Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Display peripheral interface input device – Touch panel
Reexamination Certificate
2001-05-11
2004-09-07
Chang, Kent (Department: 2673)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Display peripheral interface input device
Touch panel
C345S168000, C341S032000, C341S034000, C400S491000, C400S494000, C200S512000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06788294
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a device and method for implementing a key in a keypad.
BACKGROUND OF TECHNOLOGY
Many electronic devices include a user interface to implement functionality for user input and output. There are various ways of implementing the user interface, utilizing communication by voice, picture, text, the sense of touch or other signalling methods. The most common type of user interface continues to be based on key functions implemented by means of a key pad; the device outputs data to the display, and the user enters input in the form of alphanumeric characters, using the key pad.
A touch screen is a type of combination of key pad and display; the display is typically fitted with a sensor matrix to detect finger presses on the screen surface and indicate their position. The display control system has been programmed to recognize finger presses on a certain area of the screen as commands for the user interface; the user can input data by touching certain areas indicated on the screen. Thus, one of the benefits of a touch screen over a conventional combination of a key pad and display is that the former can be customized in software, by using so-called SOFT keys. On a touch screen, the user interface can at one moment be a game controller, on another moment it may represent a Chinese keyboard.
A disadvantage of the touch screen compared with a conventional combination of a key pad and display is that the touch screen is unable to give the user a feeling of the key presses. By grounds of its accuracy, key operation based on the sense of touch feels familiar and reliable for the users. Users want the keys to be distinguishable from the underlying surface and to move down with the key presses. Touch screens also cause problems for the weak-eyed, who are unable to distinguish adjacent option keys from each other by the sense of touch.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Now, a device and method has been invented for implementing a key that enables customization of the key—and thus the whole user interface—just as in the case of touch screens, and provides the possibility to operate the key relying on the sense of touch.
According to a first aspect of the invention, there is implemented a key element that characteristically comprises a first layer comprising a material whose volume is responsive to the magnitude of field, said field being one of the following: electric field, magnetic field, both of the above; and means for altering the field in a wanted position in said layer in order to create a key in that position.
According to a second aspect of the invention, there is implemented a key element that characteristically comprises a first layer comprising a material whose volume is responsive to the magnitude of field, said field being one of the following: electric field, magnetic field, both of the above; means for detecting a press and means for altering said field to create a pressing of the key in response to the detected key press.
According to a third aspect of the invention, there is implemented a method for implementing a key that characteristically comprises the alteration of a field applied at a certain position to a first layer comprising a material whose volume is responsive to the magnitude of the field, to create a key in said position; said field being one of the following: electric field, magnetic field, both of the above.
According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is implemented an electronic device that characteristically comprises a layer comprising a material whose volume is responsive to the magnitude of field, said field being one of the following: electric field, magnetic field, both of the above; and means for altering the field in a wanted position in said layer to create a key in that position.
According to a fifth aspect of the invention, there is implemented a manufacturing method for manufacturing a key element, the method characteristically comprising the joining of a layer of a material whose volume is responsive to the magnitude of field with means for altering said field, the field being one of the following: electric field, magnetic field, both of the above.
A preferred embodiment of the invention utilizes material whose volume is responsive to the magnitude of an electric field, so-called MSM material (Magneto Straining Material). It is also possible to alter the volume of many of these materials by altering the magnitude of a magnetic field applied to the material. A characteristic of MSM materials is the change in volume in connection with the changes to an electric field, magnetic field or both fields applied to the material. An example of such a material whose volume is responsive to the magnitude of field is the material Ni
2
MnGa, featured in publication WO 99/45631; by redirecting the dual structure of the material using an electric field, a reversible change in the material volume can be obtained. In prior art, it is commonly known that there are materials whose changes in volume are irreversible, i.e., the material will not return to its original size even if the electric and/or magnetic field applied to the material would return to its original magnitude. One of these irreversible materials is Polypyrol.
A preferred embodiment additionally utilizes material whose electrical conductivity is responsive to pressure, so-called ER material (elastoresistive material). A characteristic of these materials is that the electrical conductivity of the material changes in connection with changes to the pressure applied to the material. The position of pressure applied to the material, e.g., a press of a finger, can be determined preferably by means of a conductor matrix connected to the material. Another preferred alternative for the detection of finger presses is, for example, the use of ElectroMechanical Film (EMFi) material, as featured in publication EP 775049. Whereas the electrical conductivity of ER material increases in connection with the increase in pressure applied to the material, EMFI material directly produces electricity from pressure, i.e., EMFI material produces an electrical voltage when compressed or moved. Also the detection of pressure is done in a slightly different way with these materials; whereas EMFI material directly produces electricity when pressed, and this electricity can be detected and its position determined with a conductor matrix, with ER material it is required to feed the conductor matrix with external current that is transmitted from one conductor to another through the ER membrane at a crossing point of the conductors when pressed.
A preferred embodiment of the invention also utilizes a membrane created with so-called electronic ink (E-ink). An image is created on the E-ink membrane by using an electric field to control micro-capsuled color cells in the membrane; one part of the capsules comprises dark-colored cells, and another part comprises light-colored cells. By turning these micro-capsules to different positions, it is possible to create different shades of dark and light areas on the membrane, as in a conventional black-and-white television. Electronic paper has been discussed, for example, in the article “Digital Ink Grants every Whim”, published in the Financial Times on Mar. 11, 1996.
In a preferred embodiment, the device and method are used as the user interface of an electronic device. The key that is the object of the invention has the characteristic feature that it can be customized whenever necessary, so a separate user interface is not necessary when the requirements change. In case of a key pad implemented according to this invention, language-specific settings, for example, can be done preferably when the key pad is sold to the customer; this covers, for example, the language that the key pad supports, be it Chinese, Spanish or English. There is no need to stock different key pads for different languages any longer.
The key that is the object of this invention principally works in the same way as current keys in key pads; the selectors are clearly
Kujala Antti
Takala Roope
Chang Kent
Nokia Mobile Phones Ltd.
Perman & Green LLP
Sheng Tom
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