Keypad and method for detecting the selection of one of a plurality of key inputs associated with a single key
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A keypad comprising:
- one or more keys, each key being associated with a primary input selection and three or more secondary input selections, wherein each secondary input selection is associated with a corresponding one of a plurality of switches; and
a selection indicator coupled to the plurality of switches and adapted for detecting one of a primary input selection and a secondary input selection, when the key is actuated, wherein one of the secondary input selections is indicated when only a corresponding one of the plurality of switches is engaged, when the key is actuated, and a primary input selection is indicated when any combination of more than one of the plurality of switches are engaged, when the key is actuated.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A keypad and method for detecting the selection of one of a plurality of key inputs associated with a single key is provided. The keypad includes one or more keys having a primary input selection and three or more secondary input selections. Each secondary input selection has a corresponding switch, where if only one of the switches is engaged when the key is actuated, the corresponding secondary input selection is indicated. If any combination of a plurality of switches are engaged, when the key is actuated, the primary input selection is indicated.
55 Citations
22 Claims
-
1. A keypad comprising:
-
one or more keys, each key being associated with a primary input selection and three or more secondary input selections, wherein each secondary input selection is associated with a corresponding one of a plurality of switches; and
a selection indicator coupled to the plurality of switches and adapted for detecting one of a primary input selection and a secondary input selection, when the key is actuated, wherein one of the secondary input selections is indicated when only a corresponding one of the plurality of switches is engaged, when the key is actuated, and a primary input selection is indicated when any combination of more than one of the plurality of switches are engaged, when the key is actuated. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
-
-
18. An electronic device with a keypad comprising:
-
a key associated with a primary character having a first contact associated with a first secondary character, a second contact associated with a second secondary character, and a third contact associated with a third secondary character;
wherein closure of only one of the first contact, the second contact and the third contact during a predetermined time period enters the associated secondary character into the electronic device; and
wherein closure of two or more of the first contact, the second contact and the third contact during the predetermined time period enters the primary character into the electronic device.
-
-
19. A method of detecting the selection of one of a plurality of key inputs associated with a single key, where said key actuations include a primary input selection and three or more secondary input selections, said method comprising:
-
monitoring the state of three or more switches each associated with a corresponding one of the three or more secondary input selections;
detecting a key actuation;
if only one of the switches is engaged when the key actuation is detected, indicating the selection of the secondary input corresponding to the engaged switch; and
if any combination of a plurality of switches is engaged, when the key actuation is detected, indicating the selection of the primary input. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22)
-
Specification