Analog controls housed with electronic displays for voice recorders

• US 20010024210A1
• Filed: 12/08/2000
• Published: 09/27/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Anascape, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Anascape, Ltd.
• Inventors: Armstrong, Brad A.
• Granted Patent: US 6,404,584 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/701
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/218 using pressure sensors, e.g. generating a signal proportional to the pressure applied by the player
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/285 Generating tactile feedback signals via the game input device, e.g. force feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/92 Video game devices specially adapted to be hand-held while playing
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/10 characterized by input arrangements for converting player-generated signals into game device control signals
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1056 involving pressure sensitive buttons
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 21/08 Touch switches specially adapted for time-pieces
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23033 Variable pressure on key gives input value
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1601 Constructional details related to the housing of computer displays, e.g. of CRT monitors, of flat displays constructional details related to flat displays integrated in a portable computer, e.g. laptop, handheld computer G06F1/1637; constructional details related to television receivers H04N5/64
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1612 Flat panel monitor
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03 Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0338 with detection of limited linear or angular displacement of an operating part of the device from a neutral position, e.g. isotonic or isometric joysticks
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03548 Sliders, in which the moving part moves in a plane
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03549 Trackballs G06F3/03541 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04847 Interaction techniques to control parameter settings, e.g. interaction with sliders or dials
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0485 Scrolling or panning
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0489 using dedicated keyboard keys or combinations thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/70 having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard mounting together a plurality of independent switches H02B
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/702 with contacts carried by or formed from layers in a multilayer structure, e.g. membrane switches
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/785 characterised by the material of the contacts, e.g. conductive polymers
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2201/036 : Variable resistance
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2215/004 : Collapsible dome or bubble
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2215/006 : Only mechanical function
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/012 : Joy stick type
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/018 : Tumbler
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2231/008 : Video game
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2237/002 : Bell crank

Abstract

In an electronic device, a combination of an electronic visual display on a housing, electronic circuitry in the housing, the housing having at least one human user depressible surface with associated analog pressure-sensitive element for output of a signal of variable value utilized by the circuitry to control or manipulate one or more functions of the device. The at least one analog pressure-sensitive element receives pressure applied by a user'"'"'s finger or thumb to the depressible surface, varied pressure applied by the user determines varied value of the signal. The resultant control manipulation from the analog variable value is in some manner indicated, displayed or made visually detectable on the display at least at the time of manipulation so that the user receives visual feedback allowing termination, increase or decrease, if needed or desired, of finger pressure on the depressible surface of the analog sensor.

Claims

1. An electronic device, comprising:

a housing;

electronic circuitry in said housing;

a display structured with said housing, said display being operatively connected to said circuitry;

at least one depressible surface structured with said housing, said at least one depressible surface operatively connected to

at least one analog pressure-sensitive element, said pressure-sensitive element for inputting a signal to said circuitry, said signal having variable value depending on an amount of pressure applied by a user to said at least one depressible surface;

said circuitry structured to receive said signal and to cause said display to provide visual feedback, said visual feedback at least in-part representing the amount of pressure applied by the user to said at least one depressible surface.

2. An electronic device according to

claim 1

wherein said at least one depressible surface is a first depressible surface, said electronic device also includes a second depressible surface structured with said housing, said second depressible surface operatively connected to

a second analog pressure-sensitive element, said second pressure-sensitive element for inputting a second signal to said circuitry, said second signal having variable value depending on an amount of pressure applied by a user to said second depressible surface;

said circuitry structured to receive said second signal and to cause said display to provide visual feedback, said visual feedback at least in-part representing the amount of pressure applied by the user to said second depressible surface.

3. An electronic device according to

claim 2

wherein said display is a numeric display.

4. An electronic device according to

claim 3

wherein depression of said first depressible surface causes said numeric display to provide ascending numbers;

and depression of said second depressible surface causes said numeric display to provide descending numbers as visual feedback.

5. An electronic device according to

claim 3

wherein said numeric display comprises at least one seven-segment numeric display element.

6. An electronic device according to

claim 2

wherein said display is a general image display.

7. An electronic device according to

claim 1

wherein said electronic device has at least two of the depressible surfaces, structured as a 2-way rocker operatively connected to two of the analog pressure-sensitive elements.

8. An electronic device according to

claim 1

wherein said electronic device has at least four of the depressible surfaces, structured as a 4-way rocker operatively connected to four of the analog pressure-sensitive elements.

9. An electronic device according to

claim 8

wherein said at least four of said depressible surfaces are structured as a 4-way rocker operatively connected to a first and a second analog pressure-sensitive elements depression of said first depressible surface causes an image display to scroll vertically upward;

and depression of said second depressible surface causes said image display to scroll vertically downward as visual feedback and a third and a forth analog pressure-sensitive elements depression of said third depressible surface causes said image display to scroll horizontally to the right; and

depression of said second depressible surface causes said image display to scroll horizontally to the left as visual feedback.

10. An electronic device according to

claim 6

wherein said device is a voice recorder.

11. A method of manipulating visual information on a electronic display of an electronic device comprising;

providing at least one depressible surface structured with said electronic device for manipulating said visual information, said at least one depressible surface operatively connected to at least one analog pressure-sensitive element, said pressure-sensitive element for inputting a signal to the circuitry of said electronic device, said signal having variable value depending on an amount of pressure applied by a user to said at least one depressible surface;

said circuitry structured to receive said signal and to cause said display to provide visual feedback, said visual feedback at least in-part representing the amount of pressure applied by the user to said at least one depressible surface.