Key designs for compact keypad of handheld communication device

Abstract

A keypad for a mobile device having a housing comprises a plurality of keys coupled to the housing. Each of the keys has means for making the selection of smaller key sizes easier for a user. The keys may incorporate a flexible or resilient upper part, or be configured to transform to a larger surface area upon the application of pressure. The keys may be configured to rotate away from a selected key. The keys adjacent a selected key may be configured to lock mechanically or electrically. The keys may have multiple parts that are movable relative to one another. The upper part of the key may include a fluid, with a selection rod positioned inside the upper part to enter the fluid.

1 . A keypad for a mobile device having a housing comprising:
 a plurality of keys associated with the housing of the mobile device, each key having means for making the selection of smaller key sizes easier for a user.   
   
   
       2 . The keypad of  claim 1 , wherein the means for making selection of smaller key sizes easier comprises a key having a post and an upper portion, with at least the upper portion being configured to transform in shape to provide a larger surface area for coupling with a finger of a user upon pressing down upon the key. 
   
   
       3 . The keypad of  claim 1 , wherein the means for making selection of smaller key sizes easier comprises a key having a post and an upper portion, with the upper portion comprising a first portion and a second portion, with the first portion movably coupled to the second portion and the first portion being smaller than the second portion, wherein when the first portion is pressed by a finger of a user, it is subsumed by the second portion such that the finger of the user contacts the second, larger portion, thereby making it easier to press the key. 
   
   
       4 . The keypad of  claim 3 , wherein the second portion travels upwardly as the first portion is pressed such that the second portion joins with the user's finger at a height that is greater than a resting height of the key. 
   
   
       5 . The keypad of  claim 3 , wherein the first portion is coupled to an orifice in the second portion and a spring is associated with the orifice such that when pressure is applied to the first portion, it is subsumed into the second portion, but when pressure is released from the first portion, the first portion springs back to a position wherein the first portion is not fully subsumed by the second portion. 
   
   
       6 . The keypad of  claim 1 , wherein the means for making selection of smaller key sizes easier comprises a key having a post and an upper portion, with the upper portion having a central part that is movably coupled to a left arm and a right arm, with the central part, left arm and right arm being positioned above the housing and, in a resting position, the central part is higher in elevation than the left arm and right arm, and when the central part is pressed by a finger of a user, the key moves downwardly such that the left and right arms interact with the housing and the key changes in shape to provide a larger surface area for pressing. 
   
   
       7 . The keypad of  claim 6 , wherein the left and right arms are coupled to the central part via a hinge. 
   
   
       8 . The keypad of  claim 6 , further comprising a gear coupled to a pushrod and a rack coupled to the post, with the rack in engagement with the gear and the pushrod in engagement with a switch positioned in the housing such that the post travels a greater distance when pushed than the pushrod. 
   
   
       9 . The keypad of  claim 6 , wherein the central part, left arm and right arms are elastomeric, with the central part and left and right arms being coupled via a living hinge and integral with one another. 
   
   
       10 . The keypad of  claim 1 , wherein the means for making selection of smaller key sizes easier comprises a key having a center post surrounded by a first post and a second post, with each of the posts being positioned vertically, and an upper, flexible member coupled to the first, second, and center posts, with the center post being substantially rectangular in cross-section and the first and second posts being trapezoidal in cross-section, with an angled surface of the first and second posts being positioned at an upper end of the respective posts and being angled inwardly and downwardly toward the center post, wherein application of pressure to the upper member causes the first and second posts to spring upwardly to meet a user's finger, thereby providing a larger surface area for engaging with a user's finger. 
   
   
       11 . The keypad of  claim 1 , wherein the means for making selection of smaller key sizes easier comprises a key having an upper part and a lower part that couple together, with the lower part including a post having a recess for receiving a portion of the upper part, with the upper part having an upper wall and two arms extending outwardly from and hinged to the upper wall, wherein the upper wall seats in the recess and when the upper part is pressed by a user's finger, the arms rotate upwardly to meet the finger of the user as they abut the lower part to provide a greater surface area for pressing the key. 
   
   
       12 . The keypad of  claim 11 , wherein the lower part is pitch-fork shaped, with a center post having a height that is lower than the height of two adjacent fork arms, with recesses formed between the fork arms and the center post, and the upper part has two legs that are configured to seat inside the recesses of the lower part, with the arms of the upper part acting against the fork arms of the lower part when the upper part is pressed by a finger of a user such that the arms of the upper part are forced upwardly. 
   
   
       13 . The keypad of  claim 1 , wherein the means for making selection of smaller key sizes easier comprises a key having a post coupled to a central button portion and a selection rod, with the central portion housing a fluid and the selection rod being positioned to enter the fluid upon pressing such that as the selection rod is pressed into the fluid inside the central button portion, the central button portion rises up to meet the finger of a user, thereby providing a larger surface area for the user's finger to engage. 
   
   
       14 . The keypad of  claim 13 , wherein the selection rod is axially aligned with the post and the post is configured to engage a switch positioned inside the housing, and further comprising a spring mechanism for moving the central button portion towards the user's finger as the selection rod is pressed into the fluid. 
   
   
       15 . The keypad of  claim 13 , wherein the post is T-shaped, with the upper part of the “T” being a transverse shelf member that is positioned inside the central button portion and forms the bottom surface of the central button portion, with the shelf member being displaced vertically as the selection rod is pressed into the fluid inside the central button portion in order to allow quicker activation of the dome switch. 
   
   
       16 . The keypad of  claim 15 , further comprising a seal coupled between the shelf member and an inner surface of the central button portion, and a seal coupled between the central button portion and the selection rod. 
   
   
       17 . The keypad of  claim 1 , wherein the means for making selection of smaller key sizes easier comprises a key having a post coupled to an upper portion via a pivot such that when one of said keys is pressed by a user's finger, the keys adjacent the pressed key tilt out of the way. 
   
   
       18 . The keypad of  claim 1 , wherein the means for making selection of smaller key sizes easier comprises a key comprising a post coupled to an upper portion, and a camming block positioned between each key, with the camming block having an angled, camming surface positioned adjacent each key such that when pressure is applied to one of said keys, the upper portion of the key interacts with the camming surface of the block in order to rock the block sideways and out of the path of the user's finger in order to ensure that only the selected key is pressed. 
   
   
       19 . The keypad of  claim 1 , wherein the means for making selection of smaller key sizes easier comprises a key having a post coupled to an upper portion, and a camming block positioned between each key, with the block having a camming surface positioned adjacent each key and an upper locking surface at the top of the block so that when the selected key is pressed by a user's finger, the key moves downwardly along the camming surfaces of the adjacent blocks, thereby moving the block sideways such that the blocks slide under adjacent keys in order to lock them in a non-activating position. 
   
   
       20 . The keypad of  claim 1 , wherein the means for making selection of smaller key sizes easier comprises a key having a post coupled to an upper portion and each key is associated with a movement sensor and a locking mechanism, which is coupled to a processor having programming that is positioned inside the housing, such that when a key is selected for pressing by a user's finger, the associated sensor determines that the key is being pressed and sends an electronic signal to the processor which signals any adjacent keys to lock into position utilizing the locking mechanism.