeds to block  298  where a button signal is generated based on the difference between the first hand signal and the second hand signal. 
       FIG. 24  is a block diagram of an exemplary electronic device  350 , in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The electronic device typically includes a processor  356  configured to execute instructions and to carry out operations associated with the electronic device  350 . For example, using instructions retrieved for example from memory, the processor  356  may control the reception and manipulation of input and output data between components of the electronic device  350 . The processor  356  can be implemented on a single-chip, multiple chips or multiple electrical components. For example, various architectures can be used for the processor  356 , including dedicated or embedded processor, single purpose processor, controller, ASIC, and so forth. 
     In most cases, the processor  356  together with an operating system operates to execute computer code and produce and use data. The operating system may correspond to well known operating systems such as OS/2, DOS, Unix, Linux, and Palm OS, or alternatively to special purpose operating system, such as those used for limited purpose appliance-type devices (e.g., media players). The operating system, other computer code and data may reside within a memory block  358  that is operatively coupled to the processor  56 . Memory block  358  generally provides a place to store computer code and data that are used by the electronic device  350 . By way of example, the memory block  58  may include Read-Only Memory (ROM), Random-Access Memory (RAM), hard disk drive, flash memory and/or the like. 
     The electronic device  350  also includes a display  368  that is operatively coupled to the processor  356 . The display  368  is generally configured to display a graphical user interface (GUI) that provides an easy to use interface between a user of the electronic device  350  and the operating system or application running thereon. The display  368  may for example be a liquid crystal display (LCD). 
     The electronic device  350  also includes a touch screen  370  that is operatively coupled to the processor  356 . The touch screen  370  is configured to transfer data from the outside world into the electronic device  350 . The touch screen  370  may for example be used to perform tracking and to make selections with respect to the GUI on the display  368 . The touch screen  70  may also be used to issue commands in the electronic device  350 . 
     The touch screen  370 , which is positioned in front of the display  368 , recognizes touches, as well as the position and magnitude of touches on a touch sensitive surface. The touch screen  370  reports the touches to the processor  356  and the processor  356  interprets the touches in accordance with its programming. For example, the processor  356  may initiate a task in accordance with a particular touch. A dedicated processor can be used to process touches locally and reduce demand for the main processor of the electronic device. 
     The touch screen  370  may be based on sensing technologies including but not limited to capacitive sensing, resistive sensing, surface acoustic wave sensing, and/or the like. Furthermore, the touch screen may be based on single point sensing or multipoint sensing. Single point sensing is capable of only distinguishing a single touch, while multipoint sensing is capable of distinguishing multiple touches that occur at the same time (multitouch sensing device). 
     The electronic device  350  also includes a touch sensing device  380  that is operatively coupled to the processor  356 . The touch sensing device  380  is configured to transfer data from the outside world into the electronic device  350 . The touch sensing device  380  may for example be used to perform tracking and to make selections with respect to the GUI on the display  368 . The touch sensing device  380  may also be used to issue commands in the electronic device  350 . 
     The touch sensing device  380 , which is positioned in the housing, recognizes touches, as well as the position and magnitude of touches on a touch sensitive surface. The touch sensing device  380  reports the touches to the processor  356  and the processor  356  interprets the touches in accordance with its programming. For example, the processor  356  may initiate a task in accordance with a particular touch. A dedicated processor can be used to process touches locally and reduce demand for the main processor of the electronic device. 
     The touch sensing device may be based on sensing technologies including but not limited to capacitive sensing, resistive sensing, surface acoustic wave sensing, and/or the like. Furthermore, the touch sensing device may be based on single point sensing or multipoint sensing. Single point sensing is capable of only distinguishing a single touch, while multipoint sensing is capable of distinguishing multiple touches that occur at the same time (multitouch sensing device). 
     In one particular embodiment of the present invention, the electronic devices described above correspond to hand-held electronic devices with small form factors. As used herein, the term “hand held” means that the electronic device is typically operated while being held in a hand and thus the device is sized and dimension for such use. Examples of hand held devices include PDAs, Cellular Phones, Media players (e.g., music players, video players, game players), Cameras, GPS receivers, Remote Controls, and the like. 
     In cases such as these, the display presents the visual information associated with the hand held electronic device, while the touch sensitivity of the touch screen and touch sensing devices provide the input means necessary to interact with the hand held electronic device. The touch screen and touch sensing device can reduce the number of input devices needed to support the device and in many cases completely eliminate input devices other than the touch sensing devices. As a result, the hand held electronic device appears to only have a display and no input means. The device is therefore more aesthetically pleasing (e.g., smooth surface with no breaks gaps or lines), and in many cases can be made smaller without sacrificing screen size and input functionality, which is very beneficial for hand held electronic device especially those hand held electronic device that are operated using one hand (some hand held electronic device require two handed operation while others do not). 
     The multiple touch sensing devices of the present invention are a perfect fit for small form factor devices such as hand held devices, which have limited space available for input interfaces, and which require adaptable placement of input interfaces to permit operation while being carried around. This is especially true when you consider that the functionality of handheld devices have begun to merge into a single hand held device (e.g., smart phones). At some point, there is not enough real estate on the device for housing all the necessary buttons and switches without decreasing the size of the display or increasing the size of the device, both of which leave a negative impression on the user. In fact, increasing the size of the device may lead to devices, which are no longer considered “hand-held.” 
     In one particular implementation, the hand held device is a music player and the display is configured to substantially fill the entire front surface of the music player. In this embodiment, the touch sensing devices are the primary input means of the music player and in some cases is the only input means. Furthermore, the touch sensing devices may configured to generate control signals associated with a music player. For example, the touch surface on the housing may include button functions including, Select, Play/Pause, Next, Previous and Menu. Alternatively or additionally, the button functions may include volume up and volume down. 
     In any of the embodiments described or contemplated by this specification, the touch sensing devices may be configured to provide visual information to indicate when and where the touches occur, to invoke a touch (location where a user should touch), or as otherwise programmed. In the case of a touchscreen, the visual information may be provided by the graphical display positioned behind the touchscreen. In the case of the touch sensitive housing, or touch pad (or possibly with the touchscreen), this may be accomplished with a visual feedback system that is capable of adjusting the visual stimuli of the touch surface. 
     The visual feedback system may include visual surface changing elements, which can be separate or integral with the sensing elements. In fact, the visual surface changing elements may be mapped to the sensor coordinates such that particular visual surface changing elements are tied to particular sensor coordinates. By way of example, the visual surface changing elements may be light devices such as light emitting diodes that illuminate the touch surface. For example, the light devices may be positioned in an array or matrix similarly to the sensing devices. Examples of illuminated surfaces can be found in U.S. patent Ser. Nos. 10/075,964, 10/773,897 and 10/075,520, which are all herein incorporated by reference. Alternatively, the visual surface changing elements may be embodied as electronic inks or other color changing surfaces. 
     If used, this visual feedback feature allows the display of pop-up buttons and indicators around the touch surface, which can disappear when not in use or required, or glowing special effects that trace or outline a users fingers in contact with the touch surface, or otherwise provide visual feedback for the users of the device. In one implementation, the handheld device is configured to sense one or more touches and provide visual feedback in the area of the touches. In another implementation, the handheld device is configured to provide visual feedback on the touch surface, detect a touch in the area of the visual feedback, and to perform an action that is associated with the visual feedback. 
     While this invention has been described in terms of several preferred embodiments, there are alterations, permutations, and equivalents, which fall within the scope of this invention. It should also be noted that there are many alternative ways of implementing the methods and apparatuses of the present invention. It is therefore intended that the following appended claims be interpreted as including all such alterations, permutations, and equivalents as fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20050426
Publication Date: 20100921
Grant Date: 20100921
Priority Date: 20050304
Inventors: KERR DUNCAN R.
HOTELLING STEVE
HUPPI BRIAN Q.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "G06F1/169", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/0488", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1643", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F2203/04808", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1626", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1647", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1626", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/169", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/0488", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1647", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/0488", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/169", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1647", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1643", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F2203/04808", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1626", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1692", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F2203/04808", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 36617102