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

Hand-held electronic device with a keyboard optimized for use with the thumbs

Patent 6867763 Issued on March 15, 2005. Estimated Expiration Date: Icon_subject October 11, 2022. 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

Miniaturized calculator keyboard switch assembly having universally pivoted key actuators
Patent #: 4029915
Issued on: 06/14/1977
Inventor: Ojima

Keyboard with elongate keys
Patent #: 4449839
Issued on: 05/22/1984
Inventor: Bleuer

D278341

D293241

D312628

D313401

D313413

Keyboard for use with one hand having curvilinear and linear rows of keys
Patent #: 5059048
Issued on: 10/22/1991
Inventor: Sirkin

Compact hand-held video game system
Patent #: 5184830
Issued on: 02/09/1993
Inventor: Okada, et al.

Light apparatus and method for illuminating a compact computer video screen
Patent #: 5217295
Issued on: 06/08/1993
Inventor: Tortola, et al.

More ...

Inventors

Assignee

Application

No. 10269527 filed on 10/11/2002

US Classes:

345/168, Including keyboard345/169, Portable (i.e., handheld, calculator, remote controller)345/170, Light source associated with each key345/171, Having foreign language capability (e.g., Japanese, Chinese)345/172Having programmable function key

Examiners

Primary: Bella, Matthew C.
Assistant: Tran, Thai

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Foreign Patent References

  • 0267801 EP 05/01/1988
  • 0278169 EP 08/01/1988
  • 0538020 EP 04/01/1993
  • 0685801 EP 12/01/1995
  • 0732646 EP 09/01/1996
  • 0760291 EP 03/01/1997
  • 1143327 EP 10/01/2001
  • 9833111 WO 07/01/1998
  • 9937025 WO 07/01/1999
  • 0030381 WO 05/01/2000
  • 0038041 WO 06/01/2000
  • 0074240 WO 12/01/2000
  • 0150335 WO 07/01/2001

International Class

G09G005/00

Abstract

A hand-held electronic device with a keyboard optimized for use with the thumbs is disclosed. In order to operate within the limited space available on a hand-held electronic device, the present invention optimizes the placement and shape of the keys, preferably using keys that are oval or oblong in shape, and that are preferably placed at angles designed to facilitate thumb-typing. The angles at which keys on either side of the keyboard are placed is complimentary.

Other References

  • “Programmable Calculators: Hewlett-Packard HP-200LX,” Viktor T. Toth, copyr. 2001, 2002, from web page at www.rskey.org/hp2001x.htm.
  • Anonymous: “Triangular Toggle Keys for Touch-Tone Phones; IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, vol. 31, No. 1, Jun. 1, 1988, pp. 47-49, New York, US.
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