Abstract: A mobile device 500 comprises a display portion 502 including a display screen, a first keypad portion 501, a second keypad portion 502, and at least one input device 508, 510-524, 531-544 associated with at least one of the first keypad portion 501, the second keypad portion 502, and the display portion 504. The first and second keypad portions 501, 502 are independently rotatably coupled to the display portion 502 to provide a plurality of operational configurations for the device 500. The first keypad portion 501 may be positioned on an upper level of the device 500 and the second keypad portion 502 may be positioned on a lower level of the device 500, with the display portion 502 being positioned in the middle of the device 500. The first keypad portion 501 may be superimposed over at least part of the display portion 502.

Abstract: A keyboard for a mobile device 400 having a processor 618 for interpreting signals comprises a plurality of keys 410-424 and corresponding indicia including keys associated with alphabetic characters corresponding to an array of letters A-Z. The keys 410-419 that are associated with alphabetic characters number fewer than twenty-six and correspond to one of a QWERTY, QWERTZ, AZERTY, or DVORAK key arrangement. Each of the plurality of keys 410-424 have multiple input surfaces and are arranged in an array of rows and columns that include a first outer column, at least one middle column, and a last outer column. The first and last columns of keys are operable to input at least three different signals to a processor 618 of a mobile device 400 depending upon what input surface of the key 410-424 is pressed. A middle column of keys is operable to input at least five different signals to a processor 618 depending on what input surface of the key 410-424 is pressed.

Abstract: An electronic device that includes a display screen and a scroll wheel coupled to the display screen by a processor. The scroll wheel includes a rotational input component for directing movement of a navigational indicator on the display screen and a depressible input component for inputting a character for display on the display screen.

Abstract: An improved handheld electronic device and keypad provide non-Latin characters, such as letters from the Greek alphabet, that are arranged to phonetically correspond with the positioning of Latin characters of a QWERTY keypad. In one embodiment, many of the keys of the keypad have both a Latin character and a non-Latin character that phonetically correspond with one another.

Abstract: A mobile device having a protective user interface cover is provided. The mobile device includes a mobile device housing having a top surface. The user interface is preferably mounted within the top surface of the mobile device, and may include a display, a keyboard, a touch screen, a touch surface, or any other type of user input and display apparatus. The protective cover comprises a protective surface and a positioning mechanism, wherein the protective cover is mounted to the mobile device housing such that the positioning mechanism positions the protective surface between a first position in which the protective surface covers the user interface in the top surface and a second position in which the protective surface does not cover the user interface in the top surface.

Abstract: An apparatus has a keyboard panel with a QWERTY array of alphabetic key actuation indicia. The apparatus further has a QWERTY array of keys that are free of alphabetic key actuation indicia, and are located adjacent to corresponding alphabetic key actuation indicia on the keyboard panel. Other parts of the apparatus include an output device responsive to actuation of the keys, and a processing device operatively coupled between the keys and the output device. Summarized alternatively, the apparatus includes a keyboard with keys arranged in arcuate horizontal rows. The keys in each row have centerlines projecting radially from a respective common centerpoint.

Abstract: A mobile device 1, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 610 includes a keypad portion 2, 102, 202, 302, 402, 502, 614, a display portion 4, 104, 204, 304, 404, 504, 616, at least one input device 8-25, 31-43, 108-125, 127-129, 131-148, 208-225, 231-245, 308-325, 327, 331-345, 410-424, 508, 510-524, 531-544, and a processor 618. The processor 618 is operable to run a plurality of software applications 630A-630N. The keypad portion 2, 102, 202, 302, 402, 502, 614 is rotatably coupled to the display portion 4, 104, 204, 304, 404, 504, 616 and rotatable between a first configuration and a second configuration. The processor 618 is operable to automatically select and run a software application 630A-630N depending upon the configuration of the device 1, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 610.

Abstract: A keyboard for a mobile device 400 having a processor 618 for interpreting signals comprises a plurality of keys 410-424 and corresponding indicia including keys associated with alphabetic characters corresponding to an array of letters A-Z. The keys 410-419 that are associated with alphabetic characters number fewer than twenty-six and correspond to one of a QWERTY, QWERTZ, AZERTY, or DVORAK key arrangement. Each of the plurality of keys 410-424 have multiple input surfaces and are arranged in an array of rows and columns that include a first outer column, at least one middle column, and a last outer column. The first and last columns of keys are operable to input at least three different signals to a processor 618 of a mobile device 400 depending upon what input surface of the key 410-424 is pressed. A middle column of keys is operable to input at least five different signals to a processor 618 depending on what input surface of the key 410-424 is pressed.

Abstract: A mobile device 500 comprises a display portion 502 including a display screen, a first keypad portion 501, a second keypad portion 502, and at least one input device 508, 510-524, 531-544 associated with at least one of the first keypad portion 501, the second keypad portion 502, and the display portion 504. The first and second keypad portions 501, 502 are independently rotatably coupled to the display portion 502 to provide a plurality of operational configurations for the device 500. The first keypad portion 501 may be positioned on an upper level of the device 500 and the second keypad portion 502 may be positioned on a lower level of the device 500, with the display portion 502 being positioned in the middle of the device 500. The first keypad portion 501 may be superimposed over at least part of the display portion 502.

Abstract: A mobile device 200 comprises a display portion 204 and a keypad portion 202. The display portion 204 has a front side that includes a display screen 206 and a back side. The keypad portion 202 is rotatably coupled to the display portion 204 between a plurality of operational configurations. The keypad portion 202 has a front side that includes a plurality of input devices 208-225, 231-245 and an outer edge, with the front side of the keypad portion 202 having a depressed area 205 surrounding and including an area where the keypad portion 202 and display portion 204 are rotatably coupled. At least one of the plurality of input devices 231-245 is situated in the depressed area 205. The front side of the keypad portion 202 and the front side of the display portion 204 face in the same direction while rotating between the plurality of operational configurations. The plurality of operational configurations includes at least a first configuration and a second configuration.

Abstract: A mobile device having a protective user interface cover is provided. The mobile device includes a mobile device housing having a top surface. The user interface is preferably mounted within the top surface of the mobile device, and may include a display, a keyboard, a touch screen, a touch surface, or any other type of user input and display apparatus. The protective cover comprises a protective surface and a positioning mechanism, wherein the protective cover is mounted to the mobile device housing such that the positioning mechanism positions the protective surface between a first position in which the protective surface covers the user interface in the top surface and a second position in which the protective surface does not cover the user interface in the top surface.

Abstract: A mobile device having a protective user interface cover is provided. The mobile device includes a mobile device housing having a top surface. The user interface is preferably mounted within the top surface of the mobile device, and may include a display, a keyboard, a touch screen, a touch surface, or any other type of user input and display apparatus. The protective cover comprises a protective surface and a positioning mechanism, wherein the protective cover is mounted to the mobile device housing such that the positioning mechanism positions the protective surface between a first position in which the protective surface covers the user interface in the top surface and a second position in which the protective surface does not cover the user interface in the top surface.

Abstract: An apparatus has a keyboard panel with a QWERTY array of alphabetic key actuation indicia. The apparatus further has a QWERTY array of keys that are free of alphabetic key actuation indicia, and are located adjacent to corresponding alphabetic key actuation indicia on the keyboard panel. Other parts of the apparatus include an output device responsive to actuation of the keys, and a processing device operatively coupled between the keys and the output device. Summarized alternatively, the apparatus includes a keyboard with keys arranged in arcuate horizontal rows. The keys in each row have centerlines projecting radially from a respective common centerpoint.

Abstract: An apparatus has a keyboard panel with a QWERTY array of alphabetic key actuation indicia. The apparatus further has a QWERTY array of keys that are free of alphabetic key actuation indicia, and are located adjacent to corresponding alphabetic key actuation indicia on the keyboard panel. Other parts of the apparatus include an output device responsive to actuation of the keys, and a processing device operatively coupled between the keys and the output device. Summarized alternatively, the apparatus includes a keyboard with keys arranged in arcuate horizontal rows. The keys in each row have centerlines projecting radially from a respective common centerpoint.