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Keyboard with integrated and numeric keypad

  • US 8,350,728 B2
  • Filed: 04/23/2010
  • Issued: 01/08/2013
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/23/2010
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A mobile computing device comprising:

  • a keypad comprising a plurality of keys;

    a processor that is coupled to control use of the keypad, including to enable use of the keypad in each of a letter entry mode or an alternative entry mode;

    wherein the plurality of keys include a subset of keys, each key in the subset being (i) enlarged as compared to other keys of the keypad that are not part of the subset, (ii) assigned m letter values for when the keypad is operated in the letter entry mode, and (iii) assigned n numeric values, where 1≦

    n<

    m, for when the keypad is operated in the alternative entry mode;

    wherein the keypad is structured to distinguish, for each key in the subset, contact made at a left region of that key versus contact made at a right region of the key;

    wherein in the letter entry mode, the processor identifies a first letter value when contact is made at the left region, and a second letter value when contact is made at the right region; and

    wherein in the alternative entry mode, the processor identifies a first numeric value when contact is made at the left region, the right region, or both of the left region and the right region.

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