RECONFIGURABLE KEYPAD METHOD IN HANDSET DEVICE OPERABLE WITH PLURAL SUBSYSTEMS
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A multimedia handset, comprising:
- a cellular telephone subsystem;
a media player subsystem;
a display on the housing of the handset;
an information processor for controlling the cellular telephone subsystem, the media player subsystem and the display, the information processor comprising operating modes configuring the cellular telephone subsystem of the handset in a telephone mode, configuring the display in a navigation, menu or list mode, or configuring the media player subsystem of the handset in a media player mode; and
a reconfigurable keypad for generating multiple patterns in association with an array of keys responsive to the information processor in each of the operating modes for providing one of a numeric keypad state, a navigation keypad state, and a media player keypad state automatically generated with the operating modes of the information processor.
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Abstract
A user input device is provided that permits multiple functions to be implemented in a confined space using key images defined by a reconfigurable backlight structure under automatic software control. The keypads change automatically depending on what the user is doing with the device. By selectively illuminating one of several key images at each key location, widely varying keypad functionality can be realized without increased the size of the keypad or the number of key locations.
39 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A multimedia handset, comprising:
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a cellular telephone subsystem; a media player subsystem; a display on the housing of the handset; an information processor for controlling the cellular telephone subsystem, the media player subsystem and the display, the information processor comprising operating modes configuring the cellular telephone subsystem of the handset in a telephone mode, configuring the display in a navigation, menu or list mode, or configuring the media player subsystem of the handset in a media player mode; and a reconfigurable keypad for generating multiple patterns in association with an array of keys responsive to the information processor in each of the operating modes for providing one of a numeric keypad state, a navigation keypad state, and a media player keypad state automatically generated with the operating modes of the information processor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A handset device, comprising:
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a first communications subsystem; a second player subsystem; a display on the housing of the handset device; an information processor for controlling the first subsystem, the second subsystem and the display, the information processor comprising operating modes configuring the first subsystem of the handset device in a first mode, configuring the second subsystem of the handset device in a second mode, or configuring the display in a navigation mode; and a reconfigurable keypad for generating multiple patterns in association with an array of keys responsive to the information processor in each of the operating modes for providing one of a numeric keypad state, a media control keypad state, and a navigation keypad state automatically generated with the operating modes of the information processor. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A reconfigurable keypad for generating multiple patterns in association with an array of keys comprising:
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an information processor; a layer comprising a surface to act as keys; and a sheet located atop said layer, said sheet comprising multiple patterns coordinated with said layer and in conjunction with the information processor for operating as a plurality of input for the information processor; and a film of a predetermined level of tint color located atop said sheet, with said sheet having an associated color such that the film appears transparent to incident light, and such that the film appears opaque to ambient light. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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21. A reconfigurable keypad method in a handset device having a display on its housing with the handset device being operable with a plurality of subsystems, the method comprising:
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information processing controlling the plurality of subsystems and the display, the information processing including operating modes configuring a first of the plurality of subsystems in a first mode, configuring a second of the plurality of subsystems in a second mode, or configuring the display in a navigation, menu or list mode; providing a reconfigurable keypad with an array of keys; and generating multiple patterns in association with the array of keys responsive to the information processing step in each of the operating modes for providing one of a numeric keypad state, a media control keypad state, and a navigation keypad state automatically generated with the operating modes of the information processing step. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
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Specification