Navigation tool with audible feedback on a handheld communication device having a full alphabetic keyboard

• US 7,770,118 B2
• Filed: 06/06/2006
• Issued: 08/03/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Inventors: Lee, Matthew, Fyke, Steven, Bocking, Andrew, Mak-Fan, David, Bells, Matthew
• Primary Examiner(s): Hellner; Mark
• Application Number:
  US11/422,538
• Publication Number:
  US 20070192028A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,519 Days
• Field of Search: 701/211, 715/727, 345/157, 345/151
• US Class Current: 715/727
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1656 Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories mounting of accessories to a computer display G06F1/1607; display hoods G06F1/1603; cooling arrangements for portable computers G06F1/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1662 Details related to the integrated keyboard
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1664 Arrangements for ergonomically adjusting the disposition of keys of the integrated keyboard
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/169 the I/O peripheral being an integrated pointing device, e.g. trackball in the palm rest area, mini-joystick integrated between keyboard keys, touch pads or touch stripes G06F1/1643 takes precedence; constructional details of pointing devices G06F3/033
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3203 Power management, i.e. event-based initiation of a power-saving mode
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3215 Monitoring of peripheral devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3228 Monitoring task completion, e.g. by use of idle timers, stop commands or wait commands
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3259 Power saving in cursor control device, e.g. mouse, joystick, trackball
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3265 Power saving in display device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3287 by switching off individual functional units in the computer system
• 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 3/03549 Trackballs G06F3/03541 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/038 Control and interface arrangements therefor, e.g. drivers or device-embedded control circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04812 Interaction techniques based on cursor appearance or behaviour, e.g. being affected by the presence of displayed objects
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2330/021 Power management, e.g. power saving
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/233 including a pointing device, e.g. roller key, track ball, rocker switch or joystick constructional details of pointing devices per se G06F3/033
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72403 with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/12 : including a sensor for measuring a physical value, e.g. temperature or motion telephones including GPS signal receivers H04M2250/10
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/56 : including a user help function
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0254 : detecting a user operation or a tactile contact or a motion of the device
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0267 : by controlling user interface components
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/027 : by controlling a display operation or backlight unit
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 10/00 : Energy efficient computing, e.g. low power processors, power management or thermal management
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 : in wireless communication networks
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99942 : Manipulating data structure, e.g. compression, compaction, compilation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99943 : Generating database or data structure, e.g. via user interface
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99944 : Object-oriented database structure
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99945 : Object-oriented database structure processing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99948 : Application of database or data structure, e.g. distributed, multimedia, or image

Abstract

System and method that provides audible feedback through a speaker of a handheld electronic device having a full alphabetic keyboard upon actuation of a navigation tool. The audible feedback produced by the speaker is capable of being modified based upon the location, speed, and other characteristics of the movement of a cursor on the display of a handheld electronic device. The sound produced by the speaker can originate from an audio file stored or otherwise available on the handheld electronic device.

Claims

1. A method for producing an audible sound that emanates from a speaker of a handheld electronic device that includes a display screen, a navigational tool for controlling motion of a cursor about the display screen, an operating system and a running resident application program, said method comprising:

detecting movement of the navigation tool of the handheld electronic device requesting specific motion of the cursor on the display screen of the device; and

generating a negative audible sound from the speaker of the handheld electronic device when the requested direction of motion of the cursor is not allowed by the currently running application program wherein said display screen is a lighted display located above a keyboard suitable for accommodating textual input to the handheld electronic device when said handheld electronic device is in an operable configuration, said navigation tool being located essentially between the display screen and keyboard in the operable configuration and said keyboard comprising a plurality of keys with which alphabetic letters are associated, one letter per key.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said speaker produces different sounds in response to supplied signals.

3. The method of claim 1, said method further comprising controlling one of a desired pitch and volume of said negative audible sound.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said operating system controls the generation of the negative audible sound.

5. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said handheld electronic device transmits data to, and receives data from a communication network utilizing radio frequency signals.

6. The method as recited in claim 5, wherein the data transmitted between said handheld electronic device and the communication network supports voice and textual messaging.

7. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said alphabetic letters are configured in one of a QWERTY, QWERTZ, AZERTY, and Dvorak layout.

8. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said navigation tool is a trackball.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said negative audible sound is adjusted based upon speed of said cursor on the display screen of the handheld electronic device.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the negative audible sound depends upon a theme set by the user of the handheld electronic device.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein said negative audible sound is produced when an edge of a document is reached.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein said negative audible sound is produced when an edge of a scrollable window is reached.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein said negative audible sound is derived from an audio file provided by said handheld electronic device.

22. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the requested motion of the cursor that is not allowed is movement off of the display screen.

23. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the requested motion of the cursor that is not allowed is movement past an edge of the display screen.

24. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the requested motion of the cursor that is not allowed is movement beyond the choices of a menu selection group presently displayed by the running resident application program.

25. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the negative audible sound is a “

thunk”

noise in comparison to a “

clink”

noise that signifies allowed actions by the running resident application program.

26. The method as recited in claim 25, wherein said speaker produces the “

thunk” and

“

clink”

noises in response to supplied signals from the running resident application program.

14. An audible feedback system for a handheld electronic device comprising:

a speaker physically connected to said handheld electronic device;

a navigational tool for controlling motion of a cursor about a display screen of said handheld electronic device; and

a program capable of controlling signals to be sent to said speaker, wherein said program detects movement of the navigational tool of the handheld electronic device requesting specific motion of the cursor on the display screen of the device, and generates a negative audible sound from the speaker of the handheld electronic device when the requested direction of motion of the cursor is not allowed by the currently running program, wherein said display screen is located above a keyboard suitable for accommodating textual input to the handheld electronic device when said handheld electronic device is in an operable configuration, said navigation tool being located essentially between the display screen and keyboard in the operable configuration and said keyboard comprising a plurality of keys with which alphabetic letters are associated, one letter per key.

15. The audible feedback system of claim 14, wherein said speaker produces different sounds in response to supplied signals.

16. The audible feedback system of claim 14, further comprising controlling one of a desired pitch and volume of said negative audible sound.

17. The audible feedback system of claim 14, wherein said operating system controls the generation of the negative audible sound.

18. The audible feedback system as recited in claim 14, wherein said handheld electronic device transmits data to, and receives data from a communication network utilizing radio frequency signals.

19. The audible feedback system as recited in claim 18, wherein the data transmitted between said handheld electronic device and the communication network supports voice and textual messaging.

20. The audible feedback system as recited in claim 14, wherein said alphabetic letters are configured in one of a QWERTY, QWERTZ, AZERTY, and Dvorak layout.

21. The audible feedback system as recited in claim 14, wherein said navigation tool is a trackball.

27. The audible feedback system as recited in claim 14, wherein the requested motion of the cursor that is not allowed is movement off of the display screen.

28. The device as recited in claim 14, wherein the requested motion of the cursor that is not allowed is movement past an edge of the display screen.

29. The audible feedback system as recited in claim 14, wherein the requested motion of the cursor that is not allowed is movement beyond the choices of a menu selection group presently displayed by the running resident application program.

30. The audible feedback system as recited in claim 14 wherein the negative audible sound is a “

thunk”

noise in comparison to a “

clink”

noise that signifies allowed actions by the running resident application program.

31. The audible feedback system as recited in claim 30, wherein said speaker produces the “

thunk” and

“

clink”

noises in response to supplied signals from the resident running application program.