Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02765689 2012-01-27
ELECTRONIC MOBILE DEVICE SEAMLESS KEY/DISPLAY STRUCTURE
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to electronic mobile
devices, and
more particularly to key and display structures of electronic mobile devices.
[0002] In the design of electronic mobile devices, such as cellular
phones and
the like, there is an inclination to continuously improve aesthetic qualities.
One manner
for making such improvements involves designing smaller and/or thinner devices
by
using smaller and/or thinner components. Another manner for making aesthetic
improvements includes using visually and/or tactilely pleasing individual
components.
One set of visually pleasing components includes an external lens that
overlies a
display module and defines, in part, one or more adjacent menu keys. This
structure
provides a smooth appearance with few, if any, breaks or discontinuities on
the lens
between the display module and the keys and between the keys themselves. As
such,
the keys appear to be part of a bezel structure that surrounds the display.
[0003] The above keys, while aesthetically pleasing, can be difficult for
a user to
manipulate. For example, if each key includes a mechanical switch (i.e., a
dome
switch) beneath the lens, the keys can be prone to "falsing". That is, keys
may be
inadvertently deflected and actuated when pressing a neighboring key due to
the
continuous structure of the lens. Slits or breaks can be provided between
adjacent
keys to prevent adjacent lens portions from unintentionally deflecting,
although such a
solution reduces the aesthetic appeal of the device.
[0004] Another solution to address key falsing involves using a touch-
sensitive
input device instead of mechanical switches. A touch-sensitive input can
readily
distinguish key presses between adjacent keys that are defined, in part, by a
common
lens structure. However, such touch-sensitive inputs typically do not provide
tactile
feedback to indicate to a user that a key has been successfully pressed.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] Fig. 1 is a front perspective view of an electronic mobile device
including a
key/display assembly according to the present disclosure;
[0006] Fig. 2 is a partially exploded perspective view of the key/display
assembly
of Fig.1;
[0007] Fig. 3 is a rear partial perspective view of a lens of the
key/display
assembly of Fig. 1;
[0008] Fig. 4 is a section view of the key/display assembly along line 4-
4 of
Fig. 1;
[0009] Fig. 5 is a section view of the key/display assembly along line 4-
4 of Fig. 1
showing deflection of a menu key;
[0010] Fig. 6 is a section view of the key/display assembly along line 6-
6 of Fig. 1
showing deflection of a first menu key; and
[0011] Fig. 7 is a section view of the key/display assembly along line 6-
6 of Fig. 1
showing deflection of the second menu key.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0012] According to some embodiments, a key/display assembly includes a
first
switch and a second switch, and a display module is disposed aside the first
switch and
the second switch. A lens is disposed adjacent the display module and has an
inner
surface facing the display module. The lens includes a first contact region
adjacent the
first switch and a second contact region adjacent the second switch. The inner
surface
supports a first foot disposed between the first contact region and the second
contact
region. A first key is defined by the first switch and the first contact
region such that the
first key is actuated by deflecting the first contact region to actuate the
first switch. A
second key is defined by the second switch and the second contact region such
that
the second key is actuated by deflecting the second contact region to actuate
the
second switch. When the first contact region deflects to actuate the first
switch, the first
foot inhibits the second contact region from actuating the second switch. When
the
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second contact region deflects to actuate the second switch, the first foot
inhibits the
first contact region from actuating the first switch.
[0013] The teachings of the present disclosure relate generally to
portable
electronic devices, e.g., mobile communication devices such as pagers,
cellular
phones, global positioning system (GPS) navigation devices and other satellite
navigation devices, smart phones, wireless organizers, wireless personal
digital
assistants (PDA), and tablet computers. The portable electronic devices could
be
devices without wireless communication capabilities such as PDAs, electronic
gaming
devices, digital photograph albums or picture frames, digital cameras, or
digital video
recorders. These examples are intended to be non-limiting. It is also possible
that the
teachings of the present disclosure could be applied to electronic devices
other than
handheld electronic devices, e.g., notebook computers.
[0014] Referring now to Figs. 1-2, an electronic mobile device 100
according to
the present disclosure generally includes a base 102 that houses various
electronic
components that control operation of the device, such as a microprocessor (not
shown).
The base 102 also supports a keypad or keyboard 104 on a front surface
thereof. The
keypad 104 includes keys that are actuatable by a user to provide inputs to
the device
100 (e.g., to enter alphanumeric characters and the like). Sides of the base
102 may
also support volume control or shortcut keys 106.
[0015] Above the keypad 104, the front surface of the base 102 supports a
menu
key/display assembly 108. As the name implies, the key/display assembly 108 is
actuatable to perform various tasks (e.g., place and end voice calls, enter
and exit
device applications, and the like) and displays information to the user.
Furthermore,
with the exception of an optional input control (e.g., an optical trackpad 110
or the like),
the key/display assembly has a generally continuous and aesthetically pleasing
external
appearance. The following paragraphs describe more specifically the structure
of the
key/display assembly 108 that provides this pleasing appearance in addition to
improved key manipulability.
[0016] Still referring to Figs. 1-2, the key/display assembly 108
includes a display
module 212 (Fig. 2) supported by the base 102 and in communication with the
microprocessor. The display module 212 displays information to the device user
and,
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in some embodiments, is a liquid crystal display (LCD) module. Alternatively,
the
display module 212 may be another type of display device, such as an organic
light
emitting diode (OLED) module, a plasma display panel (PDP) module, or the
like.
[0017] An open-rectangular gasket 214 (Fig. 2) surrounds the display
module
212 on a side adjacent to the front surface of the base 102. In some
embodiments, the
gasket 214 comprises a semi-elastic polymer, such as silicone, although other
similar
materials may alternatively be used. Regardless of the specific material, the
gasket
214 provides impact resistance for the display module 212. In addition, the
gasket 214
also permits another component of the key/display assembly 108 to deflect as
described in further detail below.
[0018] The key/display assembly 108 further includes a first switch 216A,
a
second switch 216B, a third switch 216C, and a fourth switch 216D (Fig. 2)
supported
by or adjacent to light guides 218A, 218B of the base 102. The switches 216A-D
are =
disposed to the side of the display module 212 proximate the keypad 104, and
the first
and second switches 216A, 216B are disposed on the opposite side of the
trackpad
110 than the third and fourth switches 216C, 216D. In some embodiments, the
switches 216A-D are mechanical dome switches that "snap" when actuated by the
user.
Alternatively, the switches 216A-D may be any other type that provides tactile
feedback
to the user when actuated. Furthermore, it is appreciated that the device 100
is not
limited to the four switches disclosed herein, and that fewer or more switches
may be
utilized to suit the application.
[0019] Each switch 216A-D defines, in part, a menu key of the key/display
assembly 108 that is actuatable to perform one or more tasks. In particular,
the first
switch 216A defines, in part, a first key 120A (Fig. 1) that is actuatable,
e.g., to place a
voice call or display "recent calls" information. The second switch 216B
defines, in part,
a second key 120B that is actuatable, e.g., to display an application menu.
The third
switch 216C defines, in part, a third key 120C that serves as, e.g., a "back"
or "escape"
key. The fourth switch 216D defines, in part, a fourth key 120D that is
actuatable, e.g.,
to end a voice call or serve as an on/off button for the electronic mobile
device 100.
However, it is recognized that the keys 120A-D are not limited to performing
the above-
identified functions.
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=
[0020] The key/display assembly 108 further includes a lens 122 that
overlies the
display module 212, the compressible gasket 214, and the switches 216A-D. The
lens
122 protects the components disposed therebelow and inhibits debris and other
contaminants from entering the electronic mobile device 100. As such, the lens
122
may comprise molded materials such as polycarbonates, acrylics, thermoplastic
elastomers (TPEs), and the like.
[0021] The lens 122 includes a first deflectable portion 224A and a
second
deflectable portion 224B that are cantilevered past the edge of the display
module 212
and further define the menu keys 120A-D. In particular, the first deflectable
portion
224A includes a first contact region 226A that further defines the first menu
key 120A
and a second contact region 226B that further defines the second menu key
120B. The
second deflectable portion 224B includes a third contact region 226C that
further
defines the third menu key 120C and a fourth contact region 226D that further
defines
the fourth menu key 120D. As such, pressing and deflecting the first contact
region
226A thereby actuates the first switch 216A to indicate to the microprocessor
that the
first key 120A has been pressed. Pressing and deflecting the second contact
region
226B thereby actuates the second switch 216B to indicate that the second key
120B
has been pressed. Pressing and deflecting the third contact region 226C
thereby
actuates the third switch 216C to indicate that the third key 120C has been
pressed.
Lastly, pressing and deflecting the fourth contact region 226D thereby
actuates the
fourth switch 216D to indicate that the fourth key 120D has been pressed.
[0022] In addition to protecting the components disposed therebelow and
partially defining the menu keys 120A-D, the lens 122 is also generally
continuous (i.e.,
lacking breaks and changes in thickness except for a passageway 228 through
which
the trackpad 110 extends) to provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance. In
particular, the lens 122 is continuous between the first and second contact
regions
226A and 226B and between the third and fourth contact regions 226C and 226D.
Furthermore, the lens 122 is also continuous between a display region 230 that
overlies
the display module 212 and the contact regions 226A-D.
[0023] From the above, it should be apparent that deflecting one of the
contact
regions causes deflection of the adjacent contact region due to the continuous
lens
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structure. For example, deflecting the first contact region 226A causes the
second
contact region 226B to deflect towards the second switch 216B. To prevent such
switch falsing, an inner surface 332 (Fig. 3) of the lens 122 integrally
supports a first
foot 234A and a second foot 234B that inhibit the contact regions 226A-D from
unintentionally actuating the switches 216A-D.
[0024] As shown most clearly in Fig. 3, the first and second feet 234A,
234B
each have a shape that is generally elongated in a direction extending between
the
keypad 104 and the display module 212. The first and second feet 234A, 234B
each
also have a six-sided polygonal cross-sectional shape that is thicker near the
inner
surface 332 of the lens 122. Feet having other constructions may alternatively
be used.
[0025] Regardless of the specific shape that is used, the first foot 234A
is
disposed between the first contact region 226A and the second contact region
226B.
As such, when the user deflects the first contact region 226A to actuate the
first switch
216A (i.e., actuates the first key 120A), the first foot 234A contacts the
first light guide
218A to inhibit the second contact region 226B from actuating the second
switch 216B.
Conversely, when the user deflects the second contact region 226B to actuate
the
second switch 216B, the first foot 234A contacts the first light guide 218A to
inhibit the
first contact region 226A from actuating the first switch 216A.
[0026] In order to provide relatively low initial tactile feedback forces
to the device
user, the first foot 234A is normally spaced apart from the first light guide
218A by a
small distance (e.g., approximately 0.2mm). As such, the first and second
contact
regions 226A, 226B are deflectable over a first distance before the first foot
234A
contacts the light guide 218A. After the first foot 234A contacts the first
light guide
218A, the pressed contact region 226A or 226B may be further pressed and
deflected
over a second distance (e.g., approximately 0.2mm) to actuate the associated
switch
216A or 216B. However, the unpressed contact region 226A or 226B moves
slightly
away from the other switch 216A or 216B due to the "see-saw" structure of the
first
deflectable portion 224A and the first foot 234A. In particular and as shown
most
clearly in Fig. 6, the second contact region 226B moves away from the second
switch
216B when the first contact region 226A deflects to actuate the first switch
216A.
Conversely and as shown most clearly in Fig. 7, the first contact region 226A
moves
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away from the first switch 216A when the second contact region 226B deflects
to
actuate the second switch 216B.
[0027] The second foot 234B is disposed between the third contact region
226C
and the fourth contact region 226D but otherwise acts in a similar manner to
the first
foot 234A. In particular, when the user deflects the third contact region 226C
to actuate
the third switch 216C (i.e., actuates the third key 120C), the second foot
234B contacts
the second light guide 218B to inhibit the fourth contact region 226D from
actuating the
fourth switch 216D. Conversely, when the user deflects the fourth contact
region 226D
to actuate the fourth switch 2160, the second foot 234B contacts the second
light guide
218B to inhibit the third contact region 226C from actuating the third switch
216C.
[0028] In order to provide relatively low initial tactile feedback forces
to the device
user, the second foot 234B is normally spaced apart from the second light
guide 218B
by a small distance (e.g., approximately 0.2mm). As such, the third and fourth
contact
regions 226C, 226D are deflectable over a first distance before the second
foot 234B
contacts the light guide 218B. After the second foot 234B contacts the second
light
guide 218B, the pressed contact region 226C or 226D may be further pressed and
deflected over a second distance (e.g., approximately 0.2mm) to actuate the
associated
switch 216C or 2160. However, the unpressed contact region 226C or 2260 moves
slightly away from the other switch 216C or 216D due to the "see-saw"
structure of the
second deflectable portion 224B and the second foot 234B. In particular, the
fourth
contact region 226D moves away from the fourth switch 216D when the third
contact
region 226C deflects to actuate the third switch 216C. Conversely, the third
contact
region 226C moves away from the third switch 216C when the fourth contact
region
226D deflects to actuate the fourth switch 216D.
[0029] In addition to the features described above, the lens 122 further
includes
in-mold decorative features that identify the menu keys 120A-D. In particular,
the in-
mold decorative features include invariant indicia (i.e., invariant text
characters, such as
letters, numbers, punctuation, and symbols, and invariant functional
characters, such
as shift, enter, delete, menu, back, place call, end call, `sym', and 'air)
aligned with the
contact regions 226A-D and corresponding to the functions of the menu keys
120A-D.
For example, the indicia includes a telephone-shaped functional character
aligned with
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the first contact region 226A and corresponding to the "place call" function
of the first
key 120A.
[0030] As used herein, the term "invariant", when used to describe
indicia,
means that the text and/or functional character of a key does not change to
other text
and functional characters. However, the function performed by pressing such a
key
may vary depending on the operating mode of the electronic mobile device
(e.g., if
placing a phone call, sending a text message, playing a game, etc.).
Furthermore,
invariant indicia may be transparent or translucent and may be illuminated by
light
directed from the light guides 218A, 218B depending on the operating mode of
the
electronic mobile device (e.g., upon sensing low-light conditions). In
addition, it is noted
that the indicia are not limited to "invariant" indicia, but could also
include variant indicia
that changes based on the application, using such technology as e-ink, for
example and
as known in the art.
[0031] The key/display assembly 108 described above may be modified in
various manners. For example, the embodiments described above do not include a
falsing-inhibiting foot between the second and third contact regions 226B,
226C
because the trackpad passageway 228 reduces the likelihood of falsing between
these
contact regions. In other embodiments, the optical trackpad 110 is omitted and
a foot is
disposed between the second and third contact regions 226B, 226C to inhibit
switch
falsing (not shown).
[0032] From the above description it should be apparent that the present
disclosure provides an electronic mobile device that has an aesthetically
pleasing
external appearance due to a generally continuous protective lens. In
addition, the
key/display assembly has a structure that inhibits switch falsing while
providing tactile
feedback to the device user.
[0033] The various embodiments presented above are merely examples.
Variations of the embodiments described herein will be apparent to persons of
ordinary
skill in the art. In particular, features from one or more of the above-
described
embodiments may be selected to create alternative embodiments comprised of a
sub-
combination of features which may not be explicitly described above. In
addition,
features from one or more of the above-described embodiments may be selected
and
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combined to create alternative embodiments comprised of a combination of
features
which may not be explicitly described above. Features suitable for such
combinations
and sub-combinations would be readily apparent to persons skilled in the art
upon
review of the present application as a whole. The subject matter described
herein and
in the recited claims intends to cover and embrace all suitable changes in
technology.
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