Abstract:
The present invention provides an apparatus, a method, and a system with which a user can easily and precisely select unlimited displaying data and enter text information on a touch screen with a small dimension. The user touch screen interface device comprises a first member, a selection member, an actuation member, and a detent mechanism. Means to response to selection and actuation of stored application data are also disclosed.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF RELATED ART 
       [0001]    This invention is related to a user touch screen interface device with which a user can easily and precisely select unlimited display data on a touch screen and readily enter text information. 
         [0002]    Portable electronic devices such as cellular phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), video camcorders, digital cameras, and small mobile computing devices are becoming increasingly popular. All of these devices have a user interface to store information and perform tasks under the direction of the users of the devices. A touch screen, an intuitive computer input device that works by simply touching the display screen with a finger or a stylus, rather than by typing on a keyboard or pointing with a mouse, is usually utilized as a user interface for these portable electronic devices for the reduction in the size of them. 
         [0003]    As the size of these devices decreases, the size of their touch screen reduces correspondingly, but the number of functions displayed on their touch screen is rising, the density of information on these display screens therefore is increasing. Hence, the relative wide dimension of fingers and difficulty in making a precise movement in small increments limits fingers in making accurate selection on these screens. 
         [0004]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,278,443 relates an on-screen mouse in tackling the above problems caused by the high density of information and the limitation of human fingers. A user moves a cursor or pointer to select information displayed on a screen by rolling his finger on a screen in an orthogonal direction, a means to detect the rolling, and a means responsive to this detection. However, disadvantages associated with the method provided in this patent are cumbersome and time consuming. Additionally, it is difficult to move a cursor precisely on a touch screen with a small dimension and crowded data. 
         [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,215,321 details a tactile input device to transmit user information to a user interface interpretation module. The number of functionalities provided by this input device proportionates to the physical space of the input device; a larger number of functionalities would require a bigger input device. 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,727,830 provides a method and system for extending the functionalities of an application button on a resource constrained computing device by pressing an application button for various lengths of time. The problem with this patent is that a user of the device has to count length of time of press matching an intended functionality and the device offers very limited functionalities. 
         [0007]    The present invention provides solutions to the above problems caused by crowded screens and physical limitations of interface devices, and provides a versatile tactile user touch screen interface device with the benefit that a user can readily actuate application data and enter text information in a small touch screen. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    In a computer-controlled system, with a touch screen, having a user touch screen interface device and stored application data, the user touch screen interface device comprises a first member, affixed on the touch screen, having an inside surface, a selection member having an outside surface, an inside surface, a top surface, and a bottom surface, and the selection member fits inside the first member and is movable against the inside surface of the first member to select data, and an actuation member positioned inside the selection member, and the actuation member having a button selector connected by a bias element to a base contacting the touch screen. When pressed, the actuation member actuates the application data selected by the selection member and provides a tactile feedback. 
         [0009]    In one embodiment, the selection member further comprises a selection point on the bottom surface of the selection member. When moving the selection member by placing a finger tip in a finger dent, opposite the selection point, on the top surface of the selection member, the selection point contacts the touch screen in various positions and the application data thereby are selected. 
         [0010]    In one embodiment, the user touch screen interface device further comprises software which comprise (1) a selection means enabling the detection of the position of the selection point associated with the application data to select the application data; and (2) an actuation means responsive to the press of the button selector to actuate the application data selected by the selection means. 
         [0011]    In one embodiment, the user touch screen interface device further comprises a detent mechanism including a plurality of indentations on the inside surface of the first member and a plurality of bias elements attached to the outside surface of the selection member capable of being compressed against the inside surface of the first member or vice versa. The above summary is not intended to describe every embodiment or implementation of the present invention. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings. 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION 
       [0012]      FIG. 1  illustrates a user touch screen interface device used in a computer-controlled system. 
         [0013]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the user touch screen interface device. 
         [0014]      FIG. 3A  is a sectional view of the user touch screen interface device. 
         [0015]      FIG. 3B  is a view showing a selection point and springs on the selection member of the user touch screen interface device. 
         [0016]      FIG. 3C  is an enlarged view demonstrating indentations on the inside surface of the first member and those springs on the outside surface of the selection member of the user touch screen interface device. 
         [0017]      FIG. 4A  is a flowchart illustrating how to enter main application fields by using the user touch screen interface device. 
         [0018]      FIG. 4B  is a block diagram illustrating how to enter those main application fields by using the user touch screen interface device. 
         [0019]      FIG. 5A  is a flowchart illustrating how to select and actuate application data in a drop down list by using the user touch screen interface device. 
         [0020]      FIG. 5B  is a block diagram illustrating how to select and actuate the application data in the drop down list by using the user touch screen interface device. 
         [0021]      FIG. 6A  is a flowchart illustrating how to enter text information in an edit option by using the user touch screen interface device. 
         [0022]      FIG. 6B  is a block diagram illustrating how to enter text information in the edit option by using the user touch screen interface device. 
         [0023]      FIG. 7A  is a flowchart illustrating how to enter number(s) by using the user touch screen interface device. 
         [0024]      FIG. 7B  is a block diagram illustrating how to enter the number(s) by using the user touch screen interface device. 
         [0025]      FIG. 8A  is a flowchart illustrating how to operate soft key1 or 2 by using the user touch screen interface device. 
         [0026]      FIG. 8B  is a diagram illustrating how to operate the soft key1 or 2 by using the user touch screen interface device. 
         [0027]      FIG. 9  shows an embodiment of a rectangular user touch screen interface device. 
         [0028]      FIG. 10  shows an embodiment of the user touch screen interface device with two first members and two selection members. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0029]    The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or use. 
         [0030]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , a computer-controlled system  14  comprises a user touch screen interface device  16 , a touch screen  18 , and a central processing unit (CPU)  22 . A software system interprets the output of the touch screen  18  when the user touch screen interface device  16  is operated. The CPU  22  converts an analog output of the touch screen  18  into a response appropriate for an active CPU function. Application data that are manipulated and edited by the user touch screen interface device  16  of the present invention are stored in the computer-controlled system  14 . 
         [0031]    In one embodiment, referring to  FIG. 2 , the user touch screen interface device  16  comprises a first member  24 , a selection member  26 , and an actuation member  28 . The first member  24  is affixed on or attached on the touch screen  18  shown in  FIG. 1  by a fastening means such as adhesive, e.g. cyanoacrylate, and screws. 
         [0032]    In one embodiment, referring to  FIGS. 3A ,  3 B, and  3 C, the selection member  26  is a ring selector—the first member  24  and the selection member  26  are in the shape of a circle—rotatable in both a clockwise direction and a counterclockwise direction engaging the inside surface  30  of the first member  24 . The selection member  26  has an outside surface  32 , an inside surface  34 , a bottom surface  36 , and a top surface  38 . The actuation member  28  is round. 
         [0033]    In one embodiment, referring to  FIGS. 2 ,  3 A,  3 B, and  3 C, the user touch screen interface device  16  further comprises a detent mechanism  40 . The detent mechanism  40  is provided by a plurality of indentations  44  on the inside surface  30  of the first member  24  coupled with a plurality of bias elements  42 , such as springs or spring arms, integral or attached to the outside surface  32  of the selection member  26  or vice versa. The detent mechanism  40  provides a mechanical arrest or resistance to the move of the selection member  26  and a sensation of the move and a tactile feedback. Additionally, the plurality of the bias elements  42  and the plurality of indentations  44  have a function in helping the selection member  26  engage the first member  24  by the interaction between the indentations  44  and the bias elements  42 , when the selection member  26  moves against the first member  24 . Those indentations  44  are equally spaced apart from one another or spaced by any desired distance apart from one another on the inside surface  30  of the first member  24 . 
         [0034]    In one embodiment, each indentation of the plurality of indentations  44  is associated with a function implemented by the selection member  26 . 
         [0035]    In one embodiment, the user touch screen interface device  16  further comprises a selection point  46  on the bottom surface  36  of the selection member  26 . Moving the selection member  26  by placing a finger tip in a finger dent  54 , opposite the selection point  46 , on the top surface  38  of the selection member  26 , the selection point  46  contacts the touch screen  18  shown in  FIG. 1  in various positions which are associated with the application data and the application data thereby are selected. 
         [0036]    In one embodiment, the actuation member  28  comprises a button selector  48 , a bias element  50  such as a spring, and a base  52  contacting the touch screen  18  shown in  FIG. 1 . The bias element  50  is positioned between the button selector  48  and the base  52 , and the bias element  50 , when pressed, gives a user a tactile feedback such as a click sensation. 
         [0037]    In one embodiment, the user touch screen interface device  16  further comprises software which comprise (1) a selection means enabling detection of the position of the selection point 46 associated with the application data to select the application data; and (2) an actuation means responsive to press of the button selector  48  to actuate the application data selected by the selection means. The software is a code program stored in a computer readable medium or the CPU  22  in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0038]    As illustrated in  FIG. 4A  and  FIG. 4B , one of the significant features of this device is that a user is not required to push or press a small key to actuate each stored individual function. At the same time electronic device starts in step  100 , step  102  sets up a main screen  56 . Pressing the button selector  48  in step  104 , a setting screen  58  is displayed with a focus on a default input field—a drop down list  60 . A determination is made as to whether the current field is the one required, step  106 . If no, in step  108 , a user uses the selection member  26  to scroll to another input field such as an edit option  62 , a numeral window  64 , or soft key1  66 , and soft key2  68 . If yes, in step  110  the user initiates the required field by pressing the button selector  48 . If the required field in the step  110  is the drop down list  60 , follow a route A. If the required field in the step  110  is the edit option  62 , follow a route B; if the numeral window  64 , follow a route C; if the soft keys  66  or  68 , follow a route D. 
         [0039]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  show the route A. Pressing the button selector  48  allows the expansion of the drop down list  60 , step  120 . Using the selection member  26  to scroll through the drop down list  60 , step  122 , as illustrated in  FIG. 5B , allows option 1, option 2, or option 3 to be chosen. In step  124 , a determination is made as to whether the focused option is the one desired. If no, return to the step  122 . If yes, press the button selector  48  to actuate the selected option, step  126 . After a task in the drop down list  60  is done, the drop down list  60  collapses and a user exits the drop down list  60 , step  128 . 
         [0040]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  show the route B. Pressing the button selector  48  in step  130  starts current edit option  62 ; a keypad pops up in step  132 . By using the selection member  26  scrolling through the keypad in combination with pressing the button selector  48 , a user can enter text information. Specifically, scrolling through the keypad in step  134 , if the data is the one desired in step  136 , press button selector  48  to accept the data, step  138 ; otherwise go back to the step  134 . If the decision is yes as to whether the user is done with entering information, step  140 , exit the edit option  62  by pressing the button selector  48 , the keypad is hidden, and get back to the setting screen  56 , step  142 . If the decision is no as to whether the user is done with entering information in the step  140 , return to the step  134  and repeat scrolling through the keypad. 
         [0041]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  show the route C. Press the button selector  48  in step  144  to start to enter number(s); the number(s) in the numeral window  64  is highlighted, step  146 . By using the selection member  26  scrolling through the available numerals in combination with pressing the button selector  48 , a user can enter numeral information. Specifically, scrolling through a list of available number(s) in step  148 , if the data is the one desire in step  150 , press the button selector  48  to accept the data, step  152 ; otherwise go back the step  148 . If the decision is yes as to whether the user is done with entering numeral information, step  154 , exit the numeral window  64  by pressing the button selector  48 , step  156 . lithe decision is no as to whether the user is done with entering information in the step  154 , then go back to the step  150 . 
         [0042]      FIGS. 8A and 8B  show the route D. Pressing the button selector  48  initiates the soft keys  66  or  68  in step  158 . An inquiry is made as to whether the selected item is one required, step  162 . If no, scroll to the other soft key feature by using the selection member  26 , step  160 ; if yes, press the button selector  48  to start the function of the selected soft key feature, step  164 , and the user is going to be taken to a corresponding action stored in the computer-controlled system  14  in step  166 . When tasks of the soft keys  66  or  68  are done, the user is taken back the setting screen  58  in step  168 . 
         [0043]    In one embodiment, the inner periphery of the first member  24  is in the shape of a circle and the outer periphery of the first member  24  is in various geometric shape, for example, a triangular, rectangular, oval shape, heart shape and etc. The selection member  26  is round and rotates in both a clockwise direction and a counterclockwise direction engaging the inside surface  30  of the first number  24 . 
         [0044]    In one embodiment, the first member  24  and the election member  26  are in other geometric shapes, for example, triangular, rectangular, oval shape and etc. In the case of the shape of a rectangle, referring to  FIG. 9 , the user touch screen interface device  16  further comprises a guide member  70 . The selection member  26  is a rectangle or square slidable, in a channel  72  formed by the guide member  70  and the first member  24 , against either the inside surface  30  of the first member  24  or an outside surface  74  of the guide member  70  or both of these two surfaces. The dimension of the selection member  70  is adapted to the dimension of the channel  72  to move therein. The actuation member  28  is positioned inside the guiding member  70  and is in various shapes and the inner periphery of the guide member  70  is adapted to accommodate the shape of the actuation member  28  so that the button selector  48  is able to be pressed. In one embodiment, the detent mechanism  40  comprises the plurality of indentations  44  on the inside surface  30  of the first member  24  coupled with the plurality of bias elements  42 , such as springs or spring arms, integral or attached to the outside surface  32  of the selection member  26  or vice versa. In another embodiment, the detent mechanism  40  comprises the plurality of indentations  44  on the inside surface  34  of the election member  24  couple with the plurality of bias elements  42 , such as springs or spring arms, integral or attached to the outside surface  74  of the guide member  70  or vice versa. 
         [0045]    In one embodiment, the user touch screen interface device  16  comprises more than one selection member  26  and first member  24 .  FIG. 10  illustrates the user touch screen interface device  16  having two selection members  26  and two first members  24 . The user touch screen interface device  16  with multiple selection members  26  and first members  24  can be in other shapes such as a rectangle or a square if the guide member  60  is provided. 
         [0046]    In one embodiment, the user touch screen interface device  16  in  FIG. 2  is made of rigid materials such as plastics, metals, and glasses. 
         [0047]    In one embodiment, the touch screen  18  in  FIG. 1  is a resistive touch screen. In another embodiment, the touch screen  18  in  FIG. 1  is a capacitive touch screen; the user touch screen interface device  16  is made of electrically conductive material such as a silver impregnated plastic or copper.