Abstract: The invention relates to casing for portable communication devices and light guides for such devices. The casing (2) has a light guide for over-laying a display located in the display region (4) to deliver front lighting to the display and extending across the input region (5), the light guide providing a recess in the input region for operation of a key of the key arrangement.

Abstract: As a marking laser beam, a laser beam of wavelength 532 nm obtained by extracting by extracting second higher harmonic of the Nd:YAG laser or a laser beam of wavelength 355 nm obtained by extracting third higher harmonic of the Nd:YAG laser is used on a metal film formed on a plastic key top of a mobile telephone or the like, so that the metal film portion subjected to the beam is completely removed or only the surface portion of the metal film subjected to the beam is removed, thereby forming a planar set of very small concave points. Thus, it is possible to obtain a key unit having a metal film on which a character or symbol is directly marked.

Abstract: A keypad includes a plurality of keys that can be selectively coupled electrically with a printed circuit board to create electrical signals representative of a characters to be input to the portable wireless device. Each key further includes a plurality of contact points wherein each contact point can be separately electrically coupled with the printed circuit board to input a character associated with that contact point. The keypad can be switched between a singular mode in which all the contact points for a given key will refer to the same input character and a multiple mode in which each contact point for a given key will refer to a different input character. In addition, at least some of the contact points for each key can be programmed by the user to assign desired characters to specific contact points.

Abstract: A keyboard apparatus includes a group of keys with corresponding actuation indicia for a plurality of numerals in a telephone keypad and a plurality of letters in an overlapping text-entry keyboard. Each key in the group is configured for multi-directional movement pivotally into multiple actuated positions that comprise at least one telephone numeral position and multiple text-entry letter positions that are each different from the telephone numeral position.

Abstract: A mobile communication device includes a housing having a front wall, a rear wall, and two side walls, a display associated with the front wall, and a keyboard associated with the front wall. Each of the side walls includes a recessed channel that extends along at least part of the length of the side walls. In addition, a reduced key keyboard has arcuate rows, with a top row that includes a send, end, and web browser key. The top row of the keyboard is also arcuate.

Abstract: An easy to use electronic device is provided. The electronic device functions as a telephone and has a display portion, an audio input portion, an audio output portion, and operation keys. The display portion has a passive element, and the operation keys have LEDs. The direction of an image displayed by the LEDs is switchable.

Abstract: A flip-flop mobile phone includes a main body, a slide notch, a lifting cover and a protruding member. The main body has a first pivot portion, and the slide notch is disposed thereon. The lifting cover has a second pivot portion, which is pivotally connected with the first pivot portion so that the lifting cover can rotate relative to the main body. The protruding member is moveably disposed in the second pivot portion and is opposite to the sliding notch of the first pivot portion. A friction made by the sliding notch and the protruding member decreases an angular velocity of the lifting cover when the lifting cover is opened or closed at a predetermined angle relative to the main body.

Abstract: A folding portable communication unit is composed an upper cabinet, a lower cabinet, and a hinge for so supporting the upper and lower cabinets that they are rotational around the hinge. A simplified LCD and a simplified key unit are provided for a rear cover of the upper cabinet or the lower cabinet, and thereby a user can watch the simplified LCD or operate the simplified key unit, even when the upper and lower cabinets are folded. Information is displayed on either of a LCD or the simplified LCD depending on whether the upper and lower cabinets are folded or not and on the kind of information to be displayed.

Abstract: A mobile digital device comprises a ten-key pad being comprised of a key mat 21 on which ten-key buttons 21a-21c with respective projections 21aa-21cc on the under surfaces thereof are laid out and a key circuit board on which respective contacts 22a-22c corresponding to the projections are laid out, an electrostatic capacity sensing pad 30 for sensing an electrostatic capacity change to detect a touched region and having through holes to be inserted the projections corresponding thereto and being provided with between the key mat 21 and the key circuit board 22, and a controller for selecting a function corresponded to a feature of the touched region detected by the electrostatic capacity sensing pad and executing the selected function. Owing to such constructions, a desired function can be selected by way of finger touching to the mobile digital device.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an input device, especially for a mobile telephone, a module comprising an input device and a method for the production of an input device and/or a module. An input device is provided, including, a module comprising an input device, a mobile telephone and a production method enabling improved permanent fixing of an input device to an/or inside a housing, whereby at mechanically stable fixing means is arranged between a first plane consisting of at least one cap and a second plane of a flexible carrier connected to the cap, such that the cap and the flexible carrier transmit force in a substantially punctual manner via a plane of a fixing means and the fixing means, in one area of at least one terminal edge, is configured in such a way it can secure the input device in or on a housing.

Abstract: A mobile communications equipment realizes data input with both hands, and an operation style of a small personal computer although it is a mobile phone in size. A first device unit includes a main unit loaded with a display unit for displaying various information. Each of a second device unit and a third device unit has input buttons for various operations. The first device unit has a connection unit for rotatably connecting the second device unit and the third device unit to the first device unit. The second device unit and the third device unit are connected to the first device unit at one point such that they can be expanded on both sides of the first device unit by depressing the button of an operation unit of the connection unit.

Abstract: An apparatus for temporarily storing phone numbers and short messages is disclosed. The apparatus includes a housing including electronics operable to receive an input and display a sequence of no more than seventeen characters in response to the input. The electronics include at least two electronic displays operable to display the sequence of no more than seventeen characters and a keypad operable to receive the sequence of no more than seventeen characters. The keypad includes twenty-six alphabetic keys, each alphabetic key representing a letter of the alphabet ranging from A to Z and ten numeric keys, each numeric key representing a single number ranging from zero (0) to nine (9). A clear key operable to clear the last character of the sequence of no more than seventeen characters and a processor is operably coupled to the at least two electronic displays and the keypad to convert the input into an alphanumeric character to be displayed by at least one of the two electronic displays.

Abstract: A key input device combined with a key display unit and a digital appliance having the same are disclosed. The key input device includes a key display unit for displaying a character or an image that identifies a key, a touch sensing unit that moves down and up by a pressure applied to this key, and a signal generation unit for generating an electric signal in accordance with the pressure applied to the key, wherein the character or the image displayed on the key display unit can be changed.

Abstract: The invention is a keyboard which is rigid, less than 2.5 mm thin, ultra-light, with large and spaced, touch sensitive, finger friendly keys for fast and easy, multi-finger, one or two hands, even walk and type touch typing. Its keys shapes and arrangements enable a full alphabet set plus several funtions of such large and spaced keys on a pocket sized surface, each key denoting many characters. It has on-device, add-on and detached versions and many variations. Conventional Mobile keyboards are either desk opearbel type which are bulky requiring set up for use, or are tiny on-device type which shrink the device screen and have crammed, pressure sensitive keys. The inventions has the good features of both types of conventional keyboards, resolves problems of both and adds additional features.

Abstract: A wireless communication terminal has a user exchangeable cover part. The wireless communication terminal and user exchangeable cover part are electrically interconnected by means of an electrical connector. The user exchangeable cover part comprises identification means. The user exchangeable cover part has electrical circuitry for supporting a user interface of the wireless terminal. The wireless terminal identifies the user exchangeable cover part by detecting the identification means. The wireless terminal operates the electrical circuitry of the user exchangeable cover part in dependence of the identification of user exchangeable cover part.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electronic device and a method of enhancing character input in an electronic device comprising a set of keys. The method comprises associating a group of characters with at least one key; detecting repeated presses of a key; detecting whether the key has been touched continuously during the repeated presses of the key; and interpreting the characters corresponding to the key presses in the group of characters associated with the key on the basis of the detections.

Abstract: A keypad in which output keystrokes are determined both from individual switch activation and from the combined activation of adjacent switches. The keypad has a substrate carrying an array of sense elements arranged to change state in response to keypad operation, a flexible cover disposed above the substrate and having an exposed surface defining an array of independent key regions, with combination key regions defined in interstices between adjacent independent key regions. Snap elements provide tactile feedback. Some versions have a touch-sensitive grid rather than a switch matrix.

Abstract: A portable communication apparatus includes arrow keys for moving a highlight bar to select one of a plurality of information items displayed on screen and an Enter key for executing a selected information item. The arrow keys and the Enter key are disposed close to each other within one area on the housing.

Abstract: A mobile wireless communications device includes a housing and main circuit board carried by the housing and having circuitry thereon. A keyboard circuit board is carried by the lower portion of the housing and has a keyboard section and keyboard circuitry thereon connected to circuitry on the main circuit board. An antenna section on the keyboard circuit board is configured as an antenna and positioned at the lower portion of the housing and has a pattern of conductive traces forming an antenna circuit and connected to the circuitry on the main circuit board. The keyboard circuit board preferably comprises a flex circuit.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, systems, and media for generating characters for electronic devices using condensed keyboards are disclosed. Embodiments comprise a method of manipulating a set of keys adapted to be manipulated using fingers of a left hand and a right hand of a user, each of the keys capable of generating multiple characters. A variation of the method includes using one or more keys adapted to be used by thumbs of the user to generate other characters and/or control characters. Other embodiments comprise keyboards, apparatuses, and portable electronic devices that comprise two sets of keys for manipulation and desired character generation. The keyboards generally have four or more keys for each hand, and the keyboards may be located on the back and/or sides of portable the systems.

Abstract: A transparent mobile handset housing with graphical elements such as alphanumeric characters, icons, and logos positioned directly onto the housing with visibility enhanced through backlighting. The transparent housing is covered with an opaque coating and omitted portions of the opaque coating form a negative image of the graphical elements, or the housing is left transparent and opaque graphical elements are coated onto the housing. A backlighting source from within the housing, such as an array of light emitting diodes or an electroluminescent panel, provides illumination to the housing. In the case of negatively imaged graphical elements, the graphical elements are illuminated. In the case of opaque graphical elements, the surrounding transparent housing is illuminated.

Abstract: A portable communication apparatus includes arrow keys for moving a highlight bar to select one of a plurality of information items displayed on screen and an Enter key for executing a selected information item. The arrow keys and the Enter key are disposed close to each other within one area on the housing.

Abstract: An improved handheld electronic device has a display and a keypad, with the keypad being movable among a number of configurations that enable the “real estate” occupied by the keypad to be increased or decreased, and to correspondingly enable the viewable area of the display to be relatively decreased and increased, respectively. In one aspect, a first keypad portion and a second keypad portion can be disposed substantially coplanar when the keypad is in a first position and disposed noncoplanar when in a second position. In another aspect, a device can include a keypad and a flexible sheet-like piece of covering material structured to overlie a display, with the keypad and the piece of covering material being connected together.

Abstract: A key includes a light-permeable body, a light-shading layer and a first dye layer. The light-shading layer is formed on the surface of the light-permeable body and has a first light-permeable area and a second light-permeable area. The first dye layer is formed on the first light-permeable area.

Abstract: An improved keypad for a handheld electronic device has keys wherein the engagement surface thereof is oriented oblique to the actuation axis of the key. The oblique arrangement of the engagement surfaces visually and tactually distinguishes one key from another, which facilitates their incorporation into various handheld electronic devices with relatively small form factors.

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: A space-efficient ergonomic telephony keypad is described which comprises three separate groups of four buttons collectively capable of performing twelve distinct electronic switch operations. Each button is formed for tactile operation. Each group has the four buttons positioned about equally around an imaginary central axis. And, each group of four buttons is positionally rotated about 45 degrees relative to the positioning of an adjacent group of four buttons.

Abstract: In the mobile telephone 1 relating to the present invention, a control section 2 performs control for switching between a non-active state which refuses inputs to an application program, and an active state which permits inputs to an application program. Moreover, the control section 2 performs control for switching the execution state of the application program from the non-active state to the active state, in accordance with instructions from an input section 3. The control section 2 further performs control for switching the execution state of the application program from the non-active state to the active state, in accordance with a function contained in an application program.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to utilize a reinforcing plate formed out of a metal or a hard resin introduced into a key unit in order to overcome the weak point that conventional rubber keypads are too soft and lack shape stability, as a design element of equipment including a key unit into which the plate is incorporated. For example, a part of metal reinforcing plate 4 is positively exposed to a position which can be seen from the outside of key unit 1, and various decorations are applied to the exposed part 7 so as to allow it to function as a decorated component. As a location where the reinforcing plate is exposed, there can be cited a part between each key on the key face or an annular part which encircles a plurality of key clusters. A mode may be considered in which the part of the exposed reinforcing plate 4 surrounds each individual key top 2 like a key frame, so as to substitute a key frame which has been conventionally realized by the equipment casing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to character arrangements, input methods and input device. More particularly, the present invention relates to Korean, English and symbols arrangements that are effectively arranged on a limited number of buttons, input methods using the character arrangements and input device thereof. The present invention provides fundamental and efficient character arrangements that can be applied to various input methods so that the user who is accustomed to another input method can input characters with the character arrangement of the present invention fast and efficiently.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for facilitating input of data to an electronic device using selectively illuminated chambered keys is disclosed. A determination is made as to which of a plurality of chambers is to be illuminated. An indicia assigned to a region on the surface of the key above a selected chamber is highlighted by illumination(s), that is (are) based at least upon the determination.

Abstract: The present invention is an information entry system comprising a touch panel monitor screen, wherein the touch panel monitor screen displays keys for information entry, which are arranged circularly in order and the keys are rotationally shifted by a random number of key units around the center of the circular arrangement without changing the order when a user touches a predetermined option key before or after the information entry. This system also has a central processing unit and a program storage unit including an Information entry Screen Generator, a Random Number Generator, a Key Moving Unit, and a PIN Information output unit. This information entry device prevents a PIN or any other information entry from being stolen by someone who glances at the finger movement, since the entire series of the entry keys are rotated before or after the PIN entry.

Abstract: A telephone comprises a first body part with a first keypad and a second keypad located on opposite sides of the first body part, and a second body part having a display. As the first body part is swiveled to bring the second keypad to the front of the phone the processing circuitry may switch over to only accept input from the keypad that has been brought up. This input is used to control the applications currently running.

Abstract: An electronic device comprises a body. An at least partly covering lid is rotatably mounted to the body by a hinge slideably mounted to the body. The lid is rotatable to an open position, in which open position the lid reveals a key-pad of the electronic device positioned in a front side of the electronic device, above a display. The hinge is resiliently mounted to the body, so that the lid is rotatable to a closed position, in which closed position the hinge retreats to be generally invisible by the covering lid.

Abstract: A cellular telephone designed specifically to be visually appealing and practical for the elderly and those with reduced dexterity. Although the keypad buttons on the cellular telephone are approximately 260 square millimeters and have large spaces between adjacent keys to reduce instances of pressing the wrong button and to optimize visibility of the character digits on the key, the entire cellular telephone is approximately three inches wide, is lightweight and folds into a compact space, and can be held in one hand by an elderly individual. A large display is present. At least three jumbo integer keys are present on each portion of the foldable interactive surface. Unnecessary technological function keys are eliminated. Pressing the “HELP” key on the reverse side of the telephone body calls a medical or rescue service and displays medical information on the display.

Abstract: A language system facilitates entry of an input string into a mobile device using discrete keys on a keypad, such as a 10-key keypad. The numeric keys have associated letters of an alphabet. The key input is representative of one or more Chinese phonetic characters. Based on this input string, the language system derives the most likely Chinese corresponding language characters intended by the user. The language system uses multiple different search engines and language models to aid in deriving the most probable Chinese language characters. When the language system recognizes possible Chinese language characters, the mobile device displays the possible Chinese language characters for user selection of the possible Chinese language characters and/or further input of one or more Chinese phonetic characters. In this manner, the language system adopts a modeless entry methodology that eliminates conventional mode switching between input and selection operations.

Abstract: A self-lighting type push-button input device according to the presently disclosed subject matter can include a button base portion formed of a transparent material. Holes can be formed in predetermined positions of the button base portion, and spring portions can be formed integrally with the holes by molding transparent silicone rubber with a light diffusing agent incorporated therein. The button base portion serves as a light conducting portion, and the spring portions can uniformly diffuse the light distributed thereto by the light conducting portion, whereby lighting can be effected by a reduced number of light sources, effecting a reduction of size and cost.

Abstract: The present invention offers a finger feeling numerical buttons for commercial electronic remote control. The altitude of the five even number buttons 0,2,4,6 and 8 is higher than the altitude of the other buttons 1,3,7,9, * and #. On the upper, lower, right and left side of the central button 5, provides a feeling mark, so that as the user touch the central button and the higher buttons with his thumb, the position of every button can be identified. Remote control can be carried out without watching at the button. This is suitable for various remote controls such as a TV set, cellular phone and remote control of a car.

Abstract: A wireless communication device (200) is provided, the wireless communication device (200) can include at least one antenna (240), the antenna (240) positioned beneath the face plate (252) and base plate (255) of a user interface (245) of the wireless communication device (200) in which the antenna (240) can be configured to communicate with a signal source.

Abstract: A keypad structure. A mobile phone has a casing and an elastic sheet. The casing includes a plurality of resilient cantilever arms and a plurality of protrusions formed on the plurality of resilient cantilever arms. The elastic sheet includes a plurality of keypad buttons to press the plurality of resilient cantilever arms.

Abstract: A mobile station for receiving and generating wireless communications signals. The mobile station includes layers of translucent materials each having a visual characteristic and overlapping portions that define another visual characteristic. The layers can be used to define keys overlying pressure sensitive regions of a wireless communications signal processing assembly (e.g., dome contacts on a printed wiring board). Keys constructed of two layers have a first and second visual characteristics defined individually by the first and second layers, respectively, and a composite visual characteristic defined by the overlapping portions of the layers. For instance, the first and second visual characteristics may be two different colors that in the overlapping region form a composite color that is aesthetically attractive and distinguishes that portion of the key for easy identification during use.

Abstract: A folding mobile telephone having an upper terminal body and a lower terminal body is provided. The upper terminal body has an upper part with a liquid crystal display and a base, such that the upper part and the base are connected to each other via lock mechanism. This lock mechanism permits the upper part and the base to be mounted and removed in a flipping manner. The upper terminal body also has communications devices to make electrical connections. The upper terminal body has an operating mechanism that allows prescribed operations to be performed using the upper terminal body when it is connected to its base and folded against the lower terminal body (i.e., the closed state).

Abstract: A mobile telephone (1) comprising keys (5 to 10, rows 11 to 14) hinged from the end opposite to a display (2) so as to allow positioning of the keys partly over the display (2) to place soft keys (5,7) next to respective legends (3,4) shown on the display (2).

Abstract: A handphone including a phone body and a cover and which is capable of inputting characters using both a keypad installed on the phone body and an extra keypad installed on the cover in the manner in which characters are input through a computer keyboard. The phone body has a display device and a keypad including a plurality of keys. The cover covers the phone body and includes a second keypad including a plurality of keys. The first and second keypads are functionally coupled together to input characters. The handphone has a keyboard structure, such as a computer keyboard, formed by functionally coupling the auxiliary keypad of the cover to the keypad of the phone body. In this structure, characters can be input similar to the way that characters are input through a computer keyboard, so that significantly faster character input is possible.

Abstract: A mobile device contains a case to rigidly secure and protect components of the mobile device, especially against large shock forces that can occur when the mobile device is dropped. The case is typically formed using a material that is generally rigid, lightweight (i.e., less dense), and relatively inexpensive, such as magnesium. The case further comprises rigid sidewalls that surround the peripheral edges of the device display. The sidewalls are arranged to protect the display by absorbing incidental shock forces. The case further comprises a surface is configured as a platform to receive a keypad. The surface is arranged to prevent forces from being transmitted from the keypad to an internal print circuit board, which provides protection against the internal printed circuit board from being flexed to the point of failure. The mobile device may further comprise a boot that is slidably coupled to the frame.

Abstract: A hand held mobile telephone (1) is disclosed comprising a front face (3) having a plurality of openings therein, and a plurality of keys (7–13) each having an upper surface bounded by side walls. Each key (7–13) protrudes from one of the plurality of openings to provide its upper surface for tactile actuation by a user. The telephone further comprises an underlying switching element and means for coupling the tactile actuation of the upper surface by a user to the switching element. One of said plurality of keys has a vertex, in the boundary of its upper surface, indicative of the location for tactile actuation.

Abstract: An easy to use electronic device is provided. The electronic device functions as a telephone and has a display portion, an audio input portion, an audio output portion, and operation keys. The display portion has a passive element, and the operation keys have LEDs. The direction of an image displayed by the LEDs is switchable.

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: A keypad apparatus includes a printed circuit (110) configured for a keypad. Dome actuators (108) are placed on top of the printed circuit. A backlight (106) with apertures (103) is placed over the dome actuators such that the dome actuators rest entirely within their associated apertures. This assembly is covered with a retainer (104) placed on top of the backlight to form a flat-profile keypad that can be used on an exterior of a phone housing (112). The retainer can be labeled to define the key functions, or a preferred replaceable key label (102) can be placed over the retainer. This provides an integral assembly with key labels that are easily customized.

Abstract: An invention is provided for an alphanumeric keyboard input system using a controller, such as a game controller. A plurality of cells is provided, where each cell includes a plurality of characters. A user is allowed to select any character using only two commands. In particular, a first command is used to select a particular cell of the plurality of cells, and a second command is used to select a particular character of the plurality of characters within the selected cell.