Patent Document

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The invention relates to a control device for browsing-and selecting an item in a list.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Different kinds of control devices are know from prior art for browsing and selecting an item in a list. Apart from mouse devices, one of the most popular is joystick, which has been used to be a computer peripheral or general control device consisting of a hand held stick that pivots about one end and transmits its angle in two or three dimensions to a computer. Most joysticks are two-dimensional, having two axes of movement, just like a mouse, but three-dimensional joysticks do also exist. Joysticks are often used for controlling machines, such as elevators, cranes, trucks and airplanes, but also for controlling games and browsing and selecting an item in a list, such as in portable electronic devices.  
         [0003]     There are generally two kinds of joysticks, namely digital and analog joysticks. The first one can be implemented with on/off-switches, whereas the analog joystick can be implemented with potentiometers, strain gauges, and capacitive sensors, for example. An output of the digital joystick is 1/0, or on/off-type (pulse shaped signal), but with the analog joystick magnitude of an output signal, such as voltage or electric current, can be varied from 0% to 100% per direction (wave shaped signal) depending on the deflection of the stick from its rest position.  
         [0004]     Generally digital joysticks, which have been used widely in multimedia phones as an input device, are good in exact positioning, for example, when selecting an item in a list, whereas a browsing a long list, for example, is better and faster done with an analogue device such as analog joystick. For final selection a digital device, such as digital joystick, is better again. With an analogue device a user can accelerate a browsing, for instance, by deflecting the analog joystick further from its rest position, and thus browse a long list within a reasonable time, whereas the digital joystick is more accurate for selecting special items in a list without needing a special dexterity.  
         [0005]     Now there will be a requirement of a control device, which can be used at least for quicker browsing as well as more accurate selecting at a same mobile device.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     The object of the invention is to provide a control device, which can be used at least for quicker browsing as well as more accurate selecting at the same mobile device, such as a mobile phone.  
         [0007]     The objects of the invention are fulfilled with a control device, where digital and analogue features of joysticks are combined in a joystick-type control device. This joystick has both digital and analogue modes available at the same time and at the same mobile device.  
         [0008]     The present invention relates to a control device for browsing and selecting an item in a list, wherein the control device comprises a stick means, which is coupled with the control device, the control device further comprising at least one switch and at least one sensor, where the switch is adapted to make contact and generate a digital-type output signal when the stick means is deflected from its rest position in a direction, and after the contact is made the sensor is adapted to generate an analog output signal when the stick means is further deflected in the same direction from its rest position as when the digital type output signal was generated.  
         [0009]     Furthermore the present invention relates also to a computer program product having a computer program stored on a readable medium, the computer program product adapted to read output signals of a control device for browsing and selecting an item in a list when the computer program is run on a computer, the control device comprising a stick means, which is coupled with the control device, the control device further comprising at least one switch and at least one sensor, where the switch is adapted to make contact and generate a digital-type output signal when the stick means is deflected from its rest position in a direction, and the sensor is adapted to generate an analog output signal when the stick means is further deflected in the same direction from its rest position as when the digital type output signal was generated, wherein the computer program is further adapted to read the output signals of the control device in such a way, that the measurement of the deflection of the stick means from its rest position causing the analog signal is measured after the contact has been made.  
         [0010]     According to an embodiment of the present invention digital and analogue features are combined in the joystick of the invention in a manner, where the digital features are achieved when the stick means of the joystick is pressed from its rest position in a certain amount in a certain direction (to x-y direction, for example) and the analog features are achieved when the stick means of the joystick is pressed a little more in the same direction.  
         [0011]     In the first embodiment of the invention the joystick can be implemented with switches generating on/off-type output signals and further with a means sensing force or angle with which the stick means of the joystick is deflected.  
         [0012]     According to a second embodiment of the invention the switches are based on domes and dome pressers, advantageously on the dome and the respective dome presser, in such a way, that when a user presses the stick means from the rest position the dome presser coupled fixedly with the stick makes contact with the dome and on/off-type output signal is generated. The dome pressers are advantageously like a soft dome presser, whereas the domes are like digital dome switches.  
         [0013]     According to a third embodiment of the invention analog features can be achieved when the user, after pressing the dome, presses the stick means a little more in the same direction, whereupon the analogue measurement of the press force is started. The measured force can be used to accelerate or brake the list browsing by controlling the cursor speed. Force measurement can be realised advantageously with strain gauge sensors or capacitive sensing implemented in the stick construction or under the domes. It is however clear for a skilled person that the force measurement, or the measurement of the deflection (angle) of the stick means from its rest position can also be realised with other means known from prior art, such as potentiometers.  
         [0014]     According to a fourth embodiment of the invention the joystick of the invention can be implemented so that under the joystick shaft there is an analog area that is used for analog movement and at the edge of the area there are domes that are used to detect digital movement.  
         [0015]     According to a fifth embodiment of the invention the joystick of the invention is implemented so that the domes and dome pressers are arranged near the shaft, whereupon the dome and dome presser make contact and cause a digital feature advantageously before the deflection measurement and analog features, when the stick means is deflected from the rest position.  
         [0016]     In the embodiments mentioned above the domes and dome pressers are adapted to make contact first when the stick means is pressed, whereupon digital features are achieved, and after the dome contact the deflection of the stick means from its rest position is started to measure, whereupon the analog features are achieved. It should be noted that the placing of the domes in relation to the analog area (area, where the deflection of the stick means from the rest position is measured) is fairly free according to the spirit of the invention. The domes can be adapted to being pressed first when the stick means is deflected from the rest position and just after this the deflection or force caused by the stick means deflection is adapted to being measured. In other words the digital features are adapted to being happened first and secondly the analog features in the embodiments mentioned above.  
         [0017]     However, according to a sixth embodiment of the invention analog features can also be adapted to be measured at first, so when the user starts to press the stick means in a direction and before pressing the dome (before digital type output), whereafter pressing little more in the same direction the dome will be pressed and digital type output generated. When the stick is pressed further to the same direction, the analog features are again measured.  
         [0018]     According to a seventh embodiment of the invention a computer program, such as a programming interface (API), is further adapted to read output signals from the joystick of the invention in a manner, where the measurement of the deflection or force caused by the deflection of the stick means of the joystick from its rest position is measured after the digital contact has been made by at least one dome. Now it should be noted that when the deflection or force is started to measure and the analog features will be generated the digital contact is still sustained.  
         [0019]     According to an eighth embodiment of the invention the sensor is adapted to generate an analog output signal also at first, when the stick means is started to deflect from its rest position in a direction and before the switch is adapted to make contact and generate a digital-type output signal, whereupon the computer program product is also adapted to read the output signals of the control device in such a way, that the measurement of the deflection of the stick means from its rest position causing the analog signal is measured before the switch is adapted to make contact and generate a digital-type output signal. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0020]     The embodiments of the invention will be described by way of examples only, in greater detail with reference the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0021]     FIGS.  1 A-C illustrate a first example of joystick according to an embodiment of the invention, where the joystick is in rest (A), digital (B) and analogue (C) positions,  
         [0022]     FIGS.  2 A-C illustrate a second example of joystick according to an embodiment of the invention, where the joystick is in rest (A), digital (B) and analogue (C) positions,  
         [0023]      FIG. 3  illustrates an exploded view of a third example of joystick construction according to an embodiment of the invention,  
         [0024]     FIGS.  3 A-C illustrate a third example of joystick according to an embodiment of the invention, where the joystick is in rest (A), digital (B) and analogue (C) positions  
         [0025]      FIG. 4  illustrates an example of a chart of the moving area of the stick means head according to an embodiment of the invention,  
         [0026]      FIG. 5  illustrates an example of a block diagram of the computer program for reading output signals from the joystick according to an embodiment of the invention,  
         [0027]      FIG. 6  illustrates a side view of yet another example of a joystick construction according to an embodiment of the invention,  
         [0028]      FIG. 7  illustrates an exploded view of yet another example of a joystick construction according to an embodiment of the invention, and  
         [0029]     FIGS.  8 A-D illustrate yet another example of a joystick according to an embodiment of the invention, where the joystick is in different operational positions. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0030]      FIG. 1A  illustrates a first example of a joystick  100  according to an embodiment of the invention, where the joystick is in rest position. The joystick comprises a stick means  102  such as a stick or pole, by which a user can control an operation of the joystick. The joystick  100  according to an embodiment of the invention further comprises a dome presser  104 , which is advantageously fixedly coupled with the stick  102 , and a dome  106 , which is fixedly arranged to a base of the joystick  100 . Typically the joystick comprises four dome pressers  104  and also four domes  106 , one dome for each dome presser, respectively. The dome  106  is used to generate on/off-type digital output, when it is pressed.  
         [0031]     In addition the joystick  100  comprises an analog sensor  108  for measuring the deflection or force caused by the deflection of the stick means of the joystick from its rest position. The analog sensor can be one of the following: strain gauge sensor, capacitive sensing sensor or potentiometer depending whether the force induced by the base  103  of the stick means  102  to the analog sensor  108  or the deflection angle of the stick means  102  is measured. The analog sensor  108  is used to generate essentially continuous-type analog output, which can vary from 0% to 100%, for example. The measured force or deflection angle of the stick means can then be used to accelerate or brake the list browsing by controlling the cursor speed, for instance.  
         [0032]      FIG. 1B  illustrates the first example of the joystick  100  according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, where the joystick  100  is in digital position. In the joystick construction according to the invention the dome pressers  104  and domes  106  are advantageously adapted to make contact  110  when the stick means  102  of the joystick  100  is pressed sufficiently in a direction, whereupon a digital feature is achieved and on/off-type output signal is generated. When making the contact  110  the dome can close an electric circuit, for example.  
         [0033]     In this position, where the dome contact is only just made, force (F)  112  applied to the analog sensor is quite small but based on the dome structure the user can feel clear tactile feedback experience. The dome is advantageously adapted to make clear tactile feedback, when it is pressed enough. According to a further embodiment of the invention the joystick construction, or a special program, such as an Application Programming Interface (API), can be adapted to start measuring the applied force or a deflection angle only after the dome contact  110  has first been made, whereupon the order of digital and analog output can be achieved.  
         [0034]      FIG. 1C  illustrates the first example of the joystick  100  according to an embodiment of the invention, where the joystick  100  is in analog position, and the analog sensor  108  measures  114  the deflection angle or force applied by the stick means. An analog position, features and outputs are achieved, when the stick means is pressed a little more in the same direction than at first from the rest position, whereupon magnitude of force (F)  116  will increase substantially when compared to the situation illustrated in  FIG. 1B . The more the stick means is pressed or deflected from the rest position over the digital position, the greater force is applied to the analog sensor and also the value of the analog output comes up to 100%, for example.  
         [0035]      FIG. 2A  illustrates a second example of a joystick  200  according to an embodiment of the invention, where the joystick is in a rest position. The construction of the joystick  200  is otherwise similar to the construction of the joystick  100  illustrated in  FIG. 1A -C, but the dome pressers and domes  104 ,  106  are located in the joystick  200  in a different place than in the joystick  100 , namely next to the joint  105  of the stick means  102  of the joystick  200 . However, the operational principle, and especially the digital and analog output signals of the joystick  200  can be similar with the joystick  100  illustrated in  FIG. 1A -C.  
         [0036]      FIG. 2B  illustrates the second example of a joystick  200  according to an embodiment of the invention, where the joystick  200  is in a digital position. Also with the second exemplary joystick construction  200  of the invention, the dome pressers  104  and domes  106  are advantageously first adapted to make contact  110  when the stick means  102  of the joystick  100  is pressed sufficiently in a direction, whereupon a digital feature is achieved and on/off-type output signal is generated. When making the contact  110  the dome can close an electric circuit, for example.  
         [0037]     In this position, where the dome contact is only just made, force (F)  112  applied to the analog sensor is quite small or insignificant, and it can be ignored. However, based on the dome structure the user can feel clear tactile feedback experience, because the dome is advantageously adapted to make clear tactile feedback, when it is pressed enough. According to a further embodiment of the invention the joystick construction, or a special program, such as an Application Programming Interface (API), can be adapted to start measuring the applied force or deflection angle only after the dome contact  110  has first been made, whereupon the order of digital and analog output can be achieved.  
         [0038]      FIG. 2C  illustrates the second example of a joystick  200  according to an embodiment of the invention, where the joystick  200  is in an analog position, and the analog sensor  108  measures  114  the deflection angle or force applied of the stick means. Also with the second exemplary joystick construction  200  of the invention, an analog position, features and outputs are achieved, when the stick means is pressed a little more in the same direction than at first from the rest position, whereupon magnitude of force (F)  116  will increase substantially when compared in the situation illustrated in  FIG. 2B . The more the stick means is pressed or deflected from the rest position over the digital position, the greater force is applied to the analog sensor and also the value of the analog output comes up to 100%, for example.  
         [0039]      FIG. 3  illustrates an exploded view of a third example of a joystick construction  300  according to an embodiment of the invention, where a user can control an operation of the joystick  300  by a stick means  304 . The joystick  300  according to the third embodiment of the invention also comprises a dome presser  104 , which is advantageously fixedly coupled with the stick means  304 , and a dome  106 , which is fixedly arranged to a base of the joystick  300 . The stick means  304  with the dome presser  104  is advantageously composed of a multi-material joystick button, where the domes pressers  104  are advantageously implemented by an elastic dome button ring  306 . In addition the joystick  300  comprises an analog sensor  108  for measuring the deflection or force caused by the deflection of the stick means  304  of the joystick from its rest position.  
         [0040]     Furthermore the joystick  300  comprises a select button  302 , top cover  308  covering an elastic ring  310  for the select button  302 . The elastic ring works like return spring for the select button  302 . Further the joystick  300  comprises a bottom cover  312 .  
         [0041]      FIG. 3A  illustrates the third example of a joystick  300  according to an embodiment of the invention, where the joystick is in rest position.  
         [0042]      FIG. 3B  illustrates the third example of a joystick  300  according to an embodiment of the invention, where the joystick  300  is in digital position. Also with the third example of a joystick construction  300  of the invention the dome presser  104  and dome  106  are advantageously first adapted to make contact  110  when the stick means  304  of the joystick  300  is pressed sufficiently in a direction, whereupon a digital feature is achieved and on/off-type output signal is generated. When making the contact  110  the dome can close an electric circuit, for example.  
         [0043]     In this position, where the dome contact is only just made, force (F)  112  applied to the analog sensor is quite small or insignificant, and can is ignored. However, based on the dome structure the user can feel clear tactile feedback experience, because the dome is advantageously adapted to make clear tactile feedback, when it is pressed enough. According to a further embodiment of the invention the joystick construction, or a special program, such as an Application Programming Interface (API), can be adapted to start measuring the applied force or deflection angle only after the dome contact  110  has first been made, whereupon the order of digital and analog output can be achieved.  
         [0044]      FIG. 3C  illustrates the third example of a joystick  300  according to an embodiment of the invention, where the joystick  300  is in analog position, and the analog sensor  108  measures  114  the deflection angle or force applied of the stick means  304 . Also with the third example of a joystick construction  300  of the invention, an analog position, features and outputs are achieved, when the stick means  304  is pressed a little more in the same direction than at first from the rest position, whereupon magnitude of force (F)  116  will increase substantially when compared to the situation illustrated in  FIG. 3B . The more the stick means  304  is pressed or deflected from the rest position over the digital position, the greater force is applied to the analog sensor and also the value of the analog output comes up to 100%, for example.  
         [0045]     The force measurement, for example, in the joystick construction  100 ,  200 ,  300  according to the invention can be realised advantageously with different analog sensors mentioned above. The analog sensors  108  can be placed according to an embodiment of the invention under the stick means  102 ,  304 , or to be exact, between the dome  106  and the joint  105  of the stick means  102  in the first embodiment illustrated in FIGS.  1 A-C, and according to the second embodiment to outer side of the dome  106  (when seen from the joint  105  of the stick means  102 ) as illustrated in FIGS.  2 A-C. Alternatively the analog sensors  108  can be placed according to another embodiment of the invention under the domes or dome pressers, advantageously under the domes  106 , whereupon force applied on the dome  106  when the stick means is deflected from the rest position is started to measure and the analog output signal is generated only after the domes  104 ,  106  have first made the contact and the digital output signal is generated.  
         [0046]     With the construction, where the analog sensors  108  are placed under the domes  106 , very compact joystick construction can be achieved, especially if the joystick construction  200  illustrated in  FIG. 2A -C is used.  
         [0047]     In further embodiments, dome pressers  104  and/or domes  106  in the joystick constructions illustrated above are advantageously adapted to make clear feedback, when the contact is made and the digital output signal is generated, like with the typical digital joysticks. This can be achieved by choosing appropriate materials used for preparing the domes  104 ,  106 .  
         [0048]     However it should be noted relating to FIGS.  1 A-C and  3 A-C that according to the sixth embodiment of the invention the analog features can also be adapted to be measured at first, so when the user starts to press the stick means in a direction from the rest position and before pressing the dome (before digital type output,  FIGS. 1B, 3B ), whereafter pressing a little more in the same direction the dome will be pressed and digital type output generated ( FIGS. 1B, 3B ). When the stick is pressed further in the same direction, the analog features are again measured ( FIGS. 1C, 3C ).  
         [0049]      FIG. 4  illustrates an example of a chart  400  of the moving area  401  of a head of the stick means according to an embodiment of the invention. An analog area  402  is used for analog movement and an analog output signal will be generated 0 to 100% per direction when stick movements is in the inner area  402 . At the edge  404  of the moving area  401  there are domes that are used to detect digital movement. A line  404  illustrates a dome click zone of a four domes stick version. The inner area  406  in the middle of the moving area  401  represents the zero or rest position of the stick of the joystick, when the digital output signal is advantageously 0 as well as also the analog output signal, or to be exact, the analog output signal is essentially 0%.  
         [0050]      FIG. 5  illustrates an example of a block diagram of the computer program product  500 , which is adapted to read output signals from the joystick according to an embodiment of the invention in such a way that the measurement of the deflection or force caused by the deflection of the stick means of the joystick from its rest position is started to be measured only after the digital contact has been made by at least one dome. Thus there is a first analyser code component  502  in the computer program product, which is adapted to observe, when the computer program is run on a computer, whether the a contact is made by the domes and the digital output signal is generated.  
         [0051]     In addition there is a second analyser code component  504  in the computer program product, which is adapted to observe, when the program is run on a computer, whether the domes have made the contact and the stick means of the joystick is further deflected in the same direction, whereupon the deflection of the stick means is started to measure. Further the second analyser code component  504  is adapted to start measuring the magnitude of the analog output signal generated when the stick means is deflected to the analog area. Now it should be noted that when the deflection or force is started to measure and the analog features will be generated, the digital contact is still sustained.  
         [0052]     However, according to the sixth embodiment of the invention the first analyser code component  502  in the computer program product can be ignored and the second analyser code component  504  is adapted to measure the magnitude of the analog output signal continuously when the program is run on a computer. According to sixth embodiment of the invention the analog features can thus be measured at first, so when the user starts to press the stick means in a direction from the rest position and before pressing the dome (before digital type output,  FIGS. 1B, 3B ), whereafter pressing a little more in the same direction the dome will be pressed and digital type output generated ( FIGS. 1B, 3B ). When the stick is pressed further to the same direction, the analog features are again measured ( FIGS. 1C, 3C ).  
         [0053]      FIG. 6  illustrates a side view of yet another example of a joystick construction  600  according to an embodiment of the invention. The further embodiment of  FIG. 6  comprises a selection keydome  601  for enabling the movement of the stick means of the joystick. Furthermore the joystick  600  comprises a keydome  602  for digital switch detection means. The keydome  602  can engage and accordingly convey the digital signal for the detection of the motion of the stick means. Yet furthermore the joystick ( 600 ) comprises an analog sensor  603 . The analog sensor  603  can engage and convey the analog signal for the detection of the motion of the stick means. Also the analog means can establish more details of the movement of the stick means. In the further embodiment of  FIG. 6  the analog sensor  603 , for example the analog detection means, and the keydome  602 , for example for the digital detection means, can be situation one upon the other. For example, the digital detection means are situated on the analog detection means. This kind of construction and design can save space and make the joystick more compact.  
         [0054]     In the further embodiments relating to the  FIG. 6  and furthermore to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the digital detection means, e.g. a keydome, and the analog detection means, i.e. the analog sensor, can be located one upon the other. Therefore there can be different kind of forces actuating on the digital on each of them. Smaller pressing force actuates first the digital detection means, e.g. keydome to be pressed down and makes the contact. Bigger force actuates on the analog detection means, e.g. the analog press sensor creating an analog signal that can be used for example for faster lost browsing or cursor movement.  
         [0055]     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , there is being illustrated an exploded view of yet another example of a joystick construction  600  according to an embodiment of the invention. For example the further embodiment of  FIG. 6  can be illustrated in the exploded view of  FIG. 7 . The joystick  600  of the further embodiment of  FIG. 7  comprises a select means  610 . The select means  610  can be used for interfacing with, for example a finger of the user. The joystick  600  comprises also a joystick hat  620 . The joystick hat  620  can cover the joystick  600 . Furthermore it can provide a protective upper housing for the joystick. Also it can provide some limitation for the movement of the select means  610  thereby establishing the mechanical limitation for the movement of the select means  610 . The joystick also has a base  630  for creating mechanical support and housing means for the joystick structure. Furthermore a lock  640  is provided in the joystick  600 . The lock  640  can establish a locking means for maintaining the select means  610  locked in the joystick  600 . The lock  640  attaches the base  630  to the lock  640 . Furthermore the lock  640  supports the joystick hat  620 . The joystick  600  further comprises a dome flex  650  containing, for example four different digital detection means such as four different keydomes. Furthermore the joystick  600  comprises the analog sensor  660  underneath the dome flex  650 . Thereby the analog detection means can coincide with the digital detection means in the substantially same vertical plane.  
         [0056]     FIGS.  8 A-D illustrate yet another exemplary joystick  600  according to a further embodiment of the invention, where the joystick is in different operational positions.  FIG. 8A  depicts a zero position, when, the joystick is basically in the normal standby mode.  FIG. 8B  shows the movement so that when pressing or moving the select means  610  in a direction a small pressing force affects the digital detection means so that the keydome  602  for example can click or snap down to make an indication. This is highlighted in the area  701 . In  FIG. 8C  the force increases and thereby actuates the analog detection means. This is indicated in the area  702 . For example, the bigger force actuates on the analog sensor  603  creating an analog signal that can be used. For example it indicates faster list browsing or cursor movement. In the  FIG. 8D  less force is being conveyed to the area  703 . Thereby the analog detection means is diminished to the digital sensing so that, for example, final cursor positioning can be established with the digital ‘clicking’.  
         [0057]     Furthermore it should be noted that the domes applied to make digital output signals can be placed in different locations. Moreover analog sensors for measuring deflection or force caused by the stick means deflection can be placed either on a bottom base of the joystick, for example, or under the domes, especially under said second domes. Furthermore digital-type output signal can also be generated without domes in an embodiment, where the joystick is adapted to generate digital-type output signal when the magnitude of the analog output signal exceeds a certain limit or threshold.  
         [0058]     The invention has been explained above with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, and several advantages of the invention have been demonstrated. It is clear that the invention is not only restricted to these embodiments, but comprises all possible embodiments within the spirit and scope of the inventive thought and the following patent claims.

Technology Category: g