GB2445178A

GB2445178A - A single touchpad to enable cursor control and keypad emulation on a mobile electronic device

Info

Publication number: GB2445178A
Application number: GB0625753A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Exoteq Aps; Damien R Jones; Ilkka Martikainen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-12-22
Filing date: 2006-12-22
Publication date: 2008-07-02
Also published as: GB0625753D0

Abstract

A system for enabling the use of a single touch-sensitive input device (touchpad) for mouse control and keypad emulation on a mobile electronic device, in which the system's mode (touchpad or keypad) is automatically controlled by the device's operating system in dependence on the active software application, meaning that the mode will switch automatically from mouse mode to keypad mode (or vice versa) as and when an application requires it. The touch sensitive device may be a resistive or capacitive touchpad. A keypad template is disposed beneath the touchpad and above an LED and light guide assembly, such that when the touchpad is in keypad mode light shines through the template and projects the keypad symbols onto the surface of the touchpad. Alternatively the keypad template may be disposed above the touchpad. The template may be dynamic, and mechanical mouse buttons may also be incorporated into the touchpad.

Description

I

The use of a single touchpad to enable cursor control and keypad emulation on a mobile electronic device.

Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to touchpads and keypads for mobile electronic devices and more particularly relates to a single touchpad giving both cursor control and keypad emulation on a mobile electronic device.

Background of the Invention

A touchpad is a touch-sensitive device that can be used as a pointing device to replace a mouse, trackball or other cursor input method in a mouse driven interface. The touchpad typically consists of a small touch sensitive plate that produces X and Y location coordinates corresponding to the location of the touching device, either a finger or stylus, on its surface. The electronic device's microprocessor interprets these X and Y coordinates to locate the cursor on the electronic devices display. The user typically controls the electronic device or computer by moving an input device, a finger or stylus, across the touchpad's touch-sensitive surface. Touchpad's used to control computers typically include two mechanical buttons below the pad, which, when pressed are used to emulate the left and right click found on a standard mouse. Most modern touchpads also provide an alternate way of signifying a left or right click intention. A tap on the sensor surface, in a location relatively close to where the cursor is located is interpreted as an action equivalent to a left button click. Similarly an extended press on the touchpad is interpreted as a right button click.

The majority of computers that use touchpads as a means of mouse emulation (for example laptops) also utilise a standard keyboard as an additional means of input. Some devices use the touchpad as supplementary to the keyboard by designating areas of the touchpad to correspond to button presses, such as scrolling the screen vertically and horizontally or media player functions. Symbols and shapes printed on the touchpad surface are used to designate to the user the function of each area. The user can switch between the mouse control mode and keypad mode either by a key press, a menu selection on screen or a button beside the touchpad. The user can then enter a particular keystroke by tapping the touchpad in the area corresponding to that keystroke.

The great advantage of using the touchpad for the dual purpose of cursor control and keypad is that the user can fulfil both activities in one place and not have to move back and forth between touchpad and keypad. Also if the system and interface were designed effectively the mechanical keypad could be discarded completely, saving cost.

However the current system for switching between modes is cumbersome, especially when a computer application or interface requires a mixture of cursor control and keypad entries. The user must continually manually switch the touchpad between the mouse control and keypad emulation modes. Most software on modern mobile electronic devices does require this bi-modal use and so the current system, where a separate step must be taken every time a change of mode is required, is inappropriate for this purpose.

Summary of the invention

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a system which facilitates the use of a touchpad for mouse control and keypad emulation on mobile electronic devices.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a simple, intuitive and preferably automatic method for the user to switch between the mouse control and keypad emulation modes of the touchpad described above.

This invention results from the realisation that as mobile devices become increasingly powerful they have the ability to run a multitude of different software applications. This expansion of capability and diversity of application leads to the need for a flexible and compact input method. Modern mobile electronic devices require cursor control for navigating menus and websites but also need an alphanumeric keypad for number and text entry. A touchpad that can be used for cursor control and keypad emulation provides an ideal solution to this need.

The proposed invention features a system for using a touch sensitive input touchpad for both cursor control and keypad emulation in a mobile device. It also features a method for switching between the two distinct modes. The system mode (touchpad or keypad) is dependent on the active software application and is automatically selected by the operating system of the mobile electronic device, for example cursor control when in the web browser and keypad emulation for composing emails.

While within a software application that requires predominantly alphanumeric input from the user the operating system automatically switches the system to keypad mode and simultaneously illuminates the keypad lights. Once a touch is sensed the system detects the X Y coordinate and duration of that touch. The system then executes the command associated with that length of press in combination with the area pressed.

Similarly when the user enters a software application that requires mouse control the keypad enters mouse control mode. When a touch is sensed the system determines whether this touch is intended as a cursor movement or a selection action. If it is determined as the former the system moves the onscreen cursor in a manner corresponding to that of the input device. In the latter case the system determines the length of the press. If it is determined to be a short press (lift off before a set time expires) the system registers a left click action or if it is determined to be a long press (lift off after a set timer expires) then the system registers a right click. If the device incorporates left and right mechanical mouse buttons these are also activated.

The system also provides a method for automatically switching between modes once inside an application. For example if a user enters a text input box whilst within the web browser the system will automatically switch the touchpad into keypad mode for the duration the user is within that text input box.

In addition the system allows the user, via an onscreen menu choice or mechanical button press the opportunity to change the mode of the touchpad. For example if there were a choice when composing an email between predictive text entry (keypad emulation) and handwriting recognition (cursor control) the user could switch between the keypad mode and cursor control mode manually. This could also be accomplished automatically given the appropriate user settings and preferences.

Brief Description of the drawings

FIG I Shows a block diagram of the system of this invention FIG 2A Shows a generic mobile electronic device having an LCD display, a touchpad (the system of this invention) and two mechanical mouse buttons FIG 2B Shows a generic mobile electronic device having an LCD display and a touchpad (the system of this invention).

FIG 3A Shows an exploded view of a resistive touchpad incorporating an example keypad template.

FIG 3B Shows an exploded view of a capacitive touchpad incorporating an example keypad template FIG 3C Shows the plan view of an example keypad template used in FIG 3A and FIG 3B FIG 4A Shows a flowchart for the system of this invention which allows the touchpad to be used both as cursor control and keypad emulation. This flowchart describes the proposed system that utilises, in addition to the touchpad, two mechanical mouse buttons (see FIG 2A) FIG 4B Shows a flowchart for the system of this invention which allows the touchpad to be used both as cursor control and keypad emulation. This flowchart describes the proposed system that does not include the two mechanical mouse buttons (see FIG 2B) Whilst the invention is liable to have various modifications and alternate embodiments during its development, certain illustrative embodiments of said invention have been depicted in the drawings enclosed and are described below in detail. It should be noted, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific forms disclosed.

This application is intended to cover all modifications, alternative constructions and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Detailed Description of the invention

There is depicted in FIG 2A a generic mobile electronic device 1 including the system of this invention. The system employs a standard liquid crystal display (LCD) 2 a touchpad 3 and two mechanical mouse buttons 4 and 5. The touchpad input device 3 having a touch-sensitive surface is employed as an input device for the mobile electronic handset.

The touchpad may employ any of the touch-sensing technologies known to those familiar with the art, for example capacitive, resistive membrane or ultrasonic surface wave' technology. The touchpad may be operated by a stylus or human fmger. FIG 2B shows an alternate configuration of the device which does not include the two mechanical mouse buttons.

As shown in figure FIG 3A the resistive touchpad consists of two semitransparent plastic membranes I and 3 with conducting surfaces separated by an insulating spacer layer 2.

The keypad template 4 is placed below the plastic membranes and above the LED and light guide assembly 5 and 6. When the touchpad is in keypad mode the LED lights are illuminated, this light shines through the template and projects the keypad symbols onto the surface of the touchpad.

FIG 3B shows a capacitive touchpad, this consists of two semitransparent plastic layers 1 and 3 with linear conducting wires' embedded in them, the upper and lower layers having conductive wires in X and Y directions respectively. These are separated by an insulating layer 2. The plastic layers are covered by a protective layer, typically Mylar, also semitransparent (not shown). The keypad template 4 is placed below these three plastic layers and above the LED and light guide assembly 5 and 6. When the touchpad is in keypad mode the LED lights are illuminated, this light shines through the template and projects the keypad symbols onto the surface of the touchpad.

An example of the template which may be used to allow the keypad to be utilised as a number input device and shortcut buttons is shown in FIG 3C. The control system would be configured such that a press within the area of each button would execute the function signified by that button. This is intended as an example only and may be adapted accordingly. The template could be a fixed graphic, as in the example given, or alternatively a dynamic one. This could be achieved by placing an LCD or OLED display below the touchpad. The display would then change according to which template was required by the system.

The Flowchart figures 4A and 4B illustrate the system by which the touchpad can perform the dual functions of mouse cursor control and keypad emulation. FIG 4A illustrates a system in which mechanical buttons are present, FIG 4B illustrates a system in which mechanical buttons are not present. Both flowcharts have two main sections, the left section being mouse/cursor control and the right being keypad emulation.

Referring first to flowchart FIG 4A In step I the system checks the current mode of the touchpad, either mouse control or keypad emulation mode. At step 2 the system chooses between step 3 and step 17 according to which mode the system is found to be operating. Step 3 if the system is in mouse control mode and step 17 if the system is found to be in keypad emulation mode.

If a right (mechanical) mouse click (FIG 2A no. 4) is sensed at step 3 the system registers a right click, step 11, and then executes the command associated with a right click at the location pressed. Where no right (mechanical) mouse click is sensed the system continues to step 4.

If a left (mechanical) mouse click (FIG 2A no. 5) is sensed at step 4 the system registers a Left click, step 13, and then executes the command associated with a left click at the location pressed. Where no left (mechanical) mouse click is sensed the system continues to step 5.

If a touch is sensed on the touchpad surface at step 5, the system starts a timer, step 6.

Where no touch is sensed, the system loops until a touch is detected. If lateral movement is sensed before this predefined timer has expired, step 7, the system enters cursor control mode, step 8, moving the onscreen cursor according to the lateral movement of the finger or stylus across the touchpad surface. Lateral movement is defined for the purpose of this application as movement in any direction exceeding 1.5mm. Such cursor control is enabled until the stylus or finger is lifted from the touchpad (lift off), step 9. The system then returns to the start point.

Where insufficient lateral movement is sensed after touchdown at step 7, the system continues on to step 10. At step 10 the system determines whether the user intends a left click by tapping the touchpad surface or whether they intend a right click by pressing and holding down their finger or stylus on the touchpad. If the operator lifts off before the timer has expired, a left click is registered, step 13. Where lift off is not sensed before the timer expires, a right click is registered, step 11. Where a left click is registered the system executes the command in the computer program associated with a left click at the Location pressed, step 14. If this left click activates a text/number entry box, requiring a keypad, the system responds by entering keypad emulation mode, steps 15 and 16 respectively. The system then returns to the start point. Where a right click is registered at step 11 the system executes the command in the computer program associated with a right click at the location pressed, step 12. The system then returns to the start point.

Where the system is found to be in keypad control mode at step 2 the system continues on to step 17. Then if a touch on the touchpad is sensed the system moves on to step 18. If no touch is sensed the system returns to step one and will loop until a touch is sensed. If the keypad lights are on at step 18 (lights allow the buttons on the keypad to be seen and also signify to the user that the keypad is active) the system continues on to step 20. If the keypad lights are found to be off, the system moves to step 19 to turn the lights on and then continues on to step 20. At step 20 a timer is started and the system moves to step 21. If lift off has occurred before this timer has expired the system registers a short key press, step 22. The system executes the command in the handsets operating system associated with a short key press at that location, step 23. The system then returns to the start point. Where lift off has not been sensed before this timer has expired, step 21, the system registers a long key press, step 24. The system executes the command in the handsets operating system associated with a long key press at that location, step 23. The system then returns to the start point.

Referring next to flowchart FIG 4B In step 1 the system checks the current mode of the touchpad, either mouse control or keypad emulation mode. At step 2 the system chooses between step 3 and step 15 according to which mode the system is found to be operating. Step 3 if the system is in mouse control mode and step 15 if the system is found to be in keypad emulation mode.

If a touch is sensed on the touchpad surface at step 3, the system starts a timer, step 4.

Where no touch is sensed, the system loops until a touch is detected. If lateral movement is sensed before this predefined timer has expired, step 5, the system enters cursor control mode, step 6, moving the onscreen cursor according to the lateral movement of the finger or stylus across the touchpad surface. Lateral movement is defined for the purpose of this application as movement in any direction exceeding 1.5mm. Such cursor control is enabled until the stylus or fmger is lifted from the touchpad, step 7. The system then returns to the start point.

Where insufficient lateral movement is sensed after touchdown at step 5, the system continues on to step 8. At step S the system determines whether the user intends a left click by tapping the touchpad surface or whether they intend a right click by pressing and holding down their finger or stylus on the touchpad. If the operator lifts off before the timer has expired, a left click is registered, step 11. Where lift off is not sensed before the timer expires, a right click is registered, step 9. Where a left click is registered the system executes the command in the computer program associated with a left click at the location pressed, step 12. If this left click activates a text/number entry box, requiring a keypad, the system responds by entering keypad emulation mode, steps 13 and 14 respectively. The system then returns to the start point. Where a right click is registered at step 9 the system executes the command in the computer program associated with a right click at the location pressed, step 10. The system then returns to the start point.

Where the system is found to be in keypad control mode at step 2 the system continues on to step 15. Then if a touch on the touchpad is sensed the system moves on to step 16. If no touch is sensed the system returns to step one and will loop until a touch is sensed. If the keypad lights are on at step 16 (lights signify to the user that the keypad is active and illuminate the buttons on the keypad) the system continues on to step 18. If the keypad lights are found to be off, the system moves to step 17 to turn the lights on and then continues on to step 18. At step 18 a timer is started and the system moves to step 19. If lift off has occurred before this timer has expired the system registers a short key press, step 20. The system executes the command in the handsets operating system associated with a short key press at that location, step 21. The system then returns to the start point.

Where lift off has not been sensed before this timer has expired, step 19, the system registers a long key press, step 22. The system executes the command in the handsets operating system associated with a long key press at that location, step 21. The system then returns to the start point.

The system of this invention thus allows a touchpad to be used in both the conventional maimer (i.e. for cursor control) and as a keypad, without the need for the user to manually select one of the two modes.

Claims

Claims 1. A system for utilising a single touch sensitive device as

both cursor control and keypad emulation on a mobile electronic device that can automatically determine the appropriate touchpad mode for the software application currently active.

A touch-sensitive device with template disposed either beneath or above it, the template being illuminated to communicate to the user that the keypad is active.
2. The system in claim 1 which also incorporates two mechanical mouse buttons in addition to the touchpad.
3. The system in Claim I which also utilises a dynamic template disposed either above or below the touchpad.