Navigation tool with audible feedback on a handheld communication device having a full alphabetic keyboard
System and method that provides audible feedback through a speaker of a handheld electronic device having a full alphabetic keyboard upon actuation of a navigation tool. The audible feedback produced by the speaker is capable of being modified based upon the location, speed, and other characteristics of the movement of a cursor on the display of a handheld electronic device. The sound produced by the speaker can originate from an audio file stored or otherwise available on the handheld electronic device.
1. A method for producing an audible sound that emanates from a speaker of a handheld electronic device that includes a display screen, a navigational tool for controlling motion of a cursor about the display screen, an operating system and a running resident application program, said method comprising:
detecting movement of the navigation tool of the handheld electronic device requesting specific motion of the cursor on the display screen of the device; and
generating a negative audible sound from the speaker of the handheld electronic device when the requested direction of motion of the cursor is not allowed by the currently running application program wherein said display screen is a lighted display located above a keyboard suitable for accommodating textual input to the handheld electronic device when said handheld electronic device is in an operable configuration, said navigation tool being located essentially between the display screen and keyboard in the operable configuration and said keyboard comprising a plurality of keys with which alphabetic letters are associated, one letter per key.
2. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein said speaker produces different sounds in response to supplied signals.
3. The method of claim 1 , said method further comprising controlling one of a desired pitch and volume of said negative audible sound.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein said operating system controls the generation of the negative audible sound.
5. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein said handheld electronic device transmits data to, and receives data from a communication network utilizing radio frequency signals.
6. The method as recited in claim 5 , wherein the data transmitted between said handheld electronic device and the communication network supports voice and textual messaging.
7. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein said alphabetic letters are configured in one of a QWERTY, QWERTZ, AZERTY, and Dvorak layout.
8. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein said navigation tool is a trackball.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein said negative audible sound is adjusted based upon speed of said cursor on the display screen of the handheld electronic device.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the negative audible sound depends upon a theme set by the user of the handheld electronic device.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein said negative audible sound is produced when an edge of a document is reached.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein said negative audible sound is produced when an edge of a scrollable window is reached.
13. The method of claim 1 , wherein said negative audible sound is derived from an audio file provided by said handheld electronic device.
14. An audible feedback system for a handheld electronic device comprising: a speaker physically connected to said handheld electronic device; a navigational tool for controlling motion of a cursor about a display screen of said handheld electronic device; and a program capable of controlling signals to be sent to said speaker, wherein said program detects movement of the navigational tool of the handheld electronic device requesting specific motion of the cursor on the display screen of the device, and generates a negative audible sound from the speaker of the handheld electronic device when the requested direction of motion of the cursor is not allowed by the currently running program, wherein said display screen is located above a keyboard suitable for accommodating textual input to the handheld electronic device when said handheld electronic device is in an operable configuration, said navigation tool being located essentially between the display screen and keyboard in the operable configuration and said keyboard comprising a plurality of keys with which alphabetic letters are associated, one letter per key.
15. The audible feedback system of claim 14 , wherein said speaker produces different sounds in response to supplied signals.
16. The audible feedback system of claim 14 , further comprising controlling one of a desired pitch and volume of said negative audible sound.
17. The audible feedback system of claim 14 , wherein said operating system controls the generation of the negative audible sound.
18. The audible feedback system as recited in claim 14 , wherein said handheld electronic device transmits data to, and receives data from a communication network utilizing radio frequency signals.
19. The audible feedback system as recited in claim 18 , wherein the data transmitted between said handheld electronic device and the communication network supports voice and textual messaging.
20. The audible feedback system as recited in claim 14 , wherein said alphabetic letters are configured in one of a QWERTY, QWERTZ, AZERTY, and Dvorak layout.
21. The audible feedback system as recited in claim 14 , wherein said navigation tool is a trackball.
22. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the requested motion of the cursor that is not allowed is movement off of the display screen.
23. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the requested motion of the cursor that is not allowed is movement past an edge of the display screen.
24. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the requested motion of the cursor that is not allowed is movement beyond the choices of a menu selection group presently displayed by the running resident application program.
25. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the negative audible sound is a “thunk” noise in comparison to a “clink” noise that signifies allowed actions by the running resident application program.
26. The method as recited in claim 25 , wherein said speaker produces the “thunk” and “clink” noises in response to supplied signals from the running resident application program.
27. The audible feedback system as recited in claim 14 , wherein the requested motion of the cursor that is not allowed is movement off of the display screen.
28. The device as recited in claim 14 , wherein the requested motion of the cursor that is not allowed is movement past an edge of the display screen.
29. The audible feedback system as recited in claim 14 , wherein the requested motion of the cursor that is not allowed is movement beyond the choices of a menu selection group presently displayed by the running resident application program.
30. The audible feedback system as recited in claim 14 wherein the negative audible sound is a “thunk” noise in comparison to a “clink” noise that signifies allowed actions by the running resident application program.
31. The audible feedback system as recited in claim 30 , wherein said speaker produces the “thunk” and “clink” noises in response to supplied signals from the resident running application program.