Electronic device and control element

• US 7,170,497 B2
• Filed: 12/18/2002
• Issued: 01/30/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Inventors: Husgafvel, Ilkka, Johansson, Panu
• Primary Examiner(s): Shalwala; Bipin
• Assistant Examiner(s): PIZIALI, JEFFREY J
• Application Number:
  US10/322,147
• Publication Number:
  US 20030135292A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,504 Days
• Field of Search: 345156-158, 345/160, 345/162, 345168-170, 345/172, 345/173, 345/184, 345684-688, 715784-787, 715828-834, 715854-859, 715/973, 715/974, 273/148.B
• US Class Current: 345/172
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0219 Special purpose keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0233 Character input methods
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0238 Programmable keyboards key guide holders G06F3/0224
• 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 1/72466 with selection means, e.g. keys, having functions defined by the mode or the status of the device

Abstract

An electronic device (1) comprises a control element (6) for receiving user input, and the control element (6) comprises at least a first input means (6b), a second input means (6c) and a protective cover (2) with a specified place for the control element (6). The first input means (6b) is essentially plane-shaped and the second input means (6c) is essentially ring-shaped; the control element (6) has a first input mode and a second input mode; in the first input mode, the control element (6) is arranged to receive input in the form of navigation information; and in the second input mode, the control element (6) is arranged to receive input in the form of alphanumeric information. The device (1) is arranged to be controlled by means of information received by the control element (6).

Claims

1. An electronic device comprising:

a protective cover;

a control element mounted at a specified place on the protective cover, the control element configured to receive input, the control element comprising at least a first input means and a second input means, the first input means comprising a multi-function input means and the second input means comprising an essentially a ring-shaped input means rotatable in a plane.

where said control element has a first input mode and a second input mode;

wherein when in the first input mode, the control element is arranged to provide the electronic device with navigation information in response to at least one of the following actions;

operation of the first input means;

or

operation of the second input means; and

when in the second input mode, the first and second input means are configured to display alphanumeric information, particular alphanumeric information being associated with, and displayed by, each of the first input means and particular locations of the second input means, and the control element is arranged to provide the electronic device with particular alphanumeric information in the second input mode in response to at least one of the following actions;

a press on the first input means if the particular alphanumeric information is associated with the first input means;

or

a press on a particular location of the second input means out of several possible press locations, if the particular alphanumeric information is associated with that particular location.

2. An electronic device according to claim 1,

wherein

in the first input mode, the control element is arranged to provide the electronic device with navigation information in response to at least one of the following actions:

a press on a particular location of the first input means out of several possible press locations,

a press on a particular location of the second input means out of several possible press locations

wherein the control element is configured to perform a particular navigation function in response to the press on a particular location.

3. An electronic device according to claim 1,

wherein

in the first input mode, the control element is arranged to perform a particular navigation function in response to

either holding the second ring-shaped input means pressed and selecting either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction or scrolling the second ring-shaped input means towards either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction, and

releasing the second ring-shaped input means.

4. An electronic device according to claim 1, wherein

in addition, the control element comprises a third input means formed of one or more keys.

5. An electronic device according to claim 1, wherein

the first input means is arranged to receive input information from a user, and

the second input means is arranged to receive mode switch information from the user for switching between the first and second input modes.

6. An electronic device according to claim 4,

wherein the third input means is arranged to receive input information from a user, and

the second input means is arranged to receive mode switch information from the user for switching between the first and the second input modes.

7. An electronic device according to claim 1,

wherein

the first, multi-function, input means is arranged to receive presses, touches or movements from the user.

8. An electronic device according to claim 4,

wherein

the first input means is located on the protective cover of the electronic device inside the ring-shaped second input means, and

the third input means is located on the protective cover of the electronic device below the second input means.

9. An electronic device according to claim 1,

wherein

the control element comprises means for presenting information about the input mode to the user.

10. An electronic device according to claim 1,

wherein

said means are arranged to display information, and

in the first mode, the information displayed by said means comprises navigation directions selectable by means of the control element.

11. An electronic device according to claim 1, wherein

the electronic device is arranged to be controlled using one or more operation sequences of the control element, the operation sequence consisting of a set of first movements and second movements essentially in immediate sequence.

12. An electronic device according to claim 11,

wherein

said first movements are movements of the first, multi-function, input means, and

said second movements are movements of the second input means, rotatable in a plane.

13. A method comprising:

implementing a control element in an electronic device, the control element configured to enter input, the control element comprising at least a first input means and a second input means, the first input means comprising a multi-function input means and the second input means comprising an essentially ring-shaped input means, wherein the first input means is operable to be activated, and the second input means is operable to be rotated in a plane,

arranging the control element to operate in a first input mode where the electronic device configured to receive navigation information in response to at least one of the following actions;

operation of the first input means;

or

operation of the second input means, and

arranging the control element to operate in a second input mode, wherein when in the second input mode the control element is configured to display alphanumeric information available for selection on the first and second input means, and where the electronic device is configured to receive alphanumeric information in response to at least one of the following actions;

operation of the first input means;

or

operation of the second input means.

14. A control element for an electronic device, the electronic device mounting the control element on a protective cover, the control element comprising:

a first input means comprising a multi-function input means;

a second input means the second input means comprising an essentially ring-shaped input means rotatable in a plane, where

said control element has a first input mode and a second input mode;

wherein when in the first input mode, the control element is arranged to receive input in the form of navigation information; and

when in the second input mode, the control element is arranged to receive input in the form of alphanumeric information, wherein when in the second input mode the alphanumeric information available for selection is displayed by the first and second input means.