111111
`
`1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
`US007391861B2
`
`c12) United States Patent
`Levy
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 7,391,861 B2
`Jun.24,2008
`
`(54)
`
`INPUT DEVICES AND THEIR USE
`
`(75)
`
`Inventor: David H. Levy, Cambridge, MA (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Digit Wireless, LLC, Cambridge, MA
`(US)
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 935 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/862,948
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`May22, 2001
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2002/0025837 Al
`
`Feb.28,2002
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/259,983, filed on Jan.
`8, 2001, provisional application No. 60/234,959, filed
`on Sep. 23, 2000, provisional application No. 60/205,
`910, filed on May 22, 2000.
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`H04M 3100
`(2006.01)
`H04M 1100
`(2006.01)
`H04M 9100
`(2006.01)
`(52) U.S. Cl. ...................... 379/368; 379/433.07; 341/33
`(58) Field of Classification Search ......... 200/511-513,
`200/245, 275, 520-521; 178/18.01, 18.06;
`379/368, 428.01-433.13
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`3,668,337 A
`3,870,840 A
`3,909,564 A
`3,999,025 A
`4,357,646 A
`4,376,238 A
`4,400,593 A
`
`6/1972 Sinclair
`3/1975 Rivetta et al.
`9/1975 Scheingold eta!.
`12/1976 Sims, Jr.
`1111982 McVey eta!.
`3/1983 Martin
`8/1983 Kunz
`
`4,490,587 A
`4,549,279 A
`4,604,509 A
`
`12/1984 Miller eta!.
`10/1985 Lapeyre
`8/1986 Clancy eta!.
`
`(Continued)
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`DE
`
`19702225
`
`5/1998
`
`(Continued)
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`International Search Report for Application PCT/USOl/16461,
`mailed Jul. 24, 2002.
`
`(Continued)
`
`Primary Examiner-Ramnandan Singh
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Fish & Richardson P.C.
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A keypad in which output keystrokes are determined both
`from individual switch activation and from the combined
`activation of adjacent switches. The keypad has a substrate
`carrying an array of sense elements arranged to change state
`in response to keypad operation, a flexible cover disposed
`above the substrate and having an exposed surface defining an
`array of independent key regions, with combination key
`regions defined in interstices between adjacent independent
`key regions. Snap elements provide tactile feedback. Some
`versions have a touch-sensitive grid rather than a switch
`matrix. A method of dialing a telephone includes generating
`a corresponding sequence of numerals by transposing alpha
`character input into one of the numerals 2 through 9 according
`to standard telephone keypad letter-number correspondence
`
`46 Claims, 21 Drawing Sheets
`
`BLACKBERRY EX. 1003, pg. 1
`
`

`
`US 7,391,861 B2
`Page 2
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`4,634,818 A
`RE32,419 E
`4,680,577 A
`4,839,474 A
`4,891,777 A
`4,899,137 A
`4,912,462 A
`4,994,992 A
`5,124,689 A
`5,269,004 A
`5,278,557 A
`5,311,175 A
`5,329,079 A
`5,358,344 A
`5,457,454 A
`5,459,461 A
`5,465,290 A
`5,486,823 A
`5,491,745 A
`5,528,235 A
`5,535,421 A
`5,612,690 A
`5,635,958 A
`5,638,092 A
`5,691,716 A
`5,793,312 A
`5,852,414 A
`
`111987 Hayes-Pankhurst eta!.
`5/1987 Rooney
`7/1987 Straayer et al.
`6/1989 Hayes-Pankhurst eta!.
`111990 Lapeyre
`2/1990 Behrens et a!.
`3/1990 Washizuka eta!.
`2/1991 Lapeyre
`6/1992 Franz eta!.
`12/1993 Comerford et al.
`111994 Stokes eta!.
`5/1994 Waldman
`7/1994 English et a!.
`10/1994 Spence
`10/1995 Sugano
`10/1995 Crowley et a!.
`1111995 Hampton et al.
`111996 Tsai
`2/1996 Roeder
`6/1996 Lin eta!.
`7/1996 Weinreich
`3/1997 Levy
`6/1997 Murai eta!.
`6/1997 Eng eta!.
`1111997 Crowley et a!.
`8/1998 Tsubai
`12/1998 Yu et al.
`
`111999 Gillot
`5,861,588 A
`111999 Strauch et a!.
`5,861,823 A
`5,940,015 A * 8/1999 Thornton et a!. .............. 341120
`5,973,621 A
`10/1999 Levy
`3/2000 Levy
`6,037,882 A
`6,107,997 A
`8/2000 Ure
`6,204,839 B1
`3/2001 Mato, Jr.
`6,259,044 B1 * 7/2001 Paratore eta!. ............. 200/5 A
`6,377,685 B1 * 4/2002 Krishnan ............... 379/433.07
`6,473,069 B1 * 10/2002 Gerpheide .................. 345/157
`6,535,200 B2 * 3/2003 Philipp ....................... 345/168
`7,092,520 B2 * 8/2006 Fuhrmann eta!. ...... 379/433.11
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`DE
`EP
`EP
`EP
`EP
`JP
`NL
`wo
`
`3811737
`0210097
`0 322 515
`0367204
`0508563
`01006337
`1009109
`wo 00/44014
`
`10/1999
`111987
`7/1989
`5/1990
`10/1992
`111989
`1111999
`7/2000
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Partial International Search Report for International Application No.
`PCT/US01116461 Mailed Jan. 29, 2002.
`* cited by examiner
`
`BLACKBERRY EX. 1003, pg. 2
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun.24,2008
`
`Sheet 1 of21
`
`US 7,391,861 B2
`
`2
`
`FIG. 1
`
`FIG. 2
`
`12
`
`25
`
`FIG. 3
`
`BLACKBERRY EX. 1003, pg. 3
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun.24,2008
`
`Sheet 2 of21
`
`US 7,391,861 B2
`
`13
`
`2
`
`FIG. 4
`
`12
`
`FIG. 5
`
`FIG. 6
`
`12
`
`20
`
`10
`
`30
`
`25
`
`2
`
`FIG. ?A
`
`12
`
`BLACKBERRY EX. 1003, pg. 4
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun.24,2008
`
`Sheet 3 of21
`
`US 7,391,861 B2
`
`~~ I - - - - , - -~-I
`
`\
`"---12
`
`42
`
`\__ 22
`24
`FIG. 78
`
`FIG. 8
`
`~20
`
`2
`
`40
`
`69b
`
`69a
`
`12
`
`FIG. 9
`
`BLACKBERRY EX. 1003, pg. 5
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun.24,2008
`
`Sheet 4 of21
`
`US 7,391,861 B2
`
`FIG. 10
`
`16
`
`16a
`
`14
`
`FIG. 11
`
`13
`\
`-'
`
`52
`
`1e
`
`17
`
`FIG. 12
`
`BLACKBERRY EX. 1003, pg. 6
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun.24,2008
`
`Sheet 5 of21
`
`US 7,391,861 B2
`
`14
`
`17
`
`67
`
`FIG. 13
`
`58
`
`FIG. 14
`
`2
`
`56 ;::
`
`MM
`18~~3
`
`FIG. 15
`
`'
`
`52
`
`/
`
`67
`
`FIG. 16
`
`BLACKBERRY EX. 1003, pg. 7
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 24, 2008
`
`Sheet 6 of 21
`
`US 7,391,861 B2
`
`FIG. 17
`
`67
`
`19
`\ /
`
`FIG. 18
`
`67
`
`14
`
`16
`
`L~
`
`FIG. 19
`
`2
`
`67
`
`BLACKBERRY EX. 1003, pg. 8
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun.24,2008
`
`Sheet 7 of21
`
`US 7,391,861 B2
`
`2a
`
`16a
`
`17
`
`16b 14
`54
`
`FIG. 208
`
`(3
`
`3
`
`16
`
`14
`
`14
`
`12
`
`2b
`\
`
`14
`
`54
`
`FIG. 22
`
`89
`
`I 95
`
`I
`
`I
`7
`
`90
`
`1 -
`
`'"----
`
`91
`
`- ---
`
`- 1--
`92
`
`-
`
`1-'
`
`97
`
`98
`
`FIG. 23
`
`93
`
`94
`100
`
`---g 6
`
`Arm
`
`l
`
`DSP
`I
`I
`I
`99
`
`BLACKBERRY EX. 1003, pg. 9
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun.24,200S
`
`SheetS of21
`
`-us 7,391,861 B2
`
`BLACKBERRY EX. 1003, pg. 10
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 24, 2008
`
`Sheet 9 of 21
`
`US 7,391,861 B2
`
`47----{ ~ Zf ~7 v 7 vz /1 ---44
`y1p; f/{111\3' (\ zz J
`
`45
`
`46
`
`46
`
`46
`
`48
`
`FIG. 24
`
`212
`
`212
`
`212
`FIG. 26
`
`212
`
`210
`
`)
`
`214
`
`212
`
`0
`
`~
`0 0~0
`
`0 0~0 FIG. 27
`
`BLACKBERRY EX. 1003, pg. 11
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun.24,2008
`
`Sheet 10 of 21
`
`US 7,391,861 B2
`
`I.{)
`
`C\J .
`(.!)
`LL
`
`BLACKBERRY EX. 1003, pg. 12
`
`

`
`D.s. Patent
`
`Jun.24,2008
`
`Sheet 11 of 21
`
`US 7,391,861 B2
`
`3 2
`
`80
`)
`
`FIG. 28
`
`BLACKBERRY EX. 1003, pg. 13
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun.24,200S
`
`Sheet 12 of 21
`
`-us 7,391,861 B2
`
`~ .
`(!) -u...
`
`BLACKBERRY EX. 1003, pg. 14
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun.24,2008
`
`Sheet 13 of 21
`
`US 7,391,861 B2
`
`82"'\
`
`FIG. 30
`
`BLACKBERRY EX. 1003, pg. 15
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun.24,2008
`
`Sheet 14 of 21
`
`US 7,391,861 B2
`
`3
`
`32
`L_
`33
`L_
`
`32
`I _,
`33
`I
`_ I
`
`FIG. 31
`
`=~2 FIG. 32
`
`rs:
`
`s
`
`FIG. 33
`
`FIG. 34
`
`BLACKBERRY EX. 1003, pg. 16
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun.24,2008
`
`Sheet 15 of 21
`
`US 7,391,861 B2
`
`100
`
`Delete prior character
`if no release since aquisition
`
`104
`
`Display
`character
`
`Lookup LSC
`
`108
`
`116
`
`System stores
`combo and LSC
`
`111
`
`112
`
`Display LSC
`
`118
`
`FIG. 35
`
`BLACKBERRY EX. 1003, pg. 17
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun.24,2008
`
`Sheet 16 of 21
`
`US 7,391,861 B2
`
`120
`
`--
`
`User inputs
`alphanumeric data
`
`~
`
`122 -
`
`User indicates desire to
`dial a telephone number
`
`~
`124 - - Numbers pass through
`the system unchanged
`~
`126 -- Letters are remapped
`to numbers
`~
`Output is numerical only
`
`128 -
`
`FIG. 36
`
`ABC
`
`DEF
`
`2
`
`3
`
`GHI
`
`4
`JKL ---s
`
`MNO
`
`PQRS
`
`TUV
`
`WXYZ
`
`6
`
`7
`
`8
`
`9
`
`FIG. 37
`PRIOR ART
`
`FIG. 39
`
`BLACKBERRY EX. 1003, pg. 18
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun.24,2008
`
`Sheet 17 of 21
`
`US 7,391,861 B2
`
`co
`M .
`CJ
`lJ..
`
`BLACKBERRY EX. 1003, pg. 19
`
`

`
`Display
`Individual key
`
`Time out?
`
`Display
`Combination Key
`
`FIG. 40
`
`~
`00
`•
`~
`~
`~
`
`~ = ~
`
`~ = :=
`
`N
`.j;o.
`
`~
`
`N
`0
`0
`QO
`
`rFJ =(cid:173)
`('D a ....
`0 .....
`N ....
`
`QO
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`d
`rJl
`-....l w
`\C
`""""' Oo
`0'1
`
`""""' = N
`
`BLACKBERRY EX. 1003, pg. 20
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun.24,2008
`
`Sheet 19 of 21
`
`US 7,391,861 B2
`
`226
`
`226
`
`226
`
`FIG. 41
`
`226
`
`12
`
`0
`
`----3
`
`~18
`
`FIG. 42
`
`BLACKBERRY EX. 1003, pg. 21
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun.24,2008
`
`Sheet 20 of 21
`
`US 7,391,861 B2
`
`TH
`
`92
`
`250
`/
`
`1
`
`2
`
`D
`
`3
`
`ACif0C
`EG:/ci/c~f
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`s
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`T 0
`w X
`BK
`
`v
`u
`SHIFT
`y
`
`SPACE
`
`z
`
`FIG. 43
`
`BLACKBERRY EX. 1003, pg. 22
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun.24,2008
`
`Sheet 21 of 21
`
`US 7,391,861 B2
`
`..,----250
`
`82""'x
`
`FIG. 44
`
`BLACKBERRY EX. 1003, pg. 23
`
`

`
`US 7,391,861 B2
`
`1
`INPUT DEVICES AND THEIR USE
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`This patent application claims priority from U.S. provi(cid:173)
`sional patent application No. 60/205,910, filed May 22, 2000;
`60/234,959, filed Sep. 23, 2000; and No. 60/259,983, filed
`Jan. 8, 2001, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated
`herein by reference.
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`This invention relates generally to devices, such as touch(cid:173)
`pads, keypads and voice recognition systems, for inputting
`data into electronic devices, and more particularly to keypads
`in which output keystrokes are determined both from indi(cid:173)
`vidual switch activation and from the combined activation of
`adjacent switches.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`The miniaturization of electronic products is one of the
`primary tenets of technologic advance. Competitive advan(cid:173)
`tage and the success of a product line largely hinges on the
`ability of a company to successfully provide products that are
`both increasingly functional and increasingly portable. As
`technology advances, it becomes increasingly possible to
`miniaturize electronic circuitry below human scale, with the
`result being that the interface (e.g., screens, keypads, cursor
`control devices) can come to limit the size of portable prod(cid:173)
`ucts. Therefore, as portable products enter this realm, the
`ergonomic quality and size of their input devices (such as
`keypads) will have a growing significance to product accep(cid:173)
`tance and success. Of special significance is the telephone 35
`keypad, because it has such importance worldwide as a fun(cid:173)
`damental communication and economic tool. International
`standards have been established, for example, for the mini(cid:173)
`mum dimension between adjacent key switches to accommo(cid:173)
`date typical human fingertips. By "key" I mean an element, of 40
`an array of elements over a surface, which when struck pro(cid:173)
`duces an identifying output corresponding to the location of
`the element. The term "key region" includes, for example, a
`localized region having key-like behavior on a touch-screen
`and a localized region of a keypad formed by placing a mem- 45
`brane over an array of contact switches. A "keypad" is an
`array ofkeys or key regions and includes, among other things,
`a conventional keypad (such as is found on most telephones,
`calculators and such), a keyboard, and similar touch-sensitive
`arrangements implemented with a touch-screen or with 50
`demarcated zones on a membrane surface. While such a sur(cid:173)
`face is commonly planar, it may also be curved.
`Some of my earlier work has been directed at reducing the
`size ofkeypads through the development ofkeypads in which
`output keystrokes are determined both from individual switch 55
`activation and from the combined activation of adjacent
`switches. Some of my earlier work is disclosed in my U.S.
`Pat. Nos. 5,612,690 and 5,973,621, the entire contents of
`which are incorporated herein by reference. I refer to such
`keypads herein as "lACK" keypads, or Independent-And- 60
`Combination-Key keypads.
`In this context, "independent keys" or "independent key
`regions" are elevated regions of a keypad surface with indi(cid:173)
`vidual graphical elements, which provide a corresponding
`output when individually pressed. A "combination key" or 65
`"combination key region," on the other hand, is a locally
`depressed region of an lACK keypad surface that provides a
`
`2
`unique output as a consequence of the simultaneous or near(cid:173)
`simultaneous manipulation of a set of two or more adjacent
`(e.g., diagonally adjacent or "kitty-comer"), independent key
`regions, typically corresponding to a central graphical ele(cid:173)
`ment. I use the term "defined combination" to refer to any
`combination of independent keys that corresponds to a com(cid:173)
`bination key, as interpreted by an associated device. Con(cid:173)
`versely, an "undefined combination" is a set of independent
`keys that do not, when simultaneously depressed, correspond
`10 to a defined combination key.
`Thus, an lACK keypad is a keypad that includes both
`independent and combination keys or key regions. Such key(cid:173)
`pads typically have independent key regions identified by
`graphical elements on surfaces slightly elevated above adja-
`15 cent surfaces carrying other graphical elements that identify
`combination key regions, for example. It is possible to design
`such keypads with advantageously very small spacing
`between adjacent independent key regions.
`It is desirable to increase the accuracy of lACK keypads
`20 and other input devices with respect to the interpretation of
`the intent of the user, regardless of the switch technology
`used. There is a special need to better determine whether the
`user intends an individual or a combination key output in an
`lACK keypad, in those implementations when a strong tactile
`25 feedback is desired, such as is provided by metal snap domes.
`Improvements in the ergonomics of such keyboards are also
`desired, as well as better algorithms to simplifY the interpre(cid:173)
`tation of input, such as for use in telephones and such.
`Additional improvements in the design and implementa-
`30 tion of keypads and other input devices are desired.
`
`SUMMARY
`
`The present invention features improvements in the design
`ofiACK keypads and other data input means, and their inte(cid:173)
`gration into electronic devices.
`According to one aspect of the invention, a telephone with
`an lACK keypad defining both combination key regions and
`independent key regions arranged in alternating colunms has
`columns of combination key regions that include multiple
`numerical colunms together including numerical regions cor(cid:173)
`responding to numerals 0 through 9, with each numerical
`column containing a plurality of the numerical regions, and at
`least one other colunm containing key regions corresponding
`to punctuation symbols.
`Preferably, the telephone has three numerical columns,
`such that the numerical colunms together form a standard
`telephone key layout, with a left numerical colunm contain(cid:173)
`ing 1, 4, 7, a middle numerical colunm containing 2, 5, 8, 0,
`and a right numerical colunm containing 3, 6, 9.
`In some embodiments, the key regions are defined by cor(cid:173)
`responding sensible features on an exposed surface of a flex(cid:173)
`ible membrane. By "sensible" I mean capable ofbeing sensed
`by the human senses. For example, the sensible features may
`include changes in elevation across the surface of the mem(cid:173)
`brane (e.g., sensible by touch). In other cases the sensible
`features may be simply visual distinctions. Preferably, the
`numerical key regions are visibly larger than the key regions
`corresponding to punctuation symbols.
`In some preferred embodiments, the independent key
`regions and the combination key regions are of different size.
`The independent key regions together include, for some
`applications, regions corresponding to letters of an alphabet
`(such as the letters A through Z of the English alphabet, for
`example).
`The independent key regions are preferably spaced apart
`with a spacing of no more than about one-half of a human
`
`BLACKBERRY EX. 1003, pg. 24
`
`

`
`US 7,391,861 B2
`
`25
`
`3
`fingertip width, for particularly compact keypad layouts, and
`each key region carries an associated, visible legend in some
`cases. The combination key regions may also be arranged in
`colunms of alternating width.
`In some configurations, the numerical colunms have a vis(cid:173)
`ibly different coloration than the one or more colunms con(cid:173)
`taining predominantly punctuation symbols, and the colunms
`may alternate in such coloration, as dark-light-dark, for
`example.
`In a preferred embodiment, the independent key regions
`are arranged in six vertical colunms, as determined by key
`legend orientation, with the
`independent key regions
`arranged in first, third, fifth, seventh, ninth and eleventh ver(cid:173)
`tical colunms and containing regions corresponding to letters,
`the numerical combination key region colunms forming sec(cid:173)
`ond, sixth and tenth vertical colunms, and fourth and eighth
`vertical colunms including key regions corresponding to
`punctuation symbols. Colunm numbering progresses from
`either lateral side of the keypad.
`The telephone may be configured to register different
`punctuation symbols as one of the key regions corresponding
`to punctuation symbols is actuated twice in succession, pref(cid:173)
`erably two or more related symbols. For example, pushing the
`colon key twice registers a semi-colon; pushing the period
`key twice registers a comma, and so forth.
`According to another aspect of the invention, an lACK
`keypad has a cover with an exposed surface defining both
`combination key regions and independent key regions
`arranged in alternating colunms, with the independent key
`regions comprising nubs elevated above the combination key
`regions. The exposed surface forms a continuous, smooth
`contour between adjacent independent key regions, void of
`delineations marking shared boundaries between adjacent
`independent key grid spaces of an underlying key space grid.
`By "continuous, smooth contour" I mean that the surface 35
`between the nubs is void of tactile delineations marking
`shared independent key boundaries, such as edges of inde(cid:173)
`pendently movable keys. Such a continuous, smooth contour
`can (and in some cases, preferably does) carry visible legends
`corresponding to the combination key regions associated 40
`with such smooth surfaces.
`In some preferred embodiments, the nubs are diamond(cid:173)
`shaped, with ends or points directed between adjacent com(cid:173)
`bination key regions.
`According to another aspect of the invention, an lACK
`keypad defines both combination key regions and indepen(cid:173)
`dent key regions arranged in alternating colunms and having
`a standard orientation defined by legends associated with the
`independent and combination key regions, with the alternat(cid:173)
`ing colunms disposed along lines canted at an angle (e.g., an
`angle of 45 degrees) with respect to the standard orientation
`of the keypad.
`According to another aspect of the invention, a telephone
`has a keypad including key regions arranged in colunms
`including two numerical colunms, a majority of key regions
`in the numerical colunms corresponding to selected numerals
`from the list consisting of 0 through 9, and at least one
`punctuation colunm, a majority of key regions in the punc(cid:173)
`tuation colunm corresponding to punctuation symbols.
`According to yet another aspect of the invention, an lACK
`keypad has a cover with an exposed surface defining both
`combination key regions and independent key regions
`arranged in alternating, staggered columns and alternating,
`staggered rows. The exposed surface forms a continuous,
`smooth contour between adjacent independent key regions, 65
`void of visible features marking a boundary, parallel to a
`colunm or row, between adjacent key regions.
`
`4
`According to another aspect of the invention, a keypad has
`an array of first and second sets of keys. The first set of keys
`is arranged in a first plurality of rows, each row having a
`second plurality of members, each member being a key hav(cid:173)
`ing a contact region of a first shape and a first area, the first
`shape and first area corresponding at least roughly to dimen(cid:173)
`sions at the tip of a human finger. The first set of keys also
`defines a set of interstitial regions that are unoccupied by
`members of the first set, while members of the second set of
`10 keys are located in the interstitial regions and have a second
`shape and a second area (of, e.g., a diamond shape), the
`second area being substantially smaller than the first area.
`In some preferred embodiments, the contact region of each
`key in the first set lies in a first horizontal plane and the contact
`15 regionofeachkey in the second set lies ina second horizontal
`plane that is disposed above the first horizontal plane.
`In some applications the keypad is an lACK keypad, in
`which each member in the first set of keys is a combination
`key and each member of the second set of keys is an indepen-
`20 dent key.
`In some embodiments the keypad also includes a non(cid:173)
`linear tactile feedback system coupled to the array of keys to
`provide tactile feedback for each key approximately propor(cid:173)
`tional to the area of the contact region of such key.
`According to another aspect of the invention, an lACK
`keypad has a cover with an exposed surface defining both
`combination key regions and independent key regions
`arranged in alternating, staggered colunms and alternating,
`staggered rows of a key matrix, and tactile nubs positioned
`30 just outside the key matrix, between fourth and fifth rows of
`combination key regions, to demark an edge of a telephone
`keypad consisting of combination key regions of first through
`fourth rows of the matrix.
`In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the "inter(cid:173)
`stitial" nature of combination keys is withheld from the user
`by eliminating the visible grid connecting independent keys
`as shown in prior art lACK keypads. Unlike prior art lACK
`keypads in which the combination keys are implemented as
`elements disposed at the intersection at the edges of indepen-
`dent keys, this invention implements independent keys as the
`interstitial areas of (much larger) combination keys. In accor-
`dance with another aspect of the invention, a high degree of
`tertiary functionality (such as punctuation) is provided in a
`telephone layout of an lACK keypad by alternating colunms
`45 between classes of characters, such as numbers, punctuation,
`numbers, punctuation, numbers. This aspect may be further
`improved by alternating the width and/or coloration of adja(cid:173)
`cent rows. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the
`lACK keypad structure is rotated 45 degrees, thereby creating
`50 a reduced width lACK keypad. This structure enables a stan(cid:173)
`dard "QWERTY" layout to provide a high standard of ergo(cid:173)
`nomic comfort in a narrow width (of as little as 58 millime(cid:173)
`ters, for example).
`According to another aspect of the invention, a touch-
`55 sensitive input device (such as a keypad or touchpad, for
`example) has an exposed, continuous surface defining a pla(cid:173)
`nar area, and a grid of sense elements coextensive with the
`area of the exposed surface and responsive to engagement of
`the exposed surface by an operator to establish a position of
`60 said engagement on the exposed surface. The exposed surface
`varies in elevation across its planar area to form a series of
`tactile features.
`In some embodiments, the tactile features comprise
`elevated nubs. Preferably, the elevated nubs extend at least
`about 0.75 millimeter from adjacent regions of the exposed
`surface. In some instances, the exposed surface of the device
`carries legends associated with said tactile features. The tac-
`
`BLACKBERRY EX. 1003, pg. 25
`
`

`
`US 7,391,861 B2
`
`5
`tile features may define distinct regions of the surface corre(cid:173)
`sponding with associated alphanumeric characters, for some
`applications.
`In some cases, the input device is configured to output a
`sequence of alphanumeric characters as corresponding tactile
`features of the surface are engaged sequentially, such as with
`a keypad. In some preferred embodiments, the device is an
`lACK keypad, with the tactile features comprising nubs
`defining independent key regions of the lACK keypad. Pre(cid:173)
`ferred embodiments also include an electronic circuit adapted 10
`to temporarily display alphanumeric characters on a screen as
`an operator traverses the exposed surface, the displayed
`alphanumeric characters being selected to correspond to a
`position of engagement of the exposed surface by the opera-
`tor.
`According to another aspect of the invention, an electronic
`device comprises an lACK keypad having an exposed, con(cid:173)
`tinuous surface defining both independent key regions and
`combination key regions, a grid of sense elements underlying
`the surface of the keypad and responsive to position of a
`human finger on the surface of the keypad, and an electronic
`circuit adapted to receive signals from the lACK keypad
`indicative of keypad status and to produce an output in
`response to keypad actuation by an operator. The electronic
`circuit is configured to determine an intended combination
`key input based at least in part upon a sensed position of a
`finger between centers of adjacent independent key regions.
`In some embodiments the device also has a key switch
`matrix responsive to engagement of independent key regions,
`the electronic circuit being configured to determine intended
`combination key input based on both the sensed finger posi(cid:173)
`tion and a state of the key switch matrix. In some cases the
`grid of sense elements and the key switch matrix share some
`conductive traces of a printed circuit board.
`The grid of sense elements may have a grid spacing wider
`than a spacing between centers of adjacent independent key
`regions and still provide acceptable resolution.
`According to yet another aspect of the invention, an elec(cid:173)
`tronic device has a substrate carrying a first array of spaced
`apart, conductive trace elements and a flexible cover disposed
`above the substrate and carrying a second array of spaced
`apart, conductive trace elements. The first and second arrays
`together form a coordinate system, with the cover separated
`from the substrate by an array of resilient, collapsible ele-
`ments and having an exposed, continuous surface. The first
`and second arrays of trace elements also form a capacitive
`grid responsive to presence of a digit of an operator on the
`surface of the cover. An electronic circuit is adapted to sense
`a capacitive state of the grid and to determine a position of
`said digit upon the sensed capacitive state.
`In some preferred embodiments, the continuous surface
`defines key regions of a keypad, and the electronic circuit
`interprets intended keypad input based at least in part upon
`the sensed capacitive state of the grid.
`In some cases, the capacitive grid is responsive to a position
`of local deflection of the cover toward the substrate, and the
`collapsible elements comprise formations integrally molded
`to extend from a surface of the cover facing the substrate.
`In an illustrated embodiment, the device is in the form of an
`lACK keypad, with the exposed cover surface defining both
`independent key regions and combination key regions.
`According to another aspect of the invention, a keypad
`includes an outer cover with an exposed, continuous surface
`defining key regions, a grid of sense elements underlying the
`surface of the cover and responsive to position of a human
`finger on the surface of the keypad, and a single switch
`
`6
`adapted to change state when any one of a multiplicity of the
`key regions is pressed (preferably, when any key region of the
`keypad is depressed).
`In some embodiments, the keypad is an lACK keypad, with
`the exposed cover surface defining both independent key
`regions and combination key regions, and the single switch
`adapted to change state when any independent key region is
`depressed. The independent key regions may be elevated
`above the combination key regions.
`According to one aspect of the invention, an input device
`has a cover with an exposed surface defining regions associ(cid:173)
`ated with corresponding discrete inputs, and a substrate
`below the surface. The cover carries one array of a variable
`capacitance grid, and the substrate carries another, preferably
`15 perpendicular, array of the grid. The device also has an elec(cid:173)
`tronic circuit adapted to interpret large-scale capacitance
`variations of the grid as a localized deflection of the cover
`toward the substrate in a region identified by the capacitance
`variation, and to interpret small-scale capacitance variations
`20 of the grid as an orientation and extent of motion of a finger
`along the surface.
`In accordance with one aspect of the invention, an at-a(cid:173)
`distance measurement device is integrated into an lACK key(cid:173)
`pad. In one of its embodiments, this measurement device is
`25 employed to increase the reliability and accuracy of an lACK
`keypad. By identifYing the location of the finger in addition to
`or independently from an associated matrix of switches, the
`errors that may arise from an ambiguous subset of switches in
`a combination key may be eliminated. In another embodi-
`30 ment the measurement device is disposed beneath an lACK
`keypad to provide "mouse" functionality. In some preferred
`embodiments, the integrated system has the same number of
`electrical lines as the lACK device alone. In one embodiment
`two perpendicularly-oriented arrays are disposed on different
`35 elements: one on the PCB and one on the underside of the
`lACK element. In this embodiment, parasitic capacitive
`variations (between the array intersections) are used for posi(cid:173)
`tioning of the finger for both mouse and keypad functions,
`while physical displacement of the lACK element creates
`capacitive variation that is relatively huge in comparison to
`the parasitic variation. Therefore, finger motion may be easily
`distinguished from key activation despite the superimposition
`of the signals. In another embodiment the at-a-distance mea(cid:173)
`suring device and the keypad matrix are integrated. In another
`embodiment piezo-ceramic elements (disposed in a sheet
`across the surface or discretely) are used to generate a tactile
`response. Tactile response may also be provided by the same
`element used to vibrate the device because the frequencies
`within this range are difficult for human finger to localize.
`Integrating a location measuring system and an lACK key(cid:173)
`pad can provide several advantages. For example, while in a
`mouse mode the lACK keypad surface can provide stability
`for the finger in mobile situations. This is a serious issue
`because of the constant intermittent erratic motions inherent
`55 in travel. For a user to accurately control a cursor of a small
`handheld device (such as a phone) while traveling by bus,
`train, car, or while walking is a frustrating task. Prominent
`reference elevations, placed along the surface of a touchpad
`or other cursor control location measuring system can solve
`60 this problem by proving reference points to finger location.
`The prominent reference elevations of some embodiments
`can give the user tactile reference, enabling the user to better
`maintain hand position by providing a small ledge that
`mechanically stabilizes the finger. When the finger is between
`65 elevations the support is provided by the elevations that sur(cid:173)
`round it, and when the finger is at an intermediate location
`over an elevation, the compliance of the finger serves to
`
`50
`
`40
`
`45
`
`BLACKBERRY EX. 1003, pg. 26
`
`

`
`US 7,391,861 B2
`
`7
`capture the elevation within the flesh of the finger. By stabi(cid:173)
`lizing the finger in this way, a high degree of accuracy may be
`provided in travel situations that would otherwise be frustrat(cid:173)
`ing. The device can be configured to output audio cues (such
`as a digitized voice saying the letters and numbers) or visual
`cues (such as changing the character displayed, especially in
`an oversized font, potentially filling a large fraction of the
`screen) as the user moves their finger across the face of the
`device. The audio implementation is particularly useful for
`blind users and the visual version is particularly useful for the 10
`sight-impaired. The invention can provide much needed con(cid:173)
`sistency and efficiency for a user while enabling access of
`both mouse and lACK keypad functions without moving the
`hand.
`According to another aspect of the inve