Electricity: circuit makers and breakers – Multiple circuit control – Multiple switch
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-03
2001-07-10
Friedhofer, Michael (Department: 2832)
Electricity: circuit makers and breakers
Multiple circuit control
Multiple switch
C200S517000, C200S310000, C200S314000, C200S317000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06259044
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to electronic devices, and more particularly to protective components for use with electronic devices.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Conventional electronic devices, and particularly hand-held electronic devices, have user interfaces in the form of a keyboard or a touch-sensitive screen having a keypad area. The keyboards and touch-sensitive screens typically include many keys, with each associated indicia, such as alpha-numeric characters, visible to an operator during use of the electronic device. Keypads for electronic devices have been developed wherein each key is associated with multiple key-stroke functions. As a result, fewer keys are required for the keyboard, thereby allowing for efficient use of space for the keypad.
Typically a key in a keypad has indicia either printed on it or positioned relative to the key so as to be visible to a user. Because each key is usable for multiple input functions, each key is typically activated more frequently than if the key had a single input function. With increased use of the keys, the printed indicia on the keys can be worn off or obscured over time, such as from a user's finger pressing on the keys. The keys also have a tendency to get dirty from use over time. The touch-sensitive screens also experience excessive wear in the keypad area, and the screen can get dirty and visually obscured with use over time.
One way to avoid the drawbacks of dirty keys or touch-sensitive screens on an electronic device is for the operator to use gloves. A gloved finger can also reduce the amount of wear on the key's indicia. A disadvantage experienced when the operator uses gloves is that the glove reduces the operator's touch sensitivity during use of the keypad. Accordingly, the glove can make it difficult for an operator to know when a key has been sufficiently pressed to register a key stroke.
Tactile indicators have been used with keys to provide the operator with an indication of a completed key stroke. If the tactile indicator is too stiff, such that an elevated force is required to execute a key stroke, the keys can be difficult to use and the keys can be damaged if an excessive force is applied to the keys. The problems associated with improper tactile feedback, especially with a gloved hand, is exacerbated when using a touch-sensitive screen because such screens typically do not include tactile feedback devices. As a result, a touch-sensitive screen may be susceptible to damage from excessive pressure when the operator presses the key in an effort to register a key stroke.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention solves the above problems and provides additional benefits not recognized by the prior art. One aspect of the invention embodies a keypad-overlay for use with an electronic device. The electronic device has a housing and a display is coupled to the housing. A plurality of keys or signal input members are coupled to electronic components contained in the housing. The signal input members include key indicia that provide an indication of key strokes usable in operation of the electronic device. The keypad-overlay is positioned adjacent to the keypad to removably cover the keys. They keypad-overlay includes a web and a plurality of translucent cover members projecting from the web, so each cover member is positionable over a selected key. The translucent cover members are configured so the key indicium associated with the keys are visible to an operator through the keypad-overlay. The cover members have an activator member positioned to engage a selected key to perform a key stroke. The cover members also have tactile indicators that provide a tactile indication to an operator that the cover member has been depressed sufficiently to accomplish a selected key stroke.
In one aspect of the invention, the plurality of signal input members form a keypad separate from the display, and the keypad-overlay is removably positioned over the keypad. The display is a touch-sensitive screen, and the keypad with the key indicia is provided on the display. The keypad-overlay is removably positioned over the touch-sensitive screen in a position corresponding to the keypad. In another aspect, the cover members are resilient, collapsible dome-shaped members, each movable from a raised position to a collapsed positioned when a selected force is applied to the cover member. The cover member provides tactile feedback to an operator when the cover member moves from the raised position to the collapsed position. The cover members are biased toward the raised position.
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Benson Thomas R.
Paratore Robert
Friedhofer Michael
Intermec IP Corporation
Seed IP Law Group PLLC
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