U.S. patents available from 1976 to present.
U.S. patent applications available from 2005 to present.

Rounded keypad

Patent 6657560 Issued on December 2, 2003. Estimated Expiration Date: Icon_subject October 19, 2021. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Patent References

Stylus-based keyboard key arrangement Patent #: 5483235
Issued on: 01/09/1996
Inventor: Hanson, et al.

Inventor

Application

No. 09/682796 filed on 10/19/2001

US Classes:

341/22, Including keyboard or keypad400/486Key-board arranged according to character location

Examiners

Primary: Edwards, Timothy Jr.

Attorney, Agent or Firm

International Classes

G06F 3/02 (20060101)
G06F 3/023 (20060101)
G06F 3/033 (20060101)
H04M 1/23 (20060101)

Abstract

A rounded keypad device capable of being operated with only one finger comprises the invention. The keypad device includes a keypad having keys, which are positioned within a movement radius of the finger of an operator and have the English letters required for forming desired words or numbers or functions to be executed. The keys are arranged in a high using-frequency key section involving first set keys among the keys of the keypad, the first keys being assigned to English letters and functions that are relatively frequently used when inputting letters and function executing instructions. The first keys being positioned in a round configuration which is defined around the eye's focal point on the keypad and in a minimum movement radius of the finger of the operator, along a first virtual circle. The keypad also includes a second low-using frequency key section comprising remaining second set of keys among the keys of the keypad, the second keys being assigned to English letters and functions that are relatively infrequently used when inputting letters and function executing instructions. The second set of keys is arranged in a rounded configuration concentric with the rounded configuration of the first set of keys and having a radius larger than the minimum movement radius. Various mode and function switches are also provided and the geometric configurations can be used with a variety of keypads and for inputting a variety of devices.

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