Abstract: According to one aspect, a portable electronic device having a base portion having a keypad, and a sliding portion. The sliding portion is coupled to the base portion and slideable relative thereto between a closed position wherein the keypad is covered by the sliding portion, and an open position wherein the keypad is exposed. The keypad includes a plurality of keys, at least some of the plurality of keys having a ridge that extends upwardly from the top surface of the key. Each ridge extends between a lower edge of the key and an upper edge of the key and is curved therebetween. Each ridge is offset from a midline of each key.

Abstract: A reader device includes a housing for receiving a smart card, a processor in electronic communication with an integrated circuit chip of the smart card when the smart card is received in the housing, a wireless communications device in electronic communication with the processor for enabling the reader device to transmit first encrypted information wirelessly and to receive second encrypted information wirelessly, and a memory in electronic communication with the processor that includes one or more routines executable by the processor. The one or more routines include a cryptographic module adapted to encrypt first information to create the first encrypted information and decrypt the second encrypted information to obtain second information. In addition, a communication system that includes the reader device and a computing device, wherein the reader device and computing device are able to wirelessly exchange information in a secure manner.

Abstract: A flexible mobile computing device includes a flexible display having a first display portion, a second display portion, and a third display portion positioned, along a longitudinal axis of the device, between the first and second display portions. The device also includes a printed circuit board (PCB) portion positioned behind the first display portion. Additionally, the device includes a battery portion positioned behind the second display portion. The device also includes a flexible connector positioned behind the third display portion, extending along a latitudinal axis of the device, and connecting the PCB portion to the battery portion. The flexible connector is configured to permit the first display portion to twist relative to the second display portion about an axis of the device other than the latitudinal axis. In addition, the flexible connector is configured to permit inward and outward bending of the device.

Abstract: A portable electronic device chargeable via at least one speaker port is provided. The portable electronic device comprises a housing containing: a processing unit, a least one speaker for playing audio signals; a power pack for powering the portable electronic device, including the processing unit; and a charging circuit electrically connected to the power pack for charging the power pack from an external power source. The portable electronic device further comprises at least one speaker port for enabling sound from the at least one speaker to exit the housing, the at least one speaker port enabled to convey power from the external power source to the charging circuit such that the power pack is chargeable via the at least one speaker port.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a portable electronic device having a base portion having a keypad, and a sliding portion. The sliding portion is coupled to the base portion and slideable relative thereto between a closed position wherein the keypad is covered by the sliding portion, and an open position wherein the keypad is exposed. The keypad includes a plurality of keys, at least some of the plurality of keys having a ridge that extends upwardly from the top surface of the key. Each ridge extends between a lower edge of the key and an upper edge of the key and is curved therebetween. Each ridge is offset from a midline of each key.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus are described herein for input of characters into a mobile device. In one implementation, a user can input representations of character strokes of logographic characters, such as Chinese characters, using a trackpad module. The system can then associate the character strokes with a character the user desires to input based on the received inputs and a series of well-known rules for writing the logographic characters. One implementation of the trackpad includes an optical trackpad comprising a plurality of sub-sections that can be used to determine the direction of movement of an object over the optical trackpad, for example, a finger over the optical trackpad.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a portable electronic device having a base portion having a keypad, and a sliding portion. The sliding portion is coupled to the base portion and slideable relative thereto between a closed position wherein the keypad is covered by the sliding portion, and an open position wherein the keypad is exposed. The keypad includes a plurality of keys, at least some of the plurality of keys having a ridge that extends upwardly from the top surface of the key. Each ridge extends between a lower edge of the key and an upper edge of the key and is curved therebetween. Each ridge is offset from a midline of each key.

Abstract: A mobile electronic device including a first auxiliary section, a main screen section having a display screen, a second auxiliary section having a user input device, and a back section having a microprocessor and a battery. In a first state, the mobile electronic device includes the first auxiliary section and the main screen section on a first side of the device, and the second auxiliary section and the back section on a second side of the device, the first side and the second side being disposed on opposite sides of the mobile electronic device. In a second state, the mobile electronic device includes the second auxiliary section and the main screen section on the first side, and the first auxiliary section and the back section on the second side.

Abstract: A reader device includes a housing for receiving a smart card, a processor in electronic communication with an integrated circuit chip of the smart card when the smart card is received in the housing, a wireless communications device in electronic communication with the processor for enabling the reader device to transmit first encrypted information wirelessly and to receive second encrypted information wirelessly, and a memory in electronic communication with the processor that includes one or more routines executable by the processor. The one or more routines include a cryptographic module adapted to encrypt first information to create the first encrypted information and decrypt the second encrypted information to obtain second information. In addition, a communication system that includes the reader device and a computing device, wherein the reader device and computing device are able to wirelessly exchange information in a secure manner.

Abstract: An electronic device having a concealed keyboard includes a first housing, a second housing rotatably coupled to the first housing, and a concealment cover coupled to a rear of the first housing. The first housing has a coupling edge and two sides that are substantially perpendicular to the coupling edge of the first housing. The second housing has a coupling edge and two sides that are substantially perpendicular to the coupling edge of the second housing. A receiving portion is formed on a rear surface of the first housing and is configured to receive the second housing. When the second housing is in the receiving portion, each respective side of the first housing and the second housing are co-terminal with one another. The concealment cover is exteriorly positioned with respect to the second housing when the second housing is in the receiving portion.

Abstract: A portable electronic device chargeable via at least one speaker port is provided. The portable electronic device comprises a housing containing: a processing unit, a least one speaker for playing audio signals; a power pack for powering the portable electronic device, including the processing unit; and a charging circuit electrically connected to the power pack for charging the power pack from an external power source. The portable electronic device further comprises at least one speaker port for enabling sound from the at least one speaker to exit the housing, the at least one speaker port enabled to convey power from the external power source to the charging circuit such that the power pack is chargeable via the at least one speaker port.

Abstract: A mobile device having a flip-around keyboard includes a housing, a display, and a keyboard rotatably coupled to the housing. The housing has a top end, a bottom end, a front surface, and a back surface. The display is located on the front surface of the housing. The keyboard is rotatably coupled at about the bottom end of the housing. The keyboard has a front face having a plurality of keys and a rear face opposite the front surface. In a first configuration, the rear face of the keyboard faces the display of the housing. In a second configuration, the front face of the keyboard faces the back surface of the housing. The keyboard can be rotatably coupled to the housing by a coupler that permits greater than two hundred seventy degrees of rotation about a lateral axis parallel to an edge of the housing.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a portable electronic device having a base portion having a keypad, and a sliding portion. The sliding portion is coupled to the base portion and slideable relative thereto between a closed position wherein the keypad is covered by the sliding portion, and an open position wherein the keypad is exposed. The keypad includes a plurality of keys, at least some of the plurality of keys having a ridge that extends upwardly from the top surface of the key. Each ridge extends between a lower edge of the key and an upper edge of the key and is curved therebetween. Each ridge is offset from a midline of each key.

Abstract: A flexible mobile computing device includes a flexible display having a first display portion, a second display portion, and a third display portion positioned, along a longitudinal axis of the device, between the first and second display portions. The device also includes a printed circuit board (PCB) portion positioned behind the first display portion. Additionally, the device includes a battery portion positioned behind the second display portion. The device also includes a flexible connector positioned behind the third display portion, extending along a latitudinal axis of the device, and connecting the PCB portion to the battery portion. The flexible connector is configured to permit the first display portion to twist relative to the second display portion about an axis of the device other than the latitudinal axis. In addition, the flexible connector is configured to permit inward and outward bending of the device.