Bezel interface for small computing devices

• US 20020101457A1
• Filed: 01/31/2001
• Published: 08/01/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Lang, Eric G.
• Application Number:
  US09/775,077
• Publication Number:
  US 20020101457A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/856
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 17/02 Component assemblies
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 21/00 Input or output devices integrated in time-pieces
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/163 Wearable computers, e.g. on a belt
• 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 3/0362 with detection of 1D translations or rotations of an operating part of the device, e.g. scroll wheels, sliders, knobs, rollers or belts
• 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

Abstract

A user interface for small computing devices. The user interface includes a display screen and a bezel encircling the display screen. The bezel is adapted to move relative to the display screen in one or more axes. For example, the bezel may be rotated about the display screen, pivoted about a pivot point, or moved in a planar direction. A cursor displayed within the display screen is responsive to movement of the bezel.

Claims

1. A user interface suitable for a small computing device, the user interface comprising:

a display screen;

a bezel encircling said display screen, said bezel movable relative to said display screen; and

a cursor displayed within said display screen, wherein said cursor is responsive to movement of said bezel.

2. The user interface of claim 1, wherein said cursor includes a pointing icon cursor.

3. The user interface of claim 1, wherein said cursor includes a highlighted selection cursor.

4. The user interface of claim 1, wherein said cursor includes scrollbar cursor.

5. The user interface of claim 1, wherein said cursor includes text-selection cursor.

6. The user interface of claim 1, wherein said bezel includes bezel buttons.

7. The user interface of claim 1, wherein said bezel includes at least one touch sensor.

8. The user interface of claim 1, further comprising:

a display surface on said display screen; and

wherein said bezel is rotatable about an axis, said axis being normal to said display surface.

9. The user interface of claim 8, wherein said bezel is biased to a non-rotated position.

10. The user interface of claim 9, further comprising a spring coupled with said bezel to bias said bezel to said non-rotated position.

11. The user interface of claim 1, further comprising:

a display surface on said display screen; and

wherein said bezel is pivotable about a pivot point, said pivot point located on an axis normal to said display surface.

12. The user interface of claim 11, wherein said bezel is biased to a non-pivoted position.

13. The user interface of claim 12, further comprising a spring coupled with the bezel to bias said bezel to said non-pivoted position.

14. The user interface of claim 1, further comprising:

a display surface on said display screen, said bezel being movable along a plane substantially parallel to said display surface.

15. The user interface of claim 14, wherein said bezel is biased to a rest position.

16. The user interface of claim 15, further comprising a spring coupled with said bezel to bias the bezel to said rest position.

17. The user interface of claim 1, further comprising at least one movement sensor configured to provide a movement signal when movement of said bezel occurs.

18. The user interface of claim 17, wherein said movement sensor is a micro-switch.

19. The user interface of claim 17, wherein said movement sensor is an optical encoder.

20. The user interface of claim 17, wherein said movement sensor is a magnetic switch.

21. The user interface of claim 1, wherein said cursor is responsive to movement of said bezel in combination with spoken commands.

22. The user interface of claim 1, wherein said bezel includes at least one touch sensor responsive to finger contact.

24. The user interface of claim 23, wherein said display screen is responsive to movement of said bezel in combination with spoken commands.

25. The user interface of claim 23, wherein said bezel includes a touch sensor responsive to finger contact.

27. The method of claim 26, further comprising biasing said bezel to a substantially central position.

30. The user interface of claim 29, wherein said bezel is biased to a non-pivoted position.

31. The user interface of claim 29, wherein said bezel is rotatable about said center axis.

32. The user interface of claim 31, wherein said bezel is biased to a non-rotated position.

33. The user interface of claim 29, wherein said bezel being movable along a plane substantially parallel to said display surface.

34. The user interface of claim 33, wherein said bezel is biased to a substantially centered position.

35. The user interface of claim 29, wherein said bezel is moveable to a combination of rotated, pivoted, and planar positions.

37. The user interface of claim 36, wherein said bezel is biased to a substantially centered position.

38. The user interface of claim 36, wherein said bezel is rotatable about a center axis, said center axis being normal to said display surface and passing through a center point on said display screen.

39. The user interface of claim 38, wherein said bezel is biased to a non-rotated position.

40. The user interface of claim 36, wherein said bezel is moveable to a combination of rotated, pivoted, and planar positions.

23. A user interface suitable for a small computing device, the user interface comprising:

a bezel encircling said display screen, said bezel being rotatable about an axis normal to said display surface, said bezel being movable along a plane substantially parallel to said display surface, and said bezel being pivotable about a pivot point; and

a display screen responsive to said bezel movement.

26. A method of interfacing user input to a small computing device, the method comprising:

displaying a cursor on a display screen;

receiving a movement signal indicating movement of a bezel relative to said display screen, wherein said bezel encircles said display screen; and

positioning said cursor on said display screen in response to said received movement signal.

28. A portable Internet device, the device comprising:

a display screen displaying Internet data;

a bezel encircling said display screen, said bezel movable relative to said display screen; and

at least one movement sensor configured to provide a movement signal when movement of said bezel occurs.

29. A user interface suitable for a small computing device, the user interface comprising:

a display screen;

a display surface on said display screen having a center point;

a bezel encircling said display screen, said bezel being pivotable about a pivot point, said pivot point located on a center axis normal to said display surface, and said center axis located substantially through said center point; and

at least one movement sensor configured to provide a movement signal when movement of said bezel occurs.

36. A user interface suitable for a small computing device, the user interface comprising:

a display screen;

a display surface on said display screen;

bezel encircling said display screen, said bezel being movable along a plane substantially parallel to said display surface; and

at least one movement sensor configured to provide a movement signal when movement of said bezel occurs.