Handheld mobile communication device with flexible keys
View Patent ↗Keypad keys for handheld mobile communication devices feature flexible key bodies and actuators extending from the key bodies. Switches below the actuators are connected in series circuits. All actuators beneath an intended key must be depressed in order for the circuit to be closed and the key to be recognized as actuated. The flexible nature of the key bodies allows one actuator on a given key to be depressed while other actuators remain non-depressed. This prevents the key from being recognized as actuated when a only a portion of the key is depressed as occurs, for example, due to finger overlap.
1. A handheld communication device having a key arrangement configured for minimizing typing errors comprising:
a housing having a display and a keypad arrangement, said key pad arrangement comprising:
a plurality of depressible typing keys each having a key body comprising at least one flexible portion and at least two relatively rigid portions, wherein said relatively rigid portions are configured for actuation of corresponding dome switches;
each of the at least two rigid portions being spaced apart to allow individual actuation of the corresponding dome switch.
2. The handheld communication device as recited in claim 1 , further comprising a central actuator and corresponding central dome switch for each of the plurality of depressible typing keys.
3. The handheld communication device as recited in claim 2 , wherein said central actuator and corresponding central dome switch are positioned at the centerpoint of each key of the plurality of keys.
4. The handheld communication device as recited in claim 1 , wherein the at least two relatively rigid portions are circumferentially apart about a centerpoint of each of the plurality of keys at an interval approximately equal to 360 degrees divided by the number of relatively rigid portions constituting the at least two rigid portions.
5. The handheld communication device as recited in claim 1 , wherein the at least two rigid portions are circumferentially apart about a centerpoint of each of the plurality of keys at an interval of approximately 180 degrees.
6. The handheld communication device as recited in claim 1 , wherein the at least two rigid portions are circumferentially apart about a centerpoint of each of the plurality of keys at an interval of approximately 90 degrees.
7. The handheld communication device as recited in claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of keys are substantially rectangular in shape and the at least two relatively rigid portions are at opposite corners.
8. The handheld communication device as recited in claim 7 , wherein the at least two relatively rigid portions number four and are located at corners of each of the plurality of keys.
9. The handheld communication device as recited in claim 1 , wherein said keys further comprise letter indicia arranged in a QWERTY layout.
10. The handheld communication device as recited in claim 1 , further comprising a series electrical circuit associated with each of the plurality of keys for detecting when an intended key is actuated, the series circuit comprising the corresponding dome switches, each of the dome switches being configured to be closed when engaged by the relatively rigid portions.
11. A key arrangement configured for minimizing typing errors comprising:
a plurality of depressible typing keys each having a key body comprising at least one flexible portion and at least two relatively rigid portions, wherein said relatively rigid portions are configured for actuation of corresponding dome switches; and
each of the at least two relatively rigid portions being spaced apart to allow individual actuation of the corresponding dome switch.
12. The key arrangement as recited in claim 11 , further comprising a central actuator and corresponding central dome switch for each of the plurality of depressible typing keys.
13. The key arrangement as recited in claim 12 , wherein said central actuator and corresponding central dome switch are positioned at the centerpoint of each key of the plurality of keys.
14. The key arrangement as recited in claim 11 , wherein the at least two relatively rigid portions are circumferentially apart about a centerpoint of each of the plurality of keys at an interval approximately equal to 360 degrees divided by the number of the relatively rigid portions constituting the at least two rigid portions.
15. The key arrangement as recited in claim 11 , wherein the at least two rigid portions are circumferentially apart about a centerpoint of each of the plurality of keys at an interval of approximately 180 degrees.
16. The key arrangement as recited in claim 11 , wherein the at least two rigid portions are circumferentially apart about a centerpoint of each of the plurality of keys at an interval of approximately 90 degrees.
17. The key arrangement as recited in claim 11 , wherein each relatively rigid portions are at non-adjacent corners.
18. The key arrangement as recited in claim 17 , wherein the at least two relatively rigid portions number four and are located at corners of each of the plurality of keys.
19. The key arrangement as recited in claim 11 , wherein said keys further comprise letter indicia arranged in a QWERTY layout.
20. The key arrangement as recited in claim 11 , further comprising a series electrical circuit associated with each of plurality of keys for detecting when an intended key is actuated, the series circuit comprising the corresponding dome switches, each of the dome switches being configured to be closed when engaged by the relatively rigid portions.