Alternative inputs of a mobile communications device
View Patent ↗In an implementation, a mobile communications device includes a display device having touchscreen functionality, a keyboard having a plurality of physical keys that include a dedicated key and letter keys arranged according to a QWERTY layout, and one or more modules. The one or more modules are configured to output a user interface on the display device responsive to selection of the dedicated key, the user interface having a plurality of portions that are selectable via the touchscreen functionality to cause input of a respective one of a plurality of emoticons.
1. A device comprising:
a touchscreen display;
a keyboard comprising physical keys that include a dedicated key and letter keys arranged according to a QWERTY layout; and
a processor configured to display a library for display as at least part of a user interface on the touchscreen display responsive to selection of the dedicated key,
wherein the user interface comprises a plurality of portions that are selectable via the touchscreen display to cause selection of an application in the library.
2. The device as described in claim 1 wherein the touchscreen display is a capacitive touchscreen display.
3. The device as described in claim 1 wherein the application is a multimedia application.
4. The device as described in claim 1 , the processor further configured to execute the application in response to selection of the application in the library.
5. The device as described in claim 1 wherein each of one or more of the letter keys includes indicia on the physical key of a respective letter for input via the physical key.
6. The device as described in claim 1 wherein the device is a mobile communications device.
7. A device comprising:
a touchscreen display;
a keyboard comprising physical keys that include a dedicated key and letter keys arranged according to a QWERTY layout; and
a processor configured to:
in response to selection of the dedicated key, display a library on the touchscreen display;
receive a selection of an item in the library; and
execute a function in response to the receiving the selection.
8. The device of claim 7 wherein the item comprises the function.
9. The device of claim 8 wherein the function causes execution of an application.
10. The device of claim 7 wherein the item comprises an icon.
11. The device of claim 7 wherein the touchscreen display is a capacitive touchscreen display.
12. The device of claim 7 wherein the application relates to game play, music, or video.
13. The device of claim 7 wherein each of one or more of the letter keys includes indicia on the physical key of a respective letter for input via the physical key.
14. A method comprising:
receiving a signal indicative of an activation of a dedicated key, the dedicated key located on a keyboard comprising physical keys that include the dedicated key and letter keys arranged according to a QWERTY layout;
in response to the signal, displaying a library on a touchscreen display;
receiving a selection of an item in the library; and
executing a function in response to the receiving the selection.
15. The method of claim 14 wherein the item comprises the function.
16. The method of claim 15 wherein the function causes execution of an application.
17. The method of claim 14 wherein the item comprises an icon.
18. The method of claim 14 wherein the touchscreen display is a capacitive touchscreen display.
19. The method of claim 14 wherein the touchscreen display is an optical touchscreen display.
20. The method of claim 14 wherein each of one or more of the letter keys includes indicia on the physical key of a respective letter for input via the physical key.