Proximity sensor for a graphical user interface navigation button

A display device comprises a display screen, a graphical user interface navigation button and a proximity sensor including an infrared radiation emitter, an infrared radiation sensor and an infrared radiation source differentiator. The infrared radiation emitter emits a navigation infrared radiation. The infrared radiation sensor is positioned relative to the infrared radiation emitter to sense a reflection of the navigation infrared radiation in a navigation direction corresponding to the infrared radiation sensor. The infrared radiation source differentiator is in electrical communication with the infrared radiation sensor to provide a navigation mode signal indicative of at least one of a sensing by the infrared radiation sensor of a reflection of the navigation infrared radiation in the navigation direction corresponding to the infrared radiation sensor by a navigation object proximate the infrared radiation emitter and the infrared radiation sensor, and a sensing by the infrared radiation sensor of ambient infrared radiation emitted by an infrared radiation source other than the infrared radiation sensor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Currently, most of the commercially available hand-phones use a stick-type navigation button to control and navigate a graphical user interface of the hand-phone as displayed on its display screen. This well known stick-type navigation button is a mechanical based mechanism that is subject to wear and tear in dependence upon the degree of force exerted on the stick-type navigation button by a user of the hand-phone. What is therefore needed is a new and unique navigation button for hand-phones and the like that is less sensitive to wear and tear by a user of the device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a new and unique proximity sensor based navigation button that provides significant advantages over the mechanical stick-type navigation buttons known in the art.

In a first form of the present invention, a proximity sensor for facilitating an operation of a graphical user interface navigation button comprises an infrared radiation emitter, an infrared radiation sensor and an infrared radiation source differentiator. The infrared radiation emitter emits a navigation infrared radiation. The infrared radiation sensor is positioned relative to the infrared radiation emitter to sense a reflection of the navigation infrared radiation in a navigation direction corresponding to the infrared radiation sensor. The infrared radiation source differentiator is operable to provide a navigation mode signal indicative of at least one of a sensing by the infrared radiation sensor of a reflection of the navigation infrared radiation sensor in the navigation direction corresponding to the infrared radiation sensor by a navigation object proximate the infrared radiation emitter and the infrared, and a sensing by the infrared radiation sensor of ambient infrared radiation emitted by an infrared radiation source other than the infrared radiation sensor. An operation of the graphical user interface navigation button is facilitated by the proximity sensor in response to the navigation mode signal indicating at least a sensing by the infrared radiation sensor of the reflection of the navigation infrared radiation sensor in the navigation direction corresponding to the infrared radiation sensor by the navigation object.

In a second form of the present invention, a graphical user interface navigation system comprises a graphical user interface navigation button for facilitating a navigation of a graphical user interface and a proximity sensor for facilitating an operation of the graphical user interface navigation button. The proximity sensor includes an infrared radiation emitter, an infrared radiation sensor and an infrared radiation source differentiator. The infrared radiation emitter emits a navigation infrared radiation. The infrared radiation sensor is positioned relative to the infrared radiation emitter to sense a reflection of the navigation infrared radiation in a navigation direction corresponding to the infrared radiation sensor. The infrared radiation source differentiator is operable to provide a navigation mode signal indicative of at least one of a sensing by the infrared radiation sensor of a reflection of the navigation infrared radiation sensor in the navigation direction corresponding to the infrared radiation sensor by a navigation object proximate the infrared radiation emitter and the infrared radiation sensor, and a sensing by the infrared radiation sensor of ambient infrared radiation emitted by an infrared radiation source other than the infrared radiation sensor. An operation of the graphical user interface navigation button is facilitated by the proximity sensor in response to the navigation mode signal indicating at least a sensing by the infrared radiation sensor of the reflection of the navigation infrared radiation sensor in the navigation direction corresponding to the infrared radiation sensor by the navigation object.

A third form of the present invention is a display device comprising a display screen, a graphical user interface navigation button and a proximity sensor. The display screen displays a graphical user interface. The graphical user interface navigation button facilitates a navigation of the graphical user interface by a user of the display device. The proximity sensor facilitates an operation of the graphical user interface navigation button. The proximity sensor includes an infrared radiation emitter, an infrared radiation sensor and an infrared radiation source differentiator. The infrared radiation emitter emits a navigation infrared radiation. The infrared radiation sensor is positioned relative to the infrared radiation emitter to sense a reflection of the navigation infrared radiation in a navigation direction corresponding to the infrared radiation sensor. The infrared radiation source differentiator is operable to provide a navigation mode signal indicative of at least one of a sensing by the infrared radiation sensor of a reflection of the navigation infrared radiation sensor in the navigation direction corresponding to the infrared radiation sensor by a navigation object proximate the infrared radiation emitter and the infrared radiation sensor, and a sensing by the infrared radiation sensor of ambient infrared radiation emitted by an infrared radiation source other than the infrared radiation sensor. An operation of the graphical user interface navigation button is facilitated by the proximity sensor in response to the navigation mode signal indicating at least a sensing by the infrared radiation sensor of the reflection of the navigation infrared radiation sensor in the navigation direction corresponding to the infrared radiation sensor by the navigation object.

The aforementioned forms and other forms as well as objects and advantages of the present invention will become further apparent from the following detailed description of the various embodiments of the present invention read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The detailed description and drawings are merely illustrative of the invention rather than limiting, the scope of the present invention being defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

FIG. 1illustrates a proximity sensor of the present invention for facilitating a navigation via a graphical user interface navigation button of graphical user interfaces of various display devices including, but not limited to, a hand-held phone of any type. The proximity sensor employs an infrared radiation emitter30structurally configured to emit a navigation infrared radiation (e.g., a light emitting diode) and an infrared radiation sensor40structurally configured to be sensitive to the navigation infrared radiation (e.g., a photodiode). In operation, infrared radiation emitter30continuously or periodically emits a navigation infrared radiation whereby any reflection of the emitted navigation infrared radiation in a navigation direction corresponding to infrared radiation sensor40(e.g., up, down, left, right or some combination thereof) by a navigation object20proximate infrared radiation emitter30and infrared radiation sensor40(e.g., a thumb or a finger of a person trying to navigate a graphical user interface) is sensed by infrared radiation sensor40, which emits an infrared sensing signal IIRS(1)indicative of a proximate degree of navigation object20to infrared radiation emitter30and infrared radiation sensor40.

As would be appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art, the infrared radiation sensitivity of infrared radiation sensor40facilitates a sensing of ambient infrared radiation within ambient light surrounding the proximity sensor from one or more infrared radiation sources other than infrared radiation emitter30. For example, as shown inFIG. 1, a sun21emits infrared radiation within sunlight that can be ambient to infrared radiation sensor40during the daytime whereby infrared radiation sensor40will emit an infrared sensing signal IIRS(2)in response to sensing the ambient infrared radiation from sun21. Also by example, as shown inFIG. 1, an infrared communication device22(e.g., a hand-held phone or a personal data assistant) can emit data in the form of infrared radiation that is directed toward infrared radiation sensor40, intentionally or inadvertently, whereby infrared radiation sensor40will emit an infrared sensing signal IIRS(3)in response to sensing ambient infrared radiation from device22. Thus, at any given moment, infrared radiation sensor40will be emitting one or more of the infrared signals IIRSin dependence upon the source(s) of infrared radiation being sensed by infrared radiation sensor40.

To properly navigate a graphical user interface via the graphical user interface navigation button, it is essential that an emission by infrared radiation sensor40of infrared sensing signal IIRS(1)be differentiated from an emission by infrared radiation sensor40of infrared sensing signal IIRS(2)and an emission by infrared radiation sensor40of infrared sensing signal IIRS(3). To this end, the proximity sensor further employs a infrared radiation source differentiator50structurally configured to filter infrared sensing signals IIRS(2)and infrared sensing signal IIRS(3)to a suitable degree to thereby emit a navigation mode signal in the form of either a navigation enable mode signal VNEMor a navigation disable mode signal VNDMfor respectively enabling or disabling a navigation of a graphical user interface via the graphical user interface navigation button.

In one embodiment of infrared radiation source differentiator50, navigation enable mode signal VNEMis indicative of an exclusive emission by infrared radiation sensor40of infrared sensing signal IIRS(1), and navigation disable mode signal VNDMis indicative of an emission by infrared radiation sensor40of infrared sensing signal IIRS(2)and/or infrared sensing signal IIRS(3)inclusive or exclusive of an emission by infrared radiation sensor40of infrared sensing signal IIRS(1).

In an alternate embodiment of infrared radiation source differentiator50, navigation enable mode signal VNEMis indicative of an emission by infrared radiation sensor40of infrared sensing signal IIRS(1)inclusive or exclusive of an emission by infrared radiation sensor40of infrared sensing signal IIRS(2)and/or infrared sensing signal IIRS(3), and navigation disable mode signal VNDMis indicative of an exclusive emission by infrared radiation sensor40of infrared sensing signal IIRS(2)and/or infrared sensing signal IIRS(3).

In practice, infrared radiation source differentiator50can also be structurally configured to emit navigation disable mode signal VNDMas being further indicative of emission by infrared radiation sensor40of an additional infrared sensing signal from any additional source of ambient infrared radiation. Also in practice, the structural configurations of infrared radiation emitter30, infrared radiation sensor40and infrared radiation source differentiator50are dependent upon how the present invention is incorporated in a graphical user interface based display device. Thus, the following descriptions of one embodiment of infrared radiation emitter30, infrared radiation sensor40and infrared radiation source differentiator50as shown inFIGS. 2-4does not limit nor restrict the scope of structural configurations for infrared radiation emitter30, infrared radiation sensor40and infrared radiation source differentiator50in accordance with the various inventive principles of the present invention.

Referring toFIGS. 2-4, an embodiment130of infrared radiation emitter30(FIG. 1) includes a light emitting diode131and a pulse generator132operating light emitting diode131to emit pulses of navigation infrared radiation at a pre-defined infrared pulsing frequency. An embodiment of41of infrared radiation sensor40(FIG. 1) includes a photodiode141and a current generator142operating photodiode141to emit infrared sensing signal IIRSin dependence upon the source or sources of any infrared radiation sensed by photodiode141.

An embodiment150of infrared radiation source differentiator50includes a current-to-voltage converter151, a buffer152, a bandpass filter153and a comparator154. Current-to-voltage converter151receives and converts an emission of an infrared sensing signal IIRSfrom photodiode141into an infrared sensing signal VIRSthat is buffered by buffer152. Buffered infrared sensing signal VBIRis filtered by bandpass filter153to yield a filtered infrared sensing signal VFIRthat is compared to a reference threshold of comparator154. The comparison of the filtered infrared sensing signal VFIRto the reference threshold results in an enabling of a navigation mode of a graphical user interface navigation button via navigation enabling mode signal VNEMor a disabling of a navigation mode of a graphical user interface navigation button via navigation enabling mode signal VNDM.

Specifically, as shown inFIG. 2, a conversion factor of converter151, cut-off frequencies of bandpass filter153and the reference threshold of comparator154are designed to yield an emission of navigation enabling mode signal VNEMby comparator154in response to a sensing by photodiode141of the navigation infrared radiation pulses emitted by light emitting diode131as reflected by navigation object20. Conversely, as shown inFIG. 3, the conversion factor of converter151, the cut-off frequencies of bandpass filter153and the reference threshold of comparator154are designed to yield an emission of navigation disabling mode signal VNDMby comparator154in response to a sensing by photodiode141of the ambient infrared radiation within sunlight from sun21.

Similarly, as shown inFIG. 4, the conversion factor of converter151, the cut-off frequencies of bandpass filter153and the reference threshold of comparator154are designed to yield an emission of navigation disabling mode signal VNDMby comparator154in response to a sensing by photodiode141of the ambient infrared radiation data pulses from device22. Additionally, the conversion factor of converter151, the cut-off frequencies of bandpass filter153and the reference threshold of comparator154can be designed to yield an emission of navigation disabling mode signal VNDMby comparator154in response to a sensing by photodiode141of any other emission source of ambient infrared radiation as would be appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art.

In practice, the structural configurations of infrared radiation emitter130, infrared radiation sensor140and infrared radiation source differentiator150are dependent upon how the present invention is incorporated in a graphical user interface based display device. Thus, the following descriptions of one embodiment of infrared radiation emitter130, infrared radiation sensor140and infrared radiation source differentiator150as shown inFIG. 5does not limit or restrict the scope of structural configurations for infrared radiation emitter130, infrared radiation sensor140and infrared radiation source differentiator150in accordance with the various inventive principles of the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 5, an embodiment230of infrared radiation emitter130(FIGS. 2-4) includes a voltage source232and a resistor R1for applying a voltage to a light emitting diode231, and a voltage pulsing source233and a transistor Q1for operating light emitting diode231to emit navigation infrared radiation pulses at a pulsing frequency of pulsing source233.

An embodiment240of infrared radiation sensor140(FIGS. 2-4) includes a photodiode241and a voltage biasing source242for operating photodiode241to facilitate a flow of an infrared sensing current IIRSfrom source242through photodiode241to a node N1in response to a sensing of an infrared radiation by photodiode241.

An embodiment250of infrared radiation source differentiator150(FIGS. 2-4) includes a current-to-voltage converter in the form of a resistor load R2connected between node N1and ground to thereby yield an application of infrared sensing voltage VIRSat node N1. Infrared radiation source differentiator250further includes a buffer in the form of a comparator op-amp U1having its non-inverting input (+) connected to node N1and its inverting input (−) connected its output via a node N2to thereby yield an application of buffered infrared sensing voltage VBIRat node N2.

Infrared radiation source differentiator250further includes a band-pass filter in the form of a resistor R3connected to node N2and a node N3, a capacitor C1connected to node N3and a node N6, a capacitor C2connected to node N3and a node N4, a resistor R4connected to node N4and a node N5, a capacitor C3connected to node N2and node N5, and a resistor R5connected to node N5and node N6to thereby yield an application of filtered infrared sensing voltage VFIRat node N6.

Infrared radiation source differentiator250further includes a comparator in the form of a comparator op amp U2having its non-inverting input (+) connected to node N6and its inverting input (−) connected to a reference voltage VREFto thereby yield an application of navigation mode voltage VNMat its output.

In operation, the electric resistivity of resistors R2-R5, the capacitance of capacitors C1-C3and reference voltage VREFare designed to yield an emission by comparative op-amp U2of navigation mode voltage VNMas navigation enabling mode signal VNEMin response to a sensing by photodiode241of the navigation infrared radiation pulses emitted by light emitting diode231as reflected by a navigation object (e.g., navigation object20shown inFIGS. 1 and 2). Conversely, the electric resistivity of resistors R2-R5, the capacitance of capacitors C1-C3and reference voltage VREFare designed to yield an emission by comparative op-amp U2of navigation mode voltage VNMas navigation disabling mode signal VNDMin response to a sensing by photodiode241of the ambient infrared radiation pulses within sunlight emitted by the sun.

Similarly, the electric resistivity of resistors R2-R5, the capacitance of capacitors C1-C3and reference voltage VREFare designed to yield an emission by comparative op-amp U2of navigation mode voltage VNMas navigation disabling mode signal VNDMin response to a sensing by photodiode241of the ambient infrared radiation data pulses from an infrared communication device (e.g., device22shown inFIGS. 1 and 4). Additionally, the electric resistivity of resistors R2-R5, the capacitance of capacitors C1-C3and reference voltage VREFcan be designed to yield an emission of navigation mode voltage VNMby comparative op-amp U2as navigation disabling mode signal VNDMin response to a sensing by photodiode241of any other emission source of ambient infrared radiation as would be appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art.

To facilitate a further understanding of the present invention,FIG. 5will now be described in the context of resistor R2being 100 kΩ, resistors R3and R5being 2.0 kΩ, resistor R4being 2.7 kΩ, capacitors C1and C3being 0.1 μf, capacitor C2being 0.2 μf, comparators U1and U2being AD820/AD op-amps and reference voltage being 1 volt. In this context, as shown inFIG. 6, the bypass filter exhibits a peak frequency of 500 Hz that is identical to the pulsing frequency of source143, cut-off frequencies of 132 Hz and 2.34 kHz at −3 db, and cut-off frequencies of 81 Hz and 4.04 kHz at −6 db.

FIG. 7illustrates a table listing six (6) basic operational scenarios for facilitating a further understanding of the present invention as illustrated inFIG. 5. Referring toFIGS. 5 and 7, a first scenario involves a sensing mode of theFIG. 5system being powered off whereby photodiode241is inoperable to sense any type of infrared radiation. The result is a low logic state VLLfor the navigation mode voltage VNM.

The second and third scenarios involve a sensing mode of theFIG. 5system being powered on whereby photodiode241is operable to sense navigation infrared radiation pulses being emitted by light emitting diode231with a 100 μs pulse width for a 2 ms period as reflected by a navigation object to photodiode241. The second scenario further involves photodiode241emitting infrared sensed current IIRSwith pulses at 2 μA with a 100 μs pulse width for a 2 ms period, and the third scenario further involves photodiode241emitting infrared sensed current IIRSwith pulses at 35 μA with a 100 μs pulse width for a 2 ms period. This is due to a continuous filter passing of a pulsing buffered infrared sensing voltage VBIRthat is continually compared to reference voltage VREF. In either case, result is an emission by comparator U2of navigation mode voltage VNMwith pulses at VLH-VLLwith a 100 μs pulse width for a 2 ms period. Those having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate the differential in the infrared sensed current IIRSbetween the second scenario and the third scenario is a function of the sensing of the reflection by the navigation object of the navigation infrared radiation pulses being emitted by light emitted diode231being stronger in the third scenario as opposed to the second scenario. Those having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate the pulse amplitude of the infrared sensed current IIRScan be indicative of how close the navigation object is to light emitting diode231and photodiode241.

The fourth scenario involves a sensing mode of theFIG. 5system being powered on whereby photodiode241is operable to sense ambient infrared radiation within sunlight and emit infrared sensed current IIRSat 35 μA as indication of the sensing of the ambient infrared radiation within sunlight. The result is an emission by comparator U2of navigation mode voltage VNMwith a single pulse at VLH-VLLdue to the an initial filter passing of a ramping buffered infrared sensing voltage VBIRthat is compared to reference voltage VREFand a subsequent filter blocking of the ramping buffered infrared sensing voltage VBIRas would be appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art.

The fifth scenario involves a sensing mode of theFIG. 5system being powered on whereby photodiode241is operable to sense ambient infrared radiation pulses within sunlight as well as ambient infrared radiation data pulses from an infrared communication device at 100 μA with a 1.6 μs pulse width for a 8.7 ms period whereby photodiode241emits infrared sensed current IIRSconsisting of 35 μA as indication of the sensing by photodiode241of the ambient infrared radiation within sunlight and pulses at 100 μA with a 1.6 μs pulse width for a 8.7 ms period as an indication of the sensing by photodiode241of the ambient infrared radiation data pulses. Again, the result is an emission by comparator U2of navigation mode voltage VNMwith a single pulse at VLH-VLLdue an initial filter passing of a ramping buffered infrared sensing voltage VBIRthat is compared to reference voltage VREFand a subsequent filter blocking of the ramping buffered infrared sensing voltage VBIRas would be appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art.

The sixth scenario involves a sensing mode of theFIG. 5system being powered on whereby photodiode241is operable to sense ambient infrared radiation data pulses from an infrared communication device at 100 μA with a 1.6 μs pulse width for a 8.7 ms period whereby photodiode241emits infrared sensed current IIRSwith pulses at 100 μA with a 1.6 μs pulse width for a 8.7 ms period as an indication of the ambient infrared radiation data pulses. The result is an emission by comparator U2of navigation mode voltage VNMat a voltage logic low VLLdue to a filter blocking of the buffered infrared sensing voltage VBIRas would be appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art.

The aforementioned basic operational scenarios help to serve as a platform to simulate more complex operational scenarios as exemplary shown inFIGS. 8-13.

Specifically,FIG. 8illustrates an exemplary simulation of infrared sensing voltage VIRS, buffered infrared sensed voltage VBIR, filtered infrared sensed voltage VFIR, and navigation mode voltage VNMderived from the second and third scenarios listed in the table ofFIG. 7. In this scenario, photodiode241is additionally sensing a small degree of ambient infrared radiation within the sunlight that increases infrared sensing current by an 0.5 μA that has no significant effect on the pulsing of buffered infrared sensed voltage VBIRand navigation mode voltage VNMin accordance with the insignificant pulsing of the infrared sensing voltage VIRS.

FIG. 9illustrates an exemplary simulation of infrared sensing voltage VIRS, buffered infrared sensed voltage VBIR, filtered infrared sensed voltage VFIR, and navigation mode voltage VNMderived from the second, third and fourth scenarios listed in the table ofFIG. 7. In this scenario, photodiode241is sensing a large degree of ambient infrared radiation within the sunlight 0.5 ms prior to sensing the reflected navigation infrared radiation from light emitting diode231whereby infrared sensing current IIRSis increased by 1.5 μA. This 1.5 μA increase prevents a pulsing of buffered infrared sensed voltage VBIRand navigation mode voltage VNMin accordance with the pulsing of the infrared sensing voltage VIRS. As shown, buffered infrared sensed voltage VBIRand navigation mode voltage VNMwill only be pulsed one time whereby the band-pass filter will be completely discharged within 5 ms of buffered infrared sensed voltage VBIRreaching its peak ramp voltage.

FIG. 10illustrates an exemplary simulation of infrared sensing voltage VIRS, buffered infrared sensed voltage VBIR, filtered infrared sensed voltage VFIR, and navigation mode voltage VNMalso derived from the second, third and fourth scenarios listed in the table ofFIG. 7. In this scenario, photodiode241is additionally sensing a large degree of ambient infrared radiation within the sunlight 0.5 ms after sensing the reflected navigation infrared radiation from light emitting diode231. Again, this 1.5 μA increase prevents a pulsing of buffered infrared sensed voltage VBIRand navigation mode voltage VNMin accordance with the pulsing of the infrared sensing voltage VIRS. As shown, buffered infrared sensed voltage VBIRand navigation mode voltage VNMwill only be pulsed one time whereby the band-pass filter will be completely discharged within 5 ms of buffered infrared sensed voltage VBIRreaching its peak ramp voltage.

FIG. 11illustrates an exemplary simulation of infrared sensing voltage VIRS, buffered infrared sensed voltage VBIR, filtered infrared sensed voltage VFIR, and navigation mode voltage VNMalso derived from the second, third and fourth scenarios listed in the table ofFIG. 7. In this scenario, photodiode241is sensing an even larger degree of ambient infrared radiation within the sunlight 0.5 ms prior to sensing the reflected navigation infrared radiation from light emitting diode231whereby infrared sensing current IIRSis increased by 40 μA. This 40 μA increase prevents a continual pulsing of buffered infrared sensed voltage VBIRand navigation mode voltage VNMin accordance with the pulsing of the infrared sensing voltage VIRS. As shown, buffered infrared sensed voltage VBIRand navigation mode voltage VNMwill be pulsed twice whereby the band-pass filter will be completely discharged within 5 ms of buffered infrared sensed voltage VBIRreaching its peak ramp voltage.

FIG. 12illustrates an exemplary simulation of infrared sensing voltage VIRS, buffered infrared sensed voltage VBIR, filtered infrared sensed voltage VFIR, and navigation mode voltage VNMalso derived from the fifth and sixth scenarios listed in the table ofFIG. 7. In this scenario, photodiode241sense a large degree of ambient infrared radiation within the sunlight 0.5 ms prior to sensing ambient infrared radiation data pulses from an infrared communication device whereby infrared sensing current IIRSis ramped to 40 μA. As shown, the sensing of the ambient infrared radiation data pulses prior to the sensing of the ambient infrared radiation within sunlight prevented any pulsing of buffered infrared sensed voltage VBIRand navigation mode voltage VNM. Buffered infrared sensed voltage VBIRand navigation mode voltage VNMare nonetheless pulsed once upon a sensing of the infrared radiation within the sunlight whereby the band-pass filter completely discharges within 5 ms of buffered infrared sensed voltage VBIRreaching its peak ramp voltage.

FIG. 13illustrates an exemplary simulation of infrared sensing voltage VIRS, buffered infrared sensed voltage VBIR, filtered infrared sensed voltage VFIR, and navigation mode voltage VNMderived from the sixth scenario listed in the table ofFIG. 7. In this scenario, photodiode241senses infrared radiation data pulses from an infrared communication device whereby infrared sensing current IIRSis pulses at 40 μA with a 20 μs pulse within 104 μs with an insignificant amount of ambient infrared radiation within sunlight being sensed by photodiode241. As shown, the sensing of the ambient infrared radiation data pulses without any significant sensing of infrared radiation within sunlight prevents any pulsing of buffered infrared sensed voltage VBIRand navigation mode voltage VNM.

From the description herein ofFIGS. 1-13, those having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate the numerous advantages of a graphical user interface navigation system of the present invention within a graphical user interface based display device of any type (e.g., a hand phone, a personal data assistant and the like). Specifically, a graphical user interface navigation system of the present invention can include an X number of infrared radiation emitters30(FIG. 1), a Y number of infrared radiation sensors40(FIG. 1) and a Z number of infrared radiation source differentiators50(FIG. 1), where X≧1, Y≧1, Z≧1, Y≧X, and Y≧Z. Each infrared radiation sensor40is designated with a navigation direction, such as for, example, up, down, left, right, up-left, up-right, down-left and down-right. Each infrared radiation source differentiator50includes a N number of infrared radiation sensor inputs and a M number of navigation mode outputs, wherein N≦Y and M≦Y.

For example, assuming eight (8) infrared radiation sensors40, a single infrared radiation source differentiator50can input infrared sensing signals from all eight (8) infrared radiation sensors40and output eight (8) or fewer navigation mode signals. In the case of seven (7) or fewer navigation mode signals, the infrared navigation source differentiator50can employ logic circuitry that logically mixes the eight (8) inputted infrared sensing signals, eight (8) or fewer buffered infrared sensing signals, eight (8) or fewer filtered infrared sensing signals or the resulting eight (8) or fewer navigation mode signals in a pre-scribed manner that retains, if not enhances, the source differentiation functions of the infrared navigation source differentiator50.

The following description of one embodiment of a hand-held phone incorporating a graphical user interface navigation system of the present invention as shown inFIGS. 14 and 15therefore does not limit or restrict the scope of structural configurations of a graphical user interface navigation system of the present invention and does not limit or restrict the types of display devices applicable to the present invention

Referring toFIGS. 14 and 15, a hand-held phone60employs a display screen61, a key pad62and a graphical user interface navigation system of the present invention employing a navigation button63and a proximity sensor including a light emitting diode64, eight (8) photodiodes65, an infrared radiation source differentiator66and a microcontroller67. Key pad62and navigation button63are mechanically coupled to microcontroller67via push switches as shown. An internal view of navigation button63is shown inFIG. 14as having light emitting diode64and the photodiodes65strategically positioned around light emitting diode64, which is shielded to prevent any crosstalk between light emitting diode64and the photodiodes65. Externally, navigation button63will have a cap (not shown) that graphically shows an up arrow, a down arrow, a right arrow and a left arrow to facilitate a manipulation of navigation button63.

Microcontroller67controls a pulsating emission of infrared radiation pulses by light emitting diode64in the plurality of arrow directions of the navigation button63, and photodiodes65collectively provide eight (8) infrared sensing signals to both infrared radiation source differentiator66and microcontroller67. In turn, infrared radiation source differentiator66provides eight (8) navigation mode signals to microcontroller67whereby microcontroller67processes the eight (8) navigation mode signals to determine whether or not to navigate a graphical user interface displayed on display screen61in accordance with the eight (8) infrared sensing signals received by microcontroller67from photodiodes65. To this end, microcontroller67implements a method for ascertaining when the eight (8) navigation mode signals are collectively indicating the need to navigate a graphical user interface displayed on display screen61in accordance with the eight (8) infrared sensing signals received by microcontroller67from photodiodes65. This is particular important in view of the random natures of a transitioning between an enabling indication and a disabling indication by each of the eight (8) navigation mode signals from infrared radiation source differentiator66.

FIG. 16illustrates a flowchart70indicative of one embodiment of an operational mode determination method in accordance with the present invention. A stage S72of flowchart70encompasses microcontroller67counting the number of pulses in each of the eight (8) navigation mode signals received from infrared radiation source differentiator66within a time period T, and a stage S74of flowchart70encompasses microcontroller67comparing a pulse count to an enablement threshold. In one embodiment, stage S74is performed on a total count basis of all pulses among the navigation mode signals whereby microcontroller67proceeds to a stage S76of flowchart70to read in intensities of the eight (8) infrared sensing signals if the total count basis exceeds the enablement threshold. Otherwise, microcontroller67proceeds to a stage S76of flowchart70to ignore the intensities of the eight (8) infrared sensing signals if the total count basis fails to exceed the enablement threshold.

In a second embodiment, stage S74is performed on an individual basis for each navigation mode signal whereby microcontroller67proceeds to stage S76of flowchart70to read in intensities of the eight (8) infrared sensing signals if a certain percentage of the individual pulse counts exceeds the enablement threshold. Otherwise, microcontroller67proceeds to a stage S76of flowchart70to ignore the intensities of the eight (8) infrared sensing signals if a certain percentage of the individual pulse counts fails to exceed the enablement threshold.

Microcontroller67will thereafter return to stage S72to repeat flowchart70for a new time period T having on offset from the previous time period T. In one embodiment, the offset is a multiple of the pulsing frequency of the infrared radiation emitted by light emitting diode64.

Referring toFIGS. 14-16, those having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate how to apply the inventive principles of the an operational mode determination method of the present invention as represented by flowchart70in dependence upon the X number of infrared radiation emitters30, the Y number of infrared radiation sensors40and the Z number of infrared radiation source differentiators50employed per navigation button and in dependence the N number of infrared radiation sensor inputs and a M number of navigation mode outputs per infrared radiation source differentiator50.