Integral navigation keys for a mobile handset

• US 20020168947A1
• Filed: 05/09/2001
• Published: 11/14/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
• Original Assignee: Kyocera Wireless Corporation (Kyocera Corporation)
• Inventors: Lemley, Brad
• Granted Patent: US 7,206,599 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/575.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0238 Programmable keyboards key guide holders G06F3/0224
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04892 Arrangements for controlling cursor position based on codes indicative of cursor displacements from one discrete location to another, e.g. using cursor control keys associated to different directions or using the tab key arrangements for controlling cursor position based on coordinate signals G06F3/038
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0202 Portable telephone sets, e.g. cordless phones, mobile phones or bar type handsets constructional features of telephone transmitters or receivers, e.g. of speakers or microphones H04M1/03
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/23 Construction or mounting of dials or of equivalent devices; Means for facilitating the use thereof by improving visibility H04M1/22

Abstract

Mobile telephone handset navigation functions are integrated into certain of the alphanumeric keys of the mobile keypad. Up, down, right, and left navigation functions are integrated into four alphanumeric keys. The mobile automatically toggles between the navigation and alphanumeric functions of these keys based on where the user is within the interface routine of the mobile. Optionally the user can manually toggle between the navigation and alphanumeric functions by pressing a menu key.

Claims

1. A mobile handset keypad comprising an array of keys positioned on a surface of a mobile housing for user interface with the mobile, said array of keys comprising:

at least one alphanumeric key;

at least one integral navigation and alphanumeric key; and

a toggle key for toggling between an alphanumeric and a navigation mode.

2. The mobile keypad of claim 1 wherein said toggle key automatically toggles between an alphanumeric and a navigation mode based upon data input during user interface.

3. The mobile keypad of claim 1 wherein said toggle key manually toggles between an alphanumeric and a navigation mode when operated by the user.

4. The mobile keypad of claim 1 wherein said at least one integral navigation and alphanumeric key comprises:

a first integral navigation and alphanumeric key comprising an up navigation function and an alphanumeric function;

a second integral navigation and alphanumeric key comprising a down navigation function and an alphanumeric function;

a third integral navigation and alphanumeric key comprising a right navigation function and an alphanumeric function;

a fourth integral navigation and alphanumeric key comprising a left navigation function and an alphanumeric function.

5. A mobile handset keypad comprising an array of keys positioned on a surface of a mobile housing for user interface with the mobile, said array of keys comprising:

at least one alphanumeric key;

a first integral navigation and alphanumeric key comprising an up navigation function and an alphanumeric function;

a second integral navigation and alphanumeric key comprising a down navigation function and an alphanumeric function;

a third integral navigation and alphanumeric key comprising a right navigation function and an alphanumeric function;

a fourth integral navigation and alphanumeric key comprising a left navigation function and an alphanumeric function; and

a toggle key for manually toggling between an alphanumeric and a navigation mode when operated by the user and for automatically toggling between said alphanumeric and navigation modes based upon data input during user interface.

6. A mobile handset comprising:

a microprocessor and menu display including software routines for creating and displaying a menu;

a housing including a front face with openings for touch keys and said display and containing said microprocesor;

a plurality of switches within said housing;

a keypad within said housing comprising an array of keys projecting through the openings in the front face of said housing, each interacting with one corresponding switch;

one of said switches being a toggle switch for controlling through a corresponding toggle key the mode of operation of a selected number of said other keys and corresponding switches;

said select number of keys and corresponding switches comprising combined navigation and alphanumeric keys, said alphanumeric keys and corresponding switches providing a telephone dialing and menu display input function when in an alphanumeric mode of operation and alternatively a menu navigation control mode of operation; and

means for differentiating said combined alphanumeric and navigation keys from other keys.

7. The mobile handset of claim 6 wherein said differentiating means comprises graphical elements on the front face of the housing.

8. The mobile handset of claim 6 wherein said differentiating means comprises a backlighting panel that illuminates said combined navigation and alphanumeric keys when said keys are in navigation control mode of operation.

9. The mobile handset of claim 8 wherein said differentiating means additionally comprises at least one housing surface area associated with said combined navigation and alphanumeric keys that is illuminated by said backlighting panel when said keys are in navigation control mode.

10. The mobile handset of claim 6 wherein said differentiating means comprises an icon displayed so as to identify the current mode of operation.

11. The mobile handset of claim 6 additionally comprising means for sensing user input data so as to automatically toggle said combined navigation and alphanumeric keys into navigation control mode.

12. The mobile handset of claim 6 additionally comprising means for sensing user input data so as to automatically toggle said combined navigation and alphanumeric keys into alphanumeric mode.

13. The mobile handset of claim 6 additionally comprising means for automatically toggling said combined alphanumeric and navigation keys into alphanumeric mode when said menu displays options requiring alphanumeric mode input.

14. The mobile handset of claim 6 additionally comprising a dual function key and associated switch for sending stored dialing information and entering user input when in alphanumeric mode and alternatively selecting menu options when in navigation control mode.

15. The mobile handset of claim 6 additionally comprising a dual function key and associated switch for ending a telephone call when in alphanumeric mode and alternatively moving up in the menu hierarchy when in navigation control mode.