METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING A USER INTERFACE ON A MOBILE DEVICE

• US 20100123662A1
• Filed: 11/14/2008
• Published: 05/20/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Sadler, John Thomas
• Application Number:
  US12/271,384
• Publication Number:
  US 20100123662A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/169
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1664 Arrangements for ergonomically adjusting the disposition of keys of the integrated keyboard
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1671 Special purpose buttons or auxiliary keyboards, e.g. retractable mini keypads, keypads or buttons that remain accessible at closed laptop G06F1/1666 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0216 Arrangements for ergonomically adjusting the disposition of keys of a keyboard for keyboards integrated in a laptop computer G06F1/1664
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0235 using chord techniques G06F3/0234 takes precedence
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/236 including keys on side or rear faces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/18 including more than one keyboard unit

Abstract

An approach provides for a user interface on a mobile device. A keystroke combination is detected between at least a modification key and a particular key of a keypad. An associated input is determined based on the step of detecting. The modification key is included on a first face of the mobile device and the keypad is included on a second face of the mobile device, the first face and the second face substantially face opposite directions.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

detecting a keystroke combination comprising a modification key and a particular key of a keypad; and

determining an associated input based on the step of detecting,

wherein the modification key is included on a first face of a mobile device and the keypad is included on a second face of the mobile device, the first face and the second face substantially facing opposite directions.

2. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

displaying the associated input in a direction that substantially faces the same direction as the function key.

3. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the first face includes another keypad.

4. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the keypad is a QWERTY keypad.

5. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the keypad includes ten keys divided into two columns of five keys.

6. A method as recited in claim 5, wherein the columns are arcuately arranged and curve in substantially opposite directions.

7. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

executing an interactive game configured to acquaint a user with the keypad.

8. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the particular key includes a tactile identifier.

9. A method recited in claim 1, wherein the first face further includes a first rest for resting a thumb and the second face includes a second rest for resting a finger.

10. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the mobile device is configured for wireless communications.

11. An apparatus comprising:

a processor;

a first face including a modification key, the first face substantially facing a first direction; and

a second face including a keypad, the second face facing a second direction substantially opposite from the first direction,

wherein the processor is configured to detect a keystroke combination comprising the modification key and a particular key of the keypad for determining an associated input.

12. An apparatus as recited in claim 11, further comprising:

a display for displaying the associated input,

wherein the display substantially faces the first direction.

13. An apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein the first face includes another keypad.

14. An apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein the keypad is a QWERTY keypad.

15. An apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein the keypad includes ten keys divided into two columns of five keys.

16. An apparatus as recited in claim 15, wherein the columns are arcuately arranged and curve in substantially opposite directions.

17. An apparatus as recited in claim 11, further comprising:

a memory,

wherein the memory stores data representing an interactive game configured to acquaint a user with the keypad.

18. An apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein the particular key includes a tactile identifier.

19. An apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein the first face further includes a first rest for resting a thumb and the second face includes a second rest for resting a finger.

20. An apparatus as recited in claim 11, further comprising:

a communication interface for engaging in wireless communications.