Radiotelephones having contact-sensitive user interfaces and methods of operating same

Abstract

A radiotelephone includes a housing, and a radiotelephone communications transceiver and display are attached to the housing. A contact-sensitive transducer such as a resistive transducer, a capacitive transducer or a semiconductive transducer, is attached to the housing and produces an output signal that characterizes contact with a contact-sensitive surface of the contact-sensitive transducer. A controller is responsive to the output signal and operatively associated with the display and the radiotelephone communications transceiver, and controls at least one of the display and the radiotelephone communications transceiver according to the output signal of the contact-sensitive transducer. The controller, responsive to the contact-sensitive transducer, may determine a position of contact along an axis of the contact-sensitive transducer. A graphical object is selectively displayed based on the determined position of contact to thereby identify the graphical object, e.g., by highlighting one of a plurality of displayed graphical objects or by displaying a cursor that indicates one of a plurality of displayed graphical objects. In yet another embodiment, the controller is configured to cause the display or the radio-telephone communications transceiver to perform a plurality of actions. An action of the plurality of actions may be associated with an identified graphical object, and the controller may initiate the action associated with the identified graphical object in response to, for example, detection of a momentary contact of an object with the contact-sensitive transducer.

Description

[0001]This is a continuation application of Application Ser. No. 09 / 001,173, filed Dec. 30, 1997 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,131,047.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to radiotelephones and methods of operation thereof, and more particularly, to apparatus and methods for providing user input to radiotelephones.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Radiotelephone terminals typically include a radio transceiver integrated with a user interface mechanism within a handheld case. The user interface typically includes a plurality of keys similar to those provided. on conventional wireline telephones, as well as additional function keys for controlling functions associated with radiotelephone operations. The keys provide a means for entering commands, telephone numbers or other data for processing by the radiotelephone. A display may be used to display information a user has entered at the keys, e.g., telephone numbers, menu selections, and the like, as well as to display messag...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention aims to provide radiotelephones with reliable, intuitive and efficient display controls. The use of a contact-sensitive transducer allows for easy and quick movements on the display, making it convenient for users. The transducer is thin-profile and can be mounted without taking up too much space, making it ideal for use in radiotelephones. Furthermore, the transducer has no moving parts, which improves reliability.

Problems solved by technology

Each of these conventional techniques for control of a radiotelephone display has its limitations.

Keys for scrolling and invoking display selections may be awkward to use, and may consume valuable space on the keypad of the radiotelephone.

A wheeled input device may provide faster and more intuitive scrolling control, but such a device may take up an inordinate amount of space and require moving parts which may be more prone to failure.

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