Space efficient buttons
First Claim
1. A push-button for use on a handheld device comprising a main section and an extension integral with and extending from said main section, said extension further including indicia positioned to be visible when said main section is concealed.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A button for efficiently displaying indicia on a hand-held device. A button constructed according to a first embodiment includes a main section and an integral extension having indicia positioned thereon. A second embodiment includes a main body section having at least one end containing indicia. Both embodiments provide for the user to actuate the button while still maintaining visible contact with the indicia. The present invention may also include an active character position within the button in which indicia is cycled through by actuating the button. The value of the indicia displayed in the active character position may then be input by an enter function.
3 Citations
39 Claims
- 1. A push-button for use on a handheld device comprising a main section and an extension integral with and extending from said main section, said extension further including indicia positioned to be visible when said main section is concealed.
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10. A handheld portable device comprising:
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an outer housing;
a display positioned on said outer housing for displaying input characters; and
a plurality of buttons positioned on said outer housing for inputting values into the device, each of said buttons having a main section and an extension connected with and extending from said main section, each of said buttons further including indicia positioned on said extension to be visible when said main surface area is concealed. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19)
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16. A button for use on a handheld portable device comprising:
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a button having an outer edge, a center point, and at least one end positioned within said outer edge farthest from said center point; and
indicia visibly positioned within at least one of said ends adjacent to said outer edge, wherein concealment of a majority of the button within said outer edge allows for said indicia to remain visible.
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20. A handheld portable device comprising:
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an outer housing for containing components of the handheld portable device;
a display screen positioned within said outer housing for displaying messages; and
a plurality of input buttons spaced about said outer housing, each of said buttons having an outer edge, a center point, and at least one end positioned a distance farthest from said center point, said plurality of input buttons further including indicia visibly positioned within at least one of said ends adjacent to said outer edge, wherein concealment of a majority of the button within said outer edge allows for said indicia to remain visible. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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- 22. A button for inputting information into a device comprising an active character position for visibly displaying a plurality of indicia one at a time, wherein actuation of the button results in one of said plurality of indicia being visibly displayed within said active character position.
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33. A method of displaying and inputting information through a button of a device comprising the steps of:
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assigning a plurality of values to the button with one of the values being active;
providing an active character position on the button and displaying an indicia corresponding to the active value within the active character position;
detecting a button actuation and in response thereto changing the active value of the button and displaying the indicia corresponding to the active value within the active character position; and
detecting actuation of an enter function and in response thereto entering the current active value into the device. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37, 39)
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38. A method of receiving information input into a wireless communication device comprising the steps of:
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providing a plurality of buttons each having a main section and an extension for displaying indicia;
assigning a plurality of values to each of said buttons with one value being active;
providing a mode key for changing the active value of each button;
detecting a mode key actuation and in response thereto changing the active value of each of said buttons; and
detecting an actuation of one of the plurality of buttons and in response thereto entering the corresponding active value.
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Specification