Patent Application
20070296702
In the following detailed portion of the present description, the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings, in which:
In the following detailed description, the keypad will be described by the preferred embodiments with reference to its use in a mobile communication terminal in the form of a cellular/mobile phone. However, the use in a mobile communication terminal is only exemplary, and the keypad could be used in any other electronic device.
The keypad 7 has a first group of keys as alphanumeric keys, by means of which the user can enter a telephone number, write a text message (SMS), write a name (associated with the phone number), etc. Each of the twelve alphanumeric keys is provided with a figure “0-9” or a sign “#” or “*”, respectively. In alpha mode each key is associated with a number of letters and special signs used in the text editing.
The keypad 2 has additionally a second group of keys comprising two softkeys 9, two call handling keys (offhook key 11 and onhook key 12), and a 5-way navigation key 10 (up, down, left, right and center: select/activate). The function of the softkeys 9 depends on the state of the phone, and navigation in the menu is performed by using the navigation-key 10. The present function of the softkeys 9 is shown in separate fields (soft labels) in a dedicated area 4 of the display 3, just above the softkeys 9. The two call handling keys 11,12 are used for establishing a call or a conference call, terminating a call or rejecting an incoming call. This key layout is characteristic for e.g. the Nokia 6230i™ phone.
The navigation key 10 is a four- or five-way key which can be used for cursor movement, scrolling and selecting (five-way key) and is placed centrally on the front surface of the phone between the display 3 and the group of alphanumeric keys.
The alphanumerical keys, the softkeys 9 and the call handling keys 11,12 are formed by touch sensors 14 that are disposed on a plate member 8 that will be described in greater detail below. The parting lines between the touch sensors 14 are indicated by interrupted lines. The parting lines are shown for illustrative purposes and are not necessarily visible on the keypad 7 itself. The top of the surface of the keypad 7 can therefore be substantially completely flush. The navigation key 10 is not part of the plate member 8.
A releasable rear cover (not shown) gives access to the SIM card (not shown), and the battery pack (not shown) in the back of the phone that supplies electrical power for the electronic components of the mobile phone 1.
The mobile phone 1 has a flat display 3 that is typically made of an LCD with optional back lighting, such as a TFT matrix capable of displaying color images. A touch screen may be used instead of a conventional LCD display.
Leaf springs 23 serve to guide the plate member 8 and provide bias for the plate member 8 towards the idle position. The peg 22 may also be received in a guiding channel (not shown) that is unitary with the interior frame of the mobile phone 1. The snap action of the dome switch 13, in combination with the leaf springs and 23 provide a tactile feedback for the user when the pressing the plate number 23.
Parting lines are shown between the keys to show the user the borders between the neighboring keys, but in analogy to the first embodiment there is no constructional requirement for having parting lines so that the keypad can be provided with a substantially flush top surface.
The keys are formed by touch sensors 14 on the front of the plate member 7. A collapsible ring 33 (indicated by interrupted lines) is attached to the rear side of the plate member 7.
Thus, in the second embodiment the biased switch 13 is formed by the collapsible member 33 in combination with contacts.
The concept of a ring shaped collapsible member supporting a plate member is not limited to the combination with touch sensors, keypads or other user interface components on the plate member. Neither does the ring shaped collapsible member need to be part of a device that creates and breaks an electrical contact. The ring shaped collapsible member disposed between a substrate and a plate member can be used to create a switching element with the plate moving between depressed and non-depressed positions. The movement of the plate member can be used to act as an electronic switch, but this is only one of the possibilities for the use of the ring shaped collapsible member. Instead, the ring shaped collapsible member can be used for mechanical feedback, or mechanical control of a moving element between various positions. In this context, the possibility of the plate being depressed at various positions (in the center, or along various positions along the circumference of the plate member) can be used to control various mechanical elements simultaneously or a few mechanical elements independently in a more complex manner.
The slidable plate member 41 includes a plurality of recesses or holes 42 that equals the number of keys 44. The recesses or holes 42 are provided with a slanting edge 48 that collaborates with a slanting surface 47 that is provided on a protrusion of 46 on the underside of the keys 44. The slidable plate member 41 is urged by the switch 13 to assume the position indicated in
When one of the keys 44 is depressed the cooperating two slanting surfaces 47 and 48 urge the slidable plate member 41 towards the resilient switch 13, and if the user presses hard enough on a key 44 the resilient switch 13 will establish an electrical contact.
According to a variation (not shown) of the third embodiment, the plate member 41 is not suspended slidably but rather pivotally. In this variation of the third embodiment the plate member 41 rotates when any of the keys 44 are depressed and the biased switch 13 is activated by a notch or ledge associated with the pivotable plate member.
The processor 18 is configured via program commands in the terminal software to recognize which of the keys of the keyboard 7 (according to any of the above embodiments) has been depressed from the signal of the touch sensors 14. The processor 18 is also configured to await the activation of the biased switch 13 before considering a depression of a key as an input. Thus, when the user presses a key of the keyboard 7, the processor 18 can determine by means of a signal from the touch sensors 14 which of those keys is depressed, whilst the processor can determine by means of the signal from the biased switch 13 that a “real” keystroke has been made. The term “real” is used in this context to distinguish from an inadvertent or accidental touch of a key. Without the verification through the biased switch 13 the use of touch sensors 14 in a mobile device, such as a mobile phone would be very problematic (in particular in non-folding or non-sliding models or other models without a keypad cover or protection) since the keys will be touched to a great extent when the device is for example placed in a pocket or a bag or simply held in the hand of the user, and in these situations the activations of the touch sensors should not be regarded as user input.
Further, the biased switch 13 provides tactile feedback that improves user confidence and comfort. Such tactile feedback is not available in conventional touch sensitive keypads. The use of touch sensors or a touch sensitive area allows a much greater freedom in designing and constructing the surface of the keypad, for example due to the absence of parting lines.
The processor 18 can be programmed to await activation of the backlighting of the keys until the biased switch 13 is activated. In order to provide optical feedback to the user the processor 18 can be programmed to activate the backlighting of all or only of the depressed key when the biased switch 13 is activated.
According to a fourth embodiment (not shown) of the keypad according to the invention the keypad includes a touch screen mechanically coupled to a biased switch. The touchscreen is used to display the keypad graphics. The touchscreen is preferably connected to a processor in a device in which the keypad is used and the processor is configured to display the appropriate (virtual) keys in accordance with circumstances. The virtual keys on the touchscreen therefore change in accordance with the application that is running on the device, or could change in response to events, such as a changing status of the device, in accordance with program commands in the software running on the processor of such a device.
Further, the device in which the keypad is used is provided with an orientation sensor, and the processor is configured to change the orientation of the key graphics shown on the touchscreen in accordance with the signal from the orientation sensor. Thus, if the user changes the orientation of the device the processor automatically adapts the keypad graphics to the new orientation of the device, so that the key graphics will maintain the correct orientation with respect to the gravitational field regardless of the orientation of the device.
The keypads described above can be used in any electronic device, such as (stationary) personal computers, computer mice, laptop computers, palmtop computers, mobile phones, mobile navigation devices, music players, audio and visual equipment, control panels for professional equipment, etc.
The term “comprising” as used in the claims does not exclude other elements or steps. The term “a” or “an” as used in the claims does not exclude a plurality.
The reference signs used in the claims shall not be construed as limiting the scope.
Although the present invention has been described in detail for purpose of illustration, it is understood that such detail is solely for that purpose, and variations can be made therein by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.
