OPPOSITE FACING DEVICE KEYPAD

• US 20100134418A1
• Filed: 12/02/2008
• Published: 06/03/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/02/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Muresianu, Tobias A.
• Application Number:
  US12/326,265
• Publication Number:
  US 20100134418A1
• 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 1/1662 Details related to the integrated keyboard
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04886 by partitioning the display area of the touch-screen or the surface of the digitising tablet into independently controllable areas, e.g. virtual keyboards or menus

Abstract

An opposite facing device keypad is described. In embodiment(s), a portable device includes an integrated display positioned on a first surface of the portable device to display typed inputs. The portable device can also include touch-type keys for typing to initiate the typed inputs. The touch-type keys can be disposed relative a second surface of the portable device, and the second surface faces substantially opposite the first surface to position the touch-type keys for typing when the portable device is held to view the integrated display.

Claims

1. A portable device, comprising:

an integrated display positioned on a first surface of the portable device and configured to display typed inputs; and

touch-type keys configured for typing to initiate the typed inputs, the touch-type keys disposed relative a second surface of the portable device, and the second surface facing substantially opposite the first surface to position the touch-type keys for typing when the portable device is held to view the integrated display.

2. A portable device as recited in claim 1, further comprising a space input touch-type key configured for typing a space, the space input touch-type key disposed relative the first surface to position the space input touch-type key for typing the space when the portable device is held.

3. A portable device as recited in claim 1, further comprising an input control configured to lock/unlock the touch-type keys disposed relative the second surface of the portable device, the input control disposed relative the first surface to position the input control for selection when the portable device is held.

4. A portable device as recited in claim 1, further comprising a programmable touch-type key configured for a programmed input, the programmable touch-type key disposed relative the first surface to position the programmable touch-type key for selection when the portable device is held.

5. A portable device as recited in claim 1, wherein the touch-type keys disposed relative the second surface of the portable device are removeably attached to the second surface.

6. A portable device as recited in claim 1, wherein the portable device comprises an ultra-mobile personal computer (UMPC).

7. A portable device as recited in claim 1, wherein one or more of the touch-type keys disposed relative the second surface are configured with tactile indicia indicative of their identity.

8. A portable device as recited in claim 1, wherein the touch-type keys are part of a protective case for the portable device, the touch-type keys proximate the second surface of the portable device when the portable device is housed in the protective case.

9. A method, comprising:

displaying typed inputs on a display positioned on a first surface of a portable device; and

receiving one or more of the typed inputs initiated via touch-type keys disposed relative a second surface of the portable device, the second surface facing substantially opposite the first surface to position the touch-type keys for typing when the portable device is held to view the display.

10. A method as recited in claim 9, further comprising receiving a typed space input initiated via a space input touch-type key disposed relative the first surface to position the space input touch-type key for typing the space input when the portable device is held.

11. A method as recited in claim 9, further comprising receiving a lock/unlock input initiated via an input control disposed relative the first surface to position the input control for selection when the portable device is held.

12. A method as recited in claim 9, wherein the touch-type keys disposed relative the second surface of the portable device are removeably attached to the second surface.

13. A method as recited in claim 9, further comprising receiving a programmed input initiated via a programmable touch-type key disposed relative the first surface to position the programmable touch-type key for selection when the portable device is held.

14. A method as recited in claim 9, wherein one or more of the touch-type keys disposed relative the second surface are configured with tactile indicia indicative of their identity.

15. A system, comprising:

a keypad device comprising touch-type keys;

a portable device configured to receive typed inputs initiated via the touch-type keys on the keypad device, the portable device comprising;

a display surface that includes an integrated display configured to display the typed inputs; and

a keypad surface facing substantially opposite the display surface, the keypad surface configured to include the keypad device positioned for typing when the portable device is held to view the integrated display.

16. A system as recited in claim 15, further comprising a space input touch-type key configured to input a typed space, the space input touch-type key proximate the display surface of the portable device and positioned for selection when the portable device is held.

17. A system as recited in claim 15, further comprising an input control configured to lock/unlock the touch-type keys on the keypad device.

18. A system as recited in claim 15, wherein the portable device comprises an ultra-mobile personal computer (UMPC) that includes the keypad device.

19. A system as recited in claim 15, wherein the touch-type keys are arranged in a QWERTY configuration on the keypad device.

20. A system as recited in claim 15, wherein the keypad device is part of a protective case for the portable device, the keypad device proximate the keypad surface of the portable device when the portable device is housed in the protective case.