Patent Publication Number: US-7903087-B2

Title: Method for facilitating navigation and selection functionalities of a trackball incorporated upon a wireless handheld communication device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Nos. 60/773,145 filed 13 Feb. 2006 and 60/773,799 filed 14 Feb. 2006. The present application is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. Nos. 11/423,740 and 11/423,779, each filed 13 Jun. 2006. Said applications are expressly incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present disclosure is directed toward a wireless handheld communication device that utilizes a trackball as a user auxiliary input tool; and more particularly, to the use of such a trackball to guide a cursor about a display screen of the communication device using rolling action of the trackball, as well as select highlighted or otherwise designated information on the screen using a click or depression action on the trackball. 
     BACKGROUND 
     With the advent of more robust wireless communications systems, compatible handheld communication devices are becoming more prevalent, as well as advanced. In a broader sense, these devices are referred to as handheld electronic devices, which include devices without communication functions. Where in the past such handheld communication devices typically accommodated either voice (cell phones) or text transmission (pagers and PDAs), today&#39;s consumer often demands a combination device capable of performing both types of transmissions, including sending and receiving e-mail. The suppliers of such mobile communication devices and underlying service providers are anxious to meet these demands, but the combination of voice and textual messaging, as well as other functionalities such as those found in PDAs, have caused designers to have to improve the means by which information is input into the devices by the operator, as well as provide better facilitation for the operator/user to navigate within the menus and icon presentations necessary for efficient operator interface with these more complicated devices. 
     For many reasons, screen icons are often utilized in such handheld communication devices as a way to allow operators to make feature and/or function selections. Among other reasons, operators are accustomed to such icon representations for function selection. A prime example is the personal computer “desktop” presented by Microsoft&#39;s Windows® operating system. Because of the penetration of such programs into the user markets, most electronics users are familiar with what has basically become a convention of icon-based functionality selections. Even with many icons presented on a personal computer&#39;s “desktop”, however, user navigation and selection among the different icons is easily accomplished utilizing a conventional mouse and employing the point-and-click methodology. The absence of such a mouse from these handheld wireless communication devices, however, has caused a different protocol to develop for icon navigation and selection. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 1 , the icons (squares  1 ,  2 ,  3  and  4 ) displayed on the screen of the device are typically presented in an array of uniform rows and columns. As an example, a home screen might present icons for telephone, e-mail, calendar and contact functions. Because there is no “mouse,” other auxiliary navigational tools are typically provided for operator manipulation in affecting movement between the different icons on a handheld device. Such navigational tools have included rotatable thumb wheels, joysticks, touchpads, four-way cursors and the like. In the present description, a trackball is also disclosed as a navigational tool for enabling an operator to move about displayed icons. The navigational tool is a type of auxiliary input device and hereinbelow the navigational tool maybe described more generally as an auxiliary user input. 
     In the trackball instance, current technology calls for the utilization of paired sensors located about the trackball for sensing rotational motion of the trackball which is representative of the desired direction the user would like the cursor to move on the screen, including a highlighting cursor that moves discretely amongst screen-displayed icons. The trackball itself is capable of free rotation within its receiving socket which gives the operator an impression that he or she can direct cursor motion on the screen (be it an icon highlighting cursor or a more traditional cursor such as a floating arrowhead) in any direction desired within the area of the display screen. 
     Not only is the trackball enabled for directing cursor movement on the display screen, but the ball itself is configured to be depressible so that when actuated (depressed), a selection is made just as if an equivalent button had been depressed. In this manner, the trackball is provided at least with dual functionality (navigation and selection). By providing this dual functionality in the trackball, inclusion of such an equivalent button is avoided thereby preserving prime “real estate” on the device for other uses. A problem, however, exists between this duality in functionality of the trackball and the manner in which an operator typically engages the trackball for depressed actuation. Very rarely will the operator&#39;s finger/thumb come directly down upon the trackball when press-engaging. Instead, initial engagement is nearly always a “glancing” engagement which means that the operator&#39;s digit is not only coming down on the trackball, but is also traveling thereacross. This sideways engagement induces rolling in the trackball that in some instances can cause the cursor to move from the intended location before depressed actuation (highlighted information selection) is accomplished. If this results, a wrong selection is highly likely. Therefore one aspect of the present disclosure details how to prevent such inadvertent cursor movement when in fact it is depressed actuation and selection that the operator intends. 
     Another constraint of the paired sensor configuration described above is that even though the trackball enjoys free rotation, its rotational movement must be resolved into X and Y components via the motion sensors. Therefore, movement between icons has been limited to up, down and sideways motion. More specifically, diagonal movement between icons has not been previously facilitated. As an example, and returning again to  FIG. 1 , if the operator desired to move from icon “ 1 ” to icon “ 4 ”, execution would have to be either over to icon “ 2 ” and down to icon “ 4 ” or down to icon “ 3 ” and over to icon “ 4 ”. A similar situation exists when navigating across such applications as spreadsheets composed of a grid of cells where diagonal cell-to-cell movement can be desirable, but until now, undesirable zigzag cursor motion has been required. 
     Since these limitations are counterintuitive given the fact the trackball enjoys free rotation but the operator cannot move diagonally from icon to icon in a single step, frustration and product dissatisfaction are likely. Therefore, a primary aspect of the presently disclosed solution is the enablement of such direct diagonal movement between icons, even when the signals developed using the navigational tool are X and Y direction limited. 
     It should be appreciated that the examples of icon and spreadsheet navigation present a special problem typically not encountered when navigating across continuous screen fields such as, for example, when cursor-traversing a map that is presented on the screen. In the instance of at least trackball navigation, the individual X and Y signal components will normally be fine (small) enough to even be executed on a pixel-by-pixel basis. As a result, in most cases, the operator will not be able to visually detect that he or she is getting X-Y stepped movement of the cursor; to the eye, the steps are so small (pixel-by-pixel) that the cursor appears to be moving on a diagonal or smooth curve when accordingly directed. It should be appreciated, however, that there are certain configurations in which the X-Y limited movement is not sufficiently fine and the operator perceives an undesirable zig-zag motion of the cursor. Therefore the presently presented solutions focus on enabling an operator to diagonally navigate a cursor on a screen of a handheld electronic device by “blending” X and Y direction signals into diagonal signals for affecting diagonal cursor movement, and particularly in environments such as icon fields and spreadsheet matrices, and especially without experiencing undue delay or lag between the input of the instruction and the cursor&#39;s actual movement. 
     In another aspect, because these handheld electronic devices are getting substantially smaller and users are demanding greater and constant access, the devices are often carried in the user&#39;s pocket. Furthermore, since the trackball is exposed and rotates freely at the surface of the device, it is susceptible to unintentional and usually undesirable rotation. As an example, this can occur when the user places the handheld electronic device in his or her pocket and the rubbing of the fabric against the trackball causes unintentional rolling of the trackball. The undesirable nature of this occurrence is at least partly attributable to the fact that actuation of a device&#39;s navigation tool traditionally restores power to the screen (after having entered a sleep mode) because it is usually interpreted as an indication that the user wants to use the device in some capacity. Therefore, if the trackball is frequently unintentionally actuated, the screen will be lit unnecessarily, wasting battery power. 
     As described above, in the instance of a trackball being used as the navigation tool, sensors are required to detect motion of the trackball. Therefore, in order to be able to detect rollerball motion indicative of desired use, the sensors must always be powered-on which consumes energy and reduces the energy savings experienced because the screen has been put into sleep mode. 
     The present disclosure is directed toward minimizing or eliminating the deficiencies outlined above and which would otherwise prevail except for the mitigating solutions described and disclosed herein. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Exemplary methods and arrangements conducted and configured according to the advantageous solutions presented herein are depicted in the accompanying drawings where in: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a handheld communication device cradled in a user&#39;s hand and displaying an array of four icons ( 1 ,  2 ,  3  and  4 ) on a screen thereof, as well as a blown-up cutaway elevational detail of the trackball depicting that navigation and selection zones of depression; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic representation of an auxiliary user input in the form of a trackball; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary wireless handheld electronic device incorporating a trackball assembly as at the auxiliary user input; 
         FIG. 4  is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary method for prevented unintended cursor movement on the display screen when the trackball is being press-actuated; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates an exemplary QWERTY keyboard layout; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates an exemplary QWERTZ keyboard layout; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates an exemplary AZERTY keyboard layout; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates an exemplary Dvorak keyboard layout; 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a QWERTY keyboard layout paired with a traditional ten-key keyboard; 
         FIG. 10  illustrates ten digits comprising the numerals 0-9 arranged as on a telephone keypad, including the * and # astride the zero; 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a numeric phone key arrangement according to the ITU Standard E.161 including both numerals and letters; 
         FIG. 12  is a front view of an exemplary handheld electronic device including a full QWERTY keyboard; 
         FIG. 13  is a front view of another exemplary handheld electronic device including a full QWERTY keyboard; 
         FIG. 14  is a front view of an exemplary handheld electronic device including a reduced QWERTY keyboard; 
         FIG. 15  is an elevational view of the front face of another exemplary handheld electronic device including a reduced QWERTY keyboard; 
         FIG. 16  is a detail view of the reduced QWERTY keyboard of device of  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 17  is a detail view of an alternative reduced QWERTY keyboard; and 
         FIG. 18  is a block diagram representing a wireless handheld communication device interacting in a communication network. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As intimated hereinabove, one of the more important aspects of the types of handheld electronic devices to which this disclosure is directed is their size. While some users will grasp the device in both hands, it is intended that a predominance of users will cradle the device in one hand in such a manner that input and control over the device can be affected using the thumb of the same hand in which the device is held. Therefore the size of the device must be kept relatively small; of its dimensions, limiting the width of the device is most important with respect to assuring cradleability in a user&#39;s hand. Moreover, it is preferred that the width of the device be maintained at less than ten centimeters (approximately four inches). Keeping the device within these dimensional limits provides a hand cradleable unit that users prefer for its useability and portability. Limitations with respect to the height (length) of the device are less stringent with importance placed on maintaining device hand-cradleability. Therefore, in order to gain greater size, the device can be advantageously configured so that its height is greater than its width, but still remain easily supported and operated in one hand. 
     A potential problem is presented by the small size of the device in that there is limited exterior surface area for the inclusion of user input and device output features. This is especially true for the “prime real estate” of the front face of the device where it is most advantageous to include a display screen that outputs information to the user and which is preferably above a keyboard utilized for data entry into the device by the user. If the screen is provided below the keyboard, a problem occurs in being able to see the screen while inputting data. Therefore it is preferred that the display screen be above the input area, thereby solving the problem by assuring that the hands and fingers do not block the view of the screen during data entry periods. 
     To facilitate textual data entry, an alphabetic keyboard is provided. In one version, a full alphabetic keyboard is utilized in which there is one key per letter. This is preferred by some users because it can be arranged to resemble a standard keyboard with which they are most familiar. In this regard, the associated letters can be advantageously organized in QWERTY, QWERTZ or AZERTY layouts, among others, thereby capitalizing on certain users&#39; familiarity with these special letter orders. In order to stay within the bounds of a limited front surface area, however, each of the keys must be commensurately small when, for example, twenty-six keys must be provided in the instance of the English language. An alternative configuration is to provide a reduced keyboard in which at least some of the keys have more than one letter associated therewith. This means that fewer keys can be included which makes it possible for those fewer keys to each be larger than in the instance when a full keyboard is provided on a similarly dimensioned device. Some users will prefer the solution of the larger keys over the smaller ones, but it is necessary that software or hardware solutions be provided in order to discriminate which of the several associated letters the user intends based on a particular key actuation; a problem the full keyboard avoids. Preferably, this character discrimination is accomplished utilizing disambiguation software accommodated within the device. As with the other software programs embodied within the device, a memory and microprocessor are provided within the body of the handheld unit for receiving, storing, processing, and outputting data during use. Therefore, the problem of needing a textual data input means is solved by the provision of either a full or reduced alphabetic keyboard on the presently disclosed handheld electronic device. 
     Keys, typically of a push-button or push-pad nature, perform well as data entry devices but present problems to the user when they must also be used to affect navigational control over a screen-cursor. In order to solve this problem the present handheld electronic device preferably includes an auxiliary input that acts as a cursor navigational tool and which is also exteriorly located upon the front face of the device. Its front face location is particularly advantageous because it makes the tool easily thumb-actuable like the keys of the keyboard. A particularly usable embodiment provides the navigational tool in the form of a trackball which is easily utilized to instruct two-dimensional screen cursor movement in substantially any direction, as well as act as an actuator when the ball of the trackball is depressible like a button. The placement of the trackball is preferably above the keyboard and below the display screen; here, it avoids interference during keyboarding and does not block the user&#39;s view of the display screen during use. 
     In some configurations, the handheld electronic device may be standalone in that it is not connectable to the “outside world.” One example would be a PDA that stores such things as calendars and contact information, but is not capable of synchronizing or communicating with other devices. In most situations such isolation will be detrimentally viewed in that at least synchronization is a highly desired characteristic of handheld devices today. Moreover, the utility of the device is significantly enhanced when connectable within a system, and particularly when connectable on a wireless basis in a system in which both voice and text messaging are accommodated. 
     In at least one embodiment, the presently disclosed solutions are directed toward facilitating the use of a depressible trackball  150  on a wireless handheld communication device  300  as a navigation tool and a selection tool relative to information presented on a display screen  322  of the device  300  as depicted in  FIG. 1 . Therein, the provision of a wireless handheld communication device  300  is illustrated, grasped in a user&#39;s hand, and comprising at a front face thereof the display screen  322  located above a keyboard  332  suitable for accommodating textual input to the device  300 . The device  300  includes the depressible trackball  150  that functions as a navigation tool for moving a cursor  171  about on the display screen  322  when rolled and functions as a selection tool for selecting cursor-highlighted or otherwise designated information  172  on the display screen  332  when sufficiently depressed. As with a depressible button, the trackball  150  is configured to affect an actuation or selection function when depressed to a prescribed degree. Those persons skilled in these arts will recognize that any number of technical solutions may be employed for determining that an actuation or selection event has been user-initiated by sufficiently depressing the trackball. Examples include the tripping of a contact switch, completing a monitored circuit or breaking a light beam. As shown in the blowup of  FIG. 1 , actuation/selection determination can also be made based on the trackball&#39;s  150  position which is exemplarily determined using a sensor  169  located below the trackball  150  and which measures the distance therebetween. Such a sensor  169  could be acoustic or light-wave based. Regardless of the technical means employed, the function is to detect when the trackball  150  has been depressed to a predetermined “actuation point,” normally against a biasing force that keeps the trackball in an elevated, unactuated configuration unless urged thereaway from. 
     Cursor navigation is affected about the display screen  322  by digitally (finger or thumb) engaging the trackball  150  and maintaining the trackball  150  in a navigation zone  167  that spans a predefined depth into the device  300  down from an unactuated position of the trackball  150  as depicted in  FIG. 1 . Cursor movement about the display screen  322  is caused by rolling the trackball  150  while the trackball  150  is located in the navigation zone  167 . For clarity, it should be appreciated that the navigation zone  167  includes the non-depressed (unactuated) position of trackball  150 . 
     The selection of highlighted or otherwise designated information  172  is affected on the display screen  322  by digitally depressing the trackball  150  into a selection zone  168  that is a predefined depth into the device  300  below the navigation zone  167  (see  FIG. 1 ). Further, the wireless handheld communication device  300  is configured so that no cursor movement is affected by rolling movement of the trackball  150  when the trackball  150  is positioned within the selection zone  168 . 
     The flow chart of  FIG. 4  typifies the method described immediately above; in one step, a wireless handheld communication device is provided that has a depressible trackball that functions as a navigation tool and a selection tool ( 410 ). In another step, cursor navigation is affected about the display screen by digitally engaging and rolling the trackball while the trackball is in the navigation zone ( 420 ). A selection is affected of highlighted or otherwise designated information on the screen by digitally depressing the trackball into the selection zone which is below the navigation zone ( 430 ). In order to complete the method, cursor movement is prevented when the trackball is in the selection zone ( 440 ). 
     As an example, cursor movement is prevented by disregarding cursor movement signals generated by one or more trackball rotational movement sensors  160 ,  162 ,  164  and  166  when the trackball  150  is located in the selection zone  168 . 
     Such disregard of cursor movement signals from the sensors  160 ,  162 ,  164  and  166  is accomplished using an incorporated (programmed) filter-function associated with an integrated controller (microprocessor  338 , see  FIG. 18 ) of the wireless handheld communication device  300 . The filter-function nullifies the cursor movement signals when the trackball  150  is located in the selection zone  168 . As will be appreciated by those person&#39;s skilled in the art, the nullification of the cursor movement signals can be accomplished using an arithmetic-based filter-function, a time-based window filter-function or the like. 
     In one embodiment, whether the trackball  150  is located in the navigation zone  167  or the selection zone  168  is sensed and a cursor-control routine is implemented via the integrated microprocessor controller  338  that is tailored for the particular zone within which the trackball  150  is sensed to be located. 
     In a related embodiment, the navigation/selection process/method outlined in  FIG. 4  initiates upon initial operator engagement of the trackball  150  which is sensed based on movement of the ball  150  and a time-delay function kicks off during which no cursor movement is affected for a predetermined period of time. The failure to induce or otherwise prevent cursor movement is continued if the trackball  150  moves into the selection zone  168  before expiration of the predetermined time-delay period. Because the trackball  150  must traverse the navigation zone  167  before reaching the selection zone  168  (see  FIG. 1 ), the time delay accommodates such traversal and prevents inadvertent cursor movement during the user actuation/depression process when the trackball  150  is being used as a selection tool, and not a navigation tool. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 1 , the trackball  150  is located essentially between the display screen  322  and the keyboard  332  when the device  300  is held in the illustrated operable configuration, particularly the operable configuration for inputting text to the device  300 . 
     In view of its wireless nature, in an exemplary embodiment, the handheld communication device transmits data to, and receives data from a communication network utilizing radio frequency signals (see  FIG. 18 ). 
     As depicted in  FIGS. 5 through 9 , the keyboard  332  comprises a plurality of keys, in an alphabetic key arrangement  44 , with which alphabetic letters are associated, one letter per key. The alphabetic letters are configured in one of a QWERTY ( FIG. 5 ), QWERTZ ( FIG. 6 ), and AZERTY ( FIG. 7 ) layout. 
     Alternatively, and as depicted in  FIGS. 14 through 17 , the keyboard  332  comprises a plurality of keys with which alphabetic letters are associated and wherein at least a portion of the individual keys have multiple letters associated therewith. Again, these alphabetic key arrangements  44  can include QWERTY, QWERTZ, and AZERTY layouts. 
     In an alternative embodiment, a similar method is disclosed in which the use of a trackball  150  as a navigation tool and a selection tool is facilitated relative to information  172  presented on a display screen  322  of the device  300 . The method comprises providing a wireless handheld communication device  300  including at a front face thereof a display screen  322  located above a keyboard  332  suitable for accommodating textual input to the device  300 . The device  300  further includes a depressible trackball  150  that functions as a navigation tool for moving a cursor  171  about on the display screen  322 , when rolled, and functions as a selection tool for selecting cursor-highlighted information  172  on the display screen  322  when sufficiently depressed. Cursor navigation is affected about the display screen  322  by digitally engaging and rolling the trackball  150 . Selection of highlighted information  172  on the display screen  322  is affected by digitally depressing the trackball  150  into the device  300 . Initial engagement of the trackball  150  is sensed based on movement thereof (up, down or rotational) and a time-delay function is instituted during which no cursor movement is affected for a predetermined period of time. 
     As before, prevention of cursor movement is continued if the trackball  150  is depressed into a selection zone  168  indicating the user&#39;s desire to select designated (cursor-highlighted) information  172  on the display screen  322  before expiration of the predetermined time-delay period. Cursor movement is prevented by disregarding cursor movement signals generated by one or more trackball rotational movement sensors  160 ,  162 ,  164  and  166  when the trackball  150  is located in the selection zone  168 . Disregard of cursor movement signals is accomplished using a filter-function associated with an integrated controller  338  of the wireless handheld communication device  300  that nullifies the cursor movement signals when the trackball  150  is located in the selection zone  168 . Furthermore, nullification of the cursor movement signals is accomplished using one of an arithmetic-based filter-function or a time-based window filter-function. 
     In an alternative aspect, the present disclosure is directed to methods and arrangements for facilitating diagonal cursor movement in such environments as icon arrays  170  and spreadsheet grids on a display screen  322  of a relatively small, wireless handheld communication device  300 , variously configured as described above, such as that depicted in  FIG. 1 . One exemplary embodiment takes the form of a method for affecting diagonal movement of a cursor  171  on the display screen  322  of a handheld communication device  300 . The method includes sensing movement at an auxiliary user input  328  of the handheld communication device  300  indicative of the user&#39;s desire to affect diagonal movement of the cursor  171  on the display screen  322  of the handheld communication device  300 . X-direction signals and Y-direction signals are produced based on the sensed movement at the auxiliary user input  328 . During that time while the necessary signals are being collected and processed, the cursor  171  is held steady on the display screen  322  until a predetermined criterion is met for discriminating whether the user has indicated x-direction cursor movement, y-direction cursor movement or diagonal cursor movement. In that the processing is typically conducted by a processor  338  according to a resident computer program, the predetermined criterion is either a preset condition or a user definable condition, examples of which are discussed in greater detail hereinbelow. Finally, diagonal cursor movement is affected on the display screen  322  of the handheld communication device  300  when diagonal cursor movement is discriminated to have been user indicated. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 18 , the handheld communication device  300  transmits data to, and receives data from a communication network  319  utilizing radio frequency signals, the details of which are discussed more fully hereinbelow. Preferably, the data transmitted between the handheld communication device  300  and the communication network  319  supports voice and textual messaging, though it is contemplated that the method for affecting diagonal cursor movement is equally applicable to single mode devices; i.e. voice-only devices and text-only devices. 
     As may be appreciated from  FIG. 1 , the handheld communication device  300  comprises a lighted display  322  located above a keyboard  332  suitable for accommodating textual input to the handheld communication device  300  when in an operable configuration. As shown, the device  300  is of unibody construction, but it is also contemplated that the device may be of an alternative construction such as that commonly known as “clamshell” or “flip-phone” style. Regardless, in the operable configuration for the device  300 , the auxiliary user input  328  is located essentially between the display  322  and the keyboard  332 . 
     In one embodiment, the keyboard  332  comprises a plurality of keys with which alphabetic letters are associated on a one letter per key basis. It is contemplated that the keys may be directly marked with the letters, or the letters may be presented adjacent, but clearly in association with a particular key. This one-to-one pairing between the letters and keys is depicted in  FIGS. 12 and 13  and is described in greater detail below in association therewith. In order to facilitate user input, the alphabetic letters are preferably configured in a familiar QWERTY, QWERTZ, AZERTY, or Dvorak layout, each of which is also discussed in greater detail hereinbelow. 
     In the alternative embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the keyboard  332  comprises a plurality of keys with which alphabetic letters are also associated, but at least a portion of the individual keys have multiple letters associated therewith. This type of configuration is referred to as a reduced keyboard (in comparison to the full keyboard described immediately above) and can, among others, come in QWERTY, QWERTZ, AZERTY and Dvorak layouts. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 2 , the auxiliary user input is a trackball  150 . Motion of the trackball  150  is assessed using a plurality of sensors  160 ,  162 ,  164 ,  166  that quantify rotational motion of the trackball  150  about an intersecting x-axis  152  and an intersecting y-axis  154  of the trackball. 
     In one embodiment, the plurality of sensors  160 ,  162  number two. One of the two sensors  162  outputs signals indicative of x-component rolling motion of the trackball  150  relative to the handheld communication device  300  and about the intersecting y-axis  154  of the trackball (see the rotational arrows about the y-axis in  FIG. 2 ). The other of the two sensors  160  outputs signals indicative of y-component rolling motion of the trackball  150  relative to the handheld communication device  300  and about the intersecting x-axis  152  of the trackball (see the rotational arrows about the x-axis in  FIG. 2 ). In this configuration, the two sensors  160 ,  162  are oriented radially about the trackball  150  with approximately ninety degree spacing therebetween. In one embodiment, each of the sensors is a hall effect sensor located proximate the trackball. 
     In another embodiment, the plurality of sensors  160 ,  162 ,  164 ,  166  number four. A first pair of opposed sensors  162 ,  166  outputs signals indicative of x-component rolling motion of the trackball  150  relative to the handheld communication device  300  and about the intersecting y-axis  154 . A second pair of opposed sensors  160 ,  164  outputs signals indicative of a y-component rolling motion of the trackball  150  relative to the handheld communication device  300  and about the intersecting x-axis  152 . The four sensors  160 ,  162 ,  164 ,  166  are oriented radially about the trackball  150  with approximately ninety degree spacing between consecutive sensors as depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
     Each produced x-direction signal represents a discrete amount of x-component (incremental x-direction) rolling motion of the trackball  150  relative to the handheld communication device  300  while each produced y-direction signal represents a discrete amount of y-component (incremental y-direction) rolling motion of the trackball  150  relative to the handheld communication device  300 . 
     In one embodiment, the predetermined criterion for discriminating user indicated x-direction cursor movement is identification of a threshold number of x-direction signals in a predetermined signal sample. For example, out of a moving-window sample of 10 consecutive signals, six or more must be x-signals in order to be indicative of desired x-direction cursor movement. Likewise, the predetermined criterion for discriminating user indicated y-direction cursor movement is identification of a threshold number of y-direction signals in a predetermined signal sample. The same sampling example holds, but applied to y-signals instead of x-signals. In a similar respect, the predetermined criterion for discriminating user indicated diagonal cursor movement is identification of a threshold number of x-direction signals and a threshold number of y-direction signals in a predetermined signal sample. For instance, out of a moving-window sample of 10 consecutive signals, four or more must be x-signals and four or more must be y-signals in order to be indicative of desired diagonal cursor movement. 
     In a more generic sense, it is pattern recognition software that is utilized to identify user indicated diagonal cursor movement based on analysis of a predetermined signal sample. 
     Alternatively, a method is disclosed for affecting diagonal movement of a highlighting cursor  171  amongst an array of icons  170  on a display screen  322  of a handheld communication device  300 . Movement at an auxiliary user input  328  of the handheld communication device  300  is sensed and which is indicative of the user&#39;s desire to affect diagonal movement of the highlighting cursor  171  from a currently highlighted icon  172  on the display screen  322  to a diagonally located icon  174  on the display screen  322  of the handheld communication device  300 . The movement is described as being “at” the auxiliary user input  328  to cover such situations as when the input is a touchpad or similar device since no portion of that type of input device actually moves, but the user&#39;s finger indicatively moves relative thereto (across the touchpad). 
     As in the previously described method, x-direction signals and y-direction signals are produced based on the sensed movement at the auxiliary user input  328 . Again, the highlighting cursor  171  is held steady on a presently highlighted icon  172  on the display screen  322  while processing the x-direction signals and y-direction signals until a predetermined criterion is met for discriminating whether the user has indicated movement to an icon left or right of the presently highlighted icon  172 , above or below the presently highlighted icon  172 , or diagonally positioned relative to the presently highlighted icon  172 . Diagonal movement of the highlighting cursor  172  is then affected between diagonally positioned icons on the display screen  322  of the handheld communication device  300  when diagonal cursor movement is discriminated to have been user indicated. In other respects, this embodiment is similar to that which has been earlier described. 
     In yet another embodiment, the apparatus of a handheld communication device  300  is disclosed that is capable of affecting diagonal movement of a highlighting cursor  171  amongst an array of icons  170  on a display screen  322  of the handheld communication device  300 . The display screen  322  is located above a keyboard  332  suitable for accommodating textual input to the handheld communication device  300  and an auxiliary user input  328  is located essentially between the display  322  and keyboard  332 . Sensors  160 ,  162  ( 164 ,  166 ) are provided that are capable of sensing movement at the auxiliary user input  328  indicative of the user&#39;s desire to affect diagonal movement of the highlighting cursor  171  from a currently highlighted icon number  172  on the display screen  322  to a diagonally located icon  174  on the display screen  322  of the handheld communication device  300 . The sensors produce x-direction signals and y-direction signals based on the sensed movement at the auxiliary user input  328 . A processor  338  is included that is capable of analyzing the produced x-direction signals and y-direction signals and outputting a cursor control signal that holds the highlighting cursor  171  steady on a presently highlighted icon  172  on the display screen  322  during the processing and until a predetermined criterion is met for discriminating whether the user has indicated movement to an icon left or right of the presently highlighted icon, above or below the presently highlighted icon  172 , or diagonally positioned relative to the presently highlighted icon numeral and  72  and then affecting diagonal movement of the highlighting cursor number  171  between diagonally positioned icons on the display screen of the handheld communication device  300  when diagonal cursor movement is discriminated to have been user indicated. 
     As mentioned hereinabove, there are situations in which the user will not want the X and Y signals to be converted into diagonal movement generating signals. For example, when navigating a map scene or other type of image, the finest directional movement possible from the navigation tool will be most desired; otherwise the “collection” of X and Y signals produces undesirable “jerky” cursor movement. Therefore, in at least one embodiment, the diagonal movement feature can be turned on and off by the user, or is automatically set in dependence upon the application that is being cursor-traversed. 
     In another aspect, when non-use of the device  300  has been determined, the handheld electronic device  300  enters a power-saving mode. As an example, non-use of the device  300  is detected when neither the device&#39;s applications nor its features have been utilized for a predetermined length of time. In yet another embodiment, the determination of non-use of the device  300  is based on a preselected period of time elapsing between sensor-detected movements of the ball  150  of the trackball navigation tool  328 . In another embodiment, a routine is used to detect when the device  300  is placed into an environment where use of the screen  322  and auxiliary input  328  is no longer required, such as when the device  300  is placed in a holster or pocket of the user. In yet another embodiment, the determination of non-use is based on user actuation of a preset key combination; preferably this is by depressing and holding the trackball navigation tool  328  for longer than a preset time period. 
     The key combination used to determine non-use of the device  300  can be preset or user definable. If a preset key combination is implemented, the keys used to indicate non-use are a set of keys that would not normally be entered by the user of the device  300 . The key combination may further involve selecting a feature from a menu of items or an icon on the home screen of the device  300 . The user defined key combination preferably informs the user that the device  300  is going into a non-use mode and allows exit thereof when the preset key combination is entered. 
     In one embodiment, a method for reducing power consumption during periods of non-use by the handheld electronic device  300  is disclosed. This method involves a power-saving mode that disables a sensor  160 ,  162 ,  164 ,  166  that, as described above is used to detect motion of the ball  150  of the trackball navigation tool  328 . Furthermore, the power consumption can further be reduced through the use of a display screen sleep mode. Preferably, the screen sleep mode is instituted before disablement of the sensors  160 ,  162 ,  164 ,  166 . Thus, the power consumption is stepwise reduced in degree by an initial amount attributable to the institution of the display screen sleep mode. An incremental increase in power-savings is experienced by disabling the sensors  160 ,  162 ,  164 ,  166 . 
     Implementation of the power-savings mode is further described in relation to the sensors  160 ,  162 ,  164 ,  166 . When a device  300  implements one or more sensors  160 ,  162 ,  164 ,  166  for detecting movement of the trackball  150 , power-savings can be realized through disabling one or more of the available sensors  160 ,  162 ,  164 ,  166  on the device. Preferably, all sensors  160 ,  162 ,  164 ,  166  are disabled. When the sensors  160 ,  162 ,  164 ,  166  are disabled, rolling motion of the ball  150  will not cause an exit from the power-savings mode because no motion is recorded because the sensors  160 ,  162 ,  164 ,  166  are disabled. 
     In a further embodiment, the method disables the display screen  322  of the handheld  300  before disabling the sensor  160 ,  162 ,  164 ,  166 . This is referred to as a display screen sleep mode which reduces the power consumed by the device  300  because the screen  322  is not consuming power. By first disabling the screen  322  and then disabling the sensor  160 ,  162 ,  164 ,  166  it is possible to allow for an exit from the display screen sleep mode by moving the ball  150  of the trackball navigation tool  328 . Thus, when motion of the ball  150  is detected before the sensor  160 ,  162 ,  164 ,  166  is effected, an exit from power-saving mode is effected. This delay is appropriate to allow a user of the device  300  a chance to abort entry into a power-saving mode, which may not be desired at that time. Preferably, the user is informed of entry into this power-savings mode by having the display  322  disabled before the sensor  160 ,  162 ,  164 ,  166 . 
     The screen sleep mode or power-saving mode can be exited through the use of a predefined routine. In a preferred embodiment, a preset wakeup key combination is used to restore the device  300  to a use-mode. This preset wakeup key combination can take the form of select button and “*” in sequential order. Another preferred key combination is depressing the trackball  150  and pressing “*” simultaneously or sequentially. Other key combinations are considered within the scope of this disclosure. Alternatively, the device  300  features a mechanism to detect the proximity of a human digit in relation to the trackball. When the digit is within a predefined distance from the trackball  150 , the device  300  detects the presence of the digit and the device  300  exits the power-saving mode. 
     In another embodiment, a method for power consumption savings for a handheld electronic device  300  having a trackball navigation tool  328  is presented. This involves entering a screen sleep mode, receiving an input from one of the sensors  160 ,  162 ,  164 ,  166  associated with the trackball  150 , and entering a low power display mode. This low power display mode utilizes the ability to reduce the intensity of the light of the screen  322  in order to save power. Thus after the screen  322  was put into a sleep mode in which the functionality of the device  300  continues to operate and only the screen  322  is turned off, a selection input will cause the screen  322  to enter the low power state where it does not return to full brightness. 
     The input from the sensor used to exit the screen sleep mode can be either a sensor  160 ,  162 ,  164 ,  166  or a selection sensor (not shown). Thus if a sensor  160 ,  162 ,  164 ,  166  is used to exit the screen sleep mode, a roll of the ball  150  such that it actuates one of the plurality of sensors  160 ,  162 ,  164 ,  166  will exit the screen sleep mode. However, if the input is from the selection sensor merely rolling the ball  150  will not exit the screen sleep mode. Using the selection sensor, will require a selection actuation of the navigation tool  328  in order to exit the screen sleep mode. Alternatively, other keys, combination of keys, combination of a key and navigation tool, or combination thereof may be used to exit the screen sleep mode. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the method of going from a power save mode to a full power mode is shown. Once the power save mode has been activated either by the user of the device  300  or by the device  300  itself, the sensors  160 ,  162 ,  164 ,  166  are disabled. When a detection of either a key press or depression (selection operation) of the trackball  150  is made, the device is put into a low power mode. Alternatively, one of the above described inputs may be used to determine when to enter low power mode. Once the low power mode has been entered, the sensors  160 ,  162 ,  164 ,  166  will be activated again. Once another actuation of the trackball  150  or keys is detected the device will then enter full power mode. 
     Yet another embodiment is a handheld electronic device  300  having a trackball navigation tool  328  and being adapted to reduce power consumption during periods of non-use. The trackball navigation tool  328  is the same as described above along with the sensor  160 ,  162 ,  164 ,  166 , which is able to effect corresponding cursor movement on a display screen. The device  300  has a processor  338  that is capable of being programmed to reduce power consumption during periods of non-use by instituting a power-saving mode that disables the sensor  160 ,  162 ,  164 ,  166  when non-use of the device  300  is determined. 
     The handheld electronic device  300  in one embodiment makes use of a standby mode to save power. This mode can be entered either automatically by not detecting a level of activity for a given period of time or through a key sequence. Some of the examples of the key sequence that can be entered include depressing the power button for a short amount of time (not long enough to turn off the device) or depressing the mute key while not on a phone call. This standby mode can likewise be exited through the same set of key presses or a different set when standby mode is no longer desired. 
     When the device  300  has entered the standby mode, the screen  322  is put into a sleep mode in which the screen  322  is no longer illuminated. The screen  322  remains in this sleep mode unless the keys required to exit standby mode are depressed. When entering the standby mode, a message is presented on the display  322  informing the user that a standby mode is going to be entered and the key presses required to exit the mode. The device  300  will, however, continue to receive messages and phone calls. If a phone call is received by the device  300 , it can be answered without exiting the standby mode or by temporarily disabling the standby mode. Once the phone call is finished the device  300  will again resume the standby mode. 
     If the device  300  is subsequently put into a holster, the device  300  will sense the holster position and this will override the standby mode. Thus, when the device  300  is holstered while in standby mode, it will respond based upon the holster settings for the device  300 . When removed from the holster it will resume normal operation and ignore the earlier entered standby mode operation. Likewise, if the device  300  is placed into standby mode and the device  300  is also enabled with a security timeout mode, the device  300  will enter the security timeout mode at the appropriate time as controlled through the security timeout mode. 
     The motion of the navigation tool  328  commands a cursor to move on the display screen  322  of a handheld electronic device  300 . While “cursor” movement is referred to herein, it shall be appreciated that any resultant motion that is directed by the navigation tool  328  is contemplated. Other such motions include but are not limited to scrolling down through a view on a webpage and scrolling through menu options. It should be appreciated that all such types of navigational motion on the display screen  322  is exemplarily described herein in terms of a cursor (such as a pointing arrow) movement across a display screen  322 ; however, those persons skilled in the art will also appreciate that “cursor” movement or navigation on a screen can also be descriptive of successively highlighting presented menu items, screen icons and the like. 
     The handheld communication device  300  comprises a radio transmitter  318  capable of transmitting data to a communication network  319  utilizing radio frequency signals and a radio receiver  312  capable of receiving data from the communication network  319  utilizing radio frequency signals. 
     Further aspects of the environments, devices and methods of employment described hereinabove are expanded upon in the following details. An exemplary embodiment of the handheld electronic device as shown in  FIG. 1  is cradleable in the palm of a user&#39;s hand. The size of the device is such that a user is capable of operating the device using the same hand that is holding the device. In a preferred embodiment, the user is capable of actuating all features of the device using the thumb of the cradling hand. While in other embodiments, features may require the use of more than just the thumb of the cradling hand. The preferred embodiment of the handheld device features a keyboard on the face of the device, which is actuable by the thumb of the hand cradling the device. The user may also hold the device in such a manner to enable two thumb typing on the device. Furthermore, the user may use fingers rather than thumbs to actuate the keys on the device. In order to accommodate palm-cradling of the device by the average person, it is longer (height as shown in  FIG. 1 ) than it is wide, and the width is preferably between approximately fifty and seventy-six millimeters (two and three inches), but by no means limited to such dimensions. 
     The handheld electronic device includes an input portion and an output display portion. The output display portion can be a display screen, such as an LCD or other similar display device. 
     The input portion includes a plurality of keys that can be of a physical nature such as actuable buttons or they can be of a software nature, typically constituted by virtual representations of physical key on a display screen (referred to herein as “software keys”). It is also contemplated that the user input can be provided as a combination of the two types of keys. Each key of the plurality of keys has at least one actuable action which can be the input of a character, a command or a function. In this context, “characters” are contemplated to exemplarily include alphabetic letters, language symbols, numbers, punctuation, insignias, icons, pictures, and even a blank space. Input commands and functions can include such things as delete, backspace, moving a cursor up, down, left or right, initiating an arithmetic function or command, initiating a command or function specific to an application program or feature in use, initiating a command or function programmed by the user and other such commands and functions that are well known to those persons skilled in the art. Specific keys or other types of input devices can be used to navigate through the various applications and features thereof. Further, depending on the application or feature in use, specific keys can be enabled or disabled. 
     In the case of physical keys, all or a portion of the plurality of keys have one or more indicia displayed at their top surface and/or on the surface of the area adjacent the respective key, the particular indicia representing the character(s), command(s) and/or function(s) typically associated with that key. In the instance where the indicia of a key&#39;s function is provided adjacent the key, it is understood that this may be a permanent insignia that is, for instance, printed on the device cover beside the key, or in the instance of keys located adjacent the display screen, a current indicia for the key may be temporarily shown nearby the key on the screen. 
     In the case of software keys, the indicia for the respective keys are shown on the display screen, which in one embodiment is enabled by touching the display screen, for example, with a stylus to generate the character or activate the indicated command or function. Such display screens may include one or more touch interfaces, including a touchscreen. A non-exhaustive list of touchscreens includes, for example, resistive touchscreens, capacitive touchscreens, projected capacitive touchscreens, infrared touchscreens and surface acoustic wave (SAW) touchscreens. 
     Physical and software keys can be combined in many different ways as appreciated by those skilled in the art. In one embodiment, physical and software keys are combined such that the plurality of enabled keys for a particular application or feature of the handheld electronic device is shown on the display screen in the same configuration as the physical keys. Thus, the desired character, command or function is obtained by depressing the physical key corresponding to the character, command or function displayed at a corresponding position on the display screen, rather than touching the display screen. To aid the user, indicia for the characters, commands and/or functions most frequently used are preferably positioned on the physical keys and/or on the area around or between the physical keys. In this manner, the user can more readily associate the correct physical key with the character, command or function displayed on the display screen. 
     The various characters, commands and functions associated with keyboard typing in general are traditionally arranged using various conventions. The most common of these in the United States, for instance, is the QWERTY keyboard layout. Others include the QWERTZ, AZERTY, and Dvorak keyboard configurations of the English-language alphabet. 
     The QWERTY keyboard layout is the standard English-language alphabetic key arrangement  44  (see  FIG. 5 ). In this configuration, Q, W, E, R, T and Y are the letters on the top left, alphabetic row. It was designed by Christopher Sholes, who invented the typewriter. The keyboard layout was organized by him to prevent people from typing too fast and jamming the keys. The QWERTY layout was included in the drawing for Sholes&#39; patent application in 1878, U.S. Pat. No. 207,559. 
     The QWERTZ keyboard layout is normally used in German-speaking regions. This alphabetic key arrangement  44  is shown in  FIG. 6 . In this configuration, Q, W, E, R, T and Z are the letters on the top left, alphabetic row. It differs from the QWERTY keyboard layout by exchanging the “Y” with a “Z”. This is because “Z” is a much more common letter than “Y” in German and the letters “T” and “Z” often appear next to each other in the German language. 
     The AZERTY keyboard layout is normally used in French-speaking regions. This alphabetic key arrangement  44  is shown in  FIG. 7 . In this configuration, A, Z, E, R, T and Y are the letters on the top left, alphabetic row. It is similar to the QWERTY layout, except that the letters Q and A are swapped, the letters Z and W are swapped, and the letter M is in the middle row instead of the bottom one. 
     The Dvorak keyboard layout was designed in the 1930s by August Dvorak and William Dealey. This alphabetic key arrangement  44  is shown in  FIG. 8 . It was developed to allow a typist to type faster. About 70% of words are typed on the home row compared to about 32% with a QWERTY keyboard layout, and more words are typed using both hands. It is said that in eight hours, fingers of a QWERTY typist travel about 16 miles, but only about 1 mile for the Dvorak typist. 
     Alphabetic key arrangements in full keyboards and typewriters are often presented along with numeric key arrangements. An exemplary numeric key arrangement is shown in  FIGS. 5-8  where the numbers  1 - 9  and  0  are positioned above the alphabetic keys. In another known numeric key arrangement, numbers share keys with the alphabetic characters, such as the top row of the QWERTY keyboard. Yet another exemplary numeric key arrangement is shown in  FIG. 9 , where a numeric keypad  46  is spaced from the alphabetic/numeric key arrangement. The numeric keypad  46  includes the numbers “ 7 ”, “ 8 ”, “ 9 ” arranged in a top row, “ 4 ”, “ 5 ”, “ 6 ” arranged in a second row, “ 1 ”, “ 2 ”, “ 3 ” arranged in a third row, and “ 0 ” in a bottom row, consistent with what may be found on a known “ten-key” computer keyboard keypad. Additionally, a numeric phone key arrangement  42  is also known, as shown in  FIG. 10 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 10 , the numeric phone key arrangement  42  may also utilize a surface treatment on the surface of the center “ 5 ” key. This surface treatment is such that the surface of the key is distinctive from the surface of other keys. Preferably the surface treatment is in the form of a raised bump or recessed dimple  43 . This bump or dimple  43  is typically standard on telephones and is used to identify the “ 5 ” key through touch alone. Once the user has identified the “ 5 ” key, it is possible to identify the remainder of the phone keys through touch alone because of their standard placement. The bump or dimple  43  preferably has a shape and size that is readily evident to a user through touch. An example bump or dimple  43  may be round, rectangular, or have another shape if desired. Alternatively, raised bumps may be positioned on the housing around the “ 5 ” key and do not necessarily have to be positioned directly on the key. 
     It is desirable for handheld electronic devices  300  to include a combined text-entry keyboard and a telephony keyboard. Examples of such mobile communication devices include mobile stations, cellular telephones, wireless personal digital assistants (PDAs), two-way paging devices, and others. Various keyboards are used with such devices depending in part on the physical size of the handheld electronic device. Some of these are termed full keyboard, reduced keyboard, and phone key pads. 
     In embodiments of a handheld electronic device having a full keyboard, only one alphabetic character is associated with each one of a plurality of physical keys. Thus, with an English-language keyboard, there are at least 26 keys in the plurality, one for each letter of the English alphabet. In such embodiments using the English-language alphabet, one of the keyboard layouts described above is usually employed, and with the QWERTY keyboard layout being the most common. 
     One device that uses a full keyboard for alphabetic characters and incorporates a combined numeric keyboard is shown in  FIG. 12 . In this device, numeric characters share keys with alphabetic characters on the top row of the QWERTY keyboard. Another device that incorporates a combined alphabetic/numeric keyboard is shown in  FIG. 13 . This device utilizes numeric characters in a numeric phone key arrangement consistent with the ITU Standard E.161, as shown in  FIG. 10 . The numeric characters share keys with alphabetic characters on the left side of the keyboard. 
     In order to further reduce the size of a handheld electronic device without making the physical keys or software keys too small, some handheld electronic devices use a reduced keyboard, where more than one character/command/function is associated with each of at least a portion of the plurality of keys. This results in certain keys being ambiguous since more than one character is represented by or associated with the key, even though only one of those characters is typically intended by the user when activating the key. 
     Thus, certain software usually runs on the processor of these types handheld electronic device to determine or predict what letter or word has been intended by the user. Predictive text technologies can also automatically correct common spelling errors. Predictive text methodologies often include a disambiguation engine and/or a predictive editor application. This helps facilitate easy spelling and composition, since the software is preferably intuitive software with a large word list and the ability to increase that list based on the frequency of word usage. 
     The software preferably also has the ability to recognize character letter sequences that are common to the particular language, such as, in the case of English, words ending in “ing.” Such systems can also “learn” the typing style of the user making note of frequently used words to increase the predictive aspect of the software. With predictive editor applications, the display of the device depicts possible character sequences corresponding to the keystrokes that were entered. Typically, the most commonly used word is displayed first. The user may select other, less common words manually, or otherwise. Other types of predictive text computer programs may be utilized with the keyboard arrangement and keyboard described herein, without limitation. 
     The multi-tap method of character selection has been in use a number of years for permitting users to enter text using a touch screen device or a conventional telephone key pad such as specified under ITU E 1.161, among other devices. Multi-tap requires a user to press a key a varying number of times, generally within a limited period of time, to input a specific letter, thereby spelling the desired words of the message. A related method is the long tap method, where a user depresses the key until the desired character appears on the display out of a rotating series of letters. 
     A “text on nine keys” type system uses predictive letter patterns to allow a user to ideally press each key representing a letter only once to enter text. Unlike multi-tap which requires a user to indicate a desired character by a precise number of presses of a key, or keystrokes, the “text-on-nine-keys” system uses a predictive text dictionary and established letter patterns for a language to intelligently guess which one of many characters represented by a key that the user intended to enter. The predictive text dictionary is primarily a list of words, acronyms, abbreviations and the like that can be used in the composition of text. 
     Generally, all possible character string permutations represented by a number of keystrokes entered by a user are compared to the words in the predictive text dictionary and a subset of the permutations is shown to the user to allow selection of the intended character string. The permutations are generally sorted by likelihood of occurrence which is determined from the number of words matched in the predictive text dictionary and various metrics maintained for these words. Where the possible character string permutations do not match any words in the predictive text dictionary, the set of established letter patterns for a selected language can be applied to suggest the most likely character string permutations, and then require the user to input a number of additional keystrokes in order to enter the desired word. 
     The keys of reduced keyboards are laid out with various arrangements of characters, commands and functions associated therewith. In regards to alphabetic characters, the different keyboard layouts identified above are selectively used based on a user&#39;s preference and familiarity; for example, the QWERTY keyboard layout is most often used by English speakers who have become accustomed to the key arrangement. 
       FIG. 14  shows a handheld electronic device  300  that carries an example of a reduced keyboard using the QWERTY keyboard layout on a physical keyboard array of twenty keys comprising five columns and four rows. Fourteen keys are used for alphabetic characters and ten keys are used for numbers. Nine of the ten numbers share a key with alphabetic characters. The “space” key and the number “ 0 ” share the same key, which is centered on the device and centered below the remainder of the numbers on the keyboard  14 . The four rows include a first row  50 , a second row  52 , a third row  54 , and a fourth row  56 . The five columns include a first column  60 , a second column  62 , a third column  64 , a fourth column  66 , and a fifth column  68 . Each of the keys in the first row  50 , second row  52 , and third row  54  is uniformly sized while the keys in the fourth, bottom row  56  have different sizes relative to one another and to the keys in the first three rows  50 ,  52 ,  54 . The rows and columns are straight, although the keys in the fourth row  56  do not align completely with the columns because of their differing sizes. The columns substantially align with the longitudinal axis x-x of the device  300 . 
       FIG. 15  shows a handheld electronic device  300  that has an example physical keyboard array of 20 keys, with five columns and four rows. An exploded view of the keyboard is presented in  FIG. 16 . Fourteen keys on the keyboard  14  are associated with alphabetic characters and ten keys are associated with numbers. The four rows include a first row  50 , a second row  52 , a third row  54 , and a fourth row  56 . The five columns include a first column  60 , a second column  62 , a third column  64 , a fourth column  66 , and a fifth column  68 . Many of the keys have different sizes than the other keys, and the rows are non-linear. In particular, the rows are V-shaped, with the middle key in the third column  64  representing the point of the V. The columns are generally straight, but the outer two columns  60 ,  62 ,  66 ,  68  angle inwardly toward the middle column  64 . To readily identify the phone user interface (the second user interface), the numeric phone keys  0 - 9  include a color scheme that is different from that of the remaining keys associated with the QWERTY key arrangement. 
     In this example, the color scheme of the numeric phone keys has a two tone appearance, with the upper portion of the numeric keys being a first color and the lower portion of the numeric keys being a second color. In the example, the upper portion of the keys is white with blue letters and the lower portion of the keys is blue with white letters. Most of the remaining keys associated with the QWERTY key arrangement are predominantly the second, blue color with white lettering. The first color may be lighter than the second color, or darker than the second color. In addition, the keyboard  14  includes a “send” key  6  and an “end” key  8 . The “send” key  6  is positioned in the upper left corner of the keyboard  14  and the “end” key  8  is positioned in the upper right corner. The “send” key  6  and “end” key  8  may have different color schemes than the remainder of the keys in order to distinguish them from other keys. In addition, the “send” and “end” keys  6 ,  8  may have different colors from one another. In the example shown, the “send” key  6  is green and the “end” key  8  is red. Different colors may be utilized, if desired. 
       FIG. 17  shows a similar format for the reduced QWERTY arrangement of alphabetic characters  44  as presented in  FIG. 14 , but the numeric phone key arrangement  42  is positioned in the first  60 , second  62 , and third  64  columns instead of being centered on the keyboard  14 . The first row  50  of keys includes in order the following key combinations for the text entry and telephony mode: “QW/ 1 ”, “ER/ 2 ”, “TY/ 3 ”, “UI”, and “OP”. The second row  52  includes the following key combinations in order: “AS/ 4 ”, “DF/ 5 ”, “GH/ 6 ”, “JK”, and “L/.” The third row  54  includes the following key combinations in order: “ZX/ 7 ”, “CV/ 8 ”, “BN/ 9 ”, “M/sym” and “backspace/delete”. The fourth row  56  includes the following key combinations in order: “next/*”, “space/ 0 ”, “shift/#”, “alt” and “return/enter”. The keys in each of the rows are of uniform size and the rows and columns are straight. 
     Another embodiment of a reduced alphabetic keyboard is found on a standard phone keypad. Most handheld electronic devices having a phone key pad also typically include alphabetic key arrangements overlaying or coinciding with the numeric keys as shown in  FIG. 11 . Such alphanumeric phone keypads are used in many, if not most, traditional handheld telephony mobile communication devices such as cellular handsets. 
     As described above, the International Telecommunications Union (“ITU”) has established phone standards for the arrangement of alphanumeric keys. The standard phone numeric key arrangement shown in  FIGS. 10  (no alphabetic letters) and  11  (with alphabetic letters) corresponds to ITU Standard E.161, entitled “Arrangement of Digits, Letters, and Symbols on Telephones and Other Devices That Can Be Used for Gaining Access to a Telephone Network.” This standard is also known as ANSI TI.703-1995/1999 and ISO/IEC 9995-8:1994. Regarding the numeric arrangement, it can be aptly described as a top-to-bottom ascending order three-by-three-over-zero pattern. 
     The table below identifies the alphabetic characters associated with each number for some other phone keypad conventions. 
     
       
         
           
               
               
            
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Mobile Phone Keypad 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 Number on 
                   
                   
                   
                 #11 
                 #111 
               
               
                 Key 
                 ITU E.161 
                 Australia 
                 #1 
                 (Europe) 
                 (Europe) 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 1 
                   
                 QZ 
                   
                 ABC 
                 ABC 
               
               
                 2 
                 ABC 
                 ABC 
                 ABC 
                 DEF 
                 DEF 
               
               
                 3 
                 DEF 
                 DEF 
                 DEF 
                 GHI 
                 GHI 
               
               
                 4 
                 GHI 
                 GHI 
                 GHI 
                 JKL 
                 JKL 
               
               
                 5 
                 JKL 
                 JKL 
                 JKL 
                 MNO 
                 MNO 
               
               
                 6 
                 MNO 
                 MNO 
                 MN 
                 PQR 
                 PQR 
               
               
                 7 
                 PQRS 
                 PRS 
                 PRS 
                 STU 
                 STU 
               
               
                 8 
                 TUV 
                 TUV 
                 TUV 
                 
                   
                 
                 VWX 
               
               
                 9 
                 WXYZ 
                 WXY 
                 WXY 
                 XYZ 
                 YZ 
               
               
                 0 
                   
                   
                 OQZ 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     It should also be appreciated that other alphabetic character and number combinations can be used beyond those identified above when deemed useful to a particular application. 
     As noted earlier, multi-tap software has been in use for a number of years permitting users to enter text using a conventional telephone key pad such as specified under ITU E 1.161 or on a touch screen display, among other devices. Multi-tap requires a user to press a key a varying number of times, generally within a limited period of time, to input a specific letter associated with the particular key, thereby spelling the desired words of the message. A related method is the long tap method, where a user depresses the key until the desired character appears on the display. 
     An exemplary handheld electronic device is shown in the assembly drawing of  FIG. 3  and its cooperation in a wireless network is exemplified in the block diagram of  FIG. 18 . These figures are exemplary only, and those persons skilled in the art will appreciate the additional elements and modifications necessary to make the device work in particular network environments. 
       FIG. 3  is an exploded view showing some of the typical components found in the assembly of the handheld electronic device. The construction of the device benefits from various manufacturing simplifications. The internal components are constructed on a single PCB (printed circuit board)  102 . The keyboard  332  is constructed from a single piece of material, and in a preferred embodiment is made from plastic. The keyboard  332  sits over dome switches (not shown) located on the PCB  102  in a preferred embodiment. One switch is provided for every key on the keyboard in the preferred embodiment, but in other embodiments more than one switch or less than one switch per key are possible configurations. The support frame  101  holds the keyboard  332  and navigation tool  328  in place above the PCB  102 . The support frame  101  also provides an attachment point for the display (not shown). A lens  103  covers the display to prevent damage. When assembled, the support frame  101  and the PCB  102  are fixably attached to each other and the display is positioned between the PCB  102  and support frame  101 . 
     The navigation tool  328  is frictionally engaged with the support frame  101 , but in a preferred embodiment the navigation tool  328  is removable when the device is assembled. This allows for replacement of the navigation tool  328  if/when it becomes damaged or the user desires replacement with a different type of navigation tool  328 . In the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 3 , the navigation tool  328  is a ball  121  based device. Other navigation tools  328  such as joysticks, four-way cursors, or touch pads are also considered to be within the scope of this disclosure. When the navigation tool  328  has a ball  121 , the ball  121  itself can be removed without removal of the navigation tool  328 . The removal of the ball  121  is enabled through the use of an outer removable ring  123  and an inner removable ring  122 . These rings  122 ,  123  ensure that the navigation tool  328  and the ball  121  are properly held in place against the support frame  101 . 
     A serial port (preferably a Universal Serial Bus port)  330  and an earphone jack  140  are fixably attached to the PCB  102  and further held in place by right side element  105 . Buttons  130 - 133  are attached to switches (not shown), which are connected to the PCB  102 . 
     Final assembly involves placing the top piece  107  and bottom piece  108  in contact with support frame  101 . Furthermore, the assembly interconnects right side element  105  and left side element  106  with the support frame  101 , PCB  102 , and lens  103 . These side elements  106 ,  105  provide additional protection and strength to the support structure of the device  300 . In a preferred embodiment, backplate  104  is removably attached to the other elements of the device. 
     The block diagram of  FIG. 18  representing the communication device  300  interacting in the communication network  319  shows the device&#39;s  300  inclusion of a microprocessor  338  which controls the operation of the device  300 . The communication subsystem  311  performs all communication transmission and reception with the wireless network  319 . The microprocessor  338  further connects with an auxiliary input/output (I/O) subsystem  328 , a serial port (preferably a Universal Serial Bus port)  330 , a display  322 , a keyboard  332 , a speaker  334 , a microphone  336 , random access memory (RAM)  326 , and flash memory  324 . Other communications subsystems  340  and other device subsystems  342  are generally indicated as connected to the microprocessor  338  as well. An example of a communication subsystem  340  is that of a short range communication subsystem such as BLUETOOTH® communication module or an infrared device and associated circuits and components. Additionally, the microprocessor  338  is able to perform operating system functions and preferably enables execution of software applications on the communication device  300 . 
     The above described auxiliary I/O subsystem  328  can take a variety of different subsystems including the above described navigation tool  328 . As previously mentioned, the navigation tool  328  is preferably a trackball based device, but it can be any one of the other above described tools. Other auxiliary I/O devices can include external display devices and externally connected keyboards (not shown). While the above examples have been provided in relation to the auxiliary I/O subsystem, other subsystems capable of providing input or receiving output from the handheld electronic device  300   b  are considered within the scope of this disclosure. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the communication device  300  is designed to wirelessly connect with a communication network  319 . Some communication networks that the communication device  300  may be designed to operate on require a subscriber identity module (SIM) or removable user identity module (RUIM). Thus, a device  300  intended to operate on such a system will include SIM/RUIM interface  344  into which the SIM/RUIM card (not shown) may be placed. The SIM/RUIM interface  344  can be one in which the SIM/RUIM card is inserted and ejected. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the flash memory  324  is enabled to provide a storage location for the operating system, device programs, and data. While the operating system in a preferred embodiment is stored in flash memory  324 , the operating system in other embodiments is stored in read-only memory (ROM) or similar storage element (not shown). As those skilled in the art will appreciate, the operating system, device application or parts thereof may be loaded in RAM  326  or other volatile memory. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the flash memory  324  contains programs/applications  358  for execution on the device  300  including an address book  352 , a personal information manager (PIM)  354 , and the device state  350 . Furthermore, programs  358  and data  356  can be segregated upon storage in the flash memory  324  of the device  300 . However, another embodiment of the flash memory  324  utilizes a storage allocation method such that a program  358  is allocated additional space in order to store data associated with such program. Other known allocation methods exist in the art and those persons skilled in the art will appreciate additional ways to allocate the memory of the device  300 . 
     In a preferred embodiment, the device  300  is pre-loaded with a limited set of programs that enable it to operate on the communication network  319 . Another program that can be preloaded is a PIM  354  application that has the ability to organize and manage data items including but not limited to email, calendar events, voice messages, appointments and task items. In order to operate efficiently, memory  324  is allocated for use by the PIM  354  for the storage of associated data. In a preferred embodiment, the information that PIM  354  manages is seamlessly integrated, synchronized and updated through the communication network  319  with a user&#39;s corresponding information on a remote computer (not shown). The synchronization, in another embodiment, can also be performed through the serial port  330  or other short range communication subsystem  340 . Other applications may be installed through connection with the wireless network  319 , serial port  330  or via other short range communication subsystems  340 . 
     When the device  300  is enabled for two-way communication within the wireless communication network  319 , it can send and receive signals from a mobile communication service. Examples of communication systems enabled for two-way communication include, but are not limited to, the GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) network, the UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunication Service) network, the EDGE (Enhanced Data for Global Evolution) network, and the CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) network and those networks generally described as packet-switched, narrowband, data-only technologies mainly used for short burst wireless data transfer. 
     For the systems listed above, the communication device  300  must be properly enabled to transmit and receive signals from the communication network  319 . Other systems may not require such identifying information. A GPRS, UMTS, and EDGE require the use of a SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) in order to allow communication with the communication network  319 . Likewise, most CDMA systems require the use of a RUIM (Removable Identity Module) in order to communicate with the CDMA network. The RUIM and SIM card can be used in multiple different communication devices  300 . The communication device  300  may be able to operate some features without a SIM/RUIM card, but it will not be able to communicate with the network  319 . In some locations, the communication device  300  will be enabled to work with special services, such as “911” emergency, without a SIM/RUIM or with a non-functioning SIM/RUIM card. A SIM/RUIM interface  344  located within the device allows for removal or insertion of a SIM/RUIM card (not shown). This interface  344  can be configured like that of a disk drive or a PCMCIA slot or other known attachment mechanism in the art. The SIM/RUIM card features memory and holds key configurations  351 , and other information  353  such as identification and subscriber related information. Furthermore, a SIM/RUIM card can be enabled to store information about the user including identification, carrier and address book information. With a properly enabled communication device  300 , two-way communication between the communication device  300  and communication network  319  is possible. 
     If the communication device  300  is enabled as described above or the communication network  319  does not require such enablement, the two-way communication enabled device  300  is able to both transmit and receive information from the communication network  319 . The transfer of communication can be from the device  300  or to the device  300 . In order to communicate with the communication network  319 , the device  300  in a preferred embodiment is equipped with an integral or internal antenna  318  for transmitting signals to the communication network  319 . Likewise the communication device  300  in the preferred embodiment is equipped with another antenna  316  for receiving communication from the communication network  319 . These antennae ( 316 ,  318 ) in another preferred embodiment are combined into a single antenna (not shown). As one skilled in the art would appreciate, the antenna or antennae ( 316 ,  318 ) in another embodiment are externally mounted on the device  300 . 
     When equipped for two-way communication, the communication device  300  features a communication subsystem  311 . As is well known in the art, this communication subsystem  311  is modified so that it can support the operational needs of the device  300 . The subsystem  311  includes a transmitter  314  and receiver  312  including the associated antenna or antennae ( 316 ,  318 ) as described above, local oscillators (LOs)  313 , and a processing module  320  which in a preferred embodiment is a digital signal processor (DSP)  320 . 
     A signal received by the communication device  300  is first received by the antenna  316  and then input into a receiver  312 , which in a preferred embodiment is capable of performing common receiver functions including signal amplification, frequency down conversion, filtering, channel selection and the like, and analog to digital (A/D) conversion. The A/D conversion allows the DSP  320  to perform more complex communication functions such as demodulation and decoding on the signals that are received by DSP  320  from the receiver  312 . The DSP  320  is also capable of issuing control commands to the receiver  312 . An example of a control command that the DSP  320  is capable of sending to the receiver  312  is gain control, which is implemented in automatic gain control algorithms implemented in the DSP  320 . Likewise, the communication device  300  is capable of transmitting signals to the communication network  319 . The DSP  320  communicates the signals to be sent to the transmitter  314  and further communicates control functions, such as the above described gain control. The signal is emitted by the device  300  through an antenna  318  connected to the transmitter  314 . 
     It is contemplated that communication by the device  300  with the wireless network  319  can be any type of communication that both the wireless network  319  and device  300  are enabled to transmit, receive and process. In general, these can be classified as voice and data. Voice communication is communication in which signals for audible sounds are transmitted by the device  300  through the communication network  319 . Data is all other types of communication that the device  300  is capable of performing within the constraints of the wireless network  319 . 
     In the instance of voice communications, voice transmissions that originate from the communication device  300  enter the device  300  though a microphone  336 . The microphone  336  communicates the signals to the microprocessor  338  for further conditioning and processing. The microprocessor  338  sends the signals to the DSP  320  which controls the transmitter  314  and provides the correct signals to the transmitter  314 . Then, the transmitter  314  sends the signals to the antenna  318 , which emits the signals to be detected by a communication network  319 . Likewise, when the receiver  312  obtains a signal from the receiving antenna  316  that is a voice signal, it is transmitted to the DSP  320  which further sends the signal to the microprocessor  338 . Then, the microprocessor  338  provides a signal to the speaker  334  of the device  300  and the user can hear the voice communication that has been received. The device  300  in a preferred embodiment is enabled to allow for full duplex voice transmission. 
     In another embodiment, the voice transmission may be received by the communication device  300  and translated as text to be shown on the display screen  322  of the communication device  300 . The communication device  300  is also capable of retrieving messages from a voice messaging service operated by the communication network operator. In a preferred embodiment, the device  300  displays information in relation to the voice message, such as the number of voice messages or an indication that a new voice message is present on the operating system. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the display  322  of the communication device  300  provides an indication about the identity of an incoming call, duration of the voice communication, telephone number of the communication device, call history, and other related information. It should be appreciated that the above described embodiments are given as examples only and one skilled in the art may effect alterations, modifications and variations to the particular embodiments without departing from the scope of the application. 
     As stated above, the communication device  300  and communication network  319  can be enabled to transmit, receive and process data. Several different types of data exist and some of these types of data will be described in further detail. One type of data communication that occurs over the communication network  319  includes electronic mail (email) messages. Typically an email is text based, but can also include other types of data such as picture files, attachments and html. While these are given as examples, other types of messages are considered within the scope of this disclosure as well. 
     When the email originates from a source outside of the device and is communicated to the device  300 , it is first received by the receiving antenna  316  and then transmitted to the receiver  312 . From the receiver  312 , the email message is further processed by the DSP  320 , and it then reaches the microprocessor  338 . The microprocessor  338  executes instructions as indicated from the relevant programming instructions to display, store or process the email message as directed by the program. In a similar manner, once an email message has been properly processed by the microprocessor  338  for transmission to the communication network  319 , it is first sent to the DSP  320 , which further transmits the email message to the transmitter  314 . The transmitter  314  processes the email message and transmits it to the transmission antenna  318 , which broadcasts a signal to be received by a communication network  319 . While the above has been described generally, those skilled in this art will appreciate those modifications which are necessary to enable the communication device  300  to properly transmit the email message over a given communication network  319 . 
     Furthermore, the email message may instead be transmitted from the device  300  via a serial port  330 , another communication port  340 , or other wireless communication ports  340 . The user of the device  300  can generate a message to be sent using the keyboard  332  and/or auxiliary I/O  328 , and the associated application to generate the email message. Once the email message is generated, the user may execute a send command which directs the email message from the communication device  300  to the communication network  319 . In an exemplary embodiment, a keyboard  332 , preferably an alphanumeric keyboard, is used to compose the email message. In a preferred embodiment, an auxiliary I/O device  328  is used in addition to the keyboard  332 . 
     While the above has been described in relation to email messages, one skilled in the art could easily modify the procedure to function with other types of data such as SMS text messages, internet websites, videos, instant messages, programs and ringtones. Once the data is received by the microprocessor  338 , the data is placed appropriately within the operating system of the device  300 . This might involve presenting a message on the display  322  which indicates the data has been received or storing it in the appropriate memory  324  on the device  300 . For example, a downloaded application such as a game will be placed into a suitable place in the flash memory  324  of the device  300 . The operating system of the device  300  will also allow for appropriate access to the new application as downloaded. 
     Exemplary embodiments have been described hereinabove regarding both wireless handheld electronic devices, as well as the communication networks within which they cooperate. It should be appreciated, however, that a focus of the present disclosure is the facilitation of an operator to use a trackball-based auxiliary input device on the wireless handheld electronic device as both a navigation tool, as well as a selection tool. The present disclosure further contemplates the combination of this facilitation with the described methods and arrangements for enabling diagonal cursor guidance using the trackball, as well as those methods and arrangements for conserving power on such trackball-incorporating handheld devices.