US 6,243,080 B1 · Touch-sensitive panel with selector

Abstract

A wireless communications device, such as a cellular telephone, is provided with a touch-sensitive panel that is moveable between a normal position and a select position. The display on the wireless communications device is preferably graphical and includes a cursor; the movement of the cursor is controlled, at least in part, by the user's interaction with the touch-sensitive panel. The touch-sensitive panel is movable by rotation or simple vertical displacement between a normal up position and a select or down position. When the user pushes down on the touch-sensitive panel, the touch-sensitive panel is rotated or otherwise displaced into the second position. A detector, such as a reed switch or dome spring switch, senses when the touch-sensitive panel is moved to the select position and, in response, changes from an unselected state to a selected state. This state change is communicated to the main electronics of the wireless communications device to signal that a selection is occurring. When the touch-sensitive panel returns to the first position, the detector returns to the unselected state. Optionally, the touch-sensitive panel rests on a support which provides a bias force to urge the touch-sensitive panel to return to the normal position from the select position. This arrangement allows the user to select, and optionally, “drag-and-drop,” without removing their finger from the touch-sensitive panel, preferably with suitable tactile and audible feedback to the user.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A wireless communication device including a display having a cursor thereon, comprising:

a touch-sensitive panel controlling the cursor and movable between a first position and a second position;
a plurality of distinct detectors associated with said touch-sensitive panel and operable between a selected state and an unselected state;
a plurality of bias elements associated with said plurality of detectors, wherein said bias elements urge said touch-sensitive panel towards said first position when said touch-sensitive panel is in said second position;
and
wherein at least one of said plurality of detectors assumes selected state when said touch-sensitive panel is in said second position and assumes said unselected state when said touch sensitive panel is in said first position.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Touch-sensitive panel with selector

Life of this patent

Touch-sensitive panel with selector

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims17