WO2008010912A2

WO2008010912A2 - Input system having a scroll belt

Info

Publication number: WO2008010912A2
Application number: PCT/US2007/015400
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jongmin Wang; Bugo Park; Matthew J. Esserman
Original assignee: Jongmin Wang; Bugo Park; Esserman Matthew J
Priority date: 2006-07-03
Filing date: 2007-07-03
Publication date: 2008-01-24
Also published as: KR20080003547A; WO2008010912A3

Abstract

An input system designed to easily scroll and operate features on a display screen for electronic devices such as, for example, cell phones, PDA's, mice, laptops, computer keyboards, personal media players (PMPs) (such as, for example, personal audio players (e.g. MP3 players) or persona] video players), remote controls, stereo components, televisions, musical instruments (e.g. musical keyboards), etc. is provided. The input system utilizes a scroll belt and may therefore be implemented into an electronic device having a significantly thinner form-factor. A pressure-type button is provided inside a path of the scroll belt.

Description

INPUT SYSTEM HAVING A SCROLL BELT

Field of The Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of input systems, and, more specifically, to input systems having scroll belts to be utilized in electronic devices such as, for example, cell phones, personal digital assistants (PDA's), mice, laptops, computer keyboards, personal media players (PMP's) (such as, for example, personal audio players (e.g. MP3 players) or personal video players), remote controls, stereo components, televisions, musical instruments (e.g. musical keyboards), etc.

Background Of The Invention

In traditional input systems, up/down/left/right buttons have been utilized for scrolling and controlling various operations on a display screen for electronic devices such as cell phones. This method has the advantage that it may be implemented as a very slim system and it does not increase the thickness of the device (i.e. cell phone). However, as the cell phone storage capacity increases, a significant increase of information (i.e. due to an increase in capabilities/functions of, for example, internet implementation (e.g. sending and receiving e-mail)) can be displayed on a cell phone in a drastically increased manner. As a result, it is extremely difficult to easily operate and input a large quantity of information using the up/down/left/right buttons of the traditional input systems and it also has caused inconvenience for the users.

To eliminate such inconvenience, wheel or jog-type input systems have been developed. However, both require a large space in the cell phone which results in increased cell phone thickness. Currently, from a design point of view, cell phones are getting more and more low-profiled, and from a multi-function point of view, the number of components installed in a cell phone continues to increase and, as a result, space has become extremely limited. Therefore, it is difficult to have wheel- type or jog-type input systems incorporated into cell phones.

The technological task that this invention wants to achieve is to provide an input system in which a user's input action, such as search, scroll, and operating is as easy to perform as compared with the existing wheel-type input systems, while providing a slim device implementation such as is possible with traditional up/down/left/right buttons present.

These and other advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the detailed description of the invention hereinbelow.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention is directed to an electronic device comprising a display. The electronic device also comprises an input system comprising a scroll belt having an inner surface and an outer surface. The input system also comprises at least two rollers that support and engage the inner surface of the scroll belt, wherein the scroll belt surrounds the at least two rollers, and wherein the at least two rollers are rotatable along with the inner surface of the scroll belt during movement of the scroll belt within a path. The input system also comprises a sensor that detects the movement of the scroll belt or movement of one of the at least two rollers. The input system also comprises a pressure- type button provided inside the path of the scroll belt such that when pressure is applied to the scroll belt by a user of the electronic device, the scroll belt responds by transferring the pressure to the pressure-type button so as to activate the pressure-type button. The input system further comprises a controller that generates a scroll signal, wherein the scroll signal corresponds to the movement of the scroll belt detected by the sensor or corresponds to the movement of one of the at least two rollers detected by the sensor, wherein the controller generates an input signal, and wherein the input signal corresponds to the activation of the pressure-type button. An item is movable on the display according to the scroll signal generated by the controller.

Brief Description of the Drawings

For the present invention to be clearly understood and readily practiced, the present invention will be described in conjunction with the following figures, wherein:

Figure 1 illustrates the configuration of an existing up/down/left/right button-type input system.

Figure 2 illustrates the configuration of an existing scroll wheel-type input system. Figure 3 illustrates the configuration of an existing jog-type input system.

Figure 4 illustrates the configuration of a scroll belt-type input system utilizing 4 rollers, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 5 illustrates the utilization of a scroll belt-type input system in a cell phone, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figures 6(a)-6(d) illustrate various layout configurations of scroll belt-type input systems of the present invention.

Figure 7 illustrates the configuration of a scroll belt-type input system utilizing 2 rollers, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

It is to be understood that the figures and descriptions of the present invention may have been simplified to illustrate elements that are relevant for a clear understanding of the present invention, while eliminating, for purposes of clarity, other elements found in a typical input system. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that other elements may be desirable and/or required in order to implement the present invention. However, because such elements are well known in the art, and because they do not facilitate a better understanding of the present invention, a discussion of such elements is not provided herein. It is also to be understood that the drawings included herewith only provide diagrammatic representations of the presently preferred structures of the present invention and that structures falling within the scope of the present invention may include structures different than those shown in the drawings. Reference will now be made to the drawings wherein like structures are provided with like reference designations.

Figure 1 illustrates the configuration of a traditional up/down/left/right button-type input system. Figure l's input system includes a key (1), pressure-type button (2), and printed circuit board (PCB) (3). The button-type input system is surrounded by a cell phone cover (4). Since these types of input systems are manufactured as very thin structures, it is easy for them to be built into a cell phone having any thickness. However, as the quantity of information displayed on a display of a cell phone is increased, it becomes extremely inconvenient and tedious to search, scroll, input, and operate using this button-type input system.

Figure 2 illustrates the configuration of a traditional wheel-type input system. Figure 2's input system includes a wheel (5), wheel switch (6), and PCB (7). The wheel-type input system is surrounded by a cell phone cover (8). Compared to the up/down/left/right button-type input system, such wheel-type configuration can be used to more easily search, scroll, input, and operate information on the display, but it is very difficult to incorporate into a slim cell phone because the wheel-type input system's size is too large. For example, where the height (9) of a wheel extension is 1 mm (i.e. measured above the opening of the cell phone cover (8)) and width (10) is 10 mm (i.e. measured within the opening of the cell phone cover (8)), the wheel radius R (1 1 ) is an enormous 13 mm. Therefore, for the wheel alone, the diameter is 26 mm and it is therefore impossible to incorporate into a cell phone of desired thickness.

Figure 3 illustrates the configuration of a traditional jog-type input system. Figure 3's input system includes a jog lever (12), jog switch (13), and PCB (14). The jog-type input system is surrounded by a cell phone cover (15). Such jog-type input system requires a large jog lever and jog switch which results in a significant increase of total height (16) within the cell phone. This makes it very difficult to incorporate into a cell phone of desired thickness as well.

Figure 4 illustrates the configuration of a scroll belt-type input system (24) of the present invention. The scroll belt-type input system (24) includes a scroll belt (17), rollers (18), pressure-type switch, e.g. pressure-type button (19), PCB (20), and an optional light sensor (21). The scroll belt-type input system is surrounded by a cell phone cover (23). The scroll belt (17) may be comprised of any suitable material such as, for example, rubber, metal, silicone, polymer, plastic, etc. (or combinations thereof) that are capable of being rolled by rollers (18). With any of these materials, the scroll belt (17) may be in the form of a solid yet flexible belt, a chain comprising solid or flexible links (e.g. treads such as, for example, tank-like treads), a mesh, a braid, a cable, or combinations thereof. The number of rotations at the contact surface of the scroll belt (17) and each roller (18) is determined by the pitch. The present invention does not limit the pitch size. Although 4 rollers (18) are utilized in the example given in this figure, the present invention does not limit the number of rollers (18) that may be utilized, and it is possible to utilize 2, 3, or more rollers (e.g. see Figure 7).

The scroll belt may optionally be of the type, for example, having a plurality of openings provided between a plurality of spaced apart tabs, The tabs preferably engage a plurality of mating slots in each of the rollers so that the rollers rotate along with the scroll belt. The light sensor may optionally detect the movement of the tabs or openings.

Since a pressure-type button (19) is provided inside the path of the scroll belt, when a user applies pressure to the scroll belt (via, for example, a finger, stylus, pencil eraser, etc.), the scroll belt responds by transferring the user's pressure to the pressure-type button (19) via the scroll belt itself (i.e. not via the rollers) so as to activate the pressure-type button. In others words, the pressure-type button (19) is pushed by the scroll belt itself which is pushed by the user. Providing the pressure-type button (19) in this fashion enables the user to experience extremely high tactile sensitivity and tactile feedback while using relatively little pressure when depressing the pressure-type button (19) via the scroll belt. The pressure-type button (19) may provide additional function(s)/operation(s). For example, it may provide the same or different functions as that provided by a conventional left or right mouse button.

As for the optional light sensor (21) that is electrically connected to the PCB (20), the light sensor (21) detects movement (e.g. movement/rotational distance and movement/rotational direction) of scroll belt (17) or, alternatively, at least one roller (18) and delivers information about the movement to a controller such as, for example, contained in PCB (20). The controller generates a scroll signal, wherein the scroll signal corresponds to the movement of the scroll belt detected by the light sensor or corresponds to the movement of one of the at least two rollers detected by the light sensor. The controller also generates an input signal that corresponds to the activation of the pressure-type button. In Figure 4, the light.sensor (21) is placed below the PCB (20) and receives the light (22) that is sent to the scroll belt (17) to detect the scroll belt movement. However, the light sensor (21 ) may detect the movement of the scroll belt (17) or at least one roller (18) from other locations, i.e. as long as it can receive the light that is sent to the scroll belt or at least one roller (18). The light sent to the scroll belt or at least one roller (18) and eventually received and detected by the light sensor (21) may be originally sent by the light sensor (21) itself or by another element positioned near the light sensor (21) or at a different location entirely. The scroll belt or the at least one roller may optionally include indications (e.g. tabs, slits, markings, protrusions, indentations, etc.) to assist in the movement detection by the light sensor.

An item is movable on the display of the cell phone according to the scroll signal generated by the controller. The movable item may be, for example, a cursor, menu, etc.

Figure 5 illustrates the utilization of a scroll belt-type input system (24) of the present invention in a cell phone. In the figure, the scroll belt-type input system (24) is located at the same location where a traditional up/down/left/right button-type input system is located, but the present invention does not limit the location where the scroll belt-type input system (24) is mounted in a cell phone. That is, it may be located, for example, on the front side, back side, and/or on any edge (e.g. left, right, bottom, and/or top edge) such as, for example, an edge where traditional Blackberry^®-type scroll button-wheels are located.

Figures 6(a)-6(d) illustrate various layout configurations of scroll belt-type input systems of the present invention. As illustrated in Figure 6(a), a scroll belt-type input system (25) that enables up/down scrolling and operation may be used together with a scroll belt-type input system (26) that enables left/right scrolling and operation. As illustrated in Figure 6(b), different arrangement patterns (27, 28) in other locations may alternatively be employed. In another exemplary alternative configuration as illustrated in Figure 6(c), scroll belt-type input systems (29, 30) may be utilized along with another input button (31) thereby providing additional functions/operations. In yet another exemplary alternative configuration as illustrated in Figure 6(d), multiple scroll belt-type input systems (32, 33, 34, 35) may be employed as necessary for user convenience. The present invention does not limit the location, orientation, shape, size and number of such scroll belt-type input systems.

Figure 7 illustrates the configuration of a scroll belt-type input system (44) of the present invention utilizing 2 rollers (48). The scroll belt-type input system (44) includes a scroll belt (47), 2 rollers (48), pressure-type switch, e.g. pressure-type button (49), PCB (40), and an optional light sensor (41) which receives light (42) from the scroll belt (47) to detect the scroll belt movement. The Figure 7 embodiment of the present invention may alternatively utilize the same or similar configuration variations/alternatives as that described above for the 4-roller approach of Figures 4, 5, and 6(a)-(d). Since there are only 2 rollers (48) in this configuration, the rollers must each be of suitable diameter so as to provide sufficient space inside the path of the scroll belt to adequately fit and position the pressure-type button (49), PCB (40), and optional light sensor (41) therein.

Although the above embodiments of the present invention are described using the scroll belt-type input system in cell phones, the scroll belt-type input system of the present invention may alternatively be incorporated into an electronic device such as, for example, a PDA, mouse, laptop, computer keyboard, personal media player (PMP) (such as, for example, personal audio player (e.g. MP3 player) or personal video player), remote control, stereo component, television, musical instrument (e.g. musical keyboard), etc. Incorporation of the scroll belt-type input system into any of these devices would advantageously not increase the device thickness. Additionally, this enables the user of the device to search, scroll, input, and operate information that is easier, more convenient, less tedious, and efficient than the traditional up/down/left/right button-type input system.

The contemplated modifications and variations specifically mentioned above are considered to be within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various modifications and variations may be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, although the above embodiments of the present invention are described using light sensors (21, 41), other types of sensors may alternatively be employed. The light sensors (21, 41) may be replaced, for example, with mechanical sensors to detect the movement of at least one roller (18, 48) or the scroll belt (17, 47). Mechanical sensors could be, for example, of the type used in existing scroll wheel-type input systems and which are used to detect the movement/rotational distance and movement/rotational direction of the scroll wheel. The utilization and manufacturing of such a mechanical sensor is well known to those skilled in the art of scroll wheel- type input systems. It is therefore to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed above, but it is intended to cover such modifications and variations as defined by the following claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An electronic device comprising: a display; and an input system comprising: a scroll belt having an inner surface and an outer surface; at least two rollers that support and engage the inner surface of the scroll belt, wherein the scroll belt surrounds the at least two rollers, and wherein the at least two rollers are rotatable along with the inner surface of the scroll belt during movement of the scroll belt within a path; a sensor that detects the movement of the scroll belt or movement of one of the at least two rollers; a pressure-type button provided inside the path of the scroll belt such that when pressure is applied to the scroll belt by a user of the electronic device, the scroll belt responds by transferring the pressure to the pressure-type button so as to activate the pressure-type button; and a controller that generates a scroll signal, wherein the scroll signal corresponds to the movement of the scroll belt detected by the sensor or corresponds to the movement of one of the at least two rollers detected by the sensor, wherein the controller generates an input signal, and wherein the input signal corresponds to the activation of the pressure-type button; wherein an item is movable on the display according to the scroll signal generated by the controller.

2. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the scroll signal comprises data corresponding to both movement distance and movement direction of the scroll belt detected by the sensor.

3. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the scroll signal comprises data corresponding to both rotational distance and rotational direction of the one of the at least two rollers detected by the sensor.

4. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the at least two rollers consist of two rollers.

5. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the at least two rollers consist of four rollers.

6. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the sensor is a light sensor.

7. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the sensor is a mechanical sensor.

8. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the movable item is a cursor.

9. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the movable item is a menu.

10. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the electronic device is a cell phone.

10. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the electronic device is a PDA.

1 1. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the electronic device is a computer mouse.

12. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the electronic device is a laptop.

13. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the electronic device is a PMP.