Abstract: System and method that provides audible feedback through a speaker of a handheld electronic device having a full alphabetic keyboard upon actuation of a navigation tool. The audible feedback produced by the speaker is capable of being modified based upon the location, speed, and other characteristics of the movement of a cursor on the display of a handheld electronic device. The sound produced by the speaker can originate from an audio file stored or otherwise available on the handheld electronic device.

Abstract: A handheld electronic device useful for wireless communication has a keyboard including a plurality of externally accessible keys. The keys can be disabled (i.e. the keyboard can be locked) to prevent accidental actuation thereof by using the navigation tool which has a depressible rolling member. Thus, for example, depression of the rolling member twice in succession or pressing and holding the rolling member down temporarily enables the keyboard lock. The lock can be disabled simply by depressing the rolling member and at least one other key.

Abstract: An improved handheld electronic device can be configured in a variety of different ways by a user. The user can select, for instance, a keypad module from among a plurality of similar but different keypad modules, and/or can select a display module from among a plurality of similar but different display modules, with the selected keypad module and display module being mounted to a frame to form the handheld electronic device having a particular form factor and an overall configuration.

Abstract: A key arrangement that includes a plurality of keys arranged in a pattern including a first column, a last column, and one or more middle columns. At least one of the middle columns includes a multidirectional navigational key. The first and last columns have keys in each row. A plurality of the keys and the multidirectional navigational input key have alphanumeric indicia. The multidirectional navigational input key may be integrated with the keys in a reduced QWERTY, QWERTY, QWERTZ, AZERTY, or DVORAK layout and may additionally be integrated with the keys in a telephony pad numeric layout. A touchpad or rotatable rim may also be disposed about the multidirectional navigational input key.

Abstract: A key arrangement that includes a plurality of keys arranged in a pattern including a first column, a last column, and one or more middle columns. At least one of the middle columns includes a multidirectional navigational key. The first and last columns have keys in each row. A plurality of the keys and the multidirectional navigational input key have alphanumeric indicia. The multidirectional navigational input key may be integrated with the keys in a reduced QWERTY, QWERTY, QWERTZ, AZERTY, or DVORAK layout and may additionally be integrated with the keys in a telephony pad numeric layout. A touchpad or rotatable rim may also be disposed about the multidirectional navigational input key.

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 handheld electronic device has a display screen and uses a keypad as an input means. The keypad has multiple keys, at least some of which are two-stage keys such that a light touch indicates one function and a full depression indicates another function. The device is programmed so that consecutive light touches of at least two adjacent keys indicates a desired navigation function on the display screen corresponding to a direction of the consecutive light touches. An additional selection key or keys, such as a Shift, Alt or Function key or the like, may be used to vary the default navigation action indicated by the consecutive light touches.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for activating an electronic device from a low power state. In the system, an activation circuit for an electronic device is provided. The circuit comprises: a motion sensor circuit; an input device; and a monitoring circuit connected to the input device. The monitoring circuit provides power to the input device when the motion sensor circuit detects a notable movement of the device and selectively generates an activation signal used to activate the electronic device to a higher power state in response to receiving a notable signal received from the input device.

Abstract: An electronic mobile device having a first body, a second body mounted to the first body for movement relative to the first body between first and second positions, at least one of the first body and second body housing electronic circuitry. An electronic drive motor is linked to first body and the second body for moving the bodies relative to each other, the drive motor being operable in a first mode for effecting movement of the second body from the first position to the second position and operable in a second mode for effecting repetitive movement of the second body relative to the first body for generating a vibration alert.

Abstract: The portable electronic device, such as a cell phone or wireless email device, includes a portable housing, a battery carried by the portable housing, and a trackball carried by the portable housing for permitting user pointing. The trackball includes a ball, at least one rotation sensor cooperating with the ball, and a power control switch responsive to displacement of the ball for selectively powering the at least one rotation sensor from the battery. The electronic device conserves power by selectively powering the trackball unit for user pointing and selecting.

Abstract: A mobile device is provided having a rotatable keyboard. The keyboard is attached to the mobile device and is rotatable in a single plane with respect to the device's housing between a first and second position. A plurality of keys are provided having first indicia in a first orientation relating to key functions in the first position and second indicia in a second orientation relating to key functions in the second position. The indicia are properly oriented with respect to the user in the first and second positions to display a telephone keypad and an alternate keyboard. The arrangement provides greater ergonomic comfort to a user when entering text. The mobile device can assign functions to each key based on a determined keyboard position and can include a weighted end piece to protect the rotatable keyboard from potential damage due to impact.

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 handheld device receives a request for information from a wireless accessory over a wireless communication link. The handheld device retrieves the information or a portion thereof and transmits all or a portion of the retrieved information to the wireless accessory over the wireless communication link.

Abstract: A handheld device is to generate a list of entities, in which no particular entity appears more than once, from participants in telephone communication sessions involving the handheld device, and one or more of a) participants in data communication sessions involving the handheld device and b) records of one or more databases that are stored in the handheld device.

Abstract: A dial keypad is provided for use with a mobile device having a keyboard. 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: The invention provides a system for controlling a backlight level for a display in an electronic device is provided. The system comprises the display, a backlight system connected to the display, a controller controlling backlight levels generated by the backlight system, a light sensor, a keypad, an activation sensor, a microprocessor controlling aspects of the system and software operating on the microprocessor. The software monitors signals from the activation sensor for activation of the device and upon determining that the device has been activated, utilizes signals from the light sensor, a received signal or the keypad to determine a target backlight level about the device and then controls the controller to adjust to the backlight level produced by the backlight system in response to the target backlight light level.

Abstract: An improved handheld electronic device, keypad, and method in accordance with the invention meet these and other needs. An improved handheld electronic device having an improved keypad provides enhanced usability and reduced size by organizing its keys in pairs, with a pair of keys being disposed on a support. Each key of a pair of keys is individually actuatable. An actuation of a key causes a primary conductor associated with the key set to electrically to connect a pair of contacts and to cause a secondary conductor associated with the key to electrically connect another pair of contacts. The primary conductor is a dome that is collapsible to electrically connect the pair of contacts and to provide a particular tactile feedback to the user. The secondary conductor is a conductor other than a collapsible dome. An actuation of any key or of any pair of keys thus provides to the user a consistent tactile feedback from a collapse of a single dome.

Abstract: A track ball cursor positioning sub-system is employed by a handheld electronic device including an operating system and a plurality of applications having a plurality of predetermined scaling values. The cursor positioning sub-system includes a track ball cursor positioning device adapted to output a plurality of device pulses, and a track ball cursor resolution controller adapted to repetitively input the device pulses and to responsively output to the operating system a plurality of cursor movement events. The cursor resolution controller is further adapted to be controlled by the operating system or by the applications to learn which one of the applications is active and to automatically scale a number of the cursor movement events for a corresponding number of the device pulses based upon a corresponding one of the predetermined scaling values of the active one of the applications.

Abstract: An improved handheld electronic device and method provide an input apparatus having a number of input members, at least a portion of the input members being movable among an unactuated position, a first actuated position, and a second actuated position in order to provide input. The improved method of enabling input into the handheld electronic device includes detecting a first input from a first input member, responsive to the first input, performing a first navigational function, such as a scrolling operation, at a first speed, detecting a second input form the first input member and, responsive to the second input, performing the first navigational function at a second speed, the second speed being different (e.g., greater) than the first speed. The input apparatus may include a substantially sealable, resilient membrane with the input members being disposed on the resilient membrane in order to provide an improved, ruggedized input apparatus.

Abstract: A presence management system enables an identification of a presence. i.e., a proximity, between a handheld electronic device having a wireless communication capability and another wireless communication device for the purpose of performing predetermined processing, and for other purposes. If a handheld electronic device is determined to be within a given proximity to a paired wireless communication device, the wireless communication device responsively interacts with an associated system in accordance with a predetermined profile that corresponds with the associated system and with the handheld electronic device. In another embodiment, a proximity can be determined between the handheld electronic device and a wireless communication device whereby the wireless communication device sends a request to the handheld electronic device. The handheld electronic device can then determine whether or not it desires to honor the request.