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  Thumbwheel and switch for a mobile electronic device and methods thereofUSPTO Application #: 20080096612Title: Thumbwheel and switch for a mobile electronic device and methods thereof Abstract: A mobile electronic device has a thumbwheel subassembly having measurable rotatable and depressible input movements, for example, rolling the thumbwheel up, rolling the thumbwheel down and pushing the thumbwheel inwards. Pushing the thumbwheel with a measurable component of downward force may result in inadvertent rolling of the thumbwheel down. Software or hardware may be used to cancel the inadvertent rolling of the thumbwheel down when the timing of the push and the roll are too close. The thumbwheel assembly may be oriented in the device so that the direction of depressible input movement of the thumbwheel is substantially aligned with the direction of the push by a user's thumb or finger that includes a measurable component of downward force. (end of abstract)
Agent: Bereskin And Parr - Toronto, ON, CA Inventor: Jason T. Griffin USPTO Applicaton #: 20080096612 - Class: 455566000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Telecommunications, Transmitter And Receiver At Same Station (e.g., Transceiver), Radiotelephone Equipment Detail, Having Display The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20080096612. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/790,202 filed Mar. 2, 2004 entitled THUMBWHEEL AND SWITCH FOR A MOBILE ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND METHODS THEREOF. The contents of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/790,202 are herein incorporated by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD [0002] The present invention relates generally to mobile electronic devices having a thumbwheel for input. BACKGROUND [0003] A thumbwheel subassembly includes a thumbwheel and a switch. The thumbwheel may have measurable rotation and depressible input movements, for example, rolling the thumbwheel up, rolling the thumbwheel down and pushing the thumbwheel inwards. A user may inadvertently roll the thumbwheel down while pushing the thumbwheel inwards. SUMMARY [0004] In some embodiments of the invention, a method includes canceling detection of a rotation downward of a thumbwheel if detection of a depressible input movement of the thumbwheel occurs within a predetermined time threshold of detection of the rotation downward. The predetermined time threshold may be approximately 100 milliseconds. The method may be implemented by executing software instructions on a computing platform. The instructions may be stored on an article. [0005] In some embodiments of the invention, a mobile electronic device includes a thumbwheel subassembly, a housing and a microprocessor inside the housing. The thumbwheel subassembly includes a thumbwheel and a switch. The housing has an opening through which the thumbwheel protrudes. The microprocessor is to compensate for inadvertent rolling of the thumbwheel down by a user while the user pushes the thumbwheel inwards. The microprocessor is to cancel detection of a rotation downward of the thumbwheel if detection of a depressible input movement of the thumbwheel occurs within a predetermined time threshold of the detection of the rotation downward. [0006] In some embodiments, a mobile electronic device includes a flat display screen, a thumbwheel subassembly and a housing. The thumbwheel subassembly includes a thumbwheel and a switch. The housing has an opening through which the thumbwheel protrudes. The thumbwheel subassembly is oriented so that a direction of depressible input movement of the thumbwheel, when projected onto a plane substantially parallel to a plane of the flat display screen, is substantially aligned with a direction of a push by a user's thumb or finger that includes a measurable component of downward force. In some embodiments of the invention, the thumbwheel subassembly is oriented so that a direction of depressible input movement of the thumbwheel, when projected onto a plane substantially parallel to a plane of the flat display screen, is at an angle in a range of approximately 2 degrees to approximately 10 degrees with respect to a direction from a first point on a side of the housing having the opening to a second point directly across from the first point on an opposite side of the housing. The angle may be in a range of approximately 3 degrees to approximately 8 degrees, or approximately 4 degrees to approximately 6 degrees. The angle may be approximately 5 degrees. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0007] Embodiments of the invention may be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read with the accompanied drawings in which: [0008] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary mobile electronic device, in accordance with some embodiments of the invention; [0009] FIG. 2 is a front view of an exemplary mobile electronic device, in accordance with some embodiments of the invention; [0010] FIG. 3 is a side view of the exemplary mobile electronic device of FIG. 2; [0011] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustration of an exemplary method to compensate for inadvertent rolling of the thumbwheel down while pushing the thumbwheel, in accordance with some embodiments of the invention; [0012] FIG. 5 is a front view of another exemplary mobile electronic device, in accordance with some embodiments of the invention; [0013] FIG. 6 is a front view of a left-handed version of the exemplary mobile electronic device of FIG. 2; [0014] FIG. 7 is a side view of the exemplary mobile electronic device of FIG. 6; and [0015] FIG. 8 is a front view of a left-handed version of the exemplary mobile electronic device of FIG. 5. [0016] It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity. Further, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0017] In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of the invention. However it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the invention. [0018] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary mobile electronic device 100, in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. Device 100 may be a personal data assistant (PDA), a personal information manager (PIM), a two-way pager, a cellphone, a handheld terminal, and the like. In some embodiments, device 100 may be a two-way communication device with data communication capabilities having the capability to communicate with other computer systems. In some embodiments, device 100 may also include the capability for voice communications. Continue reading... Full patent description for Thumbwheel and switch for a mobile electronic device and methods thereof Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Thumbwheel and switch for a mobile electronic device and methods thereof patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. 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