(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2001/0041599 A1
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Nov. 15, 2001
`Pirkola et al.
`
`US 20010041599A1
`
`(54) HANDHELD DEVICES
`
`(30)
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`(75) Inventors: Jani Pirkola, Linkoping (SE); Timo
`Kinnunen, Paavola (Fl); Lauri
`Salomaki, Rovaniemi (Fl); Tea
`Liukkonen-Olmiala, J aali (Fl); Tiina
`Hynninen, Oulu (Fl); Leena Sippola,
`Oulu (Fl); Risto Lustila, Rovaniemi
`(Fl); Sanna kaartinen, Helsinki (FI)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`Perman & Green, LLP
`425 Post Road
`Fair?eld, CT 06430 (US)
`
`Assignee: Nokia Mobile Phones Ltd.
`
`(73)
`(21)
`(22) Filed:
`
`Appl. No.:
`
`09/745,579
`
`Dec. 21, 2000
`
`Dec. 22, 1999 (GB) ............................... .. GB 9930365.3
`
`Publication Classi?cation
`
`(51) Int. Cl? ..................................................... .. H04B 1/38
`(52) Us. 01. ......................... ..455/566; 455/575; 455/556
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A hand held communication device having a display, the
`display having a plurality of different regions, at least one
`function being selectable via at least one region and a touch
`sensitive region, the touch sensitive area being arranged so
`that movement With respect to the touch sensitive area
`region causes an indicator to move across said display
`Wherein the indicator is arranged to move only from one
`region to another.
`
`22
`
`8
`
`26
`
`SCEA Ex. 1005 Page 1
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`Patent Application Publication Nov. 15, 2001 Sheet 1 0f 5
`
`US 2001/0041599 A1
`
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`FIG. 1
`
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`Patent Application Publication Nov. 15, 2001 Sheet 2 0f 5
`
`US 2001/0041599 A1
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`SCEA Ex. 1005 Page 3
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`Patent Application Publication Nov. 15, 2001 Sheet 3 0f 5
`
`US 2001/0041599 A1
`
`100
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`
`DISPLAY
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`TOUCH /
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`SCEA Ex. 1005 Page 4
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`

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`Patent Application Publication Nov. 15, 2001 Sheet 4 0f 5
`
`US 2001/0041599 A1
`
`FIG. 5A @ @D//
`
`Add Entry
`Erase
`
`Exit
`
`FIG. 5B \
`
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`Number
`
`E-mail
`
`Address
`
`FIG. 5c \Ex't
`
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`
`SCEA Ex. 1005 Page 5
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`

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`Patent Application Publication Nov. 15, 2001 Sheet 5 0f 5
`
`US 2001/0041599 A1
`
`102
`
`101
`
`772
`
`FIG. 6
`
`FIG. 7
`
`SCEA Ex. 1005 Page 6
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`

`

`US 2001/0041599 A1
`
`Nov. 15, 2001
`
`HANDHELD DEVICES
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0001] The present invention relates to handheld devices
`and in particular, but not exclusively, to handheld devices
`such as mobile telephones or the like.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0002] Wireless cellular telecommunication netWorks are
`knoWn. The area covered by a telecommunications netWork
`is divided up into a number of cells. Each cell has a base
`transceiver station associated With it. The base transceiver is
`arranged to send signals to and receive signals from mobile
`stations in the same cell as the respective base station. The
`signals sent betWeen the mobile station and the base station
`permit voice and/or data communications to take place.
`
`[0003] Mobile stations are generally provided With a user
`interface Which permit the user to interact With the mobile
`station. To facilitate the interaction With the user, a display
`is provided. Usually, the interface comprises a number of
`keys Which can be operated by the user. These keys typically
`include numeric keys to alloW a user to input a telephone
`number and cursor keys Which interact With the display.
`Mobile telephones often use a menu system Where a cursor
`is moved betWeen various options and a option is selected
`When the cursor is over that option and a select key is
`activated.
`
`[0004] In GB-A-2330981, a radio telephone handset is
`shoWn. The radio telephone handset has a housing With a
`front face Which is used by the user When making a call. The
`telephone has a user interface Which includes a touch input
`means on a different surface of the housing for controlling
`the processing of voice signals Which are supplied to an
`audio interface. One touch interface described is a touch
`pad. As the user moves his ?nger across the touch pad, a
`cursor is moved across the display.
`
`[0005] HoWever, the problem With such a system is that it
`is dif?cult to control. The siZe of the touch pad is generally
`limited by the siZe of the mobile telephone. If the siZe of the
`telephone is not to be increased, the touch pad Will have a
`relatively small dimension. It can be difficult for the user to
`accurately move the cursor using the touch pad to the
`required position. This is particularly the case Where a
`number of different options are provided on the display.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0006] It is therefore an aim of embodiments of the present
`invention to address this problem.
`
`[0007] According to a ?rst aspect of the present invention,
`there is provided a hand held communication device com
`prising a display, said display in use have a plurality of
`different regions, at least one function being selectable via at
`least one region; and a touch sensitive region, said touch
`sensitive area being arranged so that movement With respect
`to the touch sensitive area region causes an indicator to
`move across said display, Wherein said indicator is arranged
`to move only from one region to another.
`
`[0008] According to a second aspect of the present inven
`tion, there is provided a method of controlling a hand held
`communication device comprising the steps of operating a
`
`touch sensitive region so as to cause an indicator to move
`across a display of the communication device; controlling
`the indicator to move only from one region to another across
`the display; and selecting a function associated the region
`Where the indicator is located When said selection step is
`performed.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0009] For a better understanding of the present invention
`and as to hoW the same may be carried into effect, reference
`Will noW be made, by Way of eXample, to the accompanying
`draWings in Which:
`
`[0010] FIG. 1 shoWs a cellular telecommunications net
`Work With Which embodiments of the present invention can
`be used;
`[0011] FIG. 2 shoWs a front vieW of a mobile telephone
`embodying the present invention;
`[0012] FIG. 3 shoWs a vieW from behind of the mobile
`telephone of FIG. 2;
`[0013] FIG. 4 shoWs a block diagram of various compo
`nents in a mobile telephone embodying the present inven
`tion;
`[0014] FIG. 5 shoWs examples of a display of a mobile
`telephone embodying the present invention;
`[0015] FIG. 6 shoWs a ?rst alternative embodiment of a
`mobile telephone; and
`
`[0016] FIG. 7 shoWs a second alternative embodiment of
`a mobile telephone.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
`OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0017] Reference Will ?rst be made to FIG. 1 Which shoWs
`a Wireless cellular telecommunications netWork 2. The area
`covered by the netWork 2 is divided into a plurality of cells
`4. Each of the cells 4 has associated With it a base transceiver
`station 6. Each base transceiver station 6 is arranged to
`communicate With mobile stations 8 in the cell associated
`With that base transceiver station 6.
`
`[0018] The netWork shoWn in FIG. 1 may use any suitable
`method of communication for communicating With the
`mobile stations. In particular, one or more of the folloWing
`methods may be used: Time Division Multiple Access,
`Frequency Division Multiple Access, Spread Spectrum
`Methods such as Code Division Multiple Access or other
`suitable methods. In some embodiments of the present
`invention, hybrids of tWo or more of these access methods
`may be used.
`
`[0019] Reference Will be made to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3
`Which shoW a mobile telephone embodying the present
`invention.
`
`[0020] As can be seen from FIG. 2, the mobile telephone
`has a user interface Which comprises a key pad 10. The key
`pad 10 has a ?rst group 12 of keys in the form of alpha
`numeric keys by Which the user can enter a telephone
`number, Write a teXt message (SMS), Write a name, for
`eXample associated With the telephone number, or any other
`alpha numeric data entry Which is required. These ?rst
`groups of keys are used for entering data into the telephone.
`
`SCEA Ex. 1005 Page 7
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`US 2001/0041599 A1
`
`Nov. 15, 2001
`
`[0021] The keyboard also has a second group of keys 14
`Which are generally referred to as operation keys. The keys
`14 operate in dependence on the state of the telephone.
`These keys generally alloW the function of the phone to be
`controlled in conjunction With the display 16. The display 16
`may include one option 18a in the right hand loWer corner
`of the display and a second option 18b on the left hand
`bottom corner of the display. One or other of these options
`may be selected by activating the key 14 under that particu
`lar option. The keys 14 also include a scroll key 20 Which
`controls a cursor on the display. The cursor can be moved up
`and doWn a list of options displayed on the display 16.
`
`[0022] The mobile telephone also comprises an ear piece
`22 Which permits the user to receive audio signals, for
`example in the context of a telephone call. The mobile
`telephone also has a microphone 24 Which is arranged to
`pick up sounds, such as speech, made by the user so that a
`call can be conducted. The mobile telephone also has an on
`off button 26 for sWitching the mobile telephone on or off.
`
`[0023] Reference is made to FIG. 3 Which shoWs the
`exterior of the mobile telephone. The back of the mobile
`telephone has a touch pad 28. Touch pads are Well knoWn to
`those skilled in the art and Will not be described in any detail
`here. HoWever, touch pads generally comprise a surface
`underneath Which are arranged a plurality of sensors. The
`surface can be smooth or may incorporate bumps or the like.
`The position of the ?nger of the user on the touch pad 28 can
`be detected by any suitable technique. For example, the
`pressure applied by the users ?nger causes the position of the
`?nger on the touch pad to be identi?ed. The pressure applied
`by the ?nger can be detected by pressure sensors beloW the
`touch pad surface. It should be appreciated that touch pads
`Which use techniques other than pressure in order to detect
`the position of the ?nger are knoWn and can be used in
`alternative embodiments of the present invention.
`[0024] The touch pad 28 is, in preferred embodiments of
`the present invention, relatively large and may take up, for
`example, around a third of the back of the mobile telephone
`8. It is of course possible for the touch screen to be bigger
`or smaller than this. The touch screen is preferably provided
`in the upper region of the back of the mobile station. This is
`so that When the user holds the mobile telephone in his hand,
`With the display facing him, the user’s ?nger, usually the
`fore ?nger, is able to move around all of the touch pad, as
`required Whilst the rest of the hand is able to hold the mobile
`telephone. The position of the touch pad on the back of the
`mobile telephone is such that it is easy for the user to knoW
`Where to move his ?nger, despite the fact that the user cannot
`see his ?nger.
`
`[0025] In one embodiment of the present invention, there
`is a correlation betWeen the positions on the touch pad and
`positions on the display. Accordingly, different positions of
`the touch pad correspond to different positions on the
`display. For example, the top left hand corner of the touch
`pad corresponds to the top left hand corner of the display and
`so on.
`
`[0026] In alternative embodiments of the invention, there
`is not the same correlation. Rather, a cursor is moved around
`the display 16 in accordance With movements made by the
`user across the touch pad 28. Accordingly, if the user moves
`his ?nger to the right, the cursor Will move on the screen
`from its current position to the right. LikeWise, if the user
`
`moves his ?nger to the left, the cursor Will be moved from
`its current position to the left. The same is true for move
`ments of the ?nger up and doWn the touch pad 28. This latter
`arrangement is preferred in some embodiments of the inven
`tion in that the a relatively large distance can be moved by
`the users ?nger on the touch pad for a relatively small
`distance on the display. HoWever the ?rst described option
`may be preferred in alternative embodiments of the inven
`tion.
`
`[0027] Reference is made to FIG. 5 Which shoWs three
`examples of information displayed on the display 16. Refer
`ring ?rst to FIG. 5a, the screen has three operative areas
`50a-c. The user can use the operation keys 14 in order to
`select one of these three areas in one mode of operation.
`HoWever, the user is also able to use the touch pad in order
`to select the functions associated With one of these areas.
`
`[0028] Consider the case Where the cursor 52 is in the
`middle of the screen. When the user moves the cursor
`upWardly, the cursor Will automatically be moved to the
`names part of the screen 50c. If the cursor is moved doWn
`to the left, the cursor Will be moved automatically to the
`menu part 50a of the display. If the cursor is moved doWn
`to the left of the display, the cursor is automatically placed
`over the exit part 50b of the display. In other Words, in
`preferred embodiments of the present invention, the cursor
`is moved automatically to one of the three active areas 50a
`to 50c. The cursor does not have to be moved by the user so
`as it is exactly positioned over the respective active areas on
`the display. Rather the cursor Will automatically be posi
`tioned over the nearest active area. The direction of move
`ment of the user’s ?nger across the display can also be taken
`into account When determining the active area over Which
`the cursor is to be located.
`[0029] The preferred embodiments of the present inven
`tion permit the cursor only to be located over an active area.
`The location of the cursor, the amount by Which the user
`moves his ?nger across the touch pad and/or the direction of
`the movement are used in preferred embodiments of the
`present invention in order to determine the active area over
`Which the cursor is to be located.
`
`[0030] In the embodiment shoWn in FIG. 5a, the cursor is
`initially shoWn as being in a position other than on an active
`area of the display. In alternative embodiments of the present
`invention, the cursor may be permitted only to be over the
`active areas of the display. Accordingly, the cursor may
`initially be over one of the three active areas shoWn in FIG.
`5a. The users ?nger permits the cursor only to move from
`one active area to the other and not to any intermediate
`positions. This makes the touch pad easier for the user to use
`in that the user does not need to precisely ensure that the
`cursor is over the active area but only to move the cursor in
`the general direction of an active area.
`
`[0031] In order to select an active area, this can be done by
`activating a separate key on the front or back of the mobile
`telephone. HoWever, in preferred embodiments of the
`present invention, an active area can be selected by the user
`tapping the touch pad at the location Which ensures that the
`cursor is over the required active area one or more times. In
`preferred embodiments of the present invention, the user
`taps the area of the touch pad tWice.
`[0032] If, for example, the names area 50c of the display
`is selected, then the display 16 may be as shoWn in FIG. 5b.
`
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`US 2001/0041599 A1
`
`Nov. 15, 2001
`
`[0033] As can be seen in FIG. 5b, four options are
`available to the user. These options are in a list form. Once
`again, the cursor 52 is permitted only to be associated With
`one of the four entries. Movement of the users ?nger on the
`touch pad causes the cursor to move up or doWn the list or
`to remain on the current entry. For example, once the cursor
`is over a particular option, movement of the users ?nger
`leftWardly or rightWardly does not cause the cursor to move.
`HoWever, movement of the users ?nger up or doWn the
`touch pad Will cause the cursor to move up and doWn the list
`respectively.
`
`[0034] It should be appreciated that the same method as
`described in relation to FIG. 5a can be used to select one of
`the options displayed in FIG. 5b.
`
`[0035] FIG. 5c illustrates the options Which are displayed
`When the user selects the add entry option of FIG. 5b. The
`selection of the add entry option of FIG. 5b causes ?ve
`options to be displayed on the display, again in a list. The
`various options shoWn in FIG. 5c are selected in exactly the
`same Way as described in relation to FIG. 5b.
`
`[0036] Reference Will noW be made to FIG. 4 Which
`shoWs the block diagram of a mobile telephone embodying
`the present invention. The mobile telephone has an antenna
`100 Which is used to transmit signals to the base station.
`Signals to be transmitted by the antenna 100 are unconverted
`by an up converting arrangement 102. The up converting
`arrangement 102 converts signals from a digital signal
`processor 106 from the base band to the frequency With
`Which the signals are to be transmitted.
`
`[0037] The signals Which are received by the antenna 100
`are input to a doWn converting arrangement 104 Which
`converts the signals received to the base band frequency.
`The signals are output by the doWn converting arrangement
`104 to the digital signal processor 106. The digital signal
`processor 106 is arranged to process the received signals and
`to put the signals to be transmitted into the suitable format.
`
`[0038] The touch pad 28 and the key pad 10 provide
`output signals Which are the result of the user interacting
`With the touch pad and key pad 28 and 10 respectively. A
`unit 108 receives the signals from the touch pad and key
`pads respectively and translates the signals into a form
`Which can be used by a processor 110. The processor 110
`controls the display 16 and, in particular, What is displayed
`on that display 16. The processor 110 uses the information
`received from the key pad and touch pad to control What is
`displayed on the display 16. Information input via the touch
`and key pads are also used by the processor 110 to control
`the digital signal processor 106. The processor 110 also
`receives information from the digital signal processor 106
`Which can also control What is displayed by the display 16.
`
`[0039] It should be appreciated that in alternative embodi
`ments of the present invention, the touch pad may be omitted
`and instead the display itself may be touch sensitive. The
`touch sensitive display may operate in a similar Way to the
`touch pad so that the cursor is moved from one active part
`of the display to another. In alternative embodiments of the
`present invention, the touch screen may be replaced by a
`?nger Wheel 101 (see FIG. 6) Which can provide scrolling
`move in tWo directions about a single aXis or a roller ball III
`(see FIG. 7) Which provides scrolling action along further
`aXes. Manipulation of the display is achieved under proces
`
`sor control in accordance With control signals corresponding
`to the direction and speed of rotation of the rolling means.
`The active part of the display can be selected either by
`pressing on the rolling means or by pressing a separate key
`102 or 112 in the respective embodiments shoWn in FIGS.
`6 and 7.
`
`[0040] In the embodiments of the invention described,
`options can be selected using the touch pad or the opera
`tional keys 14. In some embodiments of the present inven
`tion, the operational keys 14 may be omitted and the touch
`pad only provided. In a further alternative embodiment of
`the invention, the operational keys may provide a different
`function When the touch pad is used.
`
`[0041] In the embodiment of the invention described, the
`touch pad controls the position of a cursor. The cursor may
`be an arroW or a bar. It should be appreciated that any other
`pointing device can be used in alternative embodiments of
`the invention. Alternatively, any other suitable method can
`be used to highlight a selected area. Any suitable indicator
`can be used in alternative embodiments of the invention.
`
`[0042] In alternative embodiments of the invention, a tool
`may be used With the touch pad in order to control the
`movement of the cursor across the screen.
`
`[0043] Embodiments of the invention can be used to
`control any function of the mobile telephone.
`
`[0044] Preferred embodiments of the present invention
`have been described in the conteXt of a mobile telephone.
`HoWever, embodiments of the present invention may be
`applied to any other communication device or mobile ter
`minal.
`
`1. A hand held communication device comprising:
`
`a display, said display in use have a plurality of different
`regions, at least one function being selectable via at
`least one region; and
`
`a touch sensitive region, said touch sensitive area being
`arranged so that movement With respect to the touch
`sensitive area region causes an indicator to move across
`said display,
`
`Wherein said indicator is arranged to move only from one
`region to another.
`2. A device as claimed in claim 1, Wherein said touch
`sensitive region is arranged to detect movement of a users
`?nger across the touch sensitive region.
`3. A device as claimed in claim 1, Wherein said touch
`sensitive region is arranged to detect movement of a tool
`across the touch sensitive region.
`4. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, Wherein
`said touch sensitive region comprises a surface.
`5. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, Wherein
`said touch sensitive region is a touch pad.
`6. A device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4, Wherein
`said touch sensitive region comprises a rolling means.
`7. A device as claimed in claim 6, Wherein said rolling
`means is arranged to move said indicator in tWo directions
`about a single aXis.
`
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`US 2001/0041599 A1
`
`Nov. 15, 2001
`
`8. A device as claimed in claim 6, Wherein said rolling
`means is arranged to move said indicator in a plane con
`taining tWo perpendicular aXis.
`9. A device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 8, Wherein
`said touch sensitive region is arranged on a ?rst side of said
`device and said display is arranged on a second side.
`10. A device as claimed in claim 9, Wherein said ?rst and
`second sides are opposite one another.
`11. A device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4, Wherein
`said touch sensitive region is provided in conjunction With
`said display to provide a touch sensitive display.
`12. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, Wherein
`said indicator is a cursor.
`13. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, Wherein
`said device is a mobile telephone.
`
`14. A method of controlling a hand held communication
`device comprising the steps of:
`
`operating a touch sensitive region so as to cause an
`indicator to move across a display of the communica
`tion device;
`
`controlling the indicator to move only from one region to
`another across the display; and
`
`selecting a function associated the region Where the
`indicator is located When said selection step is per
`formed.
`
`SCEA Ex. 1005 Page 10
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