U.S. patent number 7,210,618 [Application Number 11/071,503] was granted by the patent office on 2007-05-01 for mobile communication terminal.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Nokia Corporation. Invention is credited to Zhu Dong.
United States Patent |
7,210,618 |
Dong |
May 1, 2007 |
Mobile communication terminal
Abstract
A mobile communication terminal comprising a display and a
keypad having plural keys. The keypad comprises a frame surrounding
the display and the keys are arranged at respective key positions
on the frame. The terminal is further configured to display symbols
at positions on the display corresponding to the key positions on
the frame. Furthermore, said frame is arranged to be rotated
between at least a first and a second position whereby each said
key becomes associated with a respective first and second operation
of the terminal.
Inventors: |
Dong; Zhu (Vaerlose,
DK) |
Assignee: |
Nokia Corporation (Espoo,
FI)
|
Family
ID: |
36463491 |
Appl.
No.: |
11/071,503 |
Filed: |
March 3, 2005 |
Prior Publication Data
|
|
|
|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20060196925 A1 |
Sep 7, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
235/375; 345/566;
345/156 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04M
1/72466 (20210101); G06F 3/0233 (20130101); H04M
1/0231 (20130101); H04M 1/23 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G06F
17/00 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;235/375
;345/168,169,156,173 ;340/407.1 ;368/10
;455/566,90.3,556.2,556.1,557 ;200/1R |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Lee; Michael G.
Assistant Examiner: Haupt; Kristy A.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Perman & Green, LLP
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. Mobile communication terminal comprising a display and a keypad
having plural keys, said keypad comprising a frame surrounding the
display, where said keys are arranged at respective key positions
on the frame, said terminal is configured to display symbols at
positions on the display corresponding to the key positions on the
frame, and wherein said frame is arranged to be rotated between at
least a first and a second position whereby each said key is
rotated with the frame between the at least first and second
position and becomes associated with a respective first and second
operation of the terminal; wherein rotation of the frame allows a
user to navigate through at least one menu presented on the display
of the terminal and the keys being configured so that a function of
the keys changes to correspond with an action of a selected menu
item.
2. A communication terminal according to claim 1, where the
terminal is configured such that symbols of said display changes
upon rotation of the frame between said first and second
positions.
3. A communication terminal according to claim 1, wherein said
frame is round in shape.
4. A communication terminal according to claim 3, wherein said
frame is circular.
5. A communication terminal according to claim 1, wherein said
frame has any polygonal shape.
6. A communication terminal according to claim 1, wherein
rotational motion of the frame is limited by mechanical spring
means wherein said second position corresponds to an intermediate
position to which said frame is rotated, and from which said frame
returns to the first position by the mechanical spring means.
7. Cover for a mobile communication terminal comprising a keypad,
said keypad comprising a frame with keys, said frame configured to
surround a display on the terminal, wherein said keys are arranged
at respective key positions on the frame and said frame is arranged
to be rotated between at least a first and a second position
whereby each said key is rotated with the frame between the at
least first and second position and becomes associated with a
respective first and second operation of the terminal wherein
rotation of the frame allows a user to navigate through at least
one menu presented on the display of the terminal and the keys
being configured so that a function of the keys changes to
correspond with an action of a selected menu item.
8. A cover for a mobile communication terminal according to claim
7, wherein said frame is round in shape.
9. A cover for a mobile communication terminal according to claim
7, wherein said frame is circular.
10. A cover for a mobile communication terminal according to claim
7, wherein said frame has any polygonal shape.
11. A cover for a mobile communication terminal according to claim
7, wherein rotational motion of the frame is limited by mechanical
spring means wherein said second position corresponds to an
intermediate position to which said frame is rotated, and from
which said frame returns to the first position by the mechanical
spring means.
12. A method comprising: displaying symbols at respective key
positions on a display which correspond to key positions on a frame
surrounding the display, and wherein rotating the frame between at
least a first and a second position whereby each said key is
rotated with the frame between the at least first and second
position and becomes associated with a respective first and second
operation of the terminal; navigating through at least one menu
presented on the display of the terminal and changing a function of
the keys to correspond with an action of a selected menu item.
13. A method according to claim 12, wherein the symbols of the
display change upon rotation of the frame between said first and
second positions.
14. A method according to claim 12, further comprising limiting
rotational motion of the frame by mechanical spring means wherein
said second position corresponds to an intermediate position to
which said frame is rotated, and from which said frame returns to
the first position by the mechanical spring means.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a communication terminal having an
improved keypad and a communication terminal cover comprising a
keypad.
BACKGROUND
Mobile communication terminals such as cellular phones that
particularly require portability are widely used today. Most of
these terminals comprise a user interface input device such as a
keyboard of which many varieties exist. Until now, focus has mainly
been on features and performance of these handheld units. Since
users become more accustomed to operating these devices they demand
more versatile and advanced, but at the same time user-friendly and
efficient input interfaces.
One way in which this has been addressed is described in U.S. Pat.
No. 6,535,461, which discloses a communication device comprising a
one-piece rotatable ring arranged in conjunction with push buttons.
By rotating the ring and applying pressure on the ring the buttons
are pushed and a user is able to choose and select operations for
controlling the device.
However, although the user can select operations with this
configuration, the number of operations available by controlling
the one-piece rotatable ring is limited due to the construction. In
fact, the arrangement described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,535,461 is
configured to overcome problems related to small scale input means
by reducing the number of keys while maintaining data entry
capability.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
An object of the present invention is hence to solve a problem of
how to provide a communication terminal with an improved input
interface.
The object is achieved with a mobile communications terminal
comprising a display and a keypad having plural keys. The keypad
comprises a frame surrounding the display and the keys are arranged
at respective key positions on the frame. The terminal is further
configured to display symbols at positions on the display
corresponding to the key positions on the frame. Furthermore, the
frame is arranged to be rotated between at least a first and a
second position whereby each key becomes associated with a
respective first and second operation of the terminal.
In a preferred embodiment the communication terminal is configured
such that the symbols on the display changes upon rotation of the
frame between first and second positions.
In other preferred embodiments the frame of the communication
terminal is round, circular or of any polygonal shape.
According to another preferred embodiment, the rotational motion of
the frame is limited by mechanical spring means, whereby the second
position corresponds to an intermediate position to which the frame
is rotated and from which the frame returns to the first position
by the mechanical spring means.
Furthermore, according to preferred embodiments of the invention
the symbols may comprise alphanumerical representation, graphical
symbols or the like for presentation of digits, menu alternatives
or any other operations of the communication terminal.
The invention also relates to a communication terminal cover
comprising a keypad according to the invention as discussed
above.
Hence, in summary, the invention can be described as a special
configuration of a keypad, where keys are mounted on a frame base
that can be turned clockwise or anti-clockwise. The functions of
the keys are shown by symbols or text located next to the keys on a
display screen that is surrounded by the frame. When the frame is
turned to a new position, these key functions are changed to new
functions. With such a configuration, it is possible to create a
keypad where the functions of the keys are changeable. This has the
advantaget in that it provides a configuration with more functions
using the same keypad, while at the same time being intuitive for
the user.
Moreover, it is advantageous that it is possible to quickly change
the function of the keys on the keypad. That is, in contrast to
prior art arrangements, a user may quickly and without having to
move his/her fingers any great distance change the operating mode
of the terminal. This in contrast to, e.g., prior art solutions
where menu selections typically are made using scrolling lists
where a user was forced, in a repeating manner, to press one or
more key in order to scroll the menu items.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will now be described in more detail with reference
to the accompanying schematic drawings, which for the purpose of
illustration show some non-limiting embodiments and in which:
FIG. 1 shows schematically a block diagram of a mobile
communication terminal according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 shows schematically a communication terminal having a
circular rotatable keypad according to the invention.
FIG. 3a shows a circular rotatable keypad in a first position
according to the invention.
FIG. 3b shows a circular rotatable keypad in a second position
according to the invention.
FIG. 4a shows a polygonal rotatable keypad in a first position
according to the invention.
FIG. 4b shows a polygonal rotatable keypad in a second position
according to the invention.
FIGS. 5a and 5b illustrate schematically usage of a keypad
configured according to the invention.
FIG. 6 is a schematically drawn perspective view of a terminal
having a cover according to the present invention.
PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
FIG. 1 illustrates schematically a communication terminal 101 in
which the present invention is implemented. The terminal 101 is
capable of communication via an air interface 103 with a radio
communication network 105 such as the well known systems CDMA2000,
D-AMPS, GSM, UMTS, EDGE, etc. The terminal comprises a processor
107, memory 109 as well as input/output units in the form of a
microphone 111, a speaker 113, a display 115 and a keyboard 117.
Radio communication is realized by radio circuitry 119 and an
antenna 121. Connected to the radio communication network 105 is a
controller 123. The details regarding how these units communicate
are known to the person skilled in the art and is therefore not
discussed further.
FIG. 2 illustrates schematically a communication terminal 200
having a display 208 and a keypad 202 with plural keys 206. A
loudspeaker 216 and a microphone 218 are indicated. The keypad
comprises a circular rotatable frame 204 surrounding the display
208. The frame 204 is rotatable in a clockwise and an
anti-clockwise direction. Mechanical and electrical means (not
shown) are arranged in the terminal 200 to detect rotation of the
frame 204 and to provide signals to control circuitry (not shown)
in the terminal indicating the amount of rotation. The display 208
is configured to present symbols 210 at positions on the display
corresponding to the positions of the keys on the frame 204. In the
embodiment of FIG. 2, the symbols 210 are displayed at positions
evenly distributed around a circle as defined by an inner edge 214
of the frame 204. A central area of the display 212 is used for
display of any information, as the skilled person will realize.
Turning now to FIGS. 3 and 4, where preferred embodiments of a
communication terminal are described having different
configurations regarding number of keys and frame shape.
FIG. 3a illustrates schematically a part of a communication
terminal 300 comprising a display 308 with a central area 312 and a
keypad 302 with keys 306, 316, 326 and 336. The keypad 302
comprises a circular rotatable frame 304 surrounding the display
308. On the display symbols 310, 320, 330 and 340 are presented at
positions corresponding to the keys 306, 316, 326 and 336
respectively.
FIG. 3b illustrates schematically a part of a communication
terminal 300 where, due to rotation of the frame 304, the keys 306,
316, 326 and 336 have obtained new respective positions, namely,
key 306 has taken the position of key 316, which in turn has taken
the position of key 326 and so on. Furthermore, the symbols
corresponding to the keys have also changed and keys 306, 316, 326
and 336 now have corresponding symbols 350, 360, 370 and 380
respectively. The change of symbols is controlled by circuitry (not
shown) in the terminal as a response to signals received via
mechanical and electrical means (not shown) as briefly described in
connection with FIG. 2.
FIG. 4a illustrates schematically a part of a communication
terminal 400 comprising a display 408 and a keypad 402 with keys
406, 416, and 426. The keypad 402 comprises a polygonal rotatable
frame 404 surrounding the display 408. On the display symbols "A"
410, "B" 420 and "C" 430 are presented at positions corresponding
to the keys 406, 416 and 426 respectively.
Similar to the situation described above in connection with FIG.
3b, FIG. 4b illustrates schematically a part of the communication
terminal 400. Due to rotation of the frame, the keys 406, 416 and
426 have obtained new respective positions. Furthermore, the
symbols corresponding to the keys have also changed and keys 406,
416 and 426 now have corresponding symbols "H" 440, "I" 450 and "J"
460 respectively.
FIGS. 5a and 5b illustrate a usage scenario of a terminal
comprising a keypad according to the invention. It is to be noted
that FIGS. 5a and 5b are very schematically drawn and in which only
a display 508 surrounded by a frame 504 having a number of keys are
illustrated. Although only three keys are discussed in connection
with FIGS. 5a and 5b, i.e. keys 550, 552 and 554, the frame
comprises other keys that are used as described, e.g., above in
connection with FIGS. 2 to 4.
FIG. 5a illustrates a point in time at which a user has rotated the
frame 504 in order to scroll the contents of a menu 560. One menu
item 562 is highlighted to indicate an action to take when the user
presses key 550, which is associated with a selection action and
also indicated by a "Select" label 551. FIG. 5a illustrates a case
where the user is about to press the "Select"-associated key 550
and by that execute a calendar application in the terminal. A key
552 is also illustrated as being associated with an exit action and
indicated by an "Exit" label 553.
In a calendar application such as the application described above,
four keys may be associated with different functions depending on
the position of the rotating frame as summarized in the following
table:
TABLE-US-00001 Frame position 1 Frame position 2 Frame position 3
Key 1 Show date Delete item New appointment Key 2 Goto date Open
item New reminder Key 3 Select item Send item New birthday Key 4
Exit Exit Settings
The function "Select item" may, for example, enable the rotating
frame to be used in a navigation operation or enable the keys for
stepping up/stepping down.
Similarly, in a camera application, four keys may be associated
with different functions depending on the position of the rotating
frame as summarized in the following table:
TABLE-US-00002 Frame position 1 Frame position 2 Frame position 3
Key 1 Take picture Save Enlarge Key 2 Exit Exit Reduce Key 3 Zoom
in Discard Rotate Key 4 Zoom out Send Mirror
FIG. 5b illustrates a point in time when the user has selected and
started the calendar application and is in the progress of entering
a text string. The display 508 is now displaying a sequence of
letters 564, which the user is able to scroll by rotating the frame
504 clockwise and anti-clockwise, as discussed above. When
scrolling, one of the symbols, in this case the letter "b" is
highlighted as indicated by a highlight frame 566. By pressing the
"Select"-associated key 550, the user will enter the letter "b"
into the calendar application. As indicated in FIG. 5b, a key 554
associated with a delete action, and also indicated by a "Delete"
label 555, the user may delete an already entered symbol.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a terminal 600 having a main body
part 601, a cover 603 and a display 608 with a central area 612. A
loudspeaker 613 and a microphone 611 are indicated. The cover 603
comprises a keypad 602 having plural keys 606 on a circular
rotatable frame 604. The frame 604 surrounding the display 608 is
rotatable in a clockwise and an anti-clockwise direction.
Mechanical and electrical means (not shown) are arranged in the
terminal 600 to detect rotation of the frame 604 and to provide
signals to control circuitry (not shown) in the terminal indicating
the amount of rotation. The display 608 is configured to present
symbols 610 at positions on the display corresponding to the
positions of the keys on the frame 604.
* * * * *