Multifunctional keyboard for a mobile communication device and method of operating the same
First Claim
1. A method for use in a communication device for telephony tone signal and character code generation, the method comprising:
- receiving a signal generated by a key labeled with a letter and a number;
in a joint mode of operation of the communication device substantially simultaneously;
converting the signal into a character code, the character code corresponding to the letter label of the key; and
converting the signal into a telephony tone signal, the telephony tone signal corresponding to the number.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and method for telephony tone signal and character code generation for QWERTY keyboards includes a QWERTY style keyboard, a processor and a keyboard mode control software module. The QWERTY style keyboard has a plurality of letter keys, wherein each letter key is configured to generate a unique input signal. The processor is coupled to the keyboard and is configured to convert each unique input signal generated by the letter keys into a character code and/or a telephony tone signal. The keyboard mode control software module operates on the processor, and controls whether the processor converts the unique input signals from the letter keys into character codes or telephony tone signals.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method for use in a communication device for telephony tone signal and character code generation, the method comprising:
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receiving a signal generated by a key labeled with a letter and a number; in a joint mode of operation of the communication device substantially simultaneously; converting the signal into a character code, the character code corresponding to the letter label of the key; and converting the signal into a telephony tone signal, the telephony tone signal corresponding to the number. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A communication device comprising:
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a keyboard having a key, the key labeled with a letter and a number; a display; and a processor coupled with the keyboard and the display, the processor being configured to; receive a signal generated by the key, in a joint mode of operation of the communication device substantially simultaneously; convert the signal into a character code, the character code corresponding to the letter label of the key, and convert the signal into a telephony tone signal corresponding to the number of the key. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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12. The communication device of 11, wherein the processor is further configured to display the letter represented by the character code on the display.
Specification