Patent ID: 8350728
Filing Date: 2013-01-08
Classification: H03M

Abstract:
1. A mobile computing device comprising: a keypad comprising a plurality of keys; a processor that is coupled to control use of the keypad, including to enable use of the keypad in each of a letter entry mode or an alternative entry mode; wherein the plurality of keys include a subset of keys, each key in the subset being (i) enlarged as compared to other keys of the keypad that are not part of the subset, (ii) assigned m letter values for when the keypad is operated in the letter entry mode, and (iii) assigned n numeric values, where 1≦n<m, for when the keypad is operated in the alternative entry mode; wherein the keypad is structured to distinguish, for each key in the subset, contact made at a left region of that key versus contact made at a right region of the key; wherein in the letter entry mode, the processor identifies a first letter value when contact is made at the left region, and a second letter value when contact is made at the right region; and wherein in the alternative entry mode, the processor identifies a first numeric value when contact is made at the left region, the right region, or both of the left region and the right region.