Method and apparatus for controlling an electronic device using a rotary control

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10317926-B2
Application number	US-201615053457-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 25, 2016
Priority date	Feb 25, 2016
Publication date	Jun 11, 2019
Grant date	Jun 11, 2019

Abstract

A method and apparatus for controlling an electronic device using a rotary control. The method includes receiving, by an electronic processor from an inductance sensor, a first inductance. The method further includes comparing, by the electronic processor, the first inductance to a first threshold. The method further includes, determining, by the electronic processor, a location for the rotary control when the first inductance exceeds the first threshold, the method further includes activating, by the electronic processor, a control function based on the location. The method further includes receiving, by the electronic processor from the inductance sensor, a second inductance. The method further includes determining, by the electronic processor, a delta based on the first inductance and the second inductance. The method further includes adjusting, by the electronic processor, the control function based on the delta.

First claim

We claim:

1. A rotary control for a portable communications device, the rotary control comprising:
a knob having a longitudinal axis, the knob being pivotable about a pivot axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis between a first location and a second location, and rotatable around the longitudinal axis;
a first sensor located at the first location and configured to sense when the knob is in the first location; and
a second sensor located at the second location and configured to sense when the knob is in the second location.

2. The rotary control as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the knob is movable between the first location, the second location, and a third location, the third location located between the first location and the second location.

3. The rotary control as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the knob includes at least one boss and the rotary control further comprises:
a pin having disposed on the pivot axis;
wherein the at least one boss is connected to the pin.

4. The rotary control as claimed in claim 3 , further comprising:
an annular conductor connected to the knob and rotatable around the longitudinal axis;
wherein the first sensor includes a first inductive coil configured to sense a first inductance based on a rotational angle of the annular conductor; and
the second sensor includes a second inductive coil configured to sense a second inductance based on the rotational angle of the annular conductor.

5. The rotary control as claimed in claim 4 , wherein
the first inductive coil has a teardrop shape that is proportional to the annular conductor; and
the second inductive coil has a teardrop shape that is proportional to the annular conductor.

6. The rotary control as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the knob includes a plurality of detents, the plurality of detents positioned such that the knob is rotatable around the longitudinal axis in a plurality of equal steps.

7. The rotary control as claimed in claim 4 , further comprising:
an electronic processor, electrically coupled to the first sensor and the second sensor, and configured to
receive, from the first sensor, the first inductance;
compare the first inductance to a first threshold;
determine that the knob is in the first location when the first inductance exceeds the first threshold;
receive, from the second sensor, the second inductance;
compare the second inductance to a second threshold; and
determine that the knob is in the second location when the second inductance exceeds the second threshold.

8. The rotary control as claimed in claim 7 , wherein the processor is further configured to
activate a first control function when the knob is in the first location;
receive, from the first sensor, a third inductance;
determine a first delta based on the first inductance and the third inductance; and
adjust the first control function based on the first delta.

9. The rotary control as claimed in claim 7 , wherein the processor is further configured to
activate a second control function when the knob is in the second location,
receive, from the second sensor, a fourth inductance;
determine a second delta based on the second inductance and the fourth inductance; and
adjust the second control function based on the second delta.

10. A method for controlling a portable communications device using a rotary control, the method comprising:
receiving, by an electronic processor from an inductance sensor, a first inductance;
comparing, by the electronic processor, the first inductance to a first threshold;
determining, by the electronic processor, a location for the rotary control when the first inductance exceeds the first threshold;
activating, by the electronic processor, a control function based on the location;
receiving, by the electronic processor from the inductance sensor, a second inductance;
determining, by the electronic processor, a delta based on the first inductance and the second inductance;
adjusting, by the electronic processor, the control function based on the delta.

11. The method claimed in claim 10 , wherein adjusting the control function includes one selected from a group consisting of adjusting a channel setting and adjusting a volume setting.

12. The method claimed in claim 10 , further comprising:
determining, by the electronic processor, a step value based on the delta;
wherein adjusting the control function based on the delta includes adjusting the control function based on the step value.

13. A portable electronic communications device comprising:
a housing;
an electronic processor;
a rotary control coupled to the housing, including
a knob having a longitudinal axis, the knob being pivotable about a pivot axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis between a first location and a second location, and rotatable around the longitudinal axis;
a first sensor located at the first location and configured to sense when the knob is in the first location;
a second sensor located at the second location and configured to sense when the knob is in the second location.

14. The portable electronic device claimed in claim 13 , wherein the knob is movable between the first location, the second location, and a third location, the third location located between the first location and the second location.

15. The portable electronic device claimed in claim 13 , wherein the knob includes at least one boss and the rotary control further comprises:
a pin having disposed on the pivot axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis;
wherein the at least one boss is connected to the pin.

16. The portable electronic device claimed in claim 13 , wherein the rotary control further comprises:
an annular conductor connected to the knob and rotatable around the longitudinal axis;
wherein the first sensor includes a first inductive coil configured to sense a first inductance based on a rotational angle of the annular conductor; and
the second sensor includes a second inductive coil configured to sense a second inductance based on the rotational angle of the annular conductor.

Assignees

• Motorola Solutions Inc

Inventors

• Siddoway Craig F
• Kang Chul Min
• Kee Cheah Chan

Classifications

• G05G1/10 Primary

  Details, e.g. of discs, knobs, wheels or handles {(G05G1/085 takes precedence)} · CPC title

• G05B15/02

  electric · CPC title

• G01D5/20

  by varying inductance, e.g. by a movable armature · CPC title

• G05G1/12 Primary

  Means for securing the members on rotatable spindles or the like · CPC title

• G01D3/10 Primary

  with provision for switching-in of additional or auxiliary indicators or recorders · CPC title