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EP2071601B1 - Touche d'un clavier pour dispositif électronique avec un rétrosignal - Google Patents

Touche d'un clavier pour dispositif électronique avec un rétrosignal Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2071601B1
EP2071601B1 EP07123306A EP07123306A EP2071601B1 EP 2071601 B1 EP2071601 B1 EP 2071601B1 EP 07123306 A EP07123306 A EP 07123306A EP 07123306 A EP07123306 A EP 07123306A EP 2071601 B1 EP2071601 B1 EP 2071601B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
display
key
keypad
cap
key cap
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
EP07123306A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP2071601A1 (fr
Inventor
Vahid Moosavi
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
BlackBerry Ltd
Original Assignee
Research in Motion Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Research in Motion Ltd filed Critical Research in Motion Ltd
Priority to AT07123306T priority Critical patent/ATE456855T1/de
Priority to DE602007004640T priority patent/DE602007004640D1/de
Priority to EP07123306A priority patent/EP2071601B1/fr
Priority to CA2646750A priority patent/CA2646750C/fr
Publication of EP2071601A1 publication Critical patent/EP2071601A1/fr
Priority to HK09111749.2A priority patent/HK1132370B/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP2071601B1 publication Critical patent/EP2071601B1/fr
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H13/00—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch
    • H01H13/70—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard
    • H01H13/702—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard with contacts carried by or formed from layers in a multilayer structure, e.g. membrane switches
    • H01H13/705—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard with contacts carried by or formed from layers in a multilayer structure, e.g. membrane switches characterised by construction, mounting or arrangement of operating parts, e.g. push-buttons or keys
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2215/00—Tactile feedback
    • H01H2215/004—Collapsible dome or bubble
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2219/00—Legends
    • H01H2219/002—Legends replaceable; adaptable
    • H01H2219/01—Liquid crystal
    • H01H2219/012—Liquid crystal programmable
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2231/00—Applications
    • H01H2231/002—Calculator, computer
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2233/00—Key modules
    • H01H2233/07—Cap or button on actuator part

Definitions

  • the disclosure described herein relates generally to a key system providing an input device in an electronic device, such as a handheld electronic device.
  • the disclosure relates to a key in a key pad which may be programmable and provides tactile feedback for the key.
  • a conventional handheld electronic device such as a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) and a wireless telephone, includes a keyboard/keypad, a display and a system printed circuit board (PCB) disposed within a common housing.
  • the display is typically provided as a reflective, transmissive or transreflective LCD display panel.
  • Existing fixed-key keypads such as those in a computer, cellular phone or typewriter
  • aural and tactile feedback is provided to the user as he presses onto a key in the keypad, usually as an audible "click” and a positive (inward, downward) movement of the depressed key.
  • Programmable keypads allow assignments for a key to change according to programmed parameters.
  • liquid crystal displays LCDs
  • a touch-sensitive device is incorporated into part of the LCD to provide a "switch" to register activation of the key.
  • a touch screen does not provide substantial tactile feedback to the user upon activation of a key.
  • an existing haptic displays typically have a hard clear substrate covering the display area, thereby inhibiting deflection of a key in that area.
  • US4224615 discloses an LCD as a data input device.
  • the LCD has areas that define keys where a region of the display can generate specific characters for the keys.
  • the display is pressed where the character is being generated to activate a key switch underneath.
  • a flush lighted flat keyboard assembly is disclosed in US 416338 .
  • dome switches are provided underneath the flush keyboard assembly to provide tactile feedback when a switch is depressed.
  • US 5867149 discloses separated keys having displays for generating changeable images.
  • the displays may be cholesteric.
  • the keys are shaped like conventions keyboard keys.
  • an embodiment may provide a keypad (key, keyboard, switch key or the like) that has an identification labels or designation that can be dynamically changed and provides tactile feedback to the user upon sufficient activation of the key.
  • the keypad may be implemented in part with a liquid crystal display (LCD) that can be programmed to generate an image of a keypad, thereby allowing identification images to be generated in areas where keys for the keypad have been designated.
  • Tactile feedback may also be provided during and upon activation of a key. The feedback can be provided by a combination of one or more of a deflection of a key area in the display as the user presses on the image of the key and compression of a collapsible dome underneath the key.
  • the dome may be part of a switch key for the keypad.
  • the switch key may be provided by an electrical contact that is closed by the compression of the dome or the closing of a switch caused by movement of a plunger (or similar mechanical component) that is moved from a first position to a second position as the key is deflected.
  • a plunger or similar mechanical component
  • other feedback mechanisms and other key activation systems may be provided with the programmable key.
  • Fig. 1 provides a snapshot of typical elements associated with an embodiment. Therein, general features of a portable, electronic device are shown generally at 10.
  • Device 10 is based on a computing platform having functionality of an enhanced personal digital assistant with a cell phone and can receive and transmit wireless communications, including as email, SMS and voice communications.
  • Electronic device 10 can be based on construction design and functionality of other electronic devices, such as smart telephones, desktop computers, pagers or laptops having telephony equipment.
  • electronic device 10 includes a housing 12, an LCD 14, speaker 16, an light emitting diode (LED) 18, a trackball 20, an ESC ("escape") key 22, keypad 24 (which is incorporated as part of LCD 14 in display area 14B), a wired telephone headset 30 comprised of an ear bud 26 and a microphone 28.
  • keypad 24 may be implemented as traditional fixed keys (such as the spacebar and options keys beside the spacebar as shown).
  • Trackball 20 and ESC key 22 can be inwardly depressed along the path of arrow "A" as a means to provide additional input to device 10.
  • housing 12 can be made from any suitable material as will occur to those of skill in the art and may be suitably formed to house and hold all components of device 10. Further detail on components of device 10 are provided below.
  • Device 10 is operable to conduct wireless telephone calls, using any known wireless phone system such as a Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) system, Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) system, CDMA 2000 system, Cellular Digital Packet Data (CDPD) system and Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) system.
  • GSM Global System for Mobile Communications
  • CDMA Code Division Multiple Access
  • CDMA 2000 Code Division Multiple Access 2000
  • CDPD Cellular Digital Packet Data
  • TDMA Time Division Multiple Access
  • Other wireless phone systems can include Bluetooth and the many forms of 802.11 wireless broadband, like 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, etc. that support voice.
  • Other embodiments include Voice over IP (VoIP) type streaming data communications that can simulate circuit-switched phone calls.
  • Ear bud 26 can be used to listen to phone calls and other sound messages and microphone 28 can be used to speak into and input sound messages to device 10.
  • Device 10 may communicate with additional remote devices or accessories, such as wireless headset (not shown).
  • microprocessor 202 is provided to control and receive almost all data, transmissions, inputs and outputs related to device 10.
  • Microprocessor 202 is shown schematically as coupled to keypad 24 and other internal devices.
  • Microprocessor 202 preferably controls the overall operation of the device 10 and its components.
  • Exemplary microprocessors for microprocessor 202 include Data 950 (trade-mark) series microprocessors, the 6200 series microprocessors and the PXA900 series baseband processors, all available at one time from Intel Corporation.
  • Microprocessor 202 is connected to other elements in device 10 through a series of electrical connections to its various input and output pins.
  • Microprocessor 202 has an IRQ input line which allows it to receive signals from various devices. Appropriate interrupt firmware is provided which receives and reacts to the signals detected on the IRQ line.
  • Device 10 is preferably a two-way radio frequency (RF) communication device having voice and data communication capabilities.
  • RF radio frequency
  • Operating system software executed by the microprocessor 202 is preferably stored in a computer-readable medium, such as flash memory 216, but may be stored in other types of memory devices, such as read-only memory (ROM) or similar storage element.
  • system software, specific device applications, or parts thereof may be temporarily loaded into a volatile store, such as RAM 218. Communication signals received by the mobile device may also be stored to RAM 218.
  • Microprocessor 202 in addition to its operating system functions, enables execution of software applications on device 10.
  • a set of software (or firmware) applications generally identified as applications 222, that control basic device operations, such as voice communication application 222A and data communication application 222B, may be installed on the device 10 during manufacture or downloaded thereafter.
  • software applications such as calendar application 222C, address book 222D and location application 222E.
  • Keypad application 222N can generate a plurality of keyboard "maps" as two-dimensional images of keypad layouts. Additional applications such as personal information manager (PIM) application may be provided. Any application may be installed during manufacture or downloaded thereafter into device 10. Data associated with each application can be stored in flash memory 216.
  • PIM personal information manager
  • Communication functions including data and voice communications, are performed through the communication sub-system 206 and the short-range communication sub-system 208.
  • sub-systems 206 and 208 provide the signal-level interface for all communication technologies processed by device 10.
  • Various applications 222 provide the operational controls to further process and log the communications.
  • Communication sub-system 206 includes receiver 224, transmitter 226 and one or more antennas, illustrated as receive antenna 228 and transmit antenna 230.
  • communication sub-system 206 also includes processing modules, such as local oscillator (LOs) 234. The specific design and implementation of communication sub-system 206 is dependent upon the communication network in which device 10 is intended to operate.
  • LOs local oscillator
  • communication sub-system 206 of device 10 may operate with the Mobitex (trade-mark), DataTAC (trade-mark) or General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) mobile data Communication networks and also operate with any of a variety of voice communication networks, such as Advanced Mobile Phone Service (AMPS), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), CDMA 2000, Personal Communication Service (PCS), Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM), etc.
  • AMPS Advanced Mobile Phone Service
  • TDMA Time Division Multiple Access
  • CDMA Code Division Multiple Access
  • PCS Personal Communication Service
  • GSM Global System for Mobile Communication
  • Other types of data and voice (telephonic) networks both separate and integrated, may also be utilized with device 10.
  • communication sub-system 206 provides device 10 with the capability of communicating with other devices using various communication technologies, including instant messaging (IM) systems, text messaging (TM) systems and short message service (SMS) systems.
  • IM instant messaging
  • TM text messaging
  • SMS short message service
  • Digital signed processor (DSP) 232 may be provided to assist in processing raw digital signals and commands from microprocessor 202 to sub-system 206.
  • DSP 232 provides control of receiver 224 and transmitter 226. For example, gains applied to communication signals in receiver 224 and transmitter 226 may be adaptively controlled through automatic gain-control algorithms implemented in DSP 232.
  • a received signal such as a text message, Web page download or command from headset 40, is processed by the communication sub-system 206 and is provided as an input to microprocessor 202.
  • the received signal is then further processed by microprocessor 202 which can then generate an output to display 14 or to an auxiliary I/O device 210.
  • a device user may also compose data items, such as e-mail messages, using keypad 24, trackball 20 and/or some other auxiliary I/O device 210, such as a touchpad, a rocker switch, a trackball or some other input device.
  • the composed data items may then be transmitted over communication network 140 via communication sub-system 206.
  • Sub-system 206 may also detect when it is out of communication range for its remote systems.
  • a voice communication mode In a voice communication mode, overall operation of device 10 is substantially similar to the data communication mode, except that received signals are output to speaker 16, and signals for transmission are generated by microphone 28.
  • Alternative voice or audio I/O sub-systems such as a voice message recording sub-system, may also be implemented on device 10.
  • display 14 may also be utilized in voice communication mode, for example, to display the identity of a calling party, the duration of a voice call, or other voice call-related information.
  • Short-range communication sub-system 208 enables communication between device 10 and other proximate systems or devices, which need not necessarily be similar devices.
  • the short-range communication sub-system may include an infrared device and associated circuits and components, or a Bluetooth (trade-mark) communication module to provide for communication with similarly enabled systems and devices.
  • Short range communication system 208 may be used as the signal communication interface for device 10 and other devices.
  • DSP 232 may process some of the commands and signals destined for the other devices.
  • Powering the entire electronics of the mobile handheld communication device is power source 236.
  • power source 236 includes one or more batteries.
  • power source 236 is a single battery pack, especially a rechargeable battery pack.
  • a power switch (not shown) provides an "on/off" switch for device 10.
  • a power source interface (not shown) may be provided in hardware, firmware, software or a combination of such elements to selectively control access of components in device 10 to power source 236.
  • an application 222 Upon activation of the power switch an application 222 is initiated to turn on device 10.
  • an application 222 is initiated to turn off device 10. Power to device 10 may also be controlled by other devices and by software applications 222.
  • Device 10 may also have global positioning system 238 to assist in identifying a present location of device 10 and may also have light sensor 240 to provide data on the ambient light conditions for device 10. If the detected ambient light levels are sufficiently low, a backlight system may be activated. These elements may be controlled by software operating on device 10 as described earlier.
  • LCD 14 comprises sections 14A and 14B. It will be appreciated that the display region 14B in LCD 14 can be used as a keypad 24 which is divided into a set of virtual keys. Each key is covered by a key cap 302. As such, display 14B presents a virtual keyboard layout on device 10. As LCD 14B is a display, keypad control module 222N can be provided with a series of templates to allow one or more of keys in keypad 24 to have different assignments depending on a context of the operating environment of device 10. For example, one layout for keypad 24 is a standard QWERTY keyboard layout. One variant of a QWERTY layout is to present a layout of keys in lower case, as "qwerty" characters.
  • An alternative QWERTY layout is to present a layout of keys in uppercase, as "QWERTY" characters.
  • Other layouts include a layout for numeric keys, a layout for non-English language character sets (e.g. Japanese, French, Korean, Danish, and others).
  • the key is the "A" key, as shown with a border.
  • the area with the border is covered by cap 302. In other embodiments the border may not be generated.
  • a backlight system may be provided for display 14B to assist with viewing elements in keypad 24 in low light conditions, which may be controlled in part by keypad control module 222N.
  • display 14B within the keyboard region is a cholesteric LCD.
  • a cholesteric LCD is bi-stable and can be programmed to have its display to be set and then the power may be disengaged from display 14B. As such, no power or very little power is required to maintain an image of the key for display 14B.
  • LCD 14B is a cholesteric reflective display.
  • a feature of a cholesteric display is that it is a reflective bi-stable technology, as such allowing a passive matrix to produce a relatively high-resolution image.
  • a cholesteric keypad does not necessarily require a coloured filter to display a colour image.
  • a cholesteric substrate is pliable and may be deflected, thereby allowing a key are shown on display 14B to be depressed when key cap 302 is pressed by a user.
  • key assembly 300 is provided, which includes the following elements: key cap 302, switch assembly 324 and elastomer 304 providing key plunger 306.
  • Elastomer 304 transmits the external (downward, inward) pressure applied to the exterior key 24 to switch assembly 324.
  • Switch assembly 324 registers "closing" of the key when it is sufficiently activated by elastomer 324.
  • a key assembly may not have certain elements, such as an elastomer or a biasing mechanism.
  • a key assembly may have additional components.
  • cap 302 is shown as fitting over a region in display 14B that has been designated as a key.
  • Key cap 302 is generally a flat, thin, rigid and transparent section of polycarbonate that is shaped to fit to be the size of a regular key in keypad 24.
  • One function of cap 302 is to transmit the inward, downward external force applied by the user when activating the key to the key activation mechanism 300. As such, cap 302 in Fig. 4A assists in stiffening the exposed exterior area around virtual key in display 14B.
  • Cap 302 may be glued or welded individually to the key region above its local key area for display 14B. Alternatively, cap 302 may be mounted on or moulded with a substrate with other caps 302 for the keypad and the substrate may be laid on top of display 14B.
  • Cap 302 is shown as a separate component for a specific key.
  • a connected or continuous substrate in which cap 302 is an element may be provided that is laid over display 14B and a region of keypad 24.
  • individual keys may be connected to each other by a web or other material.
  • Such a web may be thinner in thickness than cap 302 and / or may be made from a (more) flexible material, in order to isolate movement of cap 302 from adjacent caps 302.
  • Elastomer 304 provides a flexible sheet that engages with dome sheet 310 is located underneath display 14B and provides a physical interface for concentrating activation pressure of the deflection of cap 302 and display 14B.
  • Elastomer 304 may be made from a silicon based material.
  • elastomer 304 provides walled region 308 to define a physical boundary for the key within elastomer 304. In other embodiments, walled region 308 may not be needed.
  • Switch assembly 324 comprises dome sheet 310 and an electrical circuit in PCB 314.
  • plunger 306 descends from the bottom of elastomer 304 towards the interior of device 10. As shown, when key and cap 302 is in a first, resting position, plunger 306 is located above or on top of contact dome 312 of dome sheet 310.
  • the material of elastomer 304 is sufficiently rigid to cause dome 312 as plunger 306 imparts a downward force on it.
  • Underneath dome 312, printed circuit board 314 has an electrical circuit between exterior ring 316 and interior node 318.
  • a key in keypad 22 features of a key in keypad 22 are shown as a user activates the key by exerting a (downward, inward) external pressure on it, as per a typical key activation motion.
  • display 14B and elastomer 304 are deflected towards the interior of device 10.
  • Display 14B buckles inwardly at regions 320 as shown.
  • the ability for display 14B to buckle at region 320 is determined at least in part by the composition of display 14B.
  • the thickness of the layers in the substrate of LCD 14B with a specific materials used therein affect the flexibility of such areas. It will be appreciated that the area of display 14B that is directly underneath cap 302 may be sufficiently rigid to transmit the downward force to other components in key assembly 300.
  • dome 312 begins to collapse.
  • dome 312 bridges an electrical connection between exterior ring 316 and interior node 318 on PCB 314. Completion of this connection can be used to signify the closing of the switch for the "A" key.
  • keypad control module 222N recognizes this signal condition and can then react accordingly.
  • the reaction may be one or more of generating the related character on display 14A and / or providing a suitable response per the underlying application currently operating on device 10.
  • dome 312 collapses as shown it generates a familiar "clicking" sound upon its compression. The collapse provides another tactile feedback system to the user of the activation of the key.
  • a switch assembly can comprise other contact recognition or state change recognition devices, such as proximity sensors, strain gauges, heat sensors and the like which have at least two states (e.g. open circuit and closed circuit), which may be used to indicate the closing an electrical circuit upon the sufficient deflection of a key.
  • key cap 302 has a function of dispersing the pressure applied by the user for the particular key and evening out the applied pressure throughout that area of the key cap 302. As such, key cap 302 allows engagement of the representative key, even if key cap 302 is depressed with pressure applied to an area along its edge.
  • a feature of an embodiment attempts to isolate the depression, such that the depression does not become recognized as an activation of an adjacent virtual key.
  • sufficient isolation among adjacent keys may be provided by a combination of one or more of the following factors: i) providing a sufficient distance between keys; ii) selecting the composition and physical design of the key area of display 14B such that when one key area is depressed, the deflection of the target area in display 14B is localized to that area.
  • the substrate of display 14B may be rigid enough in a first region about key assembly 300 and switch assembly 324 to transmit the deflection to key assembly 300 and flexible enough to allow the deflection and still flexible enough in a second region about the first region to isolate the deflection movement to adjacent regions (including regions with other keys).
  • the composition of materials and structures in the first and second regions may be the same or different to achieve both characteristics. In such an instance, key cap 302 may not be required.
  • separation region 322 may be provided along and between adjacent regions (which may include selected keys in keypad 24).
  • Separation region 322 may comprise one or more of a web, ridge, fold, notch and or bevel and may have a thinner thickness than dimension changes physical designs in the display substrate therein to assist in providing further physical separation between adjacent keys. There may or may not be part of an active display component (e.g. LCD component) in separation region 322.
  • an active display component e.g. LCD component
  • display 14B provides a single substrate which does not expose elements of key assembly 300 to the elements, thereby providing water resistant capabilities for covered key elements 300 in an embodiment.
  • switch mechanism 500 provides a cylindrical barrel 502 having switch contacts thereon; it is moveable from a first vertical position to a second vertical position by plunger 306 and electrical contact area 504 on a side of its barrel.
  • Biasing spring 506 is located between PCB 314 and the bottom of barrel 502. Biasing spring 506 provides a compressible element which biases barrel 502 upward. As switch assembly 324B is depressed, biasing spring 506 imparts an incrementally increasing upward force to resist the downward force being imparted.
  • biasing spring 506 forces key cap 302 upward to its resting position.
  • biasing spring 506 is shown as a coiled spring, in other embodiments it may be implemented as a leaf spring, a resilient puck (e.g. made from rubber or foam) or any other compressible, resilient mechanical arrangement which imparts an upward bias onto barrel 502.
  • Housing 508 provides structural support to elements of switch assembly 324B, without unduly restricting movement of its elements described herein.
  • barrel 502 moves downward towards the interior of device 10.
  • contact 504 moves downward as well and passes by contact 504, noted as reference 508.
  • This contact point completes an electrical signal between contact 504 and contact areas 504, thereby allowing an appropriate signal may to be generated by device.10.
  • cap 302 is further depressed, barrel 502 passes trough contact 508. Then, barrel 502 move further downward and eventually passes contact 510.
  • another circuit can be closed, which can initiate a second activation signal to device 10.
  • biasing spring 506 forces barrel 502 and plunger 306 upward, thereby assisting in returning the deflected part of display 14B to its original, flat form.
  • a suitable biasing mechanism may be implemented as a leaf spring, a resilient puck (e.g. made from rubber or foam) or any other compressible, resilient mechanical arrangement which imparts an upward bias onto plunger 306.
  • cap 302 may be shaped in difficult sizes and the spacing of key and key caps may be shaped to have a smaller contact area localized to around the dome or contact pad.
  • cap 302B may be mounted on top of stem 600, which has a footprint area that is smaller than the footprint of cap 302B on display 14B.
  • Stem 600 may be positioned to be above the center of dome 312 or above switch mechanism 500, if it is implemented. As such, the deflected region 320B of display 14B is more localized around dome 312 than deflection region 320 in Fig. 4C .
  • the specific size and shape of stem 600 may taper to localize the force being applied towards elastomer 306.
  • cap 302 may not be provided at all to one or more keys in keypad 24, the size thereof may not be needed, depending on the size of the key that is defined and the flexibility characteristic of display 14B on that particular region.
  • each display for each key may be provided for each key and such that each display for each key (of related set of keys) is capable of being deflected independently or with reduced interaction if adjacent keys.
  • sets of individual displays may be connected by webs.
  • a single display 14B may be physically segmented into separate keys, with each key being separated by a separation zone 322.
  • one or more of the keys within keypad 24 may have an activation system that is embodied through one of a heat, touch or other electrical contact technology.
  • a switch mechanism may be provided where a barrel has a plurality of contacts thereon.
  • modules 222 operating on microprocessor 202 in the embodiments can be implemented using known programming techniques, languages and algorithms.
  • the titles of the modules are provided as a convenience to provide labels and assign functions to certain modules. It is not required that each module perform only its functions as described above. As such, specific functionalities for each application may be moved between applications or separated into different applications. Modules may be contained within other modules. Different signalling techniques may be used to communicate information between applications using known programming techniques. Known data storage, access and update algorithms allow data to be shared between applications. It will further be appreciated that other applications and systems on device 10 may be executing concurrently with any module 222. As such, one or more aspects of keypad activation module 222N may be structured to operate in as a "background" application on device 10, using programming techniques known in the art.

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  • Fittings On The Vehicle Exterior For Carrying Loads, And Devices For Holding Or Mounting Articles (AREA)

Claims (10)

  1. Clavier (24) pour dispositif électronique (10) comprenant :
    un afficheur à cristaux liquides (14) ; et caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend :
    une pluralité de capuchons de touches (302) disposés sur et faisant saillie au-dessus d'une surface dudit afficheur (14), ledit afficheur à cristaux liquides (14) étant conçu pour, en réponse à des signaux provenant d'un module de commande (222N), générer et afficher des caractères sur des parties dudit afficheur situées en dessous desdits capuchons de touches (302) ; et
    une pluralité d'assemblages de commutateurs (324) disposés sur la surface dudit afficheur qui est opposée auxdits capuchons de touches (302), chacun desdits assemblages de commutateurs (324) étant associé à un capuchon de touche respectif (302), dans lequel ledit afficheur (14) est conçu pour être déformé vers l'intérieur dudit dispositif (10) lorsqu'une pression externe est appliquée à un capuchon de touche (302) et pour transmettre ladite pression externe à l'assemblage de commutateur (324) associé à ce capuchon de touche (302).
  2. Clavier (24) selon la revendication 1, comprenant en outre :
    un élastomère (304) situé entre ledit afficheur (14) et ladite pluralité d'assemblages de commutateurs (324), ledit élastomère (304) ayant une pluralité de plongeurs (306) s'étendant à l'intérieur dudit dispositif (10), chacun desdits plongeurs (306) étant associé à un assemblage de commutateur (324) respectif et étant conçu pour transmettre ladite pression externe appliquée à un capuchon de touche (302) à l'assemblage de commutateur (324) associé au capuchon de touche (302).
  3. Clavier (24) selon la revendication 2, dans lequel chacun desdits assemblages de commutateurs (324) comprend en outre : un système de contre-réaction (310, 312) destiné à fournir une sensation tactile lorsque l'assemblage de commutateur (324) a pris en compte le fait que le capuchon de touche (302) qui lui est associé a été activé.
  4. Clavier (24) selon la revendication 3, dans lequel ledit système de contre-réaction (310, 312) comprend un dôme compressible (312).
  5. Clavier (24) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4, dans lequel ledit afficheur (14) comprend un afficheur à cristaux liquides cholestérique.
  6. Clavier (24) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel chacun desdits capuchons de touches (302) est fixé à la surface dudit afficheur par l'intermédiaire d'une tige (600) ayant un plus faible encombrement que le capuchon de touche (302) qui lui est associé.
  7. Clavier (24) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel ledit afficheur (14) comporte des régions rigides au voisinage de chacun desdits capuchons de touches (302) pour transmettre ladite pression externe aux assemblages de commutateurs (324) situés en dessous desdits capuchons de touches (302).
  8. Clavier (24) selon la revendication 7, dans lequel ledit afficheur comporte une région rigide flexible à l'extérieur de chacune desdites régions rigides qui a pour rôle d'isoler la pression externe appliquée à un capuchon de touche (302) de parties dudit afficheur (14) qui sont adjacentes à d'autres capuchons de touches (302).
  9. Clavier (24) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel ladite pluralité de capuchons de touches (302) sont disposés sur la surface dudit afficheur (14), chaque capuchon de touche (302) étant séparé des autres capuchons de touches par une région de séparation qui a pour rôle d'isoler la déformation d'une partie de l'afficheur (14) de façon adjacente à un capuchon de touche (302) vis-à-vis de parties dudit afficheur (14) qui sont adjacentes à d'autres capuchons de touches (302).
  10. Dispositif électronique (10), comprenant :
    un clavier (24) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes ;
    un microprocesseur (202) ; et
    un module de commande (222N) destiné à fournir des instructions audit microprocesseur (202) pour fixer des valeurs permettant de générer et d'afficher des caractères dans des parties dudit afficheur qui sont situées en dessous desdits capuchons de touches (302) ;
    dans lequel
    ledit dispositif (10) est conçu pour déclencher des instructions supplémentaires lors de l'activation d'un assemblage de commutateur (324) vis-à-vis de la déformation dudit afficheur (14).
EP07123306A 2007-12-14 2007-12-14 Touche d'un clavier pour dispositif électronique avec un rétrosignal Active EP2071601B1 (fr)

Priority Applications (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AT07123306T ATE456855T1 (de) 2007-12-14 2007-12-14 Taste auf einer tastatur einer elektronischen vorrichtung zur wiedergabe von rückmeldungssignalen
DE602007004640T DE602007004640D1 (de) 2007-12-14 2007-12-14 Taste auf einer Tastatur einer elektronischen Vorrichtung zur Wiedergabe von Rückmeldungssignalen
EP07123306A EP2071601B1 (fr) 2007-12-14 2007-12-14 Touche d'un clavier pour dispositif électronique avec un rétrosignal
CA2646750A CA2646750C (fr) 2007-12-14 2008-12-12 Touche de pave numerique de dispositif electronique assurant une retroaction
HK09111749.2A HK1132370B (en) 2009-12-15 Key in a keypad of an electronic device providing feedback

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP07123306A EP2071601B1 (fr) 2007-12-14 2007-12-14 Touche d'un clavier pour dispositif électronique avec un rétrosignal

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2071601A1 EP2071601A1 (fr) 2009-06-17
EP2071601B1 true EP2071601B1 (fr) 2010-01-27

Family

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP07123306A Active EP2071601B1 (fr) 2007-12-14 2007-12-14 Touche d'un clavier pour dispositif électronique avec un rétrosignal

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP2071601B1 (fr)
AT (1) ATE456855T1 (fr)
CA (1) CA2646750C (fr)
DE (1) DE602007004640D1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2362405B1 (fr) * 2010-02-25 2016-05-04 BlackBerry Limited Claviers pour dispositifs mobiles et leurs procédés de fabrication
US9075576B2 (en) 2010-02-25 2015-07-07 Blackberry Limited Keypads for mobile devices and method of manufacturing the same

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4163138A (en) 1978-03-17 1979-07-31 Bowmar Instrument Corporation Flush lighted flat keyboard assembly
US4224615A (en) 1978-09-14 1980-09-23 Texas Instruments Incorporated Method of using a liquid crystal display device as a data input device
US5867149A (en) 1995-08-14 1999-02-02 Intertactile Technologies Corporation Switch key image display and operator/circuit interface
JP2002343187A (ja) 2001-05-18 2002-11-29 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd 照光式押釦スイッチ

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE602007004640D1 (de) 2010-03-18
HK1132370A1 (en) 2010-02-19
CA2646750C (fr) 2013-04-02
EP2071601A1 (fr) 2009-06-17
CA2646750A1 (fr) 2009-06-14
ATE456855T1 (de) 2010-02-15

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