Electromechanical information browsing device

• US 20030048250A1
• Filed: 05/13/2002
• Published: 03/13/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sino Star Global Ltd.
• Original Assignee: E-BOOK SYSTEMS PTE. LTD.
• Inventors: Liang, Chee Cheng J., Boon, Suan Zin, Ho, Seng-Beng
• Granted Patent: US 6,995,745 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/156
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/014 Force feedback applied to GUI
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/0339 Touch strips, e.g. orthogonal touch strips to control cursor movement or scrolling; single touch strip to adjust parameter or to implement a row of soft keys
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/033 Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user , e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor digitisers characterised by the transducing means G06F3/041
• 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 3/03547 Touch pads, in which fingers can move on a surface
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0362 with detection of 1D translations or rotations of an operating part of the device, e.g. scroll wheels, sliders, knobs, rollers or belts
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/038 Control and interface arrangements therefor, e.g. drivers or device-embedded control circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0483 Interaction with page-structured environments, e.g. book metaphor
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• 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: Y10S 345/901 Electronic book with display

Abstract

An electromechanical information browsing device that controls page flipping actions of information displayed as an e-book on a display device. The browsing device includes a controller that provides tactile feedback so as to lessen the user-interface differences between conventional books and e-books. Sensors and control mechanisms in the controller generate a series of electrical signals that are interpreted by the computer that displays the e-book to control various browsing operations, such as flipping pages, controlling a rate of page flipping, jumping to pre-set locations in the e-book, etc.

Claims

1. A mechanical browsing module for controlling a display of a set of information to be browsed, comprising:

a body having a sensor;

a browsing control device coupled to the sensor and configured to generate a control signal with a first direction component when a force is applied to the sensor in a first direction and a second direction component when the force is applied to the sensor in a second direction; and

an output port configured to output the control signal to a processor that controls which portion of said set of information is presented on a display.

2. The module of claim 1, wherein:

said first direction is at least one of an x-direction, a y-direction, a z-direction and an r-direction and said second direction is another of the at least one of the x-direction, the y-direction, the z-direction and the r-direction.

3. The module of claim 1, wherein:

said first direction is the x-direction and said second direction is the z-direction.

4. The module of claim 3, wherein:

said browsing control device is further configured to generate the control signal with a y component when the force is applied to the sensor in a y direction.

5. The module of claim 3, wherein:

said browsing control device is further configured to generate the control signal with a rotation component when the force is applied to the r-direction.

6. The module of claim 1, wherein:

said browsing control device is configured to provide at least one of a force feedback and a frictional feedback as a reaction to said force.

7. The module of claim 3, wherein:

said control signal being a common control signal when said force is simultaneously applied in both said x direction and in said z direction.

8. The module of claim 1, wherein:

said control signal being formatted so as to be recognized by said processor as a request to generate at least one of

a flip-a-single-page command,

a continuously-flip-pages command,

a move a-jump-to-cursor-to-a-desired-jump-to-location command,

a select-a-jump-to-position command,

a move-a-bookmark-cursor-to-a-desired-bookmark-location command, and

an insert-a-bookmark command.

23. The module of claim 6, wherein:

the browsing control device is configured to have at least two resistance regions.

24. The module of claim 1, wherein:

the browsing control device comprises

a movable control platform having a horizontal metallic pointer,

a sensor surface having at least one of a groove pattern and a coating of frictional material and configured to move in unison with the movable control platform,

a cover,

a horizontal frame having a horizontal electrically resistive strip coated with a thin film resistive material, an inner side configured with a slot and, an inner surface,

a horizontal spring disposed between the horizontal frame and the movable control platform,

a vertical support having an inner side configured with a slot to constrain a distance the movable control platform can move in the z-direction,

a vertical spring disposed under the movable control platform,

a small platform disposed under the movable control platform and having an edge surface, and

another vertical spring disposed under the small platform and configured to provide a second resistance region, wherein

the slot is configured to constrain a distance the movable control platform can move in at least one of the x-direction and the y-direction,

the horizontal spring is configured to restore the movable control platform to at least one of a neutral x-position and a neutral y-position,

the vertical spring is configured to provide a first resistance region and to restore the movable control platform to a neutral position of the movable control frame,

the edge surface of the small platform and a corresponding interior surface of the frame are coated with a conductor so as to form a switch configured to generate an electrical signal to indicate that the second resistance region is reached,

the vertical support comprises a vertical electrically resistive strip and the movable control platform comprises a vertical metallic pointer configured to be in contact with the vertical electrically resistive strip so as to form a linear potentiometer from which the position of the platform can be determined, and

the horizontal electrically resistive strip and the metallic pointer are configured to form a linear potentiometer from which at least one of the x-position and the y-position of the platform can be determined.

25. The module of claim 24, wherein:

the mechanical browsing module is configured to

flip a single page in the set of information with a quick depression followed by a release of the movable control platform,

continuously flip pages in the set of information with an extended depression of the movable control platform, wherein a rate of flipping pages is proportional to a depth of depression of the movable control platform, and

cease flipping pages in the set of information when the movable control platform returns to a neutral depth.

26. The module of claim 25, wherein:

the module is configured to provide a tactile feedback regarding a rate of flipping pages, wherein

said tactile feedback is proportional to a visual display or an auditory display of the rate of flipping pages provided on the display.

27. The module of claim 24, wherein:

the mechanical browsing module is configured to

move a jump-cursor in the set of information with a movement of the movable control panel in at least one of an x-direction and a y-direction to a desired set of information thickness,

select a jump-to position in the set of information with a quick depression followed by a release of the movable control platform while the movable control platform is removed from at least one of the neutral x-position and the neutral y-position, and

automatically return the jump-cursor to a non-jump position in the set of information when the movable control platform is returned to a neutral horizontal position without a quick depression followed by a release of the movable control platform.

28. The module of claim 24, wherein:

the mechanical browsing module is configured to

move a bookmark cursor in the set of information on the computer to a desired set of information location with a movement of the movable control panel in at least one of an x-direction and a y-direction,

insert a bookmark in the set of information with a quick depression followed by a release of the movable control platform in the z-direction while the movable control platform is removed from at least one of the neutral x-position and the neutral y-position, and

automatically return the bookmark cursor to a non-bookmark position in the set of information when the movable control platform is returned to a neutral horizontal position without a quick depression followed by a release of the movable control platform.

29. The module of claim 28, wherein:

the mechanical browsing module is configured to create at least two separate bookmarks.

30. The module of claim 29, wherein:

the mechanical browsing module is configured to create at least four separate bookmarks.

31. The module of claim 24, wherein:

the mechanical browsing module is configured to

flip a single page in the set of information with a quick depression in the first resistance region, but not in the second resistance region, followed by a release of the movable control platform,

continuously flip pages in the set of information with an extended depression in the first resistance region, but not in the second resistance region, of the movable control platform, wherein a rate of flipping pages is proportional to the depth of the movable control platform,

select a jump-to position in the set of information with a quick depression followed by a release of the movable control platform in the second resistance region of the movable control platform while the movable control platform is in the first resistance region of the movable control platform, and

cease flipping pages in the set of information when the movable control platform returns to a neutral depth.

32. The module of claim 24, wherein:

the mechanical browsing module is configured to

move a jump-cursor in the set of information with a movement of the movable control panel in an x-direction,

select a jump-to position in the set of information with a quick lateral movement followed by a release of the movable control platform in the y-direction while the movable control platform is removed from a neutral x-position, and

automatically return the jump-cursor to a non-jump position in the set of information when the movable control platform is returned to a neutral x-position without a quick lateral movement in the y-direction followed by a release of the movable control platform.

33. The module of claim 24, wherein:

the mechanical browsing module is configured to

flip a single page in the set of information with a quick lateral movement followed by a release of the movable control panel in at least one of an x-direction and a y-direction,

continuously flip pages in the set of information with a continuous holding the movable control platform in the at least one of an x-direction and a y-direction, wherein a rate of flipping pages is proportional to a deflection distance of the movable control panel in at least one of an x-position and a y-position of the movable control platform,

select a jump-to position in the set of information with a quick depression in the second resistance region of the movable control platform followed by a release of the movable control platform while the movable control platform is removed from at least one of a neutral x-position and a neutral y-position, and

cease flipping pages in the set of information when the movable control platform returns to a neutral lateral position.

34. The module of claim 1, wherein:

the browsing control device comprises

a frame,

a vertical support disposed on the frame having a slot and having a side surface coated with a strip of resistive material,

a platform disposed on the vertical support and configured to move in the z-direction,

a metallic pointer fixed on the platform and configured to be in contact with the strip of resistive material, wherein the electrically resistive strip and the metallic pointer are configured to form a linear potentiometer from which a position of the platform is measurable,

a spring with a first resistance disposed in the slot and configured to return the platform to a highest position allowable by the vertical support,

two cylinder support posts,

a cylindrical roller disposed between the two cylinder support posts and configured to rotate around a central axis of the cylindrical roller,

a rotary potentiometer mounted between the two cylindrical supports configured to measure an angular position of the cylindrical roller, and

a cylindrical roller spring connected to the cylindrical roller and configured to provide an electrically resistive rotating force when the cylindrical roller is rotated in a positive angular direction, and to return the roller to a neutral angular position, wherein

the cylindrical roller comprises a grooved roller surface and a tab configured to prevent the cylindrical roller from rotating in a negative angular direction beyond the angular neutral position.

35. The module of claim 34, wherein:

the browsing control device further comprises a cover disposed on top of the browsing control device and configured such that only a top part of the cylindrical roller is exposed and accessible.

36. The module of claim 34, wherein:

the browsing control device is configured to

flip a single page in the set of information with a quick depression followed by a release of the cylindrical roller,

continuously flip pages in the set of information with an extended depression of the movable control platform, wherein a rate of flipping pages is proportional to a depth of depression of the cylindrical roller, and

cease flipping pages in the set of information when the cylindrical roller returns to a neutral depth.

37. The module of claim 34, wherein:

the mechanical browsing module is configured to

move a jump-cursor in the set of information with a rotation of the cylindrical roller,

select a jump-to position in the set of information with a quick depression followed by a release of the cylindrical roller while the cylindrical roller is removed from a neutral rotational position, and

automatically return the jump-cursor to a non-jump position in the set of information when the cylindrical roller is returned to a neutral rotational position without a quick depression followed by a release of the cylindrical roller.

38. The module of claim 1, wherein:

the browsing control device further comprises,

another vertical spring disposed under the cylindrical roller, connected to the frame, and configured to provide a second resistance region, and

a small platform having an edge surface and disposed on the another vertical spring, wherein

the edge surface of the small platform and a corresponding interior surface of the frame are coated with a conductor so as to form a switch configured to generate an electrical signal to indicate that the second resistance region is reached.

39. The module of claim 38, wherein:

the mechanical browsing module is configured to

flip a single page in the set of information with a quick depression in the first resistance region, but not in the second resistance region, followed by a release of the cylindrical roller,

continuously flip pages in the set of information with an extended depression in the first resistance region, but not in the second resistance region, of the cylindrical roller, wherein a rate of flipping pages is proportional to the position of the cylindrical roller, and

select a jump-to position in the set of information with a quick depression followed by a release of the cylindrical roller in the second resistance region of the z-direction while the cylindrical roller is in the first resistance region.

40. The module of claim 1, wherein:

the browsing control device comprises

a frame with a vertical post, said vertical post having resistive coating strip,

a pivot controller casing disposed on vertical spring and having a vertical wall and a pivot strip, wherein said pivot strip has a first side and a second side

a metallic pointer disposed on the vertical wall of the pivot controller casing

a pivot controller configured to pivot around the pivot strip,

a rotary potentiometer mounted to at least one of the first side and the second side of the pivot strip and configured to measure the a pivot position of the pivot controller,

a horizontal pivot controller spring disposed in the pivot controller casing and configured to return the pivot controller to a neutral pivot position, and

a vertical spring with a first resistance region disposed on the frame and configured to provide a first resistance region and return the pivot controller to a neutral depth, wherein

the resistive coating strip and the metallic pointer are configured to form a linear potentiometer from which the depth of the pivot controller is determinable.

41. The module of claim 40, wherein:

the browsing control device further comprises a cover disposed on top of the browsing control device and configured such that only a top part of the pivot controller is exposed and accessible.

42. The module of claim 40, wherein:

the browsing control device is configured to

flip a single page in the set of information with a quick depression followed by a release of the pivot controller,

continuously flip pages in the set of information with an extended depression in of the pivot controller, wherein a rate of flipping pages is proportional to a depth of the pivot controller, and

cease flipping pages in the set of information when the pivot controller returns to the neutral depth.

43. The module of claim 40, wherein:

the mechanical browsing module is configured to

move a jump-cursor in the set of information with a movement of the pivot controller around the pivot strip,

select a jump-to position in the set of information with a quick depression followed by a release of the pivot controller while the pivot controller is removed from a neutral pivot position, and

automatically return the jump-cursor to a non-jump position in the set of information when the pivot controller is returned to a neutral pivot position without a quick depression followed by a release of the pivot controller.

44. The module of claim 40, wherein:

the browsing control device further comprises

another vertical spring disposed under the pivot controller casing, connected to the frame, and configured to provide a second resistance region, and

a small platform having an edge surface and disposed on the another vertical spring, wherein

an edge surface of the small platform and a corresponding interior surface of the pivot controller casing are coated with a conductor so as to form a switch configured to generate an electrical signal to indicate that the second resistance region is reached.

45. The module of claim 44, wherein:

the mechanical browsing module is configured to

flip a single page in the set of information with a quick depression in the first resistance region, but not in the second resistance region, followed by a release of the pivot controller,

continuously flip pages in the set of information with an extended depression in the first resistance region, but not in the second resistance region, of the pivot controller, wherein a rate of flipping pages is proportional to the position of the pivot controller, and

select a jump-to position in the set of information by a quick depression in the second resistance region followed by a release of the pivot controller while the pivot controller is in the first resistance.

46. The module of claim 1, wherein:

the browsing control device comprises

a frame with a two vertical posts,

an axle disposed between the two vertical posts and having an rotary potentiometer configured to measure a degree of axle rotation,

a rotational spring disposed on the axle and configured to provide a first resistance region,

a button controller casing having an end disposed on the axle, an interior edge, a slot disposed in the interior edge, and a top edge surface,

an electrically resistive strip disposed on the top edge surface of the button controller casing,

a button controller having an exterior edge and disposed in the button controller casing,

a metallic pointer disposed on the button controller,

a horizontal spring disposed between the exterior edge of the button controller and an interior edge of the button controller casing perpendicular to the interior edge having the slot, and

a post disposed on the frame and abutting an end of the button controller casing parallel to and opposite of the end of the button controller disposed on the axle, wherein the post has a tab configured to constrain an angular movement of the button controller around the axle.

47. The module of claim 46, wherein:

the browsing control device further comprises a cover disposed on top of the browsing control device and configured such that only a top part of the button controller is exposed and accessible.

48. The module of claim 46, wherein:

the browsing control device is configured to

flip a single page in the set of information with a quick depression followed by a release of the button controller,

continuously flip pages in the set of information with an extended depression in of the button controller, wherein a rate of flipping pages is proportional to a depth of depression of the button controller, and

cease flipping pages in the set of information when the button controller returns to a neutral depth.

49. The module of claim 46, wherein:

the mechanical browsing module is configured to

move a jump-cursor in the set of information with a movement of the button controller horizontally from a neutral position toward the axle,

select a jump-to position in the set of information with a quick depression followed by a release of the button controller while the button controller is removed from the neutral position, and

automatically return the jump-cursor to a non-jump position in the set of information when the button controller is returned to the neutral position without a quick depression followed by a release of the button controller.

50. The module of claim 46, wherein:

the browsing control device further comprises at least one of a vertical spring disposed under button casing and having a small platform, and an other rotational spring disposed on the axle, wherein

the vertical spring and the other rotational spring are configured to provide a second resistance region.

51. The module of claim 50, wherein:

the mechanical browsing module is configured to

flip a single page in the set of information with a quick depression in the first resistance region, but not in the second resistance region, followed by a release of the button controller,

continuously flip pages in the set of information with an extended depression in the first resistance region, but not in the second resistance region, of the button controller, wherein a rate of flipping pages is proportional to a depth of the button controller, and

select a jump-to position in the set of information with a quick depression in the second resistance region of the button controller followed by a release of the button controller while the button controller is in the first resistance region.

52. The module of claim 1, wherein:

the browsing control device comprises

a cylindrical pivot having a fixed pivot axis,

a rotary potentiometer disposed on the cylindrical pivot,

a coupling bar having an end portion rigidly coupled to the fixed pivot axis of the cylindrical pivot and having another end portion, wherein the another end portion has a first side and a second side,

a button disposed on the cylindrical pivot,

a casing having an edge with a plunger hole and another edge without a plunger hole,

an electrically resistive strip disposed on the another edge without a plunger hole,

a first spring connecting the first side of the another end portion of the coupling bar to the casing, wherein the first spring is configured to form a first resistance region,

a coupling bar metallic contact disposed on the second side of the another end portion of the coupling bar,

a plunger disposed in the plunger hole, wherein the plunger has a first end, a second end,

a platform on the first end of the plunger,

a plunger metallic contact disposed on the platform,

a metallic pointer on the second end of the plunger,

a second spring disposed on the plunger and configured to form a second resistance region,

wherein the coupling bar metallic contact and the plunger metallic contact are configured to connect and to provide an electrical signal when the button enters the second resistance region, and

the metallic pointer and the electrically resistive strip are configured to form a linear potentiometer configured to measure a depth of depression of the plunger.

53. The module of claim 52, wherein:

the browsing control device further comprises a cover disposed on top of the browsing control device and configured such that only a top part of the button is exposed and accessible.

54. The module of claim 52, wherein:

the browsing control device is configured to

flip a single page in the set of information with a quick depression of the button,

continuously flip pages in the set of information with an extended depression of the button, wherein a rate of flipping pages is proportional to a depth of depression of the button, and

cease flipping pages in the set of information when the button returns to a neutral depth.

55. The module of claim 52, wherein:

the mechanical browsing module is configured to

flip a single page in the set of information with a quick depression in the first resistance region, but not in the second resistance region, followed by a release of the button,

continuously flip pages in the set of information with an extended depression in the first resistance region, but not in the second resistance region, of the rotating button, wherein a rate of flipping pages is proportional to a depth of depression of the rotating button, and

select a jump-to position in the set of information with a quick depression in the second resistance region followed by a release of the button while the button is in the first resistance region.

56. The module of claim 52, wherein:

the mechanical browsing module is configured to generate at least one of a flip, a jump-to, and a bookmark signal with at least two rapid depressions of the button.

57. The module of claim 56, wherein:

the mechanical browsing module comprises

a customized pairing between button operations and at least one of the flip, the jump-to, and the bookmark signal, and

a default signal when the plunger reaches a displacement limit.

9. A mechanical browsing module for controlling a display of a set of information to be browsed, comprising:

a body having a sensor surface;

a browsing control device coupled to the sensor surface and configured to generate a first control signal when a force of a first predetermined magnitude is applied in a predetermined direction to said sensor surface and configured to generate a second control signal when said force is applied at a second predetermined magnitude is applied in said predetermined direction to the sensor surface, wherein

said browsing control device includes a resistance mechanism configured to provide a first discrete amount of resistance when said force is at or below a first threshold and provide a second discrete amount of resistance to said force when said force is above said first threshold.

10. The module of claim 9, wherein:

said predetermined direction is at least one of an x-direction, a y-direction, a z-direction and an r-direction.

11. The module of claim 9, wherein:

said predetermined direction is the z-direction.

12. The module of claim 9, wherein:

said browsing control device is configured to generate the control signal with one of n different signal settings when said force is applied with a corresponding one of n different magnitudes.

13. The module of claim 9, wherein:

said resistance mechanism is configured to provide n different discrete amounts of resistance that correspond with said n different magnitudes.

14. The module of claim 9, wherein:

said browsing control device is further configured to generate the control signal with another direction component when a force is applied to the sensor in a direction other than the predetermined direction.

15. The module of claim 14, wherein:

said another direction component is a y-direction component when the force is applied to the sensor in a y direction.

16. The module of claim 14, wherein:

said another direction component is a x-direction component when the force is applied to the sensor in a x direction.

17. The module of claim 14, wherein:

said another direction component is a r-direction component when the force is applied to the sensor in a r direction.

18. The module of claim 9, wherein:

said browsing control device is configured to provide at least one of a force feedback and a frictional feedback as a reaction to said force.

19. The module of claim 14, wherein:

said control signal being a common control signal when said force is simultaneously applied in both said predetermined direction and the another direction.

20. The module of claim 9, wherein:

said control signal being formatted so as to be recognized by said processor as a request to generate at least one of

a flip-a-single-page command,

a continuously-flip-pages command,

a move a-jump-to-cursor-to-a-desired-jump-to-location command,

a select-a-jump-to-position command,

a move-a-bookmark-cursor-to-a-desired-bookmark-location command, and

a insert-a-bookmark command.

21. The module of claim 17, wherein:

the browsing control device is configured to translate movement in a rotational direction around an axis substantially in a surface midline region of the sensor so as to place the axis through a center of gravity of the sensor area and parallel to one side of the sensor area.

22. The module of claim 17, wherein:

the browsing control device is configured to translate movement in a rotational direction around an axis set apart from a surface midline region of the sensor area so as to place the axis through a region other than the center of gravity of the sensor area and parallel to one side of the sensor area.

58. A mechanical browsing module for browsing computer information, comprising:

a browsing control device disposed on the sensor area of the body and configured to detect a force applied to the browsing control device in at least one of an x-direction, a y-direction, a z-direction and a rotational direction and to provide at least one of a force feedback and a frictional feedback;

means for generating a direction of movement command;

means for generating a speed of movement command;

means for generating a jump to a specified location command; and

means for generating a bookmark command.