Control for a communication device

• US 7,599,708 B2
• Filed: 12/06/2004
• Issued: 10/06/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Motorola Solutions, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Motorola, Inc. (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
• Inventors: Rubio, Adrian F., Garcia, Jorge L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gesesse; Tilahun
• Application Number:
  US11/005,082
• Publication Number:
  US 20060121957A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,765 Days
• Field of Search: 455/575.1, 455/575.2, 455/575.3, 455/90.1, 455/90.2, 455/550.1, 455/566, 455/567, 455/90.3, 455/347, 455/575.4, 379/419, 379/440, 379/433.01, 379/433.06, 379/433.07
• US Class Current: 455/550.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/0337 Status LEDs integrated in the mouse to provide visual feedback to the user about the status of the input device, the PC, or 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

Abstract

A control assembly (400, 500, 600) for a communication device includes a housing having a light permeable portion (406, 506, 606), along with a rotary control formed of a shaft (408), a knob (508) or belt (608) each having a surface, and a light shining light through the light permeable portion onto the surface. Light sensitive motion detection circuitry (402, 502, 602) detects movement of the surface through the light permeable portion (406, 506, 606). The control can be implemented in high profile, low profile, scroll and slider bar embodiments, all providing a sealed environment to the communication device.

Claims

1. A control for a communication device, comprising:

a housing having a light permeable portion formed therein, the light permeable portion providing a lens;

a rotary control having a surface, the rotary control coupled to the housing, wherein the rotary control comprises a scroll bar formed of a belt having a diameter that is at least one of a) same as a display positioned in the communication device, and b) greater than the display;

a light source for shining light through the lens provided by the light permeable portion onto the surface of the rotary control; and

a motion sensor for detecting movement of the surface of the rotary control through the light permeable portion as the rotary control is rotated.

2. A control for a communication device as described in claim 1, wherein the rotary control comprises a high profile rotary control formed of a shaft.

3. A control for a communication device as described in claim 1, wherein the rotary control comprises a low profile rotary control formed of a knob.

4. A control for a communication device as described in claim 1, wherein the rotary control comprises a multi-position slider.

5. A control for a communication device as described in claim 1, wherein the motion sensor detects rotational and push movement of the surface of the rotary control.

6. A control for a communication device as described in claim 1, wherein the lens provided by the light permeable portion also provides a seal to the light source and the motion sensor.

7. A control for a communication device as described in claim 1, wherein the surface of the rotary control comprises a smooth surface.

8. A control for a communication device as described in claim 1, wherein the surface of the rotary control comprises a non-smooth surface.

9. A control for a communication device as described in claim 1, wherein the housing provides a seal to the light source and motion sensor independently of the rotary control which remains unsealed.

10. A control for a communication device as described in claim 1, further comprising a cover for retaining the rotary control to the housing.

11. The control of claim 10, wherein the rotary control provides both push and rotate functionality between the housing and the cover.

12. A control for a communication device as described in claim 1, wherein the communication device comprises a cellular phone.

13. A control for a communication device as described in claim 1, wherein the communication device comprises a two-way radio.

14. A control for a communication device as described in claim 13, wherein the two-way radio is a portable two-way radio.

15. A control for a communication device as described in claim 13, wherein the two-way radio is a mobile two-way radio.

16. A control for a communication device as described in claim 1, wherein the communication device comprises a combination two-way radio and cellular phone.