Patent ID: 6906701

Claim:
In a palmtop computer system, a method for conveying information to a user comprising the steps of: a) providing a hard button that is operable to perform a primary function, said hard button having a contoured region formed therein that is contoured in the shape of a symbol that represents said primary function; b) providing at least one light source, said light source located such that, when said light source is illuminated, light is emitted through said contoured region so as to illuminate said hard button; and c) selectively illuminating said hard button to communicate information to a user of said palmtop computer system regarding and in response to the occurrence of a particular event that is associated with said hard button, wherein said selectively illuminating of said hard button provides information regarding said event to indicate that said hard button may be pressed to perform a function and wherein a color of said light emitted through said contoured region communicates further information to said user that relates to said primary function and a secondary function.