Electrical generator or motor structure – Non-dynamoelectric – Piezoelectric elements and devices
Reexamination Certificate
2002-05-31
2004-03-23
Dougherty, Thomas M. (Department: 2834)
Electrical generator or motor structure
Non-dynamoelectric
Piezoelectric elements and devices
C310S317000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06710518
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to manually operable controls for electronic devices.
DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART
In the past decade a variety of electronic devices, including portable electronic devices have come into wide spread use. In the design of electronic devices that are portable emphasis is placed on reducing the space occupied by each individual component, and reducing the cost. The former consideration leads to selection of buttons that have a small stroke (distance the button moves when actuated). Unfortunately, such buttons do not provide a great deal of tactile feedback to a user operating the buttons. This is particularly problematic if a user is in the habit of actuating a sequence of buttons in rapid succession, in the case of user having reduced manual dexterity (e.g., an elderly user), or in the case of a visually impaired user.
Dome switches which abruptly displace when a certain threshold manual actuation force is exceeded, have been used. Although such switches provide a degree of tactile feedback, they have complex structures, and commensurate cost. Elastomeric switches are a type of low cost, but also, low stroke switch. Regrettably, elastomeric switches provide little tactile feedback.
Given the rapid introduction of new types of device (e.g., Personal Digital Assistants, Text messaging pagers, MP3 players), and the rapid development of novel functionality, another important objective in designing electronic devices is to provide intuitive interfaces. Employing touch screens along with graphical user interfaces (GUI) is one avenue to providing intuitive interfaces. Unfortunately, the stroke of touch screens is frequently so small as to be imperceptible, and consequently touch screens provide little if any tactile feedback.
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Morton Bruce McKay
Rollins Thomas James
Chapa Lawrence J.
Dougherty Thomas M.
Dulaney Randi L.
Motorola Inc.
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