Camera with a touch sensitive keypad

• US 20070205989A1
• Filed: 05/09/2006
• Published: 09/06/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. (Samsung Group)
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. (Samsung Group)
• Inventors: Gloyd, Daniel, Fogel, Gregory, Levin, Jennifer
• Application Number:
  US11/430,639
• Publication Number:
  US 20070205989A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/169
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 19/00 Cameras details G03B17/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/023 Arrangements for converting discrete items of information into a coded form, e.g. arrangements for interpreting keyboard generated codes as alphanumeric codes, operand codes or instruction codes
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0233 Character input methods
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/044 by capacitive means
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/23 Construction or mounting of dials or of equivalent devices; Means for facilitating the use thereof by improving visibility H04M1/22
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72466 with selection means, e.g. keys, having functions defined by the mode or the status of the device
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/22 including a touch pad, a touch sensor or a touch detector digitizers for touch screens G06F3/041
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/52 including functional features of a camera constructional features concerning the integration of cameras in portable phones H04M1/0264
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/631 Graphical user interfaces [GUI] specially adapted for controlling image capture or setting capture parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/635 Region indicators; Field of view indicators

Abstract

A mobile handset having a camera is provided. The mobile handset includes a touch-sensitive keypad having a plurality of keys, a first component operable in response to one of the keys being touched to provide a first response related to using the camera, and a second component operable in response to one of the keys being pressed to provide a second response related to using the camera.

Claims

1. A mobile handset having a camera, the mobile handset comprising:

a touch-sensitive keypad having a plurality of keys;

a first component operable in response to one of the keys being touched to provide a first response related to using the camera; and

a second component operable in response to one of the keys being pressed to provide a second response related to using the camera.

2. The mobile handset of claim 1, wherein touching one of the keys includes a user contacting one of the keys in a non-pressing manner, and wherein pressing one of the keys includes pressing in a manner as to exert downward force on one of the keys.

3. The mobile handset of claim 1, wherein touching a first key of the plurality of keys frames a subject to be photographed.

4. The mobile handset of claim 3, wherein touching the first key focuses the camera on the subject.

5. The mobile handset of claim 3, wherein pressing the first key takes a picture of the subject.

6. The mobile handset of claim 4, wherein pressing the first key captures the image of the subject using the camera.

7. The mobile handset of claim 1, wherein touching one of the keys selects a photography settings.

8. The mobile handset of claim 7, wherein the photography settings include a zoom setting, a contrast setting, and a brightness setting.

9. The mobile handset of claim 1, wherein a graphical user interface on the mobile handset provides minimized icons related to a plurality of photography settings including a zoom option, a contrast option, and a brightness option, such that touching some of the keys maximizes at least one of the photography settings, and wherein pressing at least some of the keys promotes adjustment of one or more of the photography settings.

10. The mobile handset of claim 1, wherein the touch-sensitive keypad includes:

a capacitive touch-sensitive printed circuit board (PCB) positioned adjacent the plurality of keys and operable to detect when one of the plurality of keys has been touched;

an actuator plate positioned adjacent the capacitive touch-sensitive PCB; and

a contact printed circuit board (PCB) provided adjacent the actuator plate, such that the actuator plate in response to one or more of the keys being pressed engages the contact PCB.

11. A method of photography using a mobile handset having a camera, the method comprising:

viewing a subject to photograph on a display of the mobile handset;

touching a key on the mobile handset to prepare the image for photographing; and

pressing the key to photograph the subject.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein preparing the image for photographing includes framing the image.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein preparing the image for photographing includes focusing the image.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the key is the “

ok”

key of a 5-way control set of keys.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

touching a second key to maximize a minimized camera setting icon; and

pressing the second key to adjust the camera setting associated with the camera setting icon.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

touching a third key to maximize a second minimized camera setting icon; and

pressing the third key to adjust the camera setting associated with the second camera setting icon.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the camera settings include a zoom setting, a contrast setting, and a brightness setting.

18. A mobile device having a camera and a keypad with keys having three (3) states, the mobile device comprising:

a plurality of keys provided in a first neutral state;

a touch-sensitive component operable to detect a second state when one or more of the plurality of keys has been touched;

a press detection component operable to detect a third state when the one or more of the plurality of keys has been pressed;

a component operable in response to one of the keys being in a second state to provide a first response related to using the camera, the component operable in response to one of the keys being in a third state to provide a second response related to using the camera.

19. The mobile device of claim 18, further comprising;

a display; and

a user interface provided on the display including a plurality of minimized icons associated with camera settings such that when some of the plurality of keys associated with the icons are in the second state the user interface maximizes the icons, and further such that when the some of the plurality of keys are in the third state the camera settings associated with the maximized icon are adjusted.

20. The mobile device of claim 18, wherein the camera focuses on a subject when one of the plurality of keys is in the second state, and wherein the camera captures an photograph of the subject when the one of the plurality of keys is in the third state.