TACTILE TOUCHSCREEN FOR ELECTRONIC DEVICE

• US 20090046070A1
• Filed: 08/13/2007
• Published: 02/19/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/13/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Inventors: GRIFFIN, Jason
• Application Number:
  US11/837,710
• Publication Number:
  US 20090046070A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1643 the display being associated to a digitizer, e.g. laptops that can be used as penpads details related to the relative motion of the display enclosure with respect to the body enclosure, e.g. to move between laptop and tablet PC configuration G06F1/1615
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04142 the force sensing means being located peripherally, e.g. disposed at the corners or at the side of a touch sensing plate
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0416 Control or interface arrangements specially adapted for digitisers

Abstract

A moveable touchscreen display unit includes a base; a display device connected to the base by flexible sidewalls that extend between the base and the display device; a touch-sensitive input surface overlying the display device; and a mechanical switch disposed between a back surface of the display device and the base. The display device moves relative to the base in response to application of sufficient force on the display device. This movement results in the actuation of the mechanical switch, which generates an electrical signal and a tactile feedback.

Claims

1. A moveable touchscreen display unit comprising:

a base;

a display device connected to the base by flexible sidewalls that extend between the base and the display device;

a touch-sensitive input surface overlying the display device; and

a mechanical switch disposed between a back surface of the display device and the base;

wherein the display device moves relative to the base resulting in actuation of the mechanical switch in response to application of sufficient force to the display device.

2. The moveable touchscreen display unit according to claim 1, wherein the mechanical switch is further configured to provide a tactile feedback through the display device upon actuation.

3. The moveable touchscreen display unit according to claim 1, wherein the flexible sidewalls are connected by mechanical interlock to the touchscreen display.

4. The moveable touchscreen display unit according to claim 3, wherein the flexible sidewalls are connected by mechanical interlock to the base.

5. The moveable touchscreen display unit according to claim 1, wherein the flexible sidewalls are continuous and extend around the periphery of the display device.

6. The moveable touchscreen display unit according to claim 1, wherein the flexible sidewalls are comprised of an elastomer.

7. The moveable touchscreen display unit according to claim 1, comprising a display support on the back surface of the display device for providing support to the display device.

8. The moveable touchscreen display unit according to claim 1, wherein sufficient force applied at any location on the display device results in movement of the display device to contact and actuate the mechanical switch.

9. The moveable touchscreen display unit according to claim 1, wherein the mechanical switch is substantially centered in relation to the display device.

10. The moveable touchscreen display unit according to claim 1, wherein an electrical signal is generated in response to actuation of the mechanical switch.

11. A portable electronic device, comprising:

a base;

a moveable touchscreen display including a touch-sensitive input surface overlying a display device connected to the base by flexible sidewalls that extend between the base and the touchscreen display;

a mechanical switch disposed between a back surface of the touchscreen display and the base; and

operational components including a processor housed between the base and the touchscreen display and operatively connected to the touchscreen display;

whereby the touchscreen display moves relative to the base resulting in actuation of the mechanical switch in response to application of sufficient force to the touchscreen display.

12. The portable electronic device according to claim 11, wherein the mechanical switch is further configured to provide a tactile feedback through the touchscreen display upon actuation.

13. The portable electronic device according to claim 11, wherein the flexible sidewalls are connected by mechanical interlock to the touchscreen display.

14. The portable electronic device according to claim 13, wherein the flexible sidewalls are connected by mechanical interlock to the base.

15. The portable electronic device according to claim 11, wherein the flexible sidewalls are continuous and extend around the periphery of the touchscreen display.

16. The portable electronic device according to claim 11, wherein the flexible sidewalls are comprised of an elastomer.

17. The portable electronic device according to claim 11, comprising a display support on the back surface of the display device for providing support to the touchscreen display.

18. The portable electronic device according to claim 11, wherein sufficient force applied at any location on the touchscreen display results in pivoting of the touchscreen display to contact and actuate the mechanical switch.

19. The portable electronic device according to claim 11, wherein the mechanical switch is substantially centered in relation to the touchscreen display.

20. The portable electronic device according to claim 11, wherein an electrical signal is generated in response to actuation of the mechanical switch.

21. The portable electronic device according to claim 20, wherein the electrical signal is received at the processor as a further input in addition to the touchscreen display.