Handheld electronic device and keyboard having multiple-function keys
First Claim
1. A keyboard structured to be incorporated into an electronic device, the keyboard comprising:
- a printed circuit board having a plurality of electrical contacts;
a primary conductor portion including a number of primary conductors, each one of said primary conductors being elastically deflectable between a relaxed position and a deflected position, each one of said primary conductors in the deflected position electrically connecting together a pair of the electrical contacts;
a secondary conductor portion including a number of secondary conductors, each one of said secondary conductors being elastically deflectable between a relaxed position and a deflected position, each one of said secondary conductors in the deflected position electrically connecting together a pair of the electrical contacts;
a number of keys, each one of said keys being cooperable with a corresponding one of said primary conductors and at least a first corresponding one of said secondary conductors;
the primary conductors and the secondary conductors being disposed between the printed circuit board and the keys; and
each one of said keys being movable between an initial position, a first terminal position, and a second terminal position, said each one of said keys in the first terminal position deflecting the corresponding one of said primary conductors to its deflected position, said each one of said keys in the second terminal position deflecting the corresponding one of said primary conductors and said at least a first corresponding one of said secondary conductors to their deflected positions.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An improved handheld electronic device having an improved keyboard provides enhanced usability with fewer keys by enabling the keys to pivot slightly to provide multiple functions to the keys. The improved keyboard may, for example, include internal strips of conductive carbon that are disposed adjacent the keys and are electrically engageable with contacts on a printed circuit board. Specifically, when a key is pressed directly downward it collapses a single dome and connects together a set of primary contacts to provide a first function. When the key is pressed at the side thereof, the key pivots slightly, collapses the dome and connects together the primary contacts, and also engages a carbon strip with a pair of secondary contacts to connect together the secondary contacts, all of which provide a second function. The keyboard may be configured to be of a QWERTY configuration while using only a relatively small number of keys.
45 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A keyboard structured to be incorporated into an electronic device, the keyboard comprising:
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a printed circuit board having a plurality of electrical contacts; a primary conductor portion including a number of primary conductors, each one of said primary conductors being elastically deflectable between a relaxed position and a deflected position, each one of said primary conductors in the deflected position electrically connecting together a pair of the electrical contacts; a secondary conductor portion including a number of secondary conductors, each one of said secondary conductors being elastically deflectable between a relaxed position and a deflected position, each one of said secondary conductors in the deflected position electrically connecting together a pair of the electrical contacts; a number of keys, each one of said keys being cooperable with a corresponding one of said primary conductors and at least a first corresponding one of said secondary conductors; the primary conductors and the secondary conductors being disposed between the printed circuit board and the keys; and each one of said keys being movable between an initial position, a first terminal position, and a second terminal position, said each one of said keys in the first terminal position deflecting the corresponding one of said primary conductors to its deflected position, said each one of said keys in the second terminal position deflecting the corresponding one of said primary conductors and said at least a first corresponding one of said secondary conductors to their deflected positions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A handheld electronic device comprising:
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a keyboard; a display positioned adjacent the keyboard; a processor structured to receive inputs from the keyboard and to output to the display as a function of said inputs; the keyboard including a printed circuit board, a primary conductor portion, a secondary conductor portion, and a number of keys; the printed circuit board having a plurality of electrical contacts; the primary conductor portion including a number of primary conductors, each one of said primary conductors being elastically deflectable between a relaxed position and a deflected position, each one of said primary conductors in the deflected position electrically connecting together a pair of the electrical contacts; the secondary conductor portion including a number of secondary conductors, each one of said secondary conductors being elastically deflectable between a relaxed position and a deflected position, each one of said secondary conductors in the deflected position electrically connecting together a pair of the electrical contacts; each one of said keys being cooperable with a corresponding one of said primary conductors and at least a first corresponding one of said secondary conductors; the primary conductors and the secondary conductors being disposed between the printed circuit board and the keys; and each one of said keys being movable between an initial position, a first terminal position, and a second terminal position, said each one of said keys in the first terminal position deflecting the corresponding one of said primary conductors to its deflected position, said each one of said keys in the second terminal position deflecting the corresponding one of said primary conductors and said at least a first corresponding one of said secondary conductors to their deflected positions. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification