User input device

• US 20060155391A1
• Filed: 01/10/2005
• Published: 07/13/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/10/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Inventors: Porjo, Niko, Pistemaa, Jari
• Granted Patent: US 7,561,203 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/17
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0214 Foldable telephones, i.e. with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position combined with translation movement H04M1/0235
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0235 Slidable or telescopic telephones, i.e. with a relative translation movement of the body parts; Telephones using a combination of translation and other relative motions of the body parts
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0241 using relative motion of the body parts to change the operational status of the telephone set, e.g. switching on/off, answering incoming call
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0243 using the relative angle between housings
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/12 including a sensor for measuring a physical value, e.g. temperature or motion
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/60 Control of cameras or camera modules

Abstract

A user input device for portable electronic devices having a first body element and a main body element arranged for pivotal movement or slidable movement with respect tot one another controls an intended functionality of the portable electronic device in a response to the relative position between the body elements.

Claims

1. A portable electronic device comprising:

a user input device, said input device comprising a first body element arranged for movement with respect to a main body element for producing a signal proportional to the relative position between said first body element and said main body element for controlling the operation of an intended function of said portable electronic device.

2. The portable electronic device as defined in claim 1 further characterized in that said first body element is arranged for pivotal movement through an angular range with respect to said main body element wherein said signal is proportional to an angle formed between said first body element and said main body element.

3. The portable electronic device as defined in claim 1 further characterized in that said first body element is arranged for slidable movement through a linear range with respect to said main body element wherein said signal is proportional to the linear position of said first body element with respect to said main body element through said linear range.

4. The portable electronic device as defined in claim 1 further comprising a camera module for capturing images wherein said camera module includes a camera zoom functionality wherein the zoom factor is selectable by said relative position between said first body element and said main body element.

5. The portable electronic device as defined in claim 2 further comprising a camera module for capturing images wherein said camera module includes a camera zoom functionality wherein the zoom factor is selectable through said angular range.

6. The portable electronic device as defined in claim 3 further comprising a camera module for capturing images wherein said camera module includes a camera zoom functionality wherein the zoom factor is selectable through said linear range.

7. The portable electronic device as defined in claim 2 further comprising said main body element having a first surface relative to usage and a screen located in at least a portion of said first surface for displaying alphanumeric characters and graphics and images.

8. The portable electronic device as defined in claim 3 further comprising said main body element having a first surface relative to usage and a screen located in at least a portion of said first surface for displaying alphanumeric characters and graphics and images.

9. The portable electronic device as defined in claim 5 wherein said first body element has a first outwardly facing surface relative to usage and a second surface opposite said first outwardly facing surface, wherein said second surface is in facing relationship with said main body element first surface in a first operative position whereby said main body element first surface is not accessible for use by a user, and wherein a second operative position said first body element is pivoted to a fully open position away from said main body element first surface whereby said main body element first surface is accessible for use by a user.

10. The portable electronic device as defined in claim 9 wherein at least another portion of said main body element first surface includes an arrangement of keys in a given configuration to carry out an intended function.

11. The portable electronic device as defined in claim 9 further comprising said first body element configured whereby said screen is viewable by a user when said portable electronic device is in its said first operative position and in its said second operative position and at least partially viewable by a user through a pre-defined angular range when said first body element is pivoted from said first operative position through said pre-defined angular range.

12. The portable electronic device as defined in claim 2 wherein said camera zoom factor increases when said first body element pivots with an increasing angle formed between said first body element and said main body element.

13. The portable electronic device as defined in claim 2 wherein said camera zoom factor decreases when said first body element pivots with a decreasing angle formed between said first body element and said main body element.

14. The portable electronic device as defined in claim 2 wherein said camera zoom factor increases when said first body element pivots with a decreasing angle formed between said first body element and said main body element.

15. The portable electronic device as defined in claim 2 wherein said camera zoom factor decreases when said first body element pivots with an increasing angle formed between said first body element and said main body element.

16. The portable electronic device as defined in claim 4 wherein said camera module further includes a shutter release.

17. The portable electronic device as defined in claim 16 wherein said shutter release is responsive to the touching contact by a user on a key located on said main body element.

18. The portable electronic device as defined in claim 16 wherein said shutter release is responsive to the touching contact by a user on a key located on said first body element.

19. The portable electronic device as defined in claim 1 wherein said relative position created between said first body element and said main body element is indicated by a sensor responsive to the position of said first body element with respect to said main body element.

20. The portable electronic device as defined in claim 19 wherein said sensor further comprises a potentiometer connected between said first body element and said main body element whereby the resistance of the potentiometer is indicative of said position of said first body element with respect to said main body element.

21. The portable electronic device as defined in claim 19 wherein said sensor further comprises an inductor in a resonant circuit mounted on said main body element whereby a change in the position of said first body element with respect to said main body element changes the inductance of said inductor and the resonant frequency of said resonant circuit wherein the changed resonant frequency is indicative of said position of said first body element with respect to said main body element.

22. The portable electronic device as defined in claim 19 wherein said sensor further comprises a capacitor in a resonant circuit mounted on said main body element whereby a change in the position of said first body element with respect to said main body element changes the capacitance of said capacitor and the resonant frequency of said resonant circuit wherein the changed resonant frequency is indicative of said position of said first body element with respect to said main body element.

23. The portable electronic device as defined in claim 19 wherein said sensor further comprises a light polarization system connected between said main body element and said first body element, said light polarization system having a least one beam of light originating at one of said main body element and said second body element and a receiver located at the other of said main body element and said second body element whereby the magnitude of the light intensity of said one beam of light received at said receiver is indicative of said position of said first body element with respect to said main body element.

24. The portable electronic device as defined in claim 1 further comprising a mobile telephone.

25. User input device comprising:

an electronic device having a main body element with a first surface relative to usage;

a second body element connected to said main body element and arranged for movement with respect to said main body element, and

a sensor responsive to the relative position between said main body element and said second body element for producing an output signal having a magnitude proportional to said relative position between said first body element and said main body element for controlling the operation of an intended function of said electronic device.