CUSTOMIZABLE KEYBOARD
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A keyboard comprising:
- a key guide; and
a plurality of keys, each retained laterally in said key guide and operable for providing input to a device when depressed by a switch-activation distance in a direction substantially perpendicular to a plane defined by said key guide;
wherein each key of said plurality of keys is rotatable about a respective axis of rotation substantially perpendicular to said plane.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A customizable keyboard for a handheld electronic device is provided. The keys of the keyboard are rotatable, either individually or in groups, either under manual control of a user of the device or by means of one or more micro-motors or solenoids controlled by a microprocessor running software on the device. The keyboard may be integrated in the device or may be detachable therefrom.
-
Citations
31 Claims
-
1. A keyboard comprising:
-
a key guide; and a plurality of keys, each retained laterally in said key guide and operable for providing input to a device when depressed by a switch-activation distance in a direction substantially perpendicular to a plane defined by said key guide; wherein each key of said plurality of keys is rotatable about a respective axis of rotation substantially perpendicular to said plane. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
-
-
25. A handheld electronic device comprising:
-
a microprocessor; a keyboard in electro-mechanical communication with said microprocessor, said keyboard including a key guide; and a plurality of keys, each retained laterally in said key guide and operable for providing input to the device when depressed by a switch-activation distance in a direction substantially perpendicular to a plane defined by said key guide; wherein each key of said plurality of keys is rotatable about a respective axis of rotation substantially perpendicular to said plane. - View Dependent Claims (26)
-
-
27. A method of arranging a keyboard of a handheld electronic device, the device including a microprocessor and a keyboard in electro-mechanical communication with the microprocessor, the keyboard including a plurality of keys, each key of said plurality of keys being rotatable under control of the microprocessor, the method comprising:
-
receiving a selection of one of a plurality of keyboard arrangements; and controlling rotation of the plurality of keys, in accordance with said selected keyboard arrangement. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31)
-
Specification