PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-7880729-B2
Application Number: US-49936006-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Center button isolation ring

Abstract:
Selection button isolation arrangements for use with electronic devices are presented including: a selection pad forming a substantially planar surface disposed about a first axis, the selection pad having a pad top surface, the pad top surface configured to receive a user input, the selection pad configured to actuate a number of switches; a selection button substantially co-located with and disposed about the first axis for actuating a selection button switch, the selection button configured to receive a user input; and an annular isolation ring disposed about the first axis having a standoff for mechanically isolating the selection button such that the selection button switch is not actuated by the first user input. In some embodiments, the user input indicators are selected from the group consisting of: a menu selection, a play selection, a pause selection, a forward search selection, a backward search selection, and a stop selection.

Claims:
1. A selection button isolation arrangement for use with an electronic device comprising:
 a selection pad having a pad top surface, the pad top surface configured to receive a first user input and a second user input; 
 a plate; 
 a first switch disposed on the plate; 
 a first actuator disposed between the pad top surface and the first switch for transmitting the first user input to the first switch; 
 a second switch disposed on the plate; 
 a second actuator disposed between the pad top surface and the second switch for transmitting the second user input to the second switch; 
 a selection button surrounded by the selection pad, the selection button configured to receive a third user input; 
 a third switch disposed on the plate; 
 a third actuator disposed between the selection button and the third switch for transmitting the third user input to the third switch; and 
 a standoff disposed between the pad top surface and the plate, the standoff surrounding the third actuator, the standoff being disposed between the first actuator and the second actuator, and the standoff being configured to prevent actuation of the third switch by the first user input or the second user input. 
 
     
     
       2. The arrangement of  claim 1  wherein the selection pad comprises:
 a base layer for providing mechanical support, the base layer configured with a plurality of actuator nubs for actuating the plurality of switches; and 
 a finish surface layer forming the pad top surface for providing a plurality of user input indicators. 
 
     
     
       3. The arrangement of  claim 2  wherein the plurality of user input indicators are selected from the group consisting of: a menu selection, a play selection, a pause selection, a forward search selection, a backward search selection, and a stop selection. 
     
     
       4. The arrangement of  claim 1  further comprising an annular isolation ring surrounding the selection button and surrounded by the selection pad, wherein the standoff is part of the annular isolation ring, and the selection button comprises an indent for providing a capturing element such that the annular isolation ring captures the selection button. 
     
     
       5. The arrangement of  claim 1  further comprising an annular isolation ring surrounding the selection button and surrounded by the selection pad, wherein the annular isolation ring is mechanically integrated with the standoff. 
     
     
       6. The arrangement of  claim 1  wherein the electronic device is a portable music device. 
     
     
       7. The arrangement of  claim 1  wherein the selection pad has a rectangular shape. 
     
     
       8. The arrangement of  claim 1  further comprising an annular isolation ring surrounding the selection button and surrounded by the selection pad, wherein the standoff is part of the annular isolation ring, and the annular isolation ring is non-contiguous. 
     
     
       9. An arrangement for use with an electronic device comprising:
 a selection pad having a pad top surface, the pad top surface configured to receive a first user input; 
 a plate; 
 a first switch disposed on the plate; 
 a first actuator disposed between the pad top surface and the first switch for transmitting the first user input to the first switch; 
 a selection button configured to receive a second user input; 
 a second switch disposed on the plate; 
 a second actuator disposed between the selection button and the second switch for transmitting the second user input to the second switch; and 
 a standoff disposed between the pad top surface and the plate, the standoff being disposed between the first actuator and the second actuator, and the standoff being configured to prevent actuation of the second switch by the first user input. 
 
     
     
       10. The arrangement of  claim 9  wherein the selection pad comprises:
 a base layer for providing mechanical support, the base layer configured with a plurality of actuator nubs for actuating the plurality of switches; and 
 a finish surface layer forming the pad top surface for providing a plurality of user input indicators. 
 
     
     
       11. The arrangement of  claim 10  wherein the plurality of user input indicators are selected from the group consisting of: a menu selection, a play selection, a pause selection, a forward search selection, a backward search selection, and a stop selection. 
     
     
       12. The arrangement of  claim 9  further comprising an isolation barrier, wherein the standoff is part of the isolation barrier, and the selection button comprises an indent for providing a capturing element such that the isolation barrier captures the selection button. 
     
     
       13. The arrangement of  claim 9  further comprising an isolation barrier, wherein the standoff is part of the isolation barrier, and the isolation barrier is non-contiguous. 
     
     
       14. The arrangement of  claim 9  wherein the selection pad is formed into a shape selected from the group consisting of: a triangle, a quadrilateral, a pentagon, a hexagon, an octagon, a free form shape, and an ovate shape. 
     
     
       15. An arrangement for use with a portable electronic music device comprising:
 a selection pad having a pad top surface, the pad top surface configured to receive a first user input; 
 a plate; 
 a first switch disposed on the plate; 
 a first actuator disposed between the pad top surface and the first switch for transmitting the first user input to the first switch; 
 a selection button configured to receive a second user input; 
 a second switch disposed on the plate; 
 a second actuator disposed between the selection button and the second switch for transmitting the second user input to the second switch; and 
 a standoff disposed between the pad top surface and the plate, the standoff being disposed between the first actuator and the second actuator, and the standoff being configured to prevent actuation of the second switch by the first user input. 
 
     
     
       16. The arrangement of  claim 15  further comprising a plurality of user input indicators disposed on the pad top surface, wherein the plurality of user input indicators are selected from the group consisting of: a menu selection, a play selection, a pause selection, a forward search selection, a backward search selection, and a stop selection. 
     
     
       17. The arrangement of  claim 15  further comprising an annular isolation ring surrounding the selection button and surrounded by the selection pad, wherein the annular isolation ring is mechanically integrated with the standoff. 
     
     
       18. The arrangement of  claim 15  wherein the selection pad has a triangular shape. 
     
     
       19. The arrangement of  claim 15  further comprising an annular isolation ring surrounding the selection button and surrounded by the selection pad, wherein the standoff is part of the annular isolation ring, and the annular isolation ring is non-contiguous.

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM TO PROVISIONAL APPLICATION 
     A claim for priority is hereby made under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 119 for the present application based upon U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/725,841, filed on Oct. 11, 2005, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Portable electronic devices have continued to evolve with developing computing technologies. Reductions in size of computing components have given rise to a proliferation of multi-use devices that may be easily transported while maintaining robust feature sets. For example, a personal digital assistant (PDA) is a handheld device that combines computing, telephone/fax, Internet, and networking features. Unlike portable computing devices, a PDA is generally configured to utilize a stylus or a user finger for input. In other examples, portable electronic devices may be highly specialized featuring a compact profile with equally compact user input controls. 
     For example, the IPOD® as developed by APPLE® is a full featured portable electronic music device as in  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 1  is an illustrative representation of a portable electronic music device  100 . A user may store and play any number of musical selections using device  100 . In some examples, a screen  114  may be provided that may be utilized as a graphical user interface. A selection wheel  110  may provide any number of selection wheel controls such as: menu selection  102 ; forward search selection  104 ; play/pause selection  106 ; and backward search selection  108 . These selections may be configured to provide a user friendly and efficient interface. In this example, a player control may be defined by an area that may be pressed to actuate an underlying switch. In some examples, a center button  112  having an underlying center button switch may be provided for additional selections. Further, a port  116  may be used for I/O functions as well as charging functions. Legend arrows  150  are provided for clarity. As illustrated, portable electronic music device  100  is configured with a simplified user interface having only four selection wheel controls ( 102 - 108 ) and one center button  112 . 
     In early models of this type of portable electronic music device, devices were large enough to accommodate a relatively large selection wheel and correspondingly large area for player controls. However, as device profiles have continued to shrink, so have user interfaces. Thus, areas designated for player controls have continued to shrink causing users, in some examples, to inadvertently actuate a center button switch when making a player control selection thereby causing unexpected results. 
     For example,  FIG. 2  is an illustrative cross-sectional representation of a selection pad  204  and selection button  202 . At initial rest position  200 , switches  206 ,  208 , and  210  are not actuated. Selection button  202  may be utilized to select switch  208  while selection pad  204  may be configured to actuate switches  206  and  210  via actuator nubs  214  and  212 , respectively. In a first actuating position  250 , a force  220  may be applied to selection pad  204  at or near the location of switch  210 . As can be appreciated, deflection of selection pad  204  may, in some examples, cause a partial deflection of selection button  202  which partially actuates switch  208 . Typically these arrangements may be configured to accept some degree of deflection of selection button without actuating switch  208 . Thus, a compromise between a responsive selection button that is resistant to mechanical cross-talk may be achieved. However, when a force  230  is applied at second actuating position  260 , a different result may occur. In this position, force  230  is applied closer to selection button  202  actuating not only switch  210 , but switch  208  as well. In this example, when both switches are actuated, mechanical cross-talk may occur thus leading to unexpected results. This problem is exacerbated as device profile shrinks. Therefore, selection button isolation arrangements are presented herein. 
     SUMMARY 
     The following presents a simplified summary of some embodiments of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify key/critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some embodiments of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented below. 
     As such, selection button isolation arrangements for use with electronic devices are presented including: a selection pad forming a substantially planar surface disposed about a first axis, the selection pad having a pad top surface, the pad top surface configured to receive a user input, the selection pad configured to actuate a number of switches; a selection button substantially co-located with and disposed about the first axis for actuating a selection button switch, the selection button configured to receive a user input; and an annular isolation ring disposed about the first axis having a standoff for mechanically isolating the selection button such that the selection button switch is not actuated by the first user input. In some embodiments, the selection pad includes: a base layer for providing mechanical support, the base layer configured with a number of actuator nubs for actuating the plurality of switches; and a finish surface layer forming the pad top surface for providing a number of user input indicators. In some embodiments, the user input indicators are selected from the group consisting of: a menu selection, a play selection, a pause selection, a forward search selection, a backward search selection, and a stop selection. 
     In other embodiments, selection button isolation arrangements for use with electronic devices are presented including: a selection pad forming a substantially planar surface, the selection pad having a pad top surface, the pad top surface configured to receive a user input, the selection pad configured to actuate a number of switches; a selection button substantially coplanar with the selection pad for actuating a selection button switch wherein the selection button is proximate to at least one of the plurality of switches, the selection button configured to receive a user input; and an isolation barrier for mechanically isolating the selection button such that the selection button switch is not actuated by user input directed to the selection pad. In some embodiments, the selection pad includes: a base layer for providing mechanical support, the base layer configured with a plurality of actuator nubs for actuating the plurality of switches; and a finish surface layer forming the pad top surface for providing a plurality of user input indicators. 
     In other embodiments, selection button isolation arrangements for use with a portable electronic music devices are presented including: a selection pad forming a substantially planar surface disposed about an axis, the selection pad having a pad top surface, the pad top surface configured to receive a user input, the selection pad configured to actuate a number of switches wherein the selection pad includes, a base layer for providing mechanical support, the base layer configured with a number of actuator nubs for actuating the number of switches, and a finish surface layer forming the pad top surface for providing a number of user input indicators; a selection button substantially co-located with and disposed about the axis for actuating a selection button switch, the selection button configured to receive another user input wherein the selection button includes, a button actuator nub for actuating the selection button switch, and an indent for providing a capturing element such that the annular isolation ring captures the selection button; and an annular isolation ring disposed about the first axis having a standoff for mechanically isolating the selection button such that the selection button switch is not actuated by the user input directed to the selection pad. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an illustrative representation of a portable electronic music device; 
         FIG. 2  is an illustrative cross-sectional representation of a selection pad and selection button; 
         FIG. 3  is an illustrative cross-sectional representation of a selection pad and selection button in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is an illustrative top and cross-sectional representation of a selection button isolation arrangement in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIGS. 5A-C  are illustrative representations of configurations of selection pads in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to a few embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well known process steps and/or structures have not been described in detail in order to not unnecessarily obscure the present invention. 
       FIG. 3  is an illustrative cross-sectional representation of a selection pad  304  and selection button  302  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. At initial rest position  300 , switches  306 - 310  are not actuated. Selection button  302  may be utilized to select switch  308  while selection pad  304 , which includes a pad top surface, may be configured to actuate switches  306  and  310  via actuator nubs  314  and  312 , respectively. In a first actuating position  350 , a force  320  may be applied to selection pad  304  at or near the location of switch  310 . Force  320  is transmitted through actuator nub  312  to actuate switch  310 . As can be appreciated, deflection of selection pad  304  may, in some examples, cause a partial deflection of selection button  302  which partially actuates switch  308 . However, an annular isolation ring  321  having a standoff  322  may be utilized to limit travel of center button  302 . While prior art solutions may be configured to accept some degree of deflection of selection button without actuating switch  308 , annular isolation ring  321  may be configured to provide an absolute limit of selection button deflection. 
     When a force  330  is applied at second actuating position  360 , unlike force  230  ( FIG. 2 ), selection button  302  is limited in deflection because annular isolation ring  321  provides a mechanical limit for any deflection. Thus, mechanical cross-talk, as discussed above, may be reduced or eliminated. Furthermore, selection button  302  may be configured to be even more responsive to user input (i.e. button actuator nub  324  may be configured in tighter tolerance with respect to switch  308 ) with little or no mechanical cross-talk. In some embodiments, selection button  302  may be configured with indent  326  that provides a capturing element such that annular isolation ring  321  may capture selection button  302 . In other embodiments, annular isolation ring  321  may be non-contiguous. That is, annular isolation ring  321  may be segmented in some embodiments without departing from the present invention. 
       FIG. 4  is an illustrative top and cross-sectional representation of a selection button isolation arrangement  400  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Selection isolation arrangement  400  includes a selection pad  404  having a pad top surface for receiving user input. Selection pad  404  may be further configured with a number of layers: a base layer (not shown) and a finish surface layer (not shown). A base layer provides mechanical support for the selection pad. A base layer may be composed of any of a number of sufficiently rigid materials well known in the art. In some embodiments, a polymeric compound may be utilized. Additionally, polymeric compounds may provide some insulating properties for a selection pad. Any suitable polymeric compound having sufficient strength to weight ratio may be utilized without departing from the present invention. A finish layer provides graphical representation of user controls called user input indicators. Any number of user input indicators may be utilized. In embodiments where an electronic device is a portable music device, like, for example, an IPOD®, user input indicators like menu selection; play selection; pause selection; forward search selection; backward search selection; and stop selection may be utilized without departing form the present invention. User input indicators may be co-located with switches  410 ,  412 ,  414 , and  416  as discussed above. Thus, in one embodiment, to make a menu selection, a user may apply a force upon a user input indicators using a stylus, for example. The force applied is transmitted through an actuator nub  408  which actuates switch  410 . 
     As noted above, forces applied in this manner may, in some prior art solutions, actuate a selection button. However, in the present invention, an annular isolation ring  402  may limit movement due to an applied force so that a selection button is not actuated inadvertently. A standoff  406  is configured such that movement due to a downward force is limited. Standoff  406  may be disposed substantially perpendicular to pad top surface of selection pad  404 . In some embodiments, annular isolation ring  402  is mechanically integrated with selection pad  404 . Annular isolation ring  402  and selection pad  404  may be mechanically integrated in any manner well known in the art including, for example, gluing and welding without departing from the present invention. Further, as illustrated, annular isolation ring  402  may be disposed about axis  454  as defined by center lines  450  and  452  where axis  454  is disposed substantially perpendicular to annular isolation ring  402  and selection pad  404 . Thus, in the illustrated example, annular isolation ring  402  is circular. Still further, standoff  406  may or may not be contiguous. That is, stand off  406  may be segmented in some embodiments. As can be appreciated, drawings are not necessarily to scale and are for illustrative clarity only. No limitations as to dimensions should be construed from the illustrations presented. 
       FIGS. 5A-C  are illustrative representations of configurations of selection pads in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.  FIG. 5A  illustrates a selection pad arrangement  500  for actuating a plurality of switches  502 ,  504 ,  506 ,  508 ,  510 , and  512  and having multiple selection buttons  514 ,  516 , and  518 . In this arrangement, embodiments of the present invention minimize mechanical cross-talk between switches  502 ,  504 ,  506 ,  508 ,  510 , and  512  of a selection pad and multiple selection buttons  514 ,  516 , and  518 .  FIG. 5B  illustrates a selection pad arrangement  520  for actuating a plurality of switches  522 ,  524 , and  526  and a single center selection button  528  in a triangular configuration. In this arrangement, embodiments of the present invention minimize mechanical cross-talk between switches  522 ,  524 , and  526  of a selection pad and center selection button  528 .  FIG. 5C  illustrates a selection pad arrangement  530  for actuating a plurality of switches  532 ,  534 ,  536 , and  538  and a single center selection button  540  in a rectangular configuration. In this arrangement, embodiments of the present invention minimize mechanical cross-talk between switches  532 ,  534 ,  536 , and  538  of a selection pad and center selection button  540 . 
     As may be appreciated any number of configurations may be achieved in embodiments of the present invention. In addition to the configurations illustrated, a quadrilateral, a pentagon, a hexagon, an octagon, a free form shape, an ovate shape, and other shapes may be utilized without departing from the present invention. As such, any illustrative shape should not be considered limiting. As may be appreciated, in some embodiments, selection button isolation arrangements may be configured as a free form isolation barrier. That is, isolation ring (i.e. isolation barrier) embodiments as described above need not be annular. Indeed, isolation barrier may conform to any shape as defined by a center selection button without departing from the present invention. 
     While this invention has been described in terms of several embodiments, there are alterations, permutations, and equivalents, which fall within the scope of this invention. It should also be noted that there are many alternative ways of implementing the methods and apparatuses of the present invention. It is therefore intended that the following appended claims be interpreted as including all such alterations, permutations, and equivalents as fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20060804
Publication Date: 20110201
Grant Date: 20110201
Priority Date: 20051011
Inventors: LYNCH BRIAN
MOOLSINTONG JAN
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H01H2025/048", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/0338", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/0202", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H25/041", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H25/041", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/0338", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H2025/048", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/0202", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 37910680