Center button isolation ring

• US 7,880,729 B2
• Filed: 08/04/2006
• Issued: 02/01/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Lynch, Brian, Moolsintong, Jan
• Primary Examiner(s): Kumar; Srilakshmi K
• Application Number:
  US11/499,360
• Publication Number:
  US 20070080952A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,642 Days
• Field of Search: 345/156, 345173-178
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
• 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: H01H 2025/048 having a separate central push, slide or tumbler button which is not integral with the operating part that surrounds it
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 25/041 having a generally flat operating member depressible at different locations to operate different controls

Abstract

Selection button isolation arrangements for use with electronic devices are presented including: a selection pad forming a substantially planar surface disposed about a first axis, the selection pad having a pad top surface, the pad top surface configured to receive a user input, the selection pad configured to actuate a number of switches; a selection button substantially co-located with and disposed about the first axis for actuating a selection button switch, the selection button configured to receive a user input; and an annular isolation ring disposed about the first axis having a standoff for mechanically isolating the selection button such that the selection button switch is not actuated by the first user input. In some embodiments, the user input indicators are selected from the group consisting of: a menu selection, a play selection, a pause selection, a forward search selection, a backward search selection, and a stop selection.

Claims

1. A selection button isolation arrangement for use with an electronic device comprising:

a selection pad having a pad top surface, the pad top surface configured to receive a first user input and a second user input;

a plate;

a first switch disposed on the plate;

a first actuator disposed between the pad top surface and the first switch for transmitting the first user input to the first switch;

a second switch disposed on the plate;

a second actuator disposed between the pad top surface and the second switch for transmitting the second user input to the second switch;

a selection button surrounded by the selection pad, the selection button configured to receive a third user input;

a third switch disposed on the plate;

a third actuator disposed between the selection button and the third switch for transmitting the third user input to the third switch; and

a standoff disposed between the pad top surface and the plate, the standoff surrounding the third actuator, the standoff being disposed between the first actuator and the second actuator, and the standoff being configured to prevent actuation of the third switch by the first user input or the second user input.

2. The arrangement of claim 1 wherein the selection pad comprises:

a base layer for providing mechanical support, the base layer configured with a plurality of actuator nubs for actuating the plurality of switches; and

a finish surface layer forming the pad top surface for providing a plurality of user input indicators.

3. The arrangement of claim 2 wherein the plurality of user input indicators are selected from the group consisting of:

a menu selection, a play selection, a pause selection, a forward search selection, a backward search selection, and a stop selection.

4. The arrangement of claim 1 further comprising an annular isolation ring surrounding the selection button and surrounded by the selection pad, wherein the standoff is part of the annular isolation ring, and the selection button comprises an indent for providing a capturing element such that the annular isolation ring captures the selection button.

5. The arrangement of claim 1 further comprising an annular isolation ring surrounding the selection button and surrounded by the selection pad, wherein the annular isolation ring is mechanically integrated with the standoff.

6. The arrangement of claim 1 wherein the electronic device is a portable music device.

7. The arrangement of claim 1 wherein the selection pad has a rectangular shape.

8. The arrangement of claim 1 further comprising an annular isolation ring surrounding the selection button and surrounded by the selection pad, wherein the standoff is part of the annular isolation ring, and the annular isolation ring is non-contiguous.

9. An arrangement for use with an electronic device comprising:

a selection pad having a pad top surface, the pad top surface configured to receive a first user input;

a plate;

a first switch disposed on the plate;

a first actuator disposed between the pad top surface and the first switch for transmitting the first user input to the first switch;

a selection button configured to receive a second user input;

a second switch disposed on the plate;

a second actuator disposed between the selection button and the second switch for transmitting the second user input to the second switch; and

a standoff disposed between the pad top surface and the plate, the standoff being disposed between the first actuator and the second actuator, and the standoff being configured to prevent actuation of the second switch by the first user input.

10. The arrangement of claim 9 wherein the selection pad comprises:

a base layer for providing mechanical support, the base layer configured with a plurality of actuator nubs for actuating the plurality of switches; and

a finish surface layer forming the pad top surface for providing a plurality of user input indicators.

11. The arrangement of claim 10 wherein the plurality of user input indicators are selected from the group consisting of:

a menu selection, a play selection, a pause selection, a forward search selection, a backward search selection, and a stop selection.

12. The arrangement of claim 9 further comprising an isolation barrier, wherein the standoff is part of the isolation barrier, and the selection button comprises an indent for providing a capturing element such that the isolation barrier captures the selection button.

13. The arrangement of claim 9 further comprising an isolation barrier, wherein the standoff is part of the isolation barrier, and the isolation barrier is non-contiguous.

14. The arrangement of claim 9 wherein the selection pad is formed into a shape selected from the group consisting of:

a triangle, a quadrilateral, a pentagon, a hexagon, an octagon, a free form shape, and an ovate shape.

15. An arrangement for use with a portable electronic music device comprising:

a selection pad having a pad top surface, the pad top surface configured to receive a first user input;

a plate;

a first switch disposed on the plate;

a first actuator disposed between the pad top surface and the first switch for transmitting the first user input to the first switch;

a selection button configured to receive a second user input;

a second switch disposed on the plate;

a second actuator disposed between the selection button and the second switch for transmitting the second user input to the second switch; and

a standoff disposed between the pad top surface and the plate, the standoff being disposed between the first actuator and the second actuator, and the standoff being configured to prevent actuation of the second switch by the first user input.

16. The arrangement of claim 15 further comprising a plurality of user input indicators disposed on the pad top surface, wherein the plurality of user input indicators are selected from the group consisting of:

a menu selection, a play selection, a pause selection, a forward search selection, a backward search selection, and a stop selection.

17. The arrangement of claim 15 further comprising an annular isolation ring surrounding the selection button and surrounded by the selection pad, wherein the annular isolation ring is mechanically integrated with the standoff.

18. The arrangement of claim 15 wherein the selection pad has a triangular shape.

19. The arrangement of claim 15 further comprising an annular isolation ring surrounding the selection button and surrounded by the selection pad, wherein the standoff is part of the annular isolation ring, and the annular isolation ring is non-contiguous.