WO2001046901A1

WO2001046901A1 - Roller key user interface

Info

Publication number: WO2001046901A1
Application number: PCT/US2000/035163
Authority: WO
Inventors: Marko Laukkanen; Riku Mikkonen; Paavo Niemitalo; Juha Tapio Rautiainen
Original assignee: Nokia Mobile Phones Ltd.; Nokia Inc.
Priority date: 1999-12-23
Filing date: 2000-12-22
Publication date: 2001-06-28
Also published as: WO2001046901A9; AU2737201A

Abstract

A user interface has at least two roller keys. In an embodiment, the user interface includes a first roller (503) supported on a first axle (501) and a second roller (513) supported on a second axle (511). There may be a belt (521) wrapped around the first roller (503) and the second roller (513). The belt (521) has an underside (553), which contacts and actuates keyswitch (551) when a finger presses downward. A rotation sensor array (515) measures the rotation of the first roller (503).

Description

ROLLER KEY USER INTERFACE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to methods and apparatus for providing a user interface, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for providing a user interface on a mobile device mobile device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

User interfaces have greater demands placed on them today now that an increasing number of devices are capable of sophisticated communications, especially internet capabilities. One such device that benefits from new user interface technologies is the mobile station. Such devices are very compact, designed for portability in pockets and purses. As a consequence, space on the surface of such devices is at a premium. Thus a goal, for example, in design of a mobile phone, is to put as many functions as possible in a compact space.

A navigation key has become a fairly essential part of any mobile device that has a multiplicity of communications or customizable functions. A navigation key typically permits at least one degree of freedom, that is, along a single axis as up and down.

More versatile up-down navigation keys have included a roller which may be moved a variety of speeds by the user. A selection feature has been built into some of these by attaching a switch to the roller that measures the occurrence of pressure through the axis of rotation, and generally into the body of the mobile device. This has enormous advantages when selecting items on a list, as occur with a menuing user interface. A menuing user interface generally operates on a display, e.g. a LCD, to permit a user to select a function from a list. Feedback is generally provided by highlighting the current menu choice. Often there are cascading menus, wherein a user selects an item that causes yet another menu of choices to be displayed. T e choices for navigating a menu are generally, up, down, and select-the-current-nighlighted-item.

One problem associated with a roller key, as described above, is that it is susceptible to dirt accumulations and tends to fail quicker than a rubber keypad. One solution to this is to put a flip-type or slidable cover over the roller key. In order to accomplish this, while keeping open volume to a minimum between the closed cover and the user interface, a very small roller radius is needed. The problem with small roller radiuses though, is that applying the pressure to 'select' a roller tends to put narrow zones of pressure on the fingertips, leading to fatigue and general customer dissatisfaction with the feel of the roller keys. This can generally be described as the fingertip-fatigue problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an apparatus for providing a user interface for a device by using roller keys. In the user interface at least two roller keys are positioned parallel to one another. A belt may be mounted on the rollers. A sensor may be engaged to detect rotational movement of the assembly of rollers and belt as would be produced by rubbing a finger across the belt. The rotational movement of the rollers may be translated into scrolling movements on a display of the device. An embodiment adds a switch or keyswitch to detect a downward pressure on a roller. The keyswitch helps to signal a key depression, or selection to the user interface.

It is an object and advantage of an embodiment of the invention to reduce fatigue on fingers that would occur from frequent selections of a menu that would otherwise occur using conventional roller keys or buttons.

A further object and advantage of an embodiment of the invention is that the profile of a roller key is reduced, while expanding the outer surface area available for pressing against. This has the effect of permitting a flip, or other style cover fit more snuggly over the face of the mobile device. Yet another object and advantage is that when the embodiments are used, as would occur by running a finger across a mobile device equipped with the embodiments, the profile of the embodiments are low to the face of the mobile device. Consequently, there is a reduced sensation of bumpiness and chafing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a diagram of a portable device including an embodiment of the invention located on one side;

Fig. 2 is a view of a roller sensor of an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 3a is a view of a top of a roller key assembly according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 3b is a view of a top of a roller key assembly according to another embodiment of the invention; and

Fig. 4 is a view of yet another embodiment of the invention; and

Fig. 5 is a close-up view of still yet another embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Fig. 1 shows a mobile device 100 which may have an elongated shape that fits within the contours of a box. Mobile device may have a number of connectors that permit it to be recharged, or interfaced to a computer or other accessories. The aspect of connecting the mobile device to a less mobile device does not diminish its categorization as a mobile device. A roller-key embodiment of the invention 101 may be positioned in alternative locations on the mobile device 100, for example near the center of gravity or near the center of an external panel of the mobile device 100. The important aspect is that the roller- key be accessible to the fingers, especially while the device is being grasped. Fig. 2 shows a roller sensor 200, a basic component to embodiments of the invention. It has an axle 201 which may be fixed. A roller 203 rotates about the axis of the axle 201 , either because the roller 203 is loosely engaged with the axle, or because the roller 203 is rigidly attached to the axle, and the axle rotates in a support. In the former case, the axle may be a part of a larger roller support structure. The roller may have one or more indicia of rotation 205a and 205b, which may comprise opposing poles on a magnet. The indicia of rotation 205a and 205b operatively couple to a rotation sensor array 207, e.g. magnetoresistive or Hall sensors. Such a sensor array 207 may be connected to the inputs of a computer or wireless transmitter through means known in the art. The sensor array 207 may have multiple sensing elements to provide at least two offset waveforms that suggest the direction, as well as the speed of rotation. The waveforms produced, from e.g. regularly spaced indicia, should be other than 180° offset from each other to provide adequate information concerning direction, e.g. 90 (+- 30) degree offset between the two waveforms.

Fig. 3a and 3b show embodiments of the invention which are comprised of at least two rollers. The rollers have a small radius, permitting the assembly to have a lower profile than would be possible with a single roller. A first fixed axle 301 supports a first roller 303. A second fixed axle 311 supports a second roller 313. The first roller and second roller may be referred to as first belt roller and second belt roller in the instance where a belt is in contact with the rollers. At least one of the first belt roller 303 and the second belt roller 313 will have indicia of rotation according to the basic component previously described. A rotation sensor array may be located nearby the indicia of rotation, e.g. between the rollers. Fig. 3a and 3b shows the inclusion of a belt 315 that snuggly engages the first belt roller 303 and the second belt roller 313. The rollers can be as small as the reliability and flexibility of the belt permits, without causing undue pressure and fatigue on fingers when pressing into the assembly. The tension on the belt may be adjusted to reduce wear on the belt and absorb some of the pressure exerted by a finger or other body part upon the belt. In alternative embodiments, the at least two rollers may be used without any belts. Fig. 3b shows the inclusion of a support member 351 which has an elongated body which is generally parallel to the first belt roller 303. The purpose of the support member 351 is to support and distribute pressure of a finger or other body part as it presses against the roller key. The support member may itself be a roller. The support member may be of similar size as an adjacent roller The support member may be in contact with a belt 315 or be so thin as to not touch the belt absent the intentional or unintentional pressing of the belt. If the support member is a roller, it may have an axis of rotation that is coplanar with a first belt roller and/or a second belt roller.

Fig. 4 shows an axle frame 401 which is slidably mounted to the mobile device. When pressure is applied in a downward fashion 411 , by , e.g. a finger, the axle frame 401 may trigger a circuit closure such as by a switch, such as, e.g. a membrane keyboard keyswitch. The axle frame may have a springing bias that returns the axle frame 401 to its normal extended position. The axle frame may have a range of travel, which is biased, as by a spring, to be in an up position at rest, without anything pressing against the embodiment.

Located on the top of axle frame 401 may be the configuration of Fig. 3a or Fig. 3b. Force from a finger applied downward 411 occurs directly to a roller (with a belt between, in some embodiments). The roller transmits force to an axle - the axle transmits force to the axle frame 401 , thus producing travel until the axle frame 401 engages the keyswitch to close a circuit. Circuit closure occurs when the axle frame moves through a terminal range of motion near the bottom of the range of travel. The circuit closure may operate under software control to actuate an option that is selected by the linear motion of an object or body part across the rollers.

Fig. 5 shows another embodiment wherein rollers are on fixed axles, yet free to move in a rotating fashion. A first fixed axle 501 supports a first roller 503. A second fixed axle 511 supports a second roller 513. The first roller and second roller 503 and 513 may be referred to as first belt roller 503 and second belt roller 513 in the embodiment where a belt 521 is in contact with the rollers. At least one of the first belt roller 503 and the second belt roller 513 will have indicia of rotation according to the basic component previously described. A rotation sensor array 515 may be located nearby the indicia of rotation. A switch or keyswitch 551 is located such that the upper surface of the switch 551 is near or in contact with the underside of the belt 553. The switch surface may be broad and flat so that it may absorb much of the force as the belt 521 is pushed downward by, for example, a finger, thereby closing a circuit, or otherwise changing an input signal to a mobile device. In contrast to the embodiment of Fig. 4, where the rollers travel along with an axle frame, the embodiment of Fig. 5 has no axle frame, and the rollers may be mounted to the outer surface or cover of the mobile device.

Although the invention has been described in the context of particular embodiments, it will be realized that a number of modifications to these teachings may occur to one skilled in the art. For example, while embodiments have been disclosed having rollers, with and without a belt, the use of more than three rollers with or without a belt are within the scope of the invention. Also, other methods of measuring rotation such as gear teath mounted on the ends of the axles may be used. The embodiments may operate within a number of different packages, e.g. a mobile phone, pager, or electronic organizer. Thus, while the invention has been particularly shown and described with respect to specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that changes in form and configuration may be made therein without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A user interface for a device, said user interface comprising at least two rollers, wherein said at least two rollers are positioned substantially parallel to one another on the device, and rotational movement of said at least two rollers provides a scrolling function for the device.

2. The user interface of claim 1 , wherein said user interface further comprises a belt having a first and second surface, and said at least two rollers are enclosed by said second surface of said belt, and further, wherein: said first surface of said belt provides a scrolling surface for the user interface.

3. The user interface of claim 2, wherein said device further comprises a surface and the user interface is disposed on the surface, and wherein the user interface further comprises a switch positioned on the surface in relation to said belt allowing said switch to be switched to provide an input indication to the device when pressure is applied to said belt in a direction towards said surface.

4. The user interface of claim 3, wherein said user interface further comprises a frame, wherein said at least two rollers and said belt are mounted in said frame and wherein said switch is disposed between said frame and the surface of the device.

5. The user interface of claim 3 further comprising a switch between the at least two rollers and located near the second surface of the belt facing away from the device, wherein said switch is activated by pressure on the belt toward the switch.

6. The user interface of claim 3 further comprising a rotation sensor array operatively coupled to measure rotation of a first roller of said at least two rollers.

7. The user interface of claim 6, wherein the rotation sensor array is located between said at least two rollers.

8. The user interface of claim 6, wherein the switch is positioned below the second surface of the belt.

9. The user interface of claim 6, wherein said user interface further comprises a frame, wherein said at least two rollers are mounted in said frame and wherein said switch is disposed between said frame and the surface of the device.

10. The user interface of claim 1 , wherein said device further comprises a surface and the user interface is disposed on the surface, and wherein the user interface further comprises a switch positioned on the surface in relation to said user interface allowing said switch to be switched to provide an input indication to the device when pressure is applied to at least one of said at least two rollers in a direction towards said surface.

11. The user interface of claim 1 further comprising a support member positioned between the at least two rollers.

12. A user interface for a device, the device having a surface, said user inter ace comprising: a frame disposed on the surface; at least two rollers disposed on the frame; and a switch positioned in relation to said frame to provide an input indication to the device when pressure is applied to at least one of said at least two rollers in a direction towards the surface.

13. The user interface of claim 12, further comprising a sensor array near one of at least two rollers providing a rotation indication to the user interface.

14. The user interface of claim 13, wherein the rotation indication further comprises an indication of direction.

15. The user interface of claim 12, wherein the at least two rollers are parallel one to another and further comprising a belt positioned around the at least two rollers.

16. The user interface of claim 15, further comprising a support connected to the frame and extending between the at least two rollers.

17. The user interface of laim 16, wherein the at least two rollers comprise three rollers.

18. The user interface of claim 15, wherein the support is operatively coupled to the switch.

19. A user interface for a device comprising: a switch disposed on the device; a frame slidably mounted near said switch such that said frame may engage said switch; at least two rollers mounted in said frame, wherein said switch is activated when pressure is applied to at least one of the at least two rollers; and a sensor array operatively coupled to at least one of the at least two rollers to measure rotation of the said at least one of the at least two rollers.

20. The user interface of claim 19, further comprising a belt around the at least two rollers.

21. The rollers system of claim 19, further comprising a support member positioned between the at least two rollers.