An apparatus and method are described herein, which simultaneously promotes a positive computing experience for users of portable computer systems and increases overall durability and longevity thereof. In one embodiment, an optical apparatus enhances the user computing experience, in one embodiment by simplifying operation, and is much more durable and long-lasting than mechanical switch and dial type devices it may replace. In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to an apparatus, which enables efficient portable computer device function, field, and data selection, gaming, input, interconnection, and other switching-related functions, simplifying operation and enhancing versatility thereof, yet without exposing the portable computer interior to any degree to incursion of environmental contamination. In one embodiment, an optical apparatus obviates openings in a portable computer package which would otherwise be required. In one embodiment, the apparatus, capable of sensing manipulation and directed by software, has a light source and corresponding light sensor.

A mobile phone device includes a housing having a substantially rectangular shape wherein its height dimension substantially corresponds to a distance between an ear and a mouth of a user and wherein its width dimension is less than its height dimension. A display unit is integrated within the front surface of the mobile phone device. The display unit substantially entirely covers the front surface of the mobile phone device. The mobile phone device does not include a physical key on the front surface.

An apparatus for carrying out inputs in an input capturing unit that can be coupled to the apparatus. An operating device has a receiving part and an operating element that is rotatably mounted on the receiving part. The operating element can be rotated by a finger to effect an input. A torque for the rotation of the control element can be adjusted by way of a controllable braking device. In addition, the control element has at least two actuating zones. The resistance to movement for the movability of the operating element can be adjusted depending on from which actuation zone the operating element is actuated and/or which actuation zone was previously activated.

A cellular telephone comprising a flat monitor screen that tilts and maneuvers in a 360° degree rotation while remaining within the inner frame/body of said cellular telephone or while in the course of protracting outward extending from with the inner body of said cellular telephone or while in the course of retracting inward back inside the inner body of said cellular telephone. One embodiment of said cellular telephone comprises a flat monitor screen camera that tilts and maneuvers in synchronization with said cellular telephone monitor screen in a 360° degree rotation while remaining within the frame/body of said cellular telephone or while in the course of protracting extending outwards extending from within the inner body of said cellular telephone. Another embodiment of said cellular telephone comprising a flat speaker/transmitter button that protracts outward ‘creating’ a (four) level speaker/transmitter pyramid that also retracts inward reverting back to its original origin.

A sleeve or case for a mobile device, such as a smartphone or tablet or other types of hand-held device or mobile smart device, has a sleeve part for at least partially enclosing the mobile device and an input device arranged in the sleeve part for controlling the mobile device which can be received in the sleeve part. The input device includes a movable control element and a magnetorheological brake. Any movement of the control element can be selectively damped by way of the magnetorheological brake.

A user interface (102) for a touchscreen (106) is provided. The user interface (102) comprises a physical overlay (108) having a rotatable guide wheel (110) with access through-holes (112, 114) formed therein. The touchscreen (106) of a portable communication device (104) can be accessed though the access through-holes (112, 114) and controlled via the rotatable guide wheel (110) without having to view the screen. Fingertip insertion into the access through-holes (112, 114) activates and selects different predetermined functions, while rotation of the rotatable guide wheel (110) controls variation for each predetermined function. The user interface may (102) be incorporated as part of a carry case, holster (130), harness or formed as an attachable and removable overlay plate (308) to correspond with the touchscreen (106).

Displaying a map in a mobile communication device. Geographic coordinate information for a location of an address in a contact is determined. A user context for the mobile communications device is also determined. A request for a table of contents of available map data without the map data with the geographic coordinate information of the location as input is sent and the table of contents of available map data is received. A subset of map data comprising less data than is listed in the table of contents for the location corresponding to the geographic coordinate information is selected based on the table of contents of available map data and the user context. The subset of the map data is requested and the map with the subset of the map data is caused to be rendered in the display.

A brightness adjustment method and device and an electronic device are provided. The method comprises: detecting a click of a user on a designated physical key; if the click is detected, displaying a designated panel on a touch sensitive display, wherein the designated panel comprises a brightness adjustment panel of the touch sensitive display; and adjusting the brightness of the touch sensitive display in accordance with a gesture operation of the user on the brightness adjustment panel.

An input sensing unit includes a first metal pattern layer including a plurality of first conductive lines extending in a first direction. A first insulating layer is disposed on the first metal pattern layer. A second metal pattern layer is positioned above the first insulating layer and includes a plurality of second conductive lines extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction. A second insulating layer is disposed on the second metal pattern layer. A sensing electrode is disposed on the second insulating layer and is electrically connected to the second metal pattern layer through a contact hole defined in the second insulating layer. An anti-reflection pattern layer is disposed on the first and second metal pattern layers to overlap the first and second metal pattern layers along a direction orthogonal to an upper surface of the anti-reflection pattern layer.

This disclosure generally relates to various directional input units of a mobile communication terminal, where such directional input units receive a single user input or multiple concurrent user inputs and then acquires at least one selecting (user) sub-input therefrom while a terminal is in its powered-off state or its off-state. After acquiring the selecting user sub-input, a terminal runs at least one pre-selected operation which is selected from a set of multiple pre-selected operations and which matches the selecting user sub-input when a terminal powers on from its powered-off state or wakes up from its off-state. A directional input unit may acquire the selecting user sub-input from a movement of at least a portion thereof, a contact between at least a portion thereof and a user body part, or the like. As a result, a terminal can provide a user with more seamless operations.