TACTILE TOUCHSCREEN FOR ELECTRONIC DEVICE

• US 20090046068A1
• Filed: 08/13/2007
• Published: 02/19/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/13/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Research In Motion Limited (Blackberry Limited)
• Original Assignee: Research In Motion Limited (Blackberry Limited)
• Inventors: Griffin, Jason
• Application Number:
  US11/837,686
• Publication Number:
  US 20090046068A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04105 Pressure sensors for measuring the pressure or force exerted on the touch surface without providing the touch position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0412 Digitisers structurally integrated in a display

Abstract

A portable electronic device includes a housing; a touch-screen display constrained by the housing, the touch-screen display including a touch-sensitive input surface overlying a display device; a single mechanical switch disposed between a back surface of the touchscreen display and a base of the housing; and operational components including a processor within the housing and connected to the touchscreen display. The touchscreen display pivots relative to the housing about a pivot axis in response to application of sufficient force to an off-center location on the touchscreen. This pivoting results in the actuation of the single mechanical switch and the pivot axis depending on the location of application of the force

Claims

1. A portable electronic device, comprising:

a housing;

a moveable touchscreen display constrained by the housing, the touchscreen display including a touch-sensitive input surface overlying a display device;

a single mechanical switch disposed between a back surface of the touchscreen display and a base of the housing; and

operational components including a processor within the housing and connected to the touchscreen display,

whereby the touchscreen display pivots relative to the base about a pivot axis in response to application of sufficient force to an off-center location on the touchscreen resulting in actuation of the single mechanical switch, the pivot axis depending on the location of application of the force.

2. The portable electronic device according to claim 1, comprising at least one biasing element to bias the touchscreen display away from the single switch mechanism.

3. The portable electronic device according to claim 2, wherein the at least one biasing element comprises foam disposed between the back surface of the touchscreen display and the base of the housing.

4. The portable electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the display device is a liquid crystal display.

5. The portable electronic device according to claim 1, comprising a display support on the back surface of the display device for providing support to the touchscreen display.

6. The portable electronic device according to claim 1, wherein sufficient force applied at any location on the touchscreen display results in movement of the touchscreen display to contact and actuate the single mechanical switch.

7. The portable electronic device according to claim 6, wherein the single mechanical switch is further configured to provide a tactile feedback through the touchscreen display upon actuation.

8. The portable electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the single mechanical switch is substantially centered in relation to the touchscreen display.

9. The portable electronic device according to claim 1, wherein an electrical signal is generated in response to actuation of the single mechanical switch.

10. The portable electronic device according to claim 9, wherein the single mechanical switch is further configured to provide a tactile feedback through the touchscreen display upon actuation.

11. The portable electronic device according to claim 9, wherein the electrical signal is received at the processor as a further input in addition to the touchscreen display.

12. The portable electronic device according to claim 1, wherein said housing includes a front frame, framing the touchscreen display.

13. The portable electronic device according to claim 12, wherein the front frame includes corners that turned outwardly, away from the surface of the touch screen display.

14. The portable electronic device according to claim 13, wherein the corners are curved outwardly.

15. The portable electronic device according to claim 1, wherein said housing comprises a base and flexible sidewalls extending between the base and the touchscreen display.

16. The portable electronic device according to claim 15, wherein the flexible sidewalls are connected by mechanical interlock to the touchscreen display.

17. The portable electronic device according to claim 16, wherein the flexible sidewalls are connected by mechanical interlock to the base.

18. The portable electronic device according to claim 15, wherein the flexible sidewalls are continuous and extend around the periphery of the touchscreen display.

19. The portable electronic device according to claim 15, wherein the flexible sidewalls are comprised of an elastomer.