Keypad and compact video device equipped therewith, provided with a screen

• US 20080047814A1
• Filed: 07/31/2007
• Published: 02/28/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Archos SA
• Original Assignee: Archos SA
• Inventors: Crohas, Henri, Mazingue, Laurent
• Application Number:
  US11/882,176
• Publication Number:
  US 20080047814A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 200/5A
• 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 1/1662 Details related to the integrated keyboard
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 23/30 with stable centre positions and one or both end positions unstable

Abstract

The pocket video player comprises a screen 1 and a keypad 2. The keypad 2 is composed of rocking keys each controlling two antinomic functions which cannot be activated simultaneously. Three of the adjacent keys (4c, 4d, 4e) constitute a navigator with rocking keys. The central key (4d) controls two opposite directions and the two side keys (4c, 4e) each control one of the two other directions respectively. Useful for increasing the size of the screen, reducing the size of the keypad, and making the actuation of the functions easier and more reliable.

Claims

1. Keypad for a device provided with a screen, in particular a portable video player, characterized in that it comprises at least one control key (4) having on either side of an inactive zone (7) situated over a mechanical support for the key, two opposite zones (6) actuated by being depressed by the user, for controlling two different functions.

2. Keypad according to claim 1, characterized in that the two different functions are antinomic.

3. Keypad according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of the two different functions is shown on the screen (1) by a graphical representation (42) of at least one corresponding key (4).

4. Keypad according to claim 1, characterized in that the two actuation zones (6x, 6v) have differences in shape which can be felt by the user'"'"'s finger.

5. Keypad according to claim 1, characterized in that the keypad comprises a base (13) comprising actuation detectors (14), in particular contacts, each associated with one of the actuation zones (6) of the key (4).

6. Keypad according to claim 5, characterized in that the mechanical support of the inactive zone of the key is ensured relative to the base (13).

7. Keypad according to claim 1, characterized in that the mechanical support is provided in the form of hinging the key (4) with a base (13).

8. Keypad according to claim 7, characterized in that the hinge comprises a pin (19) extending through at least one pivot bearing (22) carried by the key (4) and at least one pivot bearing (21) carried by the base (13).

9. Keypad according to claim 7, characterized in that said at least one key comprises at least two adjacent keys (4a . . . 4e) hinged to the base (13) by a pin (19) common to said two keys.

10. Keypad according to claim 9, characterized in that the base (13) and the keys (4, 4a . . . 4e) comprise pivot bearings (21, 22) through which the common pin (19) extends and which laterally abut each other to define an axial clearance (j) between keys.

11. Keypad according to claim 8, characterized in that said at least one key (4) is assembled with the base (13) simply by putting the pin in place (19).

12. Keypad according to claim 5, characterized in that it comprises a pre-stressed elastomer interface (17) in compression between said at least one key (4) and the base (13).

13. Keypad according to claim 1, characterized in that said at least one key comprises at least two keys pre-assembled together by being attached onto an interface (17) which is common to the two keys.

14. Keypad according to claim 12, characterized in that the interface (17) carries actuation projections (31) on its face facing away from to the keys (4).

15. Keypad according to claim 12, characterized in that the interface (17) carries localized support projections (29) on its face facing away from the keys (4), the localized support projections (29) being intended to bear permanently onto an underlying surface (18).

16. Keypad according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one key comprises at least two adjacent keys, and in that it comprises a tactile identification pattern (11, 12, 12a) common to the two keys, which straddles the two keys on their respective face which is accessible to the user.

17. Keypad according to claim 1, characterized in that said at least one key comprises at least three adjacent keys (4c, 4d, 4e), namely a central key (4d) for controlling two navigation functions in two opposing directions, and two side keys (4c, 4e) each controlling two other functions, comprising a navigation function respectively in one of the two directions perpendicular to the two opposing directions of the central key.

18. Keypad according to claim 17, characterized in that the second function controlled by each of the two side keys (4c, 4e) is an accelerated navigation function.

19. Keypad according to claim 17, characterized in that it comprises a tactile identification pattern (11), preferably a recess, with a contour extending over the three keys (14c, d, e).

20. Keypad according to claim 1, characterized in that the mechanical support such as a hinge pin is situated in the vicinity of a plane containing sensitive faces of the actuation detectors (14), preferably with an offsetting of the pin towards the keys.

21. Compact portable device with a screen (1), of the pocket or handbag type, comprising a keypad (2) according to claim 1.

22. Device according to claim 21, characterized by being capable of displaying the image in two opposite directions, in which the keypad is positioned respectively to the right and to the left of the screen.

23. Device according to claim 22, characterized in that the keys of the keypad can be reversed on the base by a quick-mounting means, depending on the direction of use of the screen.