Patent ID: 8421651

Claim:
A method of scanning a keyboard matrix of a wireless portable communication device that has a plurality of keys that are selectively operable to respective conditions to provide respective electrical signals, comprising attempting to selectively draw the plurality of keys substantially simultaneously to a specified condition, wherein the specified condition is associated with the status of circuitry associated with the plurality of keys; sampling at least a group of the keys substantially simultaneously to determine whether any of the keys is at a condition different from the specified condition, and wherein the number of keys in the group is less than the number of keys in the plurality of keys, repeating the attempting step for the plurality of keys and the sampling step for at least a further group of keys, wherein the further group of keys includes at least one key different from the first mentioned group of keys and wherein the number of keys in the further group is less than the number of keys in the plurality of keys; and wherein at least part of the keyboard matrix is in proximity to an antenna of a wireless portable communication device, and further comprising decoupling interaction between at least one or more keys of the group of keys from interference with antenna operation by directing signals associated with said one or more keys of the group of keys in a resistor and capacitor circuit.