Patent Application
20130244460
Embodiments of the present invention relate to an apparatus comprising a user input device. In particular, they relate to an apparatus comprising a user input device wherein the user input device is provided in the surface of a casing of the apparatus.
Apparatus, such an electronic apparatus, are known to have user input devices which enable a user to control the apparatus. It is useful to provide the user input device in a location which is easily accessible by a user, for example on the surface of a casing of the apparatus. In small apparatus the space available for user input devices may be limited.
According to some, but not necessarily all embodiments of the disclosure there is provided, an apparatus comprising: a user input device; and a mechanism configured to enable the user input device to be moved between a first position and a second position wherein when the user input device is in the first position a socket is accessible by a user of the apparatus and when the user input device is in the second position the socket is not accessible by the user of the apparatus.
In some embodiments the user input device may be configured to enable a user input to control at least one function of the apparatus.
In some embodiments the user input device may comprise a key.
In some embodiments the mechanism configured to enable the user input device to be moved between a first position and a second position may be configured to couple the user input device to the apparatus.
In some embodiments the mechanism configured to enable the user input device to be moved between a first position and a second position may comprise a flexible member.
In some embodiments the mechanism configured to enable the user input device to be moved between a first position and a second position may comprise a hinge.
In some embodiments the mechanism configured to enable the user input device to be moved between a first position and a second position may comprise a sliding mechanism.
In some embodiments when the user input device is in the second position the user input device may form part of a surface of a casing of the apparatus.
In some embodiments the user input device may form a continuous surface with the casing of the apparatus.
In some embodiments the socket may comprise a cavity configured to receive at least part of a further apparatus. The further apparatus may comprise a storage device. The storage device may comprise a memory card.
In some embodiments the further apparatus may comprise a cable and the socket may be configured to receive a connecting portion of the cable.
The apparatus may be for wireless communication.
For a better understanding of various examples of embodiments of the present disclosure reference will now be made by way of example only to the accompanying drawings in which:
The Figures illustrate an apparatus 1 comprising a user input device 15; and a mechanism 31 configured to enable the user input device to be moved between a first position and a second position wherein when the user input device 15 is in the first position a socket 33 is accessible by a user of the apparatus 1 and when the user input device is in the second position the socket 33 is not accessible by the user of the apparatus 1.
Only features of the apparatus 1 referred to in the following description are illustrated in
The examplary apparatus 1 illustrated in
The controller 4 and user interface 13 may be operationally coupled. It is to be appreciated that any number or combination of intervening elements may be provided between the respective components of the apparatus 1 including no intervening elements.
The controller 4 provides means for controlling the apparatus 1. The controller 4 may be implemented using instructions that enable hardware functionality, for example, by using executable computer program instructions 11 in one or more general-purpose or special-purpose processors 3 that may be stored on a computer readable storage medium 23 (e.g. disk, memory etc) to be executed by such processors 3.
The at least one processor 3 may be configured to receive input commands from the user interface 13 and also to provide output commands to the user interface 13. In response to an input command received from the user interface 13 the at least one processor 3 may be configured to control the apparatus 1 to perform a function corresponding to the received input command.
The at least one processor 3 is also configured to write to and read from the at least one memory 5. Outputs of the user interface 13 are provided as inputs to the controller 4.
In the examplary embodiment of the disclosure schematically illustrated in
The output of the user input device 15 may be provided as an input to the controller 4. The output of the user input device 15 may depend upon the type of actuation of the user input device 15 and also the location of the user input device 15 which has been actuated by the user input. The controller 4 may be configured to determine the type of input which has been made and also the location of the user input and enable the appropriate function to be performed in response to the detected input.
In some embodiments of the apparatus the user interface 13 may also comprise means for providing an output to a user of the apparatus. For example, the user interface 13 may comprise a display such as a touch sensitive display which may comprise any means which enables information to be displayed to a user of the apparatus 1. In some embodiments the user interface 13 may comprise means for providing an audio output to a user such as a loudspeaker.
The at least one memory 5 may be configured to store a computer program code 9 comprising computer program instructions 11 that control the operation of the apparatus 1 when loaded into the at least one processor 3. The computer program instructions 11 provide the logic and routines that enable the apparatus 1 to perform methods to implement embodiments of the disclosure. The at least one processor 3 by reading the at least one memory 5 is able to load and execute the computer program 9.
The computer program instructions 11 may provide computer readable program means configured to control the apparatus 1.
The computer program code 9 may arrive at the apparatus 1 via any suitable delivery mechanism 21. The delivery mechanism 21 may be, for example, a computer-readable storage medium, a computer program product 23, a memory device, a record medium such as a CD-ROM or DVD, an article of manufacture that tangibly embodies the computer program code 9. The delivery mechanism may be a signal configured to reliably transfer the computer program code 9. The apparatus 1 may propagate or transmit the computer program code 9 as a computer data signal.
Although the memory 5 is illustrated as a single component it may be implemented as one or more separate components some or all of which may be integrated/removable and/or may provide permanent/semi-permanent/dynamic/cached storage.
References to ‘computer-readable storage medium’, ‘computer program product’, ‘tangibly embodied computer program’ etc. or a ‘controller’, ‘computer’, ‘processor’ etc. should be understood to encompass not only computers having different architectures such as single/multi-processor architectures and sequential (e.g. Von Neumann)/parallel architectures but also specialized circuits such as field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), application integration specific circuits (ASIC), signal processing devices and other devices. References to computer program, instructions, code etc. should be understood to encompass software for a programmable processor or firmware such as, for example, the programmable content of a hardware device whether instructions for a processor, or configuration settings for a fixed-function device, gate array or programmable logic device etc.
The apparatus 1 illustrated in
In the examplary embodiments of
The user input device 15 may be provided in any location of the casing 17 which is convenient for a user to access. In the examplary embodiment illustrated in
The user input device 15 may comprise any means configured to detect a user input and enable user control of the apparatus 1. In the examplary embodiment of
In some embodiments of the disclosure the key 41 may be configured to provide different output signals depending on the way in which the user input device 15 is actuated. For example, the user may be able to make a long press or short press actuation and so the output signal provided may be indicative of whether a short press or long press actuation has been made.
In the examplary embodiments illustrated in
The examplary key 41 key illustrated in
In the examplary embodiments illustrated in
Two indicia 45A, 45B are marked on the key 41. The indicia 45A, 45B may provide an indication of the location of the actuatable portions 43A, 43B and the functions associated with the actuatable portions 43A, 43B. In the specific embodiment of
In
When the user input device 15 is in the closed position a seal maybe provided around the boundary between the edge user input device 15 and the edge of the socket 33 of the apparatus 1. The seal may protect the apparatus 1 from fluid ingress.
The socket 33 may comprise a cavity 51 within the casing 17 of the apparatus 1. The cavity 51 may be configured to receive at least part of a further apparatus.
In some embodiments of the disclosure the further apparatus may comprise a storage device such as a memory card. In such embodiments the cavity 51 may have a size and shape such that a storage device can fit within the cavity 51. The socket 33 may also comprise a connector 53. The connector 53 may comprise any means for coupling the storage device to the apparatus 1 so that data can be transferred between the storage device and the apparatus 1.
In some embodiments of the disclosure the further apparatus may comprise a cable or other means which enables a physical connection between the apparatus 1 and another apparatus. For example the cable may comprise a USB (Universal serial bus) cable. The cable may comprise a connecting portion. In such embodiments the cavity 51 may have a size and shape such that a connecting portion of the cable can fit within the cavity 51. The socket 33 may also comprise a connector 53. The connector 53 may comprise any means for coupling the storage device to the apparatus 1 so that data can be transferred between the cable and the apparatus 1.
When the apparatus 1 is in the open configuration as illustrated in
In the examplary illustrated embodiments the apparatus 1 comprises a mechanism 31. The mechanism 31 may comprise any means which may be configured to enable the user input device 15 to be moved between the closed position and the open position. The mechanism 31 may enable the user to move the user input device 15 between the closed position and the open position.
In some embodiments of the disclosure the mechanism 31 may also couple the user input device 15 to the apparatus 1. In some embodiments of the disclosure the mechanism 31 may couple the user input device 15 to the casing 17 of the apparatus 1. This may ensure that even when the user input device 15 is in the open configuration it remains securely attached to the apparatus 1. This may also enable input and output signals to be provided between the at least one processor 3 and the user input device 15 even when the user input device 15 is in the open configuration.
It is to be appreciated that the user input device 15 does not need to be directly coupled to the apparatus 1 or the casing of the apparatus 1. Any number or combination of intervening elements may be provided between the user input device 15 and the apparatus 1 or the casing 17 of the apparatus 1 including no intervening elements.
In the examplary embodiment of
The user may be able to return the user input device 15 back to the closed position illustrated in
In some embodiments of the disclosure the flexible member 55 may comprise a conductive portion to enable electrical signals to be transferred between the user input device 15 and the controller 4 of the apparatus 1. In some embodiments of the disclosure the flexible member 55 may enable the electrical signals to be transferred between the user input device 15 and the controller 4 of the apparatus 1 when the user input device 15 is in both the closed and the open positions.
The socket 33 illustrated in
In the examplary embodiment of
In order to slide the user input device 15 along the rail the user may first provide a force in a direction which extends perpendicular to the surface 37 of the user input device 15 towards the inside of the casing 17 of the apparatus 1 as indicated by the arrow 61 in
The user may then provide a force which extends in a direction parallel to the surface 35 of the casing 17 as indicated by the arrow 63 in
The mechanism 31 may comprise guide rails within the casing of the apparatus 1 which are configured to guide the movement of the user input device 15 along a particular direction. In some embodiments of the disclosure the mechanism 31 may also comprise a compression spring or other means which may be configured to provide a restoring force to the user input device 15. The restoring force may be configured to push the user input device 15 back along the slide rail in a direction generally opposite to the direction in which the user has pushed the user input device 15. This may enable the user input device 15 to be automatically returned back to the closed position illustrated in
The socket 33 illustrated in
In
In such embodiments of the disclosure the sliding mechanism 31 may comprise a sliding tray 71 which is configured to slide outwards in response to user applying a force to the user input device 15. For example the user may push on the user input device 15 and this may actuate a compression spring which pushes the sliding tray 71 out of the casing 17 of the apparatus 1. The compression spring may push the sliding tray in a direction which extends perpendicular to the surface 35 of the casing 17 of the apparatus 1. Once the sliding tray 71 is fully open the further apparatus such as storage device or connector of a cable can be inserted into the socket 33. As the compression spring is located within the housing 17 of the apparatus 1 it is not visible to the user and so is not illustrated in
The user may be able to return the user input device 15 to the closed position illustrated in
In the examplary embodiments described above and illustrated in
It is also to be appreciated that different sized and shaped keys 41 or other types of user input device 15 may be used in other embodiments of the disclosure to cover different sized and shaped sockets 33. For example, in the above described embodiments the key 41 has an elongated shape and two actuatable portions. In other embodiments the key 41 may have a different shape or a different number of actuatable portions.
It is to be appreciated that the key 41 or other type of user input device 15 may be associated with any of the functions of the apparatus 1. In the above described embodiments the key 41 is configured to enable a user to control the volume of an audio output of an apparatus 1. In other embodiments of the disclosure the function of the key 41 or key 41 or other type of user input device 15 may depend on the mode of operation of the apparatus 1. For example, the key 41 or other type of user input device 15 may be associated with different functions in different modes of operation of the apparatus 1. In some examplary embodiments of the disclosure the key 41 or other type of user input device 15 may enable the apparatus 1 to be turned on and off, may provide a shortcut to selected functions of the apparatus 1, may provide a locking function which disables or partially disables other user input devices of the apparatus 1 such as a touch sensitive display or any other suitable function or combination of functions.
In some embodiments of the disclosure the user input device 15 may be responsive to a pushing force both to move the user input device between the open and closed position and to enable a user input. For example, in
Embodiments of the disclosure as described provide the benefit that they enable user input devices 15 to have a dual functionality of enabling control of a function of an apparatus 1 and also to provide a cover for a socket 33. This may be beneficial in small apparatus 1 where there is limited space available for user input devices 15 and sockets 33.
Embodiments of the disclosure may also improve the appearance of the apparatus 1 as they hide the cavities 51 of the sockets 33 to provide for a sleek continuous surface 35 of a casing 17.
Embodiments of the disclosure also provide that user input devices 15 can be provided in the surface 35 of a casing 17 which may make them easily accessible to a user of the apparatus 1.
Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in the preceding paragraphs with reference to various examples, it should be appreciated that modifications to the examples given can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed. For example other type of mechanism 31 may be used to enable movement of the user input device 15. For example, in some embodiments of the disclosure the mechanism 31 may comprise a hinge or other mechanism which enables the user input device 15 to rotate.
Features described in the preceding description may be used in combinations other than the combinations explicitly described.
Although functions have been described with reference to certain features, those functions may be performable by other features whether described or not.
Although features have been described with reference to certain embodiments, those features may also be present in other embodiments whether described or not.
Whilst endeavoring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.
