Abstract: A content transfer system includes a provider device 40 and a receptor device, such as a personal digital assistant 20. The receptor device 20 is arranged to monitor the activity or usage of the device, and determine or predict therefrom a period of low device activity. In such a low period of activity, content transfer control means, in the form of a controller 21, is arranged to initiate the transfer of an item of content from the provider device 40 to the receptor device 20. The content may be secondary content such as text information from a television signal. Compression, decompression or other processor intensive tasks, such as preparing the content according to the output capabilities, may also be performed during times of low device activity.

Abstract: Electromechanical input means for a portable electronic device comprise first and second layers of conductive or resistive material. The second layer overlaps the first layer at least partly so that the overlapping parts of the first and second layers together are responsive to touching or pressing to produce an electric input signal to the portable electronic device. There is a dielectric support layer for the first and second layers. At least a part of the dielectric support layer for the first layer continues past the first layer and is bent back to act as the dielectric support layer for the second layer.

Abstract: An integrated light guide for use in an electronic device having a plurality of key buttons to allow a user to input signals in the device, the light guide having a plurality of domes used as touch areas of the key buttons and a plurality of light escapement areas disposed at the domes. When coupled to a light source, a portion of the light received by the light guide from the light source escapes from the light escapement areas to illuminate the key buttons. Preferably, each dome has one or more electrically conducting patches provided under the dome such that when a touch area is pushed by the user, these patches are caused to interact with an electronic circuit placed under the light guide for activating a key.

Abstract: An integrated key and a method of producing the integrated key, wherein the integrated key can be used on an electronic device. The integrated key includes an organic light-emitting layer and a plurality of electrodes, operatively connected to a power source, to activate the light-emitting layer in order to illuminate the key. Furthermore, the light-emitting layer and the electrodes can be arranged into a group of segments or pixels. The segments or pixels can be individually addressable so that they can be selectively activated to from a symbol or words. The key is implemented on a substrate and includes an encapsulation layer to form a cavity for filling with a gaseous species to protect the organic light-emitting layer in the key.

Abstract: A keyboard having a plurality of first keys on one side and second keys on the other, separated by a circuit board and a plurality of domes. The circuit board can be activated for entering information in an electronic device by pressing one or more keys on either side via the domes. The keyboard can be fixedly mounted on the cover of the electronic device such that the first keys can be used when the cover is closed and the second keys can be used when the cover is open. The keyboard can also be removably mounted so as to allow a user to change the keyboard side to be used. Alternatively, one side of the keyboard has a touch pad instead of keys.

Abstract: An integrated keymat or keyboard to be used on an electronic device. The integrated keymat includes a plurality of individual emissive keypads each having a legend or symbol provided thereon. The emissive keypad has a light-emitting source and a plurality of electrodes, operatively connected to a power source, to activate the light-emitting source in order to illuminate the keypads, wherein the connection of the electrodes is controllable so that one or more keypads can be illuminated causing the key indicating marks on said one or more keypads to become more visible. Furthermore, the light-emitting source may include a plurality of segments of pixels which are individually addressable so that they can be selectively activated to form an alphanumeric symbol or pattern. Moreover, the integrated keymat further comprises one or more lens-like pads provided on the keypads to make the legend or symbol on the keypads more visible.

Abstract: A double-sided keyboard having a first keymat and a second keymat located on two sides of a circuit board, wherein the first and second keymats share an activation mat located between the first keymat and the circuit board. The first keymat has a plurality of keys, and the second keymat has a plurality of keys so that any key can be used to activate the circuit board through the same activation mat. The double-sided keyboard can be used on the cover of an electronic device so that the first keymat is used to enter information in the electronic device when the cover is closed and the second keymat is used when the cover is open. Preferably,.the activation mat has a plurality of dome-shaped, electrically conducted sections which make contact with the circuit board when one of the keys is pressed.