Hand-held electronic device with a keyboard optimized for use with the thumbs
US6278442A · kind A · utility
164Cited by
8References
48Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 29, 1998 |
| Grant date | Aug 21, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 29, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04M1/23
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
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 placed at angles designed to facilitate thumb-typing. The angles at which keys on either side of the keyboard are placed is complimentary.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.