Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Electronic Device with Physical Alert
BACKGROUND
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates generally to an electronic device configured to
physically alert
the user that an event has occurred, and more particularly to an electronic
device for altering
the physical form factor of the electronic device by tactile presentation of
an actuation
element.
BACKGROUND ART
Mobile telephones and their audible ring tones have become commonplace in
today's
society. In the grocery store, bank, train, or bus, ring tones of mobile
telephones have become
a familiar sound. Ring tones have become so prevalent in fact, that some
institutions, such as
movie theaters and schools, have begun to restrict the use of audible ring
tones.
Mobile telephone developers permit users to selectively silence ring tones.
Two
frequently implemented features are the silent mode and vibration mode. The
silent mode
mutes all audible ring tones, thus preventing the user from receiving any
notice of an
incoming communication. The vibration mode provides the user with a physical
alert, as the
mobile telephone vibrates rather than producing ring tone. The vibration is
caused when a
motor connected to an eccentric weight moves, thereby alerting the user that
an incoming call
or text message is pending.
Both the silent mode and the vibrating mode have limitations when in use. For
example, as noted above, when a phone is in the silent mode, no alert is given
for incoming
communications. As such, the user may miss an important telephone call or text
message.
When in vibration mode, an audible noise may result from the vibration, which
can
sometimes frustrate the intended purpose of turning off the audible alert.
This noise can be
exacerbated when the mobile telephone rests upon a wooden or metal surface.
For example,
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when resting on a hard surface, such as a school desk, the vibration of the
mobile telephone
may cause significant audible noise.
There is therefore a need for an electronic device, such as a mobile
telephone, to
provide physical, inaudible indicia to a user upon the occurrence of a device
event, such as an
incoming electronic communication.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or
functionally similar elements throughout the separate views and which together
with the
detailed description below are incorporated in and form part of the
specification, serve to
further illustrate various embodiments and to explain various principles and
advantages all in
accordance with the present invention.
FIG. I illustrates one embodiment of an electronic device comprising an
actuation
element configured to alter an actuation element profile relative to a housing
in response to a
device event in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of an actuation element distally extending
in
accordance with the invention.
FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of an actuation element telescopically
extending in
accordance with the invention in response to an incoming electronic
communication.
FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of an actuation element comprising a
navigation
key in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 5 illustrates one embodiment of an electronic device comprising a
deformable
cover layer in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 6 illustrates one embodiment of an actuation element profile driver
implemented
to distally extend an actuation element as to alter an actuation element
profile with respect to
a housing in accordance with the invention.
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FIG. 7 illustrates one embodiment of an electromagnetic driver implemented to
distally extend an actuation element in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 8 illustrates one embodiment of an actuation element motor implemented to
distally extend an actuation element in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 9 illustrates one embodiment of altering a form factor of an actuation
element in
accordance with the invention.
Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated
for
simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For
example, the
dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative
to other
elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the invention are now described in detail. Referring to the
drawings,
like numbers indicate like parts throughout the views. As used in the
description herein and
throughout the claims, the following terms take the meanings explicitly
associated herein,
unless the context clearly dictates otherwise: the meaning of "a," "an," and
"the" includes
plural reference, the meaning of "in" includes "in" and "on." Relational terms
such as first
and second, top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one
entity or
action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying
any actual such
relationship or order between such entities or actions. Also, reference
designators shown
herein in parenthesis indicate components shown in a figure other than the one
in discussion.
For example, talking about a device (10) while discussing figure A would refer
to an element,
10, shown in figure other than figure A.
Turning to FIG. 1, illustrated therein is an electronic device 100 in
accordance with
one embodiment of the invention. The electronic device 100 may be, but is not
limited to,
any of a radiotelephone, a personal digital assistant, a pager, a computer, a
portable computer,
or other similar mobile communication device.
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The electronic device 100 comprises, in addition to the elements discussed
below,
standard components for communication. For example, where the electronic
device 100 is a
radiotelephone, the electronic device 100 comprises a transmitter and a
receiver (or a
transceiver), a controller, a user interface, and a memory. The electronic
device 100 also
comprises a housing 102. In one embodiment, the housing 102 covers the entire
electronic
device 100 and defines at least a front surface, which may be planar or
radiused, on one face
of the electronic device 100.
The electronic device 100 has a user interface 104 on the front surface. The
user
interface 104 is configured to provide input and output capabilities for
responding to device
events, often incorporating one or more user actuatable elements, such as
actuation elements
106. Device events may include incoming telephone calls, incoming text
messages, incoming
multimedia messages, low battery warnings, and the like.
In some embodiments, the user interface 104 may be extended beyond the area
shown
to additionally include a display 105. The display 105 notifies the user as to
the present state
of the electronic device 100, while the actuation elements 106, which are
tactile buttons in
one embodiment, allow the user to input data and control the device. By way of
example, the
words "new message" may appear on the display 105 following the receipt of a
text message.
One or more actuation elements 106 may be actuated to open and view the
message.
The actuation element 106 has a corresponding actuation element profile 108
relative
to the housing 102. The actuation element profile 108 is a physical form
factor relative to the
housing 102. Said differently, the actuation element profile 108 is comparison
of physical
shape or dimension relative to the housing 102. In one sense, the actuation
element profile
may be characterized by the height of the actuation element 106 relative to
the housing 102.
In another embodiment, the actuation element profile 108 may be characterized
by a cross
sectional shape of the actuation element 106. For example, in one embodiment,
the actuation
element 106 is positioned flush with the housing 102, thereby creating one
actuation element
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profile. In another embodiment, the actuation element 106 may be protruding
slightly above
the housing 102, thereby creating a second actuation element profile.
The actuation element profile may alternatively be characterized by the
surface area
of the actuation element 106, or the surface area of the housing 102 covered
by the actuation
element 106. For example, in one embodiment, the actuation element 106 is
balloon like, in
that it may swell or contract. In such an embodiment, the actuation element
106 may cover the
housing 102 with a first surface area when deflated and a second surface area
when inflated.
In addition to the various actuation element form factors, the actuation
element 106
may additionally take many physical forms, shapes, textures, and compositions.
The
particular shape, texture or composition will depend upon the type of
electronic device 100,
and its intended application.
In one embodiment, the actuation element 106 is as simple as a rigid button
with a
printed symbol disposed thereon, which a user physically depresses to perform
the function
associated with the printed symbol. By contrast, in another embodiment, as set
forth in
commonly assigned, copending US Pat. Application Ser. No. 11/684,454, filed
March 9,
2007, the actuation element 106 may be a proximity sensitive interface
comprising an optical
shutter device. In such an embodiment, the actuation element performs a
function when the
user's finger comes in proximity of the actuation element 106.
The actuation element 106 may additionally have an actuation element cross
sectional
shape 107. The actuation element cross sectional shape 107 may be, but is not
limited to, any
of the following shapes: a ramp, a rectangle, a plus, a circle, a semicircle,
an oval, a triangle,
an alphanumeric character, or a predetermined symbol. Predetermined symbol
shapes may
include shapes indicative of the following actions: power on, power off,
initiate call, end call,
camera mode, video mode, volume control, and musical playback.
In accordance with embodiments of the invention, the actuation element 106
described herein is configured to alter the actuation element profile 108
relative to the
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housing 102 in response to a device event 110. This alteration of the
actuation element profile
108 may occur in many ways. For example, in one embodiment, the actuation
element profile
108 may be altered by extending the actuation element 106 distally from the
housing 102.
Alternate embodiments for altering the actuation element profile 108 will be
discussed in
further detail below. In each embodiment, however, following the alteration of
the actuation
element profile 108, the actuation element retains an actuation element
actuation state 112.
The actuation element actuation state 112 is a state of control associated
with the
actuation element 106. For instance, where the actuation element 106 is a
power button prior
to altering its actuation element profile 108, the actuation element 106 will
still be a power
button after the actuation element profile 108 is altered. Similarly, in the
case of a mobile
telephone, when the actuation element 106 is a "9 WXY" button prior to
altering its actuation
element profile 108, the actuation element 106 will continue to be a "9 WXY"
button after the
actuation element profile 108 is altered.
Turning briefly to FIG. 2, illustrated therein is one embodiment of an
actuation
element 206 changing its actuation element profile 208 relative to a housing
202 of an
electronic device 200 in response to a device event while retaining its
actuation element state.
In FIG. 2, the electronic device 200 has an actuation element 206 initially
residing in a
relatively flush relationship with a housing 202. The actuation element 206 is
capable of
controlling at least one device function. The control of this function defines
the actuation
element's actuation element actuation state.
In response to a device event 210, such as an incoming call or e-mail, the
actuation
element 206 in one embodiment extends distally from the housing 202 by a
predetermined
distance, such as one-half inch, thereby altering the actuation element
profile 208. After this
extension, the actuation element 206 is still capable of controlling the
original device
function, and thus retains its actuation element actuation state.
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The illustrative embodiment shown in FIG. 2 is that of the actuation element
206
extending distally from the side of a "candy bar" style electronic device. It
will be clear to
those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure,
however, that the
invention is not so limited. In one embodiment, for instance, the electronic
device comprises a
hinged "flip style" housing. In such an embodiment, the actuation element may
be disposed
on the inside of one half of the hinged housing. As such, the actuation
element rests in an
initial actuation element profile when the hinged housing is closed. In
response to the device
event, the actuation element may extend distally from the hinged housing,
thereby altering the
actuation element profile and separating the two halves of the hinged housing.
Closing the
two halves of the hinged housing depresses the actuation element and returns
it to the initial
actuation element profile.
Turning back to FIG. 1, in one embodiment, the device event 110, as briefly
mentioned above, is an event that requires a user to take an action or to make
a decision.
Where the device event 110 is an incoming phone call, for example, the user
may be
requested to accept or ignore the call. Examples of device events include: an
incoming call, an
incoming text message, an incoming multimedia message, a call in progress, an
availability of
a personal area network or other data transfer services, a change of the
cellular channel or
provider, an expiration of a timer, a calendar alarm event, or a low battery
warning.
In one embodiment, the user interface 104 comprises a plurality of actuation
elements
114. Each of the plurality of actuation elements 114 is configured to control
a corresponding
device function, such as entering or deleting a typed character. The device
function may be
user definable. Further, the actuation element 106 that changes its actuation
element profile
108 in response to the device event may also be user definable. For example,
one of the
plurality of actuation elements 114 may be configured as the "answer call"
button because it
is easily accessible by the user's finger when viewing the display 105.
However, a change in
the actuation element profile of this actuation element may not be easily
"felt" when the
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electronic device 100 is in the user's pocket. To overcome this, the user may
select another
actuation element to change profile when incoming calls are received. Further,
multiple
actuation elements may be selected to alter their actuation element profile in
response to a
device event. For instance, three actuation elements may be selected to change
their respective
actuation element profiles - at different times - in response to an incoming
phone call,
thereby creating a "wave-like" effect.
In one embodiment, the alteration of the actuation element profile 108 prompts
the
user for at least one of a plurality of responses. The user may then actuate
the actuation
element 106 to signal a response. By way of example, turning now to FIG. 3,
illustrated
therein is a radiotelephone 300 capable of electronic communication. The
actuation element
of interest is a call activation key 306 configured to answer incoming calls.
The call
activation key 306 is configured to alter its actuation element profile 308
relative to the
housing 302 in response to an incoming communication 310. Upon receipt of the
incoming
communication 310, the call activation key 306 extends telescopically from the
housing 302,
thereby altering its actuation element profile 308. The user is thus prompted
to answer the
incoming communication 310 by pressing or otherwise actuating the call
activation key 306.
In one embodiment, the mechanism for altering the actuation element profile
308 is a nested
slide, driven by a piezoelectric micro-motor.
Turning to FIG. 4, illustrated therein is another embodiment of an electronic
device
400 comprising an actuation element 406 configured to alter its actuation
element profile 408
with respect to a housing 402 in response to a device event 410. In one
embodiment, the user
may be prompted for one of a plurality of responses 401 to the device event
410. To facilitate
the selection, the actuation element 406 is configured as a navigation key
407. The navigation
key 407 is suitable for navigation among the plurality of options suitable for
response 401. In
one embodiment, the navigation key 407 includes a navigation whee1412 capable
selecting
from the plurality of options suitable for response 401. In one embodiment,
the navigation
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key 407 is actuated by pressing the navigation key 407 downward to select of
one of the
plurality of options suitable for response 401.
While extending an actuation element distally from the housing is one
mechanism for
altering the actuation element profile, other mechanisms exist as well.
Turning now to FIG. 5,
illustrated therein is one such alternate mechanism. In FIG. 5, a housing 102
comprises a
deformable cover layer 502. The deformable cover layer 502 is configured to
cover all or at
least a portion of the housing 102. The deformable cover layer 502 may vary in
texture,
thickness, material, composition, and optical characteristics. In one
embodiment, the
deformable cover layer 502 is a thin, semitransparent layer of flexible
material, such as
rubber, configured to cover, while permitting visibility, the actuation
element 106. In another
embodiment, the deformable cover layer is an opaque material, such that the
actuation
element 106 is not seen until its actuation element profile 108 is altered.
Following a device event I 10, the actuation element 106 alters the actuation
element
profile 108, thereby deforming the deformable cover layer 502. In one
embodiment, the
deformable cover layer 502 rests on a plane 504 parallel to the housing 102.
Upon the
altering of the actuation element profile 108, the deformable cover layer 502
deforms, thereby
creating a shape that is non-coplanar with the plane 504.
Many actuation element profile drivers, mechanisms, and engines are capable of
altering the actuation element profile (108), as illustrated in FIG. 2, FIG. 3
and FIG. 5. In one
embodiment for example, distal extension of the actuation element (106) is
implemented by a
piezoelectric driver. Other drivers may also be used, including an
electromagnetic driver, an
electrostatic driver, a shape memory alloy driver, an electrorheological
driver, and an
electroactive polymer driver. It will be clear to those of ordinary skill in
the art having the
benefit of this disclosure that other devices may be used to alter the
actuation element profile
(108) as well.
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Turning to FIG. 6, illustrated therein is one embodiment of an actuation
element
profile driver implemented to alter the actuation element profile 608 with
respect to the
housing 602. The actuation element profile driver comprises a shape memory
alloy spring
604. In some embodiments, such as the one illustratively shown in FIG. 6, the
actuation
element profile driver is bistable. It is "bistable" in that it is configured
to enter a low power
mode after altering the actuation element profile 608. The shape memory alloy
spring 604 is a
bistable actuation element having two stable states. The two stable states are
a compacted
shape memory alloy spring (the low power mode), and an extended shape memory
alloy
spring (the actuated mode).
The exemplary shape memory alloy spring 604 of FIG. 6 is made of martensite
and is
situated in a first profile state at step 609. In one embodiment, when the
shape memory alloy
spring 604 is in the first profile state, it is in the low power mode because
energy is not
continually required to maintain the first profile state. In response to a
device event 610, at
step 612, the shape memory alloy spring 604 is heated by a driver, causing the
martensite to
change into a memorized austenite phase, thereby elongating the shape memory
alloy spring
604. The elongation of the shape memory alloy spring 604 creates an outward
force on the
actuation element 606, thereby causing it to enter a second profile state at
step 614. Upon
cooling at step 616, the shape memory alloy spring 604 returns to the first
profile state. At
step 618, the actuation element 606 is depressed by a user 620 and an
electrical signal
associated with the actuation element 606 is transmitted.
Note that there are many additional embodiments of shape memory alloy drivers
for
use with embodiments of the invention. In one embodiment, the shape memory
alloy driver
comprises a pump. The pump further comprises a cylinder, a piston, a shape
memory alloy
element, a spring and an end-cap with electrical terminals. The end-cap
tightly seals the
cylinder. The shape memory alloy element is engaged with the piston on one
side and
connected with the end-cap terminals on the other side. When voltage is
supplied to the
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electrical terminals, the shape memory alloy element is heated. After reaching
a critical
temperature, the shape memory alloy element changes length. This moves the
piston from
one position in the cylinder to another position. The movement of the cylinder
creates a force
which the pump can use to alter the actuation element profile (108). After the
voltage is
removed, the shape memory alloy element cools and recovers its original
length. Thus, the
piston returns to the initially end position.
Turning to FIG. 7, illustrated therein is one embodiment of an actuation
element
profile driver comprising an electromagnetic driver 700. The electromagnetic
driver 700
comprises a fixed pivot 701, a first electromagnet 702 with a first charge, a
second
electromagnet 704 with a first charge, and an actuation element 706. The first
electromagnet
702 and the second electromagnet 704 are connected at fixed distances to both
the fixed pivot
701 and the actuation element 706.
Initially both holding the first charge, the first electromagnet 702 and the
second
electromagnet 704 repel each other, thus creating a first distance 708 between
the fixed pivot
701 and the actuation element 706. In response to a device event 710, one of
the
electromagnets is given an opposite charge from that which it initially held.
The first
electromagnet 702 and the second electromagnet 704, now holding opposite
charges, attract
each other. This attraction causes the actuation element 706 to extend
distally outward to a
second distance 712 from the fixed pivot 701.
In one embodiment, distal extension of the actuation element (106) is
implemented by
an actuation element profile motor. The actuation element motor may comprise,
but is not
limited to, a cam and follower motor, a worm-gear motor, a pivot and
retraction motor or a
bellows device. Turning briefly to FIG. 8, illustrated herein is one
embodiment of an
actuation element profile motor comprising a can and follower motor 800. The
cam 802 and
follower 804 are illustrated. At a first position 808, the follower 804 rests
on the inherently
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circular surface of the cam 802 and the follower 804 is in contact with an
actuation element
806.
In response to a device event 810, the cam 802 rotates to a second position
812. At
the second position, the follower 804 rests on the inherently oblong surface
of the cam 802,
thus distally extending the follower and in turn the actuation element 806. In
one
embodiment, upon reaching the second position 812, the cam 802 rotates back to
the first
position 808, thereby returning the follower 804 its original position as
well. In one
embodiment, the follower 804 comprises a spring configured to keep the
follower 804 in
contact with the cam 802 at all times. The actuation element 806 may remain in
an actuated
position even though the follower has returned to its initial position. The
actuation element
806 may return to its initial position when depressed by a user.
Turning to FIG. 9, illustrated therein is one embodiment of an actuation
element 906
configured to alter the actuation element profile by changing an actuation
element form
factor. In FIG. 9, altering the actuation element profile by changing its
actuation element
form factor includes manipulating the surface characteristics of the actuation
element 906.
There are many methods for manipulating the surface of the actuation element
906, including
the application of heat, the application of an electrical charge, or inflation
of the actuation
element 906.
In one embodiment, changing the actuation element form factor involves a
raised
symbol 902 appearing on the surface of the actuation element 906. By way of
example, an
actuation element may comprise a balloon-like and/or an elastic surface with a
play button
symbol molded into the balloon-like surface. At an initial state, the
actuation button is
deflated, thereby preventing the play button symbol from being visible. In
response to a
device event, air is pumped into the actuation button and the balloon-like
surface inflates.
The play button symbol expands past the circumference of the actuation button
and become
visible.
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In one embodiment, the raised symbol 902 comprises a plurality of raised bumps
904.
One example of an embodiment implementing a plurality of raised bumps is a
method
utilizing a bistable material as the surface of the actuation element 906. One
example of such
a method, as described above, involves covering the actuation element 906 with
a layer of
martensite. A plurality of micrometer dents, placed in a grouping resembling a
symbol
describing functionality, is imprinted onto the surface of the martensite
actuation element 906.
A flattening technique using mechanical polishing call "planarizing" is used
to smooth the
martensite surface such that the dents are not visible. In response to a
device event 910, the
martensite is heated to a critical temperature when the martensite becomes
austenite. Upon
becoming austenite, the plurality of dents becomes a plurality of raised bumps
904 on the
surface of the actuation element 906. When the austenite is cooled to
martensite, in one
embodiment, upon a user depressing the actuation button 906, the plurality of
raised bumps
904 disappear.
In the foregoing specification, specific embodiments of the present invention
have
been described. However, one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates that
various
modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the
present
invention as set forth in the claims below. Thus, while preferred embodiments
of the
invention have been illustrated and described, it is clear that the invention
is not so limited.
Numerous modifications, changes, variations, substitutions, and equivalents
will occur to
those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the
present invention as
defined by the following claims. Accordingly, the specification and figures
are to be regarded
in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications
are intended to be
included within the scope of present invention.
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