Form factor for portable device

[0001] The invention relates generally to portable electronic devices. More specifically, the invention includes a form factor for a portable device that is optimized for viewing and navigating displayed content on a display screen of the device.

[0002] A common disadvantage of conventional portable devices, such as mobile telephones and personal digital assistants (PDA), is that they often include small display screens. Small display screens make it difficult for users to view and navigate large data files. For instance, when viewing a web page on a PDA with a small display screen, the user can only view a very limited portion of the web page at a time. The user typically must repeatedly scroll vertically and horizontally to view the entire page.

[0003] In addition, known devices use cumbersome navigational and input mechanisms. For instance, on a typical PDA, a user must use a stylus to touch a small scroll bar displayed on the already small touch-sensitive display screen in order to navigate a document. Interacting with the small scroll bar requires very fine motor skills and is often difficult for many users. Some of these devices (e.g., Palm) provide a soft keyboard that allows a user to enter data by tapping on tiny keys on a keyboard representation on the display.

[0004] Known mobile telephones have similar disadvantages. The user must typically use buttons that act as horizontal and/or vertical scroll buttons. However, the use of buttons for scrolling does not allow a user to accurately select a position in a document except at finite intervals. While this may be acceptable when navigating documents with preexisting finite scroll intervals (such as lines in a text document), this is not acceptable when navigating a document that does not contain finite scroll intervals (e.g., a map).

[0005] Another common disadvantage with mobile telephones is that the speaker takes up some of the limited amount of external space available on the device. If the speaker is placed on the front of the device with the display screen, then the display screen is smaller than it otherwise could be without the speaker on the same face of the device. If the speaker is placed on the back of the device, then the back of the device has less room for other any input device that is also placed on the back of the device. One known solution to these problems is to add an external device that includes the speaker. For example, Handspring® PDAs allow a user to attach an external mobile telephone Springboard® module (VisorPhone®) that includes the speaker through which sound is played. However, this solution requires the addition of new hardware (i.e., the Springboard module) to the underlying PDA.

[0006] Thus, it would be an advancement in the art to provide a portable device that is optimized for viewing data on its display screen, allowing a user to view a larger portion of a data file than previous solutions while maintaining a small form factor and user-friendly input and navigational mechanisms. It would be a further advancement in the art to provide a portable device in which the speaker does not consume external space beyond that of other input and output devices on the portable device, without requiring the addition of new hardware.

[0007] The inventive system overcomes the problems of the prior art by providing a form factor for a portable device that maximizes a size of a display screen, allowing users to view larger portions of a data file displayed on a display screen. The form factor provides a display screen that utilizes a substantial portion of a front face of the portable device. The display screen may be surrounded by three touch sensitive control strips, each on a different side of the display screen. One of the control strips may be used for movement of a vertical crosshair element, another for movement of a horizontal crosshair element, and the third for zooming in or out of the presently displayed document, optionally centered at the intersection of the crosshair elements.

[0008] The back face of the device may be configured with a touchpad covering a substantial portion of the back face. The touchpad may be used for navigating the presently displayed document by touching a finger to the touchpad and “dragging” the image displayed on the display screen. The back face may also include a microphone for audio input into the device, and a speaker for playing audio output from the device. The speaker may be placed behind the touchpad by including holes in the touchpad through which the speaker sound may be heard.

[0020] With reference to FIG. 1, an embodiment of the invention provides a form factor for a portable device 101, which may be a mobile telephone, personal digital assistant (PDA), portable computer device, browsing device, electronic book reader, or any combination thereof. Portable device 101 may include a display screen 103 and linear input devices 105, 107, and 109. Each linear input device may be a touch-sensitive membrane, a linear roller, a mechanical slider, optical sensor, or any other linear input device that can determine a linear position of input. For purposes of illustration only, portable device 101 is described with linear input devices 105, 107, and 109 being touch sensitive strips.

[0021] Each linear input device may be located on differing sides of display screen 103, with a fourth side remaining vacant. Linear input device 105 may be located on a left side of display screen 103, linear input device 107 may be located below display screen 103, and linear input device 109 may be located on a right side of display screen 103. In one embodiment, linear input devices 105 and 107 may be substantially perpendicular to each other, and linear input devices 107 and 109 may be substantially perpendicular to each other. However, other configurations are also possible. Optionally, in order to provide tactile feedback to a user as the user manipulates each input device and/or selects displayed soft buttons (described below), each linear input device may be mounted on dome switches.

[0022] For purposes of illustration only, portable device 101 is shown and described in a horizontal orientation. However, portable device 101 may be configured for use in either a horizontal or vertical orientation, depending on an application program in use, data displayed on display screen 103, user preferences, etc.

[0023] A first linear input device, for example linear input device 105, may be used for zooming in and out of content displayed on display screen 103. As a user moves her hand in one direction along linear input device 105, the portable device may zoom in, or enlarge, content displayed on the display screen 103. As the user moves her hand in the other direction along linear input device 105, the portable device may zoom out, or reduce, content displayed on the display screen 103. Optionally, the direction of input for zooming in/out of content may be user-configurable via a preferences screen (not shown) displayable on portable device 101, such that either direction may be used for zooming in/out. Alternatively, the direction of input for zooming in/out may be factory preset. In addition to sliding her finger along linear input device 105, the user may simply touch linear input device 105 at an arbitrary position to quickly zoom in or out to a zoom level corresponding to the touched position.

[0024] In one embodiment of the invention, the two linear input devices 107 and 109 may be used for manipulating crosshairs to identify a location within an image displayed on display screen 103. That is, linear input device 107 may be used to manipulate a vertical crosshair for identifying a horizontal position on the display screen, and linear input device 109 may be used to manipulate a horizontal crosshair for identifying a vertical position on the display screen. The combination of the horizontal and vertical crosshairs may identify a point on the display screen. For example, when a user touches linear input device 107 at location 112, vertical line 113 may be displayed to identify the corresponding horizontal position on display screen 103. Similarly, when the user touches linear input device 109 at location 110, horizontal line 111 may be displayed to identify the corresponding vertical position on display screen 103. Vertical line 113 and horizontal line 111 together form crosshairs that identify a point at intersection 115 on display screen 103. In alternative embodiments, lines might not be displayed on display screen 103 when a user identifies a horizontal and/or vertical position, or the crosshairs might not extend the length and/or width of the display screen.

[0025] With further reference to FIG. 2, portable device 101 may also include a planar input device 203 located on the opposite face of the portable device as display screen 103. This could include any input device that can receive two-dimensional input, regardless of whether the input device is actually a flat plane. For instance, a planar input device may be mounted in a curved or spherical position, yet still receive two-dimensional input. Planar input device 203 may be a touchpad that senses a location of input based on a user touching it and/or moving a finger (or stylus) on it. Other known planar input devices may also be used. For purposes of illustration only, portable device 101 is described with planar input device 203 being a touchpad.

[0026] In the embodiment of the invention where linear input devices 107 and 109 are used for identifying a horizontal line, a vertical line, and/or a point on display screen 103, touchpad 203 may be used for navigation of an image (e.g., a map, picture, text document, web page, etc.) displayed on display screen 103. That is, as a user touches touchpad 203, the portable device may be configured to respond as if the user is “gripping” the presently displayed image, and horizontally and vertically scrolls the image corresponding to the user's horizontal and vertical movement on touchpad 203, similar to known click and drag techniques used with computer mice and conventional computer systems. An example of such a technique is the Hand Tool in Adobe Acrobat® Reader, available from Adobe Systems Incorporated of San Jose, Calif. Essentially, the user “touches” the displayed image from behind and moves it with a finger.

[0027] Planar input device 203 may also be used for alternative forms of input, depending on the current application in use. For example, when an imagery application is being used, planar input device 203 may be used by a user to “draw” on display screen 103. Input received via planar input device 203 may be displayed in mirror image on display screen 103 so that it appears as if the user is touching planar input device 203 at a position directly behind display screen 103. For example, intersection 115 on display screen 103 may correspond to input received at point 215 on planar input device 203. As should be apparent to one of skill in the art, portable device 101 may be configured to receive straight input from planar input device 203 without using a mirror image algorithm, and portable device 101 may use input received from planar input device 203 for any purposes and in any manner known in the art.

[0028] Portable device 101 may also include a speaker 205 and microphone 207 for receiving and generating audio signals, such as for use with mobile telephone capabilities. Speaker 205 may be located inside portable device 101 behind planar input device 203, and the audio output may be emitted through one or more holes 209 in planar input device 203. Preferably, planar input device 203 is rigid enough such that the diameter of holes 209 at their narrowest point and the thickness of planar input device 203 do not change as sound waves are emitted from speaker 205. If the dimensions of the holes or thickness of the planar input device change, the sound may be distorted. Planar input device 203 may be an optical HALIOS sensor touchpad system, an EMFi sensor touchpad, a capacitive touchpad, or any other known touchpad in which holes can be pierced. The HALIOS sensor and Ethertouch capacitance touchpads fulfill these requirements, as there are no separate touch-sensitive layers on the back cover of the device with which sound would interfere. When a HALIOS touchpad is used, sensors may be placed at the edges of the back cover. When an Ethertouch capacitive touchpad is used, the sensors may be placed under the back cover. HALIOS touchpads are available from Mechaless Systems of Karlsruhe, Germany, and EMFi touchpads are available from Emfitech Ltd., of Vaajakoski, Finland. Capacitive touchpads are generally known in the art, and are available from at least Ethertouch of Labuan, Malaysia, and Synaptics, Inc. of San Jose, Calif.

[0029] With reference to FIG. 3 (not to scale), other touchpads known in the art, such as mechanically soft touchpads, may also be used. A mechanically soft touchpad 301 may be placed over the back cover 303 of a portable device. The back cover 303 may have rigid holes 305 and the soft touchpad layer on top of it has slightly larger holes 307. In this manner, the narrowest point of the holes through which sound passes is on the back cover, eliminating any distortion the sound may cause to the touchpad. Thus, any touchpad that allows holes pierced in it can be used with the invention.

[0030] In one embodiment, with reference to FIG. 4, linear input devices 107 and 109 may be used to identify a location of one of a plurality of soft buttons displayed on display screen 103. Soft buttons are generally known in the art and may be defined as a display element displayed on a display screen that, when selected, provides corresponding predefined input to a portable device. The inventive portable device may be used to select soft buttons using one or more of linear input devices 105, 107, and 109, and planar input device 203. The input may be predefined by an application program, configured by a user, or the like. For example, FIG. 4 illustrates a portable device 101 configured to display a plurality of soft buttons that represent a soft keyboard 407 through which a user may provide alphanumeric input. Soft keyboards are also generally known in the art, e.g., as used with PALM® personal digital assistants. Soft keyboard 407 may include alphanumeric keys A–Z and 0–9, SPACE, and ENTER. It should be apparent to one of skill in the art that other soft buttons may also or alternatively be included, such as special characters, symbols, letters, function keys, alternative control keys (e.g., CTRL, ALT), formatting keys (e.g., INS, DEL), and any other keys with corresponding input, including any key located on known computer keyboards, macro keys, and the like.

[0031] In one embodiment, a user may select a soft button by touching its corresponding horizontal and vertical positions using linear input devices 107 and 109, respectively. For example, a user may select the letter ‘S’ by touching linear input device 107 at position 401, and touching linear input device 109 at position 403. As a result, the letter ‘S’ may be input and displayed in input box 405. When the user has completed her input, the user may submit the input by selecting the DONE soft button.

[0032] In another embodiment, additional confirmation is used to input the selected soft button. For instance, a user may select the ‘S’ soft button using linear input devices 107 and 109. In response, portable device 101 may highlight the ‘S’ soft button or otherwise indicate the ‘S’ soft button is selected. The user, having received confirmation that the letter ‘S’ is selected, may then confirm the input by tapping on the planar input device 203. Upon receiving the confirmation, the letter ‘S’ is input and may be displayed in input box 405. It should be appreciated by one of skill in the art that other forms of confirmation may alternatively be used. For example, when one or more linear input devices are mounted on a raised mound, the confirmation may consist of the user pressing the linear input device such that the raised mound yields, or “pops,” inward. In another embodiment, the soft button might not be selected until the user taps one of the two linear input devices. Using confirmation input provides tactile feedback to the user that she has successfully selected a soft button, and also allows the user to confirm that the correct soft button will be selected before committing to the input decision.

[0033] With reference to FIG. 5, as previously discussed above, portable device 101 may comprise a mobile telephone. FIG. 5 illustrates soft buttons 501 for providing common mobile telephone functions. That is, linear input devices 105, 107, and 109 may be used by a user to input a telephone number 507 in virtual display window 503. Virtual display window 503 may be any portion of display screen 103 that is used in place of a conventional mobile telephone display. Telephone number 507 may be input by a user as discussed above. In one embodiment of the invention, when a mobile telephone call is in progress, planar input device 203 (not shown) is deactivated because the user may accidentally touch planar input device with her cheek while listening to speaker 205 and speaking into microphone 207.

[0034] In some embodiments, such as that shown in FIG. 5, one or more soft buttons may require only the use of a single linear input device. That is, soft buttons 509–517 may be selected by activating linear input device 107 at a corresponding position. For example, a user may select the SEND button by pressing linear input device 107 at location 505, without requiring any input from either linear input device 105 or linear input device 109. In this manner, important phone functions may be performed with a single hand. It should be obvious to one of skill in the art, however, that portable device 101 may be configured in endless variations for providing input using any variety and combination of soft buttons.

[0035] FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic diagram of portable device 101 according to an embodiment of the invention. In addition to linear input devices 105, 107, and 109, planar input device 203, speaker 205, and microphone 207, portable device 101 may include a processor 603, memory 605, display circuit 607, zoom circuit 609, crosshair circuit 611, pan circuit 613, audio circuit 615, and transceiver 617. Memory 605 may consist of RAM, ROM, a hard disk, or any other computer readable medium or combination thereof, and may be used for storing operating system information, application software, control logic, and the like. Display circuit 607 may be connected to processor 603, and may perform updates to an image on the display screen (not shown) based on input received from zoom circuit 609, crosshair circuit 611, and pan circuit 613. Zoom circuit 609 may receive input from linear input device 105. Crosshair circuit 611 may receive input from linear input device 107 and 109. Pan circuit may receive input from planar input device 203. Audio circuit may be used to generate and receive audio signals to and from speaker 205 and microphone 207, respectively. Audio circuit 615 may further be connected to processor 603 and/or transceiver 617, when mobile device 101 includes wireless communications capabilities.

[0036] FIG. 6 is merely an illustrative example of a portable device that may be used. Other configurations may alternatively be used, with additional and/or fewer elements (e.g., with an integrated input circuit, etc.). Each circuit may be performed by hardware, software, or a combination of the two, and may reside in separate or combined components or modules. In addition, some elements may be optional. For example, speaker 205, microphone 207, audio circuit 615, and transceiver 617 might not be used in an embodiment of the invention comprising an electronic book reader.

[0037] It will be appreciated by those of skill in the art that additional modifications may be made to portable device 101 that fall within the scope and spirit of the invention. For instance, linear input devices 107 and 109 may be connected to pan circuit 613 and control panning of an image on the display screen, while planar input device 203 may be connected to crosshair circuit 611 and control manipulation of the crosshairs. In addition, configurations may be alterable by a user or an application program based on an orientation of the portable device (horizontal versus vertical), the dominant hand of the user (e.g., for right versus left-handed users), user preferences, and the like. For example, a user may prefer to use linear input device 109 for zooming and linear input devices 105 and 107 for crosshair manipulation. One of skill in the art will appreciate that countless variations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0038] In another embodiment of the invention, linear input devices 105, 107, and 109 may be placed on sides other than the same side as display screen 103, such as is illustrated in FIG. 7. It should also be apparent to one of skill in the art that any embodiment of portable device 101 may be adapted with other common elements, such as conventional hard buttons 803, 805, audio output port 807, infrared port 809, power adapter input 811, data communication port 813 (e.g., USB, proprietary format, etc.), and the like, as is known in the art.

[0039] In another alternative embodiment of the invention, shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, portable device 101 may include a single linear input device 105 for zooming content, and two planar input devices 1001, 1003. One of the planar input devices performs panning (i.e., scrolling) an image on the display screen, and the other planar input device performs pointing (i.e., manipulation of the crosshairs).

[0040] In still another embodiment of the invention, shown in FIG. 10, one or more linear input devices may comprise regions of a touch-sensitive planar input device. Portable device 101 may comprise a display screen 103 (FIG. 1), over which is a transparent planar touch-sensitive input device 1001, often referred to in combination as a touchscreen. However, by enlarging planar input device 1001 to extend beyond the displayable area of display screen 103, regions 1005, 1007, 1009 of the planar touch-sensitive input device that extend beyond the display screen's displayable area may form the linear input devices. Portable device 101 may include control logic (e.g., in one or more of zoom circuit 609, crosshair circuit 611, and pan circuit 613) for sensing linear input in an elongated direction in each region 1005, 1007, and 1009 so that region 1005, 1007, and 1009 correspond to linear input device 105, 107, and 109 (not shown), respectively. Region 1003 may be used in combination with display screen 103 to perform as a touchscreen on portable device 101.

[0041] While the invention has been described with respect to specific examples including presently preferred modes of carrying out the invention, those skilled in the art will appreciate that there are numerous variations and permutations of the above-described systems and techniques that fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.