Classifications

• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
  • H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
  • H04M1/02—Constructional features of telephone sets
  • H04M1/23—Construction or mounting of dials or of equivalent devices; Means for facilitating the use thereof
  • H04M1/233—Construction or mounting of dials or of equivalent devices; Means for facilitating the use thereof including a pointing device, e.g. roller key, track ball, rocker switch or joystick
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
  • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
  • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
  • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
  • G06F3/03—Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form
  • G06F3/033—Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user, e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor
  • G06F3/0338—Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user, e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor with detection of limited linear or angular displacement of an operating part of the device from a neutral position, e.g. isotonic or isometric joysticks
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
  • H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
  • H04M1/72—Mobile telephones; Cordless telephones, i.e. devices for establishing wireless links to base stations without route selection
  • H04M1/724—User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a navigation and selection button for electronic devices, such as radiocommunication terminals of the mobile telephone type, personal assistants, etc.
• It also relates to an electronic device provided with such a navigation and selection button, and in particular a telecommunications terminal.
• Electronic devices and more particularly mobile phones, increasingly include a menu displayed on a screen where the various functions of the device appear, according to a defined tree structure.
• the terminals are provided with a navigation device in the form for example of one or more so-called "navigation" keys. These keys are used to display the functions and to select the desired one in order to modify, for example, the configuration of the terminal, to consult the messages received ...
• navigation devices comprising a first pivot-mounted key, making it possible to scroll through the functions by means of two different positions of the key acting on a connector.
• the present invention aims to overcome these drawbacks by proposing a device which is adaptable to existing connectors, smaller and a lower cost price than known devices, having improved ergonomics and aesthetics and easy large-scale production.
• the subject of the invention is a button for navigation among a plurality of functions presented on a display screen of an electronic device, this device comprising a support for receiving a connector comprising a mobile element capable of moving. in at least one direction, the button being shaped so as to be able, when it is in place in the device, to be kinematically linked to the movable element, the button comprising coupling means coupling the button to guide means provided on the electronic device so as to provide the button with the degrees of freedom necessary for the operation of the mobile element, characterized in that the coupling means comprise rotation means which, in cooperation with the guide means, allow the displacement in rotation of the button, and therefore of the movable element, when they are assembled, in a direction.
• the button comprises means for receiving the movable element to receive the latter when the button is coupled to the device.
• These receiving means comprise a housing whose shape of the inner face is complementary to that of the movable element of the connector.
• the coupling means are shaped so as to be able to be coupled in a complementary manner to elements of the guide means, and the coupling means comprise rotation means to allow rotation of the button relative to a face of the device having the outer face of the button, with an axis parallel to said face.
• the rotation means comprise at least one bearing of substantially cylindrical shape.
• the coupling means comprise means for immobilizing in translation the button in all directions parallel to the face of the device having the outside face of the button.
• said means for immobilizing in translation the button comprise a notch capable of cooperating by locking with at least one of the elements of the guide means.
• the external face of the button comprises a curved part comprising a raised surface intended to facilitate its manipulation.
• the invention also relates to an electronic device, such as a telecommunications terminal, characterized in that it is provided with a button as mentioned above.
• the invention also relates to a system for positioning a navigation button and for selecting from among various functions of an electronic device comprising a front face provided with an opening allowing access to the navigation button, the navigation button. being mounted floating on an integrated circuit card, disposed inside the device, so that it can be moved in at least one direction, characterized in that the front face comprises means for holding and positioning the button allowing its movement in the authorized directions.
• Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of part of an electronic device comprising a navigation device according to the invention
• FIGS. 2a and 2b are schematic views, one in perspective, the other side, of a standard connector used in the invention.
• Figure 3 is an exploded perspective, viewed from behind, of a part of the electronic device comprising the invention
• Figures 4a and 4b are perspective views, front and back, of an element of the invention.
• Figure 1 shows three-quarters face, in an exploded perspective, an electronic device 1 incorporating the invention.
• the device 1 will for example be a radiocommunication terminal more commonly called a mobile phone.
• the terminal 1 comprises a front face 2 (also called shell) of substantially quadrangular shape, having a window 3, as well as openings 4 intended to receive the various keys 5 of a keyboard 6.
• the front face 2 of the electronic device also has openings 7 and 8 intended respectively for the microphone and the listening amplifier of the terminal 1.
• the front face 2 and the keyboard 6 are associated together in a known manner with an integrated circuit card 9 comprising a display screen 10 of known type, for example with liquid crystal.
• a standard connector 11, described in more detail in connection with FIGS. 2a and 2b, is, in known manner, connected to and fixed on the integrated circuit card 9.
• An opening 12 is made substantially in the center of the front face 2, below the window 3 of the display screen 10.
• this opening 1 2 can be made at another location on the shell of the terminal.
• This opening 12 is shaped so as to receive a button 13 capable of cooperating with the standard connector 11.
• the button 13 will be seen in detail in connection with FIGS. 4a and 4b.
• the key ply 6 also has an opening 6a of shape complementary to the external shape of the button 1 3, so that said button 1 3 comes to be housed there once the electronic device 1 assembled.
• a Y axis shows diagrammatically the alignment of the opening 12, the button 1 3, and the standard connector 1 1.
• the Y axis is perpendicular to the plane of the front face 2.
• Figures 2a and 2b are schematic representations of the standard connector 1 1.
• This connector 1 1 has a movable element 11a protruding with the base 1 1 b of the connector 1 1.
• This mobile element 11a due to its connection with the base 1 1b, is able to move in at least two directions identified by the arrows f and g of Figure 2b.
• the connector l i a gives access to three different positions, two identified by the double arrow f and one for the arrow g.
• a displacement of the mobile element 1a in one of the directions indicated by the double arrow f allows for example to scroll through the various functions on the display screen 10, while 'pressing the movable element 1a in the direction of the arrow g makes it possible to select one of the said menu functions.
• FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the rear of a part of the terminal 1 where the layer of keys 5 constituting the keyboard 6 is mounted on the front face 2.
• the button 13 passes through the opening 6a disposed on the front face 2 of the terminal 1, so as to project slightly from said front face 2.
• the button 1 3 comprises coupling means and guide means relative to the front face 2, in particular at the opening 1 2 provided in the keyboard 6, once the button in place.
• the front face 2 has means for guiding the button 13 which will be seen in detail below.
• the button 1 of generally quadrangular shape, has a housing 1 3a (FIG. 4b) whose shape of the inner face is complementary to that of the movable element 11a of the connector 1 1 so that said button 13 is inserted without possible play on the connector 1 1.
• the button 1 3 also comprises, on two of its opposite lateral sides, a first and a second bearing 13b and 1 3c, having a shape substantially of cylinder portion, the concavity of which is turned, once the button 1 3 in place, to connector 1 1.
• bearings 1 3b and 13c are thus able to cooperate respectively, via their external surface, with guide means arranged on the inside face of the front face 2 of the terminal 1, at the opening 1 2.
• These guide means consist in particular of surfaces 2b and 2c complementary to the external surfaces of the bearings 13b and 13c (FIG. 3), namely in the form of a portion of cylinder.
• the bearings 13b and 1 3c bear on the guide surfaces 2b and 2c and they are free to move in rotation, by simple sliding on the surfaces 2b and 2c respectively.
• the button 1 3 has in its center a domed part 1 3d, protruding through the opening 1 2 of the front face 2, once in place.
• Said curved portion 13d itself comprises a relief surface 1 3e (with a pattern for example) intended to facilitate the manipulation of the button 1 3 by the user of the terminal 1.
• the button 1 3 comprises, on a third side, a notch 1 3f able to cooperate with a complementary shape 2f located inside the front face 2, at the opening 1 2.
• the notch 1 3f is arranged on one side of the button parallel to the pivot axis X.
• the button 13, once in place, can only move two degrees of freedom: on the one hand according to a rotation or pivot movement, of axis X in the plane of the front face 2, and on the other hand according to a translational movement perpendicular to the plane of terminal 1 (that is to say along the axis Y of FIG. 1).
• the axis X of rotation is transverse to the longitudinal axis (not shown) of the face of the device shown diagrammatically by the front face 2.
• a spring or other return mechanism, associated with the movable element l i a of the connector 1 1.
• the spring then causes the movable element 1 la to return and therefore pushes the button 1 3 along the Y axis bringing it closer to the front face 2, until 'in that the bearings 1 3b and 1 3c rest again against the guide surfaces 2b and 2c.
• the button 1 3 being inserted on the movable element 11a of the connector 1 1 via the housing 13a, the only possible displacements of the button 13 correspond to those provided for said movable element 1 l at.
• the manipulation of the navigation button 13 thus allows, thanks to its guided rotation, of axis X, to scroll through the various functions of the menu of the terminal 1 and to select the one that the user wishes by a simple press on said button 13 ( in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the front face 2).
• This type of navigation device simple, economical and whose production on a large scale is easy, is applicable to all kinds of electronic devices such as personal digital assistants, corded telephones, etc.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
• Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Signal Processing (AREA)
• Telephone Set Structure (AREA)
• Fittings On The Vehicle Exterior For Carrying Loads, And Devices For Holding Or Mounting Articles (AREA)
• Mobile Radio Communication Systems (AREA)
• Position Input By Displaying (AREA)
• Input From Keyboards Or The Like (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=8851994

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (7)

Families Citing this family (2)

Citations (1)

Family Cites Families (3)

• 2000
  • 2000-06-30 FR FR0008553A patent/FR2811193A1/fr active Pending
• 2001
  • 2001-06-29 CN CN01801841A patent/CN1383666A/zh active Pending
  • 2001-06-29 JP JP2002505484A patent/JP2004502348A/ja not_active Withdrawn
  • 2001-06-29 WO PCT/FR2001/002085 patent/WO2002001835A2/fr active Application Filing
  • 2001-06-29 EP EP01949583A patent/EP1299987A2/fr not_active Withdrawn
  • 2001-06-29 AU AU2001270709A patent/AU2001270709A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2001-06-29 US US10/069,445 patent/US20020114446A1/en not_active Abandoned

Patent Citations (1)

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events