Abstract:
A side-mounted cursor pointing device  108  for a wireless terminal  100  including a sliding cover  110.  The sliding cover  110  slides over the cursor pointing device  108  in an off position. When the cover  110  is slid off the cursor pointing device  108,  a biasing member  212  upon which the cursor pointing device  108  rests allows the cursor pointing device  108  to pop into position and allows the user to press down on the cursor pointing device  108  in order to make a selection. The sliding cover is preferably an on-off switch for the wireless terminal.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to cursor control devices and, particularly, to a trackball for single digit control of a wireless terminal. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Wireless terminals including cellular telephones and other wireless telecommunication devices are providing increasingly sophisticated functionality. Functions performed by hand-held wireless terminals require an increasing degree of user input and interaction. For example, a typical wireless terminal includes a viewscreen, typically a liquid crystal display (LCD), a keypad, and a plurality of control buttons or switches to allow the user to scroll through menu options on the viewscreen. One such control is a dial which may be used to “roll” through menu options. Alternatively, forward and reverse buttons may be employed to accomplish this task. Finally, certain wireless terminals provide a trackball on the front face of the wireless terminal to position a cursor on the viewscreen. Each of these controls is also associated with a separate select button to allow selection of the menu item highlighted by the cursor. 
     In ergonomic terms, such menu selection or cursor pointing devices require relatively complex hand or finger movements. More particularly, such user interfaces have typically required the manipulation of a trackball, keys, or dial in order to locate a cursor on the view screen. A separate motion on a separate select key is required to select the item highlighted by the cursor. Frequently this is error-prone and counter-intuitive. Accordingly, there is a need for an improved user interface mechanism for a wireless terminal which is capable of being manipulated by a single finger in both cursor positioning and select modes. 
     The increasing functionality of wireless terminals also requires the display of increasing amounts of information on the viewscreen. The larger amounts of information generally require larger viewscreens. At the same time, however, the overall size of wireless terminals continues to decrease. Larger viewscreens also facilitate more user-friendly user interfaces, in particular, graphical user interfaces. Accordingly, there is a need for a user interface mechanism that increases the area of a wireless terminal that is available as viewscreen area. 
     In addition, wireless terminals are subjected to relatively severe operating conditions. Control buttons such as an on-switch may be jostled and thus unintentionally activated. Cursor controls may be exposed to scalding liquids, which can have a deleterious effect on their functionality. This is particularly the case when the control is a trackball, due to the electromechanical or optomechanical structure required to convert the ball&#39;s rotation into cursor movement. Accordingly, there is a need for an improved cursor control which is relatively immune from unintentional activation and/or liquid spillage. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     These drawbacks in the prior art are overcome in large part by a side-mounted trackball including a sliding cover according to the present invention. A wireless terminal is provided including a key pad and a side mounted trackball. A sliding cover is provided which can slide over the trackball in an off position. When the cover is slid off the trackball, a biasing member upon which the trackball rests allows the trackball to pop out and in to position. The user can press down on the trackball in order to make a selection. In addition, the sliding cover is preferably an on-off switch for the wireless terminal. 
     According to one embodiment of the present invention, an electronic controller with an improved user interface is provided. The user interface includes a cursor pointing device and a controller housing adapted to receive the cursor pointing device. A control switch is coupled to the cursor pointing device and the controller housing, and is configured to be activated when the cursor pointing device is depressed. A sliding member is coupled to the controller housing. The sliding member is con figured to conceal the cursor pointing device when the sliding member is in a first position, and expose the cursor pointing device when the sliding member is in a second position. The sliding member also preferably functions as an on-off switch for the electronic controller or the device being controlled. The cursor pointing device is provided with a biasing member such that the biasing member positions the cursor pointing device in an inactive position when the sliding member is in the first position and is configured to position the cursor pointing device in an active position when the sliding member is in the second position. 
     A method for operating an electronic controller according to the present invention comprises sliding a sliding member from a first position to a second position on a controller housing. The sliding member conceals a cursor pointing device when the sliding member is in the first position, and exposes the cursor pointing device when the sliding member is in the second position. The method further comprises translating the cursor pointing device from an inactive position when the sliding member is in the first position to an active position when the sliding member is in the second position. Finally, the method further comprises using the cursor pointing device to position a cursor on a viewscreen, and depressing the cursor pointing device to select an item on the viewscreen positioned proximately to the cursor. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     A better understanding of the present invention is obtained when the following detailed description is considered in conjunction with the following drawings in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a diagram of a wireless terminal according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a wireless terminal including a side mounted track ball or pointer according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIGS. 3 a,    3   b  and  3   c  are diagrams illustrating a cursor pointing device and sliding cover according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a cursor pointing device and sliding cover according to another embodiment of the present invention; and 
     FIGS. 5 a,    5   b  and  5   c  are diagrams illustrating the motion sensors of a pointing device according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIGS. 6 a,    6   b,  and  6   c  are diagrams illustrating another embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIG.  1 —Wireless Terminal With Side Mounted Track Ball 
     Turning now to FIG. 1, a diagram illustrating a wireless terminal  100 , such as a cellular or PCS telephone, employing a side-mounted cursor pointing device  108  (in this case a trackball) having a sliding cover  110 , is illustrated. Wireless terminal  100  includes a terminal housing  101  having a front or first face  103  and a second or side face  105 . It is noted that while wireless terminal  100  is illustrated as having discrete faces  103  and  105 , in alternate embodiments, terminal housing  101  may be generally cylindrical or ellipsoidal in shape, and thus not have discrete front and side faces. Accordingly, as used herein, the term “first side” and “second side” include first and second side portions, respectively. Terminal housing  101  includes a keypad or keyboard  106  preferably situated on front face  103 . In the embodiment illustrated, a viewscreen  102  is also situated on front face  103 . Viewscreen  102  preferably comprises a liquid crystal display (LCD) screen. In operation, viewscreen  102  includes a cursor  104  which is controlled through manipulation of the cursor pointing device  108 , as will be described in greater detail below. 
     As illustrated, wireless terminal  100  further includes an antenna  114  projecting from housing  101 , a speaker  116 , and a microphone  118 . It is noted that, while illustrated as a wireless terminal, a variety of grippable electronic devices are contemplated, such as personal digital assistants (PDA&#39;s), calculators, electronic remote controllers, electronic games, computers and the like. Thus, FIG. 1 is exemplary only. 
     Wireless terminal  100  further includes a sliding cover or sliding member  110  to at least partially conceal cursor pointing device  108 . In addition to protecting cursor pointing device  108 , sliding cover  110  preferably comprises an on/off switch for wireless terminal  100 . A fixed or cooperating member  112  is preferably provided, such that when sliding cover  110  covers or conceals cursor pointing device  108 , a more or less effective seal is effectuated. In the off position, the sliding cover  110  conceals and protects the pointing device  108 , while in the on position, the sliding cover  110  exposes the cursor pointing device to view and/or operation. 
     As illustrated, cursor pointing device  108  is a trackball. However, it is noted that other types of cursor pointing devices, such as stick-type pointing devices, may be employed. As will be discussed in greater detail below, cursor pointing device  108  is configured to control movement of cursor  104  on view screen  102 . Cursor  104  is used to highlight selections on view screen  102 . The selections are then selected by depressing cursor pointing device  108 , as will be described in greater detail below. The cursor pointing device  108  can be depressed in different manners to activate different functions. For example, a single, short duration depression can activate a first function, a combination of two, short duration depressions can activate a second function, and a depression of an extended duration can activate a third function. Such selections can include, for example, menu selections, numbers, or even letters for entering text. Thus, in one embodiment, no separate keypad is required and the viewscreen can, for instance, be made larger. Note that the viewscreen can already be made larger because providing a side mounted trackball can replace several keys on the front face  103  that would be used for cursor movement and activation in other designs. The surface area on the front face  103  that is freed up by removing the cursor control and activation keys can be used as additional viewscreen area. 
     FIG.  2 —Block Diagram of Wireless Terminal 
     Turning now to FIG. 2, a block diagram of wireless terminal  100  employing a cursor pointing device  108  according to the present invention is illustrated. Wireless terminal  100  includes a cursor pointing device  108  which, as discussed above, preferably comprises a stick or trackball type cursor pointing device. Cursor pointing device  108  thus comprises a pointer  200  (which is either a stick or ball) coupled to movement translator  314 . Movement translator  314  is configured to identify and convert motion of the pointer  200  into movement of cursor  104  on view screen  102 . Movement translator  314  is coupled to an input controller  310 . A switch  211  intercouples pointer  200  with input controller  310 . When pointer  200  is depressed, switch  211  is closed and a corresponding signal is sent to input controller  310 , thereby selecting the item on viewscreen  102  highlighted by the cursor. Input controller  310  is coupled to viewscreen  102  and to keyboard or keypad  106 . As will be discussed in greater detail below, a biasing member  212  is preferably included. Biasing member  212  provides adequate tactile response for the cursor pointing device and/or enables the pointer to translate or “pop” into a more user-friendly position, when the unit is active, relatively higher than when inactive. 
     Wireless terminal  100  further includes an on-off switch  111  which is activated when sliding member  110  (FIG. 1) is slid off the top of the cursor pointing device. On-off switch  111  is thus coupled to a power supply unit  113 , which in turn is coupled to provide power to the other functional units of wireless terminal  100 . It is noted that in an alternate embodiment, on-off switch  111  is coupled to activate an on-off switch on a unit remote from wireless terminal  100 . 
     In addition, wireless terminal  100  includes a transceiver and modulator unit  316  coupled to a control processor  315 , which in turn is coupled to input controller  310 . A microphone  120  and a speaker  118  are also coupled to control processor  315 . Control processor  315  includes a central processing unit and a variety of other control circuitry (not illustrated). In the case of a cellular telephone, for example, such control circuitry is provided to control the switching of a telephone call between cells. The cursor pointing device is thus operable to, for example, dial a telephone via a video menu. 
     FIG. 3 a,    3   b  and  3   c —Trackball Cursor Pointing Device 
     Turning now to FIG. 3 a,  a more detailed diagram of a trackball-type cursor pointing device  108  for an electronic controller is illustrated. Cursor pointing device  108  includes a ball  200  and a locking collar  206  to hold ball  200  in place. A sliding member  110  and a fixed member  112  are coupled to controller housing  101 . As illustrated, ball  200  is situated within a first housing  204 . Trackball housing  204  includes motion sensors  518 ,  519  to identify movement of the ball  200 . Motion sensors  518 ,  519  are coupled to a detection unit  214  comprised within controller housing  101 , which translates the detected motion of the ball  200  into digital signals for controlling the cursor on the viewscreen. Detection unit  214  may be implemented in a central processor within controller housing  101 . As illustrated, flexible leads  213  are provided to detection unit  214  situated within housing  101 . It is noted that, in alternate embodiments, detection unit  214  is comprised within trackball housing  204 . 
     Housing  204  operably couples ball  200  to a biasing member  212 . Biasing member  212  comprises a spring or other biasing mechanism to maintain housing  204  and ball  200  in a state of tension. Biasing member  212  preferably maintains switch  211  in an open position. Switch  211  includes housing leads  208  and terminal leads  210 . When the cursor pointing device is depressed, the switch  211  is closed and leads  208  come into contact with leads  210 , thereby closing the connection. 
     In a preferred embodiment, biasing member  212  performs the additional function of causing ball  200  and/or housing  204  to translate or “pop up” when sliding cover  110  is slid off of ball  200 . Thus, in operation, sliding cover  110  and ball  200  are preferably in sliding or rolling contact with one another. Sliding member  110  is further configured to be able to slide back on to ball  200  thereby concealing or protecting it. When in an active mode, the cursor pointing device is preferably disposed relatively higher than when inactive. Sliding member  110  is preferably coupled to a switch  111 . Activation of on-off switch  111  preferably causes power to be supplied to the wireless controller or a remote unit. 
     FIGS. 3 b  and  3   c  illustrate a sliding mechanism of one embodiment of the present invention, where the sliding mechanism implements a mechanical interface between the housing  204  and the sliding member  110 . The sliding mechanism comprises a pair of grooves  225  formed into opposite sides of the housing  204  and a pair of short ridges  227  formed at corresponding sides of the sliding member  110 . One of the sides  204 A into which a groove  225  is formed is labeled in both FIGS. 3 a  and  3   b,  for comparison. Also, an edge  110 A of the sliding member  110  is labeled in both FIGS. 3 a  and  3   c,  for comparison. The grooves  225  and the ridges  227  are not illustrated in FIG. 3 a,  however. 
     Each ridge  227  engages with the corresponding groove  225  in a sliding relationship. Specifically, the ridges  227  penetrate the opening of the grooves  225 , so that the relative motion between the ridges  227  and the grooves  225  is confined to the directions of the grooves  225 . When the sliding member  110  is in an open position, the ridge  227  is at the right side of the groove  225  (the right side as viewed in FIG. 3 b ). When the sliding member  110  is moved toward the closed position, the ridge  227  moves toward the left within the groove  225 . The ridge  227  imparts a force on the groove  225  in a downward direction. The downward force is sufficient to compress the biasing member  212 , so that the housing  204 , along with the ball  200 , are pushed in toward the center of the controller housing  101 . When the sliding member  110  is again moved toward the open position, the ridge  227  moves toward the right within the groove  225 , and the housing  204  and the ball  200  again move away from the center of the controller housing  101 . 
     FIG.  4 —Side-Mounted Stick-Type Positioning Device 
     Turning now to FIG. 4, a diagram of a stick-type cursor positioning device  108   d  is shown. Stick  200   d  is coupled to a housing  204   d  and disposed within controller housing  101   d.  Springs  31  keep the stick  200   d  normally in a vertical position. However, the operator can press the stick  200   d  away from the vertical position. Sensors  32  are mounted at the bottom of the stick  200   d  and can detect in which direction the operator is pressing the stick and how hard he is pressing the stick. This information is then used to control the cursor. 
     In a manner similar to that described with regard to FIG. 4, housing  204   d  is coupled by way of spring or biasing member  212   d  to the terminal housing (not shown). A switch  211  is provided which, when the stick  200   d  is depressed, engages with a corresponding circuit trace in the terminal housing. 
     A sliding cover  101   d  and a fixed member  112   d  are provided on the wireless terminal housing. The sliding cover operates to conceal or protect the cursor pointing device when cooperatively engaged with the fixed member  112   d.  Additionally, sliding member  110   d  is coupled to a switch  111   d.  Switch  111   d  is preferably an on-off switch, which is activated when the sliding cover  110   d  is positioned to expose the cursor pointing device to view. 
     Sliding cover  110   d  and the cursor pointing device are preferably engageable in sliding contact such that when the sliding cover is positioned to expose the cursor pointing device to view, the cursor pointing device is translated or “pops up” from an inactive to an active position. 
     FIG. 5 a,  and  5   c —Optomechanical Encoders 
     Turning now to FIG. 5, a more detailed diagram of the optomechanical encoders or motion sensors  518 ,  519  of FIG. 3 a  is shown. Turning now to FIG. 5A, which is a view from the top of the ball  200 , the ball  200  is operably coupled to switch  211  such that, when the ball  200  is depressed, a control signal is sent to a controller (not shown). 
     In addition, ball  200  touches three rollers  18 ,  19  and  20 . One roller  20  is free rolling; the other two rollers  18  and  19  form part of an optomechanical encoder. Rollers  18  and  19  are connected to systems for detecting the direction of the revolution of the roller, the length of rolling and also the speed of the rolling. One of the detection rollers  18  is referred to as the x axis controller and another roller  19  (90° off the x axis roller), is referred to as the y axis controller. These two rollers,  18  and  19 , work independently. Each detection roller is coupled to a movement sensor  21  or  22 , which is an electromechanical device used to sense the direction and speed of the roller movement. 
     FIGS. 5B and 5C show one method for implementing such a detection system. A disk  24  with a series of small holes  25  is mounted on the roller axle  26 . A photodetection system  27  formed of a light transmitter  27 A and a light receiver  27 B senses each hole  25  as the disk  24  spins. With a proper design of the hole pattern, a detection unit  28  can detect the speed of the roller rotation, the direction and the length. The information about the direction and movement from both the x and y controllers are transferred to the cursor on the view screen. The ratio between the movement of the ball in the x and y direction and the corresponding movement of the cursor in the same directions may be set to suit the specific taste and requirements of the operator. 
     It is noted that while an electromechanical or optomechanical sensor system has been illustrated, an electromechanical system mounted upon the roller axles may be employed, as may any of a variety of purely optical systems. 
     FIGS. 6 a,    6   b  and  6   c —Remote Control Terminal 
     Turning now to FIG. 6 a,  a diagram of an alternate embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. Remote control system  400   a  includes a wireless terminal or remote or electronic controller  414   a.  Remote controller  414   a  includes a housing  101   a  and a keypad or keyboard  106   a  on a face of the controller housing. A cursor pointing device  108   a,  such as those illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, is provided. Cursor pointing device  108   a  controls a cursor  419   a  on video monitor or remote unit  416   a.  Motion sensors and a detection unit (not shown) are provided to convert movement of the cursor pointing device  108   a  into cursor movements on remote unit  416 . 
     Remote controller  414   a  and video monitor  416   a  preferably communicate via a control signal generator  406   a,  such as an infrared signal generator and a lens  409   a  in remote controller  414   a.  The infrared signal is provided to an infrared sensor  418   a  in video monitor  416   a.  The received signals are provided to control circuitry (not shown) which translates the received signals into movements of the cursor  419   a  on the video screen. It is rioted that, while described with respect to infrared signals, a variety of other wireless or wire-connected media are contemplated. 
     Cursor pointing device  108   a  according to the present invention includes an integrated select switch  211   a,  similar to that described above, such that when cursor pointing device  108   a  is depressed, a select function is activated. For example, an area proximate to the cursor on the viewscreen is selected when the switch  211   a  is activated. The area may be representative of letters, or numbers, for example. 
     In addition, a sliding member  110   a  is provided on housing  101   a.  Sliding member  110   a  operates in conjunction with fixed member  112   a  to protect the cursor pointing device when the sliding member is in a first position, and to expose cursor pointing device  108   a  when the sliding member is in a second position. In a preferred embodiment, the cursor pointing device and the sliding member  110   a  are in sliding contact with one another. 
     A biasing member  212   a  is configured to position the cursor pointing device in an active position, relatively higher than the cursor pointing device&#39;s position when inactive, when the sliding member  110   a  is in the second position. Sliding member  110   a  also preferably engages an on-off switch or switch controller  111   a.  When engaged to expose the cursor pointing device to view, the sliding member  110   a  activates on-off switch  111   a  to turn on, or cause power to be provided to, the remote unit  416   a.    
     Turning now to FIG. 6 b,  another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. Remote control system  400   b  includes a computer keyboard or electronic controller  414   b.  Computer keyboard  414   b  includes a housing  101   b  and a keypad or keyboard  106   b  on a face of the controller housing. A cursor pointing device  108   b,  such as that illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, is provided. Cursor pointing device  108   b  controls a cursor  419   b  on video monitor or remote unit  416   b.  Motion sensors and a detection unit (not shown) are provided to convert movement of the cursor pointing device  108   b  into cursor movements on remote unit  416   b.    
     Computer keyboard  414   b  and video monitor  416   b  preferably communicate via a control signal generator  406   b,  such as an infrared signal generator and a lens  409   b  in computer keyboard  414   b.  The infrared signal is provided to an infrared sensor  418   b  in video monitor  416   b.  The received signals are provided to control circuitry (not shown) which translates the received signals into movements of the cursor  419   b  on the video screen. It is noted that, while described with respect to infrared signals, a variety of other wireless or wire-connected media are contemplated, such as serial or parallel bus interfaces. In addition, keyboard  414   b  may be part of a laptop computer. 
     Cursor pointing device  108   b  according to the present invention includes an integrated select switch  211   b,  similar to that described above, such that when cursor pointing device  108   b  is depressed, a select function is activated. In addition, a sliding member  110   b  is provided on housing  101   b.  Sliding member  110   b  operates in conjunction with fixed member  112   b  to protect the cursor pointing device when the sliding member is in a first position, and to expose cursor pointing device  108   b  when the sliding member is in a second position. 
     A biasing member  212   b  is configured to position the cursor pointing device in an active position when the sliding member  110   a  is in the second position. Sliding member  110   b  also preferably engages an on-off switch or switch controller  111   b.  When engaged to expose the cursor pointing device to view, the sliding member  100   b  activates on-off switch  111   b  to turn on, or cause power to be provided to, the remote unit  416   b.    
     It is noted that, while illustrated on a side of keyboard housing  101   b,  cursor pointing device  108   b  and sliding member  110   b  may be positioned on the same face of housing  101   b  as the keyboard itself. For example, the cursor pointing device  108   b  may be positioned below a space key on the keyboard. 
     Turning now to FIG. 6 c,  another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. Electronic controller  414   c  comprises a stand-alone cursor pointing device, such as a trackball or joystick-type controller for a desktop computer. Electronic controller  414   c  includes a housing  101   c.  A cursor pointing device  108   c,  such as that illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, is provided. Cursor pointing device  108   c  controls a cursor on a video monitor (not shown). Motion sensors and a detection unit (riot shown) are provided to convert movement of the cursor pointing device  108   c  into cursor movements on the monitor screen. Again, the controller preferably communicates with a remote unit via a control signal generator  406   c,  which may be an infrared signal generator and a lens  409   c.  However, a variety of other wired or wireless interfaces are contemplated, such as serial or parallel bus interfaces. 
     Cursor pointing device  108   c  according to the present invention includes an integrated select switch  211   c,  similar to that described above, such that when cursor pointing device  108   c  is depressed, a select function is activated. In addition, a sliding member  110   c  is provided on housing  101   c.  Sliding member  110   b  operates in conjunction with fixed member  112   c  to protect the cursor pointing device when the sliding member is in a first position, and to expose cursor pointing device  108   c  when the sliding member is in a second position. 
     A biasing member  212   c  is configured to position the cursor pointing device in an active position when the sliding member  110   c  is in the second position. In one embodiment, sliding member  110   c  also preferably engages an on-off switch or switch controller  111   c.  When engaged to expose the cursor pointing device to view, the sliding member  110   c  activates on-off switch  111   c  to turn on, or cause power to be provided to, the computer. Alternatively, activation of the on-off switch causes the computer to wake from a “sleep” mode. 
     The invention described in the above detailed description is not intended to be limited to the specific form set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications and equivalents as can reasonably be included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.