(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2003/0020692 A1
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Jan. 30, 2003
`Gri?in et al.
`
`US 20030020692A1
`
`(54) HAND-HELD ELECTRONIC DEVICE WITH
`A KEYBOARD OPTIMIZED FOR USE WITH
`THE THUMBS
`
`(76) Inventors: Jason T. Gri?in, Waterloo (CA); David
`M. Walters, Waterloo (CA); John A.
`Holmes, Waterloo (CA); Mihal
`Lazaridis, Waterloo (CA)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`JOSEPH M. SAUER
`JONES DAY REAVIS & POGUE
`NORTH POINT, 901 LAKESIDE AVENUE
`CLEVELAND, OH 44114 (US)
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`10/205,023
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Jul. 25, 2002
`
`Related US Application Data
`
`(63) Continuation-in-part of application No. 09/663,972,
`?led on Sep. 19, 2000, Which is a continuation-in-part
`of application No. 09/106,585, ?led on Jun. 29, 1998,
`noW Pat. No. 6,278,442, Which is a continuation-in
`
`part of application No. 29/089,942, ?led on Jun. 26,
`1998, noW Pat. No. D,416,256.
`
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/307,755, ?led on Jul.
`25, 2001.
`
`Publication Classi?cation
`
`(51) Int. Cl? ..................................................... ..G09G 5/00
`(52) U.S. c1. ............................................................ ..345/168
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`Ahand-held electronic device With a keyboard optimized for
`use With the thumbs is provided. The handheld device
`includes a keyboard, a display, and a processor. The key
`board is horizontally positioned symmetrically betWeen a
`left edge and a right edge of a face of the handheld
`messaging device. The keyboard has a plurality of keys
`arranged in a plurality of roWs across the face, Wherein each
`roW of keys is arranged in a concave pattern. The display is
`vertically positioned betWeen the keyboard and a top edge of
`the face and is horizontally positioned symmetrically
`betWeen the left edge and the right edge of the face. The
`processor is coupled to the keyboard and the display, and
`controls the operation of the hand-held messaging device.
`
`902
`
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`Patent Application Publication
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`US 2003/0020692 A1
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`US 2003/0020692 A1
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`SCEA Ex. 1003 Page 3
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`SCEA Ex. 1003 Page 14
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`Patent Application Publication
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`US 2003/0020692 A1
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`US 2003/0020692 A1
`
`Jan. 30, 2003
`
`HAND-HELD ELECTRONIC DEVICE WITH A
`KEYBOARD OPTIMIZED FOR USE WITH THE
`THUMBS
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATION
`
`[0001] This application claims priority from and is related
`to the following prior application: “Hand-Held Electronic
`Device With a Keyboard OptimiZed for Use With the
`Thumbs”, US. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/307,755,
`?led on Jul. 25, 2001. In addition, this application is a
`continuation-in-part of US. patent application Ser. No.
`09/663,972, ?led on Sep. 19, 2000, Which is a continuation
`in-part of US. patent application Ser. No. 09/106,585, ?led
`on Jun. 29, 1998 (now US. Pat. No. 6,278,442), Which is a
`continuation-in-part of US. Design application Ser. No.
`29/089,942, entitled “Hand-held Messaging Device With
`Keyboard”, ?led on Jun. 26, 1998 (now US. Pat. No.
`D416,256) and assigned to the assignee of the present
`invention. These prior applications, including the entire
`Written descriptions and draWing ?gures, are hereby incor
`porated into the present application by reference.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`[0002] The arrangements described herein are directed
`toWard the ?eld of small, hand-held electronic devices such
`as personal data assistants (PDAs), personal information
`managers (PIMs), tWo-Way pagers and the like. In particular,
`the described systems and methods provide the user of a
`hand-held device With the ability to input data With a
`minimal amount of key strokes, and includes a keyboard
`structure that is optimiZed for use substantially With the
`thumbs.
`[0003] In a tWo-Way paging system that provides tWo-Way,
`full text messaging, there is a need to permit the user to
`initiate messages and to respond to messages in a timely
`fashion and With text entirely created by the user on a
`communication device. In order to keep the form factor of
`the device small enough to be Worn on the body of the user,
`such as With a belt clip, the input device should be small,
`have a minimal number of keys, and be optimiZed for use
`With a minimal number of key strokes. KnoWn systems have
`attempted to address these needs by incorporating virtual
`keyboards or pen-based systems for user inputs to the
`device, but such systems require the user to input data in an
`unfamiliar manner. Additionally, in a small hand-held mes
`saging device, such as a tWo-Way pager, these systems prove
`aWkWard to use.
`
`[0004] In order to provide a hand-held electronic device
`that permits a user the opportunity to enter data into an
`address book, a calendar, a task list, an email or other
`message or a similar text ?le that requires user-generated
`data, this application describes an input device that is
`oriented to be operated substantially through use of the
`thumbs. This is accomplished ?rst by providing a keyboard
`With a minimal number of keys, but With the keys repre
`senting the alphabet generally placed in the same order as
`they Would appear on a standard keyboard, such as in a
`standard QWERTY or a DVORAK keyboard layout. The
`use of a keyboard layout that is familiar to the user enables
`the user to immediately use the device Without having to
`hunt for the keys he or she Wishes to use.
`
`[0005] Although the layout is similar to a standard key
`board, the keys are placed at an orientation and in a
`particular shape that attempts to maximiZe the surface area
`of the thumb hitting the key and to provide the user With a
`comfortable position of the hands for data input. Also, the
`orientation encourages input by the thumbs, Which the
`inventors of the present invention have discovered to be
`faster and more accurate in small hand-held electronic
`devices than touch-typing or “hunting and pecking” typing.
`[0006] The device preferably includes an additional input
`means for control of functions that might otherWise be
`controlled by a keyboard that included function keys. To
`encourage data entry using thumbs and again to minimiZe
`the number of keys on the keyboard, the device may also
`include a thumb-Wheel for control of menus to select forms
`and functions relevant to data input. The thumb-based Wheel
`is preferably position in close proximity to the keyboard to
`enable the easy transition from thumb-based typing to thumb
`control of forms and functions via the thumb-Wheel.
`
`[0007] In addition to hardWare features that encourage
`optimal data entry through the use of thumbs, several
`softWare features that are designed to minimiZe keystrokes
`and aid data entry are also provided.
`
`SUMMARY
`[0008] A hand-held electronic device With a keyboard
`optimiZed for use With the thumbs is provided. The handheld
`device includes a keyboard, a display, and a processor. The
`keyboard is horiZontally positioned symmetrically betWeen
`a left edge and a right edge of a face of the handheld
`messaging device. The keyboard has a plurality of keys
`arranged in a plurality of roWs across the face, Wherein each
`roW of keys is arranged in a concave pattern. The display is
`vertically positioned betWeen the keyboard and a top edge of
`the face and is horiZontally positioned symmetrically
`betWeen the left edge and the right edge of the face. The
`processor is coupled to the keyboard and the display, and
`controls the operation of the hand-held messaging device.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`[0009] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the major subsystems
`and elements comprising a palm-siZed, mobile, tWo-Way
`messaging device that may incorporate a keyboard opti
`miZed for use With the thumbs;
`
`[0010] FIG. 2 is a front vieW of an exemplary messaging
`device having a keyboard that is optimiZed for use With the
`thumbs;
`[0011] FIG. 3 is a vieW of a subset of the letter keys shoWn
`in FIG. 2, illustrating exemplary dimensions and relative
`positions of the keys;
`[0012] FIG. 4 is the logic circuitry associated With the
`thumb-Wheel of FIGS. 1 and 2;
`
`[0013] FIG. 5 is a diagram shoWing one exemplary
`embodiment of a keyboard that is optimiZed for use With the
`thumbs;
`[0014] FIG. 6 is a diagram shoWing another exemplary
`embodiment of a keyboard optimiZed for use With the
`thumbs;
`[0015] FIG. 7 is another embodiment of the keyboard
`shoWn in FIG. 6 having a special center key With a vertically
`symmetrical key shape and orientation;
`
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`US 2003/0020692 A1
`
`Jan. 30, 2003
`
`[0016] FIG. 8 shows a keyboard embodiment With circu
`lar keys;
`
`[0017] FIG. 9 shows a keyboard embodiment With square
`keys;
`[0018] FIG. 10 shoWs a keyboard embodiment having
`rectangular keys;
`[0019] FIGS. 11a through 11c shoW front and side vieWs
`of a hand-held electronic device incorporating an alternative
`functional key arrangement;
`[0020] FIGS. 12a through 12c are diagrams shoWing front
`and side vieWs of a hand-held electronic device incorporat
`ing another alternative functional key arrangement;
`
`[0021] FIGS. 13a and 13b shoW front and top vieWs of a
`hand-held electronic device incorporating a further alterna
`tive functional key arrangement;
`
`[0022] FIGS. 14a and 14b shoW rear vieWs of a hand-held
`electronic device in Which tWo additional functional key
`arrangements are implemented;
`[0023] FIGS. 15a through 15c shoW front and side vieWs
`of another exemplary hand-held electronic device incorpo
`rating an alternative functional key arrangement;
`
`[0024] FIG. 16 is a rear vieW of a device, such as shoWn
`in FIG. 15, in Which another functional key arrangement is
`implemented; and
`[0025] FIGS. 17a through 17d shoW front, side and top
`vieWs of a further exemplary hand-held electronic device
`incorporating alternative functional key arrangements.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`[0026] Referring noW to the draWings, FIG. 1 is a block
`diagram of the major subsystems and elements comprising
`a palm-siZed, mobile, tWo-Way messaging device that may
`incorporate a keyboard optimiZed for use With the thumbs.
`The exemplary messaging device shoWn in FIG. 1 includes
`a Wireless radio transmitter/receiver subsystem 100 con
`nected to a DSP 200 for digital signal processing of the
`incoming and outgoing data transmissions, poWer supply
`and management subsystem 300, Which supplies and man
`ages poWer to the overall messaging device components,
`microprocessor 400, Which is preferably an X86 architecture
`processor, Which controls the operation of the messaging
`device, display 500, Which is preferably a full graphic LCD,
`FLASH memory 600, RAM 700, serial port 800, keyboard
`900, thumb-Wheel 1000 and thumb-Wheel control logic
`1010.
`
`[0027] In its intended use, a message comes to the device
`via a Wireless data communications netWork, such as the
`MobitexTM netWork, into subsystem 100, Where it is
`demodulated via DSP 200, decoded and presented to micro
`processor 300 for display on display 500. To access the
`display of the message, the user may choose from functions
`listed under a menu presented as a result of user interaction
`With thumb-Wheel 1000. If the message is an email message,
`then the user may choose to respond to the email by
`selecting “Reply” from a menu presented on the display
`through interaction via thumb-Wheel 1000 or via menu
`selection from keyboard 900. In typing the reply, the user
`can use keyboard 900 to type full text message replies, or
`insert pre-determined or “canned” responses by using either
`
`a particular keystroke pattern or through pulling doWn
`pre-determined text strings from a menu of items presented
`on display 500 through the use of thumb-Wheel 1000.
`[0028] When the reply to the message is composed, the
`user can initiate the sending of the message preferably by
`interaction through thumb-Wheel 1000, or alternatively, With
`less efficiency, through a combination of keyboard 900
`keystrokes. When the microprocessor 300 receives an indi
`cation that the message is to be sent, it processes the message
`for transport, and by directing and communicating With
`transmitter/receiver subsystem 100, enables the reply mes
`sage to be sent via the Wireless data communications net
`Work to the intended recipient. Similar interaction through
`I/O devices keyboard 900 and thumb-Wheel 1000 can be
`used to initiate full-text messages or to forWard messages to
`another party.
`[0029] In addition, the keyboard 900 and thumb-Wheel
`1000 can be used to permit data entry to an address book
`resident on the messaging device, or an electronic calendar
`or log book, or any other function on the messaging device
`requiring data entry. Preferably, the thumb-Wheel is a
`thumb-Wheel With a push button SPST sWitch With quadra
`ture signal outputs, such as that manufactured by Matsushita
`Electronic Components Co. Ltd.
`as part number
`EVQWK2001, but may, alternatively, be some other type of
`auxiliary input device.
`[0030] FIG. 2 is a front vieW of an exemplary messaging
`device having a keyboard that is optimiZed for use With the
`thumbs. ShoWn in FIG. 2 are a plurality of letter keys 901,
`specialiZed keys 902, 903, 904 and 905, and a space bar 906.
`Also shoWn is the thumb-Wheel 1000 in its vertical orien
`tation and in association With display 500 and keyboard 900.
`The specialiZed key 902 may, for example, be an alt key, the
`specialiZed key 903 may be a shift or capitaliZation key, the
`specialiZed key 904 may be a line feed key, and the spe
`cialiZed key 905 may be a backspace key. It should be
`understood, hoWever, that the specialiZed keys 902-905 may
`provide other functions, such as an escape key, a delete key,
`a home key, a menu key, a cursor-left key or a cursor-right
`key. It should also be understood, that the messaging device
`may include additional functional keys. In addition, in
`alternative embodiments described beloW, certain functional
`keys, such as an alt key and shift/cap key, may be positioned
`on another device surface in addition to or instead of on the
`face of the device, to be operated, for example, by the ?ngers
`or part of the hand of a user.
`[0031] FIG. 2 also shoWs the arrangement of keys on the
`keyboard into multiple roWs. Each of the roWs are arranged
`in a concave pattern, such as an arc. In the illustrated
`embodiment, the roWs of keys are arranged along an arc in
`a concave-doWn pattern. In other embodiments, hoWever,
`the roWs of keys may be arranged in other concave patterns.
`For example, the concave pattern may be de?ned along tWo
`intersecting line segments instead of along an arc, and may
`be a concave-up pattern instead of a concave-doWn pattern.
`Such an arrangement of the keys not only facilitates thumb
`typing by a user but also reduces the space occupied by the
`keyboard. The concave roWs of keys shoWn in FIG. 2 alloW
`for location of the space bar 906 in its conventional key
`board position but reduce the amount of unoccupied space at
`the ends of the space bar.
`[0032] Although FIG. 2 shoWs a preferred embodiment of
`a messaging device, other implementations incorporating
`
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`
`alternate device architectures are also contemplated. For
`example, different patterns of the concave roWs could be
`employed to accommodate keys on the keyboard betWeen
`roWs either in addition to or instead of only at the bottom of
`the keyboard in the position of the space bar shoWn in FIG.
`2. In addition, many different shapes and orientations of the
`keys could also be utiliZed, as is further detailed beloW With
`respect to FIGS. 5-10. Similar keyboard layouts Would also
`be suitable for use in other electronic devices With different
`display arrangements. Electronic devices having clamshell
`type designs in Which the display is positioned on a movable
`cover portion of the device Which is attached to the keyboard
`portion With a hinge, represent one such alternate keyboard/
`display arrangement. It is Well Within the scope of the
`present invention to include the inventive keyboard on a
`variety of handheld electronic devices such handheld elec
`tronic arcade devices; tWo-Way pagers; Wireless data com
`munication devices; cell phones; and Personal Digital Assis
`tants (PDAs).
`
`[0033] In one alternative embodiment, the messaging
`device may include a light source, such as a backlight, that
`can be activated by a user of the device to light the keyboard
`and/or the display in loW-light conditions.
`
`[0034] FIG. 3 is a vieW of a subset of the letter keys 901
`shoWn in FIG. 2, illustrating exemplary dimensions and
`relative positions of the keys. Also shoWn is the point 950
`that marks the center of keyboard 900, key dimensions 970,
`971, 972 and 973, as Well as angle 960 and the rho value
`965, representing curvature of a letter key 901. In investi
`gating optimal key placement on the keyboard, it Was
`determined that the keys should be placed at an angle 960
`relative to a vertical reference bisecting the key that facili
`tated easy typing using thumbs. That angle is preferably
`positive 40 degrees relative to the vertical reference for keys
`on the right side of the keyboard (Where 950 is the center of
`the keyboard), and negative 40 degrees for the keys on the
`left side of the keyboard. Complementary angles ranging
`from 20 degrees to 70 degrees could also be used to
`accomplish the goal, albeit less optimally, of facilitating
`thumb typing.
`
`[0035] It should be understood, hoWever, that alternative
`key dimensions and/or placements could also be utiliZed.
`For instance, the keys on the right and left sides of the
`keyboard could be tilted at the same angle 960 from vertical
`(i.e., all of the keys may have a positive angle 960 or all of
`the keys may have a negative angle 960), or could all be
`aligned With the vertical reference (i.e., having no angle 960
`from vertical). It should also be understood that the phase
`“tilted at the same angle” as used Within this application
`means either tilted at equal angles or tilted at nearly equal
`angles.
`
`[0036] As is also shoWn on FIGS. 2 and 3, the keys 901
`are dispersed across keyboard 900 evenly so that there is
`sufficient space betWeen the keys to decrease the opportunity
`for multiple keys being depressed While thumb typing.
`Additionally, the keys 901 are siZed appropriately given the
`footprint of the messaging device and the keyboard 900. In
`one embodiment, the messaging device measures 64 mm by
`89 mm across its face, Which does not leave much room for
`keyboard 900 and display 500. In this embodiment, key
`board 900 occupies over half of the face of the messaging
`device.
`
`[0037] In order to maximiZe the surface area of the key
`that a thumb Would hit, the keys are preferably oval, and
`have a rho 965 de?ning the curvature of the key of 0.414,
`although values may range higher or loWer. Other rho values
`Will lead to an acceptable, but not as optimal, or aesthetically
`pleasing, shape of keys 901. As to the key dimensions, the
`Width 970 of the key 901 is 4.8 millimeters (971 represent
`ing the radius of half that value, 2.4 mm) and the length (or
`height) 972 of the key 901 is 7 millimeters (973 representing
`the radius of half that value, 3.5
`It should be under
`stood, hoWever, that other key shapes could also be utiliZed,
`such as the key shapes illustrated in FIGS. 8-10.
`
`[0038] One of the softWare features that aids in the device
`being optimally used for thumb typing is a capitaliZation
`feature. Using this feature, if a user depresses a key 901, then
`the operating system detects a key doWn event. If the key is
`released after a period of time, the operating system detects
`a key up event. If, upon a key doWn event, a period of time
`elapses before a key up event is detected, then the operating
`system determines that a key repeat event has occurred
`representing a situation Where a user has continued to
`depress a key Without releasing it. Akey repeat event is then
`treated by application softWare residing in either FLASH
`600 or RAM 700 as an event that requires the capitaliZation
`of the key previously depressed. This feature disables a key
`repeat feature and substitutes instead a capitaliZation feature
`based upon a key repeat. The timing of the key scanning to
`determine Whether a key has been released can be set to
`permit a sloWer keyboard response or a faster keyboard
`response, depending upon user experience or preferences.
`Depression of a letter key While or immediately after the
`shift/cap key 903 is depressed may also cause the upper case
`letter to be entered.
`
`[0039] Although the capitaliZation function preferably
`Works only to change the state of a letter to a capital, it
`alternatively could operate to change a capital letter to a
`loWer case letter. The actual display is changed by the
`application program substituting the value of the capital
`letter in the register that holds the value of the letter to be
`displayed. As alternatively implemented, the continued
`depressing Without release of a letter key could result in a
`key oscillating betWeen upper case and loWer case, depend
`ing on the length of time the key is depressed.
`
`[0040] FIG. 4 is the logic circuitry 1010 associated With
`the thumb-Wheel 1000 of FIGS. 1 and 2. Thumb-Wheel
`1000 outputs quadrature signals phase A 1021 and phase B
`1022, Which are processed by D ?ip-?ops 1031 and 1032 to
`present signals 1041 W_UP and 1042 W_DN to micropro
`cessor 300. Signals 1041 and 1042 represent, respectively, a
`user rolling the thumb-Wheel up and rolling the thumb
`Wheel doWn.
`
`[0041] FIG. 5 is a diagram shoWing one exemplary
`embodiment of a keyboard that is optimiZed for use With the
`thumbs. This keyboard includes a plurality of letter keys 901
`(A-Z), several function keys 902, 903, 904, and a spacebar/
`symbol selector 906. The respective keys 901 are preferably
`organiZed into three concave roWs 910, 912, 914. The ?rst
`concave roW 910 includes the function keys 902, 903, and
`the letter keys 901 Z, X, C, V, B, N, and M, just like on the
`?rst roW of a standard QWERTY keyboard. The degree of
`arcing of the ?rst concave roW 910 is preferably de?ned by
`a ?rst radius R1. The second concave roW 912 includes the
`
`SCEA Ex. 1003 Page 18
`
`

`
`US 2003/0020692 A1
`
`Jan. 30, 2003
`
`function key 904, and the letter keys 901 A, S, D, F, G, H,
`J, K and L, just like on the second roW of a standard
`QWERTY keyboard. The degree of arcing of the second
`concave roW 912 is preferably de?ned by a second radius
`R2. The third concave roW 914 includes the letter keys 901
`Q, W, E, R, T, Y, U, I, O and P, just like on the third roW of
`a standard QWERTY keyboard. The degree of arcing of the
`third concave roW 914 is preferably de?ned by a third radius
`R3.
`
`[0042] For the three-roW organiZation shoWn in FIG. 5,
`the ?rst radius R1 of the ?rst concave roW 910 is preferably
`less than the second radius R2 of the second concave roW
`912, Which is preferably less than the third radius R3 of the
`third concave roW 914. These radii R1, R2, R3 may de?ne
`a set of concentric circles on Which the concave roWs of keys
`910, 912, 914 are placed. Other con?gurations and orienta
`tions of the concave roWs of keys are also possible.
`
`[0043] Also shoWn in FIG. 5 are a set of vertical refer
`ences 916. Each of these vertical references 916 bisects one
`or more (up to three) of the letter keys 901 making up the
`keyboard. In the embodiment shoWn in FIG. 5, the keys 901
`are oval-shaped, and are oriented at an angle With respect to
`the vertical references 916. The keys on the right-hand side
`of the keyboard are oriented at a ?rst predetermined angle
`918, and the keys on the left-hand side of the keyboard are
`oriented at a second predetermined angle 920. The ?rst
`predetermined angle 918 is a positive angle With respect to
`the vertical reference 916, and the second predetermined
`angle 920 is a negative angle With respect to the vertical
`reference 916. These ?rst and second predetermined angles
`918, 920 are complementary angles, for eXample +/—40
`degrees from vertical. As discussed above, the keys may also
`be aligned at other angles, all tilted at the same angle, or
`aligned With the vertical reference.
`
`[0044] The keys 901 in FIG. 5 are also preferably aligned
`along the set of vertical references 916, such that a key in the
`?rst roW is aligned With a key in the second roW, Which is
`aligned With a key in the third roW. For eXample, the N key
`in the ?rst roW 910 is aligned With the J key in the second
`roW 912 and the U key in the third roW 914.
`
`[0045] FIG. 6 is a diagram shoWing another exemplary
`embodiment of a keyboard optimiZed for use With the
`thumbs. This embodiment is similar to FIG. 5, eXcept that
`the keys 901 in each concave roW 910, 912, 914 are not
`aligned along the set of vertical references 916, but instead
`are offset from one roW to the neXt. Keys positioned along
`a vertical line passing through the center of the keyboard,
`such as the “G” key in FIG. 6 may be oriented such that an
`aXis of symmetry of the shape coincides With the vertical
`line passing through the center of the keyboard, thereby
`alloWing the key to be used as easily With the left as the right
`thumb. In the ?gure, although the “G” key Was oriented With
`the major aXis coinciding With a vertical, it could have been
`placed With the minor aXis coinciding With the vertical. In
`another embodiment as shoWn in FIG. 7, a special center
`key 922 has a vertically symmetrical key shape and orien
`tation that is a combination of the left key shape and the right
`key shape: by superimposing the tWo shapes and tracing the
`exterior circumference as a central shape, the resulting shape
`can be used just as easily With the left or right thumb.
`
`[0046] FIG. 8 shoWs a keyboard embodiment With circu
`lar keys. This embodiment is similar to FIGS. 6 and 7,
`
`eXcept that the keys 901 in each concave roW 910, 912, 914
`are circular in shape instead of ovals. Because of the circular
`shape of the keys 901, the concept of orienting the keys 901
`at the ?rst and second predetermined angles 918, 920 is not
`applicable to this design. HoWever, the concept of a circum
`scribed oval still applies, as in the case of a central key
`discussed above in reference to FIG. 6. It is possible to
`circumscribe a thumb-impact oval onto the keys With a
`major aXis coinciding With a line going through the center of
`each circular key at an angle 918 and 920 for right sided keys
`and left sided keys respectively. Note that the keys 901 in
`FIG. 8 are arranged in an offset key arrangement. In an
`alternative embodiment, the circular keys could be also
`aligned along a set of vertical references, similar to FIG. 5.
`
`[0047] FIG. 9 shoWs a keyboard embodiment With square
`keys. This embodiment is similar to the embodiments shoWn
`in FIGS. 5 and 8, eXcept that the keys are square instead of
`ovals or circles. The keys in FIG. 9 are aligned along the set
`of vertical references 916. In alternative embodiments, hoW
`ever, the square keys may instead be tilted, offset, or both.
`
`[0048] FIG. 10 shoWs a keyboard embodiment having
`rectangular keys. This embodiment is similar to the embodi
`ment shoWn in FIG. 9, eXcept that the keys 901 in each
`concave roW 910, 912, 914 are rectangular, and are slanted
`similar to the keys described above With reference to FIG.
`5. In one alternative embodiment, the rectangular keys may
`be arranged in an offset layout, With a center key having a
`vertically symmetrical key shape and orientation that is a
`combination of the left key shape and the right key shape,
`such that the resulting shape can be used just as easily With
`the left or right thumb.
`
`[0049] FIGS. 11a through 11c shoW front and side vieWs
`of a hand-held electronic device incorporating an alternative
`functional key arrangement. As described above, a keyboard
`optimiZed for use With the thumbs may comprise keys Which
`Will normally be operated With either the right or the left
`thumb of a user, as Well as possibly one or more keys that
`may be operated With either thumb. In the case of certain
`functional keys such as an alt key 902 or a shift key
`designated 902a in FIG. 11a, a device input is made When
`a letter key is depressed simultaneously With or subsequent
`to the operation of the functional key. For eXample, the alt
`key 902 may be operated in order to input a number or
`symbol associated With a letter key 901. In the eXample
`keyboard of FIG. 5, operation of the ‘Q’ key Will normally
`cause a loWercase ‘q’ to be input to the device. The number
`‘1’ may be input When the ‘Q’ key is operated While or after
`the alt key 902 is operated. Similarly, an uppercase ‘Q’ could
`be entered When the ‘Q’ key is depressed While the shift key
`902a is depressed or immediately after the shift key has been
`depressed.
`
`[0050] Since the space that the keyboard occupies is to be
`minimiZed hoWever, only a single alt key 902 and a single
`shift key 902a can be accommodated on a small device.
`Thus, a user’s thumb typing may be interrupted When a letter
`key that is normally operated using the same thumb used to
`operate the alt key 902 or the shift key 902a is to be operated
`in conjunction With the alt key or shift key. According to an
`aspect of the invention, the device 1100 in FIG. 11a includes
`the functional