(12) United States Patent
`Hayes et a].
`
`(10) Patent N0.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 8,812,059 B2
`*Aug. 19, 2014
`
`US008812059B2
`
`(54)
`
`RADIOTELEPHONES HAVING
`CONTACT-SENSITIVE USER INTERFACES
`AND METHODS OF OPERATING SAME
`
`(71)
`
`Applicant: Ericsson Inc., Research Triangle Park,
`NC (US)
`
`(72)
`
`Inventors: John Hayes, Wake Forest, NC (US);
`Curtis Wayne Thornton, Cary, NC (US)
`
`(73)
`
`Assignee: Ericsson, Inc., Plano, TX (US)
`
`EP
`EP
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`3,777,222 A
`3,916,099 A
`
`12/1973 Harris
`10/1975 Hlady
`(Continued)
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`11/1986
`0229601
`11/1989
`0340096
`(Continued)
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Versal PadTM Finished DataSheet, http://www.interlinklec.com/
`magic.page02g.htm, Oct. 9, 1997, 3 pages.
`
`(Continued)
`
`Primary Examiner * Nghi H Ly
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm * Boisbrun Hofman, PLLC
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`A device includes a housing having a front surface, a rear
`surface and ?rst and second side surfaces; the rear surface
`con?gured engage a user’s palm. The device includes a radio
`telephone communications transceiver and a contact-sensi
`tive display, supported by the housing. The contact sensitive
`display is con?gured to display an image at the front surface
`of the housing, and produce an output signal in response to
`moving contact of an object along a contact-sensitive surface
`of the contact-sensitive display. The device also includes a
`controller con?gured to control at least one of the display and
`the radiotelephone communications transceiver and to scroll
`displayed rows along an axis of the display based upon the
`output signal of the contact-sensitive transducer. The control
`ler has a mode that is unresponsive to contact With the contact
`sensitive transducer, the second mode being entered in
`response to an input from a user.
`
`20 Claims, 9 Drawing Sheets
`
`i
`
`,
`
`1' m {W246
`
`(*)
`
`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)
`
`(22)
`
`(65)
`
`(63)
`
`(51)
`
`(52)
`
`(58)
`
`Appl. No.: 13/682,566
`
`Filed:
`
`Nov. 20, 2012
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2013/0143626 A1
`
`Jun. 6, 2013
`
`Related US. Application Data
`
`Continuation of application No. 11/078,916, ?led on
`Mar. 11, 2005, noW Pat. No. Re. 43,931, Which is an
`application for the reissue of Pat. No. 6,278,888, Which
`is a continuation of application No. 09/001,173, ?led
`on Dec. 30, 1997, noW Pat. No. 6,131,047.
`
`Int. Cl.
`H04B 1/38
`US. Cl.
`USPC ................... .. 455/566; 455/550.1; 455/575.1;
`379/428.01; 345/173
`
`(2006.01)
`
`Field of Classi?cation Search
`USPC ............. .. 455/566, 550.1, 575.1; 379/428.01;
`345/ 173
`See application ?le for complete search history.
`
`1/"1505
`
`150
`
`
`
`155 /
`
`=
`
`’
`
`i
`
`I}
`
`
`
`
`
`I) g34~5f8§ [220 f , 9
`
`
`
`5&55? '
`
`-
`
`=
`
`I
`
`CONTRGLLER
`
`mgpg-AY
`
`“‘- RADIOTELEPHONE
`
`Lcommumcmoms
`
`TRANSCEEVER
`
`I
`CGNTRACT
`SENSITWE
`TRANSDUCER
`
`RADIOTELEPHUNE
`19g
`
`\239
`
`TCL EXHIBIT 1089
`Page 1 of 19
`
`

`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`1/1978
`7/1978
`12/1978
`12/1979
`4/1980
`10/1981
`11/1981
`2/1983
`7/1984
`9/1985
`1/1986
`3/1987
`7/1987
`4/1988
`4/1988
`3/1989
`5/1989
`9/1989
`9/1992
`2/1993
`9/1994
`1/1995
`6/1995
`7/1995
`9/1995
`10/1995
`10/1995
`2/1996
`6/1996
`8/1996
`11/1996
`12/1996
`12/1996
`1/1997
`3/1997
`3/1997
`4/1997
`1/1998
`2/1998
`2/1998
`3/1998
`5/1998
`6/1998
`7/1998
`9/1998
`10/1998
`10/1998
`12/1998
`12/1998
`1/1999
`1/1999
`3/1999
`3/1999
`6/1999
`7/1999
`9/1999
`11/1999
`12/1999
`12/1999
`12/1999
`2/2000
`3/2000
`4/2000
`5/2000
`5/2000
`6/2000
`10/2000
`10/2000
`11/2000
`12/2000
`1/2001
`1/2001
`3/2001
`8/2001
`10/2001
`
`Pepper, Jr.
`Bobick
`Pepper, Jr.
`Thornburg
`Pepper, Jr.
`Pepper, Jr.
`Pepper, Jr.
`Pepper, Jr.
`Learn
`Alles et al.
`Moore et al.
`Boughton
`Yo shikawa et al.
`MatZke et al.
`Eventoff et al.
`Eventoff
`Matthews et al.
`Di Santo et al.
`Kano et al.
`Schultz
`Lee
`Landmeier
`Allard et al.
`Nishiyama et al.
`Roca et al.
`Huang et al.
`Di Santo et al.
`Bennin et al.
`Krieter
`Gillespie et al.
`Sylvan et al.
`Tchao et al.
`Tyneski et al.
`Debrus et al.
`Beernink et al.
`Allard et al.
`Jeong .......................... .. 345/173
`Tiilikainen
`Jambhekar et al.
`Hillenmayer
`Armstrong et al.
`Stephan et al.
`Kasai
`Weiser et al.
`Allard et al.
`Bisset et al.
`Anderson et al.
`Minakuchi et al.
`Jambhekar et al.
`Du et al.
`TognaZZini
`Gillespie et al.
`Rosecrans et al.
`Kunihiro et al.
`Faggin et al.
`D’Amico et al.
`Sato et al.
`Sudo et al.
`Reber et al.
`Iwata et al.
`Isberg et al.
`Holehan
`Bowen
`Hagen et al.
`Cline et al.
`van Ketwich
`Nakagawa et al.
`Hayes et al. ................ .. 455/566
`Singh
`Furuya
`Vanttila
`Yamagishi et al.
`Duwaer et al.
`Hayes, Jr. et al.
`Hagen et al.
`
`......... .. 455/403
`
`US 8,812,059 B2
`Page 2
`
`10/2001 Beaton et al.
`6,310,610 B1
`2/2002 Yamada
`6,351,657 B2
`7/2002 Dent
`6,418,310 B1
`7/2002 O’Hagan et al.
`6,424,830 B1
`9/2002 Bark et al.
`6,445,917 B1
`9/2002 Soini et al.
`6,445,932 B1
`10/2002 Hook et al.
`6,473,506 B1
`12/2002 Bomer et al.
`6,496,181 B1
`12/2002 Wong et al.
`6,496,182 B1
`2/2003 Wager et al.
`6,519,223 B1
`5/2003 Rowe
`6,559,833 B2
`5/2003 Yosida et al.
`6,566,001 B2
`7/2003 Meins et al.
`6,587,700 B1
`9/2003 Thomas
`6,624,832 B1
`3/2004 Hinckley et al.
`6,707,449 B2
`8/2004 Rathonyi et al.
`6,772,215 B1
`3/2005 Hemia et al.
`6,873,315 B2
`5/2012 Parkvall et al.
`8,169,992 B2
`1/2013 Hayes et al. ................ .. 455/566
`RE43,931 E *
`2001/0026627 A1 10/2001 Tilbury et al.
`2002/0005342 A1
`1/2002 Farringdon
`2002/0050981 A1
`5/2002 Nuovo
`2003/0017810 A1
`1/2003 Janninck et al.
`2003/0080870 A1
`5/2003 Marmaropoulos et al.
`2003/0119569 A1
`6/2003 Reed
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`0353706
`EP
`0395469
`EP
`0498540
`EP
`0499012
`EP
`0698845
`EP
`0707257
`EP
`0780865
`EP
`0813328
`EP
`1238325 B1
`EP
`2301217
`GB
`59153342
`JP
`7056685
`JP
`8030378
`JP
`8125724
`JP
`2001100289 A
`JP
`2002057771 A
`JP
`WO99/34574
`WO
`W001/35204
`WO
`W001/42891
`WO
`03050665 A1
`WO
`WO W02004/098164
`WO W02004/111766
`WO W02005/001678
`WO W02005/003947
`
`2/1990
`10/1990
`8/1992
`8/1992
`2/1996
`4/1996
`6/1997
`12/1997
`6/2003
`11/1996
`9/1987
`3/1995
`2/1996
`5/1996
`4/2000
`2/2002
`7/1999
`5/2001
`6/2001
`6/2003
`11/2004
`12/2004
`1/2005
`1/2005
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`International Search Report, PCT/US98/27042 dated May 11, 1999.
`The Samsung Respondents Notice of Prior Art, 77 pages, dated Apr.
`12, 2013.
`Samsung’s ’888 Infringement Claim ChartiSamsung Galaxy S III,
`9 pages, dated Apr. 12, 2013.
`RIM DI Claim ChartiRIM Blackberry Bold 9900/9930, 9 pages,
`dated Apr. 12, 2013.
`Motorola D1 Claim ChartiMotorola Droid Razr M (XT907), 9
`pages, dated Apr. 12, 2013.
`Complaint of Ericsson Inc. and Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
`under Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930, As Amended, 45 pages (pt
`1), dated Nov. 30, 2012.
`Respondents Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd, Samsung Telecommu
`nications America, LLC and Samsung Electronics America, Inc.’s
`Response to the Complaint and Notice of Investigation, 95 pages,
`dated Jan. 31, 2013.
`Commission Investigative Staff’ s Notice of Prior Art, 2 pgs, Apr. 12,
`2013.
`Complaint of Ericsson Inc. and Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
`under Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930, As Amended, 45 pages (pt
`2), dated Nov. 30, 2012.
`First Amended Complaint for Patent Infringement, Jan. 29, 2013, 28
`pages.
`
`>>>D>D>D>D>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
`
`4,071,691
`4,103,252
`4,129,747
`4,177,421
`4,198,539
`4,293,734
`4,302,011
`4,371,746
`4,458,238
`4,542,375
`4,566,001
`4,647,916
`4,680,430
`4,736,191
`4,739,299
`4,810,992
`4,831,566
`4,870,677
`5,148,120
`5,184,120
`5,347,477
`5,381,160
`5,422,656
`5,436,954
`5,452,240
`5,457,289
`5,459,776
`5,491,597
`5,526,411
`5,543,590
`5,572,573
`5,581,681
`5,584,054
`5,598,527
`5,612,719
`5,615,384
`5,621,437
`5,710,810
`5,715,524
`5,719,936
`5,729,219
`5,748,185
`5,760,688
`5,786,819
`5,815,142
`5,825,352
`5,828,360
`5,844,547
`5,848,356
`5,856,822
`5,859,629
`5,889,236
`5,889,852
`5,915,228
`5,920,310
`5,956,020
`5,995,083
`5,999,827
`6,002,946
`6,009,338
`6,029,052
`6,043,809
`6,052,606
`6,058,359
`6,069,626
`6,072,475
`6,128,014
`6,131,047
`6,154,194
`6,163,312
`6,173,194
`6,178,338
`6,201,951
`6,278,888
`6,301,556
`
`TCL EXHIBIT 1089
`Page 2 of 19
`
`

`
`US 8,812,059 B2
`Page 3
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Samsung’s First Amended Answer, Af?rmative Defenses and Coun
`terclaims to Ericsson’ s First Amended Complaint for Patent Infringe
`ment, Apr. 5, 2013, 74 pages.
`Ericsson’s Answer, Af?rmative Defenses and Counterclaims to
`Samsung’s First Amended Answer, Af?rmative Defenses and Coun
`terclaims, Apr. 22, 2013, 85 pages.
`Defendant Samsung’s Response to Ericsson’s Answer, Af?rmative
`Defenses and Counterclaims to Samsung’s First Amended Answer,
`Af?rmative Defenses and Counterclaims, May 16, 2013, 42 pages.
`Simon Says “Here’s How” iSimon Users Manual, IBM Corpora
`tion, 1994, 41 Pgs.
`Defendants’ Invalidity Contentions, Ericsson Inc. v. Samsung Elec
`tronics Co., Ltd., Civil Action No. 6: 12-cv-894 (E.D. Tex.) (?led Dec.
`20, 2013), 193 Pgs.
`Defendant Samsung’s Response to Ericsson’s Answer, Af?rmative
`Defenses, and Counterclaims to Samsung’s First Amended Answer,
`Af?rmative Defenses and Counterclaims, Ericsson Inc. v. Samsung
`Electronics Co., Ltd., Civil Action No. 6: 12-cv-894 (E.D. Tex. ?led
`May 16, 2013), 42 Pgs.
`Samsung’ s Third Amended Answer, Af?rmative Defenses and Coun
`terclaims to Ericsson’ s First Amended Complaint for Patent Infringe
`ment, Ericsson Inc. v. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Civil Action
`No. 6:12-cv-894 (E.D. Tex. ?led Nov. 5, 2013), 82 Pgs.
`Ericsson’s Answer, Af?rmative Defenses and Counterclaims to
`Samsung’ s Third Amended Answer, Af?rmative Defenses and Coun
`terclaims to Ericsson’ s First Amended Complaint for Patent Infringe
`ment, Ericsson Inc. v. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Civil Action
`No. 6:12-cv-894 (E.D. Tex. ?led Nov. 22, 2013), 96 Pgs.
`Defendant Samsung’s Response to Ericsson’s Answer, Af?rmative
`Defenses, and Counterclaims to Samsung’ s Third Amended Answer,
`Amended Answer, Af?rmative Defenses and Counter caims, Erics
`
`son Inc. v. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Civil Action No. 6: 12-cv
`894 (ED. Tex. ?led Dec. 16, 2013), 38 Pgs.
`Plaintiff Ericsson’s Answer and Af?rmative Defenses to Defendant
`Samsung’s Response to Ericsson’s Answer, Af?rmative Defenses
`and Counterclaims to Samsung’s Third Amended Answer, Af?rma
`tive Defenses and Counterclaims, Ericsson Inc. v. Samsung Electron
`ics Co., Ltd., Civil Action No. 6:12-cv-894 (E.D. Tex. ?led Jan. 9,
`2014), 6 Pgs.
`First Amended Complaint for Patent Infringement, Ericsson Inc. v.
`Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Civil Action No. 6: 12-cv-894 (E.D.
`Tex. ?led Jan. 29, 2013), 28 pages.
`Exhibit 931-01 to Defendants’ Invalidity Contentions, Ericsson Inc.
`v. SamsungElectronics Co., Ltd., Civil Action No. 6: 12-cv-894 (E.D.
`Tex. served Dec. 20, 2013), 482 Pgs.
`Exhibit 931-02 to Defendants’ Invalidity Contentions, Ericsson Inc.
`v. SamsungElectronics Co., Ltd., Civil Action No. 6: 12-cv-894 (E.D.
`Tex. served Dec. 20, 2013), 465 Pgs.
`Exhibit 931-03 to Defendants’ Invalidity Contentions, Ericsson Inc.
`v. SamsungElectronics Co., Ltd., Civil Action No. 6: 12-cv-894 (E.D.
`Tex. served Dec. 20, 2013), 492 Pgs.
`Exhibit 931-04 to Defendants’ Invalidity Contentions, Ericsson Inc.
`v. SamsungElectronics Co., Ltd., Civil Action No. 6: 12-cv-894 (E.D.
`Tex. served Dec. 20, 2013), 689 Pgs.
`Exhibit 931-05 to Defendants’ Invalidity Contentions, Ericsson Inc.
`v. SamsungElectronics Co., Ltd., Civil Action No. 6: 12-cv-894 (E.D.
`Tex. served Dec. 20, 2013), 800 Pgs.
`Exhibit 931-06 to Defendants’ Invalidity Contentions, Ericsson Inc.
`v. SamsungElectronics Co., Ltd., Civil Action No. 6: 12-cv-894 (E.D.
`Tex. served Dec. 20, 2013), Pt I, 341 Pgs.
`Exhibit 931-06 to Defendants’ Invalidity Contentions, Ericsson Inc.
`v. SamsungElectronics Co., Ltd., Civil Action No. 6: 12-cv-894 (E.D.
`Tex. served Dec. 20, 2013), Pt II, 341 Pgs.
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`TCL EXHIBIT 1089
`Page 3 of 19
`
`

`
`TCL EXHIBIT 1089
`Page 4 of 19
`
`

`
`US. Patent
`
`Aug. 19, 2014
`
`Sheet 2 0f9
`
`US 8,812,059 B2
`
`11%
`*1 % m m
`
`‘
`
`Aggg
`15%'
`\ EFGH
`a“.st
`
`'
`
`i5%
`
`[
`
`1251“
`
`mumpmms
`
`f
`R1
`
`%RR,§
`
`Ra
`
`W a»
`R
`
`@\ mma
`
`=
`:
`
`REGH? gimp
`
`43% M
`
`mwmmg
`
`GHQ???“ l **** N
`
`mm M
`
`45% ‘
`
`M
`m L a E
`Rm
`Rm L2
`Law gm?
`
`@\ W‘QO
`was
`\W?"
`
`{3
`
`3
`43
`
`439
`
`AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA H
`
`TCL EXHIBIT 1089
`Page 5 of 19
`
`

`
`TCL EXHIBIT 1089
`Page 6 of 19
`
`

`
`TCL EXHIBIT 1089
`Page 7 of 19
`
`

`
`US. Patent
`
`Aug. 19, 2014
`
`Sheet 5 0f9
`
`US 8,812,059 B2
`
`TCL EXHIBIT 1089
`Page 8 of 19
`
`

`
`TCL EXHIBIT 1089
`Page 9 of 19
`
`

`
`US. Patent
`
`Aug. 19, 2014
`
`Sheet 7 0f9
`
`US 8,812,059 B2
`
`{ QETEQT SENQLE "YAP ? g??
`
`gg
`
`
`
`‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘ H ENETEALEZE TEMER “R
`
`A
`
`$AMPLE TMN$§QQER
`Qi?MXF SSGNAL
`
`SAMPLE "rNsmmaR
`@UWUT‘ SEQNAL
`
`LE TAFY gm
`
`TCL EXHIBIT 1089
`Page 10 of 19
`
`

`
`US. Patent
`
`Aug. 19, 2014
`
`Sheet 8 0f9
`
`US 8,812,059 B2
`
`(SETEQT QQQQLE “YA?
`
`mwmmza "55mm T; f mm
`
`?aw
`(mm mugm TAPj/m
`
`TCL EXHIBIT 1089
`Page 11 of 19
`
`

`
`US. Patent
`
`Aug. 19, 2014
`
`Sheet 9 0f9
`
`US 8,812,059 B2
`
`a
`
`12a
`
`MG“ /
`
`1 ’3 1 QM"
`
`in)
`
`ii
`
`M
`
`may”
`a
`
`W? (W? W
`mmm
`{4M5} ( g;
`b 1m [ 9;
`UMQMH
`4/)
`
`TCL EXHIBIT 1089
`Page 12 of 19
`
`

`
`US 8,812,059 B2
`
`1
`RADIOTELEPHONES HAVING
`CONTACT-SENSITIVE USER INTERFACES
`AND METHODS OF OPERATING SAME
`
`This application is a continuation of patent application Ser.
`No. 11/078,916, entitled “RADIOTELEPHONES HAVING
`CONTACT-SENSITIVE USER INTERFACES AND
`METHODS OF OPERATING SAME,” ?led on Mar. 1 1,
`2005 which is a reissue ofU.S. Pat. No. 6,278,888 which is a
`continuation of US. Pat. No. 6,131,047 the contents of which
`are incorporated herein by reference.
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`The present invention relates to radiotelephones and meth
`ods of operation thereof, and more particularly, to apparatus
`and methods for providing user input to radiotelephones.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`20
`
`25
`
`Radiotelephone terminals typically include a radio trans
`ceiver integrated with a user interface mechanism within a
`handheld case. The user interface typically includes a plural
`ity of keys similar to those provided on conventional wireline
`telephones, as well as additional function keys for controlling
`functions associated with radiotelephone operations. The
`keys provide a means for entering commands, telephone
`30
`numbers or other data for processing by the radiotelephone. A
`display may be used to display information a user has entered
`at the keys, e.g., telephone numbers, menu selections, and the
`like, as well as to display messages or other information
`received from a radiotelephone system with which the radio
`telephone is communicating. The display may also be used to
`display information stored in memory located in the radio
`telephone.
`Commonly, the display is con?gured to display one or
`more graphical objects, e. g. a list of commands in a command
`menu or a list of telephone numbers that are stored in the
`radiotelephone memory that the user may select for commu
`nication. The graphical objects may be selectively displayed,
`for example, by displaying a selected number of entries in a
`list of telephone numbers or command options. The list may
`be “scrolled” in response to a user input to allow a large list to
`be displayed on a small display.
`In some conventional radiotelephones, control of the
`scrolling of graphical objects on the display may be con
`trolled by one or more keys, the operation of which may be
`similar to the “arrow” keys provided on computer keyboard.
`Other keys may be provided to invoke particular selections. In
`other conventional radiotelephone designs, a wheel-like input
`device may be mounted on the radiotelephone case that may
`be turned by a user to effect scrolling of graphical objects on
`the display. The wheel device may also be con?gured to select
`items on the display in response to user application of radial
`pressure to the wheel.
`Each of these conventional techniques for control of a
`radiotelephone display has its limitations. Keys for scrolling
`and invoking display selections may be awkward to use, and
`may consume valuable space on the keypad of the radiotele
`phone. A wheeled input device may provide faster and more
`intuitive scrolling control, but such a device may take up an
`inordinate amount of space and require moving parts which
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`2
`may be more prone to failure. Accordingly, there is a need for
`improved input devices for radiotelephones.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`In light of the foregoing, it is an object of the present
`invention to provide radiotelephones and methods of opera
`tion thereof which provide reliable, intuitive and ef?cient
`display control.
`In one aspect, features of the present invention provide for
`a device, comprising a housing including a front surface, a
`rear surface and ?rst and second side surfaces adjoining
`respective opposite edges of the front surface and extending
`from the respective opposite edges of the front surface to
`respective opposite edges of the rear surface. The rear surface
`is con?gured to be engaged by a user’s palm during use of the
`device. The device includes a radiotelephone communica
`tions transceiver and a contact- sensitive display, supported by
`the housing. The contact sensitive display is con?gured to
`display an image at the front surface of the housing, and
`produce an output signal in response to moving contact of an
`object along a contact-sensitive surface of the contact-sensi
`tive display. The device also includes a controller, operatively
`coupled to the display and the radiotelephone communica
`tions transceiver. The controller is con?gured to control at
`least one of the display and the radiotelephone communica
`tions transceiver and to scroll displayed rows along an axis of
`the display based upon the output signal of the contact-sen
`sitive transducer, the controller having a ?rst mode wherein
`the controller is responsive to contact with the contact-sensi
`tive transducer and a second mode wherein the controller is
`unresponsive to contact with the contact-sensitive transducer,
`the second mode being entered in response to an input from a
`user.
`In another aspect, the present invention may provide for a
`method comprising receiving a user input indicating one of a
`?rst mode and a second mode of operation. In response to
`receiving a user input indicating a ?rst mode of operation, the
`method includes providing on a contact-sensitive surface a
`display including at least one of an alphanumeric character
`and an icon, detecting contact on the contact-sensitive surface
`at a location corresponding to the at least alphanumeric char
`acter or the at least one icon, generating an output signal in
`response to the detecting step, and taking an action in
`response to the output signal. In response to receiving a user
`input indicating a second mode of operation, the method
`includes detecting contact on the contact-sensitive surface,
`generating an output signal in response to the detecting step,
`and taking no action in response to the output signal.
`In yet another aspect, the present invention may provide for
`a device comprising housing means and display means, sup
`ported by the housing means, for displaying an image at a
`front surface of the housing. The device further includes
`contact-sensitive means, supported by the housing means, for
`producing an output signal in response to moving contact of
`an object along the contact-sensitive means, and control
`means for, responsive to the output signal, for scrolling dis
`played rows along an axis of the display means based on the
`output signal of the contact-sensitive means. The device fur
`ther includes means for receiving input from a user and for
`placing the control means in a ?rst mode wherein the control
`ler is responsive to contact with the contact-sensitive means
`and a second mode wherein the control means is unresponsive
`to contact with the contact-sensitive means, in response to the
`user input.
`
`TCL EXHIBIT 1089
`Page 13 of 19
`
`

`
`US 8,812,059 B2
`
`3
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`For a more complete understanding of the present inven
`tion, and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the
`following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accom
`panying drawing, in which:
`FIG. 1 illustrates a radiotelephone according to an embodi
`ment of the present invention;
`FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a radiotelephone
`according to an embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. 3 illustrates a radiotelephone with dual contact-sen
`sitive strips according to another embodiment of the present
`invention;
`FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a circuit for
`controlling a display using a contact-sensitive transducer
`according to another embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. 5 is a ?owchart illustration of operations for deter
`mining a position of contact of an object with a contact
`sensitive transducer according to an aspect of the present
`invention;
`FIGS. 6A through 6B are schematic diagrams illustrating a
`circuit for controlling power supply to a radiotelephone using
`a contact-sensitive transducer according to another embodi
`ment of the present invention;
`FIGS. 7A-7C illustrate operations for scrolling displayed
`items and selecting functions associated with a displayed
`item according to another aspect of the present invention;
`FIG. 8 is a ?owchart illustration of operations for detecting
`a swiping contact with a contact-sensitive transducer accord
`ing to another aspect of the present invention;
`FIGS. 9-10 are ?owchart illustrations of operations for
`detecting contacts with a contact-sensitive transducer accord
`ing to aspects of the present invention; and
`FIG. 11 illustrates a radiotelephone with a horizontally
`mounted contact-sensitive strip according to another embodi
`ment of the present invention.
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`40
`
`Before addressing the illustrated embodiments in detail,
`various aspects and advantageous features of embodiments of
`the invention will be discussed generally in the following
`paragraphs.
`This and other objects, features and advantages are pro
`vided according to the present invention by radiotelephones
`and methods of operation thereof in which control of a radio
`telephone’s display and/or radiotelephone communications
`transceiver is effected using a contact-sensitive transducer
`such as a resistive or capacitive touch strip mounted on the
`radiotelephone. The contact-sensitive transducer produces an
`output signal that characterizes contact, e.g., contact of an
`object such as a user’s ?nger, with a surface of the transducer.
`The output signal may be processed by a controller to control
`display of information on the display and to initiate actions
`associated with displayed items. For example, the contact
`sensitive transducer may be used to control display of graphi
`cal objects such as rows or columns on the display, and
`initiation of functions associated with the graphical objects.
`Preferably, the contact-sensitive transducer comprises an
`elongate strip and produces an output signal that character
`izes contact with the strip along its elongate axis. In one
`embodiment, two of such elongate strips are mounted on
`respective sides of the radiotelephone. In another embodi
`ment, an elongate strip is mounted on a front face of the
`radiotelephone.
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`4
`Using a contact-sensitive transducer to control a radiotele
`phone offers several advantages. Because a contact-sensitive
`transducer may be con?gured to have a thin pro?le, the trans
`ducer may be mounted at a surface of the radiotelephone
`without taking up an inordinate amount of valuable space.
`Because characteristic types of contact with the transducer
`can be detected, such as swiping motions or taps, the trans
`ducer may be used to perform display movements such as
`scrolling or cursor movement, as well as for selection of items
`displayed on the display. In addition, because a contact-sen
`sitive transducer may be fabricated without moving parts,
`reliability may be improved.
`In particular, according to an aspect of the present inven
`tion, a radiotelephone includes a frame. The frame supports a
`radiotelephone communications transceiver and a display. A
`contact-sensitive transducer such as a resistive transducer, a
`capacitive transducer or a semiconductive transducer, is sup
`ported by the frame, e.g., mounted at a surface of a housing,
`and produces an output signal that characterizes contact along
`a contact- sensitive surface of the contact-sensitive transducer.
`A controller is responsive to the output signal and operatively
`associated with the display and the radiotelephone commu
`nications transceiver, and controls at least one of the display
`and the radiotelephone communications transceiver accord
`ing to the output signal of the contact-sensitive transducer.
`In an embodiment of the present invention, the controller is
`con?gured to selectively display an image, e.g., a graphical
`object such as a row of alphanumeric characters, on the dis
`play responsive to the output signal of the contact-sensitive
`transducer. The controller may include means for displaying
`of a plurality of graphical objects on the display, and means,
`responsive to the contact sensitive transducer, for identifying
`one of the displayed plurality of graphical objects based on
`the output signal of the contact-sensitive transducer.
`According to another embodiment, the controller com
`prises means, responsive to the contact-sensitive transducer,
`for determining a position of contact along the axis of the
`contact-sensitive transducer. Means are also provided,
`responsive to the means for determining a position of contact,
`for selectively displaying a graphical object based on the
`determined position of contact to thereby identify the graphi
`cal object, e. g., by highlighting one of a plurality of displayed
`graphical objects or by displaying a cursor that indicates one
`of a plurality of displayed graphical objects.
`In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the
`controller is con?gured to cause the display or the radiotele
`phone communications transceiver to perform a plurality of
`actions. An action of the plurality of actions may be associ
`ated with an identi?ed graphical object, and the controller
`may further comprise means, responsive to the contact-sen
`sitive transducer, for initiating the action associated with the
`identi?ed graphical object. The means for initiating an action
`may include means, responsive to the contact-sensitive trans
`ducer, for detecting a momentary contact with the transducer.
`Means may be provided, responsive to the means for detect
`ing a momentary contact, for initiating the action associated
`with the identi?ed graphical object. The means for initiating
`an action may include means for initiating the action in
`response to detection of a predetermined number of momen
`tary contacts occurring within a predetermined time interval.
`According to another embodiment of the present invention,
`the controller includes means, responsive to the contact-sen
`sitive transducer, for scrolling displayed rows along an axis of
`the display based on the output signal of the contact-sensitive
`transducer. The means for scrolling may include means,
`responsive to the output signal of contact-sensitive trans
`ducer, for detecting moving contact with the contact- sensitive
`
`TCL EXHIBIT 1089
`Page 14 of 19
`
`

`
`US 8,812,059 B2
`
`5
`transducer along the axis of the contact-sensitive transducer,
`and means, responsive to the means for detecting moving
`contact, for scrolling displayed rows along the axis of the
`display based on the detected movement.
`In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the
`controller has a ?rst mode wherein the controller is respon
`sive to contact with the contact-sensitive transducer and a
`second mode wherein the controller is unresponsive to con
`tact with the contact-sensitive transducer. The radiotelephone
`further comprises means for placing the controller in one of
`the ?rst mode or the second mode in response to an input from
`a user.
`Another embodiment according to the present invention
`includes a power supply electrically connected to the contact
`sensitive transducer. The controller comprises a ?rst control
`circuit, responsive to the contact-sensitive transducer, which
`controls the radiotelephone communications transceiver and
`the display according to the output signal of the contact
`sensitive transducer, and a second control circuit, responsive
`to the contact-sensitive transducer, which controls power
`transfer from the power supply to the ?rst control circuit
`according to the output signal from the contact-sensitive
`transducer. The ?rst control circuit may include a microcon
`troller, and the second control circuit may control power
`transfer from the power supply to the microcontroller accord
`ing to the output signal of the contact-sensitive transducer.
`In another embodiment according to the present invention,
`the radiotelephone frame includes a housing and the contact
`sensitive transducer comprises an elongate contact-sensitive
`strip mounted at a surface of the housing. The housing may
`have a front face and an adjoining ?rst side, the display may
`be mounted at the front face, and the elongate contact-sensi
`tive strip may be mounted at the ?rst side adjoining the front
`face. A second contact-sensitive strip may be mounted at a
`second side of the radiotelephone housing, adjoining the front
`face and opposite the ?rst side. According to another embodi
`ment, a contact-sensitive transducer may be mounted at the
`front face of the housing.
`According to method aspects of the present invention, user
`input is provided to a radiotelephone using a contact-sensitive
`transducer that produces an output signal that characterizes
`contact of an object on a contact-sensitive surface of the
`contact-sensitive transducer. At least one of a radiotelephone
`communications transceiver and a display of the radiotele
`phone may be controlled according to the output signal of the
`contact-sensitive transducer. An image may be selectively
`displayed on the radiotelephone display according to the out
`put signal of the contact-sensitive transducer. Improved user
`interfaces for radiotelephones are thereby provided.
`The present invention now will be described more fully
`hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in
`which embodiments of the invention are shown. Those skilled
`in the art will appreciate that the invention may be embodied
`in many different forms and should not be construed as lim
`ited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodi
`ments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough
`and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention
`to those skilled in the art. In the drawings, like numbers refer
`to like elements throughout. It will be understood that when a
`?rst object, e. g., a contact-sensitive transducer strip, is
`referred to as mounted “at” a surface of a second object, e.g.,
`a housing or the like, the ?rst object may be mounted directly
`on the surface of the second object, on a structural element or
`frame underlying the surface of the second object which
`allows a surface of the ?rst object accessible through an
`opening in the surface of the second object, and the like.
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`6
`FIG. 1 illustrates a radiotelephone 100 in which the appa
`ratus and methods according to an embodiment of the present
`invention may be embodied. The radiotelephone includes a
`frame, here shown as including a housing 110. The housing
`110 supports a display 120 and a plurality ofkeys 130. Those
`skilled in the art will appreciate that also included but not
`illustrated are a radiotelephone communications transceiver
`for communicating with a radiotelephone system, e. g., trans
`mitter, receiver and associated control circuits for communi
`cating with a cellular system via an antenna 140. The radio
`telephone communications transceiver and the display 120
`are controlled by a contact-sensitive transducer 150 mounted
`at a side surface of the radiotelephone housing 110, adjacent