Abstract:
A method of facilitating the input of information in a handheld electronic device having a plurality of input elements such as, without limitation, keys. The method includes receiving a signal indicating that a particular one of the input elements is being touched in a first manner, providing a feedback signal, such as a sound or graphic, that identifies the particular input element after the signal is received, and performing a function associated with the particular input element when it is being touched in a second manner. Also, a handheld electronic device that includes an input apparatus having a plurality of input elements, a processor, and a memory in electronic communication with the processor. The memory stores one or more routines executable by the processor for implementing the method described above.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The invention relates generally to handheld electronic devices and, more particularly, to a handheld electronic device having a system for providing feedback to a user to facilitate navigation and information entry. The invention also relates to a method of facilitating navigation and information entry on a handheld electronic device.  
         [0003]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0004]     Numerous types of handheld electronic devices are known. Examples of such handheld electronic devices include, for instance, personal data assistants (PDAs), handheld computers, two-way pagers, cellular telephones, and the like. Such handheld electronic devices are generally intended to be portable and thus are relatively small. Many handheld electronic devices also feature wireless communication capability although many such handheld electronic devices are stand-alone devices that are functional without communication with other devices.  
         [0005]     Handheld electronic devices that provide cellular telephone capabilities often are used in automobiles, frequently while the user is driving the automobile. A user typically must take his eyes off the road to perform a telephone dialing operation on the keyboard of the handheld electronic device which is undesirable, even if it happens only momentarily. Handheld electronic devices are also used when walking and doing other activities, and a user typically must look at the device to perform various input operations, such as telephone dialing or navigation, which is likewise undesirable. Furthermore, handheld electronic devices can be difficult for visually impaired individuals to use, particularly those devices that include an unconventional keyboard, such as a reduced QWERTY keyboard. Thus, there is a need to provide a handheld electronic device that facilities the performance of input operations in situations where it is undesirable or impossible for the user to look at the device.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     These and other advantages are provided by a method of facilitating the input of information in a handheld electronic device having a plurality of input elements such as, without limitation, keys. The method includes receiving a signal indicating that a particular one of the input elements is being touched in a first manner, providing a feedback signal that identifies the particular input element after the signal is received, and performing a function associated with the particular input element when it is being touched in a second manner.  
         [0007]     In one particular embodiment, the providing step comprises providing the feedback in the form of an audible sound that identifies the particular input element. The audible sound may comprise one or more spoken words of a digit, a symbol, or a function name associated with the input element. In the case of this embodiment, the providing step may further include accessing a particular stored sound tag representative of the audible sound and generating the audible sound using the particular stored sound tag. In addition, a plurality of stored sound tags may correspond to the particular one of the input elements, wherein the particular stored sound tag that is used is one of the plurality of stored sound tags chosen based upon a current state of the handheld electronic device, such as the application currently being used. Alternatively, the providing step may comprise displaying a graphic, such as an enlarged graphic, on a display of the handheld electronic device that identifies the particular input element.  
         [0008]     According to the method, the first manner of touching may comprise touching the particular one of the input elements with a first pressure and the second manner of touching may comprise touching the particular one of the input elements with a second pressure that is greater than the first pressure.  
         [0009]     The invention also relates to a handheld electronic device that includes an input apparatus having a plurality of input elements such as keys, a processor, and a memory in electronic communication with the processor. The memory stores one or more routines executable by the processor for implementing the various embodiments of the method described above.  
         [0010]     In one embodiment, the particular input element is a key forming a part of a key assembly. The key assembly has a sensor system that is in electronic communication with the processor. The sensor system generates and communicates to the processor the key indicating signal when the key is touched in the first manner. The sensor system may include a strain gauge wherein the key indicating signal comprises a voltage signal generated by the strain gauge in response to a first pressure exerted on the strain gauge by the key. In addition, the sensor system may further include a collapsible dome, with the strain gauge being located between the key and the collapsible dome. The collapsible dome is fully collapsed in response to at least a second pressure, greater then the first pressure, being exerted on the collapsible dome by the key, wherein the function associated with the key is performed when the collapsible dome is fully collapsed. Alternatively, the sensor system may include a double action switch, with the key indicating signal being generated in response to a first pressure exerted on the double action switch by the key, and the function associated with the key being performed when at least a second pressure, greater than the first pressure, is exerted on the double action switch by the key. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]     A full understanding of the invention can be gained from the following Description of the Preferred Embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:  
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a top plan view of an improved handheld electronic device in accordance with the invention;  
         [0013]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the handheld electronic device of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0014]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram of the handheld electronic device of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0015]      FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram of a first embodiment of a key assembly forming a part of the handheld electronic device shown in  FIGS. 1-3 ; and  
         [0016]      FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram of a second embodiment of a key assembly forming a part of the handheld electronic device shown in  FIGS. 1-3 . 
     
    
       [0017]     Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the specification.  
       DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0018]     An improved handheld electronic device  4  in accordance with the invention is indicated generally in  FIGS. 1-3 . Examples of handheld electronic devices are included in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,452,588 and 6,489,950 which are incorporated by reference herein. The handheld electronic device  4  includes a housing  8 , a display  12 , an input apparatus  16 , and a processor apparatus  20 .  
         [0019]     The exemplary input apparatus  16  includes a keyboard  24  having a plurality of keys  28 , a thumbwheel  32 , an &lt;ESCAPE&gt; key  36 , and a telephone key  40  ( FIG. 2 ). The thumbwheel  32  is rotatable to provide a plurality of navigational inputs to the processor apparatus  20 . The thumbwheel  32  also is translatable in the direction of the arrow  42  of  FIG. 1  to provide a selecting input to the processor apparatus  20 . The keyboard  24  includes a number of key assemblies  80  described in greater detail below in connection with  FIGS. 4 and 5 .  
         [0020]     The processor apparatus  20  includes a processor  44 , a memory  48 , a digital-to-analog converter  52 , an amplifier  56 , and an audible output transducer  60 . The processor  44  may be, for example and without limitation, a microprocessor (μP) or other type of processor. The memory  48  is adapted to cooperate with the processor  44  and may be any of a variety of internal an/or external storage media including RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, and/or the like, alone or in combination. The memory  48  stores a plurality of sound tags  50  and one or more routines  54  executable by processor  44  for the processing of data. The routines can be in any of a variety of forms such as, without limitation, software, firmware, and the like, and shall include one or more subroutines, processes, procedures function calls or the like, alone or in combination. The sound tags  50  are representative of spoken words of digits, symbols, and/or function names that are associated with the keys  28  of keyboard  24 . The sound tags  50  may be stored in the memory  48  as .wav files or in other suitable formats, and may be representative of spoken words in the English language or other languages. Memory  48  stores a number of sound tags  50 , each of which corresponds to a particular key  28  on keyboard  24 . As explained in greater detail below, the sounds tags  50  may, according to the invention, be used to generate feedback to a user of handheld electronic device  4  that indicates which key  28  is currently being touched.  
         [0021]     Each of a number of, and preferably all of, keys  28  of keyboard  24  is part of a key assembly  80 , one embodiment of which is shown schematically in  FIG. 4 . Key assembly  80  includes a sensor system  82  for detecting which particular key  28  is being touched at any particular time and for providing a signal indicating same to processor  44 . Preferably, key assembly  80  is a two stage system, wherein a first touch or press of a key  28  at a pressure that is less than some predetermined amount will result in the key indicating signal described above being sent to processor  44 , and a second touch or press of the key  28  at a pressure that is greater than the predetermined amount will result in the function associated with the key being performed (e.g., the input of a particular letter or number associated with the key).  
         [0022]     Referring to  FIG. 4 , each key assembly  80  includes a respective key  28  partially disposed within housing  8  of handheld electronic device  4 . In particular, each key  28  is inserted through a respective hole  84  provided in housing  8  such that a top portion  86  of each key  28  extends outwardly form housing  8  and a bottom protruding portion  88  of each key  28  is disposed within housing  8 .  
         [0023]     In addition, the embodiment of key assembly  80  shown in  FIG. 4  further includes a metal or carbon coated collapsible dome  90  that is connected at each end to first and second electrical traces  92  and  94 , respectively, provided on handheld electronic device PCB  96 . In addition, a central portion of collapsible dome  90  is disposed over a third electrical trace  98  provided on handheld electronic device PCB  96 . As will be appreciated, when sufficient force (more than a certain predetermined level) is applied to key  28 , it causes collapsible dome  90  to collapse such that the central portion of collapsible dome  90  comes into contact with electrical trace  98 , thereby completing the circuit that comprises electrical traces  92 ,  94  and  98 . When the circuit that comprises electrical traces  92 ,  94  and  98  is so completed, a signal corresponding to the function of key  28  is sent to processor  44 .  
         [0024]     As seen in  FIG. 4 , a strain gauge  100  is provided between bottom protruding portion  88  and collapsible dome  90 , such as part of a laminate structure applied to the top surface of collapsible dome  90 . Strain gauge  100  may take any of a number of known forms, such as, without limitation, a piezoelectric film piece. As is known in the art, piezoelectric film is a flexible, lightweight plastic, such as, without limitation, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and its copolymers, PVC or nylon, that generates an electrical voltage that is proportional to a force that is applied to it. Strain gauge  100  acts as a transducing element that converts mechanical energy (force) into electrical energy (voltage), and in particular converts the force applied thereto by protruding portion  88  resulting from pressure applied to key  28  by a finger or the like into a voltage signal. The strain gauge  100  is electrically connected (not shown) to the processor  44 , and thus can be used to generate the signal (described above) that indicates which particular key  28  is currently being pressed.  
         [0025]     As will also be appreciated, various lower level forces may be applied to key  28  shown in  FIG. 4 , each of which will cause collapsible dome  90  to partially, rather than completely, collapse (this is often referred to as an intermediate press of key  28 ). In a partially collapsed condition, the central portion of collapsible dome  90  will not come into contact with electrical trace  98 , and thus the circuit that comprises electrical traces  92 ,  94  and  98  will not be completed. The force that is applied to key  28  in such situations will, however, exert a force on strain gauge  100 , thereby generating a voltage signal that is sent to processor  44 . As a result, the strain gauge  100  in cooperation with the key  28  and collapsible dome  90  implement a two stage sensor system as described above. As will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, alternative components may be used to implement a sensor system  82 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 5 , a double action switch  102  may be substituted for collapsible dome  90  and strain gauge  100  to provide a two stage sensing system in which a first touch or press will generate a first signal (indicative of which key  28  is being pressed), and a second, harder press will generate a second signal (which initiates the function associated with the key  28 ). Any suitable known double action switch may be used for double action switch  102 , a number of which are described in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,303,887 and 6,809,272, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. In addition, other parts of input apparatus  16 , such as thumbwheel  32 , &lt;ESCAPE&gt; key  36 , and telephone key  40 , may similarly be provided with an assembly similar to key assembly  80  that includes a sensor system  82  for generating a signal indicating that part of input apparatus  16  is being pressed.  
         [0026]     Thus, in operation, a navigational or other input from the input apparatus  16 , e.g., an intermediate press of a key  28 , will result in a signal being sent to the processor  44  that enables the processor  44  to identify the particular part of input apparatus  16 , e.g., the particular key  28 , that is being touched. The processor  44  then accesses the memory  48  to retrieve the sound tag  50  that corresponds with the particular part of input apparatus  16 , e.g., the particular key  28 . For example, an intermediate touch of the “5” key will result in the processor  44  retrieving the sound tag  50  that corresponds to the “5” key, which sound tag preferably is representative of the spoken word “five.” The processor  44  then provides this retrieved sound tag  50  in the form of a sequence of digital values  64  ( FIG. 3 ) to the digital-to-analog converter  52  which converts this sequence into a time-varying analog signal  68 . The digital-to-analog converter  52  then provides the time-varying analog signal  68 , which corresponds with a spoken word (e.g., “five”), to the amplifier  56 . The amplifier  56  then provides an amplified analog signal  72  to the audible output transducer  60  which outputs an audible sound representative of the spoken word. The amplifier  56  may have an adjustable gain (not expressly depicted) that is set by the processor  44 . The audible output transducer  60  can be any of an internal speaker, a separate loudspeaker, a headset speaker, or any other such device. Depending upon the nature of the audio output transducer  60 , the gain of the amplifier  56  preferably is accordingly adjusted by the processor  44 .  
         [0027]     As is known, some handheld electronic devices have keyboards that have keys having multiple characters or symbols assigned thereto. For example, a cellular telephone typically has a keyboard having keys having letters and numbers assigned thereto. Similarly, some handheld electronic devices have unconventional keyboards, such as a reduced QWERTY keyboard. Thus, according to a further aspect of the invention, keys  28  having multiple characters or symbols assigned thereto may have multiple corresponding sound tags  50 , and one or more routines  54  may be provided in memory  48  that enable processor  44  to access different sound tags  50  depending on the current state of the handheld electronic device  4 , such as the application that is currently active. For example, in a handheld electronic device  4  having a phone and an email application, the routines  54  may be adapted to cause numeric sound tags to be accessed when the user is using the phone application, as alphabetic sound tags to be accessed when the user is using the email application. Alternatively, all of the multiple sound tags  50  corresponding to a key  28  may be accessed and subsequently converted into sound feedback when the key  28  is pressed to let the user know of the different options available with that key  28 .  
         [0028]     According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, graphics, preferably enlarged graphics, may be substituted for sound tags  50 . In this embodiment, once the particular key  28  or other input element that is being touched is identified as described herein, the corresponding graphic may be accessed from memory  48  and may be displayed on display  12 . As will be appreciated, the feedback in this form will be particularly useful for the visually impaired to identify the particular keys  28  or other input elements before completely depressing them (and initiating the associated function).  
         [0029]     Thus, by providing feedback in the form of the spoken words or graphics that correspond to particular keys  28 , handheld electronic device  4  according to the invention facilitates the performance of navigation and data input or entry functions. This feedback will be advantageous in situations where actually looking at handheld electronic device  4  is not desirable, such as in dangerous conditions like while driving, or not possible due to physical limitations of the user, such as a visual impairment.  
         [0030]     While specific embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and alternatives to those details could be developed in light of the overall teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of the invention which is to be given the full breadth of the claims appended and any and all equivalents thereof.