US6369803B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Active edge user interface
Assignee: Avaya Inc
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Filing: 1998-06-12
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Granted: 2002-04-09
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Expires: 2018-06-12
Abstract
Abstract An active edge user interface includes dynamically configurable flexible touch areas positioned near the perimeter of a display to support interactive communication between a user and a user environment for flexible active touch areas surrounding a display. The interface allows for multiple levels of sensitivity, texture, key travel, and varying widths of active touch areas based on the user environment.
Inventors
- 👤 Michel A. Brisebois
- 👤 Laura Mahan
- 👤 Marilyn French-St. George
- 👤 Frederic F. Trasmundi
- 👤 Jobe L. W. Roberts
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 11:36
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/048; G06F3/0487; G06F3/0489; G06F3/03; G06F3/033; G06F3/0354; G06F3/03547; H; H01; H01H; H01H13/00; H01H13/70; H01H13/78; H01H13/807; G06F2203/00; G06F2203/033; G06F2203/0339; H01H2225/00; H01H2225/002; H01H2225/018; H01H2239/00; H01H2239/074; H04; H04M; H04M1/00; H04M1/02; H04M1/0202; H04M1/026; H04M1/0266
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
A user interface, comprising: a display; an input device located adjacent an edge of the display, and operatively connected to the display to respond to a physical contact having a plurality of electrical contacts positioned to electrically couple in response to the physical contact, wherein each electrical contact includes a first set of mating contacts positioned a first distance from one another and a second set of mating electrical contacts positioned a second distance from one another; and a processor for executing user interface software configured to implement a function in response to the physical contact on the input device.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
100 words
A user interface, comprising: a display; an input device located adjacent an edge of the display, and operatively connected to the display to respond to a physical contact having a plurality of electrical contacts positioned to electrically couple in response to the physical contact, wherein each electrical contact includes a first set of mating contacts positioned a first distance from one another and a second set of mating electrical contacts positioned a second distance from one another; and a processor for executing user interface software configured to implement a function in response to the physical contact on the input device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The user interface of claim 1 wherein the display is a liquid crystal diode display.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The user interface of claim 1 wherein the input device includes a flexible elastomer strip having an upper surface and a lower surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The user interface of claim 3 wherein the elastomer strip includes a deformable cavity formed therein.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The user interface of claim 3 wherein the upper surface of the elastomer strip is smooth.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The user interface of claim 3 wherein the upper surface of the elastomer strip includes a protrusion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The user interface of claim 1 wherein the input device includes a resistive plate positioned to generate a response to the physical contact.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The user interface of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first set of mating electrical contacts is ring-shaped.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The user interface of claim 1 wherein at least one of the second set of mating electrical contacts is disc-shaped.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The user interface device of claim 1 wherein the user input device is permanently affixed to a host device.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The user interface device of claim 1 wherein the user input device extends along more than one edge of the display.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
72 words
A method for implementing a user interface, comprising the steps of: highlighting an image on a display in response to a first contact applied with a first pressure at a location on an input device adjacent an edge of the display; and implementing a function associated with the image when a second contact is applied with a second pressure at the location, wherein the second pressure is different from the first pressure.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
72 words
A method for implementing a user interface, comprising the steps of: highlighting an image on a display in response to a first contact applied with a first pressure at a location on an input device adjacent an edge of the display; and implementing a function associated with the image when a second contact is applied with a second pressure at the location, wherein the second pressure is different from the first pressure.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the highlighting step includes the step of generating textual data on the display.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of scrolling through the textual data generated on the display in response to a sliding contact.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the highlighting step includes the step of generating graphical data on the display.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 15 further comprising the step of scrolling through the graphical data generated on the display in response to a sliding contact.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the highlighting step includes the step of generating an image corresponding to a programmable area of the user input device.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the highlighting step includes the step of generating an image that identifies a category of information corresponding to a first predetermined area of the input device and generating an image that identifies a subcategory of information corresponding to a second predetermined area of the input device.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
146 words
A user interface, comprising: a display; an input device comprising a flexible strip having a plurality of touch areas each associated with contacts and extending along at least one edge of the display, the input device being operatively connected to the display to respond to a physical contact on the touch areas; and a processor for executing a user interface software configured to implement a function in response to the physical contact on the input device, wherein the contacts comprise first and second mating contacts and the function comprises a first function and a second function, the contacts being responsive to a physical contact with a first pressure to close the first mating contacts and cause implementation of the first function and the contacts being responsive to physical contact with a second pressure to close the second mating contacts and cause implementation of the second function.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
146 words
A user interface, comprising: a display; an input device comprising a flexible strip having a plurality of touch areas each associated with contacts and extending along at least one edge of the display, the input device being operatively connected to the display to respond to a physical contact on the touch areas; and a processor for executing a user interface software configured to implement a function in response to the physical contact on the input device, wherein the contacts comprise first and second mating contacts and the function comprises a first function and a second function, the contacts being responsive to a physical contact with a first pressure to close the first mating contacts and cause implementation of the first function and the contacts being responsive to physical contact with a second pressure to close the second mating contacts and cause implementation of the second function.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
28 words
A user interface according claim 19 , wherein the contacts are responsive to sliding pressure along successive touch areas of the flexible strip to cause a scroll function.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
154 words
A user interface, comprising: a display; an input device comprising a flexible strip having a plurality of touch areas each associated with contacts and extending along at least one edge of the display, the input device being operatively connected to the display to respond to a physical contact on the touch areas; and a processor for executing a user interface software configured to implement a function in response to the physical contact on the input device, wherein the contacts comprise first and second mating contacts and the function comprises a select function and a second function, a selected contact being responsive to a physical contact with a first pressure to close the first mating contacts and cause implementation of the select function, and the selected contact and immediately adjacent contacts then being responsive to a physical contact with a second pressure to close the second mating contacts and cause implementation of the second function.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
154 words
A user interface, comprising: a display; an input device comprising a flexible strip having a plurality of touch areas each associated with contacts and extending along at least one edge of the display, the input device being operatively connected to the display to respond to a physical contact on the touch areas; and a processor for executing a user interface software configured to implement a function in response to the physical contact on the input device, wherein the contacts comprise first and second mating contacts and the function comprises a select function and a second function, a selected contact being responsive to a physical contact with a first pressure to close the first mating contacts and cause implementation of the select function, and the selected contact and immediately adjacent contacts then being responsive to a physical contact with a second pressure to close the second mating contacts and cause implementation of the second function.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-04-08 | 2005-10-08 | 2006-04-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-04-08 | 2009-10-08 | 2010-04-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-04-08 | 2013-10-08 | 2014-04-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |