On-screen cursor navigation delimiting on a handheld communication device
First Claim
1. A handheld communication device capable of affecting movement of a highlighting cursor amongst an array of icons arranged in rows and columns on a display of the handheld communication device, the rows being oriented along a first dimension and the columns being oriented along a second dimension, said handheld communication device comprising:
- the display;
an input device configured to;
generate first input signals upon being manipulated in a first direction that corresponds to the first dimension; and
generate second input signals upon being manipulated in a second direction that corresponds to the second dimension;
a sensor that measures a manipulation rate of the input device, the manipulation rate being associated with at least one of the corresponding first direction and second direction; and
a microprocessor communicatively coupled to the input device, the sensor, and the display, the microprocessor programmed to;
receive the first input signals and the second input signals;
receive the manipulation rate associated with at least one of the corresponding first direction and second direction;
determine whether the manipulation rate exceeds a preselected threshold;
generate first navigation signals when the manipulation rate exceeds the preselected threshold, the first navigation signals being configured to navigate the highlighting cursor substantially directly to a terminal icon within the array of icons;
generate second navigation signals when the manipulation rate does not exceed the preselected threshold, the second navigation signals being configured to navigate the highlighting cursor sequentially through icons in one of the corresponding rows or columns, the corresponding rows and columns including terminal icons; and
pin the highlighting cursor at one of the terminal icons when the microprocessor continues to receive at least one of the first navigation signals and the second navigation signals.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A handheld communication device and method for affecting movement of a highlighting cursor amongst an array of icons on a display screen is described. In an embodiment, the handheld communication device includes a lighted display, a keyboard and an auxiliary user input, e.g. a trackball, located essentially between the display and keyboard. The auxiliary user input is used to move the highlighting cursor from a first icon located on the display screen, to a second icon located on the display screen. In operation, the highlighting cursor is prevented from moving from a first row of icons to a successive second row of icons when a cross-wise directed force is applied to the auxiliary user input and the highlighted cursor has reached a terminal icon of the first row.
9 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A handheld communication device capable of affecting movement of a highlighting cursor amongst an array of icons arranged in rows and columns on a display of the handheld communication device, the rows being oriented along a first dimension and the columns being oriented along a second dimension, said handheld communication device comprising:
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the display; an input device configured to; generate first input signals upon being manipulated in a first direction that corresponds to the first dimension; and generate second input signals upon being manipulated in a second direction that corresponds to the second dimension; a sensor that measures a manipulation rate of the input device, the manipulation rate being associated with at least one of the corresponding first direction and second direction; and a microprocessor communicatively coupled to the input device, the sensor, and the display, the microprocessor programmed to; receive the first input signals and the second input signals; receive the manipulation rate associated with at least one of the corresponding first direction and second direction; determine whether the manipulation rate exceeds a preselected threshold; generate first navigation signals when the manipulation rate exceeds the preselected threshold, the first navigation signals being configured to navigate the highlighting cursor substantially directly to a terminal icon within the array of icons; generate second navigation signals when the manipulation rate does not exceed the preselected threshold, the second navigation signals being configured to navigate the highlighting cursor sequentially through icons in one of the corresponding rows or columns, the corresponding rows and columns including terminal icons; and pin the highlighting cursor at one of the terminal icons when the microprocessor continues to receive at least one of the first navigation signals and the second navigation signals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for affecting movement of a highlighting cursor on a display of a handheld communication device, the display having an array of icons arranged in rows and columns with the rows being oriented along a first dimension and the columns being oriented along a second dimension, said method comprising:
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receiving first input signals at a microprocessor, the first input signals being generated by an input device that is manipulated in a first direction corresponding to the first dimension; receiving second input signals at the microprocessor, the second input signals being generated by the input device that is manipulated in a second direction corresponding to the second dimension; measuring a manipulation rate of the input device, the manipulation rate being associated with at least one of the corresponding first direction and second direction; determining whether the manipulation rate exceeds a preselected threshold; generating first navigation signals when the manipulation rate exceeds the preselected threshold, the first navigation signals being configured to navigate the highlighting cursor substantially directly to a terminal icon within the array of icons; generating second navigation signals when the manipulation rate does not exceed the preselected threshold, the second navigation signals being configured to navigate the highlighting cursor sequentially through icons in one of the corresponding rows or columns, the corresponding rows and columns including terminal icons; and pinning the highlighting cursor at one of the terminal icons when the microprocessor continues to receive at least one of the first navigation signals and the second navigation signals. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification