Touch-sensitive panel with selector
US6243080A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 14, 1998 |
| Grant date | Jun 5, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 14, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04M2250/22
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A wireless communications device, such as a cellular telephone, is provided with a touch-sensitive panel that is moveable between a normal position and a select position. The display on the wireless communications device is preferably graphical and includes a cursor; the movement of the cursor is controlled, at least in part, by the user's interaction with the touch-sensitive panel. The touch-sensitive panel is movable by rotation or simple vertical displacement between a normal up position and a select or down position. When the user pushes down on the touch-sensitive panel, the touch-sensitive panel is rotated or otherwise displaced into the second position. A detector, such as a reed switch or dome spring switch, senses when the touch-sensitive panel is moved to the select position and, in response, changes from an unselected state to a selected state. This state change is communicated to the main electronics of the wireless communications device to signal that a selection is occurring. When the touch-sensitive panel returns to the first position, the detector returns to the unselected state. Optionally, the touch-sensitive panel rests on a support which provides a bias force to…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.