Patent Application
20080291169
1. Technical Field
This invention relates generally to electronic devices having user interfaces, and more particularly to an electronic device having a user interface, such as a keypad, that may be configured to present a variety of device-mode-based keypad configurations to a user.
2. Background Art
Portable electronic devices, such as radiotelephones, are becoming more and more popular. According to some estimates, over two billion mobile telephones are in use across the world today. As more people come to use mobile devices, designers and engineers are creating devices that integrate more and more features. For instance, many mobile telephones today also include digital camera functions and text messaging functions. Some even include music playback functions.
One issue associated with the integration of new features and functionality with devices like mobile telephones involves the user interface. Traditional mobile telephones only included twelve to fifteen keys. These keys included the standard 12-digit telephone keypad, along with a “send” key and an “end” key. Such devices are sometimes not compatible with new features and functions as new modes of operation require new, dedicated keys or input devices in addition to the basic phone keys. Further, the devices may also require additional keys for the purpose of navigation or initiation of the modes within the device.
One solution to the need for more keys in the user interface is to simply add more buttons to the device. Some devices, for example, include full keypads with forty to fifty keys. The problem with this solution is that many mobile devices, including mobile telephones, are getting smaller and thinner. When many keys are clustered in one location, the likelihood of user confusion or difficulty with operation of the device increases. What's more, in a particular mode, many of the keys are not needed. For example, when a device is in a camera mode, the number keys 1-9 are generally not needed to take pictures.
A further problem associated with user interfaces involves visibility. It is desirable to be able to see user interfaces in both low-light and bright-light environments. When device user interfaces are crowded with many keys, each key is generally configured to be as small as possible while still permitting acceptable usage characteristics. The typical way to illuminate a user interface is with a backlight, where a light behind the keys projects through the keys. As the keys get smaller and are placed more closely together, the surface area of each key through which light may pass becomes smaller. This results in less visible user interface in low-light conditions.
Thus there is a need for an improved user interface for electronic devices that provides a plurality of user interfaces, where each interface includes keys required for a particular mode of operation, and which exhibits good visibility in both low-light and bright-light conditions.
Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention.
Embodiments of the invention are now described in detail. Referring to the drawings, like numbers indicate like parts throughout the views. The apparatus components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.
As used in the description herein and throughout the claims, the following terms take the meanings explicitly associated herein, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise: the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on.” Relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. Also, reference designators shown herein in parenthesis indicate components shown in a figure other than the one in discussion. For example, talking about a device (100) while discussing figure A would refer to an element, 100, shown in figure other than figure A.
It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure that embodiments of the invention described herein may be comprised of one or more conventional processors and unique stored firmware or software program instructions that control the one or more processors to implement, in conjunction with certain non-processor circuits, some, most, or all of the functions of a mode-based user interface. The non-processor circuits may include, but are not limited to, a radio receiver, a radio transmitter, signal drivers, clock circuits, power source circuits, and user input devices. Further, it is expected that one of ordinary skill, notwithstanding possibly significant effort and many design choices motivated by, for example, available time, current technology, and economic considerations, when guided by the concepts and principles disclosed herein will be readily capable of generating such software or firmware instructions and programs, as well as the non-processor circuits, with minimal experimentation.
A portable electronic device, such as a mobile telephone, includes a user interface for receiving a touch input. The user interface includes a cover layer, which may be plastic or glass, for protecting the interface. A capacitive sensor layer is disposed beneath the cover layer. The capacitive sensor layer, in one embodiment, is configured to be a “proximity detector” to detect the presence of an object, such as a user's finger, near to or touching the user interface. The capacitive sensor layer may optionally be configured to determine the location of an object along the device as well.
A segmented optical shutter layer, which in one embodiment is a low-resolution, twisted nematic liquid crystal display, is disposed beneath the cover layer and is configured to present multiple interface configurations to a user. By opening and closing geometrically specific “shutters”, the optical shutter layer may present a plurality of mode-base user interfaces or keypad configurations along a keypad region of the device. The shutters in the low-resolution display comprise selectively operable segments that are configured to transition between an opaque state and a translucent state, thereby revealing and hiding user actuation targets. In one embodiment, the user actuation targets are each geometrically configured as one of alphanumeric keys, predetermined symbol keys, or device navigation controls. Examples of predetermined symbol keys include a photo capture key, a call send key, a call end key, a play key, a record key, a pause key, a forward key, and a reverse key.
Embodiments of the present invention provide a dynamic keypad interface capable of selectively presenting, and optionally actively illuminating, various keypad configurations to simplify the overall user input of the device. In one embodiment, the keypad configurations are limited to only the keys necessary for either the current mode of operation or for navigation between the multiple modes. The optical shutter layer opens shutters to either reflect incident light in a transflective mode, to provide a high-resolution keypad in bright-light environments, or by way of electroluminescent layer project light through the shutter openings, to provide a high-resolution keypad in low-light environments. Electrical impulses, which are applied to specially shaped, translucent electrodes, enable key graphics or icons to be selectively opened or closed, i.e. turned on or off, to match the operating mode of the device.
Some configurations of the present device are configured to present navigations controls to the user. The navigation controls, which in one embodiment include a scroll wheel centrally disposed within a keypad region of the device, allow a user to navigate between objects or records in a single mode. Alternatively, the navigation controls allow the user to also navigate between the various modes of the device. In one particular configuration, to assist the user in operating the device, the navigation controls are presented in the same location regardless of the operational mode of the device.
In one embodiment, the cover layer comprises a layer of thin film plastic. By using such a cover layer, embodiments of the invention enable both a dynamic user interface and a seamless industrial design form factor. The user interface, which is substantially planar in one embodiment, provides a selectively unobstructed, smooth keypad surface.
When the optical shutter device is in the off state, in one embodiment, it is in an opaque state. The optical shutter therefore prohibits light from being transmitted into, or out of, the device. This results in visually masking the various layers of the user interface disposed below the optical shutter. In the inactive state, the optical shutter creates a uniformed colored surface across the face of the device. In one embodiment, the exterior housing of the device is chosen to match the color of the optical shutter in the off state. As such, when the optical shutter is off, the user interface appears to be a blank surface having the same color as the housing.
In one embodiment, the optical shutter is disposed not only atop the keypad region, but also atop the display region and a corresponding high resolution display. This particular construction visually hides the high-resolution display when the device is OFF or in a low power mode. Slots and gaps are not required in the user interface of the present invention because an electrical switch layer configured to sense key actuation requires only a small deflection of the cover layer (˜40 um). Further, some force sensing technologies may require virtually no deflection at all—only changes in pressure. As such, the traditional keypad mechanical dome, or “popple”, which requires tenths of millimeters of travel for actuation, is not required. The result is a smooth, seamless user interface without protrusions or indentations. In one embodiment, a tactile feedback mechanism is included to inform the user when a key is actuated.
In one embodiment, the invention employs key locations that are common to multiple keys, each being used in a different mode. Thus, a first key may appear at a particular location in a first mode of operation, while a second key may appear at the same location in an alternate mode of operation. This “multiple key in the same spot” capability conserves user interface space, thereby facilitating a smaller overall device. Multiple icons or keys may be positioned within a user interface region that would be occupied by a single key in a conventional device.
The capacitive sensor layer, in one embodiment, enables both navigation and proximity sensing. The capacitive sensor layer may be employed for complex user inputs, including device navigation or scrolling through large lists or menus. Further, the capacitive sensor layer may be used for proximity sensing to determine when the device is about to be touched. Such sensing may be employed to wake the device from an idle mode. Additionally, this sensing may be used to reduce power consumption, perhaps by putting a high resolution display in a power saving mode when the device is being used as a telephone and is being held to the user's head.
In one embodiment, the invention includes a portable electronic device, wherein the user interface includes both the capacitive sensor layer, acting as a capacitive touch sensor, and a resistive switch layer, acting as a force touch sensor, to detect key actuation. These sensor layers are coupled to the optical shutter, thereby forming the dynamic keypad.
Turning now to
The navigation device 104, in one embodiment, comprises a scroll device, which in the exemplary embodiment is a rounded—or sometimes circular or semi-circular—scroll wheel device. Devices other than a wheel, including strips and other shaped surfaces may also be employed. The scroll wheel may be selectively actuated to allow a user to scroll through long lists. By way of example, where the device 100 includes a music player, a user may be able to slide a finger about the scroll wheel to navigate through the various songs. Similarly, the user may be able to navigate through the various modes of the device using the scroll wheel.
The pixilated display device, shown in
The front surface 105 of the device 100 forms the overall user interface. In the keypad region 106, the optical shutter (described in more detail below) provides a dynamic user input interface. This dynamic user interface is configured to present different indicators, which may appear as keys or actuation targets, across the user interface in the keypad region 106.
Turning now to
The user interface 200 of
Starting from the top with the cover layer 202, a thin film sheet serves as a unitary fascia member for the device (100). A “fascia” is a covering or housing, which may or may not be detachable, for an electronic device like a mobile telephone. While the drawings herein employ a mobile telephone as an exemplary electronic device for discussion, it will be clear to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure that the invention is not so limited. The fascia of the present invention could be used for any electronic device having a display and a keypad.
The cover layer 202, in one exemplary embodiment, is a thin, flexible membrane. Suitable materials for manufacturing the thin, flexible membrane include clear or translucent plastic film, such as 0.4 millimeter, clear polycarbonate film. In another embodiment, the cover layer 202 is manufactured from a thin sheet of reinforced glass. The cover layer, being continuous and without holes or other apertures or perforations, is well suited to serve as a continuous fascia for the device (100), keeping dust, debris and liquids from invading the device. While the cover layer 202 is continuous, for discussion purposes, the cover layer 202 will be colloquially sectioned into a keypad region 106 and a display region 201. The keypad region 106 is the section of the cover layer 202 where user actuation targets, keys, and buttons will be presented, while the display region 201 is the section of the cover layer 202 where the high-resolution display 209 is visible.
To provide ornamentation, text, graphics, and other visual indicators, the cover layer 202, in one embodiment, includes printing disposed on the rear face 211. As will be described in more detail below, in one embodiment of the invention, the low-resolution display, i.e. the optical shutter layer 204, provides graphics and color for the front surface (105) of the device (100). However, even in such an embodiment, selective printing on the cover layer may be desirable. For instance, printing may be desired around the perimeter of the cover layer 202 to cover electrical traces connecting the various layers, or electrodes on certain layers.
Printing may be desired on the front face 213 for various reasons as well. For example, a subtle textural printing or overlay printing may be desirable to provide a translucent matte finish atop the device (100). Such a finish is useful to prevent cosmetic blemishing from sharp objects or fingerprints. By printing only on the rear face 211, however, the front face 213 can remain smooth and glossy. When printing is done on the rear face 211 of the cover layer 202, the printing, being disposed on the inside of the device, is protected from wear and abrasion. There is generally no printing in the display region 201, so the high-resolution display 209 may be easily viewed. Printing about the display region 201 may be desired, however, for the reasons listed above.
The cover layer 202 may also include an ultra-violet barrier. Such a barrier is useful both in improving the visibility of the high-resolution display 209 and in protecting internal components of the device (100).
The user interface 200 also includes a capacitive sensor 203. The capacitive sensor 203, which is formed by depositing small capacitive plate electrodes on a substrate, is configured to detect the presence of an object, such as a user's finger, near to or touching the user interface 200. Control circuitry detects a change in the capacitance of a particular plate combination on the capacitive sensor 203. The capacitive sensor 203 may be used in a general mode, for instance to detect the general proximate position of an object relative to either the keypad region 106 or the display region 201. The capacitive sensor 203 may also be used in a specific mode, where a particular capacitor plate pair may be detected to detect the location of an object along length and width of the front surface (105) of the device (100). In this mode, the capacitive sensor 203 may be used to detect the proximate position of an object, such as a user's finger, relative to any of the actuation targets presented.
Turning to the segmented optical shutter 204, this layer is a segmented display device configured as an optical shutter. A “segmented” display device is used herein to mean a display device with less granularity than the pixilated display device referred to above. The segmented display device is capable of actuating a predefined segment or segments to present a predetermined text or symbol graphic to a user, but does not have sufficient granularity to easily transition from, for example, text to graphics. The term “low resolution” is used herein to differentiate the segmented display device of the optical shutter 204 from the high-resolution display 209. While the high resolution display 209 is configured to actuate individual pixels to present high resolution text or images, the low-resolution display of the optical shutter 204 uses electrodes placed atop and beneath the optical shutter 204 to open and close “windows”, thereby transforming the window from a first, opaque state to a second, translucent state. The optical shutter 204 is “segmented” because individual windows, or shutters, may be controlled. Further, as will be seen in more detail below, by configuring the electrodes on one side of the optical shutter 204, each shutter can be configured as the alphanumeric indicia, which may include numbers, letters, or symbols forming images representative of a plurality of actuatable keys. In one embodiment, the alphanumeric indicia may comprise graphics corresponding to a telephone keypad.
The optical shutter 204 is configured to present a plurality of keypad configurations to a user. Each keypad configuration, in one embodiment, corresponds to a particular mode of operation of the device (100). For example, a music player mode may correspond to a first keypad configuration, while a phone mode may correspond to an alternate configuration. The optical shutter 204 presents each of the plurality of keypad configurations by transitioning segments of the segmented optical shutter 204 from opaque states to translucent states. When translucent, light can pass through each shutter. When opaque, no light passes through. The result is a reveal and concealment of each individual key. Each key forms an actuation target that can be selected by the user.
An optional electroluminescent device 205 may be included to provide a backlighting function to the shutters of the optical shutter 204. As used herein, “electroluminescent” refers to any device capable of producing luminescence electrically, including light emitting diodes, and equivalent devices. Such a function is useful in improving the visibility of the keypad region in low-light conditions. In one embodiment, the electroluminescent device 205 includes a layer of backlight material sandwiched between a transparent substrate bearing transparent electrodes on the top and bottom. The electrodes, which may be segmented and patterned to correspond with the shutters of the optical shutter 204. One electrode is an actuation electrode, while another electrode is a ground electrode. Where the electrodes are segmented, the actuation electrode is generally patterned. The high resolution display 209, which may have its own lighting system and may also include a polarizing layer 215 configured to polarize light along an axis of polarization, may be placed adjacent to the electroluminescent device 205. Further, filler material 210 may be included to complete the assembly.
The resistive switch layer 206 includes a force switch array configured to detect contact with any of one of the shutters dynamic keypad region or any of the plurality of actuation targets. An “array” as used herein refers to a set of at least one switch. For instance, where the cover layer 202 is manufactured from glass, one switch may be all that is necessary. However, when the cover layer 202 is manufactured from thin film plastic, multiple switches may be employed. The array of resistive switches functions as a force-sensing layer, in that when contact is made with the front surface (105), changes in impedance of any of the switches may be detected. The array of switches may be any of resistance sensing switches, membrane switches, force-sensing switches such as piezoelectric switches, or other equivalent types of technology.
When the cover layer 202 is made from thin plastic film, an array of switches may be included on the resistive switch layer to detect the proximate location of a finger actuating one of the keys. Experimental results have shown that a deflection of as little as 40 um along the cover layer is sufficient to actuate one of the resistive switches. When the cover layer 202 is made from glass, the capacitive sensor 203 may be used to detect the proximate location, while one or more switches on the resistive switch layer 206 may be used to detect actuation of the rigid cover layer 202. By employing control circuitry to combine this data, the exact shutter actuated may be properly detected.
A substrate layer 207 is provided to carry the various control circuits and drivers for the layers of the display. The substrate layer 207, which may be either a rigid layer such as FR4 printed wiring board or a flexible layer such as copper traces printed on a flexible material such as Kapton®, includes electrical components, integrated circuits, processors, and associated circuitry to control the operation of the display. The substrate layer 207 includes a connector 214 for coupling to other electrical components within the device (100).
As noted in the discussion of the resistive switch layer 206, in one embodiment a modicum of deflection is all that is required to actuate one of the keys presented by the optical shutter 204. Where the cover layer 202 is manufactured from thin film plastic, a minor deflection of the plastic will actuate a switch on the resistive switch layer 206. Where the cover layer 202 is manufactured from glass, a minor deflection of the entire cover layer 202 will actuate a switch on the resistive switch layer 206. This deflection is on the order of tens of micrometers. As such, a user may not perceive any deflection at all when pressing each key.
To provide tactile feedback, an optional tactile feedback layer 208 may be included. The tactile feedback layer 208 may include a transducer configured to provide a sensory feedback when a switch on the resistive switch layer detects actuation of a key. In one embodiment, the transducer is a piezoelectric transducer configured to apply a mechanical “pop” to the user interface 200 that is strong enough to be detected by the user. Thus, the tactile feedback layer provides sensory feedback to the user, thereby making the smooth, substantially planar user interface 200 react like a conventional keypad without the need of individual popple-enabled keys protruding through the keypad.
Turning now to
Note that the layers may be coupled together in any of a variety of ways. One exemplary embodiment of a coupling mechanism is by using a thin layer of clear (transparent), non-conductive adhesive. For instance, the cover layer 202, the capacitive sensor 203, and the segmented optical shutter 204 may each be mechanically coupled together with non-conductive, translucent adhesive. This coupling keeps the overall assembly properly aligned within the device.
When viewing from the top, a user first sees the cover layer 202, which may be either a thin film plastic or glass layer. Where glass is used, reinforced glass is often preferred to provide additional reliability to the user interface (200). The glass may be reinforced by a strengthening process, such as a chemical or heat treatment process. As noted above, the cover layer may include printing disposed thereon.
Next, the capacitive sensor 203 may be seen. The capacitive sensor 203 includes both an electrode layer 301 and substrate layer 302. The substrate layer 302, which may be either rigid, or soft (for instance a silicone layer), carries the electrode plates that form the capacitive sensors. The electrodes may be used in a singular configuration, or in pairs. Further alternate electrode pairs, including electrode groupings of two, four, or six electrodes, may be used to form the capacitive sensors. The electrode layer 301, as will be described in more detail below, may be formed by printing solid indium-tin oxide (In.sub.2 O.sub.3 SnO.sub.2) (ITO) in the desired capacitor plate patterns atop the substrate layer 302. Other materials, including patterned conductive inks, may also utilized in the electrode construction.
Next, the optical shutter 204 may be seen. In one embodiment, the optical shutter is manufactured using a twisted nematic liquid crystal display material. This material will be discussed herein as an exemplary embodiment. However, it will be clear to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure that the invention is not so limited. Other materials, including polymer-dispersed liquid crystal material, super twisted nematic liquid crystal material, ferro-electric liquid crystal material, electrically-controlled birefringent material, optically-compensated bend mode material, guest-host materials, and other types of light modulating may equally be used.
The optical shutter 204 is made from a twisted nematic liquid crystal display material 303 that is sandwiched between two electrodes 304,305 and two substrates 306,307. The electrodes 304,305 and substrates 306,307 are preferably transparent, such that light can pass freely through each. The substrates 306,307 may be manufactured from either plastic or glass. The upper electrode 304 is constructed, in one embodiment using indium-tin oxide affixed to substrate 306. The lower electrode 305 is constructed using a patterned indium-tin oxide layer affixed to the lower substrate 307. In one embodiment, the patterns are those of alphanumeric keys or symbols representing keys or user actuation targets of the device. Where it suits the particular design or application, both electrodes 304,305 can be patterned; however, user visibility may be affected where both electrodes 304,305 are patterned. The patterned electrode(s) 305, by way of patterned electrical traces, is connected to a control circuit 308. The control circuit 308 applies a field to the patterned electrode(s) 305, while the other electrode 304 acts as a ground. The direction of the electric field is not important to the optical shutter 204, thus either electrode can act as the ground.
The electric field applied, as will be described in more detail below, alter the light transmission properties of the twisted nematic liquid crystal display material. The electric field can cause sections under each of the patterned electrodes 305 to transition from a first state to a second state. By way of example, the first state may be opaque, while the second state is translucent. The patterns of the patterned electrodes 305 define the images of each shutter in the optical shutter. By way of example, a shutter can be patterned as a “9 key” for a phone by patterning one electrode as a box (i.e. the boundary of the key), and another electrode as the “9 wxyz” characters. The shutters thus act as “windows” that can be open or closed, to reveal or hide images.
The optical shutter 204 may also include one or more polarizing layers disposed atop and beneath the optical shutter. These polarizing layers, which are used in twisted nematic liquid crystal devices as will be shown below, polarize light along a polarization axis.
The electroluminescent device 205 includes a layer of electroluminescent material 309 sandwiched between a transparent substrate 310 bearing a single, or patterned, indium tin oxide electrode(s) 311 and a ground electrode 312. In one embodiment, the patterned electrode 311 of the electroluminescent device 205 is aligned with the various shutters of the optical shutter 204. In such an embodiment, the ground electrode 312 may comprise a solid conductive ink layer printed on the bottom surface of the electroluminescent material 309; however, the ground electrode 312 may be patterned and may be borne on a transparent or non-transparent substrate if desired. One electrode layer 301 is connected to control circuitry 308. Like the optical shutter 204, either electrode layer 311,312 can act as the ground.
In one embodiment, the electroluminescent device 205 includes a transflector layer. The transflector layer, which is a semi-transparent material configured to both reflect light and pass light, permits the operation of the device (100) in a transflexive mode. In the transflexive mode, when any shutter of the optical shutter 204 opens, incident light passes through the shutter, reflects off the transflector layer, and is passes back to the user. This action makes the various keys visible in bright light conditions. When the electroluminescent device 205 is operational, which may be dictated by an ambient light sensor, the transflector passes light from the electroluminescent device through the open shutters. This action makes the various keys visible in low light conditions.
An optional color layer 313 may be included atop the electroluminescent device 205 having one or more colors. The color layer 313, which may also be a transflector having both transmission and reflection properties, may be used to color light coming from the electroluminescent device 205. The color layer 313 may alternatively be made of color filters, which only have transmission properties.
As, in one embodiment, the electroluminescent device is configured to be used only with the keypad region (106), the high-resolution display 209 may be placed proximately with the electroluminescent device. As mentioned above, in one embodiment, the high-resolution display 209 includes a polarizing layer (215) disposed above the high-resolution display. This polarizing layer (215) includes a transmission axis along which light is polarized. Where the optical shutter 204 is a twisted nematic liquid crystal device having a top and bottom polarizer, the polarizing layer (215) is configured and positioned such that the transmission axis of the polarizing layer (215) is substantially parallel to the transmission axis of the bottom polarizer of the optical shutter.
In one embodiment, the high-resolution display 209 is disposed at least partially under the optical shutter 204. In such an embodiment, the optical shutter 204 passes beneath the display region (201), thereby covering at least a portion of the high-resolution display 209. Thus, when a shutter above the high-resolution display 209 closes, the high-resolution display 209 is completely hidden. Thus action gives the overall device (100) a “blank” face when the device (100) is OFF. Beneath the electroluminescent device 205 are the resistive switch layer 206, the substrate layer 207, and the tactile feedback layer 208 with its transducer 315.
Turning now to
The capacitive sensing devices 401,402,403,404, as mentioned above, in one embodiment are formed by disposing indium tin oxide atop the substrate 306. Indium tin oxide is a mixture of indium oxide and tin oxide. It is transparent and conductive, and is capable of being deposited in thin layers by way of a printing process. Indium tin oxide is well suited for the present invention due to its combination of electrical conduction properties and optical transparency. The capacitive sensing devices 401,402,403,404 may be deposited on the substrate by electron beam evaporation, physical vapor deposition, or other various sputter deposition techniques.
Turning now to
This proximity detection may be used for a variety of functions. As noted above, the proximity detection may be used to detect the position of the object in the x and y directions 502,503. Thus is useful when the cover layer (202) is made from a rigid material, such as glass. Further, the proximity detection may be used to transition the device 100 from a first mode to a second mode. By way of example, when the device is either OFF or in a low power state, a user may wake the device by touching the front surface (105) of the device 100. The proximity detection, detecting the user's finger, may cause the device 100 to wake from the low power state. This waking may include causing the optical shutter (204) to present a keypad configuration associated with a default or previous mode.
Turning now to
A first polarizer 601 is disposed on one side of the device to polarize incident light. A substrate 602, having indium tin oxide electrodes (as previously discussed) printed in varying shapes is disposed adjacent to the polarizer. The electrodes may be disposed in shapes that correspond to the alphanumeric keys or symbols associated with the keys of the electronic device (100).
Twisted nematic liquid crystal material 603 is then next, followed by another substrate 604 configured with ground electrodes. A horizontal filter 605 then is used to permit and block light. A reflective or transflective surface 606 then reflects light back (in a reflective mode) or transmits light in a transflective mode. The reflective or transflective surface 606 is optional and will depend upon the particular application. When the twisted nematic liquid crystal device is used as an optical shutter, the reflective or transflective surface 606 may not be employed.
Where no voltage is applied to the electrodes, the device is in a first state. When voltage is applied the liquid crystal material twists—in incremental amounts up to 90 degrees—thereby changing the luminous polarization. This liquid crystal thus acts as a controllable polarizer, controlled by electrical signals applied to the electrodes. Adjustment of the voltage being applied to the electrodes permits varying levels grey, as well as transparent states or opaque states to be created. Embodiments of the present invention use this device as a low-resolution display to reveal and hide keys.
Turning now to
Turning now
Each shutter, which acts as a segment within the optical shutter 204, corresponds to a key or a particular window (such as a window above the high resolution display (209)), such that when each of the of segments is actuated, the key becomes visible to a user. Incident light 701 passes through the shutters 801,802,803,804, thereby making the shape of the shutter visible. By way of example, where the device (100) includes an electroluminescent device 205, light from the electroluminescent device may project through the shutters 801,802,803,804 when open. This would be operation in a transmissive mode. The electroluminescent device (205) may be configured to only operate in low ambient light conditions. Where the device (100) includes a transflector, light may pass through each shutter 801,802,803,804, reflect off the transflector, and pass back through each shutter 801,802,803,804. This is operation in a transflective mode.
The exemplary shutters 801,802,803,804 of
Turning now to
The segmented electroluminescent device 900 may also include a reflective or transflective layer 902 coupled thereto. For instance, the reflective layer 902 may be disposed on the top of the segmented electroluminescent device 900. As such, the segmented electroluminescent device 900 may operate in a reflective mode when the luminescent device is inactive and in a transflective mode when the luminescent device is active. In addition to using electroluminescent materials for the segmented electroluminescent device 900 as previously described, other materials, including light emitting diode arrays, plasma panels, vacuum florescent panels, organic or polymeric light emitting diode panels, or other light source materials may also be used.
Turning now to
Turning now to
Turning now to
The tactile feedback layer 208 may be manufactured in one of a variety of ways. One exemplary embodiment of the tactile feedback layer 208 is one where a metal plate 1201 has at least one piezoelectric transducer 315 coupled thereto. A control circuit coupled to one of the capacitive sensor (203) or the resistive switch layer (206) is used to drive the transducer 315. When a key signal is received from either the capacitive sensor (203) or the resistor switch layer, the control circuit actuates the transducer 315. This actuation causes the metal plate 1201 to move or slightly deflect, thereby providing a tactile feedback to the user.
Turning now to
Turning now to
Filler material 210 has been also positioned adjacent to the void 1401 to assist in holding the assembly in proper alignment within the electronic device (100). The connector 214, coupled to the substrate layer 207, may be coupled to the electronic device (100), thereby electrically connecting the user interface device 1400 to the other electrical circuitry in the electronic device (100).
As may be seen from the view of
Turning now to
Turning now to
By having the area 1701 in which the capacitive sensor (203) is active disposed across the front surface 105 of the device 100, the capacitive sensor may be configured to actuate the optical shutter (204) upon the object coming in close proximity with (or touching) the front surface of the portable electronic device 100. When this occurs control circuitry coupled to each of the capacitive sensor and the optical shutter (204) may be configured to, when the segmented optical shutter device is in the opaque state and the capacitive sensing device detects the object, cause at least one segment or window of the optical shutter (204) to transition to the translucent state.
This transition may be used to indicate a change from a low-power mode, or to present one of a plurality of keypad configurations along the keypad region 1703. As noted above, when the device 100 is in an idle mode, the idle mode of the device 100 may be changed to an active mode upon the capacitive sensor (203) detecting an object within a predetermined distance of the device 100. In one exemplary embodiment, this predetermined distance is less than 5 millimeters.
Now that the structure and operation of an electronic device 100 in accordance with embodiments of the invention have been described, the following figures will turn to the functionality of the device as the various keypad configurations are presented with the various modes of an exemplary multifunction device. Such an exemplary multifunction device includes, in one embodiment, a high-resolution display and a segmented optical shutter device. The segmented optical shutter device is configured to present at least one keypad configuration to a user. The keypad configuration presented corresponds to a particular mode of operation of the device, and may include only those keys needed to operate that particular mode.
While the segmented optical shutter device may traverse only the keypad region, in the exemplary embodiment the segmented optical shutter device traverses both the keypad region and the high-resolution display. The segmented optical shutter device is further configured to selectively transition from an opaque state to a translucent state.
While embodiments of the invention may be applied to any of a number of different devices, the exemplary device will include the following exemplary modes of operation: a radiotelephone mode, a navigational mode, a gaming mode, or a media player mode. It will be clear to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure that other modes, subsets of these modes, and alternate combinations of subsets of these modes may be used.
One benefit of embodiments of the present invention is that multiple input devices and modes may be integrated into a single, compact physical space. The touch sensitive components, including the capacitive sensor (203) and the resistive sense layer (206), combined with a “stealth” lighting feature provided by the segmented optical shutter (204) and the electroluminescent device (205), serve to create a multi-modal input mechanism that may be optimized for case specific tasks in the various modes of the device (100).
By way of example, in one mode, controls to navigate long lists of data, such as the song titles of a music collection, can be illuminated and used. In another mode, the keys necessary to provide telephone dialing or text messaging input can be illuminated and used. More generally, embodiments of the invention may be used to aid users in task completion through the hiding and revealing of alternate keypad configurations, thereby eliminating unnecessary visual information.
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In one embodiment, the ten-digit keypad actuator set 2000 may be present when the device is operating in a telephone mode. A user to dial a telephone number may use the ten-digit keypad actuator set, for example. Further, the user may use the curved scroll device 1903—in the telephone mode—to scroll through a list of telephone numbers when selecting a specific number to call. To keep the curved scroll device 1903 large and easily accessible, the exemplary embodiment of
In one embodiment, the plurality of mode-based actuators 1902 further comprises a plurality of directional arrows 2001. The plurality of direction arrows 2001 may be used for a wide range of functions within the exemplary multimodal device 1800. These functions may include scrolling through telephone menus, browsing stored images, implementing controls on game, and so forth. In one embodiment, the segmented optical shutter device 1801 is configured to present the plurality of directional arrows 2001 in a region disposed outside a perimeter of the curved scroll device 1903. One embodiment may allow for additional mode based actuators to be present within—or on top of—the curved scroll device 1903 to, in combination with the plurality of directional arrows 2001, constitute control for a highly functional mode. One such highly functional mode might require, for example, directional controls, telephone dialing indicia, and media playback buttons.
In one embodiment the plurality of mode-based actuators 1902 further comprises a send key 2002 and an end key 2003. The send key 2002 and the end key 2003 may be presented on the dynamic user interface surface 1802 when the segmented optical shutter device 1801 in one ON state in the telephone mode. The send key 2002 may be used to, but is not limited to, initiate a telephone call once a phone number has been entered. Similarly, the end key 2003 may be used to, but is not limited to, end an already engaged telephone call. Further, the send key 2002 and the end key 2003 may be present when the ten-digit keypad actuator set 2000 is also presented on the dynamic user interface surface 1802.
One particular feature of note in the telephone mode takes advantage of the capacitive sensor (203) as a power saving option. When the exemplary multimodal device 1800 is in the telephone or voice communication mode, and the exemplary multimodal electronic device 1800 is held to the user's head, the capacitive sensor (203) may detect the presence of the user's face near the substantially planar user interface surface. In such a scenario, upon receiving a signal from control circuitry coupled to the capacitive sensor (203), the high resolution display 209 transitions to a low power mode, which may include shutting down the high resolution display 209. This feature reduces overall power consumption, thereby extending the life of the battery within the exemplary multimodal electronic device 1800.
As noted above, the present operating mode of the device can be changed in a variety of ways. This includes touching the device or coming within a predetermined distance of the proximity detector. An alternate method of changing modes stems from an external event. For instance, when the device is in an alternate mode, such as the gaming or picture capture mode, and an incoming call from a remote source is received, the exemplary multimodal electronic device 1800 may automatically transition into the telephone mode so that the user may accept the incoming call. Other external events from remote sources include an incoming text message, an incoming multimedia message, or an incoming data transmission. Each of these events, in one embodiment, may cause the device to transition from one mode to another.
Further, the active mode of the exemplary multimodal electronic device 1800 may be changed by a device event. Such events include the actuation of dedicated buttons that may be disposed on the sides of the device. Other device events may include a low battery, device error, or low memory warning, each of which may cause the operating mode of the device to transition.
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Presenting at least one key, which is always accessible to the user, such as the tactile key 2100 of
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In one embodiment, the circular directional switch device 2300 comprises a plurality of directional arrows 2001. The plurality of directional arrows 2001 may comprise an up arrow 2301, a down arrow 2302, a right arrow 2303, and a left arrow 2304. Those with ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure will recognize that the plurality of directional arrows 2001 may include subsets of the up arrow 2301, down arrow 2302, right arrow 2303, and left arrow 2304, as well as arrows that may point in additional directions. The plurality of directional arrows 2001 may be used to implement modal functions, including multimedia navigation and phone number scrolling.
In one embodiment, the circular directional switch device 2300 may further comprise a select actuator 2305. The select actuator 2305 provides an additional function that may, in combination with the plurality of directional arrows 2001, enable the circular directional switch device 2300 to act as a select button. For example, the select actuator 2305 may be used to select a particular phone number once the user has located the number from a list using the plurality of directional arrows 2001. In another example, the select actuator 2305 may be used to implement a fire or action button in a gaming mode, while the plurality of directional arrows 2001 are utilized for game navigation.
In one embodiment, the select actuator 2305 may be centrally disposed in the circular directional switch device 2300. The select actuator 2305 may be represented by physical indicia, such as raised indicia or etched indicia disposed atop the dynamic user interface surface 1802. In one embodiment, the select actuator 2305 may only be visible as physical indicia and not as presented by the segmented optical shutter device 1801. In either embodiment, the select actuator 2305 may be actuated in a manner similar to those actuators presented by the segmented optical shutter device 1801.
One embodiment of the exemplary multimodal device 1800, with the curved scroll device 1903, circular directional switch device 2300, and select actuator 2305 each presented to the user, may be representative of the exemplary multimodal device 1800 being operational in a navigation mode. In the navigation mode, a user may use the exemplary multimodal device 1800, perhaps with the assistance of the global positioning system, to determine a present location or to obtain directions to another location. Either the circular directional switch device 2300 or the curved scroll device 1903, in association with the navigation mode, may be used for both for switching modes and for scrolling through the different views associated with the navigation mode.
One exemplary embodiment of the exemplary multimodal device 1800, with the curved scroll device 1903, circular directional switch device 2300, and select actuator 2305 presented to the user, may further be representative of the multimodal device being operational in a gaming mode. In addition to the curved scroll device 1903, circular directional switch device 2300, and select actuator 2305, the gaming mode may further comprise another semicircular actuator 2307. As described above therein, the select actuator may be used to provide the gaming mode with a fire button, an action button, or the like.
In one embodiment with the segmented optical shutter device in one ON state, the dynamic user interface surface 1802 includes a multimedia control actuator set 2306. The multimedia control actuator set 2306 may be used to control media stored on the exemplary multimodal device 1800, such as audio and video. Some of the functionality controlled by the multimedia control actuator set may include playing a media file, fast forwarding a media file, or rewinding a media file. In one embodiment, the multimedia control actuator set comprises at least a play actuator 2307 (shown in
One embodiment of the exemplary multimodal device 1800 with the curved scroll device 1903, the play actuator 2307, the fast forward actuator 2308, and the rewind actuator 2309 presented is representative of a media player mode. In such a mode, the user may use the exemplary multimodal electronic device 1800 to store and playback music. In media player mode, the user may be able to play and otherwise control the music stored on the device.
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As discussed, embodiments of the invention include a portable electronic device having a user interface employing a high-resolution display and a low-resolution display that is configured to present any of a plurality of keypad configurations associated with a plurality of device operational modes in a keypad region of the user interface. Embodiments of the device include a navigation interface disposed adjacent with the high-resolution display and the low-resolution display. The navigation interface is suitable for navigating among the plurality of operational modes of the device. In the foregoing specification, specific embodiments of the present invention have been described. However, one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims below. Thus, while preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it is clear that the invention is not so limited. Numerous modifications, changes, variations, substitutions, and equivalents will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims. For example accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of present invention.
