Switching device and portable telephone

• US 6,792,285 B2
• Filed: 09/18/2001
• Issued: 09/14/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/20/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha (Mitsubishi Electric Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha (Mitsubishi Electric Corporation)
• Inventors: Nishimoto, Hajime
• Primary Examiner(s): Ramakrishnaiah, Melur
• Application Number:
  US09/954,022
• Publication Number:
  US 20020155856A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,092 Days
• Field of Search: 455/550, 455/90, 455/575, 455/566, 455/403, 379/433.06, 379/433.07, 200/566, 200/5.R
• US Class Current: 455/550.1
• 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 3/0362 with detection of 1D translations or rotations of an operating part of the device, e.g. scroll wheels, sliders, knobs, rollers or belts
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724 User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones

Abstract

The invention provides a switching device. A switching device is constructed by including a wheel and two switches. The switching device has not only a rotary shaft of the wheel but also another rotary shaft. The rotary shaft of the wheel is provided with a rotary encoder. As shown by an arrow, by rotating the wheel about the rotary shaft with a finger or the like, a predetermined item is selected. By inclining the wheel about the another rotary shaft as shown by an arrow, the switches can be turned on/off. With the configuration, the switching operation can be performed with reliability.

Claims

1. A switching device having a wheel rotating about a rotary shaft, comprising:

a movable mechanism for allowing said wheel to move to one side and the other side approximately along a direction of extension of said rotary shaft; and

first and second switches disposed on said one side and said other side while sandwiching said wheel, each of which performs a switching operation when being come into contact with said wheel by said movable mechanism.

2. The switching device according to claim 1, wherein said movable mechanism allows said wheel to be tilted about another rotary shaft provided for said wheel.

3. The switching device according to claim 2, wherein said another rotary shaft is disposed in a position passing the center of said wheel, and

said first and second switches are disposed while sandwiching said another rotary shaft, on the side opposite to the portion where said wheel is allowed to perform said tilting operation.

4. The switching device according to claim 2, wherein said another rotary shaft is disposed in a position apart from the center of said wheel from the portion where said wheel is allowed to perform said tilting operation, and

said first and second switches are disposed between said another rotary shaft and the portion where said wheel is allowed to perform said tilting operation.

5. The switching device according to claim 1, wherein said movable mechanism permits said wheel to slide along said rotary shaft.

6. The switching device according to claim 5, wherein said movable mechanism includes resilient members attached to said one side and said other side of said rotary shaft of said wheel.

7. A portable telephone having a switching device comprising

a wheel rotating about a rotary shaft;

a movable mechanism for allowing said wheel to move toward one side and the other side approximately along a direction of extension of said rotary shaft; and

first and second switches disposed on said one side and said other side while sandwiching said wheel, which perform a switching operation when being comes into contact with said wheel by said movable mechanism.