Keypad device

The present invention relates to a keypad device for telephones, mobile phones, remote control units, text and character transmitters, calculators, electronic planners or the like, wherein a control element, when actuated manually by an operator's finger, is adapted to carry out at least two function commands, and wherein various positions of the control element are identified by means of optical detectors.

The use of a plurality of keys or multifunction keys is previously known, inter alia, in connection with mobile telephones. These keys are operated by the user depressing them. As a rule, these known function keys are connected to microswitches, and there is thus only a limited number of functions that are possible with one and the same key without rendering the functionality complex and difficult to use. It is also known that microswitches have as a rule an imprecise activation characteristic. Today's mobile phones contain a profusion of functions in addition to ordinary telephone functions and they are equipped with a memory like that in small computers. This allows a user to compile information, e.g., telephone number and address lists. The further development has tended towards mobile phones which are built up as complete communicators for text, video and voice by using, for example, the Internet which is normally used on a PC. A new format for this is called WAP and it is a standard for Internet services for GSM telephones. All these new services and functions will require simpler, logical and efficient methods of operation and navigation as a standard button keypad. Obviously, a standard button keypad will require a very great number of buttons in order to be able to serve so many functions, and as a result will at the same time become difficult or awkward to use, and not least bulky. With the ever-increasing tendency towards miniaturisation there have been limitations, particularly in connection with mobile phones, with respect to how small function keys can be made without creating problems as regards the operation of the keypad.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,994,669 discloses a device of the joystick type in which the various positions thereof are identified by means of a set of light emitters and light receivers, the control element of the device being of a type that can not be depressed.

The object of the present invention is thus to provide a device wherein at least two, but preferably a great number and range of functions can be effected using one and the same key, where the user can use the device for different apparatuses, preferably mobile phones, in a simple, logical and reliable manner, in order to operate effectively through functions and menus, whilst during simple operations, such as using a mobile phone (e.g., dialling a number), not being dependent upon monitoring the device visually. Consequently, it is also an object of the invention to enhance the MMI, i.e., Man-Machine Interface.

The characterising features of the device according to the preferred embodiments are set forth in the characterising clauses of attached claims

1

,

6

,

13

,

14

,

15

,

45

,

53

,

54

,

60

,

61

,

67

,

69

,

72

,

74

, and

76

, and the appurtenant subclaims.

The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the attached drawings.

FIGS. 1-10

show an example of a first embodiment of the device according to the invention.

FIGS. 11-37

show by way of an example a second typical embodiment of the device according to the invention, wherein this embodiment is to be understood as a variant of the embodiment in

FIGS. 1-10

.

FIGS. 38-47

show a third embodiment of the device according to the invention.

FIGS. 48-52

show a fourth embodiment of the device according to the invention, which is a modification of the third embodiment.

FIGS. 53 and 54

show a fifth embodiment of the device according to the invention, and represent a further modification of the third and fourth embodiments.

FIGS. 55 and 56

show a sixth embodiment of the device according to the invention, and represent a modification of the third and fourth embodiments.

FIGS. 57 and 58

show a seventh embodiment of the device according to the invention, and represent a further development of said third, fourth and fifth embodiments and include the use of details from said first and second embodiments.

FIGS. 59-63

shows an eighth embodiment of the device according to the invention.

FIGS. 64-70

show a ninth embodiment of the device according to the invention.

FIGS. 71 and 72

show a tenth embodiment of the device according to the invention, as a modified version of the ninth embodiment.

FIGS. 73-79

show an eleventh embodiment of the device according to the invention.

FIG. 80

shows a variant of the embodiment shown in FIG.

57

.

FIGS. 81-87

show another modification of the device shown in FIG.

80

.

FIGS. 88-91

show in more detail the detection possibilities in connection with the embodiment of the invention shown in

FIGS. 59-62

.

FIGS. 92-95

show further details of the embodiment shown in

FIGS. 73-79

.

FIGS. 96 and 97

show in more detail typical detection possibilities associated with the subject matter shown and described in connection with

FIGS. 73-79

and

92

-

95

.

FIGS. 98-103

show the principle of a twelfth embodiment of the device according to the invention.

FIGS. 104-115

show a thirteenth embodiment of the device according to the invention.

FIGS. 116-123

show a modification of the device shown in

FIGS. 104-115

.

FIGS. 124-128

show a modification of the device shown in

FIGS. 80-87

.

FIGS. 129-133

show a variant of the device shown in

FIGS. 124-128

.

FIGS. 134-138

show a fourteenth embodiment of the device according to the invention.

FIGS. 139-144

show a modification of the device shown in FIGS.

134

-

138

.

More specifically,

FIGS. 1

,

2

and

3

show a key top member, a slide member and a key base member respectively.

FIG. 4

is a side view, with some portions of the key base member cut away, of the typical interaction between the slide member and the key base member.

FIG. 5

shows the assembly of

FIG. 4

from above.

FIGS. 6

,

7

and

8

show an assembled top member and slide member in a neutral position, a first activated position and a second activated position respectively.

FIG. 9

shows the assembly of

FIGS. 6

,

7

and

8

seen from the underside and in perspective.

FIG. 10

is an exploded view of the device shown in

FIGS. 1-9

in connection with a housing in which the device can be mounted.

FIGS. 11 and 12

show a longitudinal cross-section of respectively the top and bottom of a typical housing in which the device according to the invention can be mounted.

FIGS. 13 and 14

are end views of the top and bottom respectively.

FIG. 15

is a top view of the bottom.

FIG. 16

is a top view of the bottom with a slide element mounted therein.

FIG. 17

shows the top seen from above the slide element and the slide element position indicator.

FIG. 18

shows the top seen from the underside.

FIG. 19

shows the housing as indicated in

FIGS. 11 and 12

and the slide element mounted therein.

FIG. 20

shows the section taken along the line XX—XX in FIG.

19

.

FIG. 21

shows a simplified circuit diagram which should be examined in more detail in connection with

FIGS. 26-38

.

FIG. 22

shows a longitudinal cross-section through the slide element as shown on a smaller scale in FIG.

19

.

FIG. 23

shows the section taken along the line XXIV—XXIV in FIG.

22

.

FIG. 24

shows the slide member in

FIG. 22

seen from above.

FIGS. 25

,

26

and

27

show the control button on the slide member in a neutral position, a tilted position to one of the sides (tilting to the other side is also possible) and a depressed position, respectively.

FIG. 28

shows a typical array of light emitters and light receivers for detecting the movements of the slide member which should by no means be understood as defining the limits of the invention.

FIG. 29

shows the array of light emitters and light receivers in an embodiment of the circuit board which should by no means be understood as defining the limits of the invention.

FIGS. 30-33

show detection possibilities in different positions of the slide member control button.

FIGS. 34-37

show different registration possibilities on longitudinal movement of the slide member relative to the base member of the device or circuit board as shown in FIG.

29

.

FIG. 38

is a perspective view of the device with a detector unit and a code bar capable of displacement therethrough.

FIG. 39

shows an example of a code bar of this type.

FIG. 40

is a fragmentary view of the code bar shown in FIG.

39

.

FIG. 41

shows the cross-section taken along the line XLI-XLI in FIG.

38

.

FIG. 42

shows a variant of that shown in FIG.

41

.

FIG. 43

shows a variant of the code bar as shown in

FIG. 39

, having a polygonal cross-section, and used, for example, as shown in FIG.

42

.

FIG. 44

shows an example of a typical code bar according to the invention.

FIG. 45

shows how the control button can be moved relative to a display.

FIG. 46

shows an arrangement of letters, characters and numbers which the device will be capable of providing on movement of the control button.

FIG. 47

is a typical, simplified circuit diagram for the device shown in, inter alia, FIG.

38

.

FIG. 48

shows a code bar with control means for introduction into a detector unit, seen from above.

FIG. 49

is a side view of the device in FIG.

48

.

FIG. 50

shows the device in

FIG. 49

with the code bar pushed all the way into the detector unit of the device.

FIG. 51

shows the detector unit pivotally connected to a base member in a sprung manner,

FIG. 52

showing how the detector unit together with the code bar can be tilted by depressing a control means.

FIG. 53 and 54

show respectively from above and in perspective a modification of the device shown in

FIGS. 48-50

,

51

and

52

, wherein the control means (e.g., a rotating wheel) on the side thereof that is opposite the code bar is equipped with a movement control or positioning bar. This may be advantageous in the event that positioning notches on the code bar would take an undue amount of space and thus have a unfavourable effect on the possible number of holes for detection through the code bar. The movement control bar may optionally also be designed as a supplementary code bar.

FIGS. 55 and 56

show in partial cross-section from above and in an end view, respectively, more active use of the control means for position control of the code bar.

FIG. 57

shows modification of the device including the use of an endless belt passing over rollers, and wherein the belt forms rolling engagement with a pivotally supported code bar.

FIGS. 58

a

and

58

b

show further details in connection with the code bar in FIG.

57

and its associated light emitter/light receiver sets.

FIGS. 59-63

show a solution of the device wherein an optically readable code wheel is used which is supported in a cradle so as to be capable of stepwise rotation.

FIG. 59

shows the device seen in section from the side;

FIG. 60

is an end view of the device, seen in partial section;

FIG. 61

shows, in partial section, the device seen from above;

FIG. 62

shows a cross-section through the device taken transverse to the code wheel; and

FIG. 63

shows the device, in partial section, seen from the side.

FIGS. 64-70

show an embodiment of the device, wherein a code wheel is used having diametrically disposed light-conveying channels and having one or more light emitter and light detector sets, wherein light emitters are disposed diametrically on the opposite side of the code wheel.

FIG. 64

is a simplified perspective view of the device.

FIG. 65

shows the device from above.

FIG. 66

shows how the device can be depressed at different points.

FIGS. 67

,

68

and

69

show, from the side, how the device, against spring action, respectively can be held in a normal position, pushed straight downwards on central actuation of the code wheel or caused to tilt about the centre of the wheel by depressing the wheel at one of the indicated points on the periphery.

FIG. 70

shows the wheel from above and in perspective mounted on an apparatus housing.

FIGS. 71 and 72

show a modification of the device shown in

FIGS. 65 and 67

, wherein there is a central, common light source and a plurality of light receivers.

FIG. 71

shows the device seen from above and in partial section from the side.

FIGS. 73-79

show another embodiment of the device wherein a code wheel is used with markings on the underside thereof instead of through light channels in the wheel.

FIGS. 73

a, b

and

c

show three parts of which the device is composed, respectively a code wheel, a housing with a spring element and a mounting component for fixing the code wheel.

FIGS. 74 and 75

show in addition a plurality of light emitters and light receivers for detecting the rotation of the wheel and the tilting of the wheel respectively.

FIG. 76

shows the code wheel seen from the underside in a non-limiting embodiment.

FIG. 77

shows the code wheel seen from above.

FIG. 78

shows the housing component in

FIG. 73

b

seen from above.

FIG. 79

shows from above the component which is used for mounting the code wheel, as shown in section in FIG.

73

.

FIG. 80

shows in perspective a variant of the embodiment shown in FIG.

57

.

The solution shown in

FIGS. 81-87

is a simplified version of the embodiment shown in

FIG. 80

, wherein

FIG. 81

shows the device in perspective;

FIG. 82

shows the device in longitudinal section seen in a first operational position;

FIG. 83

shows the device seen from the side in a second operational position;

FIG. 84

shows the device seen in a longitudinal, horizontal section;

FIG. 85

shows a cross-section of the device;

FIG. 86

is an end view of the device; and

FIG. 87

is a end view of the device tilted to one side.

FIG. 88

shows the detection principle in connection with a code wheel as shown in

FIGS. 59-62

;

FIGS. 89-90

illustrate the detection principle; and

FIG. 91

shows what happens when the code wheel cradle is tilted to one side or the other or is pressed straight down.

FIGS. 92-95

show further details of the embodiment shown in

FIGS. 73-79

, wherein

FIG. 92

is a fragmentary view of the housing with bead,

FIG. 93

shows details of the fixing bracket device, and

FIGS. 94 and 95

show details of the interaction between the flange on the housing and the fixing bracket device.

FIGS. 96 and 97

show in more detail typical detection possibilities associated with the subject matter shown and described in connection with

FIGS. 73-79

and

92

-

95

.

FIG. 98

shows the device seen from above,

FIG. 99

shows a cradle which supports the control wheel of the device,

FIG. 100

shows the control wheel seen from the underside,

FIG. 101

shows the device seen from the side,

FIG. 102

shows the cradle seen from below, and

FIG. 103

shows the disposition of detectors on the base plate of the device.

FIG. 104

shows the device seen from above;

FIG. 105

shows a cradle seen from above;

FIG. 106

shows the control wheel seen from below;

FIG. 107

is a side view of the device;

FIG. 108

shows the cradle from below;

FIG. 109

shows the disposition of detectors on the device base plate;

FIG. 110

shows a cross-section through the device;

FIG. 111

shows the cradle seen from above; FIG.

112

and

FIG. 113

are a perspective view and a side view, respectively, of details of the springing of the cradle;

FIGS. 114 and 115

show respectively in perspective from above and from below the cradle as shown in

FIG. 110

without the springing.

FIG. 116

shows a control wheel seen from above.

FIG. 117

is a side view of the device.

FIG. 118

is a cradle of the device seen from above.

FIG. 119

is the cradle seen from below.

FIG. 120

is the control wheel seen from below.

FIG. 121

is the device base with detectors and processing equipment.

FIGS. 122 and 123

show in side view the cradle in non-tilted and tilted state, respectively.

FIG. 124

shows the device in perspective view from one side and above.

FIG. 125

is a vertical, longitudinal cross section of the device.

FIG. 126

is a cross section through a mid portion of the device.

FIG. 127

is an end view of the device.

FIG. 128

is a longitudinal and horizontal mid cross section of the device.

FIG. 129

shows a drum part of the device in perspective view from one side.

FIG. 130

is a vertical and longitudinal cross section of the device.

FIG. 131

is a cross section through a mid portion of the device.

FIG. 132

is an end view of the device.

FIG. 133

is a longitudinal and horizontal mid cross section of the device.

FIG. 134

is a top perspective view of the device.

FIG. 135

is a cross sectional view, and

FIG. 136

is a cross sectional view at 90° to the view of FIG.

135

.

FIG. 137

is a top view of a device base plate with detectors.

FIG. 138

is a view from above of a frame part of the device, with two detectors on the base plate visible.

FIG. 139

is a cross sectional view, and

FIG. 140

is a cross sectional view at 90° to the view of

FIG. 139. A

top view of the device will be similar to that of FIG.

134

.

FIG. 141

is a bottom view of a rotatable operating wheel.

FIG. 142

illustrates an example of a light reflecting ring to be located on the bottom side of the operating wheel, the reflecting disc also having sectors of non-reflection.

FIG. 143

is a view from above of a frame part of the device, with two detectors on the base plate visible.

FIG. 144

is a top view of a base plate of the device with detectors installed.

The embodiments will now be described in more detail in the following description.

In

FIG. 1

the reference numeral

1

indicates the key top member which has an elevation

2

for securing a suitable control button

3

(see FIGS.

6

-

10

). The top member

1

has a downwardly directed portion

4

which is intended to block both or one of the light paths between the light emitters

5

,

6

and their associated light receivers

5

′,

6

′. The top member

1

also has another downward projecting portion

7

having recesses or holes

8

′,

8

″,

8

′″. Corresponding recesses will also be found on the side of the downward projecting portion

4

that is not visible in FIG.

1

. The recesses

8

′,

8

″,

8

′″ are intended for interaction with holes or recesses

10

′,

10

″,

10

″ in a vertical portion

11

of the slide member

9

. Small balls may be positioned between the respective recesses

8

′,

10

′;

8

″,

10

″;

8

′″,

10

′″ in a such a way that when the top member

1

is tilted to one side or the other about the ball between the recesses

8

″ and

10

″, the ball will disengage from either the recess

8

′ or

8

′″, depending upon the direction of tilt. Similarly, on the vertical portion

12

of the slide member

9

there may be provided corresponding recesses

13

′,

13

″,

13

′″ in corresponding interaction with recesses provided in the away-facing face of the downward projecting portion

4

of the top member

1

. When, for instance, the top member

1

is tilted to one side or the other, recesses in the downward projecting portion

4

which correspond to recesses

13

′ or

13

′″ will disengage from the ball which is associated with the said recesses

13

′,

13

′″, whilst the turning or tilting takes place about a ball supported in the recess

13

″. When a tilting movement of this kind occurs, a typical indication of the tilting movement will be observed, since when the top member returns to its horizontal position wherein the recess pairs are parallel, all the balls will have snapped into place. For reasons of clarity, the balls are not shown in

FIGS. 1 and 2

.

To enable the downward projecting portions

4

and

7

of the tilting part to tilt relative to the slide member, respective openings

14

,

15

are provided in the slide member. When, for instance, the top member is tilted to one side or the other, at least a part of the downward projecting portions

4

and

7

will move down into respective openings

14

,

15

. Instead of the recess or the hole

8

″ in interaction with a coupling ball and the recess or the hole

10

″, a pin

16

could have been used, e.g., fastened to the top member wherein the recess

8

″ is located, the top member

1

thus being equipped with a shaft, wherein the shaft

16

can be given support in the hole

10

″. In such a case, the recesses or the holes

8

′,

8

′″ and

10

′,

10

′″, for example, may be omitted, the snap retention of the tilting part in a neutral position being provided by the recesses located respectively in the vertical portion

12

and the downward projecting portion

4

and associated coupling balls.

In addition to the detector pairs

5

,

5

′ and

6

,

6

′, additional light emitters

17

,

18

and light detectors

17

′,

18

′ may be provided, as indicated in FIG.

3

. However, a more detailed explanation will be given later. In order to provide a stepwise displacement of the slide member

9

relative to the key base member

19

, there may be provided an engaging spring

20

having a point

20

′ for successive interaction with a longitudinal row of recesses

21

on the underside of the slide member, as indicated in FIG.

9

.

As can be seen from

FIGS. 4 and 5

and also

FIG. 9

, the slide member

9

, shown in a simplified form in

FIGS. 4 and 5

, has on its underside a T-shaped rib with an upright portion

22

′ and a beam portion

22

″. A plurality of transverse holes

23

,

24

,

25

and

26

may be provided in the T-rib

22

upright. There may of course be fewer or more holes, depending upon the technical requirements the device must meet. In addition, two through holes

27

and

28

are cut out in the T-rib beam

22

″ to provide light paths between the light emitter

5

and light detector

5

′ and the light emitter

6

and light detector

6

″, respectively.

As indicated below in connection with

FIG. 21

, the light emitters and light receivers may be connected to a control and detector circuit

29

which is only indicated symbolically in

FIGS. 3

,

4

and

5

. However, it will be appreciated immediately that the location of such a circuit may of course be elsewhere in the device, optionally in connection with an extended portion of the base member

19

.

FIG. 6

shows how the top member

1

can be mounted together with the slide member

9

. In

FIG. 6

the top member and the slide member are shown in a starting or neutral position. In

FIG. 7

an end portion

1

′ of the top member

1

has been pushed downwards with the aid of the control button

3

, so that all three of the recesses in the downward projecting portion

4

disengage with the balls associated with the recesses or the holes

13

′,

13

″,

13

′″ as indicated in FIG.

2

.

In this position, the downward projecting portion

4

will block the light beams which would normally pass between the light emitter

5

and the light receiver

5

′, and the light emitter

6

and the light receiver

6

′ via respective holes

27

,

28

in the T-piece

22

beam

22

″. An illustration of this is given in

FIG. 9

on the right of the figure.

In

FIG. 8

it is shown how the top part

1

, which is in fact a tilting part, can be tilted to one side or the other,

FIG. 8

showing only tilting to one side. However it will be understood that tilting can also take place to the opposite side. Tilting takes place as previously described about the effective tilt points formed, inter alia, by recesses

8

″,

10

″, here indicated by means of new reference numeral

30

for the sake of simplicity.

Advantageously, the previously mentioned (non-illustrated) balls may be spring-loaded or the vertical portions

11

,

12

may be slightly elastically yielding.

Depending upon whether the top member

1

is tilted to one side or the other, or optionally pushed straight down with the downward projecting portion

4

through the opening or gap

15

, different signals will be detected from the light receivers

5

′,

6

′. If these signals are then collated with signals from the light receivers

17

′,

18

′, as the T-rib upright with its holes

23

-

26

moves past the light receivers

17

′,

18

′, binary codes will be capable of being formed for the different positions of the slide member

9

relative to the base member

19

. As shown in the example and listed in Table II below, there are thus in actual fact three possible states of connection associated with the tilting/depression of the top member relative to the slide member through the opening

15

, and wherein a single letter (A or B) indicates tilting and two letters indicate a depression to block both receivers

5

′ and

6

′ from receiving light. It should be observed that in the chosen example there are four possible position settings of the upright of the T-rib relative to the light receivers

17

′,

18

′. However, the indicated number of positions are not to be understood as in any way defining the limits of the invention.

The light emitters and the light receivers and the circuit

29

with appurtenant components may be placed in the bottom of the base member

19

, or the base member may be composed of a circuit board. The light emitters

5

,

6

and

17

,

18

may, for example, consist of light diodes.

When both light paths between the light emitters

5

,

6

and respective light receivers

5

′,

6

′ are blocked by the downward projecting portion

4

, the binary code 00 will in fact be detected. When only one of these light paths is blocked by the downward projecting portion

4

, a binary code 01 or 10 is detectable.

If the beam

22

″ represents status changes in the x direction and movement of the upright

22

′ will result in changes in the y direction, and also if tilting one way or the other or depression of the downward projecting portion

4

of the top member

1

represents movement in the z direction, the table below can be drawn up. Binary codes will thus be generated for the respective tilting and depression positions and the displacement which takes place in the longitudinal direction of the slide member relative to the base member. Table I below shows as an example desired commands when using the invention as, for example, a keypad for a telephone, and the table below shows the digits and characters which have respective binary codes. The number of desired commands as indicated in Table I may of course be increased by increasing the number of light emitters and light detectors which are to interact with the post

22

′ of the T-rib.

TABLE I

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

*

0

#

TABLE II

Code

Position in

Press in the

Digit

X

Y

Y direction

Z direction

1

01

00

1

A

2

00

00

1

A and B

3

10

00

1

B

4

01

10

2

A

5

00

10

2

A and B

6

10

10

2

B

7

00

11

3

A

8

01

11

3

A and B

9

10

11

3

B

0

00

01

4

A

*

01

01

4

A and B

#

10

01

4

B

The top member

1

, the slide member

9

and the base member

19

may advantageously be built into a housing consisting of a top

31

and a bottom

32

. Both the top

31

and the bottom

32

may have space for electronic equipment or power supply as indicated by the recesses

31

′ and

32

′.

Another embodiment of the device according to the invention will now be described with reference to

FIGS. 11-37

.

FIG. 11

shows a top

33

and a bottom

34

of a housing which is to hold the device according to the invention. There are cut-outs

33

′ and

33

″ and similarly

34

′,

34

″,

34

″ intended to contain both moveable and stationary elements which are constituent parts of the device. In

FIG. 16

the slide member is indicated by means of the reference numeral

35

, and it will be seen that on the side of the slide member

35

there is a plurality of recesses

36

which are intended for interaction with a positioning spring

37

. The cut-outs

33

″ are intended for display or indicator elements, e.g., in the form of light diodes

38

,

39

,

40

and

41

, to indicate more precisely the position of the control key

42

relative to the base member of the device, as will be explained below. Holes

38

′,

39

′,

40

′,

41

′ are thus provided in connection with the cut-outs

33

″ to allow the passage of light from the light diodes

38

-

41

. It will be appreciated that the light diodes may possibly be replaced by a display, e.g., an LCD panel.

The housing top

33

is equipped with guides

43

for the device control key and the slide member included in the device.

A cover plate

44

may be provided in connection with the control key

42

to protect the opening

45

from dust, foreign bodies or the like, when the control key is moved back and forth in the guide

43

.

The array of light emitters and light receivers and the unit

29

are as shown and described in connection with

FIGS. 1-10

. In

FIG. 21

the reference numeral

46

designates external equipment in the form of, e.g., communications equipment, additional computing equipment, display panels etc.

The slide member

35

is shown in more detail in

FIGS. 22-24

. The slide member has an attachment piece

42

′ for the control key

42

. The attachment piece

42

′ is pivotally supported about a shaft

47

which constitutes a fixed part of the slide member

35

. Relative to the shaft

47

, the attachment piece

42

′ has minimum lateral clearance, but a certain vertical clearance, thereby allowing the control key to be moved some way downwards.

The control key

42

will thus be capable of being moved straight downwards (the Z direction) and also of being tilted to one side or the other about the axis

47

. In order to effect stabilisation of the control key

42

when it is not in use or is in a neutral position, as shown in

FIG. 25

, a spring

48

, e.g., a spring of the disc type or a curved leaf spring, may be disposed between the control key attachment piece

42

′ and the slide member

35

. The slide member has two downward sloping portions, of which one is shown in FIG.

22

and indicated by means of the reference numeral

49

. At the bottom, this portion

49

has a downward projecting piece

50

having a hole

51

for the passage of light, e.g., between the light emitter

5

and the light receiver

5

′ or the light emitter

6

and light receiver

6

′, as the case may be. Spring tongues

52

,

53

are provided in connection with the downward projecting portions

49

, but of these only spring tongue

52

is shown in FIG.

22

. At one end of the slide member

35

, the spring tongues are fixedly attached thereto, e.g., by means of a screw connection

54

. As closer scrutiny of

FIG. 22

will reveal, the control key attachment piece

42

′ has at the bottom a bevel which is approximately parallel to the bevelled or sloping portion

49

of the slide member. Depression of the control key

42

will thus cause this key to press on the leaf spring

52

and/or

53

, thereby causing the leaf spring to lie down against the sloping or bevelled portion

49

of the slide member

35

. It will be seen that the leaf spring at the end opposite the attachment end thereof has a downward projecting portion or cross piece

52

′,

53

′ which, when the leaf spring is depressed, will lie in front of the hole

51

in the downward projecting portion

50

of the slide member. Thus, said piece

52

′;

53

′ will prevent passage of light between, e.g., the light emitter

5

and the light receiver

5

′ or the light emitter

6

and the light receiver

6

′.

In

FIG. 25

it will be seen that the slide member may have an approximately T-shaped rib on its underside as explained in connection with

FIGS. 1-10

. However, it is fully conceivable that at least the upright of the rib may be divided into separate pieces, such as, e.g.,

50

′ and

50

″, shown in FIG.

22

and FIG.

29

. In the downward projecting piece

50

of the slide member

35

, which will in fact form the beam of the T-rib, there are two holes indicated here by means of the reference numerals

51

′ and

51

″, respectively. When the control key

42

is tilted to one side or the other, e.g., in the direction indicated by the arrow

56

, the key

42

against the action of the spring

48

will cause the spring tongue

52

to move downwards into abutment against the sloping portion

49

, thereby blocking the aperture

51

″. The control key

42

has thus been depressed on the “b” side. If the control key

42

is pushed axially downwards in the direction of the arrow

57

as indicated in

FIG. 27

, both apertures

51

′ and

51

″ will be blocked.

The situation in

FIG. 25

recurs in

FIG. 30

, whilst the situation in

FIGS. 26 and 27

recurs in

FIGS. 32 and 31

respectively. By moving the slide member

35

relative to the base member

58

of the keypad device, in the present case made in the form of a circuit board, it will be possible to establish a binary coding for the different positions of the slide member relative to the base member, the “upright” of said T-rib having a hole or cut-out

59

through which light can pass between a light emitter and a light detector.

Thus, during the movement of the slide member

35

relative to the base member

58

a coding pattern is formed that corresponds to that shown in Table II and which is given below in Table III.

TABLE III

Character

X

Y

Press in the Z direction

1

01

01

B

2

00

01

A and B

3

10

01

A

4

01

00

B

5

00

00

A and B

6

10

00

A

7

01

11

B

8

00

11

A and B

9

10

11

A

0

01

10

B

*

00

10

A and B

#

10

10

A

From that shown in

FIGS. 28 and 29

(see also FIGS.

34

-

37

), compared to that which is evident from, for example,

FIG. 3

, it will be seen that the light emitter

6

and the light receiver

6

′ have exchanged places, and similarly the light emitter

18

and the light receiver

18

′ have exchanged places. The purpose of such switching is to avoid “light crosstalk”, i.e., that light from two light emitters can strike respective non-associated light receivers. The embodiment shown in

FIGS. 28 and 29

is therefore considered to be the embodiment preferred at present as regards the positioning of light emitters and light receivers.

In connection with

FIG. 26

it should be noted that if the edge

42

″ of the control key attachment piece

42

′ comes to rest against the underside of an underside portion of the housing top

33

, a larger torque towards the spring tongues

52

or

53

will be provided.

Yet another embodiment of the device will now be described with reference to attached

FIGS. 38-47

.

FIG. 38

shows a stationary detector unit

60

and a slide member

61

which is made in the form of a code bar. The stationary part

60

has a through, longitudinal channel

62

as shown on FIG.

41

. To guide the code bar stepwise relative to the stationary part

60

, the code bar may be made with markings or recesses which interact with an engaging means

64

, e.g., a ball, rib or the like, which is spring-mounted with the aid of a spring

65

which is secured to the stationary part

60

at one end thereof, indicated by means of the reference numeral

65

′. In the longitudinal direction of the code bar

61

and spaced apart at regular intervals, are provided transverse holes

66

. On each side of the code bar or slide member

61

at least a first and a second light emitter

67

/light receiver

67

′;

68

,

68

′ sets are provided for light emission and detection of received light transverse to the channel

62

through the code bar holes

66

. It will also be possible to provide several parallel holes such as the holes

66

′ and

66

″, wherein these sets of holes can form an angle to one another in the range of 0°-360°. In an embodiment that should not be seen as defining the limits of the invention the angle range is, e.g., 5°-90°. It would, of course, be possible to have, e.g., two or three set of holes, although even more sets are conceivable.

Although there may be at least a first and a second set of light emitter/light receiver pairs

67

,

67

′;

68

,

68

′, it would be preferable to use several such light emitter/light receiver pairs in the form of, e.g., third, fourth and fifth sets as indicated in

FIGS. 38 and 47

and indicated by means of the respective reference numerals

69

,

69

′;

70

,

70

′;

71

,

71

′. The sets of light emitters/light receivers may be placed on a common circuit board, as explained, for example, in connection with FIG.

29

. The stepwise mechanical movement of the slide member

61

relative to the stationary part

60

will cause passage of light through holes

66

,

66

′ or

66

″ in the code bar, or non-passage of light through the code bar to the respective light receivers

67

′,

68

′,

69

′,

70

′ and

71

′, which will result in the output from the light receivers being converted to respective sets of binary “1” and “0” characters.

Although a code bar having an essentially circular cross-section, as shown in

FIGS. 38

,

39

and

41

, would be preferred, it is nevertheless possible within the scope of the invention to choose a code bar design which has essentially a polygonal cross-section, e.g., hexagonal. This is shown in more detail in

FIGS. 42 and 43

, wherein the code bar is designated by the reference numeral

72

. In these figures markings or recesses

73

have been placed around the periphery of the code bar, and these interact with a spring-tensioned engaging part

74

tensioned by a spring

75

. In this case it may be advantageous to allow the holes, here indicated by the reference numerals

75

,

75

′,

75

″ and

75

′″, to extend from one side face of the polygonal code bar to the opposite side face, as is shown clearly in FIG.

42

. As is evident from

FIGS. 41 and 42

, it would be expedient if the said sets of holes were to pass through and transverse to the longitudinal central axis of the code bar. As indicated in

FIGS. 39 and 43

, the holes in one set, e.g., the set

66

;

75

, may lie in respective transverse planes on the code bar, which are different for holes in other hole sets, such as, e.g., the sets

66

′,

66

″. However, it is conceivable that at least one of the holes in a first set, e.g., the set

75

, could lie on the same plane as one of the holes in a second set, e.g., the set.

75

′″, as can be seen in FIG.

43

. The same also applies in connection with FIG.

39

and holes

66

′ and

66

″.

The embodiment will now be described in more detail with reference to

FIG. 44

wherein the point of departure is a row of holes which by means of the arrow is indicated by reference numeral

66

. This row of holes consists of the holes indicated by the letters b, d, e, h, k, l, m, n, p and q. It will be seen that the angularly offset row consisting of the holes a, c, f, g, i, j, and o will not permit passage of light when the code bar is adjusted so that the light detectors in the stationary part are adapted to intercept light through only the row of holes

66

.

When a code bar of this type is moved past the detector array

67

,

67

′,

68

,

68

′,

69

,

69

′,

70

,

70

′ and

71

,

71

′, due to the stepwise movement of the code bar a binary code pattern as can be seen from Table IV below will be produced successively, wherein at the points a-r it is indicated whether there is any passage of light LP or not through the row of holes

66

.

TABLE IV

LP

0

1

0

1

1

0

0

1

0

0

1

1

1

1

0

1

1

1

Ch.

a

b

c

d

e

f

g

h

i

f

k

l

m

n

o

p

q

r

1

0

1

0

1

1

2

1

0

1

1

0

3

0

1

1

0

0

4

1

1

0

0

1

5

1

0

0

1

0

6

0

0

1

0

0

7

0

1

0

0

1

8

1

0

0

1

1

9

0

0

1

1

1

0

0

1

1

1

1

*

1

1

1

1

0

#

1

1

1

0

1

+

1

1

0

1

1

−

1

0

1

1

1

The light emitters

67

,

68

,

69

,

70

,

72

may be positioned in succession on the opposite side of the code bar as indicated in FIG.

47

. However, it is also conceivable that all the light emitters

67

-

71

may be placed on the same side of the code bar whilst the light receivers

67

′-

71

′ are placed on the opposite side of the code bar.

It is also conceivable that the light emitters and the light receivers may be activated sequentially to prevent propagation of any scattered light to the wrong light receiver. The sets of light emitters/light receivers can be controlled by a microprocessor

76

which may contain controlling and analysing circuits and circuits for converting the detected binary codes into a unique indication of the correct character. The successive characters which are produced may, e.g., be fed to a display

77

and furthermore external equipment such as, e.g., radio communications equipment, indicated by reference numeral

78

, may be provided for communication with the aerial

79

, and further communication with a microtelephone or the like. The radio communication unit

78

may, for example, be controlled by a switch

81

.

In order to activate the device in the various positions of the code bar relative to the stationary unit

60

, an initiating means must be provided such as, e.g., a control key

82

which interacts with the switch

82

′ or

82

″, which functions either optoelectronically or electromechanically. As an alternative to such switches

82

′,

82

″, it is conceivable that the stationary part

60

may be mounted on a circuit board

83

wherein also the components

67

-

71

,

67

′-

72

′,

76

and

77

are mounted, and wherein the circuit board is at one end mounted or hinged via a means

84

, and in this way attached to a device base plate

85

or housing, wherein at the other end of the underside of the circuit board

82

there are provided switches, e.g., microswitches. Such switches are indicated by the reference numeral

86

on

FIGS. 39 and 47

. If the control button is to control a switch such as the switch

82

′ or

82

″, a switch of this kind could advantageously be placed on the actual code bar and linked to the microprocessor

76

via wire connection. If wire connections are to be avoided as far as possible, a switch or switches

86

between the base plate

85

or the device housing and a circuit board plate

83

may be an expedient means for reading the binary codes readable at respective times.

Such switches

86

will be common commercial products and only a gentle pressure on the control key

82

will be required to cause the switch to be activated by slight bending of the circuit board plate

83

about the connection

84

.

FIG. 48

shows a code bar

87

which is moveable through a detector unit

88

, consisting of light emitters

89

-

92

and light receivers

93

-

96

. The code bar

87

which per se may have approximately the same embodiment as shown in, e.g., FIG.

39

and

FIG. 43

, can be moved back and forth as indicated by arrow in

FIG. 50

by a control means

97

. The control means

97

may be an control wheel or a control button. The light emitters and light receivers may, as described in connection with the previous embodiments, e.g., be mounted on a common circuit board, as indicated by the reference numeral

98

on FIG.

49

. As was the case for the previous embodiments of the code bar, this code bar also has a plurality of holes

99

which are through-going, so that when a selected hole is on a line between a light emitter and a light receiver, the hole will create a light passage therethrough. In order to better the light passage it is of course conceivable that the individual holes may be provided with an optical light fibre to enhance the passage of light. As for previous embodiments, here too there is a flexible engaging means

100

,

101

, as indicated in FIG.

49

. The engaging means part

101

is adapted against action of a spring to form releasable engagement with markings or recesses in the code bar, e.g., those indicated by means of the reference numeral

102

on FIG.

48

and/or those indicated by the reference numeral

103

. Even though the code bar advantageously has a circular cross-section, it will of course be appreciated that it may also a different cross-section, e.g., polygonal.

Instead of a plurality (e.g.) three parallel rows of position-engaging recesses

63

(see

FIG. 40

) or

103

(FIGS.

48

-

50

), if there is a need to be able to rotate the code bar about its axis 360° or, e.g., through an angle of 30°-90°, it would be inappropriate to have a large number of such parallel, non-coplanar rows of recesses, as they would strongly reduce the number of possible through code holes in the code bar. The recesses or markings which are indicated by the reference numeral

102

on

FIGS. 48 and 49

are therefore advantageously located on a free end portion of the code bar. This allows the code bar in fact to rotate stepwise about its axis through 360° or less. In a case of this kind only one row of recesses

63

or

103

is required in the longitudinal direction of the code bar to ensure the stepwise movement in the longitudinal direction of the code bar. Optionally, these recesses or markings may be made into through-going, mutually angularly offset coplanar holes, preferably for use in the detection of the rotational or axial movement of the code bar in connection with an optical detector unit.

FIGS. 51 and 52

show that the control means is able to interact with a light emitter and light receiver pair, indicated by the reference numerals

104

and

105

respectively. As shown in

FIG. 51

, there is a control means

97

, as indicated in

FIGS. 48-50

, which actuates the movement of a code bar

87

through the detector unit

88

. As can be seen, the light emitter/light receiver pair

104

,

105

may be mounted on the underside of the circuit board plate

98

, although this should of course not be understood as defining the limits of the invention. On a base plate

106

, there is an vertical light path barrier

107

which upon depression of the control button

97

, as indicated by the downwardly directed arrow on

FIG. 52

, will cause the light path between the light emitter

104

and the light receiver

105

to be blocked, as shown in FIG.

52

. The detector unit

88

is pivotally connected to the base plate

106

via a hinge connection

108

. It would be expedient for the detector unit to be elastically depressible towards the base member

106

, a feature that can be provided by using a spring device

109

, e.g., a disc spring.

In

FIG. 53

it will be seen that in connection with the control means

97

, coaxial therewith and on each side thereof, is arranged the said code bar

87

and a position-adjusting bar

110

which will be capable of interacting with an engaging means

111

, e.g., having a design similar to that of the engaging part

100

,

101

, as shown in connection with

FIGS. 49 and 50

. As shown in more detail in

FIG. 54

, both the code bar

87

and the position-adjusting bar

110

are slidably supported in a housing body

112

, whereby both axial movement and rotating or tilting movement of the bars

87

and

110

can be provided. There may be a base plate, such as, e.g., the base plate

106

, in this figure indicated by the reference numeral

106

″ The housing

112

may be connected to the base plate

106

′ via a hinge connection, in this figure designated by the reference numeral

108

′. A spring unit, like the spring

109

in

FIG. 51

, is also provided in the solution shown in FIG.

54

and is denoted by the reference numeral

109

′. As indicated by means of the reference numeral

113

, the bar member

110

may optionally be made in the form of a secondary code bar with through holes, so that the passage of light through such holes can be effected by a light emitter unit

114

which will interact with a light receiving unit

115

. This allows additional coding possibilities to be obtained in connection with the device. The engaging means

111

can interact with, for example, hole

111

′, as shown and explained in a similar manner in connection with

FIGS. 48-50

, and the preceding figures, in particular

FIGS. 40

,

41

and

42

.

The light emitter unit

114

may, for example, consist of a sixth and seventh set of light emitter/light receiving pairs, indicated by the reference numerals

116

,

117

and

118

,

119

respectively. In addition, in connection with the light emitter unit

114

and the light emitter unit

115

which form the secondary optical detector unit, there could be an eighth, a ninth and a tenth set of light emitter/light receiving pairs, indicated by means of the reference numerals

120

,

121

;

122

,

123

;

124

,

125

, respectively.

As shown in

FIGS. 55 and 56

, the control means consists of a cup-shaped button, indicated here by the reference numeral

126

. In this case for the sake of simplicity the code bar is designated by the reference numeral

127

and interacts with a light emitter unit consisting of light emitters

128

,

129

,

130

and

131

with associated light receivers

132

,

133

,

134

and

135

. Through holes, indicated here by the reference numeral

136

, are provided in the code bar. On the internal periphery of the control button

126

there are provided means, e.g., recesses

137

which engage with an elastic device

138

, resulting in a flexible, releasable position engagement with an external portion of a housing body

139

belonging to the device. As shown, the code bar

127

is fastened coaxially to the control button, e.g., by means of a pin

127

′ which forms threaded engagement with a fixing screw or the like, indicated by the reference numeral

140

. It is thus possible to make the device itself axially more compact.

FIG. 57

shows yet another modification of the device according to the invention. In this case the control means consists of an endless belt

141

which is passed over two opposing rotating rollers

142

and

143

. The outer side of the belt is, as shown in

FIG. 57

by the arrow

144

, in frictional engagement with a code bar

145

for rotating the code bar when the belt is moved in the direction indicated by the arrows

146

. The code bar may be made conventionally with through holes

147

, and it will be appreciated that the number of holes will of course be highly variable, according to requirements. For instance, four or more through holes

147

may be provided, as indicated in

FIGS. 58

a

and

58

b

. The belt

141

may optionally be provided on its inner side with transverse ribs

148

for better engagement with the rollers

142

and

143

. A step mechanism

150

located on the roller

142

support may, e.g., form successive, releasable engagement with indentations

151

on the surface of the roller

142

. If said indentations consist of axial, parallel grooves on the surface of the roller

142

, the ribs

148

can, e.g., be spaced apart so that the ribs engage with the grooves when the roller

142

is made to rotate, thereby counteracting any slipping of the belt.

Preferably, the rotating rollers

142

and

143

will be mutually spring-tensioned. A spring tensioning of this kind is shown schematically by the reference numeral

149

. In order to be able to maintain the tension of the belt

141

by means of the spring tensioning

149

, it is necessary that one of the rollers be hinge-connected to the cradle

160

, e.g., at a hinging point

174

.

Located on opposite sides of the code bar, which is axially immobile, but rotatable, are light emitters and light receivers respectively, in

FIG. 57

indicated by means of the reference numerals

152

and

153

and the same in

FIG. 58

, but it will be appreciated that several light emitters and light receivers could be provided for the detection of the passage of light transverse to the code bar

145

, as when using additional light emitters

154

,

155

,

156

and associated light receivers

157

,

158

,

159

as indicated in

FIG. 58

b.

The code bar

145

and the rotating rollers

142

,

143

are pivotally supported in the cradle

160

. The cradle

160

can be tilted to both sides about tilt axis

164

as indicated by the arrows

161

and

162

, or pushed downwards as indicated by the arrow

163

at an end portion

165

of the cradle.

The end portion

165

has lugs

166

and

167

projecting from the cradle

160

. Two motion detectors are provided for interacting with respective lug

166

,

167

to cause a light path in each detector pair on the tilting motion of the cradle to one side or the other, as indicated by the reference numeral

161

or

162

, or a downward movement as indicated by the reference numeral

163

. The detector pairs are indicated by means of the reference numerals

168

,

169

and

170

,

171

and designate respectively the light emitter and the light receiver in the pair.

In the solution shown in

FIGS. 57 and 58

, it is not just detection of coded holes in the code bar

145

that is provided, but in addition tilting motions of the cradle and possible downward movement, e.g., to effect a reading of that intercepted one or more of the light receivers

153

,

157

-

159

. A spring mechanism, indicated by the reference numeral

172

, may optionally be provided for a sprung movement of the cradle relative to a base

173

. The cradle will be capable of being tilted about its axis

164

, and thus movable relative to the base

173

. The support of the cradle on the axially opposite side of the end portion

165

may, for example, take place via a swivel, e.g., of the type shown on the right in

FIGS. 59 and 61

.

The said pivot point has not been shown on

FIG. 57

for drawing-technical reasons, but a person versed in the art will appreciate immediately how the support could take place.

The solution shown in

FIG. 80

employs a belt

268

running over a roller pair

269

,

270

. The roller

270

has a plurality of spaced, parallel and axially extending holes

271

. A light emitter

272

and a light receiver

273

are located at the respective end of the roller

270

and form a detector for detecting rotation of the roller. Upon rotation of the roller, detection of sequential light reception as the holes

271

pass, can e.g., cyclically control a register

274

for fetching desired parameters which can be transmitted to a microprocessor

275

which is adapted to control peripheral equipment

276

. The rollers

269

and

270

together with their belt

268

are mounted on a cradle

277

which at a free end thereof has projecting lugs

278

and

279

which actuate the light path between respective light emitter and light receiver

280

,

281

and

282

,

283

in these detectors when the cradle

277

either is tilted to one side or the other or is pushed downwards at its end portion

277

′.

FIGS. 81-85

show two rollers

285

and

286

which are surrounded by and can be rotated by a belt

284

. The rollers are mounted in a cradle

287

which can be tilted or depressed relative to a cradle support

289

which is located on a base

292

. The roller

286

is of the same type as the roller

270

. Detector pair

293

,

294

detects successive passages of light through holes

286

′ in the roller

286

when this rotates. The device has a belt support and a pressure plate

288

which with a channel

290

that is approximately oval in vertical section form pivotal connection with a shaft

289

arranged in the cradle support

289

. The plate

288

is supported by a spring

291

. The cradle

287

can be tilted to one side or the other, as shown in FIG.

87

. By pressing straight down on the belt

284

and thus on the plate

288

too, the cradle can also be moved vertically. The movements are thus the same, in terms of function, as those shown and described in connection with

FIG. 80

, but also as indicated in connection with FIG.

57

. Detectors

295

and

296

detect tilting motion of the cradle to one side or the other relative to the cradle

287

. Upon depression of the cradle both detectors

295

and

296

will be activated. Tilting or depression of the cradle is carried out against the action of the spring

291

, so as to ensure the movement will be felt distinctly

In other respects the embodiment is the same in terms of function as that shown and described in connection with FIG.

80

.

A further embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to

FIGS. 59-63

.

In this embodiment there is a cradle

175

which is tiltably supported, e.g., via a ball pivot

176

in an apparatus housing

177

. The cradle can be tilted about its longitudinal axis

178

, but will also be tiltable relative to its longitudinal axis, as indicated by the reference numeral

178

′. An optically readable code wheel

179

is pivotally supported in the cradle

175

. Preferably, the rotatory motion takes place in that an inner portion

180

of the wheel

179

has a number of recesses

181

located on an inner wall of the wheel

179

. These recesses

181

interact with preferably spring-loaded balls

182

which may optionally be spring-tensioned by a spring

183

. The spring device

183

is preferably fixed in the cradle, as can be seen clearly in

FIG. 61

, so that the support of the wheel

179

in fact effected via the preferably spring-loaded balls. Since the sides of the cradle also provide lateral stability for the wheel in the cradle itself, it will be understood that the outlined support of the wheel

179

will be sufficient. The code wheel

179

may be provided with code section

184

as shown in

FIG. 63

, and a first detector, consisting of a light emitter

185

and a light receiver

186

, detects the markings on the wheel, said markings preferably being transparent. The first optical detector

185

,

186

is expediently positioned on a component plate

187

which is stationary relative to the cradle. The optically readable code wheel

179

thus has code section

184

which may consist of at least one set of transparent and non-transparent sector portions, wherein the set covers a sector angle in the range of 1°-360°. Preferably, two or more sets of such sector portions are provided, wherein the sets can be arranged concentrically and each one spans a sector angle in the range of 1°-360°. Each sector may have radially differently located transparent and non-transparent sections, each such sector providing a specific optical code. The said first optical detector has on the light receiver side a connection to a step counter

188

whereby the rotation of the wheel cyclically can effect a search in a register

189

containing characters, symbols or the like, so that such characters, symbols or the like can be output on a display

190

and in addition used by a processor

191

, e.g., in connection with transmitter-receiver equipment

192

in a mobile phone, as indicated in FIG.

62

. However, this must by no means be understood as defining the limits of the use of the invention.

In addition, the cradle

175

has two laterally arranged lugs

193

and

194

which interact with second and third detectors, consisting of respectively light emitter

195

, light detector

196

and light emitter

197

, light receiver

198

.

When the cradle

175

is thus caused to tilt about its longitudinal axis

178

, the light path for either the second detector

195

,

196

or the third detector

197

,

198

will be actuated. The light receiver, such as, e.g., the light receiver

198

, will thus be capable of being connected to the microprocessor

191

. In addition to being tiltable sideways, as can be seen clearly from, e.g.,

FIGS. 60 and 61

, but also from

FIG. 63

, it will be expedient to support the cradle at one end thereof opposite the ball pivot

176

in a sprung manner. In the illustrated example, it is envisaged that a disc spring

199

will be used. When the cradle

175

is pressed downwards, so that its end portion

175

′ moves downwards, the cradle will rotate about the ball pivot

176

and with its longitudinal axis take up a position which is represented by the downwardly sloping axis

178

′. Of course, in such a situation, the light paths for both said second detector and said third detector,

195

,

196

and

197

,

198

respectively, will be actuated so that in fact three signalling possibilities will be provided by the sideways tilting of the cradle and the depression of the end portion thereof. However, a person versed in the art will understand that by means of modifications, the number of possible positions for the cradle and thus also the signalling possibilities for can be smaller or greater, without thereby departing from the inventive idea.

The wheel

179

can, e.g., be designed as shown in FIG.

89

and indicated by the reference numeral

297

. A plurality of holes

298

is provided, preferably evenly spaced apart, are provided in the wheel

297

. By using, e.g., a light emitter

299

and two light receivers

300

and

301

, greater detection possibilities are obtained than with only one light emitter

185

and one light receiver

186

, the detection being as indicated in

FIG. 90

, wherein CW stands for clockwise rotation and CCW stands for counter clockwise rotation. In particular the junction between wall and hole will be detected accurately, no matter which rotational direction the wheel is turned in.

FIG. 91

shows in more detail what happens when the cradle

175

, here only indicated schematically, is either kept still, depressed at the detector

195

,

196

, depressed at the detector

197

,

198

or straight down in the middle above the spring

199

. C and D designate light receiver

196

and

198

respectively.

This solution is advantageous in that it can serve many functions, and at the same time it eliminates many press buttons and allows, e.g., a large display to be made on an otherwise small apparatus housing, as is known from mobile phone technology. The device is easy to operate and has a simple mechanical structure with few moving parts. It is inexpensive to produce and can be made relatively small. It is also barely subject to wear. However, it is somewhat less robust as regards water and dust.

Yet another embodiment of the present invention can now been seen from

FIGS. 64-70

with a variant thereof illustrated in

FIGS. 71 and 72

. In this embodiment there is an apparatus housing

200

in which a control wheel

201

is pivotally arranged. The control wheel has a plurality of radially positioned angularly offset through holes

202

. On at least three portions thereof the control wheel is spring-supported, e.g., by using so-called disc springs

203

. At least one light emitter

204

and light receiver

205

set is placed on opposite sides of the control wheel. In

FIG. 65

it is indicated that there could be a plurality of light emitters and light receivers, designated respectively by the reference numerals

206

-

210

and

211

-

215

. As indicated in

FIG. 66

, it would be possible for instance, if, e.g., four springs

203

were provided, to tilt the control wheel about the axis dbe or abc, or ad, cd, ce or ae, as well as there being the possibility of pressing the wheel straight down at point B. Although in

FIG. 64

only one light emitter

204

and one light receiver

205

is shown, it will be appreciated that a plurality of light emitters and light receivers may be provided, as shown in FIG.

65

. Like the embodiment in

FIGS. 59-63

, it will be expedient to connect, e.g., the light receiver

205

to both a counting circuit

188

and a microprocessor

191

, not only to count the individual movement steps, but also to detect a light path between light emitter

204

and light receiver

205

. By, for example, tilting the control wheel

201

as shown in

FIG. 61

, the light path between the light emitter

204

and the light receiver

205

will be so actuated that it is perceived as a non-existent light signal by the light receiver

205

. In

FIG. 68

the control wheel has been pressed downwards at, for example, point B, thereby depressing all the springs

203

.

The wheel

201

is preferably flexibly supported by a support

216

, as indicated in FIG.

68

. In the solution shown in

FIGS. 71 and 72

it is envisaged that that only a single light emitter

217

can be used which via light channels

218

communicates with a plurality of light receivers

219

-

232

, as proposed as a non-limiting example of the invention in FIG.

71

. The output from the light receivers may, e.g., be fed to a microprocessor

233

which is further connected to peripheral equipment

234

. Besides detecting the motion of the wheel

201

, the microprocessor

233

may also, e.g., cyclically search the output from all the light receivers to see which are active as regards reception or non-reception of light. The peripheral equipment

234

may, e.g., be a display device. Optionally, the microprocessor

233

may be connected to a radio transmitter and receiver

235

which has aerial equipment and optional equipment for emission and reception of sound.

FIGS. 73-79

show yet another embodiment of the device according to the invention. In this case too there is an apparatus housing, indicated here by the reference numeral

236

, in which a control wheel

237

is arranged, wherein the control wheel is spring-supported by a spring

238

at least at three portions thereof. A top view of the wheel

237

is presented in FIG.

77

. The wheel may be provided with a slightly depressed portion

239

, to allow a finger to turn the wheel easily to one side or the other. The housing

236

has an edged recess

240

in which the wheel

237

can be partially recessed. In this recessed portion there are, e.g., three elevations

241

,

242

and

243

which form tilt points for the wheel. The wheel has a downward projecting pin

244

which is to form pivotal engagement with a fixing bracket device

245

, the pin

244

designed to fit into a hole

246

in the fixing bracket device

245

. The fixing bracket device

245

may either be provided with a bearing (not illustrated) which allows the pin

244

and so the wheel

237

to turn relative to the fixing bracket device. Alternatively, the pin

244

may be provided at the bottom with a snap-in device, so that it snaps into place and cannot be pulled up, but nevertheless is rotatable relative to the fixing bracket device. As an additional alternative, the pin may consists of two parts with a dividing area

244

′, optionally that the pin

244

is whole, but with the wheel

237

itself either snapped on or secured by a screw to the pin

234

and in such a manner that the wheel is rotatable relative to the pin.

FIG. 73

c

shows the fixing bracket device from the side and

FIG. 79

shows the fixing bracket device from above. The fixing bracket device has openings

247

,

248

and

249

to allow optical markings

264

on the underside of the wheel to be detected. The optical markings are designated generally by the reference numeral

250

, and it should be understood that, e.g., two or more concentric sections of such markings may be used. Thus, the section

263

could be just such a supplementary area of markings.

The fixing bracket device

245

has, e.g., three hook-shaped lugs

251

,

252

and

253

which engage with cut-outs

265

in a bead

254

on the housing

236

, see inter alia

FIGS. 92 and 93

. The fixing bracket device

245

may be equipped with, e.g., a step spring

245

′ which with its free end forms stepwise engagement with the annular section

263

of grooves on the underside of the wheel

237

. The provision of tilt points

241

-

243

allows the wheel

237

to be tilted about the points

241

and

243

,

241

and

241

or

242

,

243

. Owing to the design of the fixing bracket device, it will be possible, as can be seen in

FIG. 75

, to detect with the aid of a respective detector pair, as indicated by the reference numerals

255

,

256

and

257

, tilting of the wheel about the points

241

,

243

or

241

,

242

or

242

,

243

. The detectors

255

,

256

and

257

consist of respective light emitters and light receivers indicated by the reference numerals

255

′,

255

″,

256

′,

256

″ and

257

′,

257

″. If it is assumed, as is referred to in

FIG. 75

, that it is the detector

257

which is to start functioning when the wheel is tilted, it will be seen that when the wheel tilts towards the abutment of the spring

238

, the lug

253

will move downwards slightly relative to the bead (see FIGS.

94

and

95

), but still remain in its respective cut-out

265

, like the two other lugs. This means that the light path between light emitter

257

′ and light receiver

257

″ is bound to be actuated so that light is made to pass via a hole

266

in the bracket device and a hole

267

in said bead

254

.

As indicated in

FIG. 74

, for example, the light emitter

256

′ and the light receiver

256

″ may be connected to a microprocessor

258

which in turn can be connected to peripheral equipment, such as, e.g., a display device

259

. Furthermore, the microprocessor

258

can be connected to transmitter-receiver equipment

260

, optionally with associated equipment for emission and reception of sound. As will be seen from

FIG. 73

, at least one detector

261

is provided for detecting the rotatory motion of the control wheel, this detector of course also being connected to the microprocessor

258

. In addition, it would serve to provide a further detector

262

for reading the optical markings

264

on the underside of the wheel

237

. Of course, it is possible that the detector

216

could also read these markings as a supplement to the readings that the detector

262

will be able to take.

Although it is not shown in

FIG. 74

, it will be understood that the other light emitters and light receivers will of course be connected to the microprocessor

258

. For the sake of clarity, such connection to the microprocessor

258

has not been indicated. The optically readable code wheel will preferably be provided with at least one set of marked and non-marked sector portions, wherein such a set will cover a sector angle in the range of 1°-360°. Of course, two or more such sector portions, which are concentric and wherein each spans a sector angle in the range 1°-360°, can be provided. By way of example FIG.

76

shows two such readable sector portions

263

and

264

which are concentric and wherein each span a sector angle in the range 1°-360°, although this should not be understood as defining the limits of the invention.

FIG. 96

shows the rotation of the wheel

237

in clockwise direction and how, for example, a detector

261

or

262

is capable of giving a binary out-signal depending upon the step-by-step position of the wheel. CW denotes rotation in the clockwise direction, whilst CCW denotes anticlockwise rotation.

In

FIG. 97

it is shown how tilting or depressing the wheel

237

and thus also the bracket device

245

can take place at points C, D and E and thus actuate respective detector

255

,

256

and

257

, cf. also

FIGS. 74 and 78

.

Detector -------------------->

255

256

257

No depression of wheel 237

0

0

0

Depression at C

1

0

0

Depression at D

0

1

0

Depression at E

0

0

1

Depression at centre of wheel 237

1

1

1

The advantage of this solution is that many functions can be maintained, whilst a great number of push buttons are eliminated. It will be easy to operate, is simple and robust in construction (few parts), inexpensive to manufacture and can be made very slim. However, it will require a certain surface, e.g., about 20 mm in diameter.

FIGS. 98-103

show a control wheel

302

with a depression

303

for engagement with a finger. The wheel

302

is supported by a cradle

304

which is tiltable but not rotatable about its axis relative to the device housing

305

. The wheel

302

has a shaft

306

which is passed through the cradle

304

with clearance via a hole

307

therein, and is spring-mounted relative to a base plate

308

by means of a spring

310

and a bracket device

309

.

The cradle has a subframe

311

which is supported by three tilting pads

321

-

314

. The wheel

302

has on the underside thereof a code section

315

and a step engaging section

316

, e.g., a belt of closely spaced recesses which form successive engagement with support and step controlling bosses

317

-

319

. Detectors

320

-

322

are provided on the base plate for detecting the code section

315

via openings

323

-

325

in the cradle when the control wheel is turned stepwise. The detectors

320

-

322

are optoelectrical, whilst the detectors

326

-

328

for detecting the tilting motion of the cradle about a pair of pads

312

-

313

,

313

-

314

or

314

-

312

consist preferably of microswitches. Both the optoelectrical and the mechanical switches can be connected to a microprocessor

329

(for the sake of simplicity only two of these are shown connected), which can be further connected to optional peripheral equipment

329

′.

FIGS. 104-115

show a solution which basically works in the same way as that just explained in connection with

FIGS. 98-103

.

FIGS. 104-115

show a control wheel

330

having a depression

331

for engagement with a finger. The wheel

330

is supported by a cradle

332

which is tiltable but not rotatable about its axis relative to the device housing

333

. The wheel

330

has a shaft

334

which is passed through the cradle

332

via a hole

335

therein, and is secured pivotally to the cradle. The cradle has a subframe consisting of three curved tilting pads

336

-

338

. On the underside thereof the wheel

302

has a code section

339

and a step engaging section

340

, e.g., a belt of closely spaced recesses which form successive engagement with support and step controlling bosses

341

-

343

. Detectors

344

-

346

are provided on the base plate for detecting the code section

339

via openings

347

-

349

in the cradle when the control wheel

330

is turned stepwise. The detectors

344

-

346

are optoelectrical, like the detectors

350

-

352

for detecting the downward tilting motion of the cradle towards a respective one of the detectors

350

-

352

. At three extreme points, the cradle is connected via pins

353

-

355

to guides

358

(only one is shown in

FIG. 110

) in the housing to ensure that the tilting motion of the cradle is controlled at all times. In this respect the solution is somewhat reminiscent of that shown in

FIGS. 92-95

. The optoelectrical detectors

344

-

346

and

350

-

352

can be connected to a microprocessor

356

(for the sake of simplicity only two of these are shown connected), which can be further connected to optional peripheral equipment

356

′.

On the underside of the cradle there is a spring

357

and a connecting pad

359

between the cradle

332

and the spring

357

. Three pins

360

-

362

also extend down from the underside of the cradle which serve in a tilting action as motion stoppers and light passage inhibitors.

The solution in

FIGS. 116-123

has many features in common with the solution shown in

FIGS. 104-115

. A control wheel

363

having a depression

363

′ for engagement with a finger is shown. The wheel

363

is supported by a cradle

364

which is arranged to be tiltable but not rotatable about its axis relative to the device housing

365

. The wheel

363

has a shaft

366

which is passed through the cradle

334

via a hole

367

therein, and is secured so as to be pivotal relative to the cradle, but terminated on the underside of a housing

365

base

368

against tensioning from a spring

369

, e.g., a disc spring or coil spring. The cradle has a subframe consisting of three curved tilting pads

370

-

372

. The wheel

363

has on the underside thereof a code section

373

and a step engaging section

374

, e.g., a belt of closely spaced recesses which form successive engagement with support and step controlling bosses

374

-

376

located on the surface of the cradle. Detectors

377

-

379

are provided on the base plate for detecting the code section

373

via openings

380

-

382

in the cradle when the control wheel

363

is rotated stepwise. The detectors

377

-

379

are optoelectrical, like the detectors

383

-

385

for detecting the downward tilting motion of the cradle towards a respective one of the detectors

383

-

385

. At three extreme points, the cradle

364

is connected via pins

386

-

389

to guides, like the guide

358

in the housing, as shown e.g., in

FIG. 110

, to ensure that the tilting motion of the cradle is controlled at all times. In this respect the solution is somewhat reminiscent of shown in

FIGS. 92-95

. The optoelectrical detectors

377

-

379

and

383

-

385

can be connected to a microprocessor

389

(for the sake of simplicity only two of these are shown connected), which can be further connected to optional peripheral equipment

389

′.

To limit the tilting of the cradle there are preferably provided motion limiting pins, as shown in

FIGS. 114 and 115

, which extend down from the underside of the cradle at the end of the pads

370

-

372

, and are indicated by the reference numerals

390

-

392

.

As shown in

FIGS. 124-128

the device comprises a rotatable drum

393

which is rotatable about its longitudinal axis. The drum is rotatably attached to a cradle

394

via hub means

395

. The cradle

394

and thus the drum

393

can be tilted at either end or pushed down at a mid region thereof against the force of a spring

396

located on housing

397

. The cradle

394

is tiltable about an axle

398

which is located in an oblong guide

399

of the cradle

394

, thus enabling both tilting and push-down of the cradle

394

. The drum

393

has a plurality of longitudinally extending, through-going, parallel bores

400

. A first pair of light emitter

401

and light receiver

402

assists in detection of rotary position and rotation as such of the drum

393

by emitting light through successive of said bores

400

as the drum

393

rotates and receiving light at the other end. As regards function, reference is given to the structure described in connection with

FIGS. 80-87

. A second pair of light emitter

403

and light receiver

404

is located at one end for the drum. A third pair of light emitter

405

and light receiver

406

is located at the other end of said drum. Down-tilting of the cradle and drum at said one end will inhibit light passing from the emitter

403

to the receiver

404

due to a cradle piece

407

blocking the light path therebetween. Down-tilting of the cradle and drum at said other end will inhibit light passing from the emitter

405

to the receiver

406

due to a cradle piece

408

blocking the light path therebetween. If both the drum and the cradle are pushed down at the mid region thereof, light passage at both said one end and said other end will be inhibited.

As shown in

FIGS. 129-133

the device comprises a rotatable drum

409

which is rotatable about its longitudinal axis. On the inner wall of the drum there provided light reflective stripes

410

and non-reflective stripes

410

′. The drum is rotatably attached to a cradle

411

via hub means

412

. The cradle

411

and thus the drum

409

can be tilted at either end or pushed down at a mid region thereof against either the force of a spring

413

located on housing

414

or against spring force provided by electrical push-type switches

415

and

416

located at respective ends of the drum

409

. The cradle

411

is tiltable about an axle

417

which is located in an oblong guide

418

of the cradle

394

, thus enabling both tilting and push-down of the cradle

411

. A first unit

419

of light emitter and light receiver assists in detection of rotary position and rotation as such of the drum

409

by emitting light towards successive of said stripes

410

,

410

′ as the drum

409

rotates. A first electrical push-down type micro-switch

415

is located at one end for the drum. A second electrical push-down type micro-switch

416

is located at the other end of said drum. Down-tilting of the cradle and drum at said one end will operate switch

415

, and down-tilting of the cradle and drum at said other end will operate switch

416

. If both the drum and the cradle are pushed down at the mid region thereof, bith micro-switches

415

and

416

will operate.

The device of

FIGS. 134-138

as well as

FIGS. 139-144

is particularly useful for navigating through large operation menues and documents or a large number of pages, e.g. on Internet, as well as on electronic apparatus such as e.g. cellular phones. The switch device combines a four-point switch (center switch)

421

,

433

-

436

,

437

-

440

with a wheel

422

which is rotatable and in addition has four push-down points

427

-

430

for operating switches thereat. However, the invention is in no way limited to the use of four push-down points, and should as such be construed as an example only for the purpose of explaning the invention. Thus the present device will be capable of unlimited rotation, n push-down points

427

-

430

on the wheel

422

and m push-down points

423

-

426

on the center button or switch

421

of the device, yielding a total of n+m push-down points plus rotation. Suitably n=m=4, although there is the possibility of n and m having other values and n≠m. The center button

421

has a hole

431

in which an axle

432

is located, so that the button

421

is tiltable about the axle

432

. It will, however be noticed that the hole

431

at either mouth thereof is oblong in a vertical direction and substantially circular at its centre. This structure enables four-way tilting of the button

421

, parallel to the hole of substantially X-cross section (points

424

and

426

) and about the axle

432

(points

423

and

425

). The button

421

is kept in neutral position by spring force provided by push-down type micro-switches

433

,

434

,

435

and

436

which engage a four arms

437

,

438

,

439

and

440

, respectively extending out from a bottom region of button

421

. Pushing down at

423

will thereby via a respective one of said arms operate switch

433

, at

425

switch

434

, at

424

switch

435

and at

426

switch

436

.

The button

421

with its four switch possibilities is located in the center of the wheel

422

. The wheel

422

has unlimited possibility of rotation. The bottom side of the wheel

422

has a plurality of light reflective sectors

441

and light non-reflective sectors

442

, as clearly seen on FIG.

142

. Further, in order to be able to rotate the wheel

422

in steps, there is along the periphery thereof a plurality of V or U shaped grooves

443

, said grooves

443

through rotation of the wheel successively engaging at least one groove engaging spring means

444

. The bottom side of the wheel

422

having said sectors

441

and

442

is illuminated by a pair of light emitting and receiving units

445

and

446

. Thus, the stepwise rotation of the wheel

422

can be detected in a manner similar to that described in connection with e.g. the embodiment of

FIGS. 98-103

. The wheel

422

rides on a platform

447

′ of a frame

447

, and the platform has two openings

448

and

449

through which said sectors are viewable by said units

445

and

446

. The wheel

422

is able to act at the push-down points or locations

427

-

430

on corresponding micro-switches

450

-

453

in view of the frame

447

resting on these micro-switches. The axle

432

is supported by a pair posts

454

located on the device base

455

.

The elements which are common to the embodiments of

FIGS. 134-138

and

139

-

144

are denoted by same reference numerals. The arms

460

-

463

of

FIGS. 139

,

140

and

144

have a somewhat different configuration than the corresponding arms of

FIGS. 135-137

. The micro-switches

433

-

436

have been replaced by sets

456

,

456

′;

457

,

457

′;

458

,

458

′ and

459

,

459

′ of light emitter/receiver with light emission aperture means

456

″,

457

″,

458

″ and

459

″, respectively to create a narrow light beam towards a corresponding light receiver. The arms

460

-

463

, as the button

422

is pressed down at a respective one of the locations

423

-

426

will with a portion thereof inhibit light from passing between light emitter and receiver of a corresponding set thereof. A cup shaped spring

464

resting between base

455

and the bottom of button

421

provides the required neutral mid-position of button

421

when no tilting/pressing-down action is made. Further, upon tilting action, the spring may provide a motion indication. The device has a top plate

465

as indicated on

FIGS. 135

,

136

,

139

,

140

and

141

.

Further, in order to prevent tilting of the wheel

422

between the allocated tilting positions, tilt inhibitors

466

,

467

,

468

,

469

are provided.

Although locations

423

,

427

;

424

,

428

;

425

,

429

; and

426

,

430

are aligned, respectively, it may be of advantage to avoid such alignment, e.g. by shifting the the-positions

427

-

430

45°.

All of the embodiments provide a device that is easy to operate, even with one hand, and a large number of control buttons are avoided. The devices allow three-dimensional movement together with the parts of which the device is composed, i.e., movement in the x, y and z plane.

Although in several connections reference is made to optoelectronic detectors consisting of a light emitter and a light receiver, it will be appreciated that in certain applications it is possible to replace these wholly or partly with detectors or switches which are mechanical, capacitive or inductive, without thereby departing from the inventive idea.

Although the drawings show preferred embodiments of the device according to the invention, it will be appreciated immediately that it is possible to vary both component design and position of same within the scope set forth in the attached patent claims.

Number	Date	Country
985770	Dec 1998	NO
993598	Jul 1999	NO
994723	Sep 1999	NO

Number	Name	Date	Kind
4250378	Mutton	Feb 1981	A
4584510	Hollow	Apr 1986	A
4816671	Umemura	Mar 1989	A
4994669	Stern	Feb 1991	A
5065146	Garrett	Nov 1991	A
5355148	Anderson	Oct 1994	A
5471054	Watanabe	Nov 1995	A

Keypad device

Information

Patent Number

Date Filed

Date Issued

Inventors

Original Assignees

Examiners

Agents

CPC

US Classifications

Field of Search

US

International Classifications

Abstract

Description

Claims

Priority Claims (3)

PCT Information

US Referenced Citations (7)