Abstract: Handheld electronic communication device rotarily transitionable between compact and expanded configurations. The device includes an elongate display panel positioned adjacent and in parallel orientation with an elongate keyboard panel in the compact configuration. The display panel and keyboard panel are coupled together by a rotary connection that interconnects with the keyboard panel in an upper quadrant area of a front face thereof at a distance from a vertical centerline of the keyboard panel. The interconnection enables relative rotation between the panels and maintains the panels parallel to one another through out rotational transition between the compact and expanded configurations. The elongate display panel includes a display screen having a greater length than width and a lengthwise oriented centerline, the lengthwise oriented centerline being horizontally oriented when the device is configured in the expanded configuration.

Abstract: A digital camera module is conveniently packaged within an electronic device for sliding motion between a stored position and an operational position. The camera module is nested within the electronic device in the closed position to provide a streamlined external contour.

Abstract: A handheld electronic device configured to receive text messages has a body with a front face and top and bottom portions relative to text entry use orientation of the handheld device. A display screen is located on the front face of the body. The display screen presents information to the operator of the handheld device. A microprocessor located within the device is configured to receive operator commands from user inputs located on the device and instruct commensurate changes to the display screen. A navigation row of user inputs is located on the front face of the body below the display. The navigation row of user inputs includes a multi-directional navigation tool assembly laterally flanked by a pair of conjoined, depressibly actuable input keys. Each of the inputs keys is located substantially opposite the other across the navigation tool assembly and positioned adjacent to lateral sides of the navigation tool assembly.

Abstract: A portable electronic device that has a housing, a moveable touchscreen display constrained by the housing, the touchscreen display including a touch-sensitive input surface overlying a display device, a single mechanical switch disposed between a back surface of the touchscreen display and a base of the housing, and operational components including a processor within the housing and connected to the touchscreen display and the single mechanical switch. The touchscreen display moves relative to the base in response to application of sufficient force to the touchscreen display resulting in actuation of the single mechanical switch. A method of controlling the portable electronic device includes providing a graphical user interface for user interaction, receiving input from the touchscreen display and the single mechanical switch, and providing output to the display device responsive to receipt of a combination of the input from the touchscreen display and the single mechanical switch.

Abstract: A hand-held optical character scanner includes a handle with a base including a plurality of angled planes for supporting the handle on a substantially flat object at different angles relative to the surface of the object, an arm extending from the handle, with a moveable imaging head having a fixed axis lens and a focus range mounted on the arm, the image head being rotatable to selected positions corresponding to the angled planes whereby the distance between the surface of the object and the image head along the lens axis is within the focus range of the lens when the handle is supported on each of the angled planes.

Abstract: A digital camera module is conveniently packaged within an electronic device for sliding motion between a stored position and an operational position. The camera module is nested within the electronic device in the closed position to provide a streamlined external contour.

Abstract: A hand-held optical character scanner includes a handle with a base including a plurality of angled planes for supporting the handle on a substantially flat object at different angles relative to the surface of the object, an arm extending from the handle, with a moveable imaging head having a fixed axis lens and a focus range mounted on the arm, the image head being rotatable to selected positions corresponding to the angled planes whereby the distance between the surface of the object and the image head along the lens axis is within the focus range of the lens when the handle is supported on each of the angled planes.

Abstract: A mobile telephone includes a body, a display, and a keypad. The keypad has a plurality of individual numeral keys assigned to individual numerals and may be rotated with respect to the body. In this way it is possible for the presentation of information on the display to remain in a fixed orientation with respect to a user while the body is rotated about the display so that the mobile telephone can be converted from right-handed to left-handed use or the display can be moved from a first orientation to a second orientation.