Device Comprising a Detector for Detecting an Uninterrupted Looping Movement

• US 20080222575A1
• Filed: 09/22/2006
• Published: 09/11/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Hollemans, Gerrit, Van De Wijdeven, Sander Bernard Francis
• Application Number:
  US12/067,958
• Publication Number:
  US 20080222575A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/863
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0338 with detection of limited linear or angular displacement of an operating part of the device from a neutral position, e.g. isotonic or isometric joysticks
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0485 Scrolling or panning
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text

Abstract

Devices (1) comprising detectors (4) for detecting uninterrupted looping movements are provided with processors (6) for in response to detections of parts of uninterrupted looping movements (21-23) performing first functions (31,32,35) or second functions (33,34,36,37,38) to be selected in dependence of pre-indication signals, to improve an efficiency of the devices (1) and to increase their possibilities. The first functions comprise scrolling functions in first directions and the second functions comprise scrolling functions in different second directions. The pre-indication signals may originate from further generators (7), or the detectors (4) are arranged to further detect further movements (24-27) and the generators (41)—that are already used for in response to the detections of the parts of the uninterrupted looping movements (21-23) generating indication signals destined for the processor (6) and defining durations and speeds of the parts of the uninterrupted looping movements (21-23)—are further arranged to, in response to detections of the further movements (24-27), generate the pre-indication signals.

Claims

1. Device (1) comprising

a detector (4) for detecting an uninterrupted looping movement (21-23), and

a processor (6) for, in response to a detection of at least a part of the uninterrupted looping movement (21-23), generating a pre-indication signal on the basis of the at least the part of the uninterrupted looping movement, and performing at least a first function (31,32,35) or a second function (33,34,36,37,38) to be selected in dependence of a pre-indication signal, the first and second functions (31-38) being different functions.

2. Device (1) according to claim 1, the first function (31,32,35) comprising a scrolling function in a first direction, and the second function (33,34,36,37,38) comprising a scrolling function in a second direction, the first and second directions (31-38) being non-parallel directions.

3. Device (1) according to claim 1, further comprising

a generator (41) for, in response to the detection of at least the part of the uninterrupted looping movement (21-23), generating an indication signal destined for the processor (6).

4. Device (1) according to claim 3, the indication signal defining a duration and a speed of the part of the uninterrupted looping movement (21-23), a duration of the first and second functions being related to the duration of the part of the uninterrupted looping movement (21-23), and a speed of the first and second functions being related to the speed of the part of the uninterrupted looping movement (21-23).

5. Device (1) according to claim 3, the device (1) further comprising

a further generator (7) for generating the pre-indication signal, the generator (41) and the further generator (7) being different generators.

6. Device (1) according to claim 3, the detector (4) being arranged to further detect a further movement (24-27) and the generator (41) being arranged to, in response to a detection of the further movement (24-27), further generate the pre-indication signal, the part of the uninterrupted looping movement (21-23) and the further movement (24-27) being different movements.

7. Device (1) according to claim 1, the uninterrupted looping movements (21-23) being clutch less movements that start at starting positions of loops and that pass through these loops.

8. Device (1) according to claim 1, the detector (4) comprising an element (2) for receiving the uninterrupted looping movements via a finger or a pointer in a mechanical way or a resistive way or a capacitive way or an inductive way.

9. Device (1) according to claim 8, the element (2) comprising movement guiding means.

10. Detector (4) for use in a device (1) as defined in claim 6.

11. Generator (41) for use in a device (1) as defined in claim 6.

12. Processor (6) for use in a device (1) as defined in claim 1.

13. Element (2) for use in a device (1) as defined in claim 9.

14. Method for use in a device (1) and comprising

a detecting step for detecting an uninterrupted looping movement (21-23), and

a performing step for, in response to a detection of at least a part of the uninterrupted looping movement (21-23), generating a pre-indication signal on the basis of the at least the part of the uninterrupted looping movement, and performing at least a first function (31,32,35) or a second function (33,34,36,37,38) to be selected in dependence of a pre-indication signal, the first and second functions (31-38) being different functions.

15. Computer program product for use in a device (1) and comprising

a detecting function for detecting an uninterrupted looping movement (21-23), and

a performing function for, in response to a detection of at least a part of the uninterrupted looping movement (21-23), generating a pre-indication signal on the basis of the at least the part of the uninterrupted looping movement, and performing at least a first function (31,32,35) or a second function (33,34,36,37,38) to be selected in dependence of a pre-indication signal, the first and second functions (31-38) being different functions.

16. Medium comprising the computer program product as defined in claim 15.