Bezel interface for small computing devices

• US 7,506,269 B2
• Filed: 02/16/2006
• Issued: 03/17/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Lang, Eric G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lo; Weilun
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chuong; Truc T
• Application Number:
  US11/357,761
• Publication Number:
  US 20060139320A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,125 Days
• Field of Search: 715/701, 715/787, 715/834, 715/784, 715/786, 715/829, 715/830, 715/854, 715/856, 715/864
• US Class Current: 715/786
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 17/02 Component assemblies
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 21/00 Input or output devices integrated in time-pieces
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/163 Wearable computers, e.g. on a belt
• 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: G06F 3/04892 Arrangements for controlling cursor position based on codes indicative of cursor displacements from one discrete location to another, e.g. using cursor control keys associated to different directions or using the tab key arrangements for controlling cursor position based on coordinate signals G06F3/038

Abstract

A user interface for small computing devices. The user interface includes a display screen and a bezel encircling the display screen. The bezel is adapted to move relative to the display screen in one or more axes. For example, the bezel may be rotated about the display screen, pivoted about a pivot point, or moved in a planar direction. A cursor displayed within the display screen is responsive to movement of the bezel.

Claims

1. A user interface suitable for a small computing device, the user interface comprising:

a display screen operable to display computer-generated information;

a bezel encircling the display screen, wherein the bezel is rotatable about a substantially central point on the display screen and wherein the bezel is pivotable about an axis extending substantially through the substantially central point on the display screen;

at least one first movement sensor configured to provide a first movement signal when movement of the bezel occurs, wherein the first movement signal is operable to scroll computer-generated information presented on the display screen in a vertical direction in response to the bezel being pivoted in a first direction and subsequently rotated and operable to scroll computer-generated information presented on the display screen in a horizontal direction in response to the bezel being pivoted in a second direction and subsequently rotated;

at least one second movement sensor configured to provide a second movement signal when movement of the bezel occurs in a planar direction substantially parallel to the display screen, wherein the second movement signal is operable to move a cursor displayed on the display screen in the planar direction; and

a browser application presented on the display screen and operable to render web pages for viewing by a user of the small computing device, wherein movement of the bezel provides the user functionality to scroll through information presented in the web pages;

wherein the small computing device is a wristwatch.

2. A user interface as defined in claim 1, wherein the second direction is substantially opposite the first direction.

3. A user interface as defined in claim 1, further comprising:

a browser application presented on the display screen and operable to render electronic pages for viewing by a user of the small computing device, wherein movement of the bezel provides the user functionality to scroll through information presented in the web pages.

4. A user interface as defined in claim 1 wherein the cursor is also responsive to said first movement signal.

5. A user interface as defined in claim 1, wherein the bezel is biased to a non-rotated position.

6. A user interface as defined in claim 5, further comprising:

a spring coupled with the bezel to bias the bezel to the non-rotated position.

7. A user interface as defined in claim 1, wherein the bezel includes at least one touch sensor responsive to finger contact.

8. A user interface as defined in claim 1, wherein the bezel is biased to a non-pivoted position.

9. A user interface as defined in claim 8, further comprising:

a spring coupled with the bezel to bias the bezel to the non-pivoted position.

10. A user interface as defined in claim 1, wherein the at least one first movement sensor comprises a magnetic switch.

11. A computer-implemented method of interfacing user input to a small computing device, the method comprising:

displaying computer-generated information on a display screen;

receiving a first movement signal indicating movement of a bezel relative to the display screen, wherein the bezel encircles the display screen and wherein the bezel is rotatable about a substantially central point on the display screen and wherein the bezel is pivotable about an axis extending substantially through the substantially central point;

scrolling the computer-generated information in a vertical direction if the bezel movement involves a pivot action toward a first direction and subsequent rotation;

scrolling the computer-generated information in a horizontal direction if the bezel movement involves a pivot action toward a second direction and subsequent rotation;

receiving a second movement signal indicating movement of the bezel in a planar direction substantially parallel to the display screen;

moving a cursor displayed on the display screen in the planar direction; and

a browser application presented on the display screen and operable to render web pages for viewing by a user of the small computing device, wherein movement of the bezel provides the user functionality to scroll through information presented in the web pages; and

further

wherein the small computing device is a wristwatch.

12. A method as defined in claim 11, wherein the second direction is substantially opposite the first direction.

13. A method as defined in claim 12, wherein the first direction is left and the second direction is right.

14. A method as defined in claim 11, further comprising:

biasing said bezel to a non-rotated position.

15. A method as defined in claim 11, further comprising:

biasing said bezel to a non-pivoted position.

16. A user interface suitable for a small computing device, the user interface comprising:

a display screen operable to display computer-generated information;

a bezel encircling the display screen, wherein the bezel is operable to rotate about a substantially central point on the display screen and wherein the bezel is operable to pivot about an axis extending substantially through the substantially central point on the display screen, the bezel being biased to non-rotated and non-pivoted positions;

at least one first movement sensor configured to provide a first movement signal when movement of the bezel occurs, wherein the first movement signal is operable to scroll computer-generated information presented on the display screen in a vertical direction in response to the bezel being pivoted in a first direction and subsequently rotated and operable to scroll computer-generated information presented on the display screen in a horizontal direction in response to the bezel being pivoted in a second direction and subsequently rotated;

at least one second movement sensor configured to provide a second movement signal when movement of the bezel occurs in a planar direction substantially parallel to the display screen, wherein the second movement signal is operable to move a cursor displayed on the display screen in the planar direction; and

a browser application presented on the display screen and operable to render web pages for viewing by a user of the small computing device, wherein movement of the bezel provides the user functionality to scroll through information presented in the web pages;

wherein the small computing device is a wristwatch.

17. A user interface as defined in claim 16 wherein the cursor is also responsive to said first movement signal.

18. A user interface as defined in claim 17, wherein the cursor is a pointing icon cursor.