HAND-HELD ELECTRONIC DEVICE WITH A KEYBOARD OPTIMIZED FOR USE WITH THE THUMBS

• US 20070242047A1
• Filed: 04/26/2007
• Published: 10/18/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/26/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Inventors: LAZARIDIS, MIHAL, MAJOR, HARRY, LITTLE, HERB, GRIFFIN, JASON, HOLMES, JOHN
• Granted Patent: US 7,629,964 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/168
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1662 Details related to the integrated keyboard
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1664 Arrangements for ergonomically adjusting the disposition of keys of the integrated keyboard
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1671 Special purpose buttons or auxiliary keyboards, e.g. retractable mini keypads, keypads or buttons that remain accessible at closed laptop G06F1/1666 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/169 the I/O peripheral being an integrated pointing device, e.g. trackball in the palm rest area, mini-joystick integrated between keyboard keys, touch pads or touch stripes G06F1/1643 takes precedence; constructional details of pointing devices G06F3/033
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0216 Arrangements for ergonomically adjusting the disposition of keys of a keyboard for keyboards integrated in a laptop computer G06F1/1664
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0219 Special purpose keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0236 using selection techniques to select from displayed items
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0362 with detection of 1D translations or rotations of an operating part of the device, e.g. scroll wheels, sliders, knobs, rollers or belts
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0383 Signal control means within the pointing device
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2225/022 other then row-column disposition
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/23 Construction or mounting of dials or of equivalent devices; Means for facilitating the use thereof by improving visibility H04M1/22

Abstract

A hand-held electronic device with a keyboard optimized for use with the thumbs is disclosed. In order to operate within the limited space available on a hand-held electronic device, the present invention optimizes the placement and shape of the keys, preferably using keys that are oval or oblong in shape, and that are placed at angles designed to facilitate thumb-typing. The angles at which keys on either side of the keyboard are placed is complimentary.

Claims

1. (canceled)

2. A messaging device for wireless email that is optimally configured for use with the thumbs, comprising:

a plurality of keys representing the letters of the alphabet on a keyboard integral to the messaging device, the plurality of keys comprises a left side and a right side, with the left side set being oriented at an angle in a negative orientation, and the right side set being oriented at the angle in a positive orientation; and

a display operatively connected to the keyboard;

wherein at least one key of the plurality of keys is placed at an angle that enables a user to use such key optimally with the user'"'"'s thumb.

3. The messaging device of claim 2, wherein the at least one key of the plurality of keys is oblong shaped and the angle is about 20 degrees to about 70 degrees relative to vertical.

4. A messaging device comprising:

a plurality of non-round keys representing the letters of the alphabet on a keyboard integral to the messaging device; and

a display operatively coupled to the keyboard, wherein at least one key of the plurality of keys is oriented at an angle that enables a user to use such key optimally with the use'"'"'s thumbs.

5. A messaging device comprising:

a plurality of keys representing the letters of the alphabet on a keyboard integral to the messaging device, each of said plurality of keys having a shape that allows for an angular orientation of the key; and

a display operatively couples to the keyboard, wherein at least one key of the plurality of keys is oriented at an angle that enables a user to use such key optimally with the user'"'"'s thumb.

6. The messaging device of claim 5, further comprising indicia associated with each of the plurality of keys, wherein the indicia is oriented normal to a longitudinal axis of the device and each of the plurality of keys are oriented at an angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the device.

7. The messaging device of claim 6, wherein the indicia is positioned on each of the keys.