Tactile touch screen for electronic device

• US 8,253,698 B2
• Filed: 11/23/2007
• Issued: 08/28/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/23/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Inventors: Chen, Chao, Griffin, Jason, Ladouceur, Norman
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Jimmy H
• Application Number:
  US11/944,533
• Publication Number:
  US 20090135145A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,740 Days
• Field of Search: 345173-178, 178 1801- 1811
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• 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 3/041 Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means

Abstract

An electronic device includes a base and a touch screen display connected to the base and movable relative thereto. The touch screen display includes a display device and a touch-sensitive input surface overlying the display device. The electronic device includes a feedback mechanism including a switch moveable relative to the base for actuating in response to application of a force to the touch-sensitive input surface causing movement of the touch screen display. Operational components are connected to the touch screen display for operation of the electronic device.

Claims

1. An electronic device comprising:

a base;

a touch screen display coupled to the base and movable relative to the base, the touch screen display including a display and a touch-sensitive overlay;

a feedback mechanism comprising a switch that, when a force is applied to the touch-sensitive overlay that causes pivotal movement of the touch screen display relative to the base, is moved away from the base toward the touch-sensitive overlay and is actuated.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the touch screen display comprises a display support for providing support to the display and the touch-sensitive overlay, wherein the display and the touch-sensitive overlay are disposed on the display support.

3. The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein the feedback mechanism comprises at least one lever for moving the switch in response to movement of the touch screen display.

4. The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein the feedback mechanism comprises a pair of lever arms extending from near the switch toward opposing sides of the touch screen display for moving the switch in response to movement of the touch screen display.

5. The electronic device according to claim 4, wherein each lever arm is pivotable with respect to the base.

6. The electronic device according to claim 5, wherein each lever arm is pivotable about a pivot pin.

7. The electronic device according to claim 5, wherein each lever arm is spaced from the touch screen display when absent an applied force on the touch-sensitive overlay.

8. The electronic device according to claim 7, comprising a respective biasing element disposed between each lever arm and the touch screen display.

9. The electronic device according to claim 5, wherein each lever arm is pivotable in response to movement of the touch screen display towards the base.

10. The electronic device according to claim 9, wherein each lever arm extends under the switch, between the base and the switch, for moving the switch toward the touch screen display when pivoting.

11. The electronic device according to claim 10, wherein the switch is movable toward the touch screen display by each lever arm.

12. The electronic device according to claim 5, wherein each lever arm comprises a support surface for supporting the switch when the switch is displaced.

13. The electronic device according to claim 12, wherein a pair of lever arms are hinged together.

14. The electronic device according to claim 13, wherein the pair of lever arms are connected together by a thin portion of material.

15. The electronic device according to claim 5, wherein a pair of lever arms are hinged together under the switch.

16. The electronic device according to claim 5, wherein each of the pair of lever arms includes lifting fingers disposed between the base and the switch, wherein the lifting fingers of one of the lever arms are interposed between the lifting fingers of the other of the lever arms.

17. The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein the feedback mechanism comprises four lever arms, each lever arm extending from the switch toward a respective corner of the touch screen display for moving the switch in response to movement of the touch screen display.

18. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the switch is substantially centered in relation to the base.

19. The electronic device according to claim 18, wherein the switch is a dome-type switch.

20. The electronic device according to claim 1, comprising sidewalls and a frame framing the touch screen display and connected to the base by the sidewalls.

21. The electronic device according to claim 1, comprising flexible sidewalls extending between the base and the touch screen display.

22. The electronic device according to claim 21, wherein the flexible sidewalls are continuous and extend around the periphery of the touch screen display.

23. An apparatus comprising:

a base;

a display coupled to and movable relative to the base;

a touch-sensitive overlay;

a feedback mechanism comprising a switch that, when a force is applied to the touch-sensitive overlay that causes pivotal movement of the display relative to the base, is moved away from the base toward the touch-sensitive overlay and is actuated.