Abstract:
Disclosed is a multi-directional activation button disposed on a protective case for activating a multi-directional control device on an electronic device. The multi-directional activation button has a flexible membrane with a top side divided into directional surfaces that are aligned with a plurality of directions of operation of said multi-directional activation button. A membrane supports an extension that engages the multi-directional control device. The membrane has a length from a pivot point that controls the direction and the amount of movement of an activation extension wherein movement from the pivot point simulates an extension of a user&#39;s finger depending upon which directional surface of the rubber membrane is depressed by the user&#39;s finger. The multi-directional activation button may be utilized for push button activation, toggle slide operations, dial wheel, or joy stick like operations.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application is based upon U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/807,726, filed Jul. 19, 2006, by Curtis R. Richardson, et al., entitled “Sealed Multi-Activation Button.” The entire content of this application is hereby specifically incorporated herein by reference for all it discloses and teaches. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Handheld devices such as personal digital assistants (PDA), pagers, hand-held computers, cellular phones, and so forth are inherently small and have limited space for user interface and operation. These devices have greatly expanded the functions and operations available for the user. Additional features include multi-directional control devices such as dial wheels, scroll balls, slide switches, etc. Multi-direction control devices may provide improved navigation through the multiple functions performed by an electronic device, such as a PDA or handheld computer, by limiting the number of switches needed, and providing various capabilities at fingertip control. However, when these devices are placed in a protective case, through-case controls are generally not available for operating these multi-directional control devices. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    An embodiment of the present invention comprises a multi-directional activation button that is disposed on a protective case for an electronic device that contacts and moves a multi-directional control device disposed on said electronic device comprising an interactive extension comprising: a plurality of directional surfaces on a user activation side of the interactive extension that allows the interactive extension to be moved in a plurality of directions upon application of a force by a user on the plurality of directional surfaces; a contact surface on a device activation side of the interactive extension that engages and operates the multi-directional control device; a membrane that is connected to the interactive extension that holds the interactive extension in a recessed position, and that has a sufficient length to allow the activation extension to move inwardly towards the electronic device and to move in a direction to engage and operate the multi-directional control device upon application of a force on at least one of the directional surfaces of the interactive extension. 
         [0004]    Another embodiment of the present invention comprises a method of operating a multi-directional control device on an electronic device disposed in a protective case using a multi-directional activation button comprising: providing an interactive extension in the multi-directional activation button that has a plurality of directional surfaces and a contact surface for engaging the multidirectional control device; providing a membrane that is connected to the interactive extension that holds the interactive extension in a recessed position and that allows the interactive extension to extend in a plurality of directions by an amount that is sufficient to engage the multi-directional control device with the contact surface of the interactive extension; asserting a force on a first directional surface of the plurality of directional surfaces to cause the interactive extension to extend in a first direction that is substantially aligned with the first directional surface and cause the contact surface to engage the control device on the electronic device to operate the control device in the first direction; asserting a force on a second directional surface of the plurality of directional surfaces to cause the interactive extension to extend in a second direction that is substantially aligned with the second directional surface and cause the contact surface to engage the control device on the electronic device to operate the control device in the second direction. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the outside surface of a multi-activation button; 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  illustrating the inside surface of a multi-activation button; 
           [0007]      FIG. 3A  illustrates a sectional view of the multi-activation button of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  for conventional pushbutton activation; 
           [0008]      FIG. 3B  illustrates a sectional view of the multi-activation button of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  for scroll wheel activation in clockwise direction; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3C  illustrates a sectional view of the multi-activation button of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  for scroll wheel activation in counterclockwise direction; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3D  illustrates the manner in which the multi-activation button interacts with a scroll wheel; and 
           [0011]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  illustrate the directions for toggle switch activation. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a perspective view of the user activation side (outside) portion of an embodiment of a multi-directional activation button  100  mounted on a panel  102 . The panel  102  may be part of any type of protective case for an electronic device, such as, but not by way of limitation, personal digital assistants (PDA), pagers, hand-held computers, cellular phones, etc. However, the button  100  is particularly adaptable for use with electronic devices protected by waterproof and shock resistant enclosures, such as those described in the co-pending related applications such as U.S. application Ser. No. 11/270,732 filed Nov. 8, 2005 by Curtis R. Richardson, et al entitled “Protective Case for Touch Screen Device,” U.S. application Ser. No. 10/937,048 filed Sep. 8, 2004 by Curtis R. Richardson, et al entitled “Protective Enclosure for an Interactive Flat-Panel Controlled Device,” and U.S. application Ser. No. 11/077,963 filed Mar. 10, 2005 by Curtis R. Richardson, et al entitled “Protective Enclosure and Watertight Adapter for an Interactive Flat-Panel Controlled Device,” which are all assigned to the assignee of the instant application and which are specifically incorporated herein by reference for all that they disclose and teach. These applications describe electronic devices enclosed in a protective case that are adaptable for use by a user through a membrane on the case and activation buttons mounted on the case. In these types of protective cases, the user can preferably operate the electronic device directly through the protective casing. However, it has been difficult to operate multi-directional control devices, such as dial wheels, slide switches, scroll balls and similar types of interfaces, through a protective case. Multi-directional activation through a protective case can be achieved using a multi-directional activation button that can be mounted on a protective case adjacent to a multi-directional control device or the electronic device. 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  discloses the user activation side of one embodiment of a multi-directional activation button  100  that is comprised of flexible material such as a rubberized material, or other elastic material, with a unique design that allows activation of an extension that simulates finger tip motions. Since the activation button  100  is comprised of flexible material and is elastic enough to extend and activate dials and switches, the activation button  100  can be used as part of an environmental protective case, so that the electronic device, having multi-directional activation interface control devices, can be activated through the case. The button  100  is generally supported on a panel  102  on the protective case by a membrane  112 , which comprises an extendable membrane section  103  and pivot areas  105  ( FIG. 2 ). The upper portion of the button is divided into directional surfaces  106  and  108  with a center section  110 . Additional directional surfaces  118  and  120  may also be provided. Each of these directional surfaces allows the user to operate the multi-directional activation button in a plurality of directions to operate a multi-directional control device in multiple directions. 
         [0014]    As seen in  FIG. 2  and  FIGS. 3A-3D , the device activation side of the button, that is disposed on the inside of a protective case, has a recessed activation extension  104 . Although in this embodiment the activation extension  104  has a conical shape with a round contact surface  107 , other shapes can be used to interface with a multi-directional activation interface control devices in a better or more efficient manner. Activation extension  104  is disposed to move in a direction depending upon which one of the directional surfaces  106 ,  108 ,  118  or  120  of the button is pushed. An extendable membrane section  103 , which is formed in the flexible membrane  112 , extends to allow movement of the recessed activation extension  104 , so that the activation extension  104  can interact with a multi-directional activation control device, such as a control ball, dial wheel, slide switch, etc., disposed on an electronic device, or other device, that may be disposed in a protective case. The extendable membrane section  103  pivots at pivot area  105 , depending upon which directional surface is pushed, to move the activation extension  104 . In one embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 3A ,  3 B and  3 C, the button can be activated in at least three directions, depending on whether the button is pushed at directional surfaces  106 ,  108  or  110 . Additional directions can be obtained by pushing on additional directional surfaces  118  or  120 . In fact, the extendable membrane section  103  allows the center portion of the activation extension  104  to move in a plurality of directions, depending upon the direction of force that is applied by a user&#39;s finger. The activation extension  104  is adapted to engage a multi-directional control device  119 , such as dial wheel  117  ( FIG. 3D ), or a slide switch, such as slide switch  122  ( FIGS. 4A and 4B ). The activation extension  104  extends from the multi-directional activation button  100  upon application of a force by a user to the center section  110 , or one of the directional surfaces  106 ,  108 ,  118  or  120 . As a result, the activation extension  104  makes contact with a multi-directional control device, and then moves back to a recessed position. The range of motion and functionality of the button is controlled by the thickness and size of the membrane  112  and the length “L” of the extendable membrane section  103  surrounding the activation extension  104 , as well as the elasticity of the membrane material. 
         [0015]    As shown in  FIG. 3A , the length “L” of the extendable membrane section  103  controls the extent of movement of the activation extension  104 . If the activation button  100  is pushed at center section  110 , the activation extension  104  moves directly inwardly in a straight line substantially normal to panel  102  and functions like the traditional on-off push button. If mounted on a protective housing for an electronic device such as PDA, Ipod, etc., the activation extension  104  simulates the extension of the user&#39;s finger and can activate multi-directional control devices, such as push buttons or switches, on the electronic device. As illustrated in  FIG. 3B , if a user applies force to the directional surface  106 , the activation extension  104  is pushed inwardly and extends in a downward direction, so as to move and generate a force, as shown by arrows  114 . The activation extension  104  may engage a dial wheel, such as dial wheel  117  ( FIG. 3D ), or a slide switch, such as slide switch  122  ( FIGS. 4A ,  4 B), so that the force vector in the tangential direction along the dial wheel  117  will cause the dial wheel  117  to rotate in a counterclockwise direction. Similarly, the downward vector component of the force  114  of the activation extension  104  will cause the slide switch  122  to move in a downward direction, such as shown in  FIG. 4A . 
         [0016]    As shown in  FIG. 3C , force applied by a user on directional face  108  will cause the activation extension  104  to move in an inward and upward direction, such as the direction shown by arrows  116 . As illustrated in  FIG. 3C , as a user applies force to the directional face  108 , the activation extension  104  causes the pivot arm  105  to move the activation extension  104  to the position shown in  FIG. 3C . As further force is applied, the activation extension  104  extends further in an inward direction from the plate  102 , so that the motion and directional force vectors become directed in a more vertical direction, as shown by arrows  116  in  FIG. 3C . Hence, the activation extension  104  protrudes inwardly, as more force is applied to the directional face  108 , and is directed in a more upward direction, as the activation extension is extended more to the inside surface of the panel  102 . As a result, the motion and force vector in an upward direction becomes greater, as shown by the arrows  116 . 
         [0017]    As shown in  FIG. 3D , dial wheel  117  may be part of an electronic device that is disposed in a protective case or other environment in which a user cannot directly access the dial wheel  17 . The activation extension is capable of moving in the directions illustrated by arrows  114 ,  115  and  116 . The activation extension  104  may have a surface that is designed to engage the dial wheel  117  and move the dial wheel in the directions shown by arrows  114 ,  115  and  116 . Generation of a force on directional surface  106  ( FIG. 3B ) creates movement of the activation extension  104  in the direction illustrated by arrow  114  to cause the dial wheel  117  to move in a counterclockwise direction. Similarly, application of force on directional surface  108  ( FIG. 3C ) causes activation extension  104  to extend in the direction illustrated by arrows  116  to cause the dial wheel  117  to rotate in a clockwise direction. Application of a force on directional surface  110  causes the dial wheel  117  to move in an inward direction, which may be an on/off function of some dial wheels. 
         [0018]    The additional directional surfaces  118 ,  120  may be used to generate movement in the transverse directions to those shown in  FIGS. 3B and 3C . Movement of the activation extension  104  in the transverse directions may allow interaction with a scroll ball, such as those found on Blackberry phones, joy stick devices, or other types of devices that require movement in the transverse direction. 
         [0019]      FIGS. 4A ,  4 B and  4 C illustrate the manner in which a slide switch  122  may be operated using the multi-directional activation button  100 . As shown in  FIGS. 4A through 4C , slide switch  122  moves in a vertical direction, as indicated by arrows  124 ,  126 . Application of force on the directional surface  106  ( FIG. 3B ) generates a downward and inward movement of the activation extension  104 , as shown by arrows  114 . The surface of the activation extension  104  can be made to engage the slide switch  122  to move the slide switch  122  downwardly in the direction of arrow  124 , as shown by the movement of the activation extension  104  by arrow  114 . Similarly, the slide switch  122  can be moved in an upward direction  126  by application of force on directional surface  108  ( FIG. 3C ) to move the activation extension  104  in the direction of arrow  116 . Slide switches, such as toggle switches that have more than one position, can be operated in this manner using the multi-directional activation button  100 . 
         [0020]    The foregoing description of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, and other modifications and variations may be possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the appended claims be construed to include other alternative embodiments of the invention except insofar as limited by the prior art.