Hand-held electronic device with a keyboard optimized for use with the thumbs
DCFirst Claim
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1. A handheld device optimally configured for use with the thumbs of user, comprising:
- tilted at a positive angle relative to a common vertical reference through the device, and each oblong shaped key in the second set of oblong shaped keys is titled at a negative angle relative to the common vertical reference through the device;
an auxiliary input device positioned in relative proximity to the keyboard;
a display positioned adjacent to the keyboard; and
software residing in the device for providing functionality to inputs received from the auxiliary input device and the keyboard.
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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.
231 Citations
48 Claims
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1. A handheld device optimally configured for use with the thumbs of user, comprising:
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tilted at a positive angle relative to a common vertical reference through the device, and each oblong shaped key in the second set of oblong shaped keys is titled at a negative angle relative to the common vertical reference through the device;
an auxiliary input device positioned in relative proximity to the keyboard;
a display positioned adjacent to the keyboard; and
software residing in the device for providing functionality to inputs received from the auxiliary input device and the keyboard. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A handheld device optimally configured for use with the thumbs of a user comprising:
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(a) a device housing; and
(b) a keyboard residing on the housing, the keyboard having a first set of oblong shaped keys and a second set of oblong shaped keys, wherein each oblong shaped key in the first set of oblong shaped keys is tilted at a positive angle relative to a vertical reference and each oblong shaped key in the second set of oblong shaped keys is tilted at a negative angle relative to the vertical reference. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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18. The handheld device 15, wherein the positive angle is about 40 degrees and the negative angle is about 40 degrees.
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25. A keyboard for use with a handheld electronic device, comprising:
a first set of oblong shaped keys and a set of oblong shaped keys, wherein each key in the first set of oblong shaped keys is tilted at a positive angle relative to a vertical reference and each oblong shaped key in the second set of oblong shaped keys is titled at a negative angle relative to the vertical reference. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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38. A QWERTY keyboard for use with a handheld electronic device, comprising:
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a first set of oblong shaped keys and a second set of oblong shaped keys, wherein each key in the first set of keys is tilted at a positive angle relative to a vertical reference and each key in the second set of keys is tilted at a negative angle relative to the vertical reference, wherein the first and second set of keys form a QWERTY keyboard.
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39. An electronic communication device, comprising:
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a transceiver for transmitting and receiving text messages;
a keyboard for composing text messages to be transmitted by the transceiver, wherein the keyboard includes a first set of oblong shaped keys and a second set of oblong shaped keys, wherein each key in the first set of keys is tilted at a positive angle relative to a vertical reference and each key in the second set of keys is tilted at a negative angle relative to the vertical reference; and
a display for displaying the received text messages. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45)
an auxiliary input device for selecting an operation to be performed by the device, wherein a menu of operations is presented on the display.
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42. The electronic communication device of claim 39, wherein the text messages are e-mail messages.
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43. The electronic communication device of claim 39, wherein the transceiver includes:
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a first antenna for receiving a text message; and
a second antenna for transmitting a text message.
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44. The electronic communication device of claim 43, wherein the transceiver further includes:
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a receiver, coupled to the first antenna, for demodulating the received text message; and
a transmitter coupled to the second antenna, for generating a modulated text message.
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45. The electronic communication device of claim 44, wherein the transceiver further includes:
a digital signal processor coupled to the transmitter and the receiver for processing demodulated text messages from the receiver, and for providing modulation information to the transmitter.
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46. A keyboard for use with a handheld electronic device, comprising:
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a first set of oblong shaped keys and a second set of oblong shaped keys, wherein the keys in the first set of keys are tilted at a first angle relative to a vertical reference and the keys in the second set of keys are tilted at a second angle relative to the vertical reference, wherein the first and second set of keys form a QWERTY keyboard. - View Dependent Claims (47, 48)
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Specification