Abstract:
An apparatus is described comprising: a data processing device having a memory for storing program code and data and a processor for processing the program code and data, and a display for displaying graphical images and text; a control disc rotatably and communicatively engaged with the data processing device, the control disc rotating on an axis which is substantially perpendicular to a plane defined by the display, the control disc communicatively engaged with the data processing device to cause a graphic element on the display to move in a first direction by a first predefined amount when rotated in a first direction and causing the graphic element to move in a second direction by the first predefined amount when rotated in a second direction.

Description:
[0001]     This application claims priority from the provisional application entitled SCROLL DISK INPUT APPARATUS FOR A DATA PROCESSING DEVICE, Ser. No. 60/641,631 filed Jan. 4, 2005. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     This invention relates generally to the field of data processing devices. More particularly, the invention relates to a scroll disc input apparatus for a data processing device.  
         [0004]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0005]     Portable data processing devices such as Personal Digital Assistants (“PDAs”) and programmable wireless telephones are becoming more powerful every day, providing users with a wide range of applications previously only available on personal computers. At the same time, due to advances in silicon processing technology and battery technology, these devices may be manufactured using smaller and smaller form factors. Accordingly, users no longer need to sacrifice processing power for portability when selecting a personal data processing device.  
         [0006]     Although processing devices with small form factors tend to be more portable, users may find it increasingly difficult to interact with them. For example, entering data may be difficult due to the absence of a full-sized keyboard and reading information may be difficult due to a small, potentially dim Liquid Crystal Display (“LCD”).  
         [0007]     To deal with this problem, devices have been produced which physically adjust to an “active” position when in use and an “inactive” position when not in use. For example, the well-known Motorola® Star-TAC® wireless telephone flips open when in use, thereby exposing a telephone keypad, a display and an earpiece. However, when this device retracts to an “inactive” position, the keypad, display, and earpiece are all completely inaccessible.  
         [0008]     To solve these problems, the assignee of the present application developed a data processing device  100  with an adjustable display  103  as illustrated in  FIGS. 1   a - c . The data processing device  100  includes a keyboard  101 , a control knob/wheel  102  (e.g., for scrolling between menu items and/or data), and a set of control buttons  105  (e.g., for selecting menu items and/or data).  
         [0009]     The display  103  is pivotally coupled to the data processing device  100  and pivots around a pivot point  109 , located within a pivot area  104 , from a first position illustrated in  FIG. 1   a  to a second position illustrated in  FIGS. 1   b - c . When in the first position the display  103  covers the keyboard  101 , thereby decreasing the size of the device  100  and protecting the keyboard  101 . Even when the display is in the first position, however, the control knob  102  and control buttons  105  are exposed and therefore accessible by the user. The motion of the display  103  from the first position to a second position is indicated by motion arrow  106  illustrated in  FIGS. 1   a - b . As illustrated, when in the second position, the keyboard  101  is fully exposed. Accordingly, the display is viewable, and data is accessible by the user in both a the first position and the second position (although access to the keyboard is only provided in the first position).  
         [0010]     The data processing device  100  is also provided with audio telephony (e.g., cellular) capabilities. To support audio telephony functions, the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1   a - c  includes a speaker  120  for listening and a microphone  121  for speaking during a telephone conversation. Notably, the speaker  120  and microphone  121  are positioned at opposite ends of the data processing device  100  and are accessible when the screen  103  is in a closed position and an open position.  
         [0011]     Another data processing device developed by the assignee of the present application is illustrated in  FIG. 2 . Like the data processing device illustrated in  FIGS. 1   a - c , the display of the device shown in  FIG. 2  is configured to rotate around a pivot point to reveal a keyboard. The data processing device  200  also includes a first set of control elements  215  positioned to the right of the display  210  and a second set of control elements  220  positioned to the left of the display.  
         [0012]     The first set of control elements  215  includes a control wheel  230  positioned between two control buttons  226 ,  235 , as illustrated. The control wheel  230  may be used to move a cursor control device, highlight bar or other selection graphic on the display to select menu items, program icons and/or other graphical or textual display elements. In one embodiment, the control wheel  230  is made of clear plastic with an light emitting diode (“LED”) or other light source embedded therein.  
         [0013]     A series of additional control elements  250 ,  255 ,  260 , and  270  are configured on the data processing device  200  to provide various additional preprogrammed and/or user-specified control functions. For example, a control element  250  may be a designated “home” key for jumping to the data processing device&#39;s main menu, or performing application-specific functions typically associated with a “home” key (e.g., moving a cursor to the beginning of a line in a word processing document). Control element  255  may be a dedicated a “menu” key which generates a context-specific menu when selected (e.g., a different menu may be generated based on which application is currently running). Control keys  260  and  265  may be designated “jump” keys, allowing the user to easily jump to (i.e., execute) a designated application program. The control elements  250 ,  255 ,  260  and  265  may be programmed for various alternate and/or additional functions while still complying with the underlying principles of the invention.  
         [0014]     The second set of control elements includes a directional pad  245  having an integrated speaker  246  and/or LED (not shown) (or other light source). The directional pad  245  may be used to move a cursor or other selection graphic in any direction on the display to enable selection of menu items, program icons and other graphical or textual display elements. The directional pad  245  may be made of frosted translucent plastic and may be white in color, although other materials and colors may be used. The LED contained in the directional pad may be a tri-color LED that generates a variety of colors to alert the user when an incoming message has been received. When used as a telephone, the speaker  246  contained in the directional pad  245  enables the user to hear the party on the other end of a call. In addition, a microphone  240  is configured at the end of the data processing device  200  opposite the speaker  246  so that the data processing device  200  may be held like a mobile phone while in telephony mode (i.e., when the speaker placed next to the user&#39;s ear, the microphone is located in the proximity of the user&#39;s mouth).  
       SUMMARY  
       [0015]     An apparatus is described comprising: a data processing device having a memory for storing program code and data and a processor for processing the program code and data, and a display for displaying graphical images and text; a control disc rotatably and communicatively engaged with the data processing device, the control disc rotating on an axis which is substantially perpendicular to a plane defined by the display, the control disc communicatively engaged with the data processing device to cause a graphic element on the display to move in a first direction by a first predefined amount when rotated in a first direction and causing the graphic element to move in a second direction by the first predefined amount when rotated in a second direction.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]     A better understanding of the present invention can be obtained from the following detailed description in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:  
         [0017]      FIGS. 1   a - c  illustrate a prior art data processing device with an adjustable display.  
         [0018]      FIG. 2  illustrates another a prior art data processing device with an adjustable display.  
         [0019]      FIGS. 3   a - b  illustrate a data processing with a scroll disc according to one embodiment of the invention.  
         [0020]      FIG. 4  illustrates a scroll disc apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention.  
         [0021]      FIG. 5  illustrates how the scroll disc is integrated within a data processing device according to one embodiment of the invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0022]     In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without some of these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form to avoid obscuring the underlying principles of the present invention.  
         [0023]     Several different multi-purpose input/output and display configurations for a data processing device are described below. As will be apparent from the following description, many of these configurations are particularly beneficial when employed on a dual-purpose data processing device such as a personal digital assistant (“PDA”) or other mobile computing device having integrated wireless telephony capabilities (e.g., a combination PDA and cell phone). However, it should be noted that the underlying principles of the invention are not limited to wireless telephony configuration.  
         [0024]     A data processing device  300  according to one embodiment of the invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 3   a - b . The data processing device  300  includes a display  306  with a viewable display area  305  for displaying various types of text and graphics (e.g., graphical navigation menus, email messages, electronic calendars, electronic address books, . . . etc). In one embodiment, the display is a backlit or reflective thin film transistor (“TFT”) display. In another embodiment, the display is a transflective SuperTwisted Nematican (“STN”) display. However, the underlying principles of the invention are not limited to a particular display type. As in prior embodiments, the display rotates from a first position illustrated in  FIG. 3   a  to a second position illustrated in  FIG. 3   b , thereby exposing an alphanumeric keyboard  311 .  
         [0025]     In one embodiment, the data processing device  300  includes a first set of control elements  310  positioned to the right of the display  306  and a second set of control elements  324  positioned to the left of the display (i.e., to the “left” and “right,” respectively, in the first orientation illustrated in  FIG. 3 ). Thus, the first set of control elements  310  are readily accessible by a user&#39;s right hand and the second set of control elements  324  are readily accessible by a user&#39;s left hand. As used herein, the term “control elements” means any type of data input or control mechanism associated with the data processing device  300  including, by way of example and not limitation, data entry keys such as alphanumeric keys, knobs, scroll discs, or buttons. As will be described in greater detail below, in one embodiment, the various control elements configured on the data processing device  300  may perform different operations in different operational modes.  
         [0026]     In one embodiment, the first set of control elements  310  includes a scroll disc  302  positioned adjacent to two control buttons  301  and  303 , as illustrated. When rotated, a cursor control signal is generated to move a cursor device, highlight bar or other selection graphic on the display  305  to select menu items, program icons and other graphical or textual display elements. When rotated upward, the scroll disc  302  generates a first cursor control signal directing the selection graphic in a first direction and when rotated downward, the scroll disc  302  generates a second cursor control signal directing the selection graphic in a second direction. In one embodiment, pressing the scroll wheel down, into the devices actuates a switch within the data processing device, thereby generating a selection signal to select graphical items on displayed on the display (e.g., menu items, email messages, . . . etc).  
         [0027]     Unlike prior scroll wheels, the force required to generate the selection signal is substantially parallel to the axis of rotation. Moreover, the scroll disc  302  provides a significantly greater amount of surface area in the direction of movement when compared with the control wheels described in prior embodiments. Thus, the user may move the selection graphic a significantly greater distance on the display with a single thumb motion.  
         [0028]     The two control buttons  301  and  303  may be configured to perform a variety of operations. For example, in one embodiment, the first button  301  is configured to select graphical/textual items highlighted on the display screen  305 , and the second button  303  is configured to de-select items and/or to “back” out of a current application, menu, icon, . . . etc. Alternatively, or in addition (i.e., depending on the selected mode of operation), the second button  303  may cancel actions and return to the previous screen, and the first button  301  may save actions and return to the previous screen. By way of example, if the email application is open, selecting the second button  303  may cancel the composition of a new message, whereas the first button  301  may send or save a message that has been composed.  
         [0029]     Alternatively, in one embodiment, the first control button  301  causes a selection graphic to move in a first direction and the second control button  303  causes the selection graphic to move in a second direction (e.g., the opposite direction). In one embodiment, the first control button  301  causes the selection graphic to move in the same direction as it moves when the scroll disc is rotated in a counter-clockwise direction and the second control button causes the selection graphic to move in the same direction as it moves when the scroll disc is rotated in a clockwise direction. In one embodiment, the first and second control buttons are configured to perform “page up” and “page down” functions, respectively. That is, selecting the first control button  301  causes the selection graphic to move up one page (e.g., one full display screen or one full document page) and the second control button  303  causes the selection graphic to move down one page.  
         [0030]     In one embodiment, the second set of control elements includes a directional pad  345  having an integrated speaker  346  and/or LED (not shown) (or other light source). In one embodiment, the directional pad  345  may be used to move a cursor or other selection graphic in any direction on the display to enable selection of menu items, program icons and other graphical or textual display elements. The directional pad  345  may be made of frosted translucent plastic and may be white in color, although other materials and colors may be used. The LED contained in the directional pad may be a tri-color LED that generates a variety of colors to alert the user when an incoming message has been received. In “telephony mode,” the speaker  346  contained in the directional pad  345  enables the user to hear the party on the other end of a call. In addition, a microphone  340  is configured at the end of the data processing device  300  opposite the speaker  346  so that the data processing device  300  may be held like a mobile phone while in telephony mode (i.e., when the speaker placed next to the user&#39;s ear, the microphone is located in the proximity of the user&#39;s mouth).  
         [0031]      FIG. 4  illustrates how the scroll disc  302  is integrated within the data processing apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the scroll disc  302  is coupled to a rotary encoder  404  which generates control signals in response to the rotation of the scroll disc. The combination of the scroll disc  302  and rotary encoder  404  is fixedly attached to a bracket  410  which is pivotally coupled to the data processing device at a pivot point  411 . The bracket may be formed from plastic, sheet metal or any other rigid material. A spring  420  is coupled to the inner surface of the data processing device at one end and to the bracket at the other end, thereby generating a force on the bracket directed towards the inner surface  402 . In one embodiment, when a user is not depressing the scroll wheel  302 , the force applied by the spring bracket to contact the inner surface.  
         [0032]     A dome switch, actuator bump or tact switch  406  is configured within the printed circuit board  405  of the data processing device. When a user applies a downward force to the scroll disc, as indicated by arrow  420 , the bracket  410  pivots around the pivot point  411 , thereby causing the lower portion of the bracket to apply a force to the dome switch  406 . In response, the dome switch generates a selection signal which is then processed by the data processing device (e.g., causing a highlighted menu item to be selected, causing an email message to be opened, . . . etc). When the user removes the downward force from the scroll disc (i.e., removes his/her finger) the force applied by the spring  420  pulls the scroll wheel in an upward direction back to its “unselected” position.  
         [0033]     In an alternate embodiment, rather than being attached via a spring, the bracket is fixedly attached to the inner housing  402  of the data processing device. In this embodiment, the bracket is formed from a rigid, flexible material which bends in response to the downward force applied by the user, thereby triggering the dome switch  406 , and retracts to its original position when the downward force is removed.  
         [0034]      FIG. 5  illustrates how the scroll disc  302  is integrated within a data processing device housing  500  according to one embodiment of the invention. A scroll disc well  501  is coupled to the data processing device housing  500 . The scroll disc  302  is coupled to a rotary encoder  404  which translates the rotation of the scroll disc  302  into control signals through a flexible printed circuit board  502 . A switch actuator  503 , which provides the physical coupling to the dome switch  406 , is sandwiched between the flexible printed circuit  502  and the scroll disc bracket. The scroll disc bracket  410  is coupled to the data processing device housing  500  using any of the techniques described above (e.g., via a spring or direct coupling).  
         [0035]     Throughout the foregoing description, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details were set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the invention may be practiced without some of these specific details. For example, while the embodiments described above employ specific techniques for integrating the scroll disc within a data processing apparatus, the underlying principles of the invention are not limited to any particular integration technique. Accordingly, the scope and spirit of the invention should be judged in terms of the claims which follow.