Abstract: A method for determining whether a wireless device is being held comprising: activating a vibration motor in the wireless device to vibrate the wireless device for a predetermined period; receiving at least one acceleration measurement from an accelerometer in the wireless device during the predetermined period; and, comparing the at least one acceleration measurement to at least one stored acceleration measurement, the at least one stored acceleration measurement corresponding to a held wireless device.

Abstract: An improved handheld electronic device includes an input apparatus, an output apparatus, and a processor apparatus. The input apparatus includes a reduced keyboard and a roller ball input. The roller ball input includes a movable portion that is substantially continuously rotatable with respect to a housing of the device and is rotatable about more than one axis to provide input. The processor apparatus includes a disambiguation routine that can output various proposed interpretations of inputs from the reduced keyboard. The roller ball input advantageously provides various inputs to the handheld electronic device without requiring significant user attention, which enables a user to direct a greater amount of attention to the output from the disambiguation routine and to other aspects of the device.

Abstract: A printed circuit board is provided for use in a keyboard assembly of a mobile device having a plurality of keys in a key layout. The printed circuit board has a plurality of contacts, such as dome switches, arranged in a contact layout. The contact layout is such that it can be used with a plurality of different key layouts, each actuating different combinations of contacts. Some keys in a particular key layout are overlying at least two of the plurality of contacts, and such keys actuate only one of the underlying contacts. As such, a common printed circuit board can be used for a plurality of complementary mobile device designs having different key layouts, thereby allowing a manufacturer to realize cost efficiencies.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for controlling operation of a communication device. The communication device comprises: a casing for housing a display and a keyboard; and a microprocessor controlling aspects of the keyboard and display. The invention provides a power application operating on the microprocessor. The application monitors activation cycles of the device, stores activation data related to the activation cycles and identifies a new activation cycle for the device utilizing an activation pattern derived from the activation data.

Abstract: A printed circuit board is provided for use in a keyboard assembly of a mobile device having a plurality of keys in a key layout. The printed circuit board has a plurality of contacts, such as dome switches, arranged in a contact layout. The contact layout is such that it can be used with a plurality of different key layouts, each actuating different combinations of contacts. Some keys in a particular key layout are overlying at least two of the plurality of contacts, and such keys actuate only one of the underlying contacts. As such, a common printed circuit board can be used for a plurality of complementary mobile device designs having different key layouts, thereby allowing a manufacturer to realize cost efficiencies.

Abstract: An input device for a mobile device comprising a telephone keypad arranged on one side of the input device for providing an input signal corresponding to telephone characters, a keyboard arranged on the opposite side of the input device for providing an input signal corresponding to text characters, and a connector for attaching the keyboard to the mobile device for rotating between a first position of the input device and a second position of the input device around a rotation axis. With the addition of a flip axis to the connector, the telephone keypad is operable and the keyboard sits on main body of the mobile device when the input device is in the first position, and the keyboard is operable and the input device sits on the main body of the mobile device when the keyboard is in the second position.

Abstract: An apparatus for input and fingerprint recognition on a handheld electronic device includes (1) a touchscreen having a touch resolution portion and a fingerprint sensor distinct from the touch resolution portion; and (2) a data processor coupled to the touchscreen. The touch resolution portion has a touch resolution for detecting a touch input on the touch surface. The data processor is configured to selectively operate the fingerprint sensor in one of a fingerprint resolution mode for sensing a fingerprint on said touch surface and a touch input mode for detecting the touch input on said touch surface.

Abstract: An improved handheld electronic device having an improved keyboard provides enhanced usability with fewer keys by enabling the keys to pivot slightly to provide multiple functions to the keys. The improved keyboard may, for example, include internal strips of conductive carbon that are disposed adjacent the keys and are electrically engageable with contacts on a printed circuit board. Specifically, when a key is pressed directly downward it collapses a single dome and connects together a set of primary contacts to provide a first function. When the key is pressed at the side thereof, the key pivots slightly, collapses the dome and connects together the primary contacts, and also engages a carbon strip with a pair of secondary contacts to connect together the secondary contacts, all of which provide a second function. The keyboard may be configured to be of a QWERTY configuration while using only a relatively small number of keys.

Abstract: A printed circuit board is provided for use in a keyboard assembly of a mobile device having a plurality of keys in a key layout. The printed circuit board has a plurality of contacts, such as dome switches, arranged in a contact layout. The contact layout is such that it can be used with a plurality of different key layouts, each actuating different combinations of contacts. Some keys in a particular key layout are overlying at least two of the plurality of contacts, and such keys actuate only one of the underlying contacts. As such, a common printed circuit board can be used for a plurality of complementary mobile device designs having different key layouts, thereby allowing a manufacturer to realize cost efficiencies.

Abstract: A keypad for a mobile electronic device is provided. A frame includes ridges defining a set of locations for housing actuators. A set of actuators is supported on the frame at the set of locations. In operation, the ridges assist to guide the user's fingers or thumbs to one of the actuators while the user is typing on the keypad.

Abstract: A universal adapter for use with a rechargeable handheld communication device includes a power module. An AC rectifier is operable to convert an AC power signal into a rectified AC power signal. A DC transformer is operable to receive the AC rectified power signal and output a DC transformed power signal. A top switch feedback circuit is coupled to the DC transformer and is operable to regulate the DC transformed power signal. A DC to DC switching converter is coupled to the DC transformer and is operable to convert the DC transformed power signal to a converted DC power signal. A feedback control circuit is coupled to the DC to DC converter and operable to regulate the converted DC signal.

Abstract: An electrical adaptor apparatus is provided for use with an electrical device. The apparatus includes a case defining a socket. The socket has a plurality of first electrical contacts. The apparatus also includes a plurality of adaptor plugs. Each adaptor plug has a plurality of recessed second electrical contacts configured to communicate with a corresponding one of the first electrical contacts. Each adaptor plug is configured to mate with the socket. Each adaptor plug is further configured to mate with a style of electrical wall socket. The apparatus further includes a locking mechanism operative to lock the adaptor plug into the socket. The apparatus includes a detent button that is operative to release the locking mechanism, thereby to release the adaptor plug from the socket.

Abstract: A universal adapter for use with a rechargeable handheld communication device includes a power module. An AC rectifier is operable to convert an AC power signal into a rectified AC power signal. A DC transformer is operable to receive the AC rectified power signal and output a DC transformed power signal. A top switch feedback circuit is coupled to the DC transformer and is operable to regulate the DC transformed power signal. A DC to DC switching converter is coupled to the DC transformer and is operable to convert the DC transformed power signal to a converted DC power signal. A feedback control circuit is coupled to the DC to DC converter and operable to regulate the converted DC signal.

Abstract: An electrical adaptor apparatus is provided for use with an electrical device. The apparatus includes a case defining a socket. The socket has a plurality of first electrical contacts. The apparatus also includes a plurality of adaptor plugs. Each adaptor plug has a plurality of recessed second electrical contacts configured to communicate with a corresponding one of the first electrical contacts. Each adaptor plug is configured to mate with the socket. Each adaptor plug is further configured to mate with a style of electrical wall socket. The apparatus further includes a locking mechanism operative to lock the adaptor plug into the socket. The apparatus includes a detent button that is operative to release the locking mechanism, thereby to release the adaptor plug from the socket.