Abstract: An electronic device (100) includes a high-resolution display (101) and a charged pigment display (103). The charged pigment display (103), which in one embodiment is an electrophoretic display, defines a user interaction region (106) and is configured, in conjunction with a controller (107), to present user actuation targets and information in the user interaction region. The information and user actuation targets may correspond to an operational mode of the device. The electronic device (100) may operate in control states, information states, and hybrid information/control states. Hyperlinks, brand information, and other data may be presented in the user interaction region (106).

Abstract: A handheld communication device may comprise a first housing and a second housing. The first housing may include a first keypad and a battery. The second housing may include a second keypad, at least one display, and a printed circuit board. The second housing may be rotatable relative to the first housing between an open configuration and a closed configuration. The second keypad may face in a substantially same direction as the first keypad in the open configuration, and the second keypad may face in a substantially opposite direction to the first keypad in the closed configuration.

Abstract: A multimodal electronic device (100) includes a shutter enabled dynamic keypad for presenting one of a plurality of keypad configurations to a user. Each keypad configuration, which is presented by an optical shutter (204) that opens or closes windows or shutters that are geometrically configured as alphanumeric or device keys or symbols. Each keypad configuration, in one embodiment, is limited to those needed for the particular mode of operation of the device (100). The optical shutter (204) is a low-resolution display that presents user actuation targets to a user in a low-resolution key area. As each mode of the device changes, the corresponding keypad configuration presented changes accordingly.

Abstract: A multimodal electronic device (100) includes a shutter enabled dynamic keypad for presenting one of a plurality of keypad configurations to a user. Each keypad configuration, which is presented by an optical shutter (204) that opens or closes windows or shutters that are geometrically configured as alphanumeric or device keys or symbols. Each keypad configuration, in one embodiment, is limited to those needed for the particular mode of operation of the device (100). The optical shutter (204) is a low-resolution display that presents user actuation targets to a user in a low-resolution key area. As each mode of the device changes, the corresponding keypad configuration presented changes accordingly.

Abstract: A multimodal device (100) includes a segmented optical shutter (204) that functions as a morphing user interface along the front surface (105) of the multimodal device (100). The morphing user interface is configured to present one of a plurality of mode-based actuators by selectively opening and closing segments (601,602,603,604) of the segmented optical shutter (204). Each set of mode-based actuators serves as a set of user actuation targets, or keys, for the multimodal device (100). In addition to the mode-based actuators, a brand mark (107,605,606) is presented, perhaps in a keypad region (106), that corresponds to hardware, software, or services that are operational on the multimodal device (100).

Abstract: Disclosed are devices, user interfaces and methods thereof, that include a touch sensitive surface configured to receive user input, the touch sensitive surface collocated with at least a portion of the keypad and disposed proximal keycaps corresponding to the portion of the keypad. A track of a particular shape is superimposed on the keycaps of the portion of the keypad collocated with the touch sensitive surface, the particular shape of the track configured to direct user input along the touch sensitive surface. In one embodiment, the track is curved and the finger of a user may be guided along the track. For example, a tactile feature of the track may be a height difference between the track and the keycaps. In one embodiment, the particular shape of the track can be configured to direct user input to the touch sensitive surface for scrolling through a list displayed on the display.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for minimizing the accumulation of soil and debris within a vacuum system of a surface maintenance machine is disclosed. A secondary fluid, such as pressurized cleaning solution, is sprayed into the vacuum system in order to reduce soil and debris accumulation within the vacuum system without applying additional fluid to a floor surface. In one embodiment of the invention, pressurized fluid is introduced directly into the vacuum extractor tool of a surface cleaning machine in order to dislodge accumulated debris on surfaces therein. A method of minimizing the accumulation of soil and debris within the vacuum system is also disclosed. The invention is applicable to a variety of portable and vehicle-based floor cleaning machines.