US6597345B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multifunctional keypad on touch screen
Assignee: Jetway Tech Ltd
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Filing: 2001-11-05
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Granted: 2003-07-22
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Expires: 2021-11-05
Abstract
Abstract A multifunction keypad includes a touch-sensitive surface with a number of regions designated as keys. A processor, associated with the touch-sensitive surface, is configured to: (i) identify a contact location at which an object comes into contact with the touch-sensitive surface, (ii) determine a selected one of the keys corresponding to the one of the regions within which the contact location is located, (iii) identify a direction of motion of the object across the touch-sensitive surface relative to the contact location, and (iv) select in a manner conditional upon at least the direction of motion one of a plurality of functions associated with the selected key.
Inventors
- 👤 David Hirshberg
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 16:28
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M1/00; H04M1/02; H04M1/23; G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/02; G06F3/023; G06F3/0233; G06F3/0234; G06F3/048; G06F3/0487; G06F3/0488; G06F3/04886; H01; H01H; H01H25/00; H01H25/04; H01H25/041; H01H9/00; H01H9/02; H01H9/0214; H01H9/0235; H01H2221/00; H01H2221/008; H01H2221/012; H01H2223/00; H01H2223/04; H01H25/008
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
A multifunction keypad comprising: (a) a touch-sensitive surface having defined thereon a plurality of regions designated as keys; and (b) a processor associated with said touch-sensitive surface and configured to: (i) identify a contact location at which an object comes into contact with said touch-sensitive surface, (ii) determine a selected one of said keys corresponding to the one of said regions within which said contact location is located, (iii) identify a direction of motion of the object across said touch-sensitive surface relative to said contact location, and (iv) select in a manner conditional upon at least said direction of motion one of a plurality of functions associated with said selected key.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
111 words
A multifunction keypad comprising: (a) a touch-sensitive surface having defined thereon a plurality of regions designated as keys; and (b) a processor associated with said touch-sensitive surface and configured to: (i) identify a contact location at which an object comes into contact with said touch-sensitive surface, (ii) determine a selected one of said keys corresponding to the one of said regions within which said contact location is located, (iii) identify a direction of motion of the object across said touch-sensitive surface relative to said contact location, and (iv) select in a manner conditional upon at least said direction of motion one of a plurality of functions associated with said selected key.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The keypad of claim 1 , wherein said touch-sensitive surface is a touch-sensitive display screen.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
59 words
The keypad of claim 1 , wherein said processor is configured to select a first of said plurality of functions if said direction of motion falls within a first range of angles and a second of said plurality of functions if said direction of motion falls within a second range of angles non-overlapping with said first range of angles.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
The keypad of claim 3 , wherein said processor is configured not to select any of said plurality of functions if said direction of motion falls within a third range of angles interposed between said first range of angles and said second range of angles.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The keypad of claim 3 , wherein said first range of angles is greater than said second range of angles.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The keypad of claim 1 , wherein said processor is further configured to determine a length of motion of the object across said touch-sensitive surface relative to said contact location.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
60 words
The keypad of claim 6 , wherein said processor is configured to select a first of said plurality of functions if said length of motion falls within a first range of lengths in a given direction and a second of said plurality of functions if said length of motion falls within a second range of lengths in said given direction.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The keypad of claim 6 , wherein said processor identifies a length of motion below a given value as a touch-and-release condition.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The keypad of claim 8 , wherein said processor is configured not to select any of said plurality of functions on occurrence of a touch-and-release condition.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
50 words
The keypad of claim 8 , wherein said processor is configured to select a first of said plurality of functions if said direction of motion falls within a first range of angles, and wherein said processor is configured to select said first function additionally on occurrence of a touch-and-release condition.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The keypad of claim 8 , wherein one of said plurality of functions is selected by said processor exclusively on occurrence of a touch-and-release condition.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The keypad of claim 1 , wherein a plurality of said keys provide at least four direct functions per key.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The keypad of claim 1 , wherein a majority of said keys provide exactly four direct functions per key.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
38 words
The keypad of claim 1 , wherein said processor is selectively operable in a single-function mode wherein said processor selects a single function on contact with a given one of said keys independent of said direction of motion.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
58 words
The keypad of claim 1 , wherein said plurality of keys includes a twelve-key telephone-type alphanumeric keypad, wherein each key corresponding to a digit in the range 2-9 is associated with three letters, and wherein the letter “s” is associate with a key corresponding to “*” and the letter “z” is associated with a key corresponding to “#”.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
35 words
The keypad of claim 15 , wherein the letters “s” and “z” are selected by contact with the key corresponding to “*” and “#”, respectively, followed by movement in a generally upward direction of motion.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
The keypad of claim 15 , wherein said plurality of keys further includes a row of keys associated with at least the functions ENTER, SPACE and DELETE.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
104 words
A method for designating functions on a multifunction keypad defined by a plurality of regions on a touch-sensitive surface, each region being designated as a key, the method comprising: (a) identifying a contact location at which an object comes into contact with the touch-sensitive surface, (b) determining a selected key corresponding to the region within which the contact location is located, (c) identifying a direction of motion of the object across the touch-sensitive surface relative to the contact location, and (d) selecting in a manner conditional upon at least said direction of motion one of a plurality of functions associated with the selected key.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
104 words
A method for designating functions on a multifunction keypad defined by a plurality of regions on a touch-sensitive surface, each region being designated as a key, the method comprising: (a) identifying a contact location at which an object comes into contact with the touch-sensitive surface, (b) determining a selected key corresponding to the region within which the contact location is located, (c) identifying a direction of motion of the object across the touch-sensitive surface relative to the contact location, and (d) selecting in a manner conditional upon at least said direction of motion one of a plurality of functions associated with the selected key.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 18 , wherein said touch-sensitive surface is a touch-sensitive display screen.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method of claim 18 , wherein a first of said plurality of functions is selected if said direction of motion falls within a first range of angles and a second of said plurality of functions is selected if said direction of motion falls within a second range of angles non-overlapping with said first range of angles.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 20 , wherein none of said plurality of functions is selected if said direction of motion falls within a third range of angles interposed between said first range of angles and said second range of angles.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 20 , wherein said first range of angles is greater than said second range of angles.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 18 , further comprising determining a length of motion of the object across said touch-sensitive surface relative to said contact location.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method of claim 23 , wherein a first of said plurality of functions is selected if said length of motion falls within a first range of lengths in a given direction and a second of said plurality of functions is selected if said length of motion falls within a second range of lengths in said given direction.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 23 , wherein a length of motion below a given value is identified as a touch-and-release condition.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 25 , wherein none of said plurality of functions is selected on occurrence of a touch-and-release condition.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 25 , wherein a first of said plurality of functions is selected if said direction of motion falls within a first range of angles, and wherein said first function is additionally selected on occurrence of a touch-and-release condition.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 25 , wherein one of said plurality of functions is selected exclusively on occurrence of a touch-and-release condition.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 18 , wherein at least four direct functions are associated with each of a plurality of said keys.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 18 , wherein exactly four direct functions are associated with each of a majority of said keys.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 18 , further comprising selectively operating said keypad in a single-function mode wherein a single function is selected on contact with a given one of said keys independent of said direction of motion.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2006-07-21 | 2007-01-20 | 2007-07-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-07-21 | 2011-01-20 | 2011-07-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-07-21 | 2015-01-20 | 2015-07-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |