(12) United States Patent
`Armstrong
`
`US006469691B1
`(16) Patent N6.=
`US 6,469,691 B1
`(45) Date of Patent:
`*Oct. 22, 2002
`
`(54) ANALOG CONTROLS HOUSED WITH
`ELECTRONIC DISPLAYS FOR HAND-HELD
`WEB BROWSERS
`
`.
`(76) Inventor. lc3rad
`arson 1 y’
`
`(
`
`)
`
`2048,
`
`( >6 ) Notice:
`
`Subject' to any disclaimer, the term of this patent is extended or adJusted under 35
`
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`This patent is subject to a terminal dis-
`claimer.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/699,854
`(22) Filed
`Oct 30 2000
`
`.
`
`.
`
`,
`
`EP
`EP
`EP
`GB
`GB
`GB
`GB
`
`33B JP
`
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`
`0470615
`0579448
`1080753
`2058462
`2113920
`2233499
`2267392
`
`601 75401
`62160623
`02158105
`03108701
`04155707
`5-87760
`05151828
`
`2/1992
`1/ 1994
`3/2001
`4/1981
`8/1983
`1/1991
`12/1993
`
`9/1985
`7/1987
`6/1990
`5/1991
`5/1992
`4/1993
`6/1993
`
`(List continued on next page.)
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`S.F. Kambic, IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, vol. 20
`NO' 5 Oct' 1977'
`Questel—Orbit QWEB pp. 1—24 (submitted hereWith).
`IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin pp 230—235 Feb. 1990
`Mouse Ball—Actuating Device With Force And Tactile Feed
`back.
`Research Disclosure NOV_ 1987 28373 Joystick With Tactile
`
`Related US. Application Data
`
`(63) Continuation of application No. 09/568,662, ?led on May
`10, 2000, now Pat, No, 6,347,997,
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/133,682, ?led on May 11,
`1999-
`
`(51) Int. Cl.7 ................................................ .. G09G 5/08
`
`(52) US. Cl. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
`
`. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 345/159
`
`Feedback
`
`(58) Field of Search ............... .. 463/36, 37; 273/143 B;
`345/156, 159; ZOO/513
`
`_
`_
`_
`Primary Examzner—John Paradiso
`
`(56)
`
`_
`References Cited
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`US‘ PATENT DOCUMENTS
`3,611,068 A 10/1971 Fujita
`3,771,037 A 11/1973 Bailey
`3,806,471 A
`4/1974 Mitchell
`
`(List continued on next page.)
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`DE
`DE
`DE
`DE
`DE
`EP
`
`3031484
`3543890
`3634912
`4019211
`19606408
`0337458
`
`11/1982
`6/1987
`4/1988
`1/1991
`8/1997
`10/1989
`
`A hand-held Web broWser for establishing contact With a
`computer network, the broWser including a housing, a
`general image display in the housing, a proportional sensor
`for creating a varying value according to varying depression
`applied by a ?nger of a human user to a depressible surface
`of the sensor. Multiple proportional sensors are sometimes
`utiliZed. In one preferred embodiment the proportional
`sensor(s) include resilient dome cap(s) for providing tactile
`feedback to the ?nger depressing the depressible surface.
`Circuitry Within the housing is connected to the sensor for
`reading the varying value from the sensor and causing
`re resentative var in of the ima er shoWnb the dis la
`p
`y g
`g y
`y
`p y‘
`
`18 Claims, 6 Drawing Sheets
`
`SCEA Ex. 1010 Page 1
`
`

`

`US 6,469,691 B1
`Page 2
`
`US. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`__
`4/1976 T51111
`3,952,173 A
`3988556 A 10/1976 Hyodo
`4,224,602 A
`9/1980 Anderson
`4,268,815 A
`5/1981 Eventoff
`4,276,538 A
`6/1981 Eventoff
`4,301,337 A 11/1981 Eventoff
`4,313,113 A
`1/1982 Thornburg
`4314228 A
`2/1982 Eventoff
`4,315,238 A
`2/1982 Eventoff
`4,552,360 A 11/1985 Bronlley
`4,615,252 A 10/1986 Asahl
`4,673,919 A
`6/1987 Kataoka
`4,694,231 A
`9/1987 Alvite
`4,733,214 A
`3/1988 Andersen
`4,786,895 A 11/1988 caétaneda
`4,866,542 A
`9/1989 shlmada
`4,975,676 A 12/1990 Greenhalgh
`5,103,404 A
`4/1992 McIntosh
`5,132,658 A
`7/1992 Dauenhauter et 81.
`5,164,697 A 11/1992 Kramer
`5,189,355 A
`2/1993 Larkms
`5,196,782 A
`3/1993 D’Aleo et 81.
`5,200,597 A
`4/1993 Eastman
`5,207,426 A
`5/1993 Inoue
`D342,740 S
`12/1993 Parker
`5,287,089 A
`2/1994 Parsons
`5311779 A
`5/1994 Teruo
`5,315,204 A
`5/1994 Park
`5,355,352 A * 10/1994 Kobayashi et a1. ....... .. 368/281
`5,364,108 A 11/1994 Esnouf
`*
`5,365,494 A 11/1994 Lynelr ....................... .. 368/10
`5,376,913 A 12/1994 Pine
`.
`5,396,235 A
`3/1995 Maeshlma
`5,440,237 A
`8/1995 Brown
`5,457,478 A 10/1995 Frank
`5,510,812 A * 4/1996 Omara et a1. ............. .. 345/161
`5,550,339 A
`8/1996 Haugh
`5,565,891 A 10/1996 Armstrong
`5,589,828 A 12/1996 Armstrong
`5,640,566 A
`6/1997 Victor
`5,670,955 A
`9/1997 Thorne
`
`5,673,237 A * 9/1997 Blank ........................ .. 368/10
`5,675,329 A 10/1997 Barker
`5,689,285 A * 11/1997 Asher ....................... .. 345/161
`5,764,219 A * 6/1998 Rutledge et a1. .......... .. 345/159
`5,778,404 A
`7/1998 capps
`5,790,102 A
`8/1998 Nassimi
`5,847,305 A 12/1998 Yoshikawa
`5,847,639 A 12/1998 Yaniger
`5,854,624 A 12/1998 Grant
`5,867,808 A
`2/1999 Selker et 81.
`5,883,619 A
`3/1999 HO
`5,889,236 A
`3/1999 Gillespie
`5,895,471 A * 4/1999 King et a1. ............... .. 707/104
`5,898,359 A
`4/1999 Ellis
`5,910,798 A
`6/1999 Kim
`5,943,044 A
`8/1999 Martinelli
`5,948,066 A * 9/1999 Whalen et a1. ........... .. 709/229
`5,974,238 A * 10/1999 Chase, Jr. ................. .. 395/200
`5,995,026 A 11/1999 sellers
`5,999,084 A 12/1999 Armstrong
`6,020,884 A
`2/2000 MacNaughton
`6,049,812 A
`4/2000 Bertram
`6,102,802 A * 8/2000 Armstrong ................. .. 463/37
`6,118,979 A
`9/2000 Powell
`6,135,886 A 10/2000 Armstrong
`6,157,935 A * 12/2000 Tran et a1. ................ .. 707/503
`6,185,158 B1
`2/2001 Ito
`6,198,473 B1
`3/2001 Armstrong
`6,208,271 B1
`3/2001 Armstrong
`6,222,525 B1
`4/2001 Armstrong
`
`JP
`
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`RU
`WO
`W0
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`7281824
`10/1995
`
`7302159
`09213168
`9218737
`09223607
`11031606
`2010369
`W09532776
`WO9957630
`
`11/1995
`8/1997
`8/1997
`8/1997
`2/1999
`3/1994
`12/1995
`11/1999
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`SCEA Ex. 1010 Page 2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`061. 22, 2002
`Oct. 22, 2002
`
`Sheet 1 6f 6
`Sheet 1 0f 6
`
`US 6,469,691 B1
`US 6,469,691 B1
`
`
`
`
`40
`40
`
`FIG.1
`
`SCEA Ex. 1010 Page 3
`
`SCEA Ex. 1010 Page 3
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`061. 22, 2002
`
`Sheet 2 6f 6
`
`US 6,469,691 B1
`
`FIG-.2
`
`SCEA Ex. 1010 Page 4
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`061. 22, 2002
`
`Sheet 3 6f 6
`
`US 6,469,691 B1
`
`S
`W E
`U 4
`
`7
`
`W
`
`(j /
`
`i 3
`
`n V%
`n Mm 2
`
`W O U l|l_
`
`NJ U my F MU U m mm 0. MC 0 A MP W m H m6 A c R GD W
`
`G W m R
`N w E m“ H
`
`V1 /
`5
`
`/Y
`
`OTHER
`FUNCTION
`
`ED 2
`
`K
`
`.E /
`
`FIG. 3
`
`SCEA Ex. 1010 Page 5
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Oct. 22, 2002
`
`Sheet 4 0f 6
`
`US 6,469,691 B1
`
`HOUSING
`
`SEVEN SEGMENT
`
`NUMERIC
`
`72
`
`ll
`
`22
`
`VISUAL
`
`FEEDBACK
`
`80
`
`76
`
`FINGER
`
`20
`
`USER
`
`74
`
`
`
`
`
`CIRCUITRY
`
`OTHER
`
`FUNCTION 1
`
`
`
`E
`:
`
`i
`
`FIG. 4
`
`SCEA Ex. 1010 Page 6
`
`SCEA Ex. 1010 Page 6
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`061. 22, 2002
`
`Sheet 5 6f 6
`
`US 6,469,691 B1
`
`W6
`
`E E
`M
`R V.
`
`2 F
`
`JP’ 2 .
`
`S r l
`
`SD R
`1|. 2 |_ O .0 2
`WE NW
`1 _ w \ /\ /
`7 76 m E g .F
`
`WWD g
`mwnlo .
`
`0 Wmm /@M: m A H pimp
`. C
`U mwvlw MC 6 r ............ L
`N g n {11L OW "
`
`G 5/W 21:-“ WU. " 7
`
`I. CU _ Cl _
`
`8 4; vi?
`
`s H mm _, 8
`
`H N u
`
`FIG. 5
`
`SCEA Ex. 1010 Page 7
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`061. 22, 2002
`
`Sheet 6 6f 6
`
`US 6,469,691 B1
`
`FIG.6
`
`SCEA Ex. 1010 Page 8
`
`

`

`US 6,469,691 B1
`
`1
`ANALOG CONTROLS HOUSED WITH
`ELECTRONIC DISPLAYS FOR HAND-HELD
`WEB BROWSERS
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`A Priority claim is hereby made under 35 U.S.C. 120:
`This application is a continuation of US. Non-Provisional
`patent application Ser. No. 09/568,662 ?led May 10, 2000,
`now US. Pat. No. 6,347,997, and a Priority claim Was made
`to Provisional Patent Application No. 60/133,682 ?led May
`11, 1999 in and for the Application No. 09/568,662.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`The present invention involves an electronic device
`including a combination of a electronic visual display in or
`on a housing, electronic circuitry in the housing, and at least
`one analog sensor comprising a ?nger or thumb depressible
`surface With associated analog pressure-sensitive element.
`The analog pressure-sensitive element is for output of a
`signal of variable value utiliZed by the circuitry to control or
`manipulate one or more functions of the electronic device.
`The resultant control manipulation from the analog sensor is
`in some manner indicated or displayed on the display at least
`at the time the user is pressing the depressible surface,
`thereby the human user is provided data related to a neW
`state or setting brought about, or in the process of being
`brought about, by manipulating the variable value of the
`analog sensor through controlled varied amounts of ?nger
`pressure applied to the depressible surface of the analog
`sensor. Based upon the feedback on the display, the user may
`terminate, increase or decrease the ?nger pressure on the
`depressible surface of the analog sensor.
`2. Brief Description of Related Prior Art
`Displays, housings, electronics and analog output buttons
`do eXist in the prior art. The present invention, hoWever,
`does not eXist in the prior art and is of signi?cant and
`substantial value as Will become fully appreciated With
`continued reading.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention, at least from one vieWpoint, is an
`electronic device, Which may take many forms as herein
`disclosed, but all including a combination of a electronic
`visual display in or on a housing, electronic circuitry in the
`housing, and including at least one human user depressible
`surface With associated analog pressure-sensitive element
`for output of a signal of variable value utiliZed by the
`circuitry to control or manipulate a function(s) of the device.
`The at least one analog pressure-sensitive element receives
`pressure applied by a user’s ?nger (the Word ?nger or ?ngers
`or digit can be herein used to include the thumb) to the
`depressible surface, varied pressure applied by the user
`determines varied value of the signal, and this alloWs the
`user to select rates of change, the rate of change in some Way
`being displayed on the display to alloW the user to choose
`more or less pressure, or to terminate pressure on the ?nger
`depressible surface. The resultant control manipulation from
`the analog variable value is in some manner indicated or
`made visually detectable as feedback on the display at least
`at the time the analog sensor is being depressed, and this to
`alloW the intelligent application of ?nger pressure by the
`user to the analog sensor. Some examples of functions Which
`can be manipulated, controlled or changed, and at variable
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`55
`
`65
`
`2
`rates dependant upon user applied pressure, include menus
`or lists displayed on telephones, television program menus
`and the like, numeric settings such as related to time,
`temperature or number of units, such as number of copies to
`be made by a photocopy machine for eXample. Some
`additional examples of electronic devices described in
`accordance With the invention include desktop displays,
`hand-held game systems, personal digital assistants (PDA),
`electronic books, Wireless Web broWsers, time display
`clocks/Watches, cooking ovens, pagers, remote controller
`such as used With TVs stereos, etc., and coffee makers all
`With displays. The displays can be CRT, non-CRT, LCD,
`LED or any other suitable type and in many applications are
`seven-element numeric displays such as are commonly used
`to display number of units or time.
`An object of the present invention is to provide an
`electronic device including a combination of an electronic
`visual display in or on a housing, electronic circuitry in the
`housing, and at least one analog sensor comprising a ?nger
`or thumb depressible surface With associated analog
`pressure-sensitive element for output of a signal of variable
`value utiliZed by the circuitry to manipulate one or more
`functions of the electronic device at varied rates, the
`manipulation in some manner indicated on the display at
`least at the time the user is pressing the depressible surface,
`thereby the human user is provided data alloWing the
`intelligent increase, decrease or termination of the ?nger
`pressure to effect a rate of change.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`FIG. 1 shoWs an eXploded vieW of a 2-Way analog rocker
`as may be employed With the invention.
`FIG. 2 shoWs an eXploded vieW of a 4-Way analog rocker
`as may be employed With the invention.
`FIG. 3 shoWs a block diagram in accordance With the
`invention having a general image display.
`FIG. 4 shoWs a block diagram in accordance With the
`invention having a tWo digit seven segment numeric display.
`FIG. 5 shoWs a block diagram in accordance With the
`invention having a three digit seven segment numeric time
`display.
`FIG. 6 shoWs a Wireless Internet Web broWser or the like
`and modi?ed in accordance With the present invention.
`ShoWn is a housing and a display screen mounted Within the
`housing, and various analog buttons.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`Herein incorporated by reference is my pending US.
`Provisional application 60/133,682 ?led May 11, 1999 titled
`ANALOG CONTROLS HOUSED WITH ELECTRONIC
`DISPLAYS for the teachings of the present invention
`therein.
`Also herein incorporated by reference is my pending U.S.
`Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 08/942,450 ?led Oct.
`1, 1997, title GAME CONTROLLER WITH ANALOG
`PRESSURE SENSOR(S), now US. Pat. No. 6,102,802; this
`disclosure incorporated by reference primarily for the posi
`tive teachings therein of structuring and methods of use and
`the reading of analog sensors such as elastomeric dome-cap
`style positioned in end-use for depression directly or
`in-directly by a human digit With varying degrees of force.
`Additionally, 4-Way analog rockers, 2-Way analog rocker
`buttons and individual analog push buttons are described in
`detail in my disclosure titled GAME CONTROLLER WITH
`ANALOG PRESSURE SENSOR(S)
`
`SCEA Ex. 1010 Page 9
`
`

`

`US 6,469,691 B1
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`30
`
`25
`
`3
`Also herein incorporated by reference is my pending. U.S.
`Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 09/122,269 ?led Jul.
`24, 1998, titled VARIABLE-CONDUCTANCE SENSOR
`WITH ELASTOMERIC DOME-CAP, now US. Pat. No.
`6,135,886; this disclosure incorporated by reference prima
`rily for the positive teachings therein of structuring and
`methods of use and the reading of analog sensors such as
`elastomeric dome-cap sensors positioned in end-use for
`depression directly or in-directly by a human digit With
`varying degrees of force, and for data related to possible
`digital bit assigning to various states or levels of conduc
`tivity of the analog sensors Wherein the differing bit assign
`ment can be used indicative of differing pressures applied by
`the human user to the analog or pressure-sensitive variable
`conductance sensor(s).
`Also herein incorporated by reference is my US. Pat. No.
`5,999,084 issued Dec. 7, 1999 titled VARIABLE
`CONDUCTANCE SENSOR; this Patent incorporated by
`reference primarily for the positive teachings therein of
`structuring and methods of use and the reading of analog
`sensors as With my packaged type such as With a conductive
`dome providing a tactile feedback, circuit elements and
`pressure-sensitive variable-conductance material engaged or
`engagable With the circuit elements to provide analog output
`or the like; the sensor positioned in end-use for depression
`directly or in-directly such as by a human digit With varying
`degrees of force. This sensor provides tactile feedback at
`approximate activation and deactivation of the analog pres
`sure sensitive material, the disclosure describing the
`bene?ts, Which can be gained With an analog sensor pro
`viding bi- or uni-directional tactile feedback.
`Also herein incorporated by reference is my pending US.
`Provisional application Ser. No. 60/135,085 ?led May 20,
`1999 titled KEYBOARD WITH DEPRESSIBLE ANALOG
`SCROLL CONTROL. This provisional disclosure also
`35
`includes a modi?ed USB softWare code on 3.5 ‘ ?oppy Which
`although speci?cally directed to my Mouse With Analog
`Buttons of application No. 09/167,314, it can clearly be
`readily modi?ed to operate With the present invention,
`although those skilled in the art Will agree numerous suitable
`softWare codes can be readily applied With little modi?ca
`tion to interface betWeen the hardWare of a keyboard in
`accordance With the invention and softWare, ROM,
`hardWare, etc. of a computer to be manipulated by the
`present keyboard. The modi?ed code is one Which includes
`a bit assignment for each scroll direction and associated With
`each button associated With that direction, and Which is
`arranged along With electronics to repeat the direction
`identifying code at a variable rate of repeat When the user is
`depressing the associated button, the rate of repeat
`(scrolling) indicative of the read value of the analog sensor,
`i.e., pressure-sensitive variable-conductance material and
`the amount of depressive force the human user is applying
`thereto. Greater details of this Variable-Rate On/Off Mes
`saging System are provided in my pending US. Provisional
`application ?led May 10, 1999, application No. 60/133,319
`and herein incorporated by reference, and this for the
`teaching of the varied “ON” or “OFF” signal rate of sending,
`the rate of the simple message being dependent or resultant
`of the amount of pressure applied or the varied value single
`of a pressure-sensitive analog element. Certainly other suit
`able codes and the like can be utiliZed Within the scope of the
`invention. For more data regarding softWare or ?rmWare
`codes, go to cypress.com on the World Wide Web. Also
`incorporated herein is my pending U.S. Non-Provisional
`application version of the Provisional application No.
`60/135,085 ?led May 20, 1999 titled KEYBOARD WITH
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`4
`DEPRESSIBLE ANALOG SCROLL CONTROL, the Non
`Provisional application No. 09/563,109 ?led May 2, 2000
`also titled KEYBOARD WITH DEPRESSIBLE ANALOG
`SCROLL CONTROL.
`Also herein incorporated by reference is my pending U.S.
`Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 08/677,378 ?led Jul. 5,
`1996 titled IMAGE CONTROLLERS AND SENSORS (as
`amended) particularly, but not exclusively, for the pressure
`sensitive membrane analog sensors With tactile feedback
`described therein.
`Also herein incorporated by reference is my pending U.S.
`Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 09/148,806 ?led Sep.
`4, 1998, title REMOTE CONTROLLER WITH ANALOG
`BUTTON(S). This disclosure incorporated by reference
`primarily for the positive teachings therein of structuring
`and methods for dual-purpose sensors capable of both
`analog and On/Off modes.
`Also herein incorporated by reference is US. Pat. No.
`4,314,227 issued Feb. 2, 1982, this patent incorporated only
`for its positive teachings of membrane or sheet based analog
`sensors.
`With reference noW to the draWings for a more detailed
`description.
`FIGS. 3—5 shoW various diagrams of general image
`displays that may be utiliZed With a variety of consumer
`electronic devices, such as a hand-held Web broWser, and
`having a housing 11, a display 22 associated With housing
`11, ie mounted on or in the housing 11, and at least one
`analog sensor 26 having depressible surface area associated
`With the display. Analog sensors 26 can be ganged in 2-Way
`and 4-Way units such as rockers 14, 16 and 18, or can be in
`single button or surface form such as shoWn at 19 in some
`of the draWings. The analog sensor 26 in a preferred struc
`ture has a pressure-sensitive variable-conductance material
`for providing a variable signal varying With differing
`amounts of user ?nger applied pressure, hoWever, the asso
`ciated circuitry can be structured to additionally read a rapid
`press and release on the sensor as a momentary-On used to
`supply a single increment signal, e.g., single step numeric
`increase/decrease or scroll up/doWn. As the user’s ?nger
`depresses the sensor material, its conductivity is read by
`associated circuitry, such as a microcontroller, reading the
`time of charge or discharge of a capacitor as determined by
`the conductivity of the analog sensor material. The devices
`that may be utiliZed With the present invention already have
`internal microcontrollers or even more complex circuitry,
`and one of average skill in the art can readily apply the
`analog buttons/sensors/analog rockers/analog membrane
`sensors to the indicated art With an understanding of this
`disclosure.
`FIG. 1 shoWs an exploded vieW of a 2-Way analog rocker
`14 or 16 as may be employed in embodiments of the
`invention as an analog sensor 26. ShoWn is a circuit board
`40 With exposed interdigitated circuit traces 44 as a
`common, 42, 46 as outs or sWitch legs; tWo “pills” or disks
`of pressure-sensitive variable-conductance material 38; tWo
`rubber-dome caps 36 positioned beneath a 2-Way rocker
`member 30. The 2-Way rocker member 30 has a ?rst
`depressible surface 32 and a second depressible surface 34.
`Each ?nger depressible surface 32, 34 for functioning by
`depression With the shoWn respective dome-caps 36, pills 38
`and the circuit traces 42, 44, 46. It does not require a rocker
`to electrically achieve that Which is accomplished With a
`2-Way or 4-Way, 14, 16, 18 rocker, as tWo separate or four
`separate depressible buttons or surfaces (see FIG. 2) can be
`used although I prefer the rocker format for ease of locating
`
`SCEA Ex. 1010 Page 10
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`

`

`US 6,469,691 B1
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`desired direction oriented depressible surfaces simply by
`feel Without having to look.
`FIG. 2 shoWs an exploded vieW of a 4-Way analog rocker
`18 as may be employed in the embodiments of the current
`invention. ShoWn is a circuit board 40 With exposed circuit
`traces indicated at 62 for four sensors 26. Also shoWn are
`four pressure-sensitive variable-conductance pills or ele
`ments 38; a 4-Way rubber-dome cap unit 56 With each of the
`4 dome caps 60 support by base 58 over a “pill” or disk of
`pressure-sensitive variable-conductance material 38; and a
`4-Way rocker member having a ?rst surface 48, a second
`surface 50, and third surface 52, and a fourth depressible
`surface 54. Each surface for functioning by depression With
`the shoWn espective dome-caps 60, pills 38 and circuitry 62
`of the board 40. This disclosure discloses that Which can be
`vieWed from numerous points, but clearly herein described
`are improved methods, structures, and also methods of
`manufacturing in accordance With the present invention.
`FIGS. 3—5 shoW block diagrams in accordance With the
`invention. Illustrated is a housing 11 containing tWo sensors
`26, one sensor 26 having depressible surface 80 and the
`other sensor 26 having depressible surface 82. The sensors
`26 are connected to circuitry 53 connected to a display 22.
`Also illustrated is a box representing a human user 72 With
`the user’s eye 74 receiving visual feedback from display 22.
`The visual feedback received by the eye 74 at least in part
`in?uences the depressive pressure exerted by the user’s
`?nger 76 against sensor 26 Which in turn is read by circuitry
`53 Which controls the visual feedback displayed on display
`22, thus a closed loop feedback system is established in
`Which the user 72 receives immediate feedback concerning
`the control of the electronic device according to the inven
`tion. The state of circuitry 53, as controlled by the user, can
`control other functions 78 of the electronic device.
`FIG. 3 shoWs display 22 as a general image display. The
`general image display 22 includes an upper area and a loWer
`area, thus a user may scroll data at varying rates from the
`loWer area to the upper area by pressing surface 80, and from
`the upper area to the loWer area by pressing surface 82.
`FIG. 4 shoWs display 22 having tWo seven segment
`numeric displays 28, thus the user may select numbers at a
`variable rate by varying depression on sensors 26. For
`example, such selection may be for number of copies to be
`made by a photocopy machine, temperature setting of a
`thermostat, channel number on a television and the like.
`Depression of surface 80 is arranged in this example to cause
`a variable rate of ascending numbers according to the level
`of depressive pressure applied to surface 80. Depression of
`surface 82 is arranged in this example to cause a variable
`rate of descending numbers according to the level of depres
`sive pressure applied to surface 82.
`FIG. 5 shoWs display 22 having three seven segment
`numeric displays 28 as are commonly used in time displays.
`Thus the user may select at a variable rate, numbers repre
`senting timing, by varying depression on sensors 26. In FIG.
`5, depression of surface 80 is arranged in this example to
`cause a variable rate of ascending numbers representing time
`according to the level of depressive pressure applied to
`surface 80, and depression of surface 82 is arranged in this
`example to cause a variable rate of descending numbers
`according to the level of depressive pressure applied to
`surface 82, or surfaces 80 and 82 can be arranged to control
`hours and minutes individually. Clearly a clock can be
`greatly advantaged by ascending and descending sensors 26
`for both hours and minutes adjustments.
`FIG. 6 shoWs a Wireless Internet Web broWser 5 or the like
`for establishing contact With and broWsing the World Wide
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`Web, a netWork or the like and modi?ed in accordance With
`the present invention. US. Class 345 also contains some
`prior art patents describing Web broWser and the like for
`those Wishing more information thereon. ShoWn in FIG. 6 is
`a housing 11 and a display 22 mounted Within the housing
`11. On the right hand side of the housing is shoWn a 4-Way
`analog rocker 18. ShoWn at the loWer right front of the
`housing is a 2-Way analog rocker 14, Which can serve as an
`Y-axis or vertical control or scroller. Also shoWn in the loWer
`front center is a 2-Way X-axis or horiZontal analog rocker 16
`can be mounted any place on the housing. Also shoWn on the
`loWer right side of the housing is a 2-Way analog rocker 14
`Which can serve as a Z axis or “Zoom” control Which is not
`shoWn in the other draWing ?gures but Which can clearly be
`applied thereto. Also shoWn are analog and simple sWitch
`buttons 19 and 20.
`The present electronic devices utiliZe analog sensors and
`circuitry for reading at least three readable states, analog
`values or conductance levels of each of the analog sensors;
`the states, values, levels or the like may be or can be varied
`voltages or currents (example only), and are varied depen
`dent upon depressive pressure applied to a ?nger depressible
`button associated With each analog sensor. Button may be
`herein treated as the ?nger depressible area of a rocker
`member such as a 2-Way or 4-Way or the like. The associated
`circuitry is structured to read an immediate, instant or
`current state or value of the analog sensors and to commu
`nicate representative control signals. The at least three states
`of the active element (analog sensor) can represent at least:
`1) no pressure, 2) loW pressure, and 3) high pressure applied
`to the depressible surface by the human user’s ?nger or
`thumb (digit), the 3 level equating to rates of change. The
`analog sensor and circuitry arrangement can be employed in
`a manner Wherein not just three but many states are read,
`thus ensuring high resolution reading of a variably changing
`depressive button pressure input. Preferably, many different
`user determinable rates (many different states rate by the
`circuitry) are provided betWeen loW and high pressure on the
`associated button so that the user is provided, for example,
`very sloW, sloW, medium, fast and very fast change rates.
`With the analog sensors, the user is provided variable change
`rate control dependant upon the degree of depressive pres
`sure he or she applies to the button associated With the
`analog sensor(s) Which is indicated or made visually detect
`able on the display at least at the time the analog sensor is
`being depressed, and this to alloW the intelligent application
`of ?nger pressure by the user to the analog sensor. Based on
`the information shoWn on the associated display, the user
`can choose to increase, decrease or terminate ?nger pressure
`on the analog sensor. Such an arrangement provides the user
`vastly improved control by alloWing the user to apply loW
`pressure to have a sloW rate of change, or to apply high
`pressure to initiate very rapid change, and then to reduce the
`applied pressure to the button to reduce the rate of change in
`order to stop easily and precisely on a desired target or
`Within a desired area, such precise control is clearly advan
`tageous and desirable.
`The invention can be vieWed or de?ned in numerous Ways
`including structure and methods as those skilled in the art
`Will realiZe upon a reading of this disclosure presented to
`exemplify rather than limit the invention. Thus, the inven
`tion should be de?ned by the broadest possible interpretation
`of the claims.
`I claim:
`1. A hand-held Web broWser for establishing a Wireless
`contact With a computer netWork, comprising:
`a housing siZed to be hand-held;
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`SCEA Ex. 1010 Page 11
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`US 6,469,691 B1
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`7
`electronic circuitry located in said housing;
`a general image display located in said housing, said
`general image display operatively connected to said
`circuitry;
`a ?rst ?nger depressible surface in part exposed on said
`housing, said ?rst ?nger depressible surface operatively
`connected to
`a pressure-sensitive ?rst analog sensor, said ?rst analog
`sensor for inputting a ?rst signal to said circuitry;
`a second depressible surface in part eXposed on said
`housing, said second depressible surface operatively
`connected to
`a pressure-sensitive second analog sensor, said second
`analog sensor for inputting a second signal to said
`circuitry;
`said circuitry structured to receive the signals and to
`cause said general image display to scroll informa
`tion at a variable rate according to variable pressure
`applied to the depressible surfaces.
`2. Ahand-held Web broWser according to claim 1 Wherein
`variable depression of a surface of a rocker having at least
`tWo depressible surfaces causes the information to 200m at
`a variable rate on said display.
`3. A hand-held Web broWser according to claim 2 Wherein
`said ?rst depressible surface and said second depressible
`surface are surfaces of a rocker.
`4. A hand-held Web broWser according to claim 3 Wherein
`the pressure-sensitive analog sensors are structured With
`resilient dorne caps, said dorne caps structured to provide
`tactile feedback.
`5. Ahand-held Web broWser according to claim 1 Wherein
`said ?rst depressible surface and said second depressible
`surface are thurnb depressible single individual buttons.
`6. A hand-held Web broWser according to claim 5 Wherein
`the pressure-sensitive analog sensors are structured With
`resilient dorne caps, said dorne caps structured to provide
`tactile feedback.
`7. An improved hand-held Web broWser of the type having
`capability of establishing a Wireless contact With a computer
`netWork, Wherein the improvements comprise:
`a housing siZed to be hand-held; and
`electronic circuitry located in said housing;
`a general image display at least in part supported Within
`said housing, said general image display operatively
`connected to said circuitry;
`a ?rst ?nger depressible surface in part eXposed on said
`housing, said ?rst ?nger depressible surface operatively
`connected to
`a pressure-sensitive ?rst analog sensor, said ?rst analog
`sensor for inputting a ?rst signal to said circuitry,
`said ?rst signal having variable value depending on
`variable pressure applied to said ?rst ?nger depress
`ible surface;
`a second depressible surface in part eXposed on said
`housing, said second depressible surface operatively
`connected to
`a pressure-sensitive second analog sensor, said second
`analog sensor for inputting a second signal to said
`circuitry, said second signal having variable value
`depending on variable pressure applied to said sec
`ond depressible surface;
`said circuitry structured to receive the signals and to
`cause said general image display to Zoom informa
`tion at a variable rate according to variable pressure
`applied to the depressible surfaces.
`8. An improved hand-held Web broWser according to
`claim 7 Wherein variable depression of a ?rst depressible
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`surface of a rocker having at least tWo depressible areas
`causes the information to scroll at a variable rate in a ?rst
`direction on said display, and variable depression of a
`second depressible surface of said rocker causes the infor
`rnation to scroll at a variable rate in a second direction on
`said display.
`9. An improved hand-held Web broWser according to
`claim 7 Wherein said ?rst depressible surface and said
`second depressible surface