Shutter key for mobile electronic device with image sensor

• US 20080122945A1
• Filed: 06/30/2006
• Published: 05/29/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Inventors: Ahonen, Petri
• Application Number:
  US11/479,555
• Publication Number:
  US 20080122945A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/223.1
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2003/0293 with an integrated touch switch
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2231/022 Telephone handset
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2239/006 Containing a capacitive switch or usable as such
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/962 Capacitive touch switches
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2217/96015 Constructional details for touch switches for capacitive touch switches see H03K2217/9607
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0264 for a camera module assembly
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/236 including keys on side or rear faces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/22 including a touch pad, a touch sensor or a touch detector digitizers for touch screens G06F3/041
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/52 including functional features of a camera constructional features concerning the integration of cameras in portable phones H04M1/0264
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/67 Focus control based on electronic image sensor signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/74 by influencing the scene brightness using illuminating means

Abstract

A mobile electronic device with an image sensor and a shutter key. The shutter key includes a touch sensor and a resilient switch. A processor in the device is configured to activate an automatic camera function, such as an autofocus function when a user touches the touch sensor. The processor is also configured to photograph a subject when the user presses the shutter key and thereby activates the resilient switch.

Claims

1. A mobile electronic device, said device comprising:

a processor controlling the operation of the device,

a digital camera coupled to the processor,

a key coupled to the processor,

said key comprising a touch sensor and a resilient switch, and

said processor being configured to activate an automatic camera function when the touch sensor is touched, and said processor being configured to photograph a subject when said resilient switch is depressed.

2. An electronic device according to claim 1, wherein said automatic camera function comprises an autofocus function and/or an automatic light exposure function and/or an automatic B/W balance function.

3. An electronic device according to claim 1, wherein said touch sensor is part of an elongated touch sensitive surface.

4. An electronic device according to claim 3, wherein said processor unit is configured to change the zoom settings of said digital camera in response to a sliding movement registered by said elongated touch sensitive surface.

5. An electronic device according to claim 1, wherein said resilient switch is a dome switch.

6. An electronic device according to claim 1, wherein said key is a multipurpose key.

7. An electronic device according to claim 6, wherein said key is a navigation key.

8. An electronic device according to claim 7, wherein said key is a navigation plus select key.

9. A shutter key for a digital photo camera, said shutter key comprising a resilient switch and a touch sensor, said touch sensor being disposed such that the touch sensor will be touched by a user before and during depression of the switch by a user.

10. A shutter key according to claim 9, wherein said resilient switch is a dome switch.

11. A shutter key according to claim 9, wherein said touch sensor is disposed on the movable part of the shutter key.

12. A shutter key according to claim 11, wherein said touch sensor is connected to a static part of the shutter key via a flexible film

13. A shutter key according to claim 11, wherein said touch sensor is part of an elongated touch sensitive surface.