Patent ID: 7394456

Claim:
A miniature keyboard comprising: a plurality of keys for inputting data to a portable electronic device, the plurality of keys extending in a reference horizontal direction and in a reference vertical direction; wherein said keys of said plurality of keys are individually sized such that multiple ones can be depressed by a single finger tip; and wherein at least a portion of the plurality of keys include at least one set of keys that are raised for providing key differentiation and to facilitate single key selection, the set of keys including; a first pair of adjacent keys, including a first key and a second key, wherein the first key has a height at a point of reference that is raised as compared to another point of reference on the second key, wherein the point of reference of the second key is separated from the point of reference of the first key by a distance that extends in only the reference horizontal direction; a second pair of adjacent keys that are adjacent to the first pair of adjacent keys in the reference vertical direction, the second pair of keys including a third key and a fourth key, wherein the third key has a height at a point of reference that is lowered as compared to another point of reference on the fourth key, wherein the point of reference of the third key is separated from the point of reference of the fourth key by a distance that extends in only the reference horizontal direction; wherein (i) the point of reference of the third key is separated from the point of reference of the first key by a distance that extends in only the reference vertical direction, and (ii) the point of reference of fourth key is separated from the point of reference of the second key by a distance that extends in only the reference vertical direction; wherein the raised points of reference of each of the first and second keys of the first adjacent pairs, and of the third and fourth keys of the second adjacent pairs, combine to form a substantially checkered pattern on said miniature keyboard.