Mobile communication terminal and method

• US 20060095846A1
• Filed: 11/01/2004
• Published: 05/04/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Inventors: Nurmi, Mikko A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,362,312 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/701
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0362 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 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/22 Illumination; Arrangements for improving the visibility of characters on dials
• 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 1/724 User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72469 for operating the device by selecting functions from two or more displayed items, e.g. menus or icons

Abstract

A mobile communication apparatus comprising processor means and a user interface is disclosed. The user interface comprises a display and an input means. The input means comprises a rotating input means arranged to provide an angular movement signal in accordance with an angular movement of the rotating input means for selecting an item from a plurality of selectable items arranged to be presented on said display, wherein one or more of the selectable items are associated with a feedback signal, and the rotating input means is arranged to provide feedback according to the feedback signal to a user when operating the rotating input means in a position related to the items associated with a feedback signal. An input method for the mobile communication apparatus is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A mobile communication apparatus comprising processor means and a user interface, said interface comprising a display and an input means, said input means comprising a rotating input means arranged to provide an angular movement signal in accordance with an angular movement of said rotating input means for selecting an item from a plurality of selectable items arranged to be presented on said display, wherein one or more of said selectable items are associated with a feedback signal, wherein said rotating input means is arranged to provide feedback according to said feedback signal to a user when operating said rotating input means in a position related to said items associated with a feedback signal.

2. The mobile communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said feedback signal indicates graphical presentation, such that said feedback is presented graphically.

3. The mobile communication apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said graphically presented feedback is a visual mark at the rotating input means corresponding to a position related to an item associated with a feedback signal, wherein said item comprises a last selected item.

4. The mobile communication apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said graphically presented feedback is a marked area of said rotating input means corresponding to positions related to a group of items associated with a feedback signal.

5. The mobile communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said feedback signal indicates tactile presentation, such that said feedback is tactile.

6. The mobile communication apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said tactile feedback correspond to a position related to an item associated with a feedback signal, wherein said item comprises a last selected item.

7. The mobile communication apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said tactile feedback corresponds to position related to an end item of a list of said selectable items.

8. The mobile communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said feedback signal indicates a sound presentation, such that said feedback is a sound.

9. The mobile communication apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said sound feedback correspond to a position related to an item associated with a feedback signal, wherein said item comprises a last selected item.

10. The mobile communication apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said sound feedback corresponds to position related to an end item of a list of said selectable items.

11. An input method for a mobile communication apparatus comprising processor means and a user interface, said user interface comprising a display and an input means, said input means comprising a rotating input means arranged to provide an angular movement signal in accordance with an angular movement of said rotating input means, said method comprising the steps of:

presenting a menu comprising a plurality of items from a plurality of selectable items on said display, wherein one or more of said selectable items are associated with a feedback signal;

providing a feedback according to said feedback signal; and

receiving an input by said rotating input means corresponding to a selection of one of said plurality of selectable items.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein said provision of feedback comprises the step of providing a graphical presentation at the rotating input means.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein said graphical presentation is a visual mark at a position of the rotating input means corresponding to a last selection performed by said rotating input means.

14. The method according to claim 12, wherein said graphical presentation is a marked area at the rotating input means corresponding to a partition of selectable items.

15. The method according to claim 11, wherein said provision of feedback comprises the step of temporarily increasing rotation resistance of said rotating input means.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein said temporary increase of rotation resistance correspond to a position of the rotating input means corresponding to a last selection performed by said rotating input means.

17. The method according to claim 15, wherein said temporary increase of rotation resistance corresponds to a position of the rotating input means corresponding to an end of a list of said plurality of selectable items.

18. The method according to claim 11, wherein said provision of feedback comprises the step of presenting a sound.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein said presentation of sound correspond to a position of the rotating input means corresponding to a last selection performed by said rotating input means.

20. The method according to claim 18, wherein said presentation of sound corresponds to a position of the rotating input means corresponding to an end of a list of said plurality of selectable items.

21. The method according to claim 11, wherein said provision of feedback comprises the step of generating a vibration.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein said generation of vibration correspond to a position of the rotating input means corresponding to a last selection performed by said rotating input means.

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein said generation of vibration corresponds to a position of the rotating input means corresponding to an end of a list of said plurality of selectable items.