Abstract: A handheld communication device having a reconfigurable keyfield and a display screen upon which characters are displayed. A plurality of actuable input keys makeup the keyfield, and each has at least one character associated therewith and an engageable top surface for actuation. A microprocessor is configured to receive data indicative of an actuated input key and to output data indicative of an associated character determined to correspond to the indicated input key. At least one of the plurality of actuable input keys is mounted to the handheld communication device by an adjustable interconnection configurable between at least first and second operating orientations. In the first operating orientation, the engageable top surface of the at least one input key faces a first direction and in the second operating orientation the engageable top surface of the at least one input key faces a second direction.

Abstract: A keypad assembly for a wireless device is provided. The keypad assembly comprises a circuit board, a keypad portion, a light guide, and at least one friction device. The keypad portion has a number of keys for physical actuation, each of the keys having an actuator post attached to a back side of the key. The circuit board has one or more electrical switches, the electrical switches corresponding to keys of the keypad. The light guide is located between the keypad portion and the circuit board. The light guide has a number of holes formed therein. The holes provide paths for respective actuator posts of the keys to travel through to contact the respective electrical switches on the circuit board. The at least one friction device is located in at least one of the holes of the light guide.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a display device for displaying a graphical user interface including a plurality of user-selectable features. A touch-sensitive input device includes an overlay disposed on the display device and a controller connected to the overlay, the touch-sensitive input device for providing a touch-sensitive area on the overlay, on the plurality of user-selectable features and for detecting an object proximal the user-selectable features on the display device. Functional components are provided including a processor connected to the display device and touch-sensitive input device, and a memory device for storage of computer-readable program code executable by the processor for changing the graphical user interface in response to detecting the object proximal one of the user-selectable features, prior to selection of any of the user-selectable features.

Abstract: A clamshell handheld wireless communication device having a hinging interconnector between the two housings, one in which the display screen is located and the other upon which the keyboard is located. The hinging interconnector may be so configured to resiliently transition from an operating configuration in which the display screen housing and keyboard housing are oblique to one another, to a more fully open configuration while remaining biased to the operating configuration.

Abstract: A clamshell handheld wireless communication device having a hinging interconnector between the two housings, one in which the display screen is located and the other upon which the keyboard is located. The hinging interconnector is positioned between the two housings and navigation tool is located on the hinging interconnector.

Abstract: A handheld electronic device includes a housing having a surface; a first input component having input members disposed external to the surface; a second touch sensitive input component disposed about the input members, the touch sensitive input component being separate and distinct from the input members and the first input component and being structured to provide one of: a contact point with respect to the surface responsive to actuation of a first number of the input members, and a number of responses responsive to actuation of a second number of the input members. A processor cooperates with the first input component and the touch sensitive input component to determine if a plurality of the input members are actuated contemporaneously and to output a representation of a single one of the input members based upon one of: the contact point, and the number of responses.

Abstract: A key activation system for use in an electronic device is provided. The system comprises an activation mechanism associated with a key in the system, a first feedback system and a second feedback system. The activation mechanism is associated with the key activation system and provides a first feedback sense when the activation mechanism has triggered the first activation condition. The second feedback system provides a second feedback sense indicating when the key triggers the second activation condition. In the system, the second feedback system operates independently from the activation mechanism and the first activation condition is triggered before the second activation condition when the activation mechanism is initially engaged. An activation mechanism may be centrally located for a set of keys.

Abstract: A key activation system for use in a handheld communication device is provided. The system comprises an activation mechanism associated with a key in the system, a first feedback system and a second feedback system. The activation mechanism is associated with the key activation system and provides a first feedback sense when the activation mechanism has triggered the first activation condition. The second feedback system provides a second feedback sense indicating when the key triggers the second activation condition. In the system, the second feedback system operates independently from the activation mechanism and the first activation condition is triggered before the second activation condition when the activation mechanism is initially engaged. An activation mechanism may be centrally located for a set of keys.

Abstract: A mobile electronic device having a keyboard has a cover plate acting as a dial keypad. The keypad has a push-through, hinge-spring design that activates only one of two keyboard keys underlying a dial key and allows backlighting transmissivity. A translucent material can be used to allow the keyboard key backlighting to be coupled through to a top dial key. The keypad creates an aesthetically balanced dial keypad arrangement over a QWERTY keyboard. A preferable mechanical implementation allows backlighting and has an offset contact and spring design to activate one of the two underlying keys. This activation simplifies the software implementation for executing the dial number since the signal is coming from one address rather than having to make a determination of whether it is coming from one or two addresses. Moreover, the resulting dial key press has a standard single click feel.

Abstract: A key activation system for use in a handheld communication device is provided. The system comprises an activation mechanism associated with a key in the system, a first feedback system and a second feedback system. The activation mechanism is associated with the key activation system and provides a first feedback sense when the activation mechanism has triggered the first activation condition. The second feedback system provides a second feedback sense indicating when the key triggers the second activation condition. In the system, the second feedback system operates independently from the activation mechanism and the first activation condition is triggered before the second activation condition when the activation mechanism is initially engaged. An activation mechanism may be centrally located for a set of keys.