Input device

#This invention relates to an input device for sensing directional information input by a user. In particular, the invention relates to an input device for a portable electronic device such as a mobile telephone.

#A typical mobile telephone includes an liquid crystal display (LCD) for displaying information to a user, and a keypad which enables a user to enter information on the LCD display.

#European patent publication number 0463856 (Nokia) discloses a mobile telephone with a display and a keypad, and a finger actuated rolling device which enables a user to scan menus on the display.

#Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a mobile telephone incorporating an input device;

#FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view of the input device of FIG. 1 in accordance with the invention;

#Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a mobile telephone 10 incorporating a display 15, a keypad containing a set of keys 20, and joystick controller 100. The joystick controller 100 operates as an input device to the mobile telephone 10, sensing directional information input by a thumb or finger of a user 200.

#FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate in more detail the joystick controller 100 of FIG. 1 in an assembled state. FIG. 5 illustrates the same joystick controller 100 in an exploded cross-sectional view, while FIGS. 3A, 3B, 4A and 4C illustrate upper and lower partial assemblies of the joystick controller 100.

#The joystick controller 100 comprises a generally rectangular housing 200 made, for example, of a plastics material such as a high temperature liquid crystal polymer (LCP), or a metal such as phosphorous bronze or stainless steel. The housing comprises an upper part 200a and a lower part 200b which are suitably fastened together, for example, by snap fitting, adhesive, ultrasonic welding, or by any other suitable means. The upper and lower parts 200a and 200b both define circular apertures 210a and 210b centered on a central axis of the parts A-A.