Hand-held electronic device with a keyboard optimized for use with the thumbs
US6396482B1 · kind B1 · utility
241Cited by
12References
22Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 25, 1999 |
| Grant date | May 28, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 25, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H2225/022
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A hand-held electronic device with a keyboard, thumbwheel, display and associated software is optimized for use of the device with the thumbs. The associated software has a plurality of features to optimize efficient use of the limited keyboard space and encourage the use of the device by thumb-based data entry through the thumbwheel and/or through a combination of minimal number of keystrokes. Software features include international character scrolling, and auto-capitalization. In addition, the keys on the device keyboard are optimally shaped and configured for thumb-based input.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.