KEY SYSTEM FOR AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE

• US 20080211696A1
• Filed: 05/07/2008
• Published: 09/04/2008
• 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 8,963,744 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 341/22
• 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 an electronic 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 keypad system for use in an electronic device, comprising:

a plurality of keys, each key of said plurality of keys having a first activation condition and a second activation condition;

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 first and second feedback senses in response to said first and second activation conditions.

2. The keypad system as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

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

for said key, said first activation condition is arranged to be triggered before said second activation condition;

said feedback system is arranged to provide either said first or said second feedback senses depending on which value of said plurality of values is currently associated with said key; and

said central activation sensor comprises any of a switch mechanism, an accelerometer, a piezoelectric circuit, a light sensor and/or a strain gauge.

3. The keypad system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said feedback system comprises any one or a combination of a vibration module, a sound generator and/or a character generator for a display.

4. The keypad system as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

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

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.

5. The keypad system as claimed in claim 4, 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.

6. The keypad system as claimed in claim 4, 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.

7. The keypad system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said feedback system utilizes at least one of three feedback senses for said plurality of feedback senses for at least one key in said set of keys.

8. The key activation system as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said first feedback sense is arranged to indicate a pre-select condition for a value associated with said each key; and

said second feedback sense is arranged to indicate a select condition for said value associated with said each key.

9. A method for providing a feedback during activation of a key for use in an electronic device, comprising:

associating said key with a plurality of selectable values;

providing said key with a first and a second activation conditions;

providing a first feedback sense selected from one of a motion, visual and audible signal when activation of said key has activated said first activation condition depending on which value of said plurality of values is currently associated with said key; and

providing a second feedback sense to indicate when said key has triggered said second activation condition, said second feedback system utilizing at least one of a deflection and compression of a component on said key,

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

10. The method for providing a feedback during activation of a key for use in an electronic device as claimed in claim 9, wherein

said key is in a keypad system comprising a plurality of keys;

and

said method further comprises monitoring for activation of any of said first and second activation conditions from any of said plurality of keys from a central location.

11. The method for providing a feedback during activation of a key for use in an electronic device as claimed in claim 9, further comprising:

for said key, providing a plurality of values associated with it;

for said key, selectively triggering said first activation condition before said second activation condition; and

providing either said first or said second feedback senses depending on which value of said plurality of values is currently associated with said key.

12. The method for providing a feedback during activation of a key for use in an electronic device as claimed in claim 9, further comprising:

for a set of keys of said plurality of keys, providing a plurality of selectable values associated with each key of said set of keys; and

utilizing one of said first or said second feedback senses depending on which value of said plurality of selectable values is currently associated with a particular key in said set of keys.

13. The method for providing a feedback during activation of a key for use in an electronic device as claimed in claim 11, wherein:

said set of keys represent a numeric keypad; and

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

14. The method for providing a feedback during activation of a key for use in an electronic device as claimed in claim 11, wherein:

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

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

15. The method providing a feedback during activation of a key for use in an electronic device as claimed in claim 9, further comprising utilizing a third feedback sense for a key in said set of keys depending on which value of said plurality of selectable values is currently associated with said key.

16. The method for providing a feedback during activation of a key for use in an electronic device as claimed in claim 9, wherein:

said first feedback sense is arranged to indicate a pre-select condition for a value associated with said each key; and

said second feedback sense is arranged to indicate a select condition for said value associated with said each key.

17. A key activation system for use in an electronic device, comprising:

a key having a plurality of selectable values associated with it;

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

a first feedback system associated with said activation mechanism, providing a first feedback sense on said device, said first feedback sense selected from one of a motion, visual and audible signal when said activation mechanism has triggered said first activation condition depending on which value of said plurality of values is currently associated with said key; and

a second feedback system providing a second feedback sense said device, said second feedback sense indicating when said key has triggered said second activation condition, said second feedback system at least one of a deflection and compression of a component on said key,

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

18. The key activation system as claimed in claim 17, wherein said activation mechanism is selected from an accelerometer, a piezoelectric circuit, a light sensor and a strain gauge.

19. The keypad system for use in an electronic device as claimed in claim 17, wherein:

said key represents a numeral in a numeric keypad; and

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