Electronic device with rotary knob multi-functional control

• US 8,532,585 B2
• Filed: 05/11/2010
• Issued: 09/10/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/11/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: L3Harris Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Harris Corporation (L3Harris Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Jastram, Robert, Teel, James, Deleus, Willem
• Primary Examiner(s): Alam, Fayyaz
• Assistant Examiner(s): Rachedine, Mohammed
• Application Number:
  US12/777,568
• Publication Number:
  US 20110281533A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,218 Days
• Field of Search: 345/163, 345/173
• US Class Current: 455/90.2
• 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 3/038 Control and interface arrangements therefor, e.g. drivers or device-embedded control circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 19/005 Electromechanical pulse generators
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 19/14 Operating parts, e.g. turn knob
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/01 also rotatable
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/038 Fluid
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/052 interlocked
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/078 Different operating parts on a bigger one
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 25/008 Operating part movable both angularly and rectilinearly, the rectilinear movement being perpendicular to the axis of angular movement
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 3/08 Turn knobs
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 3/24 using pneumatic or hydraulic actuator for storing energy in a spring motor H01H3/301
• 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 1/72466 with selection means, e.g. keys, having functions defined by the mode or the status of the device

Abstract

Control of multiple functions of an electronic device is provided by using a single control element (102) including a switch body (312) adjustable between multiple switch positions, a primary actuator (302) with lateral (302b) and distal surface (302a) portions extending from the switch body and configured for adjusting the switch body between the switch positions, and a pressure sensor (314) operable via an activation force at the lateral surfaces of the primary actuator. A first function can be controlled responsive to motion of the primary actuator during an activation of the pressure sensor. Additionally, a second function can be controlled responsive to the motion of the primary actuator of the control element exclusive of the activation of the pressure sensor. Further, a third function can be controlled in responsive to activation of the pressure sensor for at least a first period of time exclusive of motion of the primary actuator.

Claims

1. A method for controlling multiple functions of an electronic device using a single control element comprising a switch body having a plurality of switch positions, a primary actuator extending from said switch body with lateral and distal surface portions and configured for adjusting the switch body between the plurality of switch positions, and a pressure sensor operable via an activation force at one or more portions of said lateral surfaces of said primary actuator, the method comprising:

controlling a first function of said electronic device in response to motion of said primary actuator about a rotation axis in conjunction with a concurrent activation of said pressure sensor;

controlling a second function of said electronic device in response to said motion of said primary actuator exclusive of said activation of said pressure sensor; and

controlling a third function of said electronic device in response to said activation of said pressure sensor exclusive of motion of said primary actuator; and

wherein said activation of said pressure sensor further comprises temporarily deforming said lateral surface portions of said primary actuator as a result of said activation force.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

controlling a fourth function of said electronic device in response to said motion of said primary actuator following said activation of said pressure sensor.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

controlling a fifth function of said electronic device in response to said motion of said primary actuator following said activation of said pressure sensor for a third period of time that is longer than said second period of time.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

controlling a fourth function of said electronic device in response to said motion of said primary actuator following at least two activations of said pressure sensor during a second period of time.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising changing an operational parameter of said electronic device based on said motion of said primary actuator.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said operational parameter is selected from the group consisting of a talk group parameter and an audio volume parameter.

7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising selecting at least one of said first, second, and third functions from the group consisting of an audio volume function, a channel selection function, a mute function, a brightness selection function, an “

on/off”

function, a play function, a rewind function, a fast forward function, a pause function, a channel recall function, a camera function, a talk group selection function, a media profile selection function, an individual call function, a group call function, an emergency call function, a map selection function, a priority selection function, a user interface selection function and a Push To Talk function.

8. An electronic device, comprising:

a control element comprising a switch body adjustable between a plurality of switch positions, a primary actuator with lateral and distal surface portions extending from said switch body and configured for adjusting the switch body between the plurality of switch positions, and a pressure sensor operable via a deformation of said lateral surface portions responsive an activation force at one or more portions of said lateral surfaces of said primary actuator; and

at least one controller communicatively coupled to said control element and configured to;

(a) control a first function of said electronic device in response to motion of said primary actuator about a rotation axis during an activation of said pressure sensor,

(b) control a second function of said electronic device in response to said motion of a primary actuator of the control element exclusive of said activation of said pressure sensor, and

(c) control a third function of said electronic device in response to said activation of said pressure sensor for at least a first period of time exclusive of motion of said primary actuator.

9. The electronic device of claim 8, wherein said controller is further configured to control a fourth function of said electronic device in response to said motion of said primary actuator following said activation of said pressure sensor for a second period of time.

10. The electronic device of claim 9, wherein said controller is further configured to control a fifth function of said electronic device in response to said motion of said primary actuator following said activation of said pressure sensor for a third period of time that is longer than said second period of time.

11. The electronic device of claim 8, wherein said controlled is further configured to control a fourth function of said electronic device in response to said motion of said primary actuator following at least two activations of said pressure sensor during a second period of time.

12. The electronic device of claim 8, wherein said controller is further configured to change an operational parameter of said electronic device based on said motion of said primary actuator.

13. The electronic device of claim 12, wherein said operational parameter is selected from the group consisting of a talk group parameter and an audio volume parameter.

14. The electronic device of claim 12, wherein at least one of said first, second, and third functions is selected from the group consisting of an audio volume function, a channel selection function, a mute function, a brightness selection function, an “

on/off”

function, a play function, a rewind function, a fast forward function, a pause function, a channel recall function, a camera function, a talk group selection function, a media profile selection function, an individual call function, a group call function, an emergency call function, a map selection function, a priority selection function, a user interface selection function and a PTT function.

15. The electronic device of claim 8, wherein said pressure sensor comprises at least one secondary actuator and at least one switch selectively activated via motion of said secondary actuator.

16. The electronic device of claim 15, wherein said pressure sensor further comprises a hydraulic actuator disposed over said secondary actuator, said hydraulic actuator comprising a deformable fluid filled enclosure configured for transforming a force externally applied to said hydraulic actuator to a hydraulic force for causing said motion of said secondary actuator.

17. The electronic device of claim 16, wherein said hydraulic actuator is substantially rigid in at least a direction of said motion of said primary actuator.

19. The electronic device of claim 8, wherein the control element comprises a rotary switch element, and wherein said actuator comprises a knob assembly for said rotary switch element.

18. An electronic device, comprising:

a control element comprising a switch body adjustable between a plurality of switch positions, a primary actuator with lateral and distal surface portions extending from said switch body and configured for adjusting the switch body between the plurality of switch positions, and a pressure sensor operable via an activation force at one or more portions of said lateral surfaces of said primary actuator; and

at least one controller communicatively coupled to said control element and configured to;

(a) control a first function of said electronic device in response to motion of said primary actuator during an activation of said pressure sensor,

(b) control a second function of said electronic device in response to said motion of a primary actuator of the control element exclusive of said activation of said pressure sensor, and

(c) control a third function of said electronic device in response to said activation of said pressure sensor for at least a first period of time exclusive of motion of said primary actuator;

wherein said pressure sensor comprises at least one secondary actuator and at least one switch selectively activated via motion of said secondary actuator;

wherein said pressure sensor further comprises a hydraulic actuator disposed over said secondary actuator, said hydraulic actuator comprising a deformable fluid filled enclosure configured for transforming a force externally applied to said hydraulic actuator to a hydraulic force for causing said motion of said secondary actuator; and

wherein said pressure sensor further comprises a substantially rigid frame coupled to said primary actuator and at least partially extending through said hydraulic actuator.

20. A radio transceiver, comprising:

one or more radio frequency circuits;

a control element comprising a rotary switch body movable between a plurality of switch positions, a primary actuator with lateral and distal surface portions extending from said switch body and configured for moving the switch body between the plurality of switch positions, and a pressure sensor responsive to a deformation of said lateral surfaces of said primary actuator; and

at least one controller communicatively coupled to said control element and said radio frequency circuits, wherein the controller is configured to;

(a) control a first function of said radio transceiver in response to motion of said primary actuator about a rotation axis during an activation of said pressure sensor,

(b) control a second function of said radio transceiver in response to said motion of a primary actuator of the control element exclusive of said activation of said pressure sensor, and

(c) activate a Push to Talk (PTT) function of said radio transceiver in response to said activation of said pressure sensor for at least a first period of time exclusive of motion of said primary actuator.

21. The radio transceiver of claim 20, wherein said controller is further configured to change an operational parameter of said radio transceiver based on said motion of said primary actuator.

22. The radio transceiver of claim 21, wherein said operational parameter is selected from the group consisting of a talk group parameter and an audio volume parameter.

23. The radio transceiver of claim 20, wherein said pressure sensor comprises at least one secondary actuator and at least one switch selectively activated via motion of said secondary actuator.

24. The radio transceiver of claim 23, wherein said pressure sensor further comprises a hydraulic actuator disposed over said secondary actuator, said hydraulic actuator comprising a deformable fluid filled enclosure configured for transforming a force externally applied to said hydraulic actuator to a hydraulic force for causing said motion of said secondary actuator.

25. The radio transceiver of claim 24, wherein said hydraulic actuator is substantially rigid in at least a direction of said motion of said primary actuator.

26. A radio transceiver, comprising:

one or more radio frequency circuits;

a control element comprising a rotary switch body movable between a plurality of switch positions, a primary actuator with lateral and distal surface portions extending from said switch body and configured for moving the switch body between the plurality of switch positions, and a pressure sensor accessible at said lateral surfaces of said primary actuator; and

at least one controller communicatively coupled to said control element and said radio frequency circuits, wherein the controller is configured to;

(a) control a first function of said radio transceiver in response to motion of said primary actuator during an activation of said pressure sensor,

(b) control a second function of said radio transceiver in response to said motion of a primary actuator of the control element exclusive of said activation of said pressure sensor, and

(c) activate a Push to Talk (PTT) function of said radio transceiver in response to said activation of said pressure sensor for at least a first period of time exclusive of motion of said primary actuator;

wherein said pressure sensor comprises at least one secondary actuator and at least one switch selectively activated via motion of said secondary actuator; and

wherein said pressure sensor further comprises a hydraulic actuator disposed over said secondary actuator, said hydraulic actuator comprising a deformable fluid filled enclosure configured for transforming a force externally applied to said hydraulic actuator to a hydraulic force for causing said motion of said secondary actuator;

wherein said pressure sensor further comprises a substantially rigid frame coupled to said primary actuator and at least partially extending through said hydraulic actuator.