Method And System For Providing Input Mechanisms On A Handheld Electronic Device

• US 20080284728A1
• Filed: 08/01/2008
• Published: 11/20/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/29/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Scenera Technologies LLC (Scenera Research LLC)
• Original Assignee: Scenera Technologies LLC (Scenera Research LLC)
• Inventors: Morris, Robert P.
• Application Number:
  US12/184,529
• Publication Number:
  US 20080284728A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/156
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1662 Details related to the integrated keyboard
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0221 Arrangements for reducing keyboard size for transport or storage, e.g. foldable keyboards, keyboards with collapsible keys G06F3/0216 takes precedence; for keyboards integrated in a laptop computer G06F1/1666
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2009/0257 Multisided remote control, comprising control or display elements on at least two sides, e.g. front and back surface
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/002 actuable from both sides
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2223/048 assembled by removable part

Abstract

The present invention is related to a system and method for providing input mechanisms in a handheld electronic device. The handheld electronic device includes a casing having a first surface and a second surface, where the second surface faces away from a user of the device when the first surface faces toward the user. An input control is arranged on the second surface. An input mechanism is configured to detect a user input event via the input control. A display is arranged on the first surface and configured to present a visual indication identifying the input control responsive to the user input event.

Claims

1. A handheld electronic device comprising:

a casing having a first surface and a second surface, wherein the second surface faces away from a user of the device when the first surface faces toward the user;

an input control arranged on the second surface;

an input mechanism configured to detect a user input event via the input control; and

a display arranged on the first surface and configured to present a visual indication identifying the input control responsive to the user input event being received while the first surface faces toward the user and the second surface faces away from the user.

2. The handheld device of claim 1, wherein:

the input control is arranged on the second surface with at least one other input control to comprise a layout of a plurality of input controls; and

the presented visual indication identifying the input control indicates a location of the input control in the layout relative to the plurality of input controls.

3. The handheld device of claim 2, wherein the presented visual indication identifying the input control indicates a location of the input control in the layout relative to the plurality of input controls by presenting the input control within the layout from a perspective of a user viewing through the first surface onto the input control layout of the second surface.

4. The handheld device of claim 1, wherein:

the input mechanism is configured to detect a plurality of user input events via the input control, each user input event corresponding to detection of a respective one of a plurality of different pressures applied to the input control; and

the display is configured to present a visual indication identifying the input control responsive to a one of the detected plurality of user input events.

5. The handheld device of claim 1, wherein:

the input control is arranged on the second surface with at least one other input device to comprise a layout of a plurality of input controls each having a respective input mechanism to detect a user input event via a respective input control;

the display is configured to present a visual indication of the layout of the plurality of input controls responsive to detection of a first number of user input events; and

the display is configured to present a visual indication identifying a location of the input control in the layout relative to the plurality of input controls responsive to detection of a second number of user input events.

6. The handheld device of claim 5, wherein the input mechanism is configured to detect a plurality of user input events via each of the plurality of input controls, each user input event corresponding to detection of a respective one of a plurality of different pressures applied to one of the plurality of input controls.

7. The handheld device of claim 6, wherein the display is configured to stop presenting a presented visual indication of the layout of the plurality of input controls responsive to detection of a user input event corresponding to detection of a predetermined pressure applied to one of the plurality of input controls, the user input event corresponding to the predetermined pressure initiating the carrying out of a command assigned to the input control.

8. A method for providing input mechanisms on a handheld electronic device comprising:

providing a casing having a first surface and a second surface, wherein the second surface faces away from a user of the device when the first surface faces toward the user;

providing an input control arranged on the second surface;

detecting a user input event via the input control; and

presenting on a display arranged on the first surface a visual indication identifying the input control responsive to the user input event being received while the first surface faces toward the user and the second surface faces away from the user.

9. The method of claim 8, comprising:

providing the input control arranged on the second surface with at least one other input control to comprise a layout of a plurality of input controls; and

presenting the visual indication identifying the input control to indicate a location of the input control in the layout relative to the plurality of input controls.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the presented visual indication identifying the input control indicates a location of the input control in the layout relative to the plurality of input controls by presenting the input control within the layout from a perspective of a user viewing through the first surface onto the input control layout of the second surface.

11. The method of claim 8, comprising:

detecting a plurality of user input events via the input control, each user input event corresponding to detection of a respective one of a plurality of different pressures applied to the input control; and

presenting a visual indication identifying the input control responsive to a one of the detected plurality of user input events.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the input control is arranged on the second surface with at least one other input device to comprise a layout of a plurality of input controls, the method comprising:

presenting a visual indication of the layout of the plurality of input controls responsive to detection of a first number of user input events; and

presenting a visual indication identifying a location of the input control in the layout relative to the plurality of input controls responsive to detection of a second number of user input events.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein detection of user input events includes detection of a respective one of a plurality of different pressures applied to one of the plurality of input controls.

14. The method of claim 13, comprising stopping presenting of a presented visual indication of the layout of the plurality of input controls responsive to detection of a user input event corresponding to detection of a predetermined pressure applied to one of the plurality of input controls, the user input event corresponding to the predetermined pressure initiating the carrying out of a command assigned to the input control.