US20040222979A1 - Multifunction floating button - Google Patents
Multifunction floating button Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20040222979A1 US20040222979A1 US10/437,017 US43701703A US2004222979A1 US 20040222979 A1 US20040222979 A1 US 20040222979A1 US 43701703 A US43701703 A US 43701703A US 2004222979 A1 US2004222979 A1 US 2004222979A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- button
- housing
- region
- physical button
- physical
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
- G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
- G06F3/02—Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials
- G06F3/0202—Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
- G06F3/0221—Arrangements for reducing keyboard size for transport or storage, e.g. foldable keyboards, keyboards with collapsible keys
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
- G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
- G06F3/02—Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials
- G06F3/023—Arrangements for converting discrete items of information into a coded form, e.g. arrangements for interpreting keyboard generated codes as alphanumeric codes, operand codes or instruction codes
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
- G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
- G06F3/02—Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials
- G06F3/023—Arrangements for converting discrete items of information into a coded form, e.g. arrangements for interpreting keyboard generated codes as alphanumeric codes, operand codes or instruction codes
- G06F3/0233—Character input methods
- G06F3/0234—Character input methods using switches operable in different directions
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
- G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
- G06F3/02—Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials
- G06F3/023—Arrangements for converting discrete items of information into a coded form, e.g. arrangements for interpreting keyboard generated codes as alphanumeric codes, operand codes or instruction codes
- G06F3/0233—Character input methods
- G06F3/0236—Character input methods using selection techniques to select from displayed items
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
- G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
- G06F3/03—Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form
- G06F3/033—Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user, e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor
- G06F3/0354—Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user, e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor with detection of 2D relative movements between the device, or an operating part thereof, and a plane or surface, e.g. 2D mice, trackballs, pens or pucks
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
- G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
- G06F3/03—Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form
- G06F3/033—Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user, e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor
- G06F3/0354—Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user, e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor with detection of 2D relative movements between the device, or an operating part thereof, and a plane or surface, e.g. 2D mice, trackballs, pens or pucks
- G06F3/03548—Sliders, in which the moving part moves in a plane
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H25/00—Switches with compound movement of handle or other operating part
- H01H25/002—Switches with compound movement of handle or other operating part having an operating member rectilinearly slidable in different directions
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
- H04M1/02—Constructional features of telephone sets
- H04M1/23—Construction or mounting of dials or of equivalent devices; Means for facilitating the use thereof
- H04M1/233—Construction or mounting of dials or of equivalent devices; Means for facilitating the use thereof including a pointing device, e.g. roller key, track ball, rocker switch or joystick
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
- Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Input From Keyboards Or The Like (AREA)
- Push-Button Switches (AREA)
Abstract
A floating button that may be used to replace a plurality of distinct buttons and/or a graphical pointing device. The floating button translates in a region defined by a housing. A sensor detects the location of the button in the region. The locations within the region may be mapped to a plurality of virtual buttons. This permits a button of a size appropriate for comfortable operation by a finger, while allowing the selection of a large number of functions in a space that is only somewhat larger than a single button. The location of the button within its translation region also provides an immediate tactile and visual reference as to the function to be selected.
Description
- 1. Field of the Invention
- The embodiments of the invention relate to a button to provide selection between a plurality of options. More specifically, the embodiments relate to one button that can replace a plurality of individual buttons.
- 2. Background
- Cursor control devices have been the ubiquitous for many years. Both the Macintosh® and Windows® operating systems provide for drag and drop using a mouse, trackball or similar cursor control device. Such devices also permit selection of a plurality of, for example, screen icons, by moving the cursor to overlap the icon. These devices tend to be relatively mapped. “Relatively mapped” means that wherever the cursor is, movement of the control device, e.g., trackball, will move the cursor in the direction the control device moves. However, the position of the control device gives no indication of where on the display the cursor might be found. Advances in mouse technology have largely been in the area of improved responsiveness of the cursor to movement of the mouse. For example, early mice relied on a physically moveable ball protruding from the bottom side of the device. Those mice tended to become dirty and then become increasingly less reliable in moving the cursor in response to any movement of the mouse. For laptops, and other handheld devices, small joysticks such as used on the IBM Thinkpad® or touchpads as are commonly found on Macintosh® Powerbooks, proliferated to avoid the inconvenience of having to carry and use the separate mouse in the mobile environment. Common to these cursor control devices is that they are relatively mapped. Additionally, with respect to the touchpad over time, dragging one's finger across the touchpad can reduce sensitivity on both the touchpad and the user's finger.
- The invention is illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like references indicate similar elements. It should be noted that references to “an” or “one” embodiment in this disclosure are not necessarily to the same embodiment, and such references mean at least one.
- FIG. 1 is a partial sectional view of a floating button of one embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 2 is a partial bottom perspective view of a floating button of one embodiment of the invention removed from the housing.
- FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view of floating button assembly of one embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 4a is a schematic diagram of a sensor of one embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 4b is a schematic diagram of a portion of a sensor of one embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 4c is a schematic diagram of a portion of the sensor of an alternative embodiment of the invention.
- FIGS. 4d and 4 e are alternative optical sensors of one embodiment of the invention.
- FIGS. 5a and 5 b are schematic diagrams of an alternative configuration of the floating button.
- FIG. 6 is a block diagram with button and control system of one embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 7 is a perspective environmental view of a device having a floating button in one embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 8 is a perspective view an embodiment of the invention used in connection with a cellular telephone.
- FIG. 9 is a bottom rear perspective view of an embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 10a is a diagram of a compact touch type keyboard.
- FIG. 10b is the mapping for the J key corresponding to
button 1010 in FIG. 10a. - FIG. 1 is a partial sectional view of a floating button of one embodiment of the invention. A
housing 112 defines aregion 114 in whichbutton 110 may translate. In one embodiment,button 110 is selected to have a size and shape suitable for engagement by a finger of a user. As used herein, “finger” is deemed to include the digits or a human hand including the thumb. Thus, thebutton 110 may be large enough to accommodate a user's thumb. -
Region 114 defines anopening 116 there through. In one embodiment,button 110 is coupled through the opening 116 to a transport mechanism including a first linear bearing 120 and a second linear bearing 122 which is orthogonal to the first bearing 120. Thebutton 110 is coupled to translate along the first linear bearing 120 responsive to a force component parallel to the first bearing 120. Thebutton 110 and first bearing 120 in turn are mounted on the second linear bearing 122 which in one embodiment includes a pair or rods. The combination of the button and the first linear bearing translate along the second linear bearing 122 responsive to the force component parallel to the axis of secondlinear bearing 122. In this manner,button 110 is free to translate in two orthogonal directions within theregion 114 defined byhousing 112. - The translation is typically substantially planar following a surface defined by the
housing 112. Thebutton 110 and any structures fixed thereto translate relative to the housing. This is distinct from control devices that have one end fixed in relation to their housing such that the fixed end can only pivot rather than translate. Substantially, planar is deemed to include large radius arcs that may be desirable for aesthetic or ergonomic purposes. There is no requirement that thebutton 110 maintains contact with the housing within the translation region. In some embodiments, thebutton 110 is elevated slightly (or even substantially) off thehousing 112 within theregion 114 and translates on a surface substantially parallel to, though elevated from thehousing 112. Such embodiments reduce or eliminate friction between thehousing 112 andbutton 110. Constraints to the translation may be imposed by a physical barrier, e.g., a rim surrounding the region or by the dimensions of the opening. When the range of motion is defined by the opening, no physical constraint on the button is required permitting a frameless design for the button (see e.g., FIGS. 7 and 8 below). In one embodiment, the dimension of the opening is chosen consistent with a size and shape of the button such that the opening is not exposed even when the button is at the limit of its translation range. For example, a half inch square opening can certainly be covered by an inch and a half square button. While this 3 to 1 ratio works, other ratios are also suitable. Insuring the opening is always covered reduces the risk of debris contaminating or fouling the internal electrical or mechanical components. It is also possible to provide environmental resistance with a separate sliding cover element or flexible cover within the coupling mechanism, thereby allowing larger translation with a given button size without exposing the opening. By coupling a sensor such as an electromagnetic or optical pair (described below) to the button and housing, a location of thebutton 110 within theregion 114 may be determined to a desired resolution. In one embodiment, theregion 114 is provided with a textured surface. As used herein, a “textured surface” includes one or more of grooves, bumps, detents or any other surface feature that passively provides a tactile experience to the user when thebutton 110 passes over it. - FIG. 2 is a partial bottom perspective view of a floating button of one embodiment of the invention removed from the housing.
Surface 210 ofretention mechanism 118 is concentric (though displaced in a direction normal to the plane of translation) withbutton 110. As such, asurface 210 provides a suitable mounting location for one component, e.g., an emitter, detector, or target of a sensor to identify the location of the button within the translation region. - FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view of floating button assembly of one embodiment of the invention. The
button 110 is free to translate throughout theregion 114 defined byhousing 112.Button 110 is coupled to a firstlinear bearing 120 and thebutton 110 and firstlinear bearing 120 are coupled to the secondlinear bearing 122. Asensor portion 310 is disposed on an internal surface ofretention member 118 so that thatsensor portion 310 translates with thebutton 110. Asecond sensor portion 330 is disposed in a desired relation tosensor portion 310 to permit the sensor as a whole to discern the location of thebutton 110 withinregion 114 to a desired level of granularity. - In one embodiment, an
additional sensor 340 is provided to detect a selection input from thebutton 110. In one embodiment, asensor 340 is a click dome and the button and/or additional portions of the button assembly are permitted limited motion in a direction substantially perpendicular to thetranslation region 114 to actuate the click dome and effect a selection. This permits the single button to be used to replace multiple buttons or keys by allowing the selection of a plurality of different functions with a single press of the button at different locations. As used herein, selection of a different alpha numeric character is deemed a separate function. In one embodiment, the button and bearing assemblies are cantilevered over thesensor 340 to permit actuation by pressure in the Z direction (first linear bearing is the X direction and the second linear bearing is the Y direction). In one embodiment,sensor element 310 is an electromagnetic (EM) emitter andsensor element 330 is an electromagnetic detector. As used herein, EM is deemed to include both electric and magnetic fields. The electric and magnetic fields or the electric and magnetic components are permitted to have any magnitude including zero. Thus, a purely electric field or a purely magnetic field is still deemed to be an EM field as the term is used herein. - In one embodiment,
sensor portion 310 may be part of a capacitor andelement 330 forms a second part of the capacitor, e.g., parallel plates. In another embodiment,element 310 may be part of an inductor andelement 330 forms another part of the inductor. In another embodiment,element 310 may be a probe in surface contact with a resistive pad. A distance betweenelements - In an alternative embodiment,
sensor portions portion 310 may, for example, be a light source, such as a light emitting diode (LED) andsensor portion 330 may be a plurality of photo detectors. Alternatively,portion 310 may, for example, be a target pattern whilesensor portion 330 includes an imaging array and a light source such that imaging of the target permits derivation of the location of thebutton 110 within theregion 114. Some of these embodiments are described further below in connection with FIGS. 4a-e. - FIG. 4a is a schematic diagram of a sensor of one embodiment of the invention. In the shown embodiment, a plurality of
amplifiers 450 supply voltage to capacitiveplates 470 ofsensor portion 430. In this embodiment, a passiveplate having footprint 410 is coupled to and moveable with the floating button and preferably concentric therewith. Concentricity is not necessary, it merely changes the transformation required to determine the position within the translation region. A plurality ofamplifiers 460 supply an indication of the electric field and therefore the capacitance between thevarious plates 470 and the passiveplate having footprint 410. Since capacitance is proportional to the area of overlap, a ratio of this capacitance with respect to each of the four fixed plates, uniquely determines the location of the moving plate withfootprint 410. Since the footprint has a known relation to the floating button, this necessarily also gives the location of the button within the region. An origin can be defined as, for example, when the passive plate is centered over the four active plates such that the capacitance of each plate is the same. The location of the button within the region can then be determined relative to this origin. While this is a possible origin, the origin can be substantially arbitrarily defined with the change in capacitance indicating relative motion from the origin. This idea of relative motion to a defined origin is common to the EM and optical sensors described below. In an alternative embodiment, the moveable plate may be connected to a power source such asamplifier 450.Amplifiers - FIG. 4b is a schematic diagram of a portion of a sensor of one embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, a plurality of
inductive elements 472 are placed in relation to an inductive element having afootprint 412 coupled and moveable with the pointer button. Again, the ratio of inductance between the pluralinductive elements 472 and the inductiveelement having footprint 412 provides a unique location of the button within the region. Also, similarly,sensor portion 432 could be coupled to the button moveable therewith while the inductiveelement having footprint 412 is retained in a fixed location in the housing. - FIG. 4c is a schematic diagram of a portion of the sensor of an alternative embodiment of the invention. A
resistive pad 434 with a resistance that varies in the X and Y direction has as a power source 435 to apply a voltage in an X direction and apower source 454 to apply a voltage in a Y direction. By testing the voltage at a probe 414 in contact with the surface, a location of the probe in thevariable resistance pad 434 may be determined. Because the probe is maintained in a known location relative to the floating button, the location of the button may then be discerned from the voltage at the probe. In one embodiment, a non-contact probe employs capacitive coupling to measure the voltage on the resistive pad. - FIGS. 4d and 4 e are alternative optical sensors of one embodiment of the invention. In FIG. 4d, a
light source 416 is disposed to illuminatephoto sensing elements 436. A ratio of intensities at the various photosensitive elements 436 provides a unique indication of the location of the button within the region. Alternatively, the light source may be fixed to the housing and the photo sensing elements may move with the button. In the embodiment of FIG. 4e, alight source 460 and a photo detective element such as a phototransistor may be mounted to move with the floating button. Atarget pattern 438 is fixed relative to the housing to permit illumination by thelight source 460 and imaging by thephoto detective element 462 to permit determination of location of the button within the region. Again, the attachment of the target could be to the button while the imager and light source are retained in fixed relation to the housing. All such embodiments are contemplated and within the scope of the invention. - FIGS. 5a and 5 b are schematic diagrams of an alternative configuration of the floating button. In this embodiment, the
housing 512 defines a region for movement of the floatingbutton 510 as an opening in the housing such that the edges of the opening are the constraint on the movement of thebutton 510. An integrally formedflange 518 is captured by the housing. Theflange 518 insures that thebutton 510 can translate throughout the region without exposing an edge of theflange 518, e.g., no gaps exist between the edges of the flange and the housing when the button is at the extremes of its translation region. Other aspects as described above in connection with other embodiments may be employed with this button formation. - FIG. 6 is a block diagram with button and control system of one embodiment of the invention.
Button 610 may include acontact sensor 612.Contact sensor 612 may be, for example, a biometric detector responding to, e.g., galvanic skin response, a photo detector responding to the absence of light, a pressure sensor responding to contact between the user's finger and the button, or a “break switch” which breaks contact when the button is pushed away from its rest position, or any other suitable sensor that permits detection of a user's finger. In an alternative embodiment,contact sensor 612 may be external to the button.Contact sensor 612 may provide a signal to the processor which in one embodiment may signal the processor to awaken from a lower power mode and power up the overall system. -
Processor 670 may be any of the myriad microcontrollers suitable for consumer electronic products, a nicroprocessor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or merely logic sufficient to affect the control functions required in the context of the application.Position sensor 630 is coupled in communication with thebutton 610 to identify the position of thebutton 610 within its region of possible translation.Position sensor 630 provides this information to theprocessor 670 which may take appropriate action based on the information provided. For example, thepower 670 may cause the cursor to move or thedisplay 680 responsive to the location within the translation region. This is particularly true for those embodiments in which the region is absolutely mapped to thedisplay 680. -
Position sensor 630 may be any of the embodiments previously described or for relatively low granularity systems, it may be merely a switch array. A switch array is suitable for providing access to a plurality of possible selectable options, but the granularity is necessarily less than in the context of some of the electromagnetic and optical embodiments described in connection with FIGS. 4a through 4 e. One embodiment in which a switch array may be suitable is where the only selection is, e.g., the twelve keys on a standard telephone keypad. Thus, a switch array may be suitable for some television remote control, security code keypads, telephone, etc. -
Selection sensor 640 provides the mechanism for a selection input responsive to pressure or perpendicular movement of thebutton 610. Thus,selection sensor 640 may be a click dome, conductive rubber dome, a pressure sensor, a capacitive switch, rocker switch or other suitable detector for indicating this selection has occurred. In the case of a rocker switch, a small switch might be disposed in the button to permit actuation responsive to an orientation change of the controlling finger. Other suitable sensors for identifying a selection input will occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. Selection input provides a signal to theprocessor 670 which correlates the position derived from the position sensor with a selection input to identify which of the plural options have been selected. In one embodiment, the processor is connected to adriver 660 which in turn is coupled to thebutton 610. Thedriver 660 may provide force feedback along one or more axes of motion of the button or other tactile indication, such as vibration. This either indicates the button's position within the translation region, or a feature of in the virtual environment provided by thedisplay 680 as it relates to the position of the cursor as defined by the button's position. In some embodiments, thedriver 660 may be a motor, a servo, a galvo or other suitable mechanical drive to apply the desired force on thebutton 610. Some embodiments of the invention will have adisplay 680 with the translation region may be absolutely mapped to at least a portion of the display. As used herein, “absolutely mapped” means that the physical location of the button within its translation region is correlated with a particular location on the display. Location on the display may represent a single pixel or a plurality of contiguous pixels depending on the granularity of thesensor 630 associated with detecting the location of thebutton 610. In some embodiments, the region in which thebutton 610 is permitted to translate will have a shape and orientation consistent with thedisplay 680 to which it is absolutely mapped. Thus, for example, if the display has a 3×4 aspect ratio, the translation region may have a 3×4 aspect ratio. Thebutton 610 may be mapped to all or only a portion of the display. It is also contemplated that multiple floating buttons may be used in a single device. In such embodiments, mapping to the display may be partitioned amongst the buttons. In some embodiments, mapping and remapping may occur responsive to detection of contact with the button. It is also contemplated that there will be systems in which thebutton 610 is purely a selection mechanism unassociated with the display such as the security key pad mentioned above. - FIG. 7 is a perspective environmental view of a device having a floating button of one embodiment of the invention. This embodiment is suitable for a remote control such as for a television or computer. In one embodiment, it may wirelessly signal an associated display device to cause a function to be selected. In one embodiment, motion of the button may control a cursor on a remote display device. Either infrared or radio frequency signaling protocols could be used. A
housing 712 defines aregion 714 in which a floatingbutton 710 may translate. In this view, the user'sfinger 700 is shown engaging the floatingbutton 710. In this embodiment, no physical constraint, e.g., rim or physical barrier, exists around the perimeter of the button to defineregion 714. Rather, the button is constrained within the region by the dimensions of the opening (not shown) through which it is coupled to its transport mechanism within thehousing 712. By appropriately defining the opening, the translation of thebutton 710 can be constrained so that it does not extend beyond the edges of thehousing 712. It is of course within the scope and contemplation of the invention to constrain the motion of thebutton 710 so it does not reach the edges or in some embodiments thebutton 710 may be permitted to extend beyond the edges of thehousing 712. - FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention used in connection with a handheld communicator. In one embodiment,
housing 812 defines aregion 814 over which the floatingbutton 810 can translate in two orthogonal directions. The position of the button may be absolutely mapped to all ofdisplay 880 or only a portion thereof. For example,display region 884 may be the absolutely mapped portion of the display anddisplay region 882 may be inaccessible with the button. Variousselectable options 886, which may correspond to a telephone keypad or other more advanced functions, may reside within absolutely mappedregion 884 to be selectable by the pointer button. For example, assuming theselection option 886 includes a telephone keypad, the user could select the numbers which would then appear inunmapped region 882 awaiting a send command. In another embodiment, a floatingbutton 810 may be used to select functions without any mapping or association with the phone display. Force feedback and/or passive tactile indicators may facilitate user selection without the need to look at the display. The selected function may then cause the display to change commensurate with that function. - FIG. 9 is a bottom rear perspective view of an embodiment of the invention. A digital camera with a binocular display resides within a
compact housing 902. The housing defines a pair oflobe handgrips 928. Thesehandgrips 928 may be coated within an elastomeric material to provide improved grip and holding comfort for a user. Thehousing 902 defines openings in which a pair ofbinocular lenses 904 may be disposed. Thelenses 904 are in the optical path of a pair of megapixel displays, which also serve as a viewfinder. As such, a user looking through the lenses is provided a high-resolution binocular view of what the camera lens currently sees. Additionally, details of such a manner can be formed in copending application entitled, DISPLAY, INPUT AND FORM FACTOR FOR PORTABLE INSTRUMENTS, Ser. No. 09/990,831, filed Nov. 9, 2001. - In one embodiment, a left and a right
hand floating button region regions button sensor button - Various devices that may employ the floating button of various embodiments of the invention are illustrated and described above. Additional examples include, notebook, laptop, and handheld computers, personal digital assistants (PDA's) or any other device where size constraints would make desirable the use of a single button to replace many buttons.
- FIG. 10a is a diagram of a compact touch type keyboard. A
housing 1012 is coupled to a plurality of floatingbuttons Button 1020 may correspond to a mouse or a pointing device that may be mapped relatively or absolutely to a display (not shown). The remaining buttons may be mapped to functions of a typewriter keyboard. In one embodiment,button 1022 maps to letter A and the functions on a QWERTY keyboard to be actuated by the little finger of the left hand of a user.Button 1024 maps to S and the other functions controlled by the left ring finger.Button 1026 maps to D and the other functions controlled by the left middle finger.Button 1028 maps to F and the other functions controlled by the left index finger.Button 1010 maps to J and the other functions controlled by the right index finger.Button 1002 maps to K and the other functions controlled by the right middle finger.Button 1004 maps to L and the other functions controlled by the right ring finger.Button 1006 corresponds to the semicolon and the other functions controlled by the right little finger. Touch typists will recognize that this corresponds to the home row of a QWERTY keyboard. In one embodiment, when the user has their fingers on this home row, thespacebar 1030 is provided in a position to be actuatable by a user's thumb. In one embodiment, the three lobes ofhousing 1012 may be hinged together to collapse into a more compact form. While the above description describes mapping for the QWERTY keyboard, mappings for other keyboard arrangements are within the scope and contemplation of the invention. - FIG. 10b is the mapping for the J key corresponding to
button 1010 in FIG. 10a. As shown, actuating the button with downward pressure at its home position operates as a J select. Moving the button towards six o'clock prior to actuation selects an M; toward seven o'clock N; towards nine o'clock H; towards eleven o'clock Y; towards twelve o'clock U; further towards twelve o'clock “7”, with eleven o'clock from the U selecting a “6”. From this mapping, one of ordinary skill in the art will understand how the remaining buttons in FIG. 10a may be mapped to a QWERTY keyboard. Give the relatively small number of functions associated with each button, the appropriate sensor to use could be either a switch array or any of the other sensing embodiments discussed above. Tactile responses may be provided to provide a user an indication that, for example, they have moved far enough towards 12 o'clock to pass the “U” and get into the “7” zone. - It should be noted that features shown or described with reference to one embodiment may be applicable to another embodiment even when not explicitly called out and such is within the scope and contemplation of the invention. In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments thereof. It will be further evident that various modifications and changes can be made thereto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.
Claims (22)
1. An apparatus comprising:
a housing;
a physical button of a size and shape to facilitate manipulation by a finger, the physical button to permit the actuation of a plurality of different functions;
a coupling which links the button to the housing while permitting the button and any component fixed thereto, to translate on a surface relative to the housing; and
a sensor to provide a proportional indication of the amount of translation of the physical button relative to a defined origin.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the housing defines a region with an opening defined in the region and wherein the button resides within the region and is moveable in two orthogonal directions within the region, the button having a retention mechanism passing through the opening, and wherein the size permits translation throughout the region without exposing the opening.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein there is no physical constraint around a perimeter of the physical button that constrains its motion.
4. The apparatus claim 1 wherein the housing defines a region with an opening corresponding to a range of translation, and the physical button has a flange captured below the opening, and the flange of a size which permits translation throughout the region without exposing an edge of the flange.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:
a textured surface coupled to the housing to provide a tactile indication to a user of a location of the physical button on the surface.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:
a mechanical drive coupled to the button to provide a tactile indication to a user of a location of the physical button on the surface.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:
a display wherein a range of translation of the physical button defines a region which is absolutely mapped to the display such that each possible button location maps to exactly one display location.
8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the defined region has a shape and an orientation relating directly to a shape and an orientation of the display.
9. The, apparatus of claim 7 further comprising:
a mechanical drive coupled to the button to provide a tactile indication of a property of a virtual environment relative to a cursor on the display.
10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the coupling permits limited motion in a direction substantially orthogonal to the surface to actuate the button.
11. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:
a first linear bearing coupled to the housing; and
a second linear bearing mounted substantially orthogonally to the first linear bearing, wherein the physical button is mounted on the second linear bearing, the physical button and the second bearing as a unit, to translate along the first bearing responsive to a force component parallel to the first bearing and the physical button to translate along the second bearing responsive to a force component parallel to the second bearing.
12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the apparatus is linked to a display having a region absolutely mapped to a portion of the surface.
13. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:
a sensor coupled to the physical button to detect when a user is in contact with the button.
14. The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising:
a mechanism to provide tactile response to an actuation.
15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the physical button is mounted cantilevered to facilitate the tactile response.
16. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:
an optical emitter; and
an optical detector in optical communication with the optical emitter to form an optical pair, each member of the optical pair coupled to at least one of the physical button and housing to encode a position of the button on the surface.
17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the sensor further comprises:
a target pattern coupled to the other of the physical button and housing from the optical emitter such that the position of the button on the surface is encoded from reflection of the optical emitter off the target.
18. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the sensor comprises:
a electromagnetic (EM) emitter; and
an EM detector electromagnetically coupled to the EM emitter to form an EM pair, each member of the EM pair coupled to one of the physical button and the housing to encode a position of the button on the surface.
19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein a member of the EM pair is a component of one of a capacitor, a resistor, and an inductor.
20. An apparatus comprising:
a housing;
a physical button of a size and shape to facilitate manipulation by a finger, the physical button to permit the actuation of a plurality of different functions;
a coupling which links the button to the housing while permitting the button and any components fixed thereto, to translate on a surface relative to the housing; and
an array of switches to provide an indication of a location of the physical button to a granularity of at least ten positions.
21. An apparatus comprising:
a housing;
a physical button of a size and shape to facilitate manipulation by a finger, the physical button to permit the actuation of a plurality of different functions;
a coupling which links the button to the housing while permitting the button to translate on a substantially planar surface relative to the housing;
a sensor to provide a proportional indication of the amount of translation of the physical button relative to a defined origin.
22. An apparatus comprising:
a housing;
an array of physical buttons of a size and shape to facilitate manipulation by a finger of a hand of an operator;
a coupling which links each button to the housing while permitting the button, and any components fixed thereto, to translate on a surface relative to the housing; and
a sensor to determine the location of the button wherein the locations of the buttons are mapped to a function of a typewriter keyboard associated a respective finger position.
Priority Applications (5)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US10/437,017 US20040222979A1 (en) | 2003-05-08 | 2003-05-08 | Multifunction floating button |
EP04760857A EP1620787A2 (en) | 2003-05-08 | 2004-04-30 | A multifunction floating button |
KR1020057021237A KR20060017512A (en) | 2003-05-08 | 2004-04-30 | A multifunction floating button |
PCT/US2004/013402 WO2004102366A2 (en) | 2003-05-08 | 2004-04-30 | A multifunction floating button |
US12/014,493 US8194040B2 (en) | 2003-05-08 | 2008-01-15 | Compact touch-type keyboard |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US10/437,017 US20040222979A1 (en) | 2003-05-08 | 2003-05-08 | Multifunction floating button |
Related Child Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/014,493 Division US8194040B2 (en) | 2003-05-08 | 2008-01-15 | Compact touch-type keyboard |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20040222979A1 true US20040222979A1 (en) | 2004-11-11 |
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ID=33417292
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/437,017 Abandoned US20040222979A1 (en) | 2003-05-08 | 2003-05-08 | Multifunction floating button |
US12/014,493 Active 2026-06-30 US8194040B2 (en) | 2003-05-08 | 2008-01-15 | Compact touch-type keyboard |
Family Applications After (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/014,493 Active 2026-06-30 US8194040B2 (en) | 2003-05-08 | 2008-01-15 | Compact touch-type keyboard |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (2) | US20040222979A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1620787A2 (en) |
KR (1) | KR20060017512A (en) |
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US20090175270A1 (en) * | 2004-10-05 | 2009-07-09 | 3Com Corporation | Telephone recording and storing arbitrary keystrokes sequence with replay with a single stroke |
US20100040400A1 (en) * | 2003-08-29 | 2010-02-18 | Hirsch Steven B | Keyboard and keys |
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US20070172287A1 (en) * | 2003-08-29 | 2007-07-26 | Hirsch Steven B | Keyboard and Keys |
US8734036B2 (en) | 2003-08-29 | 2014-05-27 | Steven B. Hirsch | Keyboard and keys |
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US20100214234A1 (en) * | 2009-02-26 | 2010-08-26 | Tara Chand Singhal | Apparatus and method for touch screen user interface for handheld electronic devices part I |
CN101968706A (en) * | 2010-08-20 | 2011-02-09 | 鸿富锦精密工业(深圳)有限公司 | Electronic reading equipment with remote control device and remote control method thereof |
US20150051456A1 (en) * | 2010-11-30 | 2015-02-19 | Universal Electronics Inc. | System and method for non-intrusive health monitoring in the home |
US10357202B2 (en) * | 2010-11-30 | 2019-07-23 | Universal Electronics Inc. | System and method for non-intrusive health monitoring in the home |
US11197638B2 (en) | 2010-11-30 | 2021-12-14 | Universal Electronics Inc. | System and method for non-intrusive health monitoring in the home |
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP1620787A2 (en) | 2006-02-01 |
WO2004102366A3 (en) | 2005-02-17 |
WO2004102366A2 (en) | 2004-11-25 |
US20080129697A1 (en) | 2008-06-05 |
US8194040B2 (en) | 2012-06-05 |
KR20060017512A (en) | 2006-02-23 |
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Legal Events
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AS | Assignment |
Owner name: SYNERDYNE, CALIFORNIA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:KNIGHTON, MARK S.;REEL/FRAME:014079/0609 Effective date: 20030508 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |