Abstract: A keyboard includes a plurality of keys each of which is associated with indicia corresponding to at least one of alphabetic characters, numbers, or commands. The keys of the plurality of keys associated with alphabetic characters number fewer than 26 and greater than nine. No more than two alphabetic characters are associated with each of the keys associated with alphabetic characters. At least one of the keys associated with alphabetic characters is associated with two alphabetic characters and at least one number. The numbers are arranged and displayed in the format of a phone keypad and the letters are arranged and displayed in a keyboard layout.

Abstract: A touch-sensitive input device has an exposed, continuous surface defining a planar area, and a grid of sense elements coextensive with the area of the exposed surface and responsive to engagement of the exposed surface by an operator to establish a position of said engagement of the exposed surface. The exposed surface varies in elevation across its planar area to form a series of tactile features. The exposed, continuous surface is affixed to the grid of sense elements. An electronic circuit is configured to interpret large-scale capacitance variations of the grid as an intended input from the operator in a region identified by the capacitance variation, and to interpret small-scale capacitance variations of the grid as a position of engagement of the exposed surface by the operator.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a housing, a key board, and a height adjustment apparatus. The key board includes a number of first keys and a number of second keys. The height adjustment apparatus includes a platform for supporting the second keys, a cross bridging, a sliding button, and a pushing rod. The cross bridging includes a first supporting arm and a second supporting arm, the first supporting has an end slidably connected to the platform and the other end pivotably connected to a securing portion. The second supporting arm has an end slidably connected to the platform. The sliding button includes a lever surface facing the cross bridging. The pushing rod includes a first end pivotably connected to the other end of the second supporting arm and a second end resisting the lever surface.

Abstract: A handheld electronic device and an associated method are provided. The handheld electronic device includes a keyboard assembly, a display positioned adjacent the keyboard assembly, a processor structured to receive inputs from the keyboard assembly and to output to the display as a function of the inputs, the processor further structured to run a disambiguation routine. The keyboard assembly includes a printed circuit board, a primary conductor portion, a secondary conductor portion, and a keyboard assembly. The printed circuit board has a plurality of electrical contacts. The conductor assembly has a plurality of primary conductors and a plurality of secondary conductors, each the primary conductor and secondary conductor structured to correspond to, and engage and close, at least one of the plurality of electrical contacts. The keyboard assembly has a plurality of keys each having one or more indicia thereon.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for composing a data input key array with a plurality of keys wherein multiple character groups are assigned to respective ones of the plurality of keys, each of the multiple character groups comprising multiple characters. The multiple characters of each character group are arranged on the corresponding key in the same pattern as the multiple character groups on the data input key array. The data input key array may operate by selecting a particular key assigned with a desired character, and selecting a key disposed to correspond with the position of the desired character on the particular key, thereby displaying the desired character. The data input key array may also be operated by selecting a particular key assigned to a desired character by inputting one of the directional keys, the directional key being disposed to correspond with the position of the particular key.

Abstract: A computing device includes a housing, a front housing segment, a keypad assembly and a rigid panel. The front housing segment includes a void. The keypad assembly includes a substrate and a key structure layer. The key structured layer includes a plurality of key structures. The keypad assembly is configured to extend the key structure layer at least partially through the void so as to enable user access to the individual key structures of the key structure layer. A rigid panel is structured to secure to the front housing segment so as to combine with the key structure layer. The panel includes an arrangement of cross-members that define openings, where each opening is dimensioned to fit around at least one key structure of the key structure layer.

Abstract: A keyboard apparatus includes a group of switches, a key having a corresponding group of plungers, and a chassis structure including a panel and a post. The post projects upward from the panel to support the key for manual movement pivotally into multiple actuated positions in which the plungers actuate the switches. The panel has a group of apertures through which the plungers are movable into actuating engagement with the switches upon such multi-directional movement of the key.

Abstract: A portable telephone set of slide type comprises a main casing, a movable casing, the two casing being slidably coupled and capable of being locked to each other, and a lock releasing element for releasing the lock. The portable telephone set further comprises an illuminating element for illuminating the lock releasing element from the inner side.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for simultaneously indicating, on each of a plurality of communication terminals, instructions transmitted by each terminal and the identity of the respective terminals that transmitted the instructions. Such a feature can be used to indicate the moves of parties playing a game over a telephone line. Once a communications link is established between two or more parties, their terminals are placed in a game mode which activates inband signal detection and player identification circuitry located within the terminals. Multi-colored indicators and player identification displays at each terminal are activated, their color being dependent upon the source of received instructions. In one embodiment, player identification indicators may be incorporated into a touch tone keypad located on the terminals. The keypad's touch tone keys are modified such that each key has two or more color coded indicators incorporated within, each color representing a particular player's move.

Abstract: A communications device (125) and capacitor assembly (100) having a first capacitor electrode formed by a conductive keypad mount (110) coupled to a conductive part of a housing (120) of the communications device (125). The keypad mount (110) has keypad apertures (210) aligned with keys (140) of a keypad (145) and the conductive part of the housing (120) has an external housing covering insulator in the form of the window sub-housing (121). There is a circuit board (130) providing support for a second capacitor electrode (150). The circuit board (130) has an array of keypad actuators (135) aligned with the keys (140).

Abstract: An electronic apparatus, comprising a lid member including a display section; an intermediate member including the lid member connected thereto, that is configured to slide in a first direction, and including a second operation section which is exposed in an interlocking relationship with the sliding movement of the lid member; and a base member including the intermediate member connected thereto, that is configured to slide in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and including a first operation section which is exposed in an interlocking relationship with the sliding movement of the intermediate member, wherein at least one of the sliding movement of the lid member and the sliding movement of the intermediate member is an arcuate movement.

Abstract: The array of keys constituting a numeric phone keypad on a mobile communication device only partially overlaps the array of keys that make up the text input keypad creating an offset so that only subsets of the keys constituting the two keypads are common to both. With this configuration, the numeric phone keypad can be more easily distinguished from the text input keypad while still reaping the benefits of having some shared keys.

Abstract: A handheld data processing device having three functional components assembled in a sliding configuration. A processor module is mechanically coupled to two sliding covers. The processor module houses circuits for performing the functions of data processing and may also include a display and input/output functionality. The two sliding covers provide protection for the processor module and may include input/output transducers such as a keypad, speaker or microphone. Embodiments of the handheld data processing device include a handheld computer, wireless telephone and handheld video display. Used as a telephone, the sliders may house a speaker and a microphone.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus (1) comprising a keypad (2), and means for generating a tactile response to a user of the apparatus when a key in said keypad is pressed. In order accomplish a simple construction requiring a minimum of space, said means for generating a tactile response include at least one piezoelectric element (3) arranged to generate vibration which is forwarded to the user via a key when said key is pressed.

Abstract: The array of keys constituting a numeric phone keypad on a mobile communication device only partially overlaps the array of keys that make up the text input keypad creating an offset so that only subsets of the keys constituting the two keypads are common to both. With this configuration, the numeric phone keypad can be more easily distinguished from the text input keypad while still reaping the benefits of having some shared keys.

Abstract: A low friction and stable sliding structure for an electronic device that reduces the thickness of the electronic device. The sliding structure includes a first sliding member including at least one first guide portion, a second sliding member including a first receiving portion slidably receiving the first guide portion, and at least one second guide portion formed on a plane different from that on which the first receiving portion is formed, a third sliding member including a second receiving portion slidably receiving the second guide portion. The sliding structure further includes an arrangement of first, second, third and fourth magnet portions configured to enable the first and second sliding member to slide smoothly with respect to each other.

Abstract: A keypad arrangement and keypad arrangement of a handheld device implements a 12-key keypad to optimize space utilization on a handheld device. The display area on a user viewable side may occupy 25% or more of the available user side surface of the handheld device. The keypad is arranged as a three row by four column matrix. The number sign special function key may remain adjacent to the number 9 key of a standard keypad to facilitate effective changeover for the user when switching from a standard keypad.

Abstract: A device includes a front cover with a cutout, a rear cover connected to the front cover, and a substrate including a key pad provided within the front cover and the rear cover. The key pad is substantially aligned with the cutout of the front cover. The device also includes a key top provided adjacent to the key pad through the cutout of the front cover, and a flexible key plate provided over at least the cutout of the front cover and including an opening for receiving the key top.

Abstract: An exemplary communication terminal includes a main body, a cover, and a keypad. The main body has a triggering area and a microphone boot near the triggering area. The cover defines an opening and a sound inlet near the opening. The keypad contacts the triggering area and is exposed from the opening. The keypad is integrated with a rib extending from an extremity thereof, along with a sealing gasket formed at a distal end of the rib. The sealing gasket abuts the cover and defines a through hole therein aligned with the sound inlet to form a sound passage towards the microphone boot. The microphone boot is extended into the through hole of the sealing gasket.

Abstract: A system includes a touch panel, a touch panel controller and a voltage source. The touch sensitive touch panel is formed with one or more piezoelectric elements disposed in an interior of the touch panel. The touch panel controller identifies an occurrence of a touch upon the touch panel and generates one or more control signals based on the occurrence of the touch. The voltage source receives the one or more generated control signals, and applies voltages to at least one of the one or more piezoelectric elements based on the one or more control signals.

Abstract: Letters (more generally, language symbols) are entered electronically by selecting, in sequential fashion, two keys on a standard phone layout. The first key in the two-key sequence is that key on which the desired letter is displayed. The keys and the letters displayed on the keys are marked in such a way that the markings suggest the second key in the two-key sequence. The letters displayed on the keys have respective markings, such as a color, with each letter on a given key having a unique marking. The keys themselves also have markings that match the markings of the letters. In preferred embodiments, the two keys in the two-key sequence are located in the same row. Letters may be selected to spell out words on a screen and then sent electronically to a remote device or recipient.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and an image processing program, and an image processing method for making various operations be performed more comfortably. A rotation input section 14 is provided substantially at the center of a mobile phone 1. When the rotation input section 14 is rotated in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction, an image displayed on a display section 13 is rotated to be displayed. In addition, when the rotation input section 14 is pressed at an upper, lower, left or right portion thereof toward inside of the mobile phone 1, a display range of the image displayed on the display section 13 is switched. For example, in a case where a map is displayed, the map is rotated when the rotation input section 14 is rotated, and the map is scaled up/down when a predetermined position of the rotation input section 14 is pressed. The present invention may be applied to mobile phones.

Abstract: A wireless communication device includes a wireless communication device housing member, and a modular keypad removably attachable to the wireless communication device housing member without use of a separate tool.

Abstract: A 5-direction key operating device is provided in which the structure of diaphragm contacts disposed on a printed circuit board is improved to allow five diaphragms to be disposed in a minimum space, and a single button key is enabled to operate the five diaphragms. Moreover, a 5-direction key operating device is provided in which an operation space can be reduced, and desired one of information displayed on a display section can be selected and determined by a smooth key operation without causing an erroneous operation. In each of diaphragm contacts on which diaphragms (4) that are arranged in the shape of a cross in correspondence with 5-direction keys are to be placed, a circular contact (1) which is a first contact, and strip-like contact portions (3a to 3d) which are elongated in a fan-like shape with respect to the center of the first contact (1) are disposed in a second contact (2) and in the side opposite to the side of the first contact (1).

Abstract: A mobile communication terminal and operating method thereof. The terminal includes a housing configured such that one portion of the housing can rotate against the other portion of the housing. A joint mutually joins an upper housing with a lower housing of the mobile communication terminal and enables one of the upper and lower housings to be obliquely twisted to rotate against the other. After providing an input signal to the mobile communication terminal having thus joined, twisting to rotate either the upper or lower housing against either the lower or upper housing in one direction obliquely orients a microphone near a user's mouth. Twisting the upper and/or lower housing also sends the input signal to a base station automatically.

Abstract: An input apparatus of a mobile terminal and its display method are disclosed. The input apparatus of the mobile terminal according to an embodiment includes a keypad having a plurality of keys and generating key signals corresponding to a selection of the keys; a plurality of light emitting elements positioned at the plurality of keys, respectively, for illuminating the keys; a key sensor for sensing the key signals from the keypad; a storage unit for storing the key signals; and a controller for displaying, on the keypad, information corresponding to the key signals by selectively controlling the plurality of light emitting elements based on the key signals.

Abstract: An input device provided for an apparatus (1) which is held with a hand of a person. The input device includes a plurality of input keys (5) which are operated with a finger holding the apparatus (1), wherein in a case where the apparatus (1) having the input device is held with the hand, each input key (5) situated apart from a base of the finger has a finger contact area smaller than that of each input key (5) situated close to the base of the finger.

Abstract: Disclosed is a mobile terminal apparatus which includes: an upper housing in which a display portion having a display screen is disposed; a lower housing having an inner major surface in which an operating portion including a plurality of kinds of input keys is disposed; and a connecting portion which connects the upper housing with the lower housing such that the upper housing and the lower housing are turnable away from and toward each other to open and close the apparatus. In this apparatus, the inner major surface of the lower housing is recessed at an area where input keys of a first group that corresponds to a particular one of the kinds is disposed, so as to increase a level difference between a keytop of each of the input keys of the first group and the inner major surface.

Abstract: A hand-held electronic equipment adapted to receive data input is disclosed, comprising an oblong main body, a display arranged on said main body, said display being adapted to display a keyboard with a plurality of symbols, and a selecting device arranged on said main body, said selecting device enabling a user to select and input a symbol from said keyboard.

Abstract: A cellular phone has a three-stage stacked structure including a ten-key case of a lower stage, a full-key case of a middle stage and a display case of an upper stage. When the cellular phone is in call style, the ten-key case is slid in the longitudinal direction to expose a dial key. When the cellular phone is in keyboard style, the display case is turned on its rotating shaft above the full-key case to expose a full keyboard. The rotating shaft is located in the middle of the display case and close to a long side thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus (625) with a first plurality of input keys (635). Some of the first input keys may be associated with both a numeric value and a first set of alphabetic values and arranged in a first alphabetic keypad layout. The apparatus (625) is further provided with a second plurality of input keys (645), positioned adjacent to the first plurality of input keys (635), and being associated with at least one alphabetic value. Some of the input keys of the second plurality of input keys (645) may be arranged in a second alphabetic keypad layout different from the first alphabetic keypad layout. Further, in various embodiments, at least some input keys of the first plurality of input keys (635) have a second set of alphabetic values that is used as part of the second alphabetic keypad layout. Additionally, in various embodiments, at least some of the alphabetic values of the second keyboard layout are arranged at least partially based on a frequency of use of such alphabetic values.

Abstract: A method of mapping a traditional touchtone telephone keypad on a handheld electronic device having a disambiguation function, and an associated apparatus comprises outputting a representation of a remapped character layout and generating a disambiguated interpretation of an input.

Abstract: An exemplary communication terminal includes a main body, a cover, and a keypad. The main body has a triggering area and a microphone boot near the triggering area. The cover defines an opening and a sound inlet near the opening. The keypad contacts the triggering area and is exposed from the opening. The keypad is integrated with a rib extending from an extremity thereof, along with a sealing gasket formed at a distal end of the rib. The sealing gasket abuts the cover and defines a through hole therein aligned with the sound inlet to form a sound passage towards the microphone boot. The microphone boot is extended into the through hole of the sealing gasket.

Abstract: A mobile communication terminal having two keypads is provided. A mobile communication terminal comprises a first body having a left keypad installed at the left side of a front surface, and a second body having a display window installed at its left side and a right key installed at its right side, that is movably assembled with the front surface of the first body in the left or right direction. The mobile communication terminal may be used as a bar type communication terminal when the second body is not moved by sliding. If the left keypad of the first body is exposed by sliding down the second body, the two keypads are located at different sides of the display window, and thereby characters may be easily input with both hands. The two keypads arranged at different sides can each be or can both, be provided with a size large enough for individual character input.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for telephony tone signal and character code generation for QWERTY keyboards includes a QWERTY style keyboard, a processor and a keyboard mode control software module. The QWERTY style keyboard has a plurality of letter keys, wherein each letter key is configured to generate a unique input signal. The processor is coupled to the keyboard and is configured to convert each unique input signal generated by the letter keys into a character code and/or a telephony tone signal. The keyboard mode control software module operates on the processor, and controls whether the processor converts the unique input signals from the letter keys into character codes or telephony tone signals.

Abstract: An input device is provided. The input device includes a key input unit having a plurality of input keys and an input operation unit. A key input monitor monitors a key input to the key input unit. A timer measures a setting time upon the key input. A relay driver is operative to acquire and output an operation signal output from the input operation unit as a control signal and monitor the operation signal. The key input monitor is operative to initiate the timer when the key input to the key input unit is detected and set the relay driver to an output inhibition state. The relay driver is operative to release the output inhibition state such that the control signal is normally output when it is detected that the operation signal is a predetermined operation input within the setting time.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a panel having a surface of three-dimensional patterns and the structure thereof, first of all, provides a piece body, on the surface of which plane panel patterns are arranged by means of ink printing process, and which is thermally pressed into a plurality of projected three-dimensional panels. The piece body having projected three-dimensional panels is then placed between a lower mould and a first upper mould. A material of hard resin is injected into the clearance between the lower mould and the three-dimensional panel surfaces, and thus a transparent cladding layer capable of wear-resistance and protection for three-dimensional panels is formed. Next, material of hard resin is again injected into the space between the inner wall surfaces of the three-dimensional panels and a second upper mould for forming a supporting layer for supporting the three-dimensional panels.

Abstract: This invention encompasses the utilization of all of the 16 DTMF tone signals on telephone devices and their use for additional adjunct feature controls over IP networks that offer a plethora of new options from telephone devices. Calls on the PSTN only require the 0-9 digits to be used to complete a call following the North American Numbering Plan and International Telecommunications Union (ITU) standards. Conventional telephones electronically have the standard electronics for all 16 DTMF tone signals, but only 12 are utilized on conventional telephones by the typical 4 row and 3 column keypad matrix arrangement. In other words, 25% of the 16 DTMF tones are not being utilized in the public telephone networks. This invention lays the claims surrounding a 100% utilization methodology and possible expansion thereof when communicating to an IP network.

Abstract: An electronic device, such as a telephone, includes a key operable to be pressed into a depressed position, said key being associated with a function, and a control system for initiating the function associated with the key, wherein if the key is pressed into the depressed position and released within a timeout period, the control initiates the function upon release of the key, and if the key is pressed into the depressed position and retained in the depressed position for the timeout period, the control system does not initiate the function upon release of the key.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a locking apparatus of a swing hinge module for mobile communication terminals that is capable of improving a locking force of the swing hinge module, the mobile communication terminal including first and second housings rotatably connected to each other by the swing hinge module. The swing hinge module includes a locking apparatus having a hinge cap extending in the longitudinal direction thereof and having a closed end formed such that a head of the hinge shaft is inserted through the closed end of the hinge cap and an open end formed such that the hinge cap is attached to the hinge housing while the hinge cap surrounds the outer circumference of the hinge housing through the open end of the hinge cap, and a hinge fixing plate engaged with the head of the hinge shaft while opposite to the hinge cap such that the hinge housing and the hinge cap are fixed to each other by means of the hinge fixing plate while being rotated relative to the hinge fixing plate.

Abstract: The embodiments of the invention concern a keypad (120). The keypad can include a membrane (143), at least one key with at least one flange 150 to overlap with at least one second flange of a second key (146), and at least one audio port opening (107) in the membrane for providing a passage of air from a transducer (101) positioned behind at least one key through the keypad to a main volume area (112). For example, the audio port opening can be in a region of the membrane between the keys, and the overlapping of the flanges obscures a view of at least one audio port opening.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a keypad of a portable terminal including an array of a plurality of alpha-numeric key buttons for the input of alphabetic letters of a language, for example, English. The vowel input portion includes a plurality of key buttons, which are allotted with vowels of English alphabet showing a high frequency of use, and some consonants of English alphabet. The key buttons of the vowel input portion are grouped and arranged at a selected position to achieve a high accessibility of the user's. The consonant input portion includes the remaining key buttons, allotted with the remaining consonants of English alphabet.

Abstract: A portable device embodying both sliding and rotating types is described. The portable device including: a main unit; a display unit sliding and horizontally rotating on a top surface of the main unit, and having a display on its top surface; and a keypad unit sliding in an opposite direction from the display unit and horizontally rotating on a bottom surface of the main unit and having an additional keypad which is provided on its top surface and externally exposed after rotating. Also, the portable device may be transformed into various operating modes by sliding and/or rotating of the display unit and the keypad unit, which are suitable for phone calling, game play and multimedia replay.

Abstract: A system and method to obtain a nickname for records, particularly records having number fields. A set of triplets is identified in a record 401. Criteria, at least at a strict level, is set to establish that used triplets are many, and hard to avoid 403. Using this criteria, triplets may be processed in order 405. Each triplet is checked against the criteria 407. Avoidance of the used criteria, i.e. that the current triplet is not used, enables the triplet to be associated with the record 413. Failure to avoid the used criteria enables a loop to continue if the exit criteria 409 is not met. A next triplet is obtained 410 if the inner loop continues. Otherwise, a check to get a more relaxed used triplet criteria is made 411. If a relaxed used triplet criteria is available 411, the relaxed used triplet criteria (having fewer used triplets) is used 415, and an outer loop continues with processing of the list of triplets 405 again. Otherwise, a triplet may manually be associated with the record 417.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a housing and a keypad arranged on an outer surface of the housing. The housing furthermore includes a displaceable portion which is displaceable between a “locked” position in which the keypad is deactivated and an “active” position in which the keypad is activated.

Abstract: A keyboard for a handheld electronic device comprises ten keys arranged in four rows in a DTMF keypad format. Three of the keys respectively bearing numerals 1, 2 and 3 arranged in a first row, three of the keys respectively bearing numerals 4, 5 and 6 arranged in a second row, three of the keys respectively bearing numerals 7, 8 and 9 arranged in a third row, and a tenth key bearing a 0 located in a fourth row. The keys of the first second and third rows also bear letter characters which, either alone or in conjunction with additional letter character-bearing keys in the rows, are positioned relative to the letter characters on adjacent keys so as to form a QWERTY or Dvorak layout.

Abstract: A metallic panel assembly having multilayer arrays of micropores includes a backlight module and a panel body. The backlight module is constituted of a first and a second light-guiding plate. First and second light-guiding microstructures are provided on the first and second light-guiding plates. A first and a second set of light-emitting units are disposed on one end of the first and second light-guiding plates, respectively. A first and a second shielding unit are disposed on the first and second light-guiding plates and the first and second sets of light-emitting units respectively. The panel body is disposed on one side surface of the first light-guiding plate. The panel body has thereon a plurality of hollowed portions with the hollowed portions encircling a key body. The key body has thereon a plurality of micropores. The plurality of micropores is arranged to form a pattern of each key body.

Abstract: A mobile terminal comprising a first body comprising an image receiving unit, an image output unit, a first sound output unit, a first information input unit and a wireless communication module, a second body comprising a second information input unit, a second sound input unit, a second sound output unit and a wireless communication module, wherein the second body is capable of being slidingly mounted to the first body and separated from the first body, and a locking unit for preventing separation of the second body from the first body, wherein the wireless communication modules of the first body and the second body are capable of wirelessly communicating with each other when the first body and the second body are detached from each other.

Abstract: A housing (100) for an electronic device includes a cover (10) and an elastic keypad (12). The cover includes a plurality of keypad openings (102) defined therein. The elastic keypad is integrally formed with the cover. The elastic keypad includes a plurality of keys (120) formed on a front surface thereof, and a plurality of protrusions (126) formed on a back surface thereof. Each of the protrusions aligns with a corresponding one of the keys, received in a corresponding one of the keypad openings. The elastic keypad comprising a contactor (122) attached to each of the protrusions. The present invention also provides a method for making the housing.

Abstract: A keypad assembly (20) is described that includes a housing (100) and a keypad (200) connecting with the housing. The housing has a keyhole area (144) formed thereon, and the housing has at least one keyhole (146) defined therein and a groove (148) is placed along a periphery of the keyhole area. The keypad has a key area (201) formed thereon, and the key area has at least one key (202) formed thereon and a projection (204) placed therearound to engage in the groove. A main advantage of the keypad assembly is that it can simplify the configuration of the seal while maintaining a good seal, and it also can reduce the production cost.