MOBILE DEVICE HAVING HYBRID KEYPAD

• US 20110183718A1
• Filed: 01/26/2010
• Published: 07/28/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/26/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hand Held Products Incorporated (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hand Held Products Incorporated (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Inventors: Fitch, Timothy R., Payne, Gregory
• Granted Patent: US 8,781,520 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/566
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0219 Special purpose keyboards

Abstract

A mobile device comprising: a communication module for sending and receiving radio communications; a display for displaying information; a processor for controlling software and firmware operation; a keypad for entering data to the processor comprising an array of alpha keys for alpha data entry and an array of numeric keys for numeric data entry, wherein entry of alpha data does not require use of numeric keys and numeric data does not require use of alpha keys; and a housing encompassing the communication system, display, image processor and keypad configured to facilitate an operator holding the mobile device in one hand and keypad data entry with the other hand.

Claims

1. A mobile device comprising:

a communication module for sending and receiving radio communications;

a display for displaying information;

a processor for controlling software and firmware operation;

a keypad for entering data to the processor comprising an array of alpha keys for alpha data entry and an array of numeric keys for numeric data entry, wherein entry of alpha data does not require use of numeric keys and numeric data does not require use of alpha keys; and

,

a housing encompassing the communication system, display, image processor and keypad configured to facilitate an operator holding the mobile device in one hand and keypad data entry with the other hand.

2. A mobile device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the alpha keys are arranged in a QWERTY layout and the numeric keys are arranged in two rows with a top row of numbers 1-5 and a bottom row of numbers 6-0.

3. A mobile device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the numeric keys and/or the alpha keys are multi-functional wherein they may be utilized for data entry other than alpha or numeric data.

4. A mobile device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the housing includes a handle extending vertically below the mobile device.

5. A mobile device in accordance with claim 1, further comprising an indicia reader for reading information bearing indicia and a button for activating indicia reading.

6. A mobile device in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a data capture system and a button for activating data capture.

7. A mobile device in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a data capture system and a button for activating data capture.

8. A mobile device comprising:

a communication module for sending and receiving radio communications;

a display for displaying information;

a processor for controlling software and firmware operation;

a keypad for entering data to the processor comprising a QWERTY array of alpha keys for alpha data entry and an array of numeric keys arranged in two rows for numeric data entry, wherein entry of alpha data does not require use of numeric keys and numeric data does not require use of alpha keys; and

,

a housing encompassing the communication system, display, image processor and keypad configured to facilitate an operator holding the mobile device in one hand and keypad data entry with the other hand.

9. A mobile device in accordance with claim 8, wherein the numeric keys are arranged with a top row of numbers 1-5 and a bottom row of numbers 6-0.

10. A mobile device in accordance with claim 8, wherein the numeric keys and/or the alpha keys are multi-functional wherein they may be utilized for data entry other than alpha or numeric data.

11. A mobile device in accordance with claim 8, wherein the housing includes a handle extending vertically below the mobile device.

12. A mobile device in accordance with claim 8, further comprising an indicia reader for reading information bearing indicia and a button for activating indicia reading.

13. A mobile device in accordance with claim 8, further comprising a data capture system and a button for activating data capture.

14. A mobile device in accordance with claim 8, further comprising a data capture system and a button for activating data capture.

15. A mobile device in accordance with claim 8, wherein the alpha key array is arranged in essentially linear rows.

16. A mobile device in accordance with claim 8, wherein the alpha key array is arranged in essentially curvilinear rows.

17. A mobile device in accordance with claim 8, wherein the numeric key array is arranged in essentially linear rows.

18. A mobile device in accordance with claim 8, wherein the numeric key array is arranged in essentially curvilinear rows.