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Electronic device having a movable keypad

  • US 6,996,426 B2
  • Filed: 01/22/2001
  • Issued: 02/07/2006
  • Est. Priority Date: 01/21/2000
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. An electronic device comprising:

  • a touch screen display and associated electronic circuits in a housing for displaying symbols and/or images on the display, and for receiving input for a localized pressure force against a surface of the display;

    a keypad arranged to be moved over the display to bring, when manually depressing keys on the keypad, the keys to act on the surface of the display and thereby produce a corresponding input of figures or letters corresponding to the keys; and

    a pair of U-shaped guides extending around a rear end of the housing of the electronic device,wherein the keypad is flexible and has a size adapted to a size of the display, the keypad being arranged to be moved by a user of the electronic device to different positions, including a first position to cover all of the touch screen display, a second position to cover a portion of the touch screen display, or a third position to cover no portion of the touch screen display, andwherein the keypad is connected to the device by said pair of U-shaped guides allowing a sliding movement of the keypad in such a way, that when moving the keypad to the different positions, the keypad maintains a shape of the surfaces of the electronic device, and/or is located along a perimeter of the electronic device when seen in a direction perpendicular to a direction of movement of the keypad and parallel to a surface of the touch screen display.

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