Keyboard layout for handheld electronic book reader device
First Claim
1. A handheld electronic book device comprising:
- a display screen adapted for displaying visible representations of content of an electronic book;
a keyboard having keys arranged in horizontal rows and vertical columns, wherein the keyboard includes;
a top row of horizontally aligned keys that are oriented uniformly;
a plurality of middle rows of keys that are oriented non-uniformly; and
a bottom row of horizontally aligned keys that are oriented uniformly;
wherein a first plurality of the keys in the middle rows is arranged in arcs relative to a first point of reference on the device, and a second plurality of the keys in the middle rows is arranged in arcs relative to a second point of reference on the device, the second point of reference being spaced from the first point of reference on the device;
wherein the plurality of middle rows of keys comprises at least 26 keys; and
wherein each key of the middle rows of keys is located at a distinct intersection of one of the middle rows with one of the arcs.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A keyboard layout for a handheld electronic book device is described herein. The device includes a display screen adapted for displaying visible representations of textual or graphic content related to the electronic book. The device also includes a keyboard for controlling presentation of the content. The keyboard includes two sets of keys. A first set of keys is arranged in an arcuate configuration relative to a first point of reference on the device. A second set of keys is arranged in an arcuate configuration relative to a second point of reference on the device. The second point of reference is spaced from the first point of reference on the device. One or more of the first set of keys and one or more of the second set of keys are arranged in a horizontal row.
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Citations
46 Claims
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1. A handheld electronic book device comprising:
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a display screen adapted for displaying visible representations of content of an electronic book; a keyboard having keys arranged in horizontal rows and vertical columns, wherein the keyboard includes; a top row of horizontally aligned keys that are oriented uniformly; a plurality of middle rows of keys that are oriented non-uniformly; and a bottom row of horizontally aligned keys that are oriented uniformly; wherein a first plurality of the keys in the middle rows is arranged in arcs relative to a first point of reference on the device, and a second plurality of the keys in the middle rows is arranged in arcs relative to a second point of reference on the device, the second point of reference being spaced from the first point of reference on the device; wherein the plurality of middle rows of keys comprises at least 26 keys; and wherein each key of the middle rows of keys is located at a distinct intersection of one of the middle rows with one of the arcs. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A handheld electronic device comprising:
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a display screen adapted for displaying visible representations of content; a keyboard having first and second pluralities of keys arranged in horizontal rows, at least one of the horizontal rows having keys oriented at progressively changing angles along a length of the at least one horizontal row; and a plurality of dedicated function keys corresponding to non-alphanumeric symbols for entering at least one of e-mail addresses and HTTP addresses. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A handheld electronic device comprising:
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a display screen adapted for displaying visible representations of content; and a keyboard having first and second pluralities of keys arranged in a grid of horizontal rows and vertical columns, the horizontal rows comprising; a top row of horizontally aligned keys; a plurality of middle rows of keys; and a bottom row of horizontally aligned keys; wherein the first plurality of keys is arranged in at least one arcuate configuration relative to a first point of reference on the device and the second plurality of keys is arranged in at least one arcuate configuration relative to a second point of reference on the device, and wherein the second point of reference is spaced from the first point of reference, and wherein the plurality of middle rows of keys comprises at least 26 keys, which are disposed in vertical columns, including a first vertical column closest to a center of the handheld electronic device and additional vertical columns, which are between the first vertical column and an outside edge of the handheld electronic device, wherein keys located in the middle rows of keys of the first vertical column are oriented at a first angle from horizontal, and wherein keys located in the middle rows of keys of the additional vertical columns are oriented at angles from horizontal that progressively decrease toward the outside edge of the handheld electronic device. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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36. A handheld device comprising:
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a display screen; and a keyboard having a plurality of keys arranged in horizontal rows and vertical columns; wherein at least some of the plurality of the keys are disposed along arcs relative to a first point of reference on the device and at least some others of the plurality of keys are disposed along arcs relative to a second point of reference on the device, and wherein each key disposed along one of the arcs is disposed at a discrete intersection of the respective arc with one of the horizontal rows and one of the vertical columns. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 39)
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40. A handheld device comprising:
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a display screen; a keyboard having a plurality of keys arranged in horizontal rows and vertical columns, the keys being oriented at a plurality of different angles relative to one another; and a printed circuit board underlying the keyboard, having a uniform grid of contacts arranged in horizontal rows and vertical columns, wherein a center point of each key of the plurality of keys lies at a distinct intersection of one of the vertical columns and one of the horizontal rows of the uniform grid of contacts. - View Dependent Claims (41, 42, 43, 44)
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45. A handheld electronic device comprising:
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a display screen adapted for displaying visible representations of content of an electronic book; and a thumb keyboard having keys positioned to be operable by a user'"'"'s thumbs when the user is holding a bottom of the handheld electronic device, the thumb keyboard comprising a plurality of keys including; a top row of horizontally aligned keys; a plurality of middle rows of keys, the plurality of middle rows of keys including at least 26 keys, which are disposed in vertical columns, including a first vertical column closest to a center of the handheld electronic device and additional vertical columns, which are between the first vertical column and an outside edge of the handheld electronic device; and a bottom row of horizontally aligned keys; wherein keys located in the middle rows of keys of the first vertical column are oriented at a first angle from horizontal, and wherein keys located in the middle rows of keys of the additional vertical columns are oriented at angles from horizontal that progressively decrease toward the outside edge of the handheld electronic device. - View Dependent Claims (46)
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Specification