User input for an electronic device

A user input section for an electronic device including a keypad display, a key, and a sheet member. The keypad display is adapted to change display of indicia on the keypad display between at least two different display modes. The key has a user depressible top section located above the display and a bottom section extending below the display. The sheet member includes a main section and a key support section connected to the main section by a living hinge. The main section is substantially stationarily connected to the keypad display. The key is connected to the key support section such that the key is adapted to move relative to the keypad display and the main section with rotation of the living hinge of the sheet member.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to an electronic device and, more particularly, to components of a user input.

2. Brief Description of Prior Developments

Future product concepts for hand-held portable electronic devices are expected to have multiple modes and orientations of use; creating additional user interface complexity. Conventional keymats in hand-held portable electronic devices, such as mobile telephones for example, are typically designed for use in portrait mode only or landscape mode only. This is a problem when the product is also intended for use in the other mode because the keymat is no longer familiar and intuitive to use. For example, some conventional mobile telephones are able to change from a telephone mode having a portrait orientation of the device in the hand(s) of a user to a camera or movie mode having a landscape orientation of the device in the hand(s) of the user. Current keymats do not change to reflect this change in orientation and change in use modality.

Previous solutions include phone soft keys where the key relates to an on-screen menu choice. A touch screen can be used to provide the user with a changing user interface (UI). Other options have included printing all the alternative graphics onto the keys, but this increases visual complexity and confusion. U.K. Patent Application No. GB 2,396,845A discloses ideas for putting tiny displays into keys. However, this has not become a reality due to technology cost limitations.

There is a desire for a new type of user input section for an electronic device which can display indicia in different orientations, be intuitive for users to use, but also to be cost efficient to manufacture.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a user input section for an electronic device is provided including a keypad display, a key, and a sheet member. The keypad display is adapted to change display of indicia on the keypad display between at least two different display modes. The key has a user depressible top section located above the display and a bottom section extending below the display. The sheet member includes a main section and a key support section connected to the main section by a living hinge. The main section is substantially stationarily connected to the keypad display. The key is connected to the key support section such that the key is adapted to move relative to the keypad display and the main section with rotation of the living hinge of the sheet member.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a user input section for an electronic device is provided comprising a keypad display, a keypad board, and a plurality of keys. The keypad display is adapted to change display of indicia on the keypad display between at least two different display modes. The keypad display has a plurality of spaced display areas. The keypad board has resiliently depressible key domes. The key domes are located beneath the keypad display and are at least partially offset from respective ones of the display areas. The plurality of keys extends above the keypad display and adapted to actuate the key domes when the keys are depressed by a user.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a user input section for an electronic device is provided comprising a keypad display, a keypad board and a plurality of keys. The keypad display is adapted to change display of indicia on the keypad display between at least two different display modes. The keypad display has a plurality of spaced display areas. The keypad board has resiliently depressible key domes. The key domes are located beneath the keypad display. The plurality of keys are adapted to actuate the key domes when the keys are depressed by a user. The keys have top and bottom legs which straddle portions of the keyboard display therebetween.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a user input section for an electronic device is provide comprising a keypad display, a keypad board and a plurality of keys. The keypad display has a plurality of spaced discrete display areas. The keypad board has resiliently depressible key domes. The key domes are located beneath the keypad display and offset from the display areas. The plurality of keys have a top section extending above the keypad display and a bottom section adapted to actuate the key domes when the keys are depressed by a user. Each of the spaced discrete display areas has a first side edge extending in a general first direction and a second side edge extending in a general different second direction. Each of the top sections of the keys has a first section extending generally in the first direction and a second section extending generally in the second direction.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a user input structural support sheet for user input keys is provided comprising a main section adapted to be assembled into a user input of an electronic device in an assembly with a keypad display; and a plurality of key support sections connected to the main section by respective living hinges. The key support sections are adapted to have the user input keys connected thereto to provide pivotable movement of the keys relative to the main section with rotation of the living hinges.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a user input keypad display is provided comprising a plurality of spaced discrete display areas having respective selectively illuminated indicia; and slots in the keypad display forming a plurality of cantilevered fingers. Each of the cantilevered fingers comprises at least a portion of a respective one of the display areas.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring toFIG. 1, there is shown a front view of a conventional hand-held portable electronic device10. The device10shown inFIG. 1is a mobile telephone which includes at least one other non-telephone application; in this embodiment a digital camera application and digital camera components. In alternate embodiments, features of the invention could be used in any suitable hand-held portable electronic device having multiple applications and/or multiple orientations including, for example, a PDA, a gaming device, a video camera, a pager, a music player, and Internet browser, etc.

The device10generally comprises a housing12, a front side with a display14and a user input section16, electronic circuitry18inside the housing and operably coupled to the display14and the user input (UI) section16, and a camera20on a rear side. In this embodiment the electronic circuitry includes, for example, a transceiver, an antenna, a microprocessor, a memory and other components convention to a mobile telephone having a camera.FIG. 1shows the device10in a conventional telephone use orientation. More specifically, the device10has a general rectangular block shape, orientated generally vertically, with the UI section16located below the display14on the front face. As is known in the art, the general shape of the device might be other than rectangular, such as with a changeable configuration device. For example, the device could be a flip-type telephone or a slide-type telephone, or other type of changeable housing configuration design including a design having a rotatable housing member.

The UI section16generally comprises a keypad section22and a control section24. The keypad section22comprises a keypad having conventional keys with alphanumeric indicia for telephone use, such as an ITU-T (International Telecommunication Union-Telecommunication Standardization Sector) keypad for phone dialing. An ITU-T keypad has a keypad layout utilizing twelve keys12. The ITU-T keypad associates letters of the alphabet with the numbers on the keys12of the keypad. By example, the number “2” key carries the letters ABC, the number “3” key carries the letters DEF, etc., as is well known. Other types of letter to number arrangements used in key layouts include those disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0103623 which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. The control section24can include, for example, a joystick, soft keys, and/or dedicated operation keys.

As noted above,FIG. 1shows the device10in a conventional telephone use orientation. The orientation of the indicia on the keys of the keypad section22are orientated for reading in this portrait type of orientation of the device10. However, as shown inFIG. 2, the device10can be re-orientated to a different orientation or use-configuration (in this case a landscape orientation) for viewing of digital camera images on the display14while the device is using the camera application. In this device the display14has a rectangular shape. Thus, the display14is reoriented from its portrait orientation shown inFIG. 1to its landscape orientation shown inFIG. 2for better viewing of the picture images on the display. The indicia on the keypad section22was only designed for use in the portrait mode shown inFIG. 1. This is a problem when the product is used in landscape mode shown inFIG. 2because the keypad section, which is also partially used for the camera (non-telephone) application of the device, is no longer familiar and intuitive to use.

Referring now also toFIGS. 3 and 4, there is shown a different keypad section incorporation features of the invention for use as part of the user input section of the device shown inFIGS. 1 and 2. Although the invention will be described with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings, it should be understood that the invention can be embodied in many alternate forms of embodiments. In addition, any suitable size, shape or type of elements or materials could be used.

The keypad section22′ of the user input section of the device10′ generally comprises a keypad display26, keys or key caps28, and a sheet member30. The display preferably comprises a flexible electronic display. ‘Flexible’ display technologies are relatively young. One of the features of the invention is the proposed use of this young ‘flexible’ display technology to provide a new and improved user interface. However, in an alternate embodiment any suitable type of display could be used.

One type of flexible display can comprise using a reflective PN LCD or TN LCD display on a plastic substrate. The LCDs can be supplied by Citizen Display Co. LTD. This technology is applicable to all the solutions described herein. In one embodiment, a TN LCD is combined with either a flexible EL lamp or thin silicon lightguide and LEDs to provide illumination. In another embodiment, for the PN LCD, front lighting can be provided in which light from LEDs is carried through a mobile telephone cover and clear keycaps to illuminate the display.

The invention provides a mechanical solution to the problem of achieving changing graphics on a keymat of a portable electronic device. The invention can consist of a keymat with changing graphics to simplify complex functionality and problems caused by switching product orientation. The invention is unique as it can combine a single changing graphics display with a conventional keymat that can use offset key domes to achieve button tactility.

FIG. 4shows the keypad display26with all of the indicia indicated. However, in normal use this would not be the case. Instead, the indicia will be selectively displayed on the keypad display26as one of two displayable sets; the first set shown inFIG. 5and the second set shown inFIG. 6. However, in alternate embodiments more than two sets could be provided. One or more of the sets might comprise only one indicia. However, in this embodiment, each set has twelve subsets of multiple indicia in each subset; one subset for each one of the keys28. In this embodiment the keypad display26has a plurality of spaced discrete display areas50. In the portrait orientation of the device, the display areas50are arranged in three columns and four rows. However, any suitable arrangement or pattern of the display areas could be provided. In this embodiment, each display area50has at least one indicia of both of the sets of indicia. However, in an alternate embodiment one or more of the display areas might only have one indicium or indicia of only one of the sets.

FIG. 5shows the keypad display26with the first set of indicia32displayed for a first mode of operation of the device10′. This first mode of operation corresponds to the telephone mode illustrated inFIG. 1wherein the device is generally intended to be used in its portrait orientation. Because the device10′ in this embodiment is intended to be used as a telephone in the portrait orientation, the first set of indicia generally correspond to ITU-T keypad indicia for phone dialing and data entry; orientated for reading when the device is in the portrait orientation shown inFIG. 1.

FIG. 6shows the keypad display26with the second set of indicia34displayed for a second mode of operation of the device10′; or at least a second different orientation of the device. This second mode of operation or orientation corresponds to the use of the device as illustrated inFIG. 2wherein the device is generally intended to be used in its landscape orientation. Because the device10′ in this embodiment is intended to be used as an image viewer in the landscape orientation, the second set of indicia includes digital camera application indicia. In this embodiment the second set of indicia also includes ITU-T keypad indication for phone dialing and data entry; orientated for reading when the device is in the landscape orientation shown inFIG. 2.FIG. 6shows the keypad section rotated 90 degrees relative toFIG. 5to clearly illustrate the reorientation of the device and ability to read the different sets of indicia in the different orientations. The electronic circuitry of the device10′ is adapted to change the set of indicia displayed on the keypad display26based up a user selection of an application, and/or movement of housing sections relative to each other, and/or default setting, etc.

As seen inFIG. 3, the user input section includes a keypad board36which is part of the electronic circuitry. The keypad board36is a printed wiring board having key domes38. The key domes38are resiliently depressible force sensing domes which are adapted to signal depression of one of the keys28by a user. More specifically, each key28has a top section40and a bottom section42. The top section40is located above the keypad display26and is adapted to be contacted by a user's finger and depressed inward as shown by arrows44. The bottom section42of each key28is located on the top surface of a respective one of each key dome38. Thus, depression of the key28inward results in its respective key dome38being actuated. In an alternate embodiment any suitable type of signal switch arrangement could be provided.

In this embodiment the top section40of each key28has a general L shape. The general L shape is formed by a first leg46and a second leg48. When the device10′ is in its portrait orientation, as seen inFIG. 5, the first leg46of each key28is substantially horizontal and the second leg48is substantially vertical. The second legs48of the first and second rows of keys are located to the left of the first and second rows of display areas50. The second legs48of the third rows of keys are located to the right of the display areas50. Each of the spaced discrete display areas has a first side edge extending in a general first direction and a second side edge extending in a general different second direction, wherein each of the top sections of the keys has a first section extending generally in the first direction and a second section extending generally in the second direction. However, in alternate embodiments any suitable shape of the top sections of the keys could be provided. In addition, any suitable orientations of those key top sections relative to the display areas50could be provided.

When the device10′ is in its landscape orientation, as seen inFIG. 6, the first leg46of each key28is substantially vertical and the second leg48is substantially horizontal. The first legs46are all located to the right of the display areas50.

As seen inFIG. 3, portions of the keypad display26are located between portions of the top and bottom sections40,42of each key28. This helps to retain the keys with the keypad display. Referring also toFIG. 7, the sheet member30provides a movable support for the keys28. The sheet member30generally comprises a single metal member. However, in alternate embodiments, the sheet member30could be comprised of multiple members, and may comprise different material(s) such as a shape memory alloy or superelastic material, such as NITINOL for example.

The sheet member30is located above the keypad display26. The sheet member30comprises apertures52which form windows to allow a user to see the display areas50of the keypad display26. The sheet member30also comprises apertures54for each one of the keys28. Portions of the keys28are able to extend through the apertures54between the top section40and the bottom section42of the keys. As seen best in the partial, enlarged view ofFIG. 8, proximate each aperture54the sheet member30also has two slits56,58. The first slit56extends between the two apertures52,54. The second slit58extends from the aperture54along an extension60. This forms cantilevered arms62extending from a main portion64of the sheet member30to ends66of the arms at each of the apertures54. The arms62have a general C shape except at the bottom row of arms.

The top sections40of the keys28are located on top of the sheet member30on the arms62. The arms62are able to resiliently deflect inward, in a general cantilever fashion, when a user depresses the keys28inward. The sheet member30forms a user input structural support sheet for the user input keys28. The main section30is adapted to be assembled into a user input of an electronic device in an assembly with the keypad display26. The arms62form a plurality of key support sections. The arms62also form respective living hinges with the main section64. This provides pivotable movement of the keys relative to the main section with rotation of the living hinges (deflection of the arms62).

In this embodiment the key domes38are located under the second legs48of the keys28. This is offset from beneath the display areas50. When the user presses against one of the second legs48to actuate a key, its respective key dome38is actuated. Because of the attachment of the keys28to the main portion64of the sheet member30by the living hinges, when the user presses against one of the first legs46to actuate a key, its respective key dome38is also actuated; even though it is at least partially offset from beneath the first leg46.

The sheet member30is connected to the keypad display; at least indirectly if not directly. The keypad display26is preferably at least partially a reflective display. As noted above, the sheet member30is located above the keypad display26. The sheet member comprises a bottom surface forming a light reflection surface for reflecting light onto the keypad display. Thus, in addition to forming a support for the keys28, the sheet member also forms a light reflector for the reflective keypad display. However, in an alternate embodiment, the sheet member might not form a keypad display reflector.

Referring also toFIGS. 9-10, an alternate embodiment of the device is shown. In this embodiment the device70has a user input section with a keypad assembly72comprising a keypad display78, keys or key caps74, and a keypad board76. The keypad display78preferably comprises a flexible electronic display. The keypad board76is a printed circuit board with key domes38. The key domes38are resiliently depressible force sensing domes which are adapted to signal depression of one of the keys74by a user. As seen best inFIG. 10, the keys74have a general ring or loop shape with a top section80and a bottom section82. The keypad display78has a plurality of spaced discrete display areas50having respective selectively illuminated indicia. The keypad display78also has slots in the keypad display forming a plurality of cantilevered fingers84. Each of the cantilevered fingers84comprises at least a portion of a respective one of the display areas50.

The slots in the keypad display78allow the keys74to be mounted on the fingers84of the keypad display78. More specifically, the fingers84are received in the center apertures86of the general ring shaped keys74. When a user depresses one of the keys74, the bottom sections82depresses its respective the key dome38, and the finger84can move freely relative with the key74in the center aperture86.

Referring also toFIGS. 11-12, another alternate embodiment of the device is shown. In this embodiment the device90has a user input section with a keypad assembly92comprising a keypad display98, a keymat94, and a keypad board76. The keypad display98preferably comprises a flexible electronic display. The keypad board76is a printed circuit board with key domes38. The key domes38are resiliently depressible force sensing domes which are adapted to signal depression of one of the key sections of the keymat94by a user. The key domes38are located directly under the key sections and the display areas50of the keypad display98.

In the embodiment shown inFIG. 12, a plunger sheet100is provided between the bottom of the keypad display98and the key domes38. In a preferred embodiment the plunger sheet100is a silicon plunger sheet. In alternate embodiments more than one sheet could be provided, and the sheet could be comprised of any suitable material(s). Alternatively, the plunger sheet might not be provided. The sheet100forms a stopper sheet which prolongs the life of the keypad display by spreading the force when pressing the dome through the flexible display98, and it prevents mis-selection of surrounding keys when pressing hard. For example pressing the number “5” key hard could otherwise also press the domes38of number “8” key and number “2” key. The stopper sheet100prevents damage to the keypad display.

In the embodiment shown inFIG. 12the keymat94has keycaps104which are held on a clear carrier sheet102that overlays the display98. However, the carrier sheet102might not be provided, or could be provided on top of the keycaps104. Alternatively, the keycaps104could be bonded to the display98. In the embodiment shown, and referring toFIG. 13, a method of assembling a user input keypad and display assembly can comprise providing a keypad board having resiliently deflectable key domes as indicated by block106; locating a silicon plunger sheet on the key domes as indicated by block108; locating a flexible keypad display on the silicon plunger sheet as indicated by block110; and locating a keymat on the flexible keypad display as indicated by block112, wherein the keymat comprises keycaps and a carrier sheet connecting the keycaps to each other. The steps could be in any suitable order or perhaps together. Similar steps could be used to assemble the other embodiments described herein.

The examples described above illustrate three ways of implementing the concept of a changing graphical keymat. The first embodiment described above includes the structural use of a thin flexible metal sheet member as a living key hinge and light reflector. This embodiment also provides a method for front lighting the reflective display and illustrated the concept of offsetting key domes with a hinged key cap design. In the first embodiment, the invention can use a thin film (electrophoretic) flexible display sandwiched between the keymat and the printed circuit board (PCB). The display is visible through or around the keys and provides all the graphical information. The key caps or keys actuate the key domes by bridging the display and connecting to offset domes. The concept of using offset key domes within the context of a changing graphical keymat allows a much larger display area and a greater amount of information to be visible to the user. The use of offset domes also isolates any forces, generated by pressing the keys, away from the display helping reliability and display life.

As shown in the second embodiment (FIGS. 9-10), the keys can also actuate the key domes using key caps that ‘straddle’ the display which passes through the center. An alternative solution as shown in the third embodiment (FIGS. 11-12) is to press directly through the display to actuate the key domes. This solution is the most simple, but does not isolate the input forces. The concept of a changing graphical keymat is very desirable and the advantages of this invention both to the manufacturer and the end users are clear.

Future hand-held portable electronic devices are expected to have multiple modes and orientations of use; creating additional user interface complexity. Conventional keymats are typically designed for use in portrait mode only. This is a problem when the product is also intended for use in landscape as the keymat is no longer familiar and intuitive to use. Products change to camera or movie modes, current keymats do not change to reflect this.

The invention can consist of a keymat with changing graphics to simplify complex functionality and problems caused by switching product orientation. The invention can combine a single changing graphics display with a conventional keymat that can use offset key domes to achieve button tactility. The first two embodiments solve issues with current thin displays, including designs to prevent damage to the displays from pressing through them. The first embodiment shows a solution using a novel hinge mechanism which allows a key cap to straddle the U shaped display. The second embodiment shows a solution to isolate all the pressing forces away from the finger display. The invention also covers the display of icons in both landscape and portrait orientation, and the display of hidden keymat functions (camera, music, movies etc). The different sets of indicia could be shown based merely upon the mode of the device. The different sets of indicia do not need to have different orientations. They could have the same orientation. For example, showing a first set of telephone key indicia when the device is in a telephone mode, showing a second set of digital camera key indicia when the device is in a digital camera mode, and showing gaming key indicia when the device is in a gaming mode. The first and second sets could be in a first orientation while the third set is in a second orientation; or all three could be in the same orientation. This are merely examples and should not be considered as limiting.

The solution in the second embodiment differs because there is only one display which is split into fingers that pass through hollow key caps.

U.K. Patent Application No. GB 2,396,845A have individual displays inside each key. It has been demonstrated that the solution inFIGS. 3-8is possible using flexible displays on plastic substrates. This is because complex profiles and cut through can be achieved and the display flexes when the key cap is pressed. The sheet member in the first embodiment provides a mechanical solution for a functional individual key graphical changing keymat.