Navigation key for a handset

DETAILED DESCRIPTION In accordance with the invention there is provided a telephone handset having a front surface with a display and a keypad, wherein said keypad includes a group of keys for entering alphanumeric signs and a key for navigating a cursor in the display, said navigation key is placed in the front surface of the phone between the display and the group of alphanumeric keys, said navigation key includes a roller body which extends partly though an opening in the front surface of the phone, and which is essentially cylindrical with a length and diameter of the same size as the width of the keys in said group of keys for entering alphanumeric signs.
With the roller concept according to the invention the roller body will have a well-defined axis of rotation, and by providing the roller body with a cylindrical shape a part of the micro mechanics may be placed internally in the roller.
The invention provides a new and improved user interface for a telephone handset, said user interface including a roller body for scrolling though the items in the display and allowing the user to handle it by a one-hand grip.
When the axis of rotation of the roller is provided such that it extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the phone, the scrolling through the items in the menu will be performed like the traditional scrolling, but the scrolling will be much faster.
The user is allowed to slow down the speed of the scrolling when he is near the desired item.
When the keys are arranged such that the navigation key is placed as an extension of the central column of the group of keys for entering alphanumeric signs, the navigation key is positioned in the resting point for the thumb.
This is ergonomically a very good solution.
The phone is provided with means for detecting the rolling and depression of the navigation key, and the output from the detection means is fed to the controller which moves the cursor between items displayed in the display in dependence on the signal generated by the rolling and selects an item pointed out by the cursor in dependence on the signal generated by the depression