Nokia patents slider input lid on touchscreen

Abstract

A device features a touch sensitive area, such as a touchscreen or touchpad, responsive to a first set of user interface inputs from a user; a lid arranged in relation to the touch sensitive area, having a physical guiding form for enabling the user to provide a special set of user interface inputs to the touch sensitive area that are different than the first set; and a switch for changing the functionality of the touch sensitive area to respond to the special set of user interface inputs based on the position of the lid in relation to the touch sensitive area. The physical guiding form enables the user to slide their finger on the surface of the lid for providing the special set of user interface inputs, and may be integrated into the lid or include one or more add-on pieces that are coupled on the lid.

Description

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to a device having a touch sensitive area (e.g. a touchscreen or touchpad), such as a mobile device or personal computer.

[0003] 2. Description of Related Art

[0004] Touchscreens of mobile device known in the art are not an optimal input method for mobile situations, because they need a stable environment, may need a separate pen for providing user inputs, and are not necessarily technically very robust.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention provides a new and unique device featuring a touch sensitive area, such as a touchscreen or touchpad, responsive to a first set of user interface inputs from a user; a lid arranged in relation to the touch sensitive area, having a physical guiding form for enabling the user to provide a special set of user interface inputs to the touch sensitive area that are different than the first set; and a switch for changing the functionality of the touchscreen to respond to the special set of user interface inputs based on the position of the lid in relation to the touch sensitive area.

[0006] The physical guiding form enables the user to slide their finger on the surface of the lid for providing the special set of user interface inputs. The physical guiding form may be integrated into the lid or include one or more add-on pieces that are coupled on or to the lid.

[0007] The lid can open with a hinge or can slide away to activate the first set of user interface inputs, which may include a traditional set of touch sensitive area user interface inputs. The lid may be interchangeable based on the application the user runs on the device or by the manufacturer. The lid may be a solid piece of plastic or other suitable material.

[0008] The special set of user interface inputs may be combined with visual graphics seen through a semi-transparent lid or an opening in a solid lid.

[0009] In one embodiment according to the present invention, a capacitive touchscreen can be temporarily turned to a convenient input slider by adding a special lid or cover on it. The lid or cover has the physical guide form on it that guides a user's finger which slides on the surface of the lid for providing the special set of user interface inputs. The lid or cover may be opened with a hinge or can be slid away to activate the traditional full touchscreen user interface inputs. This opening action automatically switches the input mode of the device and the graphics to a full screen interaction mode, including from a "music phone mode" to a "smartphone mode". In the "music phone mode", the special set of UI inputs may include voice control, play, pause, forward, etc. In dedicated devices, the lid may also be solid. Also the lid or cover may be dedicated to a software or an application as a possible option.

[0010] Options and benefits of the present invention include the following: [0011] The ability to provide suitable forms for dedicated inputs, including passive physical domes, rotating parts, etc.; [0012] The ability to provide single components for bridges; [0013] No active moving parts, only passive forms where the fingers slide easily; [0014] With dedicated software, a dedicated combination of input components may be provided onto a display, which is comparable to custom PC keyboards for video editing, for instance. [0015] Potential applications, such as music, media, editing tools, adjusting, tuning, photo editing etc., including gaming and other innovative interaction methods providing software. [0016] Very slight variants are possible and useful: For example, a 1/2 millimeter rise or recess on the display does not block display area visually, but already helps to find things by touch.