Abstract:
An improved handheld electronic device having an improved keyboard provides enhanced usability with fewer keys by enabling the keys to pivot slightly to provide multiple functions to the keys. The improved keyboard may, for example, include internal strips of conductive carbon that are disposed adjacent the keys and are electrically engageable with contacts on a printed circuit board. Specifically, when a key is pressed directly downward it collapses a single dome and connects together a set of primary contacts to provide a first function. When the key is pressed at the side thereof, the key pivots slightly, collapses the dome and connects together the primary contacts, and also engages a carbon strip with a pair of secondary contacts to connect together the secondary contacts, all of which provide a second function. The keyboard may be configured to be of a QWERTY configuration while using only a relatively small number of keys.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/830,564, filed Jul. 6, 2010, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/947,957, filed Nov. 30, 2007, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/785,633, filed Feb. 24, 2004. U.S. application Ser. No. 12/830,564, U.S. application Ser. No. 11/947,957, and U.S. application Ser. No. 10/785,633 are expressly incorporated by reference herein in their entireties. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates generally to handheld electronic devices and, more particularly, to a keyboard for a handheld electronic device. 
     2. Background Information 
     Numerous types of handheld electronic devices are known. Examples of such handheld electronic devices include, for instance, personal data assistants (PDAs), handheld computers, two-way pagers, cellular telephones, and the like. Such handheld electronic devices are generally intended to be portable and thus must be relatively small. Many handheld electronic devices feature wireless communication capability, although many such handheld electronic devices are stand-alone. Since handheld electronic devices typically are portable, it is also desired that the form factor of the devices be sufficiently small and ergonomic that they can conveniently be transported with a belt clip, in a user&#39;s pocket, manually, or in a briefcase. Advancements in technology have permitted the form factor of such handheld electronic devices to be reduced while increasing their versatility and functionality, such as by increasing the number of functions provided by the device as well as increasing the number of software applications and the variety of their features. However, as the form factor of a handheld electronic device decreases and the number of functions provided by the device increases, the device potentially can become awkward and difficult to use. Thus, it is also desirable to improve the usability of a handheld electronic device as its form factor is reduced and its versatility is increased. Previous attempts to increase such usability have had limitations. 
     One such type of solution has involved the use of large numbers of keys which, when pressed in various combinations, would produce various functions. For instance, adjacent keys were depressed simultaneously to provide additional functions. In mobile electronics, keys oftentimes are operatively connected with metal or carbon coated poly domes that act as switches for the keys and that are collapsible and provide tactile feedback to a user when the domes are collapsed from a relaxed position to a deflected position. The simultaneous pressing of multiple keys to provide a given function thus oftentimes can result in the collapsing of multiple domes, which can result in a confusing and/or undesirable tactile feedback to a user. Other attempts at improving usability have involved decreasing the quantity of keys on a handheld device while increasing the number of functions each key is to serve. Such systems potentially can become cumbersome because the various functions of a given key may additionally require the pressing of a SHIFT key, an ALT key, or another key to provide the various functions. In such a circumstance, the required multiple key pushing requires multiple hand movements which interfere with user friendliness. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An improved handheld electronic device and keyboard in accordance with the invention meet these and other needs. An improved handheld electronic device having an improved keyboard provides enhanced usability with fewer keys by enabling the keys to pivot slightly to provide multiple functions to the keys. The improved keyboard may, for example, include internal strips of conductive carbon that are disposed adjacent the keys and are electrically engageable with contacts on a printed circuit board. Specifically, when a key is pressed directly downward it collapses a single dome and connects together a set of primary contacts to provide a first function. When the key is pressed at the side thereof, the key pivots slightly, collapses the dome and connects together the primary contacts, and also engages a carbon strip with a pair of secondary contacts to connect together the secondary contacts, all of which provide a second function. The keyboard may be configured to be of a QWERTY configuration while using only a relatively small number of keys. 
     Accordingly, an aspect of the invention is to provide an improved handheld electronic device and an improved keyboard that provide enhanced usability while employing a relatively small number of keys. 
     Another aspect of the invention is to provide an improved handheld electronic device and an improved keyboard having keys that each include multiple functions that are provided by pressing the key at one side thereof, at another side thereof, or in the center thereof. 
     Another aspect of the invention is to provide an improved handheld electronic device and an improved keyboard that provide both collapsible domes (or alternative switches providing tactile feedback) and conductive carbon strips (or alternative switches generally not providing tactile feedback), with collapsing of a dome providing a first function, and with collapsing of the dome and engaging a carbon strip providing a second function. 
     Another aspect of the invention is to provide an improved handheld electronic device and an improved keyboard that provide keys having multiple functions with a single press while providing a desirable tactile feedback of a single collapsing dome to the user. 
     Another aspect of the invention is to provide an improved handheld electronic device and an improved keyboard of a QWERTY configuration having a relatively small number of keys with multiple characters being provided on each key. 
     Another aspect of the invention is to provide an improved handheld electronic device and an improved keyboard having a plurality of multi-function keys, with each key being movable between an initial position and a plurality of terminal positions, and with the various terminal positions of the key and the various functions of the key corresponding with one another. 
     Another aspect of the invention is to provide an improved handheld device and an improved keyboard that enables a small form factor while still providing enhanced usability or user friendliness. 
     Another aspect of the invention is to provide an improved keyboard of the type that is structured to be incorporated into an electronic device, in which the general nature of the keyboard can be stated as including a printed circuit board, a primary conductor portion, a secondary conductor portion, and a number of keys. The printed circuit board has a plurality of electrical contacts. The primary conductor portion includes a number of primary conductors, with each one of said primary conductors being elastically deflectable between a relaxed position and a deflected position, and with each one of said primary conductors in the deflected position electrically connecting together a pair of the electrical contacts. The secondary conductor portion includes a number of secondary conductors, with each one of said secondary conductors being elastically deflectable between a relaxed position and a deflected position, and with each one of said secondary conductors in the deflected position electrically connecting together a pair of the electrical contacts. Each one of said keys is cooperable with a corresponding one of said primary conductors and at least a first corresponding one of said secondary conductors. The primary conductors and the secondary conductors are disposed between the printed circuit board and the keys. Each one of said keys is movable between an initial position, a first terminal position, and a second terminal position, with the key in the first terminal position deflecting the corresponding one of said primary conductors to its deflected position, and with the key in the second terminal position deflecting the corresponding one of said primary conductors and the at least a first corresponding one of said secondary conductors to their deflected positions. 
     Another aspect of the invention is to provide an improved handheld electronic device, the general nature of which can be stated as including a keyboard, a display positioned adjacent the keyboard, and a processor structured to receive inputs from the keyboard and to output to the display as a function of said inputs. The keyboard may include a printed circuit board, a primary conductor portion, a secondary conductor portion, and a number of keys. The printed circuit board has a plurality of electrical contacts. The primary conductor portion includes a number of primary conductors, with each one of said primary conductors being elastically deflectable between a relaxed position and a deflected position, and with each one of said primary conductors in the deflected position electrically connecting together a pair of the plurality of electrical contacts. The secondary conductor portion includes a number of secondary conductors, with each one of said secondary conductors being elastically deflectable between a relaxed position and a deflected position, and with each one of said secondary conductors in the deflected position electrically connecting together a pair of the plurality of electrical contacts. Each key is cooperable with a corresponding one of said primary conductors and at least a first corresponding one of said secondary conductors, and the primary conductors and the secondary conductors are disposed between the printed circuit board and the keys. Each one of said keys is movable between an initial position, a first terminal position, and a second terminal position, with the key in the first terminal position deflecting the corresponding one of said primary conductors to its deflected position, and with the key in the second terminal position deflecting the corresponding one of said primary conductors and the at least a first corresponding one of said secondary conductors to their deflected positions. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A full understanding of the invention can be gained from the following Description of the Preferred Embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an improved handheld electronic device in accordance with the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a top plan view of an improved keyboard in accordance with the invention; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded isometric view of the keyboard of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a top plan view of the primary conductor portion of the keyboard of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a top plan view of the secondary conductor portion of the keyboard of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a top plan view of the spacer of the keyboard of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a top plan view of the printed circuit board of the keyboard of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 7A  is a bottom plan view of the printed circuit board of the keyboard of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a sectional view as taken along Line  8 - 8  of  FIG. 2  and depicting a key of the keyboard in an initial position; 
         FIG. 9  is a view similar to  FIG. 8 , except depicting the key in the first terminal position; 
         FIG. 10  is a view similar to  FIG. 8 , except depicting the key in the second terminal position; and 
         FIG. 11  is a view similar to  FIG. 8 , except depicting the key in the third terminal position. 
     
    
    
     Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the specification. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     An improved handheld electronic device  4  in accordance with the invention is shown in  FIG. 1 . The handheld electronic device  4  includes an improved keyboard  8  in accordance with the invention that is depicted, in whole or in part, in  FIGS. 2-11 . More particularly, the handheld electronic device  4  includes the keyboard  8 , a housing  12 , a display  16 , and a suitable processor  18  (e.g., without limitation, a microprocessor) having software  20  that resides in the handheld electronic device  4  and that provides functionality to inputs received from the keyboard  8  and provides outputs to the display  16 . The keyboard  8  and the display  16  are disposed on the housing  12 , and the operability of the software  20  is enabled by the processor  18 . Examples of handheld electronic devices are included in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,452,588 and 6,489,950, which are incorporated by reference herein. 
     As can be seen in  FIG. 2 , the exemplary keyboard  8  includes a plurality of keys  60 , each of which includes a number of characters  24 . As used herein, the expression “a number of” and variations thereof shall refer broadly to any non-zero positive quantity, including a quantity of one. The exemplary keys  60  depicted and described herein each include a first character  28  that is generally centrally disposed on the key  60 , a second character  32  that is generally disposed at a left end (from the perspective of  FIG. 2 ) of the key  60 , and a third character  36  that is generally disposed at a right end (from the perspective of  FIG. 2 ) of the key  60 , with the first, second, and third characters  28 ,  32 , and  36  being referable collectively, in whole or in part, by the aforementioned numeral  24 . 
     As can further be seen in  FIG. 2 , many of the exemplary first characters  28  are digits, and many of the second and third characters  32  and  36 , respectively, are letters. Also, many of the second and third characters  32  and  36 , respectively, together are of a QWERTY configuration to provide a QWERTY key configuration for the handheld electronic device  4  of  FIG. 1 . It is understood, however, that the arrangement of the characters  24  can be different than the exemplary arrangement depicted in  FIG. 2 . For instance, the first, second, and third characters  28 ,  32 , and  36 , respectively, can together form a QWERTY arrangement. Alternately, the characters  24  could be numerical or mathematical symbols, could be characters of different languages, or could be of virtually any other character and/or keyboard configuration. 
     As can be best understood from  FIG. 3 , the keyboard  8  includes a keypad  40 , a primary conductor portion  44 , a secondary conductor portion  48  having a spacer  52 , and a printed circuit board  56 . The aforementioned components of the keyboard  8  can be adhered together or otherwise attached to one another, while in other embodiments the components need not be adhered to one another in any fashion. 
     The keypad  40  includes the aforementioned keys  60  and a key panel  64 . The keys  60  are movably disposed on the key panel  64  and are permitted to pivot slightly with respect thereto. 
     The primary conductor portion  44  includes a plurality of conductive domes  68  disposed on a dome panel  72 . The dome panel  72  includes a plurality of primary holes  74  ( FIG. 8 ) formed therein and a plurality of flexible adhesive members  70  ( FIG. 8 ) disposed on one surface of the dome panel  72  and positioned adjacent the primary holes  74 . The domes  68  extend through the primary holes  74 , and the apex of each dome  68 , i.e., the proud portion thereof, is adhered to one of the adhesive members  70 . The circular edge of each dome  68  opposite the apex thereof protrudes outwardly from and beyond the associated primary hole  74 . While in the depicted exemplary embodiment the domes  68  are adhered to the dome panel  72  with the adhesive members  70 , it is understood that in other embodiments the domes  68  and the dome panel  72  may be connected together in other fashions, or might not be connected together at all, without departing from the concept of the invention. 
     The domes  68  are elastically deflectable between a relaxed position, i.e.,  FIG. 8 , and a deflected position, i.e.,  FIGS. 9-11 . The movement of the domes  68  between the relaxed and deflected positions occurs via elastic deformation of the domes  68  and causes the domes to “snap” between the relaxed and deflected conditions to provide a desirable tactile feedback. 
     The secondary conductor portion  48  includes a plurality of elongated conductive carbon strips  76  disposed on a flexible support sheet  80 . The support sheet  80  includes a plurality of primary holes  84  formed therein between pairs of adjacent carbon strips  76 . The primary holes  84  in the support sheet  80  are arranged to correspond with and be similar to the arrangement of the primary holes  74  in the dome panel  72 . It is understood that in other embodiments the secondary conductor portion  48  could have elongated strips of a different conductive material, such as a metal or other material, without departing from the concept of the invention. The support sheet  80  may be a thin plastic sheet, although other configurations are possible. 
     It is understood that the primary conductor portion  44  and the secondary conductor portion  48  can be said to provide switches for the keys  60 . Such switches of the primary conductor portion  44  provide a tactile feedback, and such switches of the secondary conductor portion  48  generally do not provide tactile feedback, but such switches could be of other configurations. 
     The spacer  52  is a sheet of material that can be generally said to space the carbon strips  76  away from the printed circuit board  56 . The spacer  52  includes a plurality of circular primary holes  88  arranged in rows similar to the arrangement of the primary holes  84  in the support sheet  80  and the primary holes  74  in the dome panel  72 . The spacer  52  additionally includes a plurality of elongated secondary holes  92  that correspond generally with the arrangement of the carbon strips  76  on the support sheet  80 . In the exemplary embodiment, the spacer  52  is a thin sheet of an insulative material, such as plastic, although configurations are possible. It is also understood that the keyboard  8  potentially could be configured in other fashions that would eliminate the need for the spacer  52  but would still be considered to be within the scope of the invention. 
     As is best shown in  FIG. 7 , the printed circuit board  56  includes a plurality of primary contacts  96  and a plurality of secondary contacts  100 . The primary and secondary contacts  96  and  100 , respectively, are electrically conductive electrical contacts which, when connected with one another, such as with a conductor extending therebetween, completes a circuit or completes an open portion of a circuit. The primary contacts  96  are, in the depicted exemplary embodiment, arranged in pairs and specifically include a ball contact  98  and a ring contact  102 , with the ring contact  102  extending concentrically about the ball contact  98 . 
     The domes  68  ( FIG. 8 ) each also extend through an aligned pair of the primary holes  84  and  88  formed in the support sheet  80  and the spacer  52 , respectively. The circular ends of the domes  68  rest on the ring contacts  102  of the primary contacts  96 . 
     The secondary contacts  100  are arranged in pairs and are generally of an “intermeshed comb” arrangement. In the exemplary embodiment of the printed circuit board  56  depicted in  FIG. 7  and described herein, certain of the primary contacts  96  are electrically connected with leads to certain of the secondary contacts  100 , and numerous other contact configurations are possible without departing from the concept of the invention. 
     As can be understood from  FIGS. 8-11 , each key  60  includes a finger plate  104 , a first protrusion  108  in the exemplary form of a hollow cylinder, a second protrusion  112 , and a third protrusion  116 . The finger plate  104  is engageable by a user&#39;s finger and includes the characters  24  ( FIG. 2 ) disposed thereon. The first, second, and third protrusions  108 ,  112 , and  116 , respectively, extend outwardly away from the finger plate  104  in a common direction which, in the exemplary embodiment, is opposite the characters  24 . In the exemplary key  60  of  FIGS. 8-11 , the free ends of the first, second, and third protrusions  108 ,  112 , and  116 , respectively, do not lie within a plane and may be of configurations other than that depicted herein depending upon the configuration of the other components of the keyboard  8 . 
     As can further be understood from  FIG. 8 , each key  60  is associated with one of the domes  68  and with a pair of the carbon strips  76  ( FIG. 3 ). In  FIG. 8 , the key  60  is in an initial position which corresponds with the relaxed position of the associated dome  68  and the relaxed positions of the associated carbon strips  76 . When the key  60  is depressed straight toward the printed circuit board  56 , such as is depicted generally in  FIG. 9 , and which would correspond with a user pressing the key  60  at the first character  28  ( FIG. 2 ), the first protrusion  108  of the key  60  engages the dome  68  that is associated with the key  60  and elastically collapses the dome  68  to the deflected position, while the carbon strips  76  associated the dome  68  remain in their relaxed positions. The key  60  in  FIG. 9  is in the first terminal position, and thus it can be seen that the key  60  is movable between the initial position and the first terminal position. 
     When the dome  68  is in the deflected position, it contacts the ball contact  98  of the associated pair of primary contacts  96 . The domes  68  are primary conductors which, when engaged with a corresponding set of primary contacts  96 , electrically connect together the pair of primary contacts  96  in order to complete a circuit or to complete an open portion of a circuit, which provides a first function associated with the first terminal position of the key  60 . The dome  68  is configured to “snap” when moving between the relaxed position ( FIG. 8 ) and the deflected position ( FIG. 9 ), and such a “snap” provides a desirable tactile feedback to the user. 
     As can be understood from  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the key  60  is also movable between the initial position and the second terminal position, i.e.,  FIG. 10 , that would correspond with a user pressing the second character  32  ( FIG. 2 ), which provides the key  60  with a second function associated with the second terminal position of the key  60 . The key  60  is also movable between the initial position and the third terminal position, i.e.,  FIG. 11 , which would correspond with a user pressing the third character  36  ( FIG. 2 ) of the key  60  to provide the key with a third function associated with the third terminal position of the key  60 . 
     When the key  60  is in the second terminal position, i.e.,  FIG. 10 , the associated dome  68  is in its deflected position, and one of the carbon strips  76  associated with the key  60  is also in its deflected condition. When the key  60  is in the third terminal position, i.e.,  FIG. 11 , the associated dome  68  is in its deflected position, and the other of the carbon strips  76  associated with the key  60  is also in its deflected condition. Each carbon strip  76  serves as a secondary conductor that is engageable with a pair of the secondary contacts  100  for the purpose of electrically connecting together the pair of secondary contacts  100  to complete a circuit or to complete an open portion of a circuit. 
     The carbon strips  76  are mounted on the support sheet  80  ( FIG. 5 ), which is flexible, and which permits elastic deflection of the carbon strips  76  between a relaxed position ( FIG. 8 ) and the aforementioned deflected position ( FIGS. 10 and 11 ). The carbon strips  76  in the deflected position extend through the associated secondary holes  92  in the spacer  52  ( FIG. 6 ). In the exemplary embodiment depicted herein the carbon strips  76  do not “snap” or otherwise proved a discrete tactile feedback to the user. Some feedback to the user is acceptable, however, such as the slight additional finger force required to elastically deflect the carbon strips  76  between the relaxed and deflected positions. In other embodiments, the carbon strips  76  can be configured to provide specific tactile feedback to the user in moving between the relaxed and deflected positions without departing from the concept of the invention. 
     The key  60  in the second terminal position is pivoted slightly in a direction away from the first terminal position. In the exemplary embodiment depicted herein, the second terminal position, i.e.,  FIG. 10 , is pivoted in a counter-clockwise direction from the first terminal position, i.e.,  FIG. 9 , from the perspective of  FIGS. 9 and 11 . 
     When the key  60  is in the third terminal position, as is depicted in  FIG. 11 , the associated dome  68  is in the deflected condition, and the other associated carbon strip  76  is deflected from its relaxed position to its deflected position. The key  60  in the third terminal position is pivoted in a different direction away from the first terminal position, which direction in the depicted embodiment is a clockwise direction from the first terminal position, i.e.,  FIG. 9 , from the perspective of  FIGS. 9 and 11 . 
     When the carbon strips  76  are moved to their deflected positions, which alternately occur at the second and third terminal positions of the key  60 , the deflected carbon strip  76  engages an associated pair of the secondary contacts  100  and, being a conductor, electrically connects together the pair of secondary contacts  100 . In the embodiment depicted herein, a given pair of the secondary contacts  100  extends along the printed circuit board  56  adjacent a plurality of the pairs of primary contacts  96  and, in the depicted embodiment, the primary contacts  96  of some of the pairs of the primary contacts  96  lie on opposite sides of the given set of secondary contacts  100 . Since, in the depicted exemplary embodiment, a single pair of the secondary contacts  100  extends past a plurality of pairs of the primary contacts  96 , the single set of secondary contacts  100  serves as the associated secondary contacts  100  for all of the keys  60  with which the adjacent pairs of primary contacts  96  are associated. 
     It thus can be seen that each key  60  is movable between the initial position and a plurality of terminal positions, i.e., the first, second, and third terminal positions, depicted in  FIGS. 9-11 , respectively. The three terminal positions are associated with the three characters  24  ( FIG. 2 ) on the keys  60 , and the various engagements of the domes  68  and the carbon strips  76  provide various inputs to the handheld electronic device  4  and to which the processor  18  and the software  20  provide functionality. 
     EXAMPLES 
     An keying chart is provided in Table 1. The vertical column Key Out refers to five outputs from the processor  18  to the keyboard  8  which are normally set to HIGH. Key In refers to eight inputs to the processor  18  from the keyboard  8  which are normally set to LOW. The numerals C 1 , C 2 , C 3 , C 4 , C 5 , and C 6  ( FIG. 5 ) refer to the exemplary six carbon strips  76  identified from left to right from the perspective of  FIG. 5 . 
     
       
         
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 Key IN 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Key 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 OUT 
                 0 
                 1 
                 2 
                 3 
                 4 
                 5 
                 6 
                 7 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 0 
                 QW 
                 AS 
                 ZX 
                 ALT 
                 C1 
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 1 
                 ER 
                 DF 
                 CV 
                 NEXT 
                 C2 
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 2 
                 TY 
                 GH 
                 BN 
                 &lt;SPACE&gt; 
                 C3 
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 3 
                 UI 
                 JK 
                 M 
                 CAP 
                 C4 
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 4 
                 OP 
                 L 
                 &lt;Backspace&gt; 
                 &lt;ENTER&gt; 
                 C5 
                 C6 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     The processor  18  scans the Key Out outputs and scans the Key In inputs to detect changes of state. For instance, if the QW key is pressed to the third terminal position, the dome that corresponds with the QW key would electrically connect the corresponding primary contacts  96 , and the C 2  carbon strip ( FIG. 5 ) would electrically connect the corresponding secondary contacts  100 . From the collapsing of the QW dome, the processor  18  would detect that the voltage of Key Out  0  had dropped and that the voltage of Key In  0  had risen. This would provide an input (0,0) to the processor  18 . From the deflection of the C 2  carbon strip the processor  18  would detect that the voltage of Key Out  1  had dropped and that the voltage of Key In  4  had risen. This would provide an input (1,4) to the processor  18 . 
     An key combination chart is provided in Table 2. From the example given above, the combination of inputs QW, i.e., (0,0) and C 2 , i.e., (1,4) results in the character W. The processor  18  sends an appropriate signal to the display  16  to depict the character W. 
     In the exemplary embodiment, the second and third characters  32  and  36 , respectively, i.e., the various letters of the keyboard  8 , are generated from inputs of combinations of keys  60  and carbon strips  76 , although this need not be the case. The first characters  28 , i.e., the digits and symbols of the keyboard  8 , are generated from inputs of combinations of the key  60  on which the digit or symbol appears and the ALT key  62 , although this need not be the case. Various configurations of Key In and Key Out, as well as the key combination, can be employed without departing from the concept of the invention. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Key combinations 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 C1 
                 C2 
                 C3 
                 C4 
                 C5 
                 C6 
                 ALT 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 QW 
                 Q 
                 W 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 ! 
               
               
                 ER 
                   
                 E 
                 R 
                   
                   
                   
                 1 
               
               
                 TY 
                   
                   
                 T 
                 Y 
                   
                   
                 2 
               
               
                 UI 
                   
                   
                   
                 U 
                 I 
                   
                 3 
               
               
                 OP 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 O 
                 P 
                 . 
               
               
                 AS 
                 A 
                 S 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 ? 
               
               
                 DF 
                   
                 D 
                 F 
                   
                   
                   
                 4 
               
               
                 GH 
                   
                   
                 G 
                 H 
                   
                   
                 5 
               
               
                 JK 
                   
                   
                   
                 J 
                 K 
                   
                 6 
               
               
                 L 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 L 
                 L 
                 , 
               
               
                 ZX 
                 Z 
                 X 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 SYM 
               
               
                 CV 
                   
                 C 
                 V 
                   
                   
                   
                 7 
               
               
                 BN 
                   
                   
                 B 
                 N 
                   
                   
                 8 
               
               
                 M 
                   
                   
                   
                 M 
                 M 
                   
                 9 
               
               
                 Backspace 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 DEL 
               
               
                 NEXT 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 * 
               
               
                 Space 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 0 
               
               
                 CAP 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 # 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Another example, for which sample keying and key combination charts have not been provided, would include a situation in which the actuation of a single key  60  to the first terminal position would result in an input to the processor  18  which the processor  18  would recognize as the first character  28  disposed at the center of the key  60 . When one of the keys  60  is pressed to the first terminal position, the processor  18  would recognize the action as the input of the first character  28  without the need to press additional keys, such as the ALT key  62 . Furthermore, such a key  60  could additionally include a fourth character  24  disposed at the center of the key  60  which, when combined with the ALT key  62 , could be recognized by the processor  18  as a different fourth input. 
     The improved keyboard  8  can be employed in numerous different advantageous fashions with the handheld electronic device  4 . For instance, and as depicted herein, the second and third characters  32  and  36 , respectively, ( FIG. 2 ) can be letters that together form a QWERTY keyboard, and the first characters  28  can be digits and the other symbols found on a typical keyboard. The software  20  potentially could provide a predictive text function which reviews a user&#39;s inputs from the keyboard  8  and corrects errors (e.g., without limitation, spelling and/or grammar errors), such as if the first character  28  is pressed instead of the second character  32 , then the software  20  concludes that the second character  32  was desired to have been input. 
     While specific embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and alternatives to those details could be developed in light of the overall teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of the invention which is to be given the full breadth of the claims appended and any and all equivalents thereof.