Alphanumeric keypad and display system and method
First Claim
1. A method for data entry and display, comprising:
- providing a data entry and display device comprising a keypad including an arrangement of individual keys and a display having a display field that is distinctly provided outside of the arrangement of individual keys, the arrangement of individual keys including a plurality of hard keys and a plurality of soft keys that are covering a portion of the display that is provided at least partially within the arrangement of individual keys, each said hard key having a primary alphanumeric symbol and a set of secondary alphanumeric symbols visibly associated therewith;
actuating a first said hard key; and
displaying on said plurality of soft keys by use of the display portion covered by the plurality of soft keys a first said set of said secondary alphanumeric symbols from said actuated first said hard key.
7 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Data entry and display apparatus and methods that provide greater efficiency in data processing devices. The apparatus comprises a keypad with a plurality of first keys and plurality of secondary keys, the first keys each having at least one primary alphanumeric symbol and at least one of the first keys having a secondary alphanumeric symbol associated therewith, the first key with the secondary symbol being operable to selectively display the secondary alphanumeric symbols in association with the second keys. The apparatus may further comprise a display, which may be embodied in a common touch screen user interface with the keypad. The methods comprise actuating one of the first keys on the keypad and displaying a set of secondary alphanumeric symbols in association with the secondary keys, and selecting the primary alphanumeric symbol associated with the first key or selecting one of the set of secondary alphanumeric symbols by actuating one of the second keys. Selection and actuation of appropriate combinations of first and second keys allows entry of any character string.
-
Citations
12 Claims
-
1. A method for data entry and display, comprising:
-
providing a data entry and display device comprising a keypad including an arrangement of individual keys and a display having a display field that is distinctly provided outside of the arrangement of individual keys, the arrangement of individual keys including a plurality of hard keys and a plurality of soft keys that are covering a portion of the display that is provided at least partially within the arrangement of individual keys, each said hard key having a primary alphanumeric symbol and a set of secondary alphanumeric symbols visibly associated therewith; actuating a first said hard key; and displaying on said plurality of soft keys by use of the display portion covered by the plurality of soft keys a first said set of said secondary alphanumeric symbols from said actuated first said hard key. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
- 11. A data entry and display device comprising a keypad including an arrangement of individual keys and a display having a display field that is distinctly provided outside of the arrangement of individual keys, the arrangement of individual keys including a plurality of hard keys and a plurality of soft keys that are covering a portion of the display that is provided at least partially within the arrangement of individual keys, each said hard key having a primary alphanumeric symbol and a set of secondary alphanumeric symbols visibly associated therewith, wherein the data entry and display device further comprises a control system so that by actuating a first said hard key, the set of secondary alphanumeric symbols of that hard key will be displayed selectively on the plurality of soft keys by use of the display portion that is covered by the plurality of soft keys.
Specification