Key system for a communication device

• US 20060261983A1
• Filed: 05/16/2005
• Published: 11/23/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/16/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Inventors: Ladouceur, Norman, Fyke, Steven, Griffin, Jason, Rak, Roman
• Granted Patent: US 7,385,530 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 341/27
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/84 characterised by ergonomic functions, e.g. for miniature keyboards; characterised by operational sensory functions, e.g. sound feedback legends H01H13/83
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2213/002 with external pressure
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2215/03 Sound
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2215/034 Separate snap action
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2215/048 Vent
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/006 Different feeling for different switch sites
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/014 handicapped
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/032 Feedback about selected symbol, e.g. display
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2225/018 Consecutive operations
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2235/002 Linear coil spring combined with dome spring
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2239/048 comprising microphone or speaker
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2300/038 Preselection, i.e. the output of a switch depends on a particular preselection, e.g. a particular position of another switch
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2217/96062 with tactile or haptic feedback

Abstract

A key activation system for use in a handheld communication device is provided. The system comprises an activation mechanism associated with a key in the system, a first feedback system and a second feedback system. The activation mechanism is associated with the key activation system and provides a first feedback sense when the activation mechanism has triggered the first activation condition. The second feedback system provides a second feedback sense indicating when the key triggers the second activation condition. In the system, the second feedback system operates independently from the activation mechanism and the first activation condition is triggered before the second activation condition when the activation mechanism is initially engaged. An activation mechanism may be centrally located for a set of keys.

Claims

1. A key activation system for use in a handheld communication device, comprising

an activation mechanism associated with a key in said key activation system, said mechanism having a first and a second activation conditions;

a first feedback system associated with said activation mechanism and providing a first feedback sense when said activation mechanism has triggered said first activation condition; and

a second feedback system providing a second feedback sense generated to indicate when said key has triggered said second activation condition, said second feedback system operating independently from said activation mechanism,

wherein

said first activation condition is triggered before said second activation condition when said activation mechanism is initially engaged.

2. The keypad system for use in a handheld communication device as claimed in claim 1, wherein

said first feedback system provides a feedback sense selected from one of a motion, visual and audible signal;

said second feedback system utilizes at least one of a deflection and compression of a component on said key.

3. The keypad system for use in a handheld communication device as claimed in claim 1, wherein

said key has a plurality of selectable values associated with it;

said feedback system has a plurality of feedback senses associated with it;

said feedback system utilizes one sense of said plurality of feedback senses depending on which value of said plurality of values is currently associated with said key.

4. The keypad system for use in a handheld communication device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising

said activation mechanism is selected from an accelerometer, a piezoelectric circuit, a light sensor and a strain gauge.

5. The keypad system for use in a handheld communication device, as claimed in claim 2 wherein

said second feedback system includes a collapsible dome located on an upper portion of an element in said key.

6. The keypad system for use in a handheld communication device, as claimed in claim 2 wherein

said second feedback system includes a cam element which interacts with a cam surface on a stalk of said key to provide said feedback.

7. A keypad system for use in a handheld communication device, comprising

a plurality of keys, each key of said plurality of keys having

at least a first and a second activation conditions;

a central activation sensor to detect any of said first and second activation conditions from any of said plurality of keys; and

a feedback system providing feedback senses in response to any activation conditions of any of said plurality of keys.

8. The keypad system for use in a handheld communication device as claimed in claim 7, wherein

said feedback system selected from a vibration module, a sound generator and a character generator for a display;

and

said activation sensor is an accelerometer.

9. The keypad system for use in a handheld communication device as claimed in claim 8, wherein

a set of keys of said plurality of keys has a plurality of selectable values associated with it;

said feedback system has a plurality of feedback senses associated with it;

said feedback system utilizes one sense of said plurality of feedback senses depending on which value said plurality of selectable values is currently associated with a particular key in said set of keys.

10. The keypad system for use in a handheld communication device as claimed in claim 9, wherein

said set of keys represent a numeric keypad;

and

one sense of said plurality of feedback senses indicates that one key in said set of keys is being selected as a number digit.

11. The keypad system for use in a handheld communication device as claimed in claim 9, wherein

said set of keys represent a yes and a no response to a query;

and

one sense of said plurality of feedback senses indicates that one key in said set of keys is being selected as either said yes or said no response.

12. The keypad system for use in a handheld communication device as claimed in claim 9, wherein said feedback system utilizes one of at least three feedback senses for said plurality of senses for one key in said set of keys depending on an activation condition of said one key.