Patent Publication Number: US-2005124387-A1

Title: Portable apparatus user interface

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention relates generally to user interfaces of portable electronic apparatus, and more particularly to a multifunctional user interface for such an apparatus.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      Portable electronic apparatus, such as wireless handsets, may incorporate multiple functions that are selectable or controllable by the user via the user interface. With a single mode apparatus, such as a radiotelephone, the user interface is optimized for use as a radiotelephone. Portable electronic apparatus however are taking on more and more capability and as a result, the user interface must also take on more capability. The complexity of the user interface increases as the number of the functions increases. For example wireless communication apparatus emerging on the market today may function as a radiotelephone, a personal digital assistance (PDA), a gaming apparatus, or a messaging, pictorial or video console, or any combination thereof. Navigation to or within one or more of the modes, functions, menus, or games of the apparatus can take the user through a large number of steps and key presses to get to the desired function as the number of operations available increases. At the same time, miniaturization of the apparatus is also desired to maintain and promote portability. This results in reduced space for the increasingly complex user interface.  
      An additional challenge arises because the user interface that is optimized for one operating mode may not necessarily be optimized for another operating mode. For example, the user interface devices necessary for a radiotelephone are not the same as those for a gaming apparatus. Combining a traditional 12 key keypad of a radiotelephone with motion control inputs and action buttons for gaming produces a complex user interface. Often, the solution is to assign multiple functions to one key or button, adding complex indicia. This however is contrary to the desire for small size and reduced operating complexity for the apparatus.  
      Another method of simplifying the ease of use of multifunctional apparatus is to assign menu short cut buttons. For instance, electronic organizers use menu shortcut buttons on the front of the apparatus to gain quick access to different frequently accessed menus or functions. However this takes up space on the housing and such buttons are physically non-configurable.  
      Accordingly, what is needed is an easy to use apparatus having multiple functions, menus or operations and enhanced capability for different modes while reducing complexity of portable apparatus such as wireless communication apparatus. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      The various aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon careful consideration of the following Detailed Description with the accompanying drawings described below.  
       FIG. 1  is an exemplary block diagram of a wireless communication handset circuit;  
       FIG. 2  is an exemplary view of the wireless communication apparatus;  
       FIG. 3  is an exemplary view of the wireless communication apparatus;  
       FIG. 4  is an exemplary view of the wireless communication apparatus;  
       FIG. 5  is an exemplary cross section of the input device of the wireless communication apparatus;  
       FIG. 6  is an exemplary keypad of the wireless communication apparatus;  
       FIG. 7  is an exemplary view of a rotation sensor;  
       FIG. 8  is an exemplary view of a rotary input device and rotation sensor;  
       FIG. 9  is an exemplary one-bit rotary encoder and corresponding digital encoder output diagram;  
       FIG. 10  is a top down exemplary view of the rotary input device having a first exemplary rotary encoder;  
       FIG. 11  is a section view of a portion of the rotary input device;  
       FIG. 12  is a first exemplary pull-down circuit; and  
       FIG. 13  is a second exemplary pull-down circuit. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      The present invention is a portable electronic apparatus that has multiple user interface devices that are embodied in an adaptable configuration that provides ease of use and reduced complexity through multiple configurations optimized for different modes of operation. The apparatus may be a multifunction apparatus wherein a combination of operation modes are possible including; a gaming apparatus with a cellular radiotelephone, a cellular radiotelephone with a data assistant or any combination of a number of functionalities including, messaging, internet browsing, personal organizer, business organizer, personal digital assistant capabilities, or the like. Although not required these portable handheld apparatus are often arranged and constructed to operate on communication systems such as 3G, GPRS (General Packet Radio System) systems, Enhanced Data Rates GSM Evolution (EDGE) or wideband CDMA (WCDMA) systems or systems that are packet data enabled and that enable connectivity or sessions with IP (Internet Protocol) based networks, including for example packet data based systems such as 3 rd  generation or UMTS (Universal Mobile Telephone Services) systems. These apparatus may also function in either the circuit switched domain or the packet switched domain, or both.  
      The portable electronic communication apparatus includes a housing that is configured for use in at least one orientation. The housing includes electronic circuitry, a keypad, a first input device, a rotary input device, a display, a second input device and a speaker. Optionally a microphone is included. The first input device comprises at least a portion of the keypad. The second input device is adjacent to the speaker and may overlay the speaker. The speaker may be enclosed in the second input device. Audio signals from the speaker are directed outside of the housing by porting the signals through a sound passage in the housing or the second input device. The display is located on a front surface of the housing between the first input device and the second input device. In one exemplary embodiment, the user interface devices are in a substantially linear arrangement. The first, second and rotary input devices together with the display, speaker and microphone, form the user interface for the communication apparatus.  
      A portable apparatus  200  is illustrated as a wireless communication apparatus. The exemplary portable communication apparatus in  FIG. 2  is illustrated in a first horizontal configuration  201 , with the input devices arranged to the sides of the display, which is in contrast to cellular handsets which are typically arranged for a vertical configuration with the display above the keypad. The wireless communication apparatus  200  has wireless communication capabilities and thus, may be used to communicate with a cordless telephone base, a wide area network (WAN) wireless infrastructure, such as cellular base stations, and/or wireless local area networks (WLAN), such as 802.11 routers or access points. The wireless communication apparatus  200  described herein is an example of the type of wireless communication apparatus that will benefit from the user interface improvements set forth herein. However, it is to be understood that the user interface improvements may be applied to any type of portable electronic apparatus and is not limited to radiotelephones, such other apparatus including gaming apparatus, paging apparatus, personal digital assistants, electronic organizers, portable computers, handheld computers, pen-based or keyboard-based handheld apparatus, remote control units, audio or video players (such as MP3 or MPEG players) and the like.  
      Exemplary circuitry  100  for the illustrated wireless communication apparatus  200  is illustrated in  FIG. 1 , and more particularly exemplifies a multifunctional cellular handset. The circuitry  100  includes a frame generator ASIC  101  and a microprocessor or controller  102  that combine to generate the necessary communication protocol for operating in a wireless communication system. Controller  102  uses memory  104  comprising random access memory (RAM)  105 , electronically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM)  107 , and read only memory (ROM)  109 , preferably consolidated in one package  111 , to execute the steps necessary to generate the protocol and to perform other functions for the wireless communication apparatus, such as writing to a user interface or display  118 , accepting input from a rotation or position detector  133 , first input device  128  and second input device  130 , or other components associated with the wireless communication apparatus. The controller  102  may be implemented using a microcontroller, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), programmable logic, discrete logic, or the like, or a combination thereof. The controller  102  also controls a transmitter  122 , a synthesizer  125 , and a receiver  124  for transmitting and receiving communications, and optionally software for the user interface devices. ASIC  101  processes audio signals to be transformed by audio circuitry  119  for input to speaker  114 , and audio signals from a microphone  116  after being transformed by audio circuitry  119 . The circuitry  100  is described herein for illustrative purposes only, and it will be recognized that the communication apparatus may house these or other circuitry, as the circuitry is not essential to the invention as defined by the claims.  
      The communication apparatus  200  of the exemplary embodiment as shown in  FIG. 2  includes a housing  202  for the electrical circuitry  100 . The communication apparatus  200  includes a user interface  203  with the following user portions: a first input device  204 , a keypad  206 , a display  208 , a second input device  210 , and a speaker  212 . The display  208  is located between the first input device  204  and the second input device  210 . The arrangement of the user interface devices in one exemplary configuration is a horizontal configuration  201 . This configuration may be referred to as a landscape or horizontal orientation as it is conducive to gaming applications where the user comfortably holds the handset with both hands and the user portions of the user interface devices  203  are horizontally arranged.  
      In this exemplary embodiment, the housing  202  has a top  214 , a bottom  216 , a first side  218 , a second side  220 , a front  222  and a back  224 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2  the housing  202  is an elongated housing such that the top  214  and the bottom  216  are longer than the first side  218  and the second side  220 . The sides can be any proportional length but is illustrated having a rectangular shape as an exemplary embodiment which is configured for holding in one hand to facilitate audio communication via a speaker and microphone. Alternative configurations are envisioned, for example the top  214 , bottom  216 , the right side  218  and the left side  220  may all be equal providing a square shape. Regardless of the configuration, the first input device  204 , the display  208 , and the second input device  210  are arranged along a longitudinal dimension of the housing, and may for example be arranged linearly along a longitudinal axis  226  of the housing  202 . It is envisioned that should the housing  202  alternatively be circular, ovular or asymmetric in shape (such as a polygon), the first input device  204 , the display  208  and the second input device  210  may still be substantially horizontally arranged on a surface of the housing.  
      The user portions of the user interface  203  are arranged linearly as shown in  FIG. 2  from left to right starting with the second input device  210  adjacent to the first side  220 , which is the left side in this exemplary embodiment. Adjacent to the second input device  210 , located to the right thereof, is the display  208 . Located to the right of the display  208 , and adjacent thereto, is the keypad  206 . Encompassing the keypad  206  is the first input device  204 . The illustrated form of the housing  202  in the exemplary embodiment is a single housing elongated form having dimensions comfortable to hold in one hand while entering a telephone number or to hold against the users head during a conversation with the speaker and microphone positioned for good verbal communication. The keypad  206 , display  208  and the second input device  210  are aligned substantially in a row centered on an axis  224  running through the user interface devices. The axis  224  of the keypad, display and second input device is aligned substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis  226  of the elongated housing, and may optionally be the same axis.  
      The housing  202  may be rounded on the ends such that it is more comfortable for the user to hold, or it may be square to facilitate assembly and minimize dimensions. When the user holds the handset  200 , and the handset is operative in the first horizontal configuration  210 , the user interface devices are arranged as described above. The user holds the handset  202  with two hands as is done with current game controllers or consoles. In such orientation, the first input device  204  and the keypad  206  are accessible to digits of the first hand and the second input device  210  is accessible to the digits of the second hand.  
      It should be noted however that the linear arrangement can be reversed such that the second input device  210  and the speaker  212  are on the right side  218  of the apparatus and the first input device  204  and the keypad  206  are on the left side  220  of the apparatus. This is illustrated in  FIG. 3 , wherein the handset  200  is shown in an exemplary reverse horizontal configuration  301  (also referred to herein as the second horizontal configuration). The handset  200  is shown with the second input device  210  adjacent to the right side  218  of the housing  202 . Adjacent to the navigation input device  210 , located substantially to the left thereof, is the display  208 . Located to the left of the display  208 , and adjacent thereto, is the keypad  206 . The keypad is adjacent to the left side  220 . Encompassing the keypad  206  is the first input device  204 .  
       FIG. 4  shows the handset  200  in the vertical configuration  400  such that the second input device  210  is arranged above the display  208 . In this orientation, the labels associated with the keys are oriented for reading and dialing when the display is above the keypad  206 . The speaker  212 , which is adjacent to the second input device  210  can be placed adjacent to the user&#39;s ear for use in a radiotelephone mode. The information on the display  208  is presented in a vertical information orientation  402 , or portrait configuration. The optional microphone  230  is located at an end of the housing, distal to the speaker  212  such that it is near the user&#39;s mouth.  
      The display  208  located between the first input device  204  and the second user interface  210  allows the user to hold the apparatus in the horizontal configuration  201 , operate the first input device  204  and the second input device  210  with each hand, while the display remains visible to the user. Alternatively, the user can rotate the apparatus to the vertical configuration  400  and operate the apparatus as a radiotelephone having the display  208  information readable in a vertical information orientation  402  and the speaker  212  for placement over the user&#39;s ear.  
      The display  208 , illustrated in  FIGS. 2, 3  and  4  is placed adjacent to and in-between the first input device  204  and keypad  206  and the second input device  210  and speaker  212 . The display  208  can be a black and white display or a color display. The current trend is to incorporate color displays into radiotelephone apparatus, which is advantageous as the gaming experience is typically enhanced by the use of colors. The display  208  may be a touch screen which may further enhance the adaptability of the user interface by allowing for soft keys and buttons to be configured on the touch screen as well as potentially providing handwriting recognition capability. The display  208  may be any suitable commercially available display that provides a convenient display of text, images and/or graphics to the user. For example, the display  208  may be implemented using a liquid crystal display having a backlighting system to illuminate the display when ambient lighting conditions are insufficient for proper viewing by the user. A lens (not shown) may be provided that holds certain components of the handset  200  in an assembled state and protects the display  208  from undesirable, foreign matter. The first input device  204 , keypad  206  or the second input device  210  may control information on the display  208 .  
      The information on the display  208  can change in accordance with the orientation of the handset  200 . In the horizontal configuration  201 , the information on the display  208  is in a first horizontal information orientation  232 . In the reverse configuration  301 , the information on the display  208  is in a second horizontal information orientation  302 . In this exemplary orientation the information is rotated  180  degrees from the first horizontal information orientation  232 . In the vertical configuration  400 , the information on the display  208  is in a first vertical information orientation  402 , which in the preferred embodiment is rotated 90 degrees relative to the first horizontal information orientation  232 . The handset  200 , in the vertical configuration  400 , places the display in a portrait orientation in the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 . The display  208  may be square, rectangular or any other shape that may be accommodated by the housing  202 .  
      The orientation of the information on the display can be changed automatically, such that as the handset  200  is rotated from the horizontal configuration  201  to the vertical configuration  400 , the information on the display  208  rotates or changes orientation such that it is readable or understandable to the user, such as in the first horizontal information orientation  232 , second horizontal information orientation  332 , for example. The information orientation on the display  208  may also be configured manually on the display by the user though optional buttons on the handset or through soft buttons on the display  208 .  
      Referring back to  FIG. 2 , the first input device  204  surrounds the keypad  206 . In one exemplary embodiment the first input device  204  is a ring that completely encompasses the keypad  206 . In this embodiment, the ring is a rotary input device  204 , which physically rotates in clockwise and counter clockwise directions. The rotary input device  204  may be used to move a cursor across the display  208 , scroll through menus, to steer a vehicle, person or weapon in a gaming mode, control the zoom function on a camera or focus operation on a camera, tune a radio, audio equalizer adjustment, map navigation, in conjunction with music mixing functions. Although it is envisioned that the rotary input device  204  will preferably rotate freely in either direction without any stops, it can alternatively move in only one direction or it may rotate through a 360 degree or smaller arc set by respective stops. The rotary input device  204  may also have detents such that the ring is restrained at desired positions, and does not move without some minimum force being applied to get past the detents. Such detents will provide tactile feedback to the user scrolling though a menu and will help prevent accidental changing of the mode or function that would otherwise occur due to unwanted rotation.  
      The rotary input device  204  may have a plurality of indicia (not shown) disposed thereon. For example, where the rotary input device  204  is a mode selector ring, it will be rotated relative to the housing  202  to move a desired one of the indicia on the rotary input device  204  corresponding to a desired mode into alignment with an indictor on the housing to select the operating mode. In one exemplary embodiment the rotary input device  204  is removably coupled to the housing  202 . The rotary input device  204  may be interchanged with a different rotary input devices, having different colors, different indicia thereon or different icons or looks. The indicia may be a simple mark or arrow that denotes positions of the rotary input device  204 .  
      It is envisioned that the rotary input device  204 , need not rotate to effectuate a rotary input operation. The rotary input device  204  may be a touch sensitive input device operative to sense the user&#39;s digit as it moves on a surface. For example, the device may be any suitable commercially available planar sensor, such as a capacitive or resistive touch pad. The rotary input device does not physically rotate in this embodiment as it does in the previous embodiment. This allows the rotary input device  204  to take different shapes, and to be implemented using a device with non-moving parts. The shape of the first input device  204  may be circular (such as a ring like an O), the shape of an oval or a square that surrounds or encompasses the keypad  206 . The first input device  204  may alternatively be an in the shape of a C or U-shaped such that it only partially surround the keypad  206 .  
      The second input device  210  can be a single button, multiple buttons, or a multidirectional input device, such as a joystick (or other navigation input device), or the like. In one embodiment, the multidirectional input device  500  includes a multidirectional button or set of buttons (not shown) and in another embodiment the multidirectional input device  500  includes a handle  502 . The multidirectional button is depressible in a plurality of directions. The multidirectional button may be comprised of several buttons arranged in a cluster. For example, the multidirectional button may be comprised of four buttons arranged in substantially a square such that each button of the four buttons controls an independent function such as up, down, left and right.  
       FIG. 5  illustrates the second input device  210  as a multidirectional input device  500  having a handle  502 . The multidirectional input device  502  includes a handle  502 , similar to a joystick. The handle  502  is moved to control direction of information on the display  208 . The multidirectional input device that includes a handle  502  may optionally comprise a knob  504 . The knob  504  can be moved in a plurality of directions. The knob  504  may be comprised of a neck  506 , which in turn is connected to a skirt  508 . As one skilled in the art appreciates, there are many input devices that operate as multidirectional input devices.  
      In one embodiment, the speaker  212  is disposed in the housing  202  adjacent to the second input device  210 . The speaker is adjacent to an audio passage  228 , which extends through the housing  202  or extends through the second input device  210 . The audio passage  228  may be a cylindrical void or a gap between the second input device  210  and the front  222  of the housing  202  which allows the audio to pass from the speaker  212  to the outside of the housing  202 . The speaker  212  may optionally be ported with other audio passages to create the desired acoustics. In another exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG.5 , the speaker is disposed in the second input device. In this embodiment, the speaker  510  is disposed in the knob  504 . A port  512  in the knob  504  is an audio passage that allows the sound from the speaker  510  to pass out of the knob  504 . The speaker  510  is also adjacent to the neck  506  in this embodiment. Speaker wires  514  are routed through the neck  506  and out of the multidirectional input device  500 .  
       FIG. 6  shows the keypad  206  encompassed by the first input device  204 . The keypad  206  may be a single key or a plurality of keys  602 . The plurality of keys may be a traditional bell keypad which includes the numbers 0-9 and optionally the # and * keys. The plurality of keys may include an outer set of keys  604  that form a complimentary shape to the first input device  204 . For example, if the first input device  204  is in the shape of a ring, the outer set of keys  604  form a circle inside of and adjacent to the first input device  204 . The keypad  206  may optionally be a rotating keypad that mechanically rotates about a center axis  608  to align in accordance with the different apparatus configurations, i.e. the first or second horizontal configuration  201 ,  301  or the vertical configuration  400 . The keypad rotates between a first keypad orientation when said apparatus is in the horizontal configuration  201 , and a second keypad orientation when said apparatus is in the vertical configuration  400 , and a third keypad orientation for use in the second horizontal orientation.  
      The keypad  206  may also be a touch sensitive device such as a touch screen display. This would allow the keypad  206  to be configured in accordance with the function, mode, and orientations of the apparatus. The orientation of the plurality of keys or the information displayed on the touch screen display may be rotated to align with the apparatus configurations, i.e. the first or second horizontal configuration  201 ,  301  or the vertical configuration  400 .  
      It will be recognized that the communication apparatus  200  need not include the ability to change orientation. In other words, an advantageous communication apparatus may be achieved having only a single user orientation for the display and keypad labels. In such an apparatus, the first and second input devices will provide a favorable user experience in gaming, telephony, as well as other functions.  
      Moving to  FIG. 7  and in reference to  FIGS. 2, 3  and  4 , the rotary input device is coupled to the position sensor  133 . In the exemplary embodiment wherein the rotary input device  204  mechanically rotates, the rotation is sensed by the position or rotation sensor  133 . The position sensor  133  may be one of many types of sensors or detectors used to determine rotational movement and position. Converting the mechanical rotational motion of both the rotary input device  204  into electrical signals that are sent to the processor  103  is done with switches or sensors coupled to the either of the user interfaces, mechanically or optically, and the first housing portion  202 . In  FIG. 7 a  switch  700  is shown. This switch  700  is a detector switch, such as an ESE 23 or ESE 24 from Panasonic. The switch lever  702  is in a normally open position when the housing is in a first, or stationary, position. The switch lever  702  can move in two directions, a first direction  704  and a second direction  706 . The switch lever  702  is spring loaded such that a force applied in either direction moves the switch lever  702  and when the force is removed from the switch lever  702 , the switch lever  702  will spring back to the first or stationary position.  
      When the switch lever  702  is moved in the first direction  704 , a first circuit between the contacts  710  and  712  is complete or closed and when the switch lever  702  is moved in the second direction  706 , a second circuit between the contacts  714  and  712  is completed or closed.  
      This switch  700  is coupled to the housing  202  as shown in  FIG. 8 . The switch lever  702  is position such that it will selectively couple with actuators or teeth  802  which are coupled to the rotary input device  204 . The teeth  802  rotate with the rotary input device as it rotates, the teeth  802  selectively couple to the switch lever  702  and depending on the direction of rotation, move the lever in either the first direction  704  or the second direction  706 . When the ring  204  is rotated, a first actuator couples with the switch lever  702  and moves the switch lever in the first direction  704 . The circuit between  710  and  712  is closed and a signal is sent to the microprocessor  103 . The microprocessor  103  generates the command to indicate the position of the rotary input device  204 . When the rotary input device  204  is rotated to position, illustrated by arrow  714 , a second actuator couples with the switch lever  702  and moves the switch lever  702  in the second direction  706 . The circuit between  710  and  712  is closed and a signal is sent to the processor  102 . The processor generates the command to indicate movement on the rotary input device  204 .  
      In the case of the freely rotary input device  204 , a plurality of teeth  802  are selectively coupled to the rotary input device  204  as the rotary input device, or ring,  204  rotates in either direction. Each time a tooth couples with said switch lever  702 , the switch lever  702  is moved in the first or second direction, depending upon the rotation direction of the rotary input device  204 , and either the first circuit or second circuit is closed. Rotating the rotary input device  204  in one direction allows a plurality of teeth to selectively couple to the switch lever and repeatedly move the switch lever  702  in the same direction. The affect is the tracking of the position of the rotary input device  204  relative to the housing  202 .  
      The relative positions of the rotary input device  204  may also be detected by a rotary encoder having a first encoder portion coupled to the rotary input device  204  and a relatively fixed encoder portion coupled to the housing  202 .  
       FIG. 9  illustrates a first exemplary rotary encoder embodiment comprising a partially conductive strip  902  with bit patterns formed thereon  908 . The strip  902  is formed into a ring and fastened to rotary input device  204 . At least two conductors, for example, pogo pins  904  and  906 , are coupled to the housing  202  so that the pins are in contact with the conductive strip  902 .  
      In  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the conductive strip  902  is disposed on an inner surface of the rotary input device  204  in the exemplary embodiment. Alternatively, the bit pattern  908  may be formed directly on the surface of the rotary input device  204 , for example by depositing conductive and non-conductive materials thereon.  FIG. 10  illustrates a pogo pin mounting assembly  1004  mounted on an inner ring  1006  of the housing  202 , and  FIG. 11  illustrates the pogo pin mounting assembly  1104  disposed on a circuit board  1106 .  
      The conductors of the rotary encoder are coupled to an electrical circuit that detects when an electrical connection between the conductors is made and broken by conductive and non-conductive portions of the strip.  FIGS. 12 and 13  illustrate exemplary voltage pull-down circuits  1200  and  1300 , respectively, with corresponding switches  1220  and  1320  representative of the contact made between the conductors of the rotary encoder. The generation of electrical connections is then sent to the microprocessor  103 . The microprocessor  103  interprets the input signals from the rotary encoder and sends commands to the display to move the information thereon accordingly.  
      In operation, the user interface devices send information to and receive information from the controller  102  wherein each input device may have a different function or control a different operation depending on the operation mode of the device. It is envisioned that in an exemplary gaming mode, the first input device  204  is a rotary input device and operates as a steering wheel to control a vehicle which is presented on the display  208 . The keypad  206 , may be used to select gears or views, or a combination thereof, displayed on the display  208  to the user. Each key of the keypad  206  may be assigned an individual function such as one key to start the game, another key to end the game, and another key to pause the game. The second input device  210  may be used to control the acceleration and braking of the vehicle displayed on the display  208 .  
      In the exemplary gaming mode, the user holds the apparatus with two hands; the right hand grasps the right side of the apparatus such that user&#39;s right thumb operates the first input device  204 . The user&#39;s left hand grasps the left side of the apparatus such that user&#39;s left thumb operates the second input device  210 . This allows the user to steer the vehicle on the display  208  with the right thumb and apply acceleration and braking with the left thumb. The arrangement of the keypad  206  and the first input device  204 , allow the user to actuate either user interface from the same hand, the right hand in this exemplary embodiment. The user may use the right thumb to control both the first input device  204  and the keypad  206  or two different digits from the right hand. For example while steering the vehicle the user can move the thumb from the first user interface to depress a key on the keypad  206  to select the desired gear. The display  208  is unobstructed and remains viewable to the user free of interference by the user&#39;s hands.  
      It is envisioned that in an exemplary messaging mode, the first input device  204  is a rotary input device and operates to scroll information such as message lists or the message text which is presented on the display  208 . The keypad  206  may be used to select character as for typing a message which is presented on the display  208 . Each key of the keypad  206  may be assigned an individual alphanumeric character. The second input device  210  may be used to control whether the alphanumeric character selected is an upper case or a lower case character or to select from multiple characters assigned to one key of the keypad  206 . In addition the second input device  210  may be used to control the position of the cursor relative to the text. For example, moving the second user interface left or right moves the cursor left and right as in a word processing mode.  
      In the exemplary messaging mode, the user holds the apparatus with two hands, similarly as with the gaming mode. The right hand grasps the right side of the apparatus such that user&#39;s right thumb operates the first input device  204 . The user&#39;s left hand grasps the left side of the apparatus such that user&#39;s left thumb operates the second input device  210 . This allows the user to enter text with both hands, which increases the ease and speed of text input. The second input device  210  may be used to control the function of the first input device  204 . For example, actuating the second input device may change the operation of the first input from a scrolling operation to a volume control operation. Of course this is only one example and other combinations of the interaction between the input devices can be envisioned.  
      In an exemplary radiotelephone mode, the first input device  204  may be used to control the speaker volume or microphone volume in when a voice call is in progress. The first user interface may also be used to scroll through a phone book when the apparatus is in phone book mode. The keypad is used to dial or input a number or information associated with a number and as in text mode, the information can be input by a combination of the first input device  204  and the second input device  210 .  
      Although gaming, messaging and radiotelephone modes of the apparatus are disclosed for exemplary purposes, it is understood that other modes of operation are envisioned wherein the input devices are used in the configuration disclosed.  
      While this invention has been described with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, various components of the embodiments may be interchanged, added, or substituted in the other embodiments. It is envisioned that the first input device may be implemented using a rotary device circumscribing the keypad and the second input device can be a rotary device circumscribing the speaker to provide a balanced user input. Alternatively, the second input device can be a joy stick adjacent the speaker port and the first input device can be a joy stick positioned in or adjacent the keys of the keypad. Accordingly, the embodiments of the invention set forth herein are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.