Method And System For Providing Input Mechanisms On A Handheld Electronic Device

Abstract

The present invention is related to a system and method for providing input mechanisms in a handheld electronic device. The handheld electronic device includes a casing having a first surface and a second surface, where the second surface faces away from a user of the device when the first surface faces toward the user. An input control is arranged on the second surface. An input mechanism is configured to detect a user input event via the input control. A display is arranged on the first surface and configured to present a visual indication identifying the input control responsive to the user input event.

1 . A handheld electronic device comprising:
 a casing having a first surface and a second surface, wherein the second surface faces away from a user of the device when the first surface faces toward the user;   an input control arranged on the second surface;   an input mechanism configured to detect a user input event via the input control; and   a display arranged on the first surface and configured to present a visual indication identifying the input control responsive to the user input event being received while the first surface faces toward the user and the second surface faces away from the user.   
   
   
       2 . The handheld device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the input control is arranged on the second surface with at least one other input control to comprise a layout of a plurality of input controls; and   the presented visual indication identifying the input control indicates a location of the input control in the layout relative to the plurality of input controls.   
   
   
       3 . The handheld device of  claim 2 , wherein the presented visual indication identifying the input control indicates a location of the input control in the layout relative to the plurality of input controls by presenting the input control within the layout from a perspective of a user viewing through the first surface onto the input control layout of the second surface. 
   
   
       4 . The handheld device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the input mechanism is configured to detect a plurality of user input events via the input control, each user input event corresponding to detection of a respective one of a plurality of different pressures applied to the input control; and   the display is configured to present a visual indication identifying the input control responsive to a one of the detected plurality of user input events.   
   
   
       5 . The handheld device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the input control is arranged on the second surface with at least one other input device to comprise a layout of a plurality of input controls each having a respective input mechanism to detect a user input event via a respective input control;   the display is configured to present a visual indication of the layout of the plurality of input controls responsive to detection of a first number of user input events; and   the display is configured to present a visual indication identifying a location of the input control in the layout relative to the plurality of input controls responsive to detection of a second number of user input events.   
   
   
       6 . The handheld device of  claim 5 , wherein the input mechanism is configured to detect a plurality of user input events via each of the plurality of input controls, each user input event corresponding to detection of a respective one of a plurality of different pressures applied to one of the plurality of input controls. 
   
   
       7 . The handheld device of  claim 6 , wherein the display is configured to stop presenting a presented visual indication of the layout of the plurality of input controls responsive to detection of a user input event corresponding to detection of a predetermined pressure applied to one of the plurality of input controls, the user input event corresponding to the predetermined pressure initiating the carrying out of a command assigned to the input control. 
   
   
       8 . A method for providing input mechanisms on a handheld electronic device comprising:
 providing a casing having a first surface and a second surface, wherein the second surface faces away from a user of the device when the first surface faces toward the user;   providing an input control arranged on the second surface;   detecting a user input event via the input control; and   presenting on a display arranged on the first surface a visual indication identifying the input control responsive to the user input event being received while the first surface faces toward the user and the second surface faces away from the user.   
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , comprising:
 providing the input control arranged on the second surface with at least one other input control to comprise a layout of a plurality of input controls; and   presenting the visual indication identifying the input control to indicate a location of the input control in the layout relative to the plurality of input controls.   
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the presented visual indication identifying the input control indicates a location of the input control in the layout relative to the plurality of input controls by presenting the input control within the layout from a perspective of a user viewing through the first surface onto the input control layout of the second surface. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 8 , comprising:
 detecting a plurality of user input events via the input control, each user input event corresponding to detection of a respective one of a plurality of different pressures applied to the input control; and   presenting a visual indication identifying the input control responsive to a one of the detected plurality of user input events.   
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the input control is arranged on the second surface with at least one other input device to comprise a layout of a plurality of input controls, the method comprising:
 presenting a visual indication of the layout of the plurality of input controls responsive to detection of a first number of user input events; and   presenting a visual indication identifying a location of the input control in the layout relative to the plurality of input controls responsive to detection of a second number of user input events.   
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein detection of user input events includes detection of a respective one of a plurality of different pressures applied to one of the plurality of input controls. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , comprising stopping presenting of a presented visual indication of the layout of the plurality of input controls responsive to detection of a user input event corresponding to detection of a predetermined pressure applied to one of the plurality of input controls, the user input event corresponding to the predetermined pressure initiating the carrying out of a command assigned to the input control.