Multi-tapping numpad

Abstract

A mobile phone including a number keypad for entering the symbols 0-9, # and *, the keypad including at most five keys at least one of which corresponds to a list of at least two symbols, wherein the n th symbol in the list corresponding to a key is accessed by tapping on the key n times, with cycling from the end of the list back to the beginning of the list. A portable media player with dual use as a cell phone is also described and claimed.

1 - 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . An electronic data processor comprising:
 a key for entering a symbol from among a plurality of symbols into an electronic data processor for processing by the electronic data processor, each of the plurality of symbols having a distinct sound associated therewith;   an audio processor for generating sound; and   circuitry coupled with said key and said audio processor that causes said audio processor to sequentially generate the sound associated with each of the plurality of symbols in response to successive tapping of the key.   
     
     
         14 . The electronic data processor of  claim 13  wherein said circuitry causes a symbol to be entered into the electronic device in response to stopping the successive tapping of said key when said audio processor generates the sound associated with that symbol. 
     
     
         15 . The electronic data processor of  claim 13  wherein said circuitry causes said audio processor to cycle back to the beginning of the sequence in response to further successive tapping of said key after said audio processor has generated the sound associated with the last symbol in the sequence. 
     
     
         16 . The electronic data processor of  claim 13  wherein the plurality of symbols is shown on top of said key. 
     
     
         17 . The electronic data processor of  claim 13  wherein said circuitry causes the plurality of symbols that may be entered by said key to change to a different plurality of symbols, each of the different plurality of symbols also having a distinct sound associated therewith. 
     
     
         18 . An electronic data processor comprising:
 a key for entering a symbol from among a plurality of symbols into an electronic data processor for processing by the electronic data processor, each symbol having a distinct sound associated therewith;   an audio processor for generating sound; and   circuitry coupled with said key and said audio processor that causes said audio processor to sequentially generate the sound associated with each symbol in response to prolonged depressing of the key.   
     
     
         19 . The electronic data processor of  claim 18  wherein said circuitry causes a symbol to be entered into the electronic device in response to releasing the prolonged depressing of the key when said audio processor generates the sound associated with that symbol. 
     
     
         20 . The electronic data processor of  claim 18  wherein said circuitry causes said audio processor to cycle back to the beginning of the sequence in response to further prolonged depressing of said key after said audio processor has generated the sound associated with the last symbol in the sequence. 
     
     
         21 . The electronic data processor of  claim 18  wherein the plurality of symbols is shown on top of said key. 
     
     
         22 . The electronic data processor of  claim 18  wherein said circuitry causes the plurality of symbols that may be entered by said key to change to a different plurality of symbols, each of the different plurality of symbols also having a distinct sound associated therewith. 
     
     
         23 . An electronic data processor comprising:
 a key for entering a symbol from among a plurality of symbols into an electronic data processor for processing by the electronic data processor;   a display for displaying symbols; and   circuitry coupled with said key and said display that causes the plurality of symbols to be displayed sequentially on said display in response to successive tapping of the key, and also causes the plurality of symbols to be displayed sequentially on said display in response to prolonged depressing of the key.   
     
     
         24 . The electronic data processor of  claim 23  wherein said circuitry causes a symbol to be entered into the electronic device in response to stopping the successive tapping of said key when that symbol is being displayed on said display. 
     
     
         25 . The electronic data processor of  claim 23  wherein said circuitry causes a symbol to be entered into the electronic device in response to releasing the prolonged holding of said key when that symbol is being displayed on said display. 
     
     
         26 . The electronic data processor of  claim 23  wherein said circuitry causes display of the symbols on said display to cycle back to the beginning of the sequence in response to further successive tapping of said key after the last symbol in the sequence has been displayed on said display. 
     
     
         27 . The electronic data processor of  claim 23  wherein said circuitry causes display of the symbols on said display to cycle back to the beginning of the sequence in response to further prolonged depressing of said key after the last symbol in the sequence has been displayed on said display. 
     
     
         28 . The electronic data processor of  claim 23  wherein the plurality of symbols is shown on top of said key. 
     
     
         29 . The electronic data processor of  claim 23  wherein said circuitry causes the plurality of symbols that may be entered by said key to change to a different plurality of symbols.