KEYPAD WITH TACTILE TOUCH GLASS

• US 20090009480A1
• Filed: 07/06/2007
• Published: 01/08/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Heringslack, Henrik
• Application Number:
  US11/774,187
• Publication Number:
  US 20090009480A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03547 Touch pads, in which fingers can move on a surface
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0412 Digitisers structurally integrated in a display
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04886 by partitioning the display area of the touch-screen or the surface of the digitising tablet into independently controllable areas, e.g. virtual keyboards or menus
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2003/0293 with an integrated touch switch
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2231/022 Telephone handset
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2239/074 Actuation by finger touch
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 25/041 having a generally flat operating member depressible at different locations to operate different controls
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0266 for a display module assembly
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/23 Construction or mounting of dials or of equivalent devices; Means for facilitating the use thereof by improving visibility H04M1/22
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/22 including a touch pad, a touch sensor or a touch detector

Abstract

A mobile communication device may include logic configured to sense a position of input relative to a plurality of keys, wherein the plurality of keys are printed on a surface; detect a displacement of the surface; and determine an input key based on a sensed position of input when displacement of the surface is detected.

Claims

1. A mobile communication device, comprising:

a keypad assembly comprising;

a glass cover that covers a plurality of keys; and

an actuator for detecting downward displacement of the glass cover; and

logic configured to;

sense an input position within the keypad assembly, and

determine an input key based on the sensed input position when the actuator detects downward displacement of the glass cover.

2. The mobile communication device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of keys are printed on a bottom surface of the glass cover.

3. The mobile communication device of claim 2, further comprising:

a silicon mat located between the glass cover and the actuator, wherein the silicon mat includes a protrusion that is configured to contact the actuator when the glass cover is pressed.

4. The mobile communication device of claim 1, further including a display, wherein the logic is further configured to:

control the display to display information associated with the determined key.

5. The mobile communication device of claim 4, wherein the logic is further configured to determine a scrolling input by sensing input positions within the keypad assembly when a menu is displayed via the display.

6. A method, comprising:

sensing a position of input relative to a plurality of keys, wherein the plurality of keys are printed on a surface;

detecting a displacement of the surface; and

determining an input key based on a sensed position of input when displacement of the surface is detected.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the sensing a position of input relative to a plurality of keys is sensed by a capacitive film on the surface.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the position of input is determined by detecting a finger of a user, the method further comprising:

providing tactile feedback to the user.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the detecting a displacement of the surface is detected by an actuator that produces an electrical signal when deformed.

10. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

determining scrolling input by sensing positions of input relative to a plurality of keys when no displacement of the surface is detected and a menu is displayed on a display.

11. A mobile communication device, comprising:

means for providing a plurality of keys;

means for sensing a position of input relative to the plurality of keys;

means for detecting displacement of the means for providing a plurality of keys;

means for determining an input key, wherein the input key is determined by the sensed position of input when displacement of the means for providing the plurality of keys is detected and

means for providing tactile feedback to a user.

12. The mobile communication device of claim 11, wherein the means for providing a plurality of keys includes at least one of a glass surface with key information or a liquid crystal display (LCD).

13. The mobile communication device of claim 12, wherein the means for sensing a position of input relative to the plurality of keys includes a capacitive film.

14. The mobile communication device of claim 13, wherein the means for detecting displacement of the means for providing a plurality of keys includes an actuator, wherein the actuator produces an electrical signal when deformed or contacted.

15. The mobile communication device of claim 14, further comprising:

means for displaying information associated with the determined input key.

16. A device, comprising:

a keypad assembly comprising;

a surface that covers a plurality of keys; and

an actuator for detecting downward displacement of the surface; and

logic configured to;

sense an input position within the keypad assembly, and

determine an input key based on the sensed input position when the actuator detects downward displacement of the surface.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein the surface is glass and the plurality of keys are printed on a bottom surface of the glass surface.

18. The device of claim 16, wherein the surface is plastic and the plurality of keys are printed on a bottom surface of the plastic surface.

19. The device of claim 16, wherein the surface is an LCD and the plurality of keys are displayed on the LCD.

20. The device of claim 16, wherein downward displacement of the surface provides tactile feedback to a user.