BlackBerry Limited v. Typo Products LLC

Filing 1

COMPLAINT against Typo Products LLC ( Filing fee $ 400, receipt number 0971-8267949). DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL. Filed by BlackBerry Limited. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit Exhibit B, # 3 Exhibit Exhibit C, # 4 Civil Cover Sheet Civil Cover Sheet, # 5 Report to PTO)(Johnson, Kevin) (Filed on 1/3/2014) Modified on 1/3/2014 (farS, COURT STAFF).

EXHIBIT B

US008162552B2

(12) United States Patent

(10) Patent N0.:

Rak et al.
(54)

(75)

(73)

(45) Date of Patent:

RAMPED-KEY KEYBOARD FORA
HANDHELD MOBILE COMMUNICATION
DEVICE

5,898,933 A
D445A09 S
6,370,018 B1
6,480,185 B1
D470,150 S

Inventors: Roman P. Rak, Waterloo (CA); Jason T.
Grif?n, Kitchener (CA); Norman M.
Ladwceur’ Waterloo (CA)
Assignee: Research In Motion Limited, Waterloo

Notice:

Apr. 24, 2012

4/1999 Kaschke
7/2001 Segers
4/2002 Miller, Jr. et a1.
11/2002 Kiljander et a1.
2/2003 Lewis, Jr. et al.

(Continued)
FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
EP

1094482 A2

(CA)
(*)

US 8,162,552 B2

4/2001

(Continued)

Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
patent is extended or adjusted under 35

U'S'C~ 154(1)) by 1246 days‘

OTHER PUBLICATIONS

Palm Treo 750v, announed Sep. 2006, http://WWW.gsmarena.c0m/

palmitreoi750v-l704php.

(21) Appl. N0.: 11/861,118
(22)

Flled:

(Continued)

sep' 25’ 2007

(65)

Primary Examiner * Daniel J Colilla

Prior Publication Data
US 2008/0224899 A1

(74) Attorney, Agent, or FirmiFitch, Even, Tabin &
Flannery, LLP

Sep. 18, 2008

(57)

Related US. Application Data

(60) Provisional application No. 60/826,898, ?led on Sep.

ABSTRACT

Wireless handheld mobile communication device and key
board therefore having a key?eld including a plurality of

25’ 2006'
(

51

)

depressible keys arranged in roWs that are distributed about a

I t C]
n '
'
G06F 3/023

vertical centerline

(

ible ke s has a to

2006 01
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~~~~~ ~~

_

_

*

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400/472

See aPPhCaUOn ?le for Complete Search hlstory_

(56)

References Clted
U'S' PATENT DOCUMENTS
1,468,566 A *

9/1923 Hall ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~ 400/483

5,046,739 A

9/l99l

D3 56,788 S
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ReichoW

3/1995 Mizusugi et 31‘
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4/1998 Ledbetter et a1.

11,3??? The ‘OP new?
i

e

eys is rampe

05,6903 “the E1“:

rornt e oWer out oar

portion toWar

the upper inboard portion. Each top engagement surface is

generally crest shaped, With the apex of the crest running
generally diagonally across the respective key With the rest of

the top engagement surface falling aWay from the crest
toWard the upper outboard portion and the loWer inboard
portion of the key. The top engagement surface of each of the
depressible keys terminates at an upper edge thereof in an
-

.

.

elevated ndge doWn from Wh1ch the balance of the respect1ve
top engagement surface slopes.

l/l998 Williams et al.

D393,628 S

er

y
p g g
pp
inboard portion is raised relative a loWer outboard portion

_

‘223 3131i‘; cigggagaggggaa"" " “2639213152?
(

c of the keyboard. Each of the dep ress

en a ement surface of Which an u

22 Claims, 8 Drawing Sheets

US 8,162,552 B2
Page 2
US. PATENT DOCUMENTS

2003/0083020 A1
2003/0201983 A1

gig‘fggg g1

gggg; 5m? aki

2004/0087333 A1

13,480,057 S
6628/5“ B2

90003 Husgill
t l
900% E0‘ eune a'

2004/0105220 A1
2004/0229663 A1

6,671,170 B2

12/2003 vél‘iltronall
40004 W‘?1

D5021” S
6 919,879 B2
13,509,493 S

W005 C11 sont l
7/2005 G .126 *‘'l
90005 WT.‘ get” t l

B1
S
B2
S

DSN’OOI S
135281098 S

11/2005
40006
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5/2004 Hutchison @1211.
6/2004 Webb @1211.
11/2004 Toseyetal.

2005/0136853 A1

13,488,155 S

69611052
13,519,502
70501764
13,524,803

6‘

5/2003 Langford
10/2003 Jokinen 61211.

~

V1n.e.rennere a'
Ham?
1
CW1’ lnseta'
Tarso? t l

8/2006 If“: e 3'1
90006 cetll meg”

6/2005 Lenchiketal.

2005/0190083 A1

9/2005 Tyneski 61:11.

2005/0235021 A1
2006/0062626 A1
2006/0079292 A1

10/2005 (31161161111.
3/2006 Hamilton @1211.
4/2006 Carlsonetal.

2006/0209032
2007/0188462
2007/0234208
2007/0238489

9/2006
8/2007
10/2007
10/2007

A1
A1
A1
A1

2007/0259698 A1

2008/0055253 A1

Chiang etal.
Lee 61:11.
Scott
Scott

11/2007 (31161161111.

3/2008 Moosavi @1211.

135321415 S

11/2006 CgreYtetla~

2008/0101594 A1

5/2008 Raketal.

D5331“ S

12/2006 Krfnh‘z 1'1

2009/0051658 A1

2/2009 Frohlund

D537’082 S

20007 Grilgin e a'

2009/0102799 Al*

4/2009 Moosavi et a1. ............ .. 345/169

g

gif?rtl 91ml.

,

e

FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS

a.

13556207 S
D559,223 s

11/2007 Grif?n
1/2008 Kim @1211.

EP
JP

000716238-0001
2003084887 A *

11562332 S

2/2008 Raketal‘

JP

2003288154 A

D563,415 s
D570,840 s

3/2008 Grif?n 61211.
6/2008 Raket a1.

4/2007
3/2003

* 10/2003

OTHER PUBLICATIONS

3:235:23? 35* 25818 Iigititenda et a1‘ """""" " 715/773

BlackBerryPearl8loo,announcedsep2006,httpr//WWW~gSmarena~

7,953,448 B2*

COIIVblackberryip?lrli100-1701~P11P~

5/2011

Pletikosa 61:11. ............ .. 455/564

2002/0060518 A1

5/2002 Duineveld et a1.

BlackBerry Curve 8300, announced May 2007, http://WWW.

2002/0063690 Al*

5/2002 Chung et a1. ................ .. 345/168

gsmarena.com/blackberryfcurvef8300-l979.php.

2002/0149566 A1

2003/0067445 A1

10/2002 Sarkissian

4/2003 Hirshberg et a1.

* cited by examiner

US. Patent

300\

Apr. 24, 2012

Sheet 1 of8

/ 18
V0

FIG. 1

US 8,162,552 B2

US. Patent

Apr. 24, 2012

Sheet 2 of8

US 8,162,552 B2

3
4
6
2

m

FIG. 3

M / 0/,
D

US. Patent

Apr. 24, 2012

Sheet 3 of8

US 8,162,552 B2

US. Patent

Apr. 24, 2012

Sheet 4 of8

US 8,162,552 B2

6E
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US. Patent

Apr. 24, 2012

Sheet 5 of8

300\

FIG. 8

US 8,162,552 B2

US. Patent

Apr. 24, 2012

Sheet 6 of8

300\

332

/

FIG. 9

US 8,162,552 B2

US. Patent

Q.
D
F

Apr. 24, 2012

Sheet 7 of8

US 8,162,552 B2

US 8,162,552 B2
1

2

RAMPED-KEY KEYBOARD FOR A
HANDHELD MOBILE COMMUNICATION
DEVICE

FIG. 8 is a perspective front vieW of an alternatively con

?gured handheld mobile communication device according to
this disclosure;
FIG. 9 is a front elevational vieW of the handheld mobile

communication device of FIG. 8 demonstrating the Width, d1,
of the device;

CROSS REFERENCE

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective vieW of an exemplary
Wireless handheld electronic device incorporating an key

The present application claims the bene?t of US. Provi

sional Application No. 60/826,898, ?led Sep. 25, 2006. Said
application is expressly incorporated herein by reference in
its entirety.

board con?gured according to the present disclosure; and
FIG. 11 is a block diagram representing a Wireless hand
held communication device interacting in a communication
netWork.

FIELD

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This disclosure relates to keyboards for handheld elec
tronic devices, and more particularly to keyboards for hand
held electronic devices, as Well as the devices themselves, that
have keys Which include a turned-up or ramped corner that

It should be appreciated at the outset that While the instant
disclosure describes one or more preferred embodiments of a

ramped-key keyboard, such embodiments are presented

facilitates thumb typing.
20

BACKGROUND

The keyboard of a handheld electronic device, and more
particularly, a handheld mobile communication device, can
be used to enter text for sending messages electronically, as
Well as to dial phone numbers for voice calls. The keyboard
for text entry can take many different forms including a key
board in Which all letters of the alphabet are shoWn on respec

cation devices comprising ramped-key keyboards. As used
herein, the term “handheld electronic device” describes a
25

send electronic mail and other data messages. Even though
these devices have the ability to send text messages, the entry
of text requires care to avoid striking unintended keys. Today,
handheld mobile communication devices are being designed
With smaller Widths Which present a challenge in designing a
keyboard that is both easy to use and has large enough keys for
the user. Use of the device is further complicated by the fact
that users typically make use of their thumbs, the largest of the

nication devices, and mobile handheld communications
devices, Which can interact With one or more communications
30

35

40

of different types of standard keyboard layouts include, but
Dvorak layouts. In the embodiments disclosed, the keyboard
45

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
50

nication (handheld electronic) device comprising a keyboard
con?gured according to the teachings of the present disclo

is secured to the housing and the keys are located on the face
side of the device.
In the alternative to comprising a full keyboard, the

ramped-key keyboard can be con?gured to comprise a plu
rality of keys Wherein alphabetic letters are associated With
the keys, but at least a portion of the individual keys have
multiple alphabetic letters associated thereWith. This type of
con?guration is referred to as a reduced keyboard (in com

parison to the full keyboard described immediately above)
and can, among others comprise QWERTY, QWERTZ,
AZERTY, and Dvorak layouts.

sure;

FIG. 2 is a front vieW of the loWer front portion of the
handheld mobile communication device of FIG. 1 including

The format of the indicia shoWn on the keys can comprise, for
example, the letters A-Z in one of a standard keyboard layout
and/or numerals as described later in this Writing. Examples

are not limited to: QWERTY, QWERTZ, AZERTY, and

rounding key(s).

FIG. 1 is a perspective vieW of a handheld mobile commu

The ramped-key keyboard disclosed herein can be a full
keyboard. A full keyboard refers to a keyboard on Which all
the keys of the alphabet are shoWn as indicia on the keys.
Reference to a full keyboard in the remainder of the disclo
sure can be abbreviated as “keyboard.” Furthermore, “key
boar ” can also be used to refer to a ramped-key keyboard.

ently press surrounding keys When an intended key is pressed
using the user’s thumb. Therefore, the solutions of this dis
closure focus on designs that facilitate a particular key’s
depression, While avoiding inadvertent actuations of sur

netWorks to transmit and receive data of various types, e.g.,

text, voice, data, etc.

digits, for striking the keys. One problem the present disclo
sure appreciates and addresses is the fact that When the keys
present a generally uniform top surface, it is easy to inadvert

relatively small electronic device that is capable of being held
in a user’s hand. “Handheld electronic device” is a broad term
that includes devices further classi?ed as handheld commu

tive keys.
Handheld mobile communication devices can be used to

solely for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be
limitations on the scope of the disclosure.
The instant disclosure relates to handheld electronic
devices and more particularly to mobile handheld communi

55

Generally, typing or inputting information on a handheld

the keyboard;

electronic device is typically performed by using the thumbs

FIG. 3 is a front vieW of a ?exible keyboard overlay for
incorporation into a handheld mobile communication device
shoWing a user’s thumbs oriented relative thereto;
FIG. 4 is a perspective vieW of the ?exible keyboard over

to strike the keys. The motion of the thumbs While holding a
handheld electronic device is different When compared With
the typical motion that a typist uses When using a standard
siZed keyboard, e.g., a typeWriter, Word processor, or key
board that is attached to a computer. The ?ngers used to type

60

lay of FIG. 3 Without indicia;
FIG. 4a is an expanded vieW of several keys of the key
board of FIG. 3 located adjacent the vertical centerline (Vc);

on standard typeWriters, Word processing machines, e.g.
desktop computers, or other data entry devices, typically
involves holding the hands and ?ngers over a set of keys that

FIG. 5 is a front elevational vieW of the ?exible keyboard

overlay of FIG. 3;
FIGS. 6 and 7 are side (lateral and bottom, respectively)
vieWs of the ?exible keyboard overlay of FIG. 3;

65

make up a so-called home roW of keys. Typing on a handheld
electronic device, on the other hand, does not alloW a user to
use all of his/her ?ngers because the device is too small to

US 8,162,552 B2
3

4

accommodate the use of all of the ?ngers. Consequently,

allel With respect to one another, but can be otherwise. Top 36
and bottom 38 sides can be, alone or in combination, linear or

users of such handheld mobile communication/ electronic

devices are forced to employ a “hunt and peck” type style of

arced and the arced sides can be concave, convex or combi

entry, use their thumbs, or use some other type of entry that is
different from the typical motion of a typist that uses a regu

nations thereof. The ramped-key keys 30 and input keys 26
(function keys) of the keyboard predominantly extend from

larly siZed keyboard. This condition is further aggravated by

the left side 40 to the right side 42 of the keyboard and from
the top side 36 to the bottom side 38 of the keyboard.

the use of smaller devices in Which the keys of the keyboard

Generally, the keyboard 332 comprises a left-hand key?eld

are made smaller and/or closer to one another.

Additionally, the range of motion of the human thumb is
different from that of the human ?ngers. Typing on a key

32, Which is located to the left of the vertical centerline VC of

board of a handheld mobile communication device can be

the housing, and a right-hand key?eld 34, Which is located to
the right of the vertical centerline VC of the housing (see FIG.

described by the Way the user strikes keys and holds the

3).

device. When the user desires to type on the handheld mobile
communication device, the device is rested in one or more

ramped-keys is curved and resembles a cresting Wave. The

In one contemplated con?guration, the top surface of the

palm(s) of the user’s hand(s) and the thumb(s) are used to

perform the key striking.
Because of the large “footprint” of the thumb When typing
on keys of these small keyboards, it is easy to actually be
engaging tWo or more keys When only one is intended. Mea
sures have previously been taken to minimize this effect. For

20

example, the edges of the keys have been beveled so they are
less likely to be engaged by an adjacent ?nger or thumb. In

key’s surface.

this manner, more clearance space is provided around a par

ticular key thereby accommodating an engaging ?nger or
thumb With less overlap on adjoining keys.

25

In the accompanying ?gures, a handheld electronic device
is generally illustrated by reference numeral 300. Handheld

ent actuation of those surrounding keys. This clearance Zone
establishes an enhanced actuation Zone for the target key.
30

On keys of the right-hand key?eld 34, the left top comer
contains the elevated Wave portion. As an enhancement, the
bottom right comer can be lowered or shaved doWn further

enhancing the ramped nature of the key’s top surface. For the
keys of the left-hand key?eld, the con?guration is mirrored.
Because of the scallops, a top plan vieW of the key demon

LED display), input buttons 26 (Which may be left and right
“mouse,” telephone buttons for initiating or ending a tele

strates that the elevated Wave portion is not at the edge of the

phone call, function buttons, keyboard buttons, etc.), cursor
navigation controller assembly 328 for navigating a cursor

about the electronic graphical display and causing execution
of a selected function to be performed, speaker 334, and

The ramped-key is scalloped behind the Wave portion,
Which is to say undercut slightly back toWard the key body. In
this Way, the several surrounding keys collectively provide a
clearance space around the target or central key thereby aid

ing actuation of only that target key While avoiding inadvert

electronic device 300, Which can comprise a mobile commu

nications device, is seen as comprising housing 12 having
front side 14, rear side 16, top side 18, bottom side 20, right
side 22 and left side 24. In the ?gures, handheld electronic
device 300 is illustrated as further comprising a ramped-key
keyboard 332 (Which can be a QWERTY keyboard), an elec
tronic graphical display 322 (Which can be an illuminable

vertical portion of the Wave basically provides an upturning
Wall against Which the thumb engages When depressing the
particular key. The very top of the Wave is provided With a
ridge that can be tactually sensed by the thumb, and the ridge
also provides resistance to the thumb slipping over the top of
the ramped-key. The top of the Wave also provides an elevated
portion to the key that can be engaged up above the rest of the

40

key, but in fact more centrally located With respect the top
surface of the key.
Referring again to FIG. 3, the keyboard is depicted as a
?exible overlay sheeting for incorporation into a Wireless

microphone 336.

handheld mobile communication device as shoWn, for

The handheld electronic device 300 can also comprise one
or more inputs/outputs, for example, a USB port, for among

example, in FIG. 2. The keyboard comprises a key?eld com
prising a plurality of depressible keys arranged in roWs that

other things, providing poWer to the device, charging a bat
tery, or transferring data to/from another electronic device.
The handheld electronic device has a Width D1, Which is
between 1 and 5 inches, and preferably betWeen 2 and 31/2
inches, and a height Which is preferably betWeen 2 and 5

are distributed about a vertical centerline (Vc) of the key
45

board. Each of the depressible keys constituting the roWs in
the key?eld (but not necessarily all of the keys in total) has a
top engagement surface 31 of Which an upper inboard portion
43 is raised relative a loWer outboard portion 45 thereof.
As best illustrated in FIG. 4a, in one embodiment, each of

inches (See FIG. 9).
As may be appreciated from FIG. 1, electronic display 322

the depressible keys has a top engagement surface 31 of

is generally disposed above the ramped-key keyboard 332

Which an upper inboard portion 43 is raised relative a loWer

and is suitable for accommodating textual input to the hand
held electronic device 300 When in an operable con?guration.
Preferably, the electronic display 322 and keyboard 332 are

outboard portion 45 thereof. The top engagement surface 31
of each of the depressible keys is ramped from the loWer
outboard portion 45 toWard the upper inboard portion 43.
Each top engagement surface 31 is generally crest shaped 41,
With the apex of the crest running generally diagonally across
the respective key With the rest of the top engagement surface

disposed on the front side 14 of the handheld electronic
device 300. As shoWn, the device 300 is of unibody construc
tion, but it is also contemplated that the device may be of an

55

alternative construction such as that commonly knoWn as

31 falling aWay from the crest toWard the upper outboard

“clamshell,” “?ip-phone,” “sliding,” or “rotating” style. The

portion and the loWer inboard portion of the key, forming a

navigation cursor control assembly 328 and keyboard 332 are

diagonally oriented crest 41 . Although the apex of the crest 41

each generally located beloW the electronic display 322.
Referring noW to FIGS. 2-5, Which illustrate the ramped
key keyboard 332 in more detail, the keyboard 332 is gener
ally rectangular in appearance and spans a substantial entirety

is illustrated as straight in FIG. 4a, other embodiments in

of the Width D 1 of the device 300. Ramped-key keyboard 332

is bounded by top 36, bottom 38, left 40 and right 42 keyboard
sides. Left 40 and right keyboard 42 sides are generally par

Which the diagonally oriented crest is rounded or curved are

Within the scope of this disclosure.

As may also be appreciated in FIG. 4a, the top engagement
65

surface 31 of each of the depressible keys terminates at an

upper edge thereof in a diagonally running ridge 37 from
Which the balance of the respective top engagement surface

US 8,l62,552 B2
5

6

31 slopes. Further in this example, each of the depressible

generally naturally diagonally oriented With respect to the
housing and/ or naturally diagonally oriented With respect to

keys has an upper side surface 47 that slopes downward from
the elevated ridge at a grade greater than any grade of the top
engagement surface 31.

the vertical center VC. The longitudinal axis of the user’s

right thumb is shoWn.

FIG. 3 aptly illustrates the key?eld comprising a right-hand
key?eld 34 composed of a plurality of depressible keys

As shoWn in at least FIGS. 3-5, a void 39 is formed near the

top roW of the keyboard proximate the nexus of the left-hand

located on a right-hand side of the vertical centerline of the

key?eld 32 and right-hand key?eld 34. This void 39 is useful

device and a left-hand key?eld composed of a plurality of

because it provides a natural location for accommodating a
navigation controller assembly 328 (also knoWn as an auxil
iary I/O device), Which can be useful for navigating a cursor
on the electronic display 322, or for other purposes. The

keys located on a left-hand side of the vertical centerline of

the device. Each key of the plurality of keys located on the
left-hand side of the vertical centerline has a top engagement
surface that is loWer-left-to -upper-right inclined and each key
of the plurality of keys located on the right-hand side of the
vertical centerline has a top engagement surface that is loWer

navigation controller assembly 328 can comprise several
forms that include, but are not limited to: cursor keys, track

ball, navigation Wheel, joystick, touchpad, or barrel roller,

right-to-upper-left inclined.

among other types of auxiliary input devices. The location of
the auxiliary I/O device 328 betWeen the display 322 of the
handheld communication device 300 and the ramped-key

As is typi?ed in FIGS. 1-2 and 8-11, the present disclosure
is also directed toWard a Wireless handheld mobile commu

nication device comprising a housing With a display located
in a top portion 5 thereof for displaying information and a
keyboard located in a loWer portion 6 thereof beloW the dis

keyboard 332 provides the user With a familiar location for the

navigation controller assembly 328. The void 39 provided by
20

play. In this regard, the keyboard is uniquely con?gured as
described herein.
As depicted, the Wireless handheld mobile communication
device also includes an input device exempli?ed as a trackball
that controls cursor movement on the display via the device’ s

the nexus of the left-hand key?eld 32 and the right-hand
key?eld 34 alloWs freedom of movement aWay from other
keys on the keyboard. The siZe and shape of this void area 39
can vary depending on, among other things, the Width D l and

25

included microprocessor.
The keys comprising the key?elds can be of several shapes

height D2 of the handheld electronic device, the disposition of
the top 36, bottom 38, left 40 and right 42 sides of the key
board 328 (linear versus arcuate), key length, key Width and
the like.

that include, but are not limited to: substantially trapezoidal

The left and right-hand key?elds 32, 34 can be con?gured

and substantially parallelogram shaped (rectangular and non
rectangular) and possibly comprising arced side members to

such that the ramped-key keys 30 are bound by one or more
30

Width and height of the keyboard, etc.; albeit the length of the
keys Will typically be greater than the Width. In some embodi
ments, a navigation controller assembly 328, or other auxil
iary I/O device, can be disposed proximate, or Within a por
tion of the void 39.
The ramped keys 30 can be arranged such that the upper
roW of keys in the left-hand key?eld 32 are keys “Q”, “W”,
“E”, “R”, and “T.” Another loWer roW of keys in the left-hand

36 and bottom side 38 of the keyboard comprise one or more

35

40

key?eld 32 can be: “A”, “S”, “D”, “F”, and “G.” Still further,
an even loWer roW of keys can comprise the keys “ALT”, “Z”,
“X”, “C”, and “V”. While these roWs are described in relation
to a standard QWERTY key arrangement, other types of

45

arrangements including, but not limited to, QWERTZ,
AZERTY, or Dvorak are considered to be Within the scope of
this disclosure. LikeWise, an upper roW in the right-hand
50

be composed of the keys With indicia corresponding to letters
“H”, “J”, “K”, “L”, and symbol “<”. As mentioned above,
these comprise embodiments of a standard QWERTY array,
and other knoWn arrays can be used instead and remain Within
the scope of this disclosure.
The indicia on the keys are provided so that the indicia

function keys; e.g., CALL SEND, CALL END, ALT, SPA
CEBAR, RETURN, BACKSPACE, SYMBOL, or SHIFT
keys and the like. In some embodiments, the function keys
can be integrated With the keys of the left and right-hand
key?elds. Alternatively, the function keys can be located
above or beloW the left and right-hand key?elds and can be
arranged to form a generally horiZontal line. In other embodi
ments, the function keys can comprise arced sides or can be
aligned substantially along arcs to thereby form convex or
concave top sides 36 and bottom sides 38. The arcs forming
the top and bottom sides can be identical, or different from
one another and different arrangements of the function keys
are described in relation to several ?gures.
As shoWn in FIG. 11, the handheld electronic device is
capable of various forms of communication and the arrange

ment of keyboard 332 encourages e?icient and ergonomic

key?eld 34 can comprise keys With indicia corresponding to
letters “Y”, “U”, “I”, “O”, and “P”. Further, a loWer roW can

input keys 26 to form the top side 36 and bottom side 38 of the

keyboard. Preferably, the input keys 26 forming the top side

correspond With an arced side of the keyboard. Also the
lengths and Widths of the various keys can vary depending on
a number of factors, e.g., Width and height of the device,

typing. This arrangement enables user’s to send text mes
sages that can take many forms including electronic mail
messages. In a preferred embodiment, the handheld elec
tronic device is equipped to communicate With a Wireless
system to alloW a user to place telephone calls. In addition to

comprising a plurality of keys corresponding to letters of the
55

generally appear uprightly oriented along an imaginary hori

alphabet, the keyboard 332 can also be con?gured to com
prise a standard telephone keypad layout as an overlay of
indicia on some of the keys in the left-hand key?eld, or

Zontal line that extends across a roW of keys; the indicia can

right-hand key?eld. Such con?guration alloWs for ef?cient

also appear along an arced imaginary line, if desired. The

use of both text and voice communication modes.

indicia can comprise alphabetic indicia as Well as numeric

60

arranged using various conventions. The most common of

With a familiar and easy to folloW keyboard arrangement. The
above described alphabetic indicia can be arranged in one of

QWERTY, QWERTZ, AZERTY, and Dvorak layouts.
As illustrated in FIG. 3, When the keyboard is held in the
palm(s) of a user’s hand(s), the thumb(s) of the user are

The various characters, commands and functions associ

ated With keyboard typing, in general, are traditionally

indicia and/or other functions and symbols. The layout of the
alphabetic indicia is generally provided to present the user

these in the United States, for instance, is the QWERTY
65

keyboard layout. Others include the QWERTZ, AZERTY,
and Dvorak keyboard con?gurations.
The QWERTY keyboard layout is the standard English
language alphabetic key arrangement 44. In this con?gura

US 8,162,552 B2
7

8

tion, Q, W, E, R, T and Y are the letters on the top left,
alphabetic roW. It Was designed by Christopher Sholes, Who

user may also hold the device 300 in such a manner to enable
tWo thumbs to type on the device 300. Furthermore, the user

invented the typewriter. The keyboard layout Was organized
by him to prevent people from typing too fast and jamming
the keys. The QWERTY layout Was included in the draWing
for Sholes’ patent application in 1878.
The QWERTZ keyboard layout is normally used in Ger

may use ?ngers rather than thumbs to actuate the keys on the
device 300. In order to accommodate palm-cradling of the

man-speaking regions. In this con?guration, Q, W, E, R, T
and Z are the letters on the top left, alphabetic roW. It differs

inches, but by no means limited to such dimensions.
The handheld electronic device 300 includes an input por

from the QWERTY keyboard layout by exchanging the “Y”

tion and an output display portion. The output display portion

device 300 by the average person, the length, or height, of the

device, D2, is generally greater than the Width D1, and the
Width is preferably betWeen approximately tWo and three

With a “Z”. This is because “Z” is a much more common letter

can be a display screen 322, such as an LCD or other similar

than “Y” in German and the letters “T” and “Z” often appear
next to each other in the German language.

display device.

The AZERTY keyboard layout is normally used in French
speaking regions. In this con?guration, A, Z, E, R, T andY are

keys have one or more indicia displayed at their top surface

the letters on the top left, alphabetic roW. It is similar to the

the particular indicia representing the character(s),

Among the physical keys, all or a portion of the plurality of
and/or on the surface of the area adjacent the respective key,

QWERTY layout, except that the letters Q and A are
sWapped, the letters Z and W are sWapped, and the letter M is

command(s) and/ or function(s) typically associated With that
key. In the instance Where the indicia of a key’s function is
provided adjacent the key, it is understood that this may be a

in the middle roW instead of the bottom one.

Alphabetic key arrangements in full keyboards and type

20

Writers are often presented along With numeric key arrange
ments. An exemplary numeric key arrangement is shoWn

cover beside the key, or in the instance of keys located adja
cent the display screen, a current indicia for the key may be
temporarily shoWn nearby the key on the screen.
An exemplary handheld electronic device 300 is shoWn in

Wherein the numbers 1-9 and 0 are positioned above the

alphabetic keys. In another numeric key arrangement, num
bers share keys With the alphabetic characters, such as for
example, the top roW of the QWERTY keyboard. A numeric

25

phone key arrangement 45 is shoWn in the ?gures.
It is desirable for handheld electronic devices 300 to

include a combined text-entry keyboard and a telephony key
board. Examples of such mobile communication devices
include mobile stations, cellular telephones, Wireless per

30

sonal digital assistants (PDAs), tWo-Way paging devices, and
others.Various keyboards are used With such devices depend
ing in part on the physical siZe of the handheld electronic
device. Some of these are termed full keyboard, reduced

permanent insignia that is, for instance, printed on the device

35

the assembly draWing of FIG. 10 and its cooperation in a
Wireless netWork is exempli?ed in the block diagram of FIG.
11. These ?gures are exemplary only, and those persons
skilled in the art Will appreciate the additional elements and
modi?cations necessary to make the device Work in particular
netWork environments.
Integration of the trackball assembly into handheld device
300 can be seen in the exploded vieW of FIG. 10 showing
some of the typical components found in the assembly of the
handheld electronic device 300. The construction of the

device bene?ts from various manufacturing simpli?cations.

keyboard, and phone key pads.

The internal components are predominantly constructed on a

In embodiments of the handheld electronic device 300
having a full keyboard, only one alphabetic character is asso
ciated With each one of a plurality of physical keys. Thus, With
an English-language keyboard, there are at least 26 keys in the

board 332 in one of the presently described embodiments is
constructed from a single piece of material, and in some
embodiments is made from plastic. While in another embodi

single PCB (printed circuit board, not illustrated). The key
40

plurality, one for each letter of the English alphabet. In such
embodiments using the English-language alphabet, one of the

ment, the keyboard 332 can be constructed from a ?lm on

plastic technology alloWing the plastic keyboard to be labeled

keyboard layouts described above is usually employed, and
With the QWERTY keyboard layout being the most common.
Other embodiments can comprise a full keyboard for
alphabetic characters and incorporate a combined numeric

45

keyboard. In this embodiment, numeric characters share keys
With alphabetic characters on the top roW of the QWERTY

keyboard. In the illustrated embodiment, the numeric charac
ters share keys With alphabetic characters on the left side of

50

With the desired alphanumeric arrangements as described
herein. In at least one embodiment, the keyboard 332 is ?ex
ible alloWing each individual key to move substantially inde
pendent from the other keys on the keyboard 332.
In one of the presently described embodiments, the key
board 332 is assembled as part of a user input subassembly.
The user input subassembly at least includes a lightguide
panel 138 constructed of light diffusing material. The user

the keyboard.

subassembly optionally includes a navigational tool (exem

Examples of handheld electronic devices having a full
keyboard assembly are also described in Us. Pat. Nos. 6,278,
442 and 6,891,529, the disclosures of Which are incorporated
herein by reference in their entireties.
Further aspects of the environments, devices and methods
of employment described hereinabove are expanded upon in
the folloWing details. An exemplary embodiment of the hand

plary a trackball navigational tool 325) and a dome sheet 139.
The keyboard 332 can be attached to a front surface of the
55

receiving input from the keyboard 332 through the lightguide

held electronic device 300 as shoWn is cradleable in one or

more palm(s) the palm of a user’s hand. The siZe of the device
300 is such that a user is capable of operating the device using
the same hand that is holding the device. In an embodiment,
the user is capable of actuating all features of the device 300
using a single thumb of the cradling hand. In an embodiment,
the handheld device 300 features a keyboard 332 on the face

of the device 300, Which keyboard is actuable by the thumb of
the hand cradling the device 300. As intimated in FIG. 3, the

lightguide panel 138. Additionally a dome sheet 139 can be
mounted on the back surface of the lightguide panel 138 for

60

65

panel 138. The dome sheet 139 is in communication With the
PCB (not shoWn) alloWing for communication of a user
selected key on the keyboard 332. The dome sheet 139 in at
least one embodiment provides for sWitches that relay infor
mation to the PCB, and While in the presently described
exemplary embodiment one sWitch is provided for every key
on the keyboard 332, in other embodiments more than one
sWitch or less than one sWitch per key are provided.
In at least one embodiment, the PCB is equipped With at
least one concentrate light source that emits light to the back

surface of the lightguide panel 138. The portion of the back

US 8,162,552 B2
9

10

surface of the lightguide panel 138 that receives the concen
trate light can aptly be described as a light-entrance surface
are of the back surface of the lightguide panel 138. Further
more, When the user input subassembly is constructed using a
dome sheet 139, apertures can be provided in the dome sheet

of Which de?nes the periphery of the trackball navigation tool
325. The ring 23 ensures that the trackball navigation tool 325

is properly held in place against the light guide 138.
A serial port (preferably a Universal Serial Bus port) 330
and an earphone jack 140 are ?xedly attached to the PCB and
further held in place by left side element 106. Buttons 131
133 may be attached to sWitches (not shoWn) Which are con
nected to the PCB 12.

138 to alloW the at least one concentrate light source to be

transmitted to the lightguide panel 138. The lightguide panel
138 is constructed to diffuse the light from the at least one
concentrate light source to diffuse and be emitted through at

Final assembly involves placing a bottom piece 108 in

least a portion of the front surface of the lightguide panel. The

contact With front housing cover 101 and back support frame

light source in at least one embodiment is a light emitting

109. Furthermore, the assembly interconnects right side ele

diode (LED). When the PCB is provided With a plurality of

ment 105 and left side element 106 With the front housing

concentrate light sources, these light sources can be a plural

cover 101, bottom piece 108, back support frame 109, PCB,
and lens 103. These side elements 105, 106 provide additional
protection and strength to the support structure of the device
300. In the presently described exemplary embodiment,
backplate 104 is removably attached to the back support

ity of LEDs.
In one embodiment, the trackball navigational tool assem

bly further comprises a lock ring 23 that at least partially
surrounds the trackball navigational tool 325. The lock ring
23 like the trackball navigation tool can include a securement
feature such as a barbed insert or a ramped insert that is

capable of being snap-engaged or press-?t into the corre

frame 109.
20

The block diagram of FIG. 11, represents an embodiment
of handheld electronic device 300 interacting in a communi
cations netWork 319, and illustrates the use of a microproces
sor 338 to control operation of the device 300. In FIG. 11,

25

transmission and reception With Wireless netWork 319. The
microprocessor 338 further connects With an auxiliary input/
output (I/O) subsystem 328, a serial port (preferably a Uni
versal Serial Bus port) 330, a display 322, a keyboard 332, a
speaker 334, a microphone 336, random access memory
(RAM) 326, and ?ash memory 324. Other communications
subsystems 340 and other device subsystems 342 are gener
ally indicated as connected to the microprocessor 338 as Well.
An example of a communication subsystem 340 is that of a
short range communication subsystem such as BLUE

sponding securement feature formed at the surface of the

lightguide panel 138. These interfaces on the lock ring 23
likeWise establish a releaseable interference connection and a

communication subsystem 311 performs all communication

releasable friction connection, respectively, betWeen the

trackball navigational tool assembly and the lightguide panel
138.

The user input subassembly is mountable Within the hand
held electronic device to the back support frame 109. The user
input subassembly can be assembled using one or more of the
above described components such that a user interface such as
a keyboard and/or navigational tool are provided to the user of
the handheld device 300 on the front face thereof.

30

The user input subassembly alloWs for various keypads
such as keyboard 332 to be placed in communication With the
lightguide panel 138. This alloWs the user or manufacturer to

35

TOOTHTM communication module or an infrared device and

exchange the keyboard 332 according to the desired alpha
betic arrangement of the particular region the handheld
device 300 is shipped. LikeWise, the user input subassembly

associated circuits and components. Additionally, the micro
processor 338 is capable of performing operating system 408

can be integrated into varying support frames such as the one
described herein or others in Which proper connection and

on the communication device 300.

functions and can enable execution of softWare applications
40

support is provided for the lightguide panel 138. These fea
tures alloW for a single user input subassembly to be replaced
as necessary as Well.

A front housing cover 101 is mounted over the keyboard
332 and lightguide 138. The front housing cover 101 is con
structed to alloW the keyboard 332 to be accessible through at
least one apperature (not shoWn) or a plurality of apertures
corresponding to one or more keys and/or navigational tool

depending on the con?guration of the keyboard 332 and
navigational tool such as the trackball navigational tool 325.
The front housing cover 101 also provides an attachment
point for the lens 103. A lens 103 covers the display, Which is
typically mounted on the PCB, to prevent damage. When
assembled, the front housing cover 101 and the PCB are

?xedly attached to each other and the display is positioned
betWeen the PCB and the front housing cover 101.
The trackball navigation tool 325 can be frictionally
engaged With the front housing cover 101, and in one exem
plary embodiment the trackball navigation tool 325 is remov
able When the device is assembled. This alloWs for replace
ment of the trackball navigation tool 325 if/When it becomes
damaged or the user desires replacement With a different type
of trackball navigation tool 325. Other multidirectional navi

45

The removal of the trackball navigation tool 325 is enabled
through the use of an outer removable ring 23, the outer edge

mentioned, the cursor navigation assembly (also knoWn as a
navigation tool) 328 is an ergonomic cursor navigation con
troller. Other auxiliary I/ O devices can include external dis

play devices and externally connected keyboards (not
shoWn). While the above examples have been provided in
relation to the auxiliary I/ O subsystem, other subsystems
capable of providing input or receiving output from the hand
50

55

held electronic device 300 are considered Within the scope of
this disclosure.
In a preferred embodiment, the handheld electronic device
300 is designed to Wirelessly connect With a communication
netWork 319. Some communication netWorks that the hand
held electronic device 300 may be designed to operate on
require a subscriber identity module (SIM) or removable user
identity module (RUIM). Thus, a device 300 intended to
operate on such a system Will include SIM/RUIM interface

344 into Which the SIM/RUIM card (not shoWn) may be
60

placed. The SIM/RUIM interface 344 can be one in Which the

SIM/RUIM card is inserted and ejected.
In an exemplary embodiment, a ?ash memory 324 is

gation tools such as joysticks, four-Way cursors, or touch pads
are also considered to be Within the scope of this disclosure.

The above described auxiliary I/O subsystem 328 can take
a variety of different subsystems including the above
described cursor navigation assembly 328. As previously

65

enabled to provide a storage location for the operating sys
tem, device programs, and data. While the operating system
in a preferred embodiment is stored in ?ash memory 324, the

operating system in other embodiments is stored in read-only
memory (ROM) or similar storage element (not shoWn). As

US 8,162,552 B2
11

12

those skilled in the art Will appreciate, the operating system,

art. The SIM/RUIM card features memory and holds key
con?gurations 351, and other information 353 such as iden
ti?cation and subscriber related information. Furthermore, a

device application or parts thereof may be loaded in RAM
326 or other volatile memory.

SIM/RUIM card can be enabled to store information about

In a preferred embodiment, the ?ash memory 324 contains
programs/applications 358 for execution on the device 300
including an address book 352, a personal information man

the user including identi?cation, carrier and address book
information. With a properly enabled handheld electronic
communications device 300, tWo-Way communication
betWeen the handheld electronic device 300 and communica
tion netWork 319 is possible.

ager (PIM) 354, and the device state 350. Furthermore, pro
grams 358 and other information 356 can be segregated upon
storage in the ?ash memory 324 of the device 300. HoWever,
another embodiment of the ?ash memory 324 utiliZes a stor
age allocation method such that a program 358 is allocated
additional space in order to store data associated With such
program. Other knoWn allocation methods exist in the art and
those persons skilled in the art Will appreciate additional Ways
to allocate the memory of the device 300.

If the handheld electronic device 300 is enabled as
described above or the communication netWork 319 does not

require such enablement, the tWo-Way communication
enabled device 300 is able to both transmit and receive infor
mation from the communication netWork 3 19. The transfer of
communication can be from the device 300 or to the device
300. In order to communicate With the communication net

In a preferred embodiment, the device 300 is pre-loaded
With a limited set of programs that enable it to operate on the
communication netWork 319. Another program that can be

Work 319, the device 300 in a preferred embodiment is

preloaded is a PIM 354 application that has the ability to
organiZe and manage data items including but not limited to
email, calendar events, voice messages, appointments and
task items. In order to operate e?iciently, memory 324 is
allocated for use by the PIM 354 for the storage of associated
data. In a preferred embodiment, the information that PIM

mitting signals to the communication netWork 319. LikeWise
the communication device 300 in the preferred embodiment
is equipped With another antenna 316 for receiving commu

354 manages is seamlessly integrated, synchronized and

equipped With an integral or internal antenna 318 for trans
20

25

updated through the communication network 319 With a
user’s corresponding information on a remote computer (not
shoWn). The synchronization, in another embodiment, can
also be performed through the serial port 330 or other short

range communication subsystem 340. Other applications

When equipped for tWo -Way communication, the handheld

30

may be installed through connection With the Wireless net
Work 319, serial port 330 or via other short range communi

electronic device 300 features a communication subsystem
311. As is Well knoWn in the art, this communication sub
system 311 is modi?ed so that it can support the operational
needs of the device 300. The subsystem 311 includes a trans

mitter 314 and receiver 312 including the associated antenna

cation subsystems 340.
When the device 300 is enabled for tWo-Way communica
tion Within the Wireless communication netWork 319, it can

nication from the communication netWork 319. These anten
nae 316, 318 in another preferred embodiment are combined
into a single antenna (not shoWn). As one skilled in the art
Would appreciate, the antenna or antennae 31 6, 3 18 in another
embodiment are externally mounted on the device 300.

or antennae 316, 318 as described above, local oscillators

send and receive signals from a mobile communication ser

(LOs) 313, and a processing module 320 Which in a preferred
embodiment is a digital signal processor (DSP) 320.
A signal received by the handheld electronic device 300 is

vice. Examples of communication systems enabled for tWo

?rst received by the antenna 31 6 and then input into a receiver

Way communication include, but are not limited to, the
MOBITEX mobile communication system, DATATAC

312, Which in a preferred embodiment is capable of perform
ing common receiver functions including signal ampli?ca

mobile communication system, the GPRS (General Packet
Radio Service) netWork, the UMTS (Universal Mobile Tele

35

40

and the like, and analog to digital (A/D) conversion. The A/D
conversion alloWs the DSP 320 to perform more complex

communication Service) netWork, the EDGE (Enhanced
Data for Global Evolution) netWork, and the CDMA (Code
Division Multiple Access) netWork.
For the systems listed above, the communication device
300 must be properly enabled to transmit and receive signals
from the communication netWork 319. Other systems may
not require such identifying information. MOBITEX and
DATATAC mobile communication systems feature a unique
identi?cation code that is associated With each handheld elec
tronic device 300. A GPRS, UMTS, and EDGE require the
use of a SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) in order to alloW
communication With the communication netWork 319. Like
Wise, most CDMA systems require the use of a RUIM (Re
movable Identity Module) in order to communicate With the

tion, frequency doWn conversion, ?ltering, channel selection
communication functions such as demodulation and decod

45

ing on the signals that are received by DSP 320 from the
receiver 312. The DSP 320 is also capable of issuing control
commands to the receiver 312. An example of a control com

mand that the DSP 320 is capable of sending to the receiver

50

312 is gain control, Which is implemented in automatic gain
control algorithms implemented in the DSP 320. LikeWise,
the communication device 300 is capable of transmitting
signals to the communication netWork 319. The DSP 320
communicates the signals to be sent to the transmitter 314 and
further communicates control functions, such as the above

described gain control. The signal is emitted by the device
55

300 through an antenna 318 connected to the transmitter 314.

CDMA netWork. The RUIM and SIM card can be used in

It is contemplated that communication by the device 300

multiple different handheld electronic devices 300. Handheld

With the Wireless netWork 319 can be any type of communi
cation that both the Wireless netWork 319 and device 300 are
enabled to transmit, receive and process. In general, these can
be classi?ed as voice and data. Voice communication is com
munication in Which signals for audible sounds are transmit

electronic device 300 can be con?gured to operate some
features Without a SIM/RUIM card, but it may not be able to
communicate With the netWork 319. In some locations, the
handheld electronic device 300 can be enabled to Work With
special services, such as “911” emergency, Without a SIM/
RUIM or With a non-functioning SIM/RUIM card. A SIM/
RUIM interface 344 located Within the device alloWs for
removal or insertion of a SIM/RUIM card (not shoWn). This
interface 344 can be con?gured like that of a disk drive or a
PCMCIA slot or other knoWn attachment mechanism in the

60

ted by the device 300 through the communication netWork
319. Data is all other types of communication that the device
300 is capable of performing Within the constraints of the
65

Wireless netWork 319.
In the instance of voice communications, voice transmis
sions that originate from the communication device 300 enter

US 8,162,552 B2
13

14

the device 300 though a microphone 336. The microphone
336 communicates the signals to the microprocessor 338 for

munication port 340, or other Wireless communication ports
340. The user of the device 300 can generate a message to be

further conditioning and processing. The microprocessor 338

sent using the keyboard 332 and/or auxiliary I/O 328, and the

sends the signals to the DSP 320 Which controls the transmit
ter 314 and provides the correct signals to the transmitter 314.
Then, the transmitter 314 sends the signals to the antenna 318,
Which emits the signals to be detected by a communication
netWork 319. Likewise, When the receiver 312 obtains a sig
nal from the receiving antenna 316 that is a voice signal, it is
transmitted to the DSP 320 Which further sends the signal to

associated application to generate the email message. Once
the email message is generated, the user may execute a send
command Which directs the email message from the commu
nication device 300 to the communication netWork 319. In an

exemplary embodiment, a keyboard 332, and preferably an

full duplex voice transmission.

alphanumeric keyboard is used to compose the email mes
sage. In a preferred embodiment, an auxiliary I/ O device 328
is used in addition to the keyboard 332.
While the above has been described in relation to email
messages, one skilled in the art can modify the procedures to
function With other types of data such as SMS text messages,
internet Websites, videos, instant messages, programs and

In another embodiment, the voice transmission may be
received by the communication device 300 and translated as

ringtones. Once the data is received by the microprocessor
338, the data is placed appropriately Within the operating

text to be shoWn on the display screen 322 of the communi

system of the device 300. This might involve presenting a
message on the display 322 Which indicates the data has been
received or storing it in the appropriate memory 324 on the
device 300. For example, a doWnloaded application such as a
game Will be placed into a suitable place in the ?ash memory
324 of the device 300. The operating system of the device 300
Will also alloW for appropriate access to the neW application

the microprocessor 338. Then, the microprocessor 338 pro
vides a signal to the speaker 334 of the device 300 and the user
can hear the voice communication that has been received. The
device 300 in a preferred embodiment is enabled to alloW for

cation device 300. The communication device 300 is also
capable of retrieving messages from a voice messaging ser

20

vice operated by the communication netWork operator. In a

preferred embodiment, the device 300 displays information
in relation to the voice message, such as the number of voice
messages or an indication that a neW voice message is present

on the operating system.
In a preferred embodiment, the display 322 of the commu
nication device 300 provides an indication about the identity
of an incoming call, duration of the voice communication,

25 as doWnloaded.

Exemplary embodiments have been described hereinabove
regarding handheld electronic devices 300 and Wireless hand
held communication devices 300 as Well as the communica

telephone number of the communication device, call history,
and other related information. It should be appreciated that
the above described embodiments are given as examples only
and one skilled in the art may effect alterations, modi?cations
and variations to the particular embodiments Without depart

30

the enablement of a ramped-key keyboard for a handheld
electronic device.

ing from the scope of the application.
As stated above, the communication device 300 and com
munication netWork 319 can be enabled to transmit, receive
and process data. Several different types of data exist and
some of these types of data Will be described in further detail.

35

a key?eld comprising a plurality of depressible keys
arranged in roWs that are distributed about a vertical
40

loWer outboard portion thereof, Wherein the top engage

include other types of data such as picture ?les, attachments
and html. While these are given as examples, other types of

ment surface of at least some of the depressible keys has
a generally inclined crest shape With a top of the crest

messages are considered Within the scope of this disclosure as

Well.
When the email originates from a source outside of the
device and is communicated to the device 300, it is ?rst
received by the receiving antenna 3 1 6 and then transmitted to
the receiver 312. From the receiver 312, the email message is

45

further processed by the DSP 320, and it then reaches the
microprocessor 338. The microprocessor 338 executes

50

diagonally oriented on the key.
2. The keyboard as recited in claim 1, Wherein the top
engagement surface of each of the depressible keys is gener
ally upWardly convex about the diagonally running crest on

the key.
3. The keyboard as recited in claim 1, Wherein the top

engagement surface of each of the depressible keys falls
doWnWardly aWay from the top of the diagonally oriented

instructions as indicated from the relevant programming
instructions to display, store or process the email message as
directed by the program. In a similar manner, once an email

338 for transmission to the communication netWork 319, it is
?rst sent to the DSP 320, Which further transmits the email
message to the transmitter 314. The transmitter 314 processes
the email message and transmits it to the transmission
antenna 318, Which broadcasts a signal to be received by a
communication netWork 319. While the above has been

centerline of the keyboard; and
each of the depressible keys has a top engagement surface
of Which an upper inboard portion is raised relative to a

messages. Typically an email is text based, but can also

message has been properly processed by the microprocessor

What is claimed is:
1. A keyboard for a Wireless handheld mobile communica

tion device, the keyboard comprising:

One type of data communication that occurs over the com

munication netWork 319 includes electronic mail (email)

tion netWorks Within Which they cooperate. It should be
appreciated, hoWever, that a focus of the present disclosure is

crest.
55

60

4. The keyboard as recited in claim 3, Wherein the inclined
crest forms a ramped surface from the loWer outboard portion
toWard the upper inboard portion.
5. The keyboard as recited in claim 4, Wherein a grade of
the inclined crest on each of the depressible keys is substan

tially uniform from the loWer outboard portion toWard the
upper inboard portion.
6. The keyboard as recited in claim 1, Wherein the top

described generally, those skilled in this art Will appreciate

engagement surface of each of the depressible keys termi

those modi?cations Which are necessary to enable the com

nates at an upper edge thereof in an elevated ridge doWn from

munication device 300 to properly transmit the email mes
sage over a given communication netWork 319.
Furthermore, the email message may instead be transmit
ted from the device 300 via a serial port 330, another com

Which the balance of the respective top engagement surface
65

slopes.
7. The keyboard as recited in claim 6, Wherein each of the
depressible keys has an upper side surface that slopes doWn

US 8,162,552 B2
15

16

Ward from the elevated ridge at a grade greater than any grade
of the top engagement surface.
8. The keyboard as recited in claim 1, Wherein the key?eld

14. The Wireless handheld mobile communication device
as recited in claim 9, Wherein the top engagement surface of
each of the depressible keys terminates at an upper edge
thereof in an elevated ridge doWn from Which the balance of

further comprises:

the respective top engagement surface slopes.

a right-hand key?eld composed of a plurality of the

15. The Wireless handheld mobile communication device
as recited in claim 14, Wherein each of the depressible keys
has an upper side surface that slopes doWnWard from the
elevated ridge at a grade greater than any grade of the top
engagement surface.
16. The Wireless handheld mobile communication device
as recited in claim 9, Wherein the key?eld further comprises:
a right-hand key?eld composed of a plurality of depress
ible keys located on a right-hand side of the vertical

depressible keys that are located on a right-hand side of

the vertical centerline of the device, Wherein the top

engagement surface for each of the right-hand key?eld
depressible keys is inclined from loWer right to upper
left; and
a left-hand key?eld composed of a plurality of keys located
on a left-hand side of the vertical centerline of the

device, Wherein the top engagement surface for each of

the left-hand key?eld depressible keys is inclined from
loWer left to upper right.
9. A Wireless handheld mobile communication device

centerline of the device and a left-hand key?eld com
posed of a plurality of keys located on a left-hand side of
the vertical centerline of the device;

comprising:

each key of the plurality of keys located on the left-hand

a housing With a display located in a top portion thereof for
displaying information and a keyboard located in a

loWer portion thereof beloW the display and Wherein the
keyboard comprises a key?eld comprising a plurality of
depressible keys arranged in roWs that are distributed

side of the vertical centerline has a top engagement
20

side of the vertical centerline has a top engagement

surface that is loWer-right-to-upper-left inclined.

about a vertical centerline of the keyboard and each of

the depressible keys has a top engagement surface of
Which an upper inboard portion is raised relative a loWer

surface that is loWer-left-to-upper-right inclined; and
each key of the plurality of keys located on the right-hand

25

17. The Wireless handheld mobile communication device
as recited in claim 9, further comprising an input device that

outboard portion thereof, Wherein the top engagement

controls cursor movement on the display.

surface of at least some of the depressible keys has a
generally inclined crest shape With a top of the crest

18. The Wireless handheld mobile communication device
as recited in claim 17, Wherein the input device is a trackball.
19. The Wireless handheld mobile communication device
as recited in claim 9, further comprising a communications

diagonally oriented on the key.
10. The Wireless handheld mobile communication device
as recited in claim 9, Wherein the top engagement surface of

30

subsystem that is disposed Within the housing and that is

each of the depressible keys is generally upwardly convex
about a diagonally running ridge on the key.
11. The Wireless handheld mobile communication device
as recited in claim 9, Wherein the top engagement surface of

35

each of the depressible keys falls doWnWardly aWay from the
top of the diagonally oriented crest.
12. The Wireless handheld mobile communication device

device located substantially betWeen the display and the key

as recited in claim 11, Wherein the inclined crest forms a

ramped surface from the loWer outboard portion toWard the
upper inboard portion.
13. The Wireless handheld mobile communication device
as recited in claim 12, Wherein a grade of the inclined crest on

each of the depressible keys is substantially uniform from the
loWer outboard portion toWard the upper inboard portion.

con?gured to carry out Wireless voice communication and
Wireless data communication.
20. The Wireless handheld mobile communication device
as recited in claim 9, Wherein the plurality of keys have letter
indicia arranged in a QWERTY format associated thereWith.
21. The Wireless handheld mobile communication device
as recited in claim 9, further comprising an auxiliary input

40

board.
22. The Wireless handheld mobile communication device
as recited in claim 21, Wherein the auxiliary input device is a

trackball arrangement.
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