Keypads for electrical devices

Abstract

A mobile telephone includes a body, a display, and a keypad. The keypad has a plurality of individual numeral keys assigned to individual numerals and may be rotated with respect to the body. In this way it is possible for the presentation of information on the display to remain in a fixed orientation with respect to a user while the body is rotated about the display so that the mobile telephone can be converted from right-handed to left-handed use or the display can be moved from a first orientation to a second orientation.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to keyboards for electronic devices and in particular, but not exclusively, to keyboards for mobile or portable devices such as mobile phones. Background technique [0002] In order for mobile phones to be conveniently used, they are relatively small. Therefore, the keyboard of such a device is also small. This is especially the case since not only are mobile phones being made smaller and smaller, but also larger and larger displays are desired on such devices, which means that there is less space available to provide keyboards. [0003] With such a small keyboard, an important factor is ease of use by the user. A keyboard should enable users to quickly select keys in a natural and intuitive manner without involving too much unnecessary finger movement. [0004] The keypad of a mobile phone generally has the general, basic layout shown in FIG. 1 . Keys for dialing (and other purposes) are typically provided in a 4x3 ma...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Confused because the user cannot easily apply the learned spatial relationships

Besides that, any text associated with the key will also be rotated and will be harder to read

[0008] The keypad arrangements of WO 98 / 24103 and WO 99 / 48120 are difficult to use if the mobile phone is used in such another orientation

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