Switch and portable terminal using the same

• US 20100090974A1
• Filed: 10/14/2009
• Published: 04/15/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/14/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Jung, Jin-He, Kim, Suk-Soon
• Application Number:
  US12/587,822
• Publication Number:
  US 20100090974A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/173
• 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 3/0393 Accessories for touch pads or touch screens, e.g. mechanical guides added to touch screens for drawing straight lines, hard keys overlaying touch screens or touch pads
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/041 Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means

Abstract

A system and method for providing an input to a portable terminal includes a switch for a portable terminal with a touch screen. The switch includes a suction plate attachable onto the main screen; and a button inserted into the suction plate, the button touching the touch screen when it is pushed.

Claims

1. A switch for a portable terminal with a touch screen, the switch comprising:

a suction plate attachable onto the main screen; and

a button inserted into the suction plate, the button configured to touch the touch screen when the button is pushed.

2. The switch according to claim 1, wherein the suction plate comprises a dome shape

3. The switch according to claim 2, wherein the suction plate configured to be deformed by pressure.

4. The switch according to claim 3, wherein the suction plate is configured to be returned to its original dome shape when the pressure is removed.

5. The switch according to claim 1, wherein the button is rod-shaped and inserted at a position that is substatially at a center position of the suction plate.

6. The switch according to claim 1, wherein the button comprises a conductive material.

7. The switch according to claim 1, wherein the button is configured to contact the touch screen in a first direction opposite from a second direction selected by a user.

8. An input device for a portable terminal with a touch screen, comprising:

a suction plate attachable onto the main screen; and

at least one button inserted into the suction plate, the button touching the touch screen when it is pushed by a user, the button being spaced from the touch screen such that the button physically contacts the touch screen when the button is pushed by a user.

9. The input device according to claim 8, wherein the suction plate comprises a dome shape.

10. The input device according to claim 9, wherein the button gets in touch with the touch screen when the user pushes and deforms the suction plate.

11. The input device according to claim 8, wherein the button is formed from a conductive material.

12. The input device according to claim 8, further comprising:

an angle measuring sensor configured to measure a rotated angle of the portable terminal; and

a visual point mapper configured to convert the rotated angle of the portable terminal measured by the angle measuring sensor to a visual point of a character in the game or to a visual point of the user.

13. The input device according to claim 8, wherein the button is rod-shaped and inserted at a position that is substatially at a center position of the suction plate.

14. The input device according to claim 8, wherein the button is configured to contact the touch screen in a first direction opposite from a second direction selected by a user.

15. A method for receiving an input for a portable terminal with a touch screen, the method comprising:

receiving, by a button inserted into a suction plate, an input from a user, wherein the input comprises a push of the button and the suction plate is attachable onto the main screen;

contacting, via the suction plate, the touch screen when the button is pushed.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the suction plate comprises a dome shape configured to be deformed by pressure.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the suction plate is configured to be returned to its original dome shape when the pressure is removed.

18. The method according to claim 15, wherein the button is rod-shaped and inserted in the center of the suction plate.

19. The method according to claim 15, further comprising:

measuring a rotated angle of the portable terminal; and

converting the rotated angle of the portable terminal to a visual point of a character in the game or to a visual point of the user.

20. The method according to claim 15, wherein contacting further comprises contacting the touch screen in a first direction opposite from a second direction selected by a user.