Touch sensitive navigation surfaces for mobile telecommunication systems

• US 20020132634A1
• Filed: 03/19/2001
• Published: 09/19/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Nokia Mobile Phones UK Limited (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Hiltunen, Kari
• Granted Patent: US 6,873,863 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/550.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03547 Touch pads, in which fingers can move on a surface
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/041 Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04886 by partitioning the display area of the touch-screen or the surface of the digitising tablet into independently controllable areas, e.g. virtual keyboards or menus
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2201/00 Contacts
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/018 Indication of switch sites
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2229/046 Multi-colour or double shot injection moulding
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2229/047 Preformed layer in mould
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/23 Construction or mounting of dials or of equivalent devices; Means for facilitating the use thereof by improving visibility H04M1/22
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724 User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/12 including a sensor for measuring a physical value, e.g. temperature or motion telephones including GPS signal receivers H04M2250/10
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/22 including a touch pad, a touch sensor or a touch detector digitizers for touch screens G06F3/041

Abstract

A touch sensitive navigational surface functions as a user interface to a communication device such as a cellular telephone. An electromechanical dielectric (EMD) film coextensive with at least a portion of the surface of the cover of the device selectively functions as a sensor, microphone or speaker. The EMD film is placed behind a display to provide a user interface touch sensitive screen capable of sensing the direction of touching. At least a portion of the EMD film functions as a fingerprint recognition system to provide security means for controlling access and limiting call completion to an authorized user.

Claims

1. Method for providing a sensor system in a communication device comprising the steps of:

providing an electromechanical dielectric (EMD) film integral with the surface of the cover of the communication device;

providing one or more voided areas in the outer surface regions in the cover for accessing the EMD film wherein the voided area corresponds to the operational function to be implemented; and

coupling the EMD film in each of the exposed regions to electronic circuit means associated with the corresponding operational function of the communication device.

2. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the step of providing one or more voided areas in the outer surface region includes providing one or more voided areas in the inner surface region of the cover in those areas where the EMD film requires unobstructed movement to perform the desired operational function of transforming an acoustic energy signal to a corresponding electrical signal and transforming an electrical signal to a corresponding acoustic signal.

3. The method as defined in claim 1, further including the step of providing a display in one of the voided areas with the rear surface of the display facing and in contact with the EMD film.

4. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the step of providing the EMD film integral with the surface of the cover includes the step of injection molding the cover with the EMD film.

5. A communication device comprising:

an electromechanical dielectric (EMD) film coextensive with at least a portion of the surface of a cover of the communication device;

one or more voided areas in the outer surface regions in the cover for accessing a portion of the EMD film wherein a given voided area in the surface of the cover corresponds to the operational function to be implemented;

electronic circuit means coupled to the EMD film for sensing electrical signals generated by the EMD film in response to exposure to a force and for displacing the surface of the EMD film with respect to a plane passing through and coextensive with the surface in response to electrical signals generated by the electronic circuit means.

6. A communication device as defined in claim 5, wherein the EMD film functions as a speaker.

7. A communication device as defined in claim 5, wherein the EMD film functions as a microphone.

8. A communication device as defined in claim 5, wherein the EMD film functions as a keypad.

9. A communication device as defined in claim 5, further comprising a display in contact with the EMD film whereby the EMD film is responsive to sensing a direction of touching on the surface of the display.

10. A portable, handheld communication device of the type having means for establishing a communication link between itself and a remote communication device comprising:

a case having at least a first portion molded from material responsive to displacement for generating an electric signal; and

at least a second portion molded from material responsive to electric signals for displacement of said material proportional to the magnitude of the electrical signal.

11. A portable, handheld communication device as defined in claim 10, wherein said first portion and said second portion are molded from electromechanical dielectric (EMD) film, said EMD film being coextensive with at least a portion of the surface of said case.

12. A portable, handheld communication device as defined in claim 11 further including security means for controlling access to said device and limiting call completion to an authorized user.

13. A portable, handheld communication device as defined in claim 12 wherein said security means further includes at least a portion of said EMD film configured as a fingerprint recognition sensor

15. The method as defined in claim 14, further including the steps of:

providing an EMD film with a second major surface disposed opposite said first major surface, said second major surface having adhesion properties; and

locating the EMD film between the cover of the device and a display screen of the device, whereby the EMD film holds the display in place to provide a touch-sensitive screen.

16. The method as defined in claim 14, further including the steps of:

providing an EMD film with a second major surface disposed opposite said first major surface;

providing a flexible protective layer on said second major surface; and

attaching the adhesion major surface of the EMD film to a desired location on the surface of the device, whereby the protective layer faces outward for touching contact by a user.

18. A communication device as defined in claim 17, further comprising:

said EMD film second major surface having adhesion properties; and

a display in contact with and held by said EMD film second major surface.

19. A communication device as defined in claim 17, further comprising a said EMD film second major surface having a flexible protective layer.

14. A method for providing a touch-sensitive surface functionality in a communication device comprising the steps of:

providing an electromechanical dielectric (EMD) film with a first major surface having adhesion properties;

placing said first adhesion major surface in contact with a desired location of a surface of the communication device; and

coupling the EMD film to electronic circuit means associated with the corresponding operational function of the communication device.

17. A communication device having touch-sensitive surface functionality comprising:

an electromechanical dielectric (EMD) film with a first major surface having adhesion properties and a second major surface oppositely disposed said first major surface, whereby said adhesion major surface holds said EMD film in contact with a desired location on the surface of the communication device; and

means for coupling said EMD film to electronic circuit means associated with the corresponding operational function of the communication device.