WO2002039701A2

WO2002039701A2 - Process apparatus and media for acquiring symbol input in response to multiple actuator movements

Info

Publication number: WO2002039701A2
Application number: PCT/CA2001/001565
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jason Micheal Beblow
Original assignee: Urica Ltd
Priority date: 2000-11-07
Filing date: 2001-11-06
Publication date: 2002-05-16
Also published as: WO2002039701A3; AU2002214881A1

Abstract

The present invention provides for easy and efficient entry of information by providing a process, apparatus, keypad and communications appliance for receiving user input involving associating different movements of an actuator with symbols of different sets of symbols. Movement of an actuator in a direction generally parallel to a reference surface may be associated with a first symbol set while movement of the actuator generally perpendicular to the reference surface may be associated with a second symbol set. Movement of the actuator in the first direction may invoke non-numeric characters such as the letters of the alphabet and movement of the actuator in the second direction invokes may invoke only numeric characters. The second direction may be a direction similar to that of a conventional push button on a telephone keypad commonly used to invoke numbers, for example.

Description

PROCESS, APPARATUS, AND MEDIA FOR ACQUIRING SYMBOL INPUT IN RESPONSE TO MULTIPLE ACTUATOR MOVEMENTS

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

This invention relates to input processes and input devices and more particularly to a process, apparatus, and media for acquiring symbol input in response to multiple actuator movements.

2. Description of Related Art

With the advent of miniaturization of electronic components and handheld devices such as communications appliances and more particularly, cellular telephones, security system keypads and other devices, there is a need to reduce the size of user-input components used on such devices. As many communications devices are being provided with increased functionality, there is an increasing need to provide for user-input of a greater amount of and more diverse information. Usually this information includes non-numeric and numeric input.

On telephone keypads, for example, the same key is used to input the number 2 and the letters a, b and c, depending upon the mode of operation of the device on which the keypad is used. However, to place such a device into the appropriate mode of operation, may require multiple keystrokes to configure or select appropriate options. Consequently, a user must remember or be directed by menus to a particular desired mode to cause the device to interpret the keypresses in the desired mode of operation. This can be time consuming and distracting.

Some user-input devices provide for multiple actuator movements to provide for character input. An example is shown in US patent No. 5,841 ,374 to Abraham that provides for input of characters in response to sliding and push button movement of an actuator. With this type of device however, a user must carefully scan indicia on the key or commit key positions and their associated characters to memory to determine exactly how to move the key to select the desired character. This can be frustrating for new users.

What would be desirable therefore is a device that facilitates entry of information in an easy, efficient manner. The present invention addresses this need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides for easy and efficient entry of information by providing a process and apparatus for receiving user input involving associating different movements of an actuator with symbols of different sets of symbols. Movement of the actuator in a direction generally parallel to a reference surface may be associated with a first symbol set while movement of the actuator generally perpendicular to the surface may be associated with a second symbol set. The first symbol set may be a set of non-numeric characters, for example and the second symbol set may be the set of numbers from 0-9, for example. Thus, movement of the actuator in the first direction invokes non-numeric characters such as the letters of the alphabet and movement of the actuator in the second direction invokes numeric characters. The second direction may be a direction similar to that of a conventional push button on a telephone keypad commonly used to invoke numbers, for example. Thus, a single key may be used in the conventional pushbutton manner to invoke numeric characters and the same key can be moved in a direction generally parallel to the surface to invoke non-numeric characters, for example. Thus, the user can associate directions of movement with separate symbol sets, thereby simplifying input of data.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided a process for acquiring user input from a device having a surface and an actuator supported for movement in directions perpendicular and parallel to the surface. The process involves producing a first signal when the actuator is moved in a first direction generally parallel to the surface and producing a second signal when the actuator is moved in a second direction generally perpendicular to the surface, and associating the first signal with a first character set and associating the second signal with a second character set.

The process may further involve producing a representation of a symbol from the first character set in response to the first signal and producing a representation of a symbol from the second character set in response to the second signal.

The process may further involve producing a plurality of separate first signals in response to movement of the actuator in corresponding directions generally parallel to the first surface. This may involve producing the separate first signals in response to movement of the actuator in linear directions from a starting point and generally parallel to the first surface. The separate first signals may be produced in response to movement of the actuator in orthogonal linear directions from a starting point and generally parallel to the first surface, for example. The separate first signals may be associated with a respective character of a first character set.

The process may further involve using the separate first signals to address a lookup table associating addresses with respective characters of the first character set.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus for receiving user input. The apparatus includes a symbol selector and a symbol generator. The symbol selector has a surface and an actuator adjacent the surface. The actuator is operable to be moved in first and second different directions relative to the surface. The symbol selector produces first and second signals representing movement of the actuator in the first and second directions respectively. The symbol generator is operable to produce a representation of a symbol from a first set of symbols in response to the first signal and is operable to produce a representation of a symbol from a second set of symbols in response to the second symbol.

The symbol selector may include a holder and an actuator mount on the holder for mounting the actuator to the holder such that movement of the actuator in the first direction is generally parallel to the surface. The holder may provide for movement of the actuator in generally linear directions generally parallel to the surface, and the symbol selector may be operable to produce respective different first signals for each linear direction. The holder may provide for movement of the actuator in the linear directions from a common starting position.

The symbol generator may be operable to generate separate symbol representations of symbols from the first set of symbols for each respective different first signal produced by the symbol selector.

The holder may mount the actuator to the holder such that movement of the actuator in the second direction is generally perpendicular to the surface. Symbol indicia may be positioned about the actuator to indicate symbols of the first and second sets of symbols that may be selected by movement of the actuator. The indicia may include a marking on the surface, a marking on the actuator or a marking on the surface and on the actuator.

The symbol generator may include a processor circuit programmable to produce the representation of a symbol from a first set of symbols in response to the first signal and to produce a representation of a symbol from a second set of symbols in response to the second signal.

The apparatus may further include a mode selector switch, in communication with the symbol generator for controlling the symbol generator to produce a representation of symbols from only one of the first and second symbol sets in response to the first or second signals. The first symbol set may consist of numeric symbols. The second symbol set may consist of non-numerical symbols, for example.

The symbol generator may comprise a lookup table associating the first and second signals with symbols of the first and second symbols sets respectively.

The symbol generator may include a tone generator operable to produce tone signals as the first and second representations.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention there is provided an input apparatus including a plurality of symbol selectors and a symbol generator. Each of the symbol selectors may have a surface and an actuator adjacent the surface. Each actuator may be operable to be moved in first and second different directions relative to the surface and the associated symbol selector may produce first and second signals representing movement of the actuator in the first and second directions respectively. The symbol generator may be operable to produce a representations of symbols from a first set of symbols in response to the first signals from respective symbol selectors and may be operable to produce representations of a symbol from a second set of symbols in response to the second signals from respective symbol selectors.

The symbol generator may associate each symbol selector with a different subset of symbols from each of the first and second sets of symbols.

Each symbol selector may include a holder and an actuator mount on the holder for mounting the actuator to the holder such that movement of the actuator in the first direction is generally parallel to the surface. The holder may provide for movement of the actuator in generally linear directions generally parallel to the surface, and the symbol selector may be operable to produce respective different first signals for each linear direction. The holder may provide for movement of the actuator in the linear directions from a common starting position.

The symbol generator may be operable to generate separate symbol representation of symbols from the first set of symbols for each respective different first signal produced by each symbol selector.

The holder may mount the actuator to the holder such that movement of the actuator in the second direction is generally perpendicular to the surface.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention there is provided an input apparatus including a mounting element having a reference surface and an actuator on the mounting element and adjacent the reference surface, the actuator being operable to be moved in first and second different directions relative to the reference surface. The apparatus further includes a device for producing first and second signals representing movement of the actuator in the first and second directions respectively, a device for producing a representation of a symbol from a first set of symbols in response to the first signal and a device operable to produce a representation of a symbol from a second set of symbols in response to the second symbol.

The device for producing first and second signals may include a contact on the actuator and contacts on the mounting element, wherein movement of the actuator engages the contact on the actuator with at least one of the contacts on the mounting element.

The device for producing a representation of a symbol from the first set may include a first symbol generator and the device for producing a representation of a symbol from the second set may include a second symbol generator. The device for producing a representation of a symbol from the second set may include the first symbol generator.

The first symbol generator may involve a processor circuit.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention there is provided a process for receiving input from a device having an actuator movable in a first direction generally parallel to a reference surface and movable in a second direction generally perpendicular to the reference surface. The process involves determining a direction of movement of the actuator in response to a received signal representing movement of the actuator in the first or second directions and producing a representation of a symbol selected from a first or second set of symbols, depending upon the determined direction of movement of the actuator.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention there is provided a computer readable medium for providing codes representing instructions for directing a processor circuit to receive input from a device having an actuator movable in a first direction generally parallel to a reference surface and movable in a second direction generally perpendicular to the reference surface. The codes include codes representing instructions for directing the processor circuit to determine a direction of movement of the actuator in response to a received signal representing movement of the actuator in the first or second directions and instructions for directing the processor circuit to produce a representation of a symbol selected from a first or second set of symbols, depending upon the determined direction of movement of the actuator.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention there is provided a communications appliance including a housing having a surface, an actuator supported for movement in directions perpendicular and parallel to the surface, a detector operable to detect movement of the actuator in the direction perpendicular to the surface, a detector operable to detect movement of the actuator in the direction parallel to the surface and a processor circuit within the housing, for performing communications functions, and in communication with the detector operable to detect movement of the actuator in the direction perpendicular to the surface and the detector operable to detect movement of the actuator in the direction parallel to the surface. The processor circuit is operable to associate a first symbol set with movement of the actuator in a direction generally parallel with the surface and to associate a second symbol set with movement of the actuator in a direction generally perpendicular to the surface and is operable to produce a first representation of a symbol from the first set in response to movement of the actuator in the direction generally parallel with the surface and is operable to produce a second representation of a symbol from the second set in response to movement of the actuator in the direction generally perpendicular to the surface.

Other aspects and features of the present invention will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of specific embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In drawings which illustrate embodiments of the invention, Figure 1 is a schematic representation of an apparatus for receiving user input, according to a first embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a symbol selector of the apparatus shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a wiring diagram of a contact arrangement of the symbol selector of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a block diagram of a processor circuit of a symbol generator shown in Figure 1; Figure 5 is a flowchart of a process executed by the processor circuit shown in Figure 4, according to one embodiment of the invention;

Figure 6 is a flowchart of a process executed by the processor circuit shown in Figure 4, according to another embodiment of the invention;

Figure 7 is a plan view of the symbol selector of Figure 1 ;

Figure 8 is a schematic representation of a keypad employing the symbol selector of Figure 1 ;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of a communications appliance incorporating the keypad shown in Figure 8

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to Figure 1 an apparatus for receiving user input according to one embodiment of the invention is shown generally at 10. In this embodiment, the apparatus includes a symbol selector 12 and a symbol generator 14. The symbol selector has a surface 16 and an actuator 18 adjacent the surface. The actuator 18 is operable to be moved in first and second different directions 20 and 22 relative to the surface 16. The symbol selector 12 produces first and second signals representing movement of the actuator 18 in the first and second directions respectively. The symbol generator 14 is operable to produce a representation of a symbol from a first set of symbols in response to the first signal and is operable to produce a representation of a symbol from a second set of symbols in response to the second symbol.

Referring to Figure 2, an exemplary symbol selector is shown generally at 12.

In this embodiment, the symbol selector 12 is comprised of a mounting element or holder 30, which includes a generally square rectangular loop which also acts as an outer body of the symbol selector 12. The mounting element 30 has first, second, third and fourth sides 32, 34, 36 and 38 forming segments of the loop and has a reference surface 40 which, in this embodiment, lies in a flat plane as shown in Figure 3. It will be appreciated that the mounting element 30 and/or the reference surface may be curved, if desired.

A plurality of linear, lateral strips 42, 44, 46 and 48 extend between opposite sides of the mounting element 30, in a cross pattern defining four cardinal points relative to a central position within the loop formed by the mounting element. An actuator 18 is mounted on the mounting element 30 and adjacent the reference surface 40, by an actuator mount 52 which is engaged with the lateral strips 42-48 such that it is operable to slide in directions generally parallel to the reference surface 40, along any of the lateral strips

42, 44, 46 and 48 from the central position to any of the cardinal points. Springs, (not shown) may be used to return the actuator 18 and/or actuator mount 52 to the central, common starting position.

Position contacts, 54 and 56 in Figure 2 and 54, 56, 58 and 60 in Figure 3, are mounted on respective sides 32, 34, 36 and 38 of the mounting element 30 for contact with a main contact 62 on the actuator mount 52 or on the actuator 18, when the actuator mount 52 is moved along a corresponding one of the lateral strips 42-48 toward a corresponding one of the sides 32-38. Referring to Figures 2 and 3, by moving the actuator mount 52 in a direction generally parallel to the reference surface 40, hereinafter referred to as the first direction, along any of the sides 32, 34, 36 and 38, the main contact 62 can be brought into contact with any of the position contacts 54-60. In this way, when a first signal is applied to the main contact 62, that first signal can be made to appear at any desired position contact 54-60 by moving the actuator mount 52 along the appropriate lateral strip 42, 44, 46 or 48. Thus, the symbol selector 12 may be operable to produce respective different first signals for each linear movement of the actuator 18 in the first direction to any of the cardinal points.

Still referring to Figures 2 and 3 a microswitch, 64 (not shown) having plunger (not shown) may be mounted on the actuator mount 52 and the actuator 18 may be mounted on the plunger such that inward movement of the actuator in a direction generally perpendicular to the reference surface 40, hereinafter referred to as the second direction as shown by arrow 22, actuates the microswitch.

From the foregoing it will be appreciated that the actuator 18 is operable to be moved in first and second different directions relative to the reference surface 16.

The microswitch itself has a set of contacts 66 that are closed when the actuator 18 is moved in the second direction 58 to produce a second signal in response to such movement of the actuator. A first contact of the set of contacts 66 of the microswitch is connected to the main contact 62. A second contact thereof is operable to provide a second signal when the set of contacts 66 is closed. Thus a signal may be applied to the main contact and depending upon the direction of movement of the actuator 18, the signal may be caused to appear at any of the position contacts 54-60 and/or the second microswitch contact. Signals produced in this manner and appearing at the position contacts 54-60 may be regarded as a first signal associated with actuator movements in the first direction, generally parallel to the reference surface 16 and a signal appearing at the second microswitch contact may be regarded as a second signal associated with actuator movement in the second direction generally perpendicular to the reference surface 16. The position contacts 54-60 and the set of contacts 66 thus act to produce first and second signals representing movement of the actuator in the first and second directions respectively.

Symbol Generator

The symbol generator 14 may include any of various devices operable to receive the first and second signals and produce a representation of a symbol from a corresponding symbol set. The symbol generator 14 may thus include a processor circuit such as shown at 70 in Figure 4. The processor circuit in this embodiment includes a microprocessor 72, an I/O port 74, program memory 76, symbol set memory 77, variable memory 78 and a computer- readable media interface 80.

The I/O port 74 has a plurality of configurable inputs and outputs to which conductors from the main contact 62, the position contacts 54-60, and the set of contacts 66 are connected to place the symbol generator 14 in communication with the symbol selector 12. The conductors from the position contacts 54-60 are received at a first set of inputs 73 and the conductor from the second microswitch contact is received at a second set of inputs 75. (In this embodiment the second set of inputs is comprised of only one input). It will be appreciated that the I/O port 74 is of the type that produces an interrupt to the microprocessor 72 when a signal is rendered active at either set of inputs 73 or 75, and that both sets of inputs can be read by the processor circuit 70 simultaneously to receive an input byte, representing the states of the signals received at the first and second sets of inputs.

The states of the input signals received at the first set of inputs 73 may have the values 1000, 0100, 0010, or 0001 for example, each representing movement of the actuator 18 in a different sub-direction (left, up, right, down respectively) of the first direction generally parallel to the reference surface. The state of the input signals at the first set of inputs 73 may have the value 0000, for example when the actuator 18 is not moved.

The states of the input signal received at the second set of inputs 75 may have the values 0 or 1 to represent the up and down positions respectively of the actuator 18. Thus, bit patterns representing the states of signals at the first and second sets of inputs 73 and 75 respectively identify sub-movements of the actuator 18 in the first and second directions respectively.

The symbol set memory 77 may include first and second symbol set lookup tables 82 and 84 which may be considered to be separate first and second symbol generators respectively. The first symbol set lookup table 82 includes memory locations that are pre-programmed with codes representing symbols of the first symbol set. These codes thus acts as representations of symbols of the first symbols set, for example. Separate symbol codes are stored in respective memory locations addressed by codes representing the signal states of signals received at the first set of inputs 73. In this embodiment codes representing the non-numeric characters a, b, c, and d are stored in memory locations addressed by signal state values 1000, 0100, 0010, and 0001 respectively, for example. Thus, when the first lookup table is presented with one of the above signal state values, produced in response to movement of the actuator in the first direction, a representation of the appropriate corresponding non-numeric character from the first symbol set is produced. Thus a representation of a different symbol from the first set of symbols for each signal associated with a different sub-direction in the first direction may be produced.

Similarly, the second symbol set lookup table 84 includes memory locations that are pre-programmed with codes representing symbols of the second symbol set. These codes thus act as representations of symbols of the second symbol set, for example. In this embodiment, since there is only one signal associated with the second symbol set, only one memory location of the second symbol set lookup table 84 is loaded with a representation of a symbol from the second symbol set. This one memory location is addressed by a code representing the signal state of the second signal received at the second set of inputs 75. In this embodiment a code representing the numeric character "1" is stored in a memory location addressed by the signal state value 1. Thus, when the second lookup table is presented with the above signal state value, produced in response to movement of the actuator 18 in the second direction, a representation of the appropriate corresponding numeric character is produced. The program memory 76 may be pre programmed with codes that act as instructions to direct the processor circuit to act as a symbol generator or may be programmed with interface codes for controlling the media interface 80 to permit program codes to be received from computer readable media such as a CD-ROM, floppy disk or the like, or to receive signals carrying program codes from a communication medium such as the internet. In any event codes that are operable to direct the processor circuit to act as a symbol generator may be received from a variety of sources.

Effectively, the codes that direct the processor circuit to act as a symbol generator cause the processor circuit to receive the first and second signals from the symbol selector 12 and produce corresponding representations of symbols from the first and second sets of symbols, respectively. On producing these representations they may be stored in the variable memory 78 for example, in an input queue operable to be addressed by an application program running on the processor circuit 70. The application program maybe a security system program, cellular telephone control program or other device control program, for example.

In general, in this embodiment the process executed by the symbol generator

14 is carried out by the processor circuit 70 under the control of the program codes. A process for receiving input from the symbol selector 12 shown in Figure 1 , or more generally for receiving input from a device having an actuator 18 movable in a first direction generally parallel to a reference surface and movable in a second direction generally perpendicular to the reference surface, is shown generally at 100 in Figure 5. The process involves determining a direction of movement of the actuator 18 in response to a received signal representing movement of the actuator in the first or second directions as depicted generally at 102 and producing a representation of a symbol selected from a first or second set of symbols, depending upon the determined direction of movement of the actuator, as depicted generally at 104. Referring back to Figure 4, in this embodiment, the process 100 shown in Figure 5 is invoked in response to an interrupt received from the I/O port 74 produced in response to receipt of any of the first signals or receipt of the second signal at the I/O port 74.

Determining a direction of movement of the actuator 18 is implemented by a first block of codes 106 that directs the processor circuit 70 to determine whether the received signals from the first set of inputs 73 or from the second set of inputs 75. This may be determined, for example by determining whether the value representing the signal states at the respective sets of inputs 73 and 75 is non-zero. Signals received at the first set of inputs 73 are deemed to have been produced by actuator movements in the first (generally parallel) direction and signals received at the second set of inputs are deemed to have been produced by actuator movements in the second (generally perpendicular) direction.

If the signal was received at the first set of inputs 73, the processor circuit 70 is directed to block 108 which causes it to address the first symbol set lookup table 82 using the state code defined by the states of signals appearing at the first set of inputs to the I/O port 74. The symbol representation stored at the addressed memory location is then copied to the input queue in the variable memory 78. Since the first symbol set is comprised of non-numeric symbols, a code representing a non-numeric symbol is copied into the input queue.

Similarly, if the signal was received at the second set of inputs 75, the processor circuit 70 is directed to block 110 which causes it to address the second symbol set lookup table 84 using the state code defined by the state of the signal appearing at the second set of inputs to the I/O port 74. The symbol representation stored at the addressed memory location is then copied to the input queue in the variable memory 78. Since the second symbol set is comprised of numeric symbols, a code representing a numeric symbol is copied into the input queue. Alternatively, the signals received at the first and second sets of inputs 73 and 75 may be treated together whereby a 5-bit input code is produced by the I/O port 74 to collectively represent the states of all signals received at the first and sets of inputs. This 5-bit code may then be used to address the first or second symbol set lookup tables 82 and 84 such that a representation of only one symbol character from either symbol set is produced and stored in the input queue.

Alternatively or in addition to producing a code representing a symbol the processor circuit may include a tone generator or program codes for implementing a tone generator as depicted at 86 in Figure 4. The tone generator may be a wave file or a plurality of wave files, for example. The program codes may then execute the process shown in Figure 6 which includes the same first block 106, but in which blocks 108, 110 and 112 of the process shown in Figure 5 are replaced with blocks 120, 122 and 124 respectively. Block 120 directs the processor circuit 70 to select, from among four possible tone generators, an appropriate tone generator associated with a corresponding one of the input signals of the first set. Once the desired tone generator is selected, block 124 directs the processor circuit 70 to enable the desired tone generator to produce a tone, for transmission to a detector circuit, to represent the desired symbol from the associated symbol set. The tone generator may generate a particular dual tone multi-frequency tone (DTMF) tone, for example for receipt by a switching system in a telephone network. Block 122 is invoked when an active second signal is received and a tone generator associated therewith is selected. Block 124 then causes the selected tone generator associated with the second signal to produce a tone for receipt by a detector circuit, to represent a symbol from the second symbol set.

Alternatively separate analog or digital tone generators may be associated with each signal of the first set and the signal of the second set. Or, a single parametric tone generator may be used, in which parameters defining different tonal frequencies are specified by the first and second sets of input signals and are supplied to the single tone generator to produce different tones, for each input signal. Alternatively, the symbol representations produced by the process shown in Figure 5 may be used to activate a tone generator or tone generators to cause tones to be produced. Thus, different sets of tones may act as symbols of the first and second symbol sets respectively.

Symbol Indicia Symbol indicia may be positioned about the actuator 18 to indicate symbols of the first and second sets of symbols that may be selected by movement of the actuator. For example referring to Figure 7, symbol indicia may be imprinted on the actuator 18 itself, with symbols of the first symbol set being imprinted around a perimeter of the actuator 18 and a symbol of the second set being imprinted in the middle of the actuator. For example, the symbols a, b, c, and d are imprinted around the perimeter of the actuator 18 to indicate that movement of the actuator in the corresponding direction will cause a representation of the indicated symbol to be placed in the input queue. Similarly, the symbol "1" is imprinted in the middle of the actuator to indicate that depressing the actuator to move it in the generally perpendicular direction will cause a code representing the number 1 to be placed in the input queue.

Referring back to Figure 2, the indicia may alternatively include a marking on the reference surface on sides 32, 34, 36 and 38 of the mounting element 30 for example.

The symbol sets may include symbols from the English language, different languages, music notation symbols, or other symbol sets, for example. Where the non-numeric symbols are used the first symbol set may include symbols such as !@#$%^Λ&*()_?/.,;:"', for example. Where the numeric symbol set is used for the second symbol set any set of numbers may be used. While the numbers 0-9 are shown herein, two digit, three digit or n-digit numbers may be used, or words representing numbers such as "one", for example, may be used.

Mode Selector Switch Referring back to Figure 4, the apparatus may be further provided with a mode selector switch 130, in communication with the symbol generator for controlling the symbol generator to produce a representation of symbols from only one of the first and second symbol sets in response to the first or second signals. To do this, the process shown in Figures 5 and 6 includes a block 132 preceding block 106, that directs the processor circuit 70 to determine whether the mode selector switch 130 is set active. If the mode selector switch 130 is set active, the processor circuit 70 is directed directly to block 108 in Figure 5 or block 120 in Figure 6 and the process proceeds as earlier described.

Also to facilitate the use of the mode selector switch 130, in the process of Figure 5, the first symbol set lookup table is configured to include a further symbol representation of a symbol of the first set which is addressed by the second signal associated with generally perpendicular movement of the actuator. Thus all movements of the actuator cause symbols from the first set of symbols to be placed in the input queue, when the mode switch is set active.

Alternatively, the determination of the active mode selector switch 130 being active may direct the processor circuit to block 110, whereupon the second symbol set lookup table is configured to include four more representations of symbols from the second symbol set, so that when a signal is received at the first set of inputs 73, a symbol from the second symbol set is placed in the input queue.

Similarly, with respect to Figure 6, one of five tone generators operable to produce representations of symbols from the first set may be selected at block 120 or one of five tone generators operable to produce representations of symbols from the second set may be selected at block 122, when the mode selector switch 130 is activated.

Thus it will be appreciated that when the mode selector switch 130 is used, the process involves detecting the mode signal and producing symbol representations from the same set of symbols regardless of direction of movement of the actuator when said mode signal is active.

Multiple Symbol Selectors

Referring to Figure 8 it will be appreciated that the symbol selector 12 described above may be replicated to provide an input apparatus as shown generally at 140. The apparatus 140 includes a plurality of symbol selectors an example of which is shown at 142. The apparatus also includes a symbol generator 144. In this embodiment, the symbol selectors 142 are arranged in a 3x4 matrix to form a modular keypad unit that may be interchangeably used on a plurality of different devices such as cellular telephones, security system keypads, personal data assistants, and two-way pagers for example. The keypad unit has a top surface 146 that may form part of an outer surface of a device on which the keypad unit is used. The top surface 146 is generally parallel to or coplanar with the reference surfaces 40 of each of the symbol selectors. While the keypad unit shown in Figure 8 in rectangular trapezoidal, it will be appreciated that it may be curved such that the top surface 146 is a curved surface.

Each symbol selector 142 has an actuator 18 adjacent the top surface 146. Alternatively the actuators 18 may be coplanar with or disposed beneath the top surface so long as a user has access to operate them. The actuators 18 may be operable to be moved in the first and second different directions described above relative to the top surface 146 and each symbol selector 142 may produce its own first and second signals representing movement of its corresponding actuator 18 in the first and second directions respectively. The symbol generator 144 includes a multiplexer 148 and the processor circuit 70 shown in Figure 4. The processor circuit 70 controls the multiplexer 148 to multiplex a set of five input signals from each symbol selector 142 such that at any given time the five signals from any one symbol selector are received at the first and second sets of inputs 73 and 75 of the I/O port 74. The first and second symbol set lookup tables 82 and 84 are loaded with further subsets of symbols each subset being separately addressable by the identity of the particular symbol selector currently being addressed and the individual symbol within the addressed subset is addressed by the input value currently received at he first or second sets of inputs 73 and 75. Thus the symbol generator associates each symbol selector with a different subset of symbols from each of the first and second sets of symbols.

After receiving an input code representing the signal states of the signals at the first or second sets of inputs 73 and 75, the process shown in Figure 5 is executed to place a symbol from the first or second sets of symbols in the input queue in response to actuator movement of the corresponding symbol selector.

Thus the processor circuit 70 produces representations of symbols from a first set of symbols in response to first signals from respective symbol selectors and is operable to produce representations of symbols from a second set of symbols in response to second signals from respective symbol selectors.

Alternatively, the process shown in Figure 6 may be employed in a manner similar to that described above, such that separate subsets of tone generators or tone generator signals are associated with respective directions of movements of respective actuators.

In this embodiment, the keypad includes the mode selector switch 130, which functions as described above to cause only symbols of the first or second sets of symbols to be produced in response to actuation of an actuator in any direction.

Communications device Referring to Figure 9, a communications device according to another embodiment of the invention is shown generally at 150. In his embodiment, the communications appliance is a cellular telephone but could be a security system controller, a personal data assistant a two-way pager, a personal databank or any other device that requires a keypad. The apparatus includes a housing 152 having a surface 154, an actuator 156 supported for movement in directions perpendicular and parallel to the surface 154, a detector 158 operable to detect movement of the actuator in the direction perpendicular to the surface, a detector 160 operable to detect movement of the actuator in the direction parallel to the surface and a processor circuit 162 within the housing 152, for performing communications functions, and in communication with the detector operable to detect movement of the actuator in the direction parallel to the surface and the detector operable to detect movement of the actuator in the direction perpendicular to the surface 154. The processor circuit 162 is operable to associate a first symbol set with movement of the actuator 156 in a direction generally parallel with the surface and to associate a second symbol set with movement of the actuator 156 in a direction generally perpendicular to the surface and is operable to produce a first representation of a symbol from the first set in response to movement of the actuator 156 in the direction generally parallel with the surface 154 and is operable to produce a second representation of a symbol from the second set in response to movement of the actuator 156 in the direction generally perpendicular to the surface 154.

The detectors for detecting movement of the actuator in the parallel and perpendicular directions may include the arrangement shown in Figures 2 and

3 for producing first and second signals, as described above, representing movement of the actuators 156 in the first and second directions respectively. The processor circuit may include the processor circuit 70 shown in Figure 4, for example. The processor circuit 70 may be programmed to effect at least one function of the communication appliance in response to the first or second representation. This may be done by installing an application program in the program memory, the application program containing program codes (170 in Figure 4) for effecting a function of the communications appliance in response to the first or second representations being placed in the input queue.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated, such embodiments should be considered illustrative of the invention only and not as limiting the invention as construed in accordance with the accompanying claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A process for acquiring user input from a device having a surface and an actuator supported for movement in directions perpendicular and parallel to the surface, the process comprising:

producing a first signal when the actuator is moved in a first direction generally parallel to the surface;

producing a second signal when the actuator is moved in a second direction generally perpendicular to the surface; and

associating said first signal with a first character set and associating said second signal with a second character set.

2. The process of claim 1 further comprising producing a representation of a symbol from said first character set in response to said first signal.

3. The process of claim 1 further comprising producing a representation of a symbol from said second character set in response to said second signal.

4. The process of claim 1 wherein producing comprises producing a plurality of separate first signals in response to movement of said actuator in corresponding directions generally parallel to said first surface.

5. The process of claim 4 wherein producing said plurality of separate first signals comprises producing said first signals in response to movement of said actuator in linear directions from a starting point and generally parallel to said first surface.

6. The process of claim 4 wherein producing said plurality of separate first signals comprises producing said first signals in response to movement of said actuator in orthogonal linear directions from a starting point and generally parallel to said first surface.

7. The process of claim 4 further comprising associating each of said separate first signals with a respective character of a first character set.

8. The process of claim 7 wherein associating each of said separate first signals with a respective character comprises using said separate first signals to address a lookup table associating addresses with respective characters of said first character set.

9. An apparatus for receiving user input, the apparatus comprising:

a symbol selector having a surface and an actuator adjacent the surface, said actuator being operable to be moved in first and second different directions relative to said surface, said symbol selector producing first and second signals representing movement of said actuator in said first and second directions respectively; and

a symbol generator operable to produce a representation of a symbol from a first set of symbols in response to said first signal and operable to produce a representation of a symbol from a second set of symbols in response to said second symbol.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said symbol selector includes a holder and an actuator mount on the holder for mounting said actuator to said holder such that movement of said actuator in said first direction is generally parallel to the surface.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said holder provides for movement of said actuator in generally linear directions generally parallel to said surface, and wherein said symbol selector is operable to produce respective different first signals for each linear direction.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said holder provides for movement of said actuator in said linear directions from a common starting position.

13. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said symbol generator is operable to generate a separate symbol representation of symbols from said first set of symbols for each respective different first signal produced by said symbol selector.

14. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said holder mounts said actuator to said holder such that movement of said actuator in said second direction is generally perpendicular to the surface.

15. The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising symbol indicia positioned about said actuator to indicate symbols of said first and second sets of symbols that may be selected by movement of said actuator.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said indicia includes a marking on said surface.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said indicia includes a marking on said actuator.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 herein said indicia include a marking on said actuator.

19. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said symbol generator comprises a processor circuit programmable to produce said representation of a symbol from a first set of symbols in response to said first signal and to produce a representation of a symbol from a second set of symbols in response to said second symbol.

20. The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising a mode selector switch, in communication with said symbol generator for controlling said symbol generator to produce a representation of symbols from only one of said first and second symbol sets in response to said first or second signals.

21. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said first symbol set consists of numeric symbols.

22. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said second symbol set consists of non-numerical symbols.

23. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said symbol generator comprises a lookup table associating said first and second signals with symbols of said first and second symbols sets respectively.

24. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said symbol generator includes a tone generator operable to produce tone signals as said first and second representations.

25. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said symbol generator comprises a first input operable to receive said first signal and a second input operable to receive said second signal.

26. An input apparatus comprising: a plurality of symbol selectors each having a surface and an actuator adjacent the surface, said actuator being operable to be moved in first and second different directions relative to said surface, said symbol selector producing first and second signals representing movement of said actuator in said first and second directions respectively; and

a symbol generator operable to produce a representations of symbols from a first set of symbols in response to said first signals from respective symbol selectors and operable to produce representations of a symbol from a second set of symbols in response to said second signals from respective symbol selectors.

27. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein said symbol generator associates each symbol selector with a different subset of symbols from each of said first and second sets of symbols.

28. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein each symbol selector includes a holder and an actuator mount on the holder for mounting said actuator to said holder such that movement of said actuator in said first direction is generally parallel to the surface.

29. The apparatus of claim 28 wherein said holder provides for movement of said actuator in generally linear directions generally parallel to said surface, and wherein said symbol selector is operable to produce respective different first signals for each linear direction.

30. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein said holder provides for movement of said actuator in said linear directions from a common starting position.

31. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein said symbol generator is operable to generate a separate symbol representation of symbols from said first set of symbols for each respective different first signal produced by each symbol selector.

32. The apparatus of claim 28 wherein said holder mounts said actuator to said holder such that movement of said actuator in said second direction is generally perpendicular to the surface.

33. An input apparatus comprising:

a mounting element having a reference surface;

an actuator on the mounting element and adjacent said reference surface, said actuator being operable to be moved in first and second different directions relative to said reference surface,

means for producing first and second signals representing movement of said actuator in said first and second directions respectively;

means for producing a representation of a symbol from a first set of symbols in response to said first signal and

means for operable to produce a representation of a symbol from a second set of symbols in response to said second symbol.

34. The apparatus of claim 33 wherein said means for producing first and second signals includes a contact on said actuator and contacts on said mounting element, wherein movement of said actuator engages said contact on said actuator with at least one of said contacts on said mounting element.

35. The apparatus of claim 33 wherein said means for producing a representation of a symbol from said first set includes a first symbol generator.

36. The apparatus of claim 35 wherein said means for producing a representation of a symbol from said second set includes a second symbol generator.

37. The apparatus of claim 35 wherein said means for producing a representation of a symbol from said second set includes said first symbol generator.

38. The apparatus of claim 33 wherein said first symbol generator comprises a processor circuit.

39. A process for receiving input from a device having an actuator movable in a first direction generally parallel to a reference surface and movable in a second direction generally perpendicular to said reference surface, the process comprising:

determining a direction of movement of said actuator in response to a received signal representing movement of said actuator in said first or second directions; and

producing a representation of a symbol selected from a first or second set of symbols, depending upon the determined direction of movement of said actuator.

40. The process of claim 39 further comprising detecting signals representing movement of said actuator in sub-directions of said first direction generally parallel to said surface and producing a representation of a different symbol from said first set of symbols for each signal associated with a different sub-direction.

41. The process of claim 39 wherein producing a representation of a symbol comprises producing a code representing said symbol.

42. The process of claim 39 wherein producing a representation of a symbol comprises producing a tone signal representing said symbol.

43. The process of claim 39 further comprising detecting a mode signal and producing symbol representations from the same set of symbols regardless of direction of movement of the actuator when said mode signal is active.

44. A computer readable medium for providing codes representing instructions for directing a processor circuit to receive input from a device having an actuator movable in a first direction generally parallel to a reference surface and movable in a second direction generally perpendicular to said reference surface, the codes comprising:

instructions for directing the processor circuit to determine a direction of movement of said actuator in response to a received signal representing movement of said actuator in said first or second directions; and

instructions for directing the processor circuit to produce a representation of a symbol selected from a first or second set of symbols, depending upon the determined direction of movement of said actuator.

45. The computer readable medium of claim 44 further comprising codes representing instructions for directing the processor circuit to detect signals representing movement of said actuator in sub-directions of said first direction generally parallel to said surface and to produce a representation of a different symbol from said first set of symbols for each signal associated with a different sub-direction.

46. The computer readable medium of claim 44 further comprising codes representing instructions for directing the processor circuit to produce a code representing said symbol.

47. The computer readable medium of claim 44 further comprising codes representing instructions for directing the processor circuit to produce a tone signal representing said symbol.

48. The computer readable medium of claim 44 further comprising codes representing instructions for directing the processor circuit to detect a mode signal and produce representations of symbols from the same set of symbols regardless of direction of movement of the actuator when said mode signal is active.

49. A communications appliance comprising:

a housing having a surface;

an actuator supported for movement in directions perpendicular and parallel to the surface;

a detector operable to detect movement of said actuator in said direction perpendicular to said surface; a detector operable to detect movement of said actuator in said direction parallel to said surface; and

a processor circuit within the housing, for performing communications functions, and in communication with said detector operable to detect movement of said actuator in said direction perpendicular to said surface and said detector operable to detect movement of said actuator in said direction parallel to said surface, and said processor circuit being operable to associate a first symbol set with movement of the actuator in a direction generally parallel with the surface and to associate a second symbol set with movement of the actuator in a direction generally perpendicular to the surface and operable to produce a first representation of a symbol from said first set in response to movement of said actuator in said direction generally parallel with the surface and operable to produce a second representation of a symbol from said second set in response to movement of said actuator in said direction generally perpendicular to said surface.

50. The communications appliance of claim 49 wherein said processor circuit is programmed to effect at least one of said communications functions in response to said first or second representation.

51. The communications appliance of claim 49 wherein said processor circuit is programmed to affect at least one of said communications functions in response to said first or second representation.